posted 08-22-2002 17:11            

I've closed the other "Ask Craig" threads and am starting a new one.

I need to remind everyone that Craig Urbine is Vice President of Customer Service for Interval International (is that the right title, Craig?). He is only able to comment on company policy. That is, exchange rules, how things work, etc. Although he has answered a few individual personal situations, he is unable to do this in the future. If we keep asking him to do this, we may very well lose his participation on these boards.

I hope everybody understands this topic is a gift to us, and we shouldn't use it to argue or post personal agenda.

Thanks for joining us again, Craig.

Fern Modena,
TUG BBS Manager

posted 08-26-2002 16:58            

As you know, I own with DVC as well as other weeks. While I have no intention of routinely trading DVC, there are some issues with the listings with II that seem incorrect to me. Technically all DVC 2 BR units sleep 8 with the 1 BR and studios sleeping 4. More specifically, OKW as 2 BR units have a King, pull out Queen in the LR and 2 reg Queens in the second BR. Boardwalk has a queen plus pull out full in the second BR. Wilderness Lodge, Vero Beach, HH and Beach Club have a mixture of both of these type units with the lockoff's all having the pull out in the studio portion. In addition, VB has Inn rooms that have 2 queens and are set up like studios.

In the old II books, OKW is listed as exchanging for 6 and BW for 8. It has always been my assumption that this was a simple reversal based on whether or not the pull out love seat counted for 2 additional exchange people.

In the last edition of the wishbook, there are multiple listings for DVC resorts. OKW has 2/2, 2/4, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8 unit sizes listed in the II book but in reality only 3 types of units can be had, excluding the 3 BR Grande Villas which are not available for exchange and are not lockoff's. All 2 BR, 1 BR and studio units are alike in the same size. The units at the WLV and BCV that have 2 queens are dedicated 2 BR units. That gives 2 type of 2 BR but only one type of the other 2 unit sizes and the studios are listed as exchanging for 2/4 even though they are partial kitchen and a queen plus a pull out full. BW likewise only has 3 unit types for exchange and four exchange sizes in the II book.

My guess is someone tried to correct the original problem and only made it worse. It really doesn't matter to me but my real question is whether there are a lot of other incorrect info along these lines for other resorts. I'd hate to get somewhere with a confirmation for 8 people and find the unit only slept 6.

BTW, assuming the second BR with a queen and pull out full only counts as 2, the correct listings for the DVC resorts are as follows.

OKW 2/4, 4/4, 8/8
BWV 2/2, 4/4, 6/6
WLV 2/2, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8
BCV 2/2, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8
Vero Beach 2/2, 2/4. 4/4, 6/6
HH 2/2, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8

If you assume the second BR sleeps 4 even with the love seat pull out, the numbers change to:

OKW 2/4, 4/4, 8/8
BWV 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
WLV 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
BCV 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
VB 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
HH 2/4, 4/4, 6/8

posted 08-26-2002 17:26         

My husband thinks this guy doesn't even work for II, he's just managed to get our details somehow and is trolling for credit card numbers - a scary thought.

I've copied the below from my previous question in another thread, so apologies if it isn't as tidy as the usual quote.

quote:

---

There isn't a fee increase planned. If you were advised this, someone is breaking company policy. I'd love to have the name of the person who called.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by judy.f:
Then why did I just - in the last 15 minutes - get a phone call from II saying that there was going to be a price increase in November but that Marriott, in renewing its II contract for another ten years, was absorbing the increase for its owners - if you renewed, preferably TODAY with the person who called, but no later than the end of August when Marriott's offer expires?
I wasn't planning on renewing until closer to my anniversary date in December, so it was left that II would call me back the last week of August. I wanted to call the II Marriott desk to renew under this purported offer, but this man told me that wouldn't work, they wouldn't know what I was talking about,as he was calling from a desk specially set up to contact Marriott owners to advise them of the rate increase/special Marriott renewal rates.

