Buying Resale MVCD points [and Other Marriott Purchase Options]

I am looking to buy 6500 Destinations points. I got few offers around 4 per point + re-enrollment fees etc. I also got an offer from Marriott resale department to buy Newport coast Platinum + 3500 points for 45K (total 6975 points). Marriott will enroll Newport coast for free.

I wonder which is the right choice ? 30K for 6500 resale points vs 45K for the COMBO offer from Marriott.

Are there any issues buying resale ?. IF I understand correctly, all the perks are reinstated once the points are re-enrolled.

Please advice.

There seem to be a lot of these threads going on right now.

Check out THIS thread from the past....most of what you are asking is hashed out there.

good evening

The bundle isn't a bad way to go..because you do get a deeded week (however not a lock off) so you can't do 2 for 1 trading....in II

MVCD isn't enrolling your newport week for free... you could save $$$ on the resale market..the difference in price between MVCD resale and what you can find on the open market is the price for enrollment!!!

Thank you ..
MF for 6500 points : 2925
MF for Combo (NP + MCD ) : 2750

Is there any other advantage in opting for the combo from marriott , given the resale points are $15K cheaper ?.

The combo will probably be less stressful to complete since it is direct through Marriott. You might also get some signing perks like MR points or free status upgrade for a couple of years.

rahulgopi said:

Thank you ..
MF for 6500 points : 2925
MF for Combo (NP + MCD ) : 2750

Is there any other advantage in opting for the combo from marriott , given the resale points are $15K cheaper ?.

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You will have more flexibility with the combo, if you plan to stay frequently at NCV for at least a week at a time, I think. I am assuming most weeks in your season are more expensive using points versus just using the week. You can also extend your stay using cheaper points Sunday through Thursday. You could also possibly enjoy similar options at Tahoe (Timber Lodge or Grand Residence Club), as its within easy driving distance.

rahulgopi said:

Thank you ..
MF for 6500 points : 2925
MF for Combo (NP + MCD ) : 2750

Is there any other advantage in opting for the combo from marriott , given the resale points are $15K cheaper ?.

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The one advantage may be a lower combined annual MF compared to resale points. Resale points will have $0.45pp MFs where you may be able to get a combo package lower than $0.40 if you buy the right week. Of course the upfront higher costs may off set any savings you get on MFs over time.

It looks like lot of weeks owners keep them for trading with II. I use Worldmark to trade with both II and RCI. Marriott has a 21 day Marriott advantage in II but other than that Worldmark can pull any exchange a premium Marriott week does.

I want to primarily use Marriott with Marriott itself. I may not travel that often to a home resort , if I purchase a week.

Given all these, does it make sense to stick with 6.5K resale points ?. I am using TRCS for closing, which seem to have great feedback here. Talked to them and they routinely close and enroll Marriott points account without issues.

I personally would go with a COMBO package from Marriott. However, unless I wanted to stay most years at Newport Coast, I would opt to buy a a combo package with a Marriott resort that has lock-offs. If you want to go to Newport Coast Villas most years then I would go with the one you outlined above.

rahulgopi said:

It looks like lot of weeks owners keep them for trading with II. I use Worldmark to trade with both II and RCI. Marriott has a 21 day Marriott advantage in II but other than that Worldmark can pull any exchange a premium Marriott week does.

I want to primarily use Marriott with Marriott itself. I may not travel that often to a home resort , if I purchase a week.

Given all these, does it make sense to stick with 6.5K resale points ?. I am using TRCS for closing, which seem to have great feedback here. Talked to them and they routinely close and enroll Marriott points account without issues.

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You have an interesting approach (I like it) and you have good perspective here. I would like to offer a few comments, if possible.

1) If you are going to buy a hybrid package, of whatever size, I would buy the best hybrid you can, targeting an uber-trader (like 3BR Grande Vista Platinum, maybe an EOY?). This gives you attractive points if you elect points, but also a superior trading property if you go through II

2) If you are going to buy only Trust Points, I follow the same logic as Fasttr -- buy the smallest points package possible then rent what is needed. I recall somewhere the analysis of paying an extra $20K up-front to save $1,400 per year in MFs somehow. While the financial analysis appears attractive, I would rather take that $20K and buy something tangible (like a resale MOC week, an HHV Lagoon Tower, etc).

3) I agree with you that Worldmark is a phenomenal trader, but its access to the Marriott world is now-reduced in the post DClub world. It still can get off-season weeks like a Champion, but I no longer see the remarkable uptrades that I used to see. I therefore bought a Marriott trader (Willow Ridge) to now fill that "need" to roam within the Marriott world, now during the pref. My 2BR Willow has effectively become a 1BR MOC for my overflow guests -- at the Willow (plus XChg fee) cost. But maybe one year, I will lock it off and do something different when I don't need Trade Power, so I have a little bit of my own "flexibility".

