Ready to unlock a world of vacation possibilities with your Marriott timeshare? Have you ever wondered how your Marriott Vacation Club ownership can take you beyond the familiar resorts and open doors to thousands of other destinations worldwide? Well, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the ins and outs of how Interval International works with Marriott, helping you maximize your timeshare's potential.
How Does Interval International Work with Marriott? A Step-by-Step Guide
Marriott Vacations Worldwide, the parent company of Marriott Vacation Club, also owns Interval International. This close relationship creates a seamless, albeit sometimes nuanced, pathway for Marriott owners to exchange their vacation ownership for stays at a vast network of resorts globally.
Let's break down how this powerful partnership operates:
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| How Does Interval International Work With Marriott |
Step 1: Understanding Your Marriott Vacation Club Ownership & Interval International Membership
Welcome, Marriott owner! Before we dive into exchanges, let's ensure you understand the foundation.
As a Marriott Vacation Club owner, you typically have an inherent link to Interval International. Your specific ownership type (whether it's a deeded week or the newer Abound Club Points system) will influence how you interact with Interval International.
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Deeded Week Owners: If you own a traditional deeded week at a Marriott Vacation Club resort, you'll likely have a direct Interval International membership tied to that week. This allows you to deposit your week into Interval International's exchange network.
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Abound Club Points Owners: For those with Abound Club Points, you have greater flexibility. While you can book directly within the Marriott system using your points, you can also convert a portion of your points to Interval International for exchange opportunities. This conversion ratio is important to understand and may change.
Important Note: Regardless of your ownership type, an active Interval International membership is crucial for initiating any exchanges. This usually comes with an annual fee.
Step 2: Depositing Your Marriott Vacation Time into Interval International
This is the crucial first step to unlocking exchanges!
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
Sub-heading: For Deeded Week Owners
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Understanding "Depositing Your Week": When you "deposit" your Marriott week with Interval International, you are essentially relinquishing your right to use that specific week at your home resort in a given year. In return, you receive "trading power" within the Interval International system. This trading power is what you'll use to request exchanges at other resorts.
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The Deposit Process:
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Access IntervalWorld.com: Log in to your account on the Interval International website.
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Navigate to "Deposit Your Week": Look for a section related to depositing your timeshare week.
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Select Your Marriott Week: Choose the specific week you wish to deposit. Ensure all maintenance fees are current on that week.
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Confirm Deposit: Follow the prompts to complete the deposit. Interval International will assign a "Deposit Value" or "Trading Power" to your week based on factors like the resort's quality, the size of your unit, the season, and demand.
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Keep an Eye on the Calendar: Be mindful of the "deposit window." Depositing well in advance (typically 9-24 months prior to your check-in date) generally yields higher trading power and more exchange options. Late deposits (Flexchange, typically 59 to 14 days before check-in) can still be made but might offer fewer choices.
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Sub-heading: For Abound Club Points Owners
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Converting Points to Interval International: If you primarily use Abound Club Points, you can often convert a portion of these points into an Interval International exchange. This process is managed through the Marriott Vacation Club's owner services or website.
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Understanding the Conversion Ratio: The number of Abound Club Points required to generate a specific level of Interval International trading power can vary. It's essential to confirm the current conversion ratio before proceeding, as this directly impacts the value of your exchange.
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Initiating the Conversion: Contact Marriott Vacation Club Owner Services or check your owner portal to understand the steps for converting points for Interval International use. Once converted, Interval International will recognize this as "deposited" time.
Step 3: Searching for Your Dream Vacation Exchange
Now for the exciting part – finding your next getaway!
Sub-heading: Using the Interval International Website
The Interval International website (IntervalWorld.com) is your primary tool for searching and confirming exchanges.
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Log In and Navigate: Once logged in, look for the "Exchange" or "Vacation Exchange" section.
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Input Your Desired Criteria:
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Destination: Start by selecting your desired country, region, or specific resort.
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Travel Dates: Specify your preferred check-in and check-out dates, or a flexible date range. Flexibility is key for successful exchanges!
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Unit Size: Indicate the minimum and maximum unit size you're looking for (e.g., studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom).
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Guest Capacity: How many people will be traveling?
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Review Search Results: Interval International will display available resorts that match your criteria, considering your deposited week's trading power.
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Marriott-to-Marriott Priority: As a Marriott owner, you often receive a priority when exchanging into other Marriott Vacation Club properties. This means that for a certain period after a Marriott week is deposited, only other Marriott owners can exchange into it. This gives you a significant advantage in securing highly sought-after Marriott resorts. While the exact duration of this priority can vary, it historically has been around 21-24 days.
Sub-heading: Placing a "Request First" Exchange (Waitlist)
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
What if your dream resort isn't immediately available? Don't despair!
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Understanding "Request First": This feature allows you to place a request for a specific resort, dates, and unit size even if it's not currently available. Interval International will then actively search for a match on your behalf.
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Setting Up a Request:
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Enter Your Desired Vacation: Follow the same steps as a direct search, but instead of confirming an available option, select the "Request First" or "Add to Waitlist" option.
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Prioritize Your Choices: You can often list multiple preferred resorts and dates, ranking them by preference.