---

------------------
ffelix@comcast.net

posted 08-28-2002 15:16         

I was very interested to see carolinept's post above, that II VCs are talking about a price increase in November to inbound callers, too.

quote:

---

Originally posted by judy.f:
Following up on a previous question (see below): The person I spoke with gave his name as Delroy Reed when he called me back tonight. He again said that there was going to be a rate increase, and quoted me 5 years for $299, 3 years for $199, with an extra 6 months thrown in for free. I got all the details from him again, including his assurance of an imminent price hike, and said thanks, but no thanks.

My husband thinks this guy doesn't even work for II, he's just managed to get our details somehow and is trolling for credit card numbers - a scary thought.

---

------------------
ffelix@comcast.net

posted 08-29-2002 11:42            

------------------
Bruce F. & Judy Czajkowski, Kansasville Wi. Judy is a teacher and Bruce is retired (and off his much needed medication)and thinks(?) that you are never to old to have a happy childhood.

posted 08-29-2002 18:17            

I had a fantastic time visiting Boston for the first time. What a great city.

I hope all of you had a good week.

------------------
Craig Urbine
Vice President
Member Services
Interval International

posted 08-29-2002 18:18            

quote:

---

Originally posted by justkev:
Wow Craig must have his own island to be gone for an entire year.. Can I work for you Craig and get a similar vacation package?

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posted 08-29-2002 18:24            

Private sleeping capacity is two people per area that has private access to a bathroom. Non private sleeping capacity is greater as there may be two beds in one room. Thus a two bedroom unit that has one bed in the master bedroom, two beds in the second bedroom and a pullout sofa in the living area would sleep 6 privately, 8 non privately.

I hope that answers your question.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dean:
I'll post this waiting for Craig's return. I realize that you are not able to step in to individual situations but this is more a a general question prompted by a specific set of resort circumstances.

As you know, I own with DVC as well as other weeks. While I have no intention of routinely trading DVC, there are some issues with the listings with II that seem incorrect to me. Technically all DVC 2 BR units sleep 8 with the 1 BR and studios sleeping 4. More specifically, OKW as 2 BR units have a King, pull out Queen in the LR and 2 reg Queens in the second BR. Boardwalk has a queen plus pull out full in the second BR. Wilderness Lodge, Vero Beach, HH and Beach Club have a mixture of both of these type units with the lockoff's all having the pull out in the studio portion. In addition, VB has Inn rooms that have 2 queens and are set up like studios.

In the old II books, OKW is listed as exchanging for 6 and BW for 8. It has always been my assumption that this was a simple reversal based on whether or not the pull out love seat counted for 2 additional exchange people.

In the last edition of the wishbook, there are multiple listings for DVC resorts. OKW has 2/2, 2/4, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8 unit sizes listed in the II book but in reality only 3 types of units can be had, excluding the 3 BR Grande Villas which are not available for exchange and are not lockoff's. All 2 BR, 1 BR and studio units are alike in the same size. The units at the WLV and BCV that have 2 queens are dedicated 2 BR units. That gives 2 type of 2 BR but only one type of the other 2 unit sizes and the studios are listed as exchanging for 2/4 even though they are partial kitchen and a queen plus a pull out full. BW likewise only has 3 unit types for exchange and four exchange sizes in the II book.

My guess is someone tried to correct the original problem and only made it worse. It really doesn't matter to me but my real question is whether there are a lot of other incorrect info along these lines for other resorts. I'd hate to get somewhere with a confirmation for 8 people and find the unit only slept 6.

BTW, assuming the second BR with a queen and pull out full only counts as 2, the correct listings for the DVC resorts are as follows.