4) I think the value of Premier/Premier Plus is minimized because Marriott is controlling the release of inventory between 12-13 months out. The real value (IMO) is being able to book less than 7 days -- and only Premier Plus can do that -- everyone else (Premier and Standard) must look for broken days 10 months out. This is akin to the Worldmark world where we must build a reservation by waitlisting for one day at a time. TBD if Marriott will match Worldmarks record of waitlist success. Point being is that you may not see what you want 13 months out.

5) If you are counting on the 25% discount, I suggest you post a request in the Sightings section asking DClub owners to check availability for you at properties that interest you. My own experience is mixed -- off-season is good, prime season is poor. I wouldn't buy for the 25% discount -- I would instead continue to aggressively pursue the 4K WM Flex, which is not that different from the 25% Marriott discount, but for 7 days

At my core, I am a traditional weeks user and rely on points to supplement my week ownership. I am reluctant to be a points-only user unless I had a huge quantity of points (like Puck), and I believe it is only a matter of time before our good TUGgers that started as points-only owners buy a legacy week or two. In their own way, they will supercharge their ownership, maybe thru II, maybe thru owner stays.

Please let us know your thoughts here -- there is no right answer that suits everybody -- but this has been what works for me.

Best,

Greg

Wow , thank you for the very insightful and interesting perspective. I somehow got a feeling that legacy weeks were loosing the appeal as Marriott inventory in II has diminished after destination points.

From the feedback I got, looks like the best option for me is to buy a lock-off retail unit and points COMBO.

Marriott sell weeks at a premium over what I have seen on ebay and other reputed resellers. Does it make sense to buy resale week and later on enroll the week (within 12 months window) with Marriott by purchasing equal number of points ?.

OR just get it as a bundle from Marriott and avoid the hassle ?.

The motivation behind this purchase is to get a platinum plus week at prime locations like Hawaii. For e.g we travel to Hawaii every year during Christmas break (school off + company shutdown). I have exchanged into Kauai , Maui and Big Island( Westin / Marriott/ Hilton) with pure luck and sleepless nights refreshing II window during last minute (usually they show upp few days before travel - love II for E plus ). With a premium account and enough points, I can book 7+ days at these resorts , 13 month out. I am hoping this will increase my chance of getting what I want without major hassle. Greatly appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you for all the insights.

PS: Platinum plus weeks are listed for $60K - 75K at these resorts.

rahulgopi said:

Marriott sell weeks at a premium over what I have seen on ebay and other reputed resellers. Does it make sense to buy resale week and later on enroll the week (within 12 months window) with Marriott by purchasing equal number of points ?.

OR just get it as a bundle from Marriott and avoid the hassle ?

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Are you thinking that you can buy a resale week on ebay, etc and within 12 months buy retail points from MVC to be able to enroll your week? I always understood the week had to be purchased via MVC resale department to make that work.

rahulgopi said:

The motivation behind this purchase is to get a platinum plus week at prime locations like Hawaii. For e.g we travel to Hawaii every year during Christmas break (school off + company shutdown). I have exchanged into Kauai , Maui and Big Island( Westin / Marriott/ Hilton) with pure luck and sleepless nights refreshing II window during last minute (usually they show upp few days before travel - love II for E plus ). With a premium account and enough points, I can book 7+ days at these resorts , 13 month out. I am hoping this will increase my chance of getting what I want without major hassle.

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Perhaps I am reading between the lines of your comment too much, but this is what I am "hearing". It sounds to me like you are saying trading via II for premium ressies has proved to be a hassle for you, and your primary motivation for this purchase is to be able to book via the DC at 13 months out with your points. Assuming availability is there where and when you want to book via the DC and you really always intend to convert the combo week to points (based on what you are saying), I still am not seeing the motivation to spend $15K more upfront to have the combo when you can just buy the 6500 points resale and save the upfront cash. Down the road, if you found you really wanted the week, you could take the $15K you saved and just buy the week too, giving you 6500 points every year + the week every year. I just don't see the economics of the combo deal like others seem to.

.

Fasttr said:

Are you thinking that you can buy a resale week on ebay, etc and within 12 months buy retail points from MVC to be able to enroll your week? I always understood the week had to be purchased via MVC resale department to make that work.

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This is new information I got by reading some threads in this forum. It appears that there is a provision to enroll a resale week by purchasing equal or more number of credits within 12 months. I am not sure if this is correct as I did not verify this with Marriott yet.