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Deposit Your Week (if not already done): For a "Request First" to be active, you generally need to have a deposited week or equivalent trading power available.
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Be Patient: Matches can happen instantly or take weeks, months, or even longer. You'll be notified via email if a match is found.
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Step 4: Confirming Your Exchange and Fees
Once you find a suitable exchange, it's time to lock it in!
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Review Exchange Details: Carefully examine the resort, unit size, dates, and any specific notes about the exchange.
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Pay the Exchange Fee: Interval International charges an exchange fee for each confirmed exchange. These fees can vary based on the length of your stay and whether you confirm online or by phone. Always check the current fee schedule on IntervalWorld.com.
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Confirmation Certificate: After successful confirmation and payment, you'll receive a confirmation certificate. This document is essential for check-in at your exchanged resort. Print it out and keep it safe!
Step 5: Utilizing Additional Interval International Benefits
Your Interval International membership offers more than just exchanges!
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Getaways: These are discounted, cash-only vacation rentals that do not require you to deposit your timeshare week. They are a fantastic way to travel more often or to destinations where you don't necessarily want to use your valuable trading power. Keep an eye out for "Platinum Escapes" if you have a higher membership tier.
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Guest Certificates: Want to let friends or family use your exchanged vacation or a Getaway? You can purchase a Guest Certificate, which authorizes another party to check in without you being present.
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Other Travel Services: Interval International also provides access to booking flights, car rentals, cruises, and other travel-related services, sometimes with member discounts.
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Membership Tiers: Interval International offers different membership tiers (e.g., Standard, Gold, Platinum), each with varying benefits and annual fees. Higher tiers typically offer perks like priority exchange, discounts on fees, airport lounge access, and more. Consider if upgrading makes sense for your travel habits.
Pro Tip: Become familiar with the Interval International website and its various features. The more you explore, the more you'll discover ways to maximize your membership.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Maximize My Marriott-to-Marriott Exchange Priority?
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
To maximize your Marriott-to-Marriott priority, deposit your week as early as possible (up to 24 months in advance is ideal) and place a "Request First" for your desired Marriott destination. This puts you in the exclusive Marriott-owner queue before general Interval International members.
How to Understand My Interval International Trading Power?
Your trading power is determined by factors like your Marriott resort's demand, unit size, season, and the week you deposit. Generally, popular resorts, larger units, and peak season weeks yield higher trading power. You can see your deposit's trading power after you deposit your week on IntervalWorld.com.
How to Find Good Exchange Availability on Interval International?
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Be Flexible: The more flexible you are with dates, unit size, and even destinations, the higher your chances of finding a good exchange.
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Search Frequently: Availability changes constantly as other members deposit and confirm exchanges. Check the website regularly.
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Use "Request First": Don't rely solely on instant availability. Set up "Request First" for your dream destinations.
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Travel Off-Peak: Consider traveling during shoulder seasons or off-peak times for more availability and potentially lower trading power requirements.
How to Get the Best Value from Interval International Exchange Fees?
Compare the cost of the exchange fee with the commercial rental value of the week you're exchanging into. Sometimes, a high-value exchange makes the fee feel insignificant. Consider a higher membership tier (like Platinum) if it offers free guest certificates or discounted exchange fees, which can add up if you exchange frequently.
How to Convert Marriott Bonvoy Points to Interval International?
Marriott Vacation Club owners with Abound Club Points can convert a portion of their points to Interval International for exchange. This process is typically handled through your Marriott Vacation Club owner portal or by contacting Marriott Vacation Club Owner Services directly to understand the current conversion ratios and steps.
QuickTip: Break down long paragraphs into main ideas.
How to Use Guest Certificates with Interval International for Marriott Stays?
Once you have a confirmed exchange or a Getaway booked through Interval International, you can purchase a Guest Certificate on IntervalWorld.com. You'll need the name of the person checking in. A fee usually applies per guest certificate.
How to Understand the Difference Between Interval International and RCI for Marriott Owners?
Marriott Vacation Club is exclusively affiliated with Interval International. You cannot exchange your Marriott timeshare through RCI. RCI is the other major timeshare exchange company, but it primarily partners with different timeshare developers.
How to Renew My Interval International Membership?
You can renew your Interval International membership directly on IntervalWorld.com by logging into your account. You'll typically receive renewal reminders via email or mail. Renewing for multiple years often provides a discount.
How to Contact Interval International for Marriott Owners?
You can contact Interval International directly through their website (IntervalWorld.com) via chat, email, or by phone. Marriott Vacation Club Owner Services can also provide guidance and often has direct lines for Interval International support if you need assistance with specific Marriott-related exchanges.
How to Exit My Marriott Timeshare If I No Longer Want to Use Interval International?
If you wish to exit your Marriott timeshare ownership entirely, Interval International is not the direct avenue for this. Marriott Vacations Worldwide has a "Responsible Exit" program designed to assist owners who genuinely need to relinquish their ownership. You can contact Marriott Vacation Club's Exit Services Team directly at exit.services@mvwc.com or by calling 800-226-9150 to explore your options. Be wary of third-party exit companies.
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