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Original Message:

Exchanging... (by KC):

robertj384 states / asks: >> I just recently purchased a Marriott Grand Chateau Las Vegas 2 bd/2bath unit that is available for weeks 1-51. It is also a lockout unit. So....how do I go about offering it for exchange? Do I first have to lock in a specific date if I know I won't be using it in a particular year? <<

Yes. You need to have a confirmed reservation firmly in hand before you actually have anything to actualy "deposit" for exchange, regardless of which exchange company you utilize. Your "floating week" is just a "conceptual possibility" until such time as you obtain a confirmed reservation from your resort system.

>> 2. Once I get my requested dates confirmed, then do I offer it up for exchange? <<

Yes, if you choose to do so, as per item 1 above.

>> What about the lockout? If I want to use the studio portion and offer the larger 1 bedroom, can I do that? Or vice versa.<<

Yes, you can choose to do either one, although the studio portion of the lock off will be (...or should be, anyhow) of lower valuation. In a location like Las Vegas, where supply quite often exceeds demand, there might not be too much interest or value in the studio portion alone.

>> 3. What is confusing, is I submitted my unit (the full 2 bedroom/2bath unit - sleeps 8) for valuation for the week 9/12/09 to 9/19/09. I received a value of 963 pts. <<

Valuations are based upon projected demand, other available inventory for the same time period at the same resort, long term advance deposit date and other factors which I do not claim to know. In my own experience and opinion, RedWeek valuations seem to often be inconsistent, but I certainly do not claim to know all of the RedWeek evaluation parameters. In any case, per above, you can't actually deposit ANY week until you first obtain a confirmed reservation.

>> There is a studio (small portion of the lockout) that is available for the same week and would cost 1212 pts. That doesn't seem right or fair. Why am I getting so little in return compared to a much smaller unit for the same week. Why are the 2 pts values so disproportionate?<<

You don't actually state outright that this "same week" is also at the exact same RESORT. If it is, then you have apparently happened upon an inconsistency in RedWeek valuations --- which only RedWeek can explain for itself. The good news is that with the RedWeek exchange program, if you don't like the valuation offered, you can simply decline to deposit the week at all. That's considerably better, by comparison, than the mandatory RCI practice of "deposit first, then just hope and pray"...