Fasttr said:

Perhaps I am reading between the lines of your comment too much, but this is what I am "hearing". It sounds to me like you are saying trading via II for premium ressies has proved to be a hassle for you, and your primary motivation for this purchase is to be able to book via the DC at 13 months out with your points. Assuming availability is there where and when you want to book via the DC and you really always intend to convert the combo week to points (based on what you are saying), I still am not seeing the motivation to spend $15K more upfront to have the combo when you can just buy the 6500 points resale and save the upfront cash. Down the road, if you found you really wanted the week, you could take the $15K you saved and just buy the week too, giving you 6500 points every year + the week every year. I just don't see the economics of the combo deal like others seem to.

.

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You are absolutley right, I need access to platinum plus week , everything else is a bonus. Since platinum plus are rare and very expensive to purchase, I felt getting a premium account was more economical. I usually travel few days early to save on air tickets, usually Dec 18 or 19. I read few threads here on lack of availability even 13 months out for premium plus users at prime locations. I am not looking for OF units but a decent OV will do and hope that will increase my chance of getting a unit.

rahulgopi said:

This is new information I got by reading some threads in this forum. It appears that there is a provision to enroll a resale week by purchasing equal or more number of credits within 12 months. I am not sure if this is correct as I did not verify this with Marriott yet.

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That hybrid option only applies to Weeks purchased directly through Resales by Marriott. Pretty much any Weeks currently resold on external markets do not qualify based on the Enrollment cut-off dates.*

*There used to be, prior to the DC inception, select Marriott-certified "official" brokers of resale Weeks which for all intents and purposes were considered to be direct purchases, and their pricing was generally in line with Marriott pricing. I don't think we've seen reports since from anyone who's purchased a hybrid package from such a broker.

rahulgopi said:

I am looking to buy 6500 Destinations points. I got few offers around 4 per point + re-enrollment fees etc. I also got an offer from Marriott resale department to buy Newport coast Platinum + 3500 points for 45K (total 6975 points). Marriott will enroll Newport coast for free.

I wonder which is the right choice ? 30K for 6500 resale points vs 45K for the COMBO offer from Marriott.

Are there any issues buying resale ?. IF I understand correctly, all the perks are reinstated once the points are re-enrolled.

Please advice.

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Getting back to your original question....

Via the MVC Resale site, the NCV Platinum week goes for $13.5K

If you can purchase virtually the same total point value (6500 vs 6975) on the resale market for $15K less than the Combo package.....where is the "value" in the Combo???

As I said in an earlier post...if you have the $45K and want to spend it....buy the 6500 points resale....AND....buy the NCV week (or another week of your choosing).

Fasttr said:

Getting back to your original question....

Via the MVC Resale site, the NCV Platinum week goes for $13.5K

If you can purchase virtually the same total point value (6500 vs 6975) on the resale market for $15K less than the Combo package.....where is the "value" in the Combo???

As I said in an earlier post...if you have the $45K and want to spend it....buy the 6500 points resale....AND....buy the NCV week (or another week of your choosing).

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Absolutely. I believe the recommendation here was based on the flexibility legacy week offer, either using the week at home resort or trading with II for other Marriott, given with Destination points one cannot trade in II for Marriott.

It seems like the better option for my particular usage is to get the premium account with 6500 points for 30K incl fees, that will enable me to book platinum plus weeks , 13 months out at prime locations.

For II or RCI exchanges, I will continue to use Worldmark, which is a super trader in both exchange networks.

Thanks a lot for the wonderful insights and education, you all have been super helpful.

rahulgopi said:

... that will enable me to book platinum plus weeks , 13 months out at prime locations.

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Just one last word of caution.....I would do some research as to the availability of these weeks you seek at 13 months. Many weeks do not come available until 12 months out which sort of negates your need to be Premier.

Fasttr said:

Just one last word of caution.....I would do some research as to the availability of these weeks you seek at 13 months. Many weeks do not come available until 12 months out which sort of negates your need to be Premier.

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I am wondering where can I get accurate information on this. Reading thru all the threads, there is no finite conclusion, users have mixed experience. I tried talking to Marriott and everything is wonderful as per them, 13 months out.

Just was on phone with Marriott sales guys. They mentioned to me that the re-enrollment fee went up to $500 per BTI from $200 last week. If this is true it will add $2 to per point, practically killing the resale market.

Confusing Call with Marriott Sales Team

I was working with Marriott Sales team regarding a Destinations premium account. When I mentioned buying resale account, sales rep and his Manager mentioned me the following:

1) re-enrollment fee has gone up to $500 per BTI from $200
2) Even after paying re-enrollment fee, account may be restricted to 60 day window. This is upto Marriott and outlined in the condo document (what ever that is ).