OKW 2/4, 4/4, 8/8
BWV 2/2, 4/4, 6/6
WLV 2/2, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8
BCV 2/2, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8
Vero Beach 2/2, 2/4. 4/4, 6/6
HH 2/2, 4/4, 6/6, 6/8

If you assume the second BR sleeps 4 even with the love seat pull out, the numbers change to:

OKW 2/4, 4/4, 8/8
BWV 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
WLV 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
BCV 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
VB 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
HH 2/4, 4/4, 6/8

---

posted 08-29-2002 18:27            

Could you please clarify the positioning used?

quote:

---

Originally posted by judy.f:
Following up on a previous question (see below): The person I spoke with gave his name as Delroy Reed when he called me back tonight. He again said that there was going to be a rate increase, and quoted me 5 years for $299, 3 years for $199, with an extra 6 months thrown in for free. I got all the details from him again, including his assurance of an imminent price hike, and said thanks, but no thanks.

My husband thinks this guy doesn't even work for II, he's just managed to get our details somehow and is trolling for credit card numbers - a scary thought.

I've copied the below from my previous question in another thread, so apologies if it isn't as tidy as the usual quote.

---

posted 08-29-2002 18:30            

quote:

---

Originally posted by carolinept:
Judy and Craig,
Every time I call II, the VCs tell me about the price increase in November (even though I'm subscribed until June 2004). SO if this isn't something that should be happening, you should know that it is consistently going on.

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posted 08-29-2002 18:32            

There is a fee of $39 to add a week. The alternative is to extend your membership by one year and the add on fee is waived.

quote:

---

Originally posted by csandin:
Question for Craig:
I am in the process of purchasing another timeshare week. When the transaction is complete, what is the best way to add the week to my profile with II? Do you need proof of ownership? Is there any cost involved in adding another week?

---

posted 08-29-2002 18:37            

We feel our Interval Options program, as part of Interval Gold, adds enough flexibility and makes other products available to our valued members.

quote:

---

Originally posted by cz:
Craig, its nice to have you back. We hoped you enjoyed your vacation. Last nite in a effort to learn better how to use II we called and talked to one of your VC's. I unfortunately did not write her name down and do not remember it. But when I mentioned about differant point programs she clearly stated to me that II was going to have a point program. Is that imformation correct? Or is it just a case that II is looking at a points program to see if it is fesable somewhat along the lines of the RCI points program as the new owners of II have the other travel asset ownerships that I understand from media reports that would blend nicely in with the time sharing aspect of II. Would you please clarify what we can look foward to in this area. Was the VC miss informed? Thank you for all of your time a effort in posting your replys. Bruce

---

posted 08-29-2002 18:40            

quote:

---

Originally posted by pannie:
Hi Craig:
As a new II member (through Worldmark) I have received conflicting information from VC's regarding how far ahead we can search using "CONFIRM FIRST" with Worldmark points. One said 2 years, one said only 1 year. Could you please clarify which one is correct?
Thanks
Pannie

---

posted 08-29-2002 18:42            

quote:

---

Originally posted by carolinept:
Craig,
FYI to follow up with the price increase issue and the VCs, I will tell you that in the past four phone calls to II, each VC told me that "there is a price increase in NOVEMBER" and encouraged me to renew prior to the prices going up.

So, if there isn't supposed to be a date given, they are all giving false info. Just thought you should know...thanks!

---

posted 08-29-2002 19:09            

Do other owners have priority trading back into their own resort or resort group, like the arrangement Marriott owners have?

If they don't, do they have any priority at all? If yes, how does that work?

To be specific, I'm interested in how it works for a Sheraton/Westin & Hyatt owner who uses II to exchange either to their home resort of group.

Thanks.

posted 08-29-2002 19:19            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marina_K:
Welcome back, Craig.

Do other owners have priority trading back into their own resort or resort group, like the arrangement Marriott owners have?

If they don't, do they have any priority at all? If yes, how does that work?

To be specific, I'm interested in how it works for a Sheraton/Westin & Hyatt owner who uses II to exchange either to their home resort of group.

Thanks.

---

posted 08-29-2002 20:04            

Why does the Resort directory and Online resort guide show HU 2/2 available at the Mayan and carribean if Interval does not accept them?

How come Mayan and carribean hotel units are not accepted?

Thanks inadvance

Jeff