View of Hanalei Bay
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been to Hawaii but I used to exchange there frequently. In fact, for 7 consecutive years I used my timeshares there to get 2 weeks back to back – usually one week on Kauai and the other on Maui. I even lived on Maui at one time.
I’m sure, to many of you, so many timeshare exchanges to the same place may seem like overkill. But there is something special about the Hawaiian Islands that keeps me coming back. I’ve traveled extensively – from the Great Wall of China, Europe, Guatemala, Tahiti, most of Mexico and South America and of course most of the good old U.S of A. but Hawaii is one of the few places I’ll continually return to. Another is Jackson, Wyoming.
So here are 7 tips when doing a timeshare exchange to Hawaii with either RCI or Interval International.
1. Book early
It can’t be said too often. Hawaii always has much more demand than there is supply so you need to put in your request at least 1 year in advance.
2. Give multiple resort choice
Many timeshare exchangers only give RCI or Interval International 3 or 4 choices when putting in a request. If you own a very powerful exchanging timeshare, and are putting in your request at least a year in advance, that’s fine. If not, then make sure you request 10 or more resorts.
3. Find out how many timeshare units are in each resort you request
Not all of the timeshares pictured in the RCI and II directories contain 100% timeshare units. Especially the resorts listed in RCI. Some resorts are mixed use containing whole ownership, hotel and timeshare units. What is pictured in the exchange directories as a large resort may contain only 4 timeshare units. If this is the case you’ll want to add additional resorts to your request. The best way to find out how many timeshare units are in a resort is to call it directly since this important fact isn’t mentioned in either directory.
Hanalei Valley Overlook
4. Don’t go in September
If you really want to be safe you shouldn’t exchange to Hawaii anytime during hurricane season. But that takes out the months of May through October. It’s the month of September, however, that you’ll most likely encounter a hurricane or tropical storm. And a big tropical storm can ruin your vacation just as fast as a hurricane.
5. Don’t get too much sun the first day
Many first time visitors to Hawaii don’t understand how intense the sun really is in the lower latitudes. The first time my friend and I went we already had great tans from being young and living in California. Thinking we were safe we used very little sunscreen the first day. That night we wandered into the local bar glowing red from our day in the sun. The bartender took one look at us and said, “You boys are from California, aren’t you?” We acknowledged the fact and asked how he knew. He said that Californians always got sunburned because thought they already had a tan.
So always wear the most powerful sunscreen you can find and take it easy the first day. Getting too much sun the first day can ruin the rest of your trip.
6. If it’s your first trip, don’t go to Oahu
Sorry Oahu. It is a lovely island with many things to do but for your first trip try Kauai, Maui or the Big Island to get a better feel of what the islands, and the aloha spirit, are all about -especially if you go to Kauai. Kauai is the easiest to exchange to followed by The Big Island and Maui.
7. Don’t believe what you hear about Kauai
It’s been said many times that there’s not enough to do on Kauai. If shopping’s your thing then you’d be better off on Maui or Oahu. But other than that there is plenty to keep you busy for a week. It’s the oldest and prettiest of the islands and the least commercial. Unlike Maui and Oahu, known for their long stretches of uninterrupted sand, Kauai has many smaller, palm ringed, crescent beaches tucked away all over the island. For the most part, many of them are uncrowded and visited mainly by locals.
Lumanai Beach, Kauai
So pack your bags and enjoy a piece of paradise.
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Jeff Pierce, The Timeshare Expert, has taught thousands of timeshare owners the secrets to getting the best exchanges with both RCI and Interval International for over 21 years.
His two books, The Timeshare Exchange Bible – RCI Weeks Edition, and The Timeshare Exchange Bible – Interval International, are the only books of their kind in the timeshare industry and designed to help you master at the very complicated art of getting good exchanges.
I would love to have you share your opinions and personal insights on this blog.
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