I spoke to TCRS (closing company ) and they mentioned that even with the last closing they did few weeks back, re-enrollment fee was in fact $200.

I understand Marriott Sales want to discourage buying resale BUT wonder how can they provide me incorrect information just to push a sale.

This information is really confusing, any clarification regarding this in the condo documents will be greatly helpful, esp, re-enrollment doesnt guarantee anything outside 60 day window.

From the MVC Exchange Docs.... Bolding is mine. They do have the ability to increase the junk fee per BI (who knows if they really have), but the docs appear clear that they cannot limit you to only the 60 day reservation period if you do indeed pay the junk fees. It does appear that they could limit your ability to use the Explorer Collection or convert to MR points if they so chose to.

VII. MISCELLANEOUS
D. Effect of Transfer of Member’s Interest. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties to a sale, assignment, or transfer, if a Member (“Selling Member”) sells, assigns, or transfers the Selling Member’s Interest to another party (“New Member”), the Selling Member will lose any and all rights to utilize the Exchange Points associated with such Interest to reserve the use of a Use Period or to use any previously-reserved Use Period. Each New Member will be required to remit to the Exchange Company an initiation fee; provided, however, an initiation fee shall not be required to be paid if the New Member is an existing Member or a Family Member of the Selling Member. (The current initiation fee is $200 per Interest with a $2,000 minimum initiation fee; however, Exchange Company reserves the right to adjust the amount of the initiation fee from time to time and to waive the initiation fee on a case-by-case basis in Exchange Company’s sole discretion.) Exchange Company will, within ten (10) business days of receipt from a New Member of the initiation fee, if required, and a certified copy of the recorded deed transferring an Interest to the New Member, change Exchange Company’s official records to reflect such transfer of an Interest from a Selling Member to a New Member. Further, with respect to Trust Members, until payment of any required initiation fee is received (or waived by Exchange Company), the New Member may not be entitled to Base Plus Exchange Benefits or Special Benefits in Exchange Company’s sole discretion; however, payment of the initiation fee (or waiver by Exchange Company) will allow access to the Base Plus Exchange Benefits. With respect to Exchange Members, until payment of the initiation fee, the New Member will not be entitled to participate in the Program. If the purchase of an Interest is not made from an Approved Broker, then the owner of such Interest(s) may not be entitled to Special Benefits in Exchange Company’s sole discretion, even if the initiation fee is paid. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties, all existing reservations previously made by the Selling Member will be cancelled. The New Member will also be given possession of the Selling Member’s Exchange Points remaining as of the date of Exchange Company’s recognition of such transfer. Exchange Company shall, from time to time, within ten (10) business days after receipt of written request from any Member execute, acknowledge and deliver to such Member or to any existing or prospective purchaser or mortgagee designated by such Member, a certificate stating the number of Exchange Points that the Member has used and/or has available for use during the current Use Year, any borrowed Exchange Points, and the details of any reservations currently held by the Member. Exchange Company may charge a fee in connection with providing such a certificate.

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SCHEDULE “1”
Base Plus Exchange Benefits mean the ability to make exchanges during all the Reservation Windows subject to these Exchange Procedures and access to such other programs and services defined and offered by Exchange Company as Base Plus Exchange Benefits, from time to time, in Exchange Company’s sole discretion. The ability to utilize a Base Plus Exchange Benefit may not be available to all Members.

Special Benefits mean special products, services, benefits, and vacation/recreational experiences offered by Exchange Company, including, without limitation, the ability to reserve hotel accommodations, cruises, other travel services, and to receive Single Use Points. The ability to utilize a Special Benefit may not be available to all Members including, specifically, Members who are entitled only to Base Exchange Benefits. If Special Benefits are available and a Member is eligible to purchase or utilize any Special Benefits, separate terms and conditions shall apply to the purchase and use of such Special Benefits.

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rahulgopi said:

I understand Marriott Sales want to discourage buying resale BUT wonder how can they provide me incorrect information just to push a sale.

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If they think they can get away with it they always do this, although stating a specific fact is strange. It's usually something more vague or general.

rahulgopi said:

I was working with Marriott Sales team regarding a Destinations premium account. When I mentioned buying resale account, sales rep and his Manager mentioned me the following:

1) re-enrollment fee has gone up to $500 per BTI from $200
2) Even after paying re-enrollment fee, account may be restricted to 60 day window. This is upto Marriott and outlined in the condo document (what ever that is ).

I spoke to TCRS (closing company ) and they mentioned that even with the last closing they did few weeks back, re-enrollment fee was in fact $200.

