If you own a lock-off unit, you can split your Marriott villa into 2 weeks of vacation time by locking it off. After paying your $75 lock-off fee, Marriott provides you a reservation in a Master and one in a Studio. You can stay for 2 weeks back-to-back, or at different times of the year or you can trade the Master and/or Studio for another vacation through Interval.

Most owners do not enjoy staying in a studio or guest unit. Marriott Vacation Club does not offer a way to upgrade a studio to larger accommodations--but Interval International does!

If the week you are looking for is available in Interval's inventory, then they often upgrade you for an exchange fee of only $109. For example, just today, I confirmed a trade from a Timber Lodge owners' studio reservation to a 2-bedroom villa for the same dates they had booked in September. So instead of being cramped in a studio they are now inviting family to join them!   

Although trading up is easier to do during off-season, I have been very successful in upgrading owner's studios at Shadow Ridge for high-demand March weeks.  The key to upgrading is to trade studios with the same or higher demand than the week you are requesting--and to be persistent! Calling Interval regularly may be required since the inventory changes by the minute and you never know when your desired week may pop up.

It is a small price to pay to upgrade in dollars and cents but it can be costly in time. At The Art of Vacationing, we speak to Interval every day, so we are on top of the inventory changes.  If you are reserved in a studio and want to try for an upgrade, call us today for assistance!