I understand Marriott Sales want to discourage buying resale BUT wonder how can they provide me incorrect information just to push a sale.

This information is really confusing, any clarification regarding this in the condo documents will be greatly helpful, esp, re-enrollment doesnt guarantee anything outside 60 day window.

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I think you should read this forum's FAQ - MVC DESTINATIONS Points Program even if only to clarify the certain terms that should be used when talking about Marriott timeshares. You're right, it's all very confusing, and I'm sure that the focus of any sales reps with whom you speak is on whatever will get you to buy DC Points. That's okay, that's their job!, but it seems that with you they're not at all helping you with understanding all of the options.

Enrollment applies ONLY to Owned Weeks. Currently only the Weeks being internally resold by Marriott Resales Operations are eligible but then only if Points are also purchased within twelve months of the Week being purchased. In that hybrid sale situation the enrollment fee for the Week is generally waived, or, if the Points are purchased subsequently, credited at the time of Points purchase. For anyone who currently owns Weeks that are eligible for enrollment, the fee is $2,395. and has been since Jun '12.

I don't believe that the hybrid/enrollment option is available if you purchase a Week through Marriott Resales Operations and DC Points on the external resale market. But it does seem like the reps with whom you're talking are referencing the various per/BI fees which are incurred when purchasing Points on the external markets. Here on TUG you've asked questions about practically every type of purchase that can be made so it's hard to say whether the reps are being deliberately obtuse, intending to further confuse you, or if they're truly as confused as they appear. Neither would be surprising, but no doubt it's not helping you at all. I'm sure that we can help you sort all of this out but it's going to take some time and your Thinking Cap. Please don't get discouraged!

As for the supposed recent increase in (what I'm assuming is) the Initiation Fee for externally-resold DC Points, yours is the first report we're getting of that. I wouldn't take one sales rep's word for it but am interested enough to dig a little further to see if there's at all a kernel of truth in it.

The governing documents do allow for limited usage of resold Trust Points, but as yet we haven't learned of any instances where they've imposed any of those limitations. If the various fees are paid at closing, full usage rights are being granted with such Points.

*I hope you don't mind that I'm merging this with your other thread. It will help us, and should help you, to keep all of your questions in the same discussion until we've all fleshed out the particulars you need.

SueDonJ said:

I think you should read this forum's FAQ - MVC DESTINATIONS Points Program even if only to clarify the certain terms that should be used when talking about Marriott timeshares. You're right, it's all very confusing, and I'm sure that the focus of any sales reps with whom you speak is on whatever will get you to buy DC Points. That's okay, that's their job!, but it seems that with you they're not at all helping you with understanding all of the options.

Enrollment applies ONLY to Owned Weeks. Currently only the Weeks being internally resold by Marriott Resales Operations are eligible but then only if Points are also purchased within twelve months of the Week being purchased. In that hybrid sale situation the enrollment fee for the Week is generally waived, or, if the Points are purchased subsequently, credited at the time of Points purchase. For anyone who currently owns Weeks that are eligible for enrollment, the fee is $2,395. and has been since Jun '12.

I don't believe that the hybrid/enrollment option is available if you purchase a Week through Marriott Resales Operations and DC Points on the external resale market. But it does seem like the reps with whom you're talking are referencing the various per/BI fees which are incurred when purchasing Points on the external markets. Here on TUG you've asked questions about practically every type of purchase that can be made so it's hard to say whether the reps are being deliberately obtuse, intending to further confuse you, or if they're truly as confused as they appear. Neither would be surprising, but no doubt it's not helping you at all. I'm sure that we can help you sort all of this out but it's going to take some time and your Thinking Cap. Please don't get discouraged!

As for the supposed recent increase in (what I'm assuming is) the Initiation Fee for externally-resold DC Points, yours is the first report we're getting of that. I wouldn't take one sales reps' word for it but am interested enough to dig a little further to see if there's at all a kernel of truth in it.

The governing documents do allow for limited usage of resold Trust Points, but as yet we haven't learned of any instances where they've imposed any of those limitations. If the various fees are paid at closing, full usage rights are being granted with such Points.

*I hope you don't mind that I'm merging this with your other thread. It will help us, and should help you, to keep all of your questions in the same discussion until we've all fleshed out the particulars you need.

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Thank you Susan,
I started a new thread to help people that may have similar experience with Marriott Sales team. To get more accurate information, I spoke to the closing / title / escrow company TRCS. As per them for the last batch they closed 3 weeks back, the enrollment fee was $200 / BTI. They promised to get current information by contacting Marriott's office that handle deeds and enrollments. Hopefully that will provide more insight.