MVC points for Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe

[serendip7]

I’m considering joining the MVC program to lower the cost of my Ritz Carlton ski weekends in Lake Tahoe. After going through the tour in Maui, I understand the points required will be in the 750-850 range per night for the 1br. My question is how available the units are.

In the Vistana program I’d have 4 month reservation advantage for my home resort so I’m pretty much guaranteed a room. Everyone at MVC reserves with a 12 month lead time unless you buy a lot of points so vacancy is an issue in my mind.

How available are last minute reservations? What’s available are weekends this March for instance?

Also, how much should I be paying per point in the secondary market?

Thanks in advance,

Robert

 

[jeepie]

I’m considering joining the MVC program to lower the cost of my Ritz Carlton ski weekends in Lake Tahoe. After going through the tour in Maui, I understand the points required will be in the 750-850 range per night for the 1br. My question is how available the units are.

In the Vistana program I’d have 4 month reservation advantage for my home resort so I’m pretty much guaranteed a room. Everyone at MVC reserves with a 12 month lead time unless you buy a lot of points so vacancy is an issue in my mind.

How available are last minute reservations? What’s available are weekends this March for instance?

Also, how much should I be paying per point in the secondary market?

Thanks in advance,

Robert

I believe the Ritz Carlton Club only has 2, 3, and 4 BR units:
http://www.marriottvacationclub.com...elpfulTools/resorts/rw/pdfDisplay/2018_rw.pdf
Maybe you’re thinking of the attached hotel?
Anyway, I have found decent availability midweek other than holiday weeks, as long as I book early...and the points price is very good. Weekends are less available and much pricier.
March weekends are showing 3/10 and 3/11 (2, 3 and 4br), 3/16 (3br only). You can waitlist.
There are other threads on buying points in the secondary market. Cheers.

 

[Fairwinds]

I’m considering joining the MVC program to lower the cost of my Ritz Carlton ski weekends in Lake Tahoe. After going through the tour in Maui, I understand the points required will be in the 750-850 range per night for the 1br. My question is how available the units are.

In the Vistana program I’d have 4 month reservation advantage for my home resort so I’m pretty much guaranteed a room. Everyone at MVC reserves with a 12 month lead time unless you buy a lot of points so vacancy is an issue in my mind.

How available are last minute reservations? What’s available are weekends this March for instance?

Also, how much should I be paying per point in the secondary market?

Thanks in advance,

Robert

As mentioned 2 bedroom is the smallest accommodation at the Club. Below is a chart showing reservation windows based on the number of points you own: <7000 is 6months. It shows RC Hotel stays as an option for owners of 7000 or more points but not the # of points required. Probably not an economical option.

https://www.my-vacationclub.com/en-us/owners/ownershiplevels/pdfs/orl_benefits.pdf

 

[darius]

I’m considering joining the MVC program to lower the cost of my Ritz Carlton ski weekends in Lake Tahoe. After going through the tour in Maui, I understand the points required will be in the 750-850 range per night for the 1br. My question is how available the units are.

In the Vistana program I’d have 4 month reservation advantage for my home resort so I’m pretty much guaranteed a room. Everyone at MVC reserves with a 12 month lead time unless you buy a lot of points so vacancy is an issue in my mind.

How available are last minute reservations? What’s available are weekends this March for instance?

Also, how much should I be paying per point in the secondary market?

Thanks in advance,

Robert

Robert,

We just did a "owner update" over in Kauai and they offered a "bundle" that brought the point cost down to under $7.00 (I believe it was 6.50 per point all in). It was a Newport Plat week worth 3500 (approx) points but also required 3500 trust points purchased that were discounted down as well. It would have worked for us if we either weren't owners yet, not just wanted to have a higher status within Marriotts system (We already are hybrid Chairman's Club members with 15K annual points we passed on this).

Ritz availability was a huge reason for us purchasing the points, however we have stayed at other Marriott properties as well and enjoyed them (Our favorite Marriott is Newport Coast outside the Ritz collection currently..). I would say that flexibility is the key, and keep checking - we've always got at least 1-2 ski weekends in (and more if we wanted) at the Ritz Lake Tahoe (Which is an awesome property) and done several get-a-ways at the Ritz San Francisco (another spectacular property). Although, even way in advance nothing is guaranteed and sometimes there is not any availability. We are looking forward to in the future trying out Aspen, Vail and St. Thomas (All RCC properties) but have not yet. If you are flexible, I doubt you will be disappointed - as there is inventory available.

When I looked, resale may be _slightly_ cheaper but not worth the hassle if they will sell you a bundle, IMO. I also would prefer a bundle vs. pure trust points because depending on the weeks you purchase you will have a much lower cost per point in annual fees.

Hope this helps,
Darius

 

[serendip7]

I believe the Ritz Carlton Club only has 2, 3, and 4 BR units:
http://www.marriottvacationclub.com...elpfulTools/resorts/rw/pdfDisplay/2018_rw.pdf
Maybe you’re thinking of the attached hotel?
Anyway, I have found decent availability midweek other than holiday weeks, as long as I book early...and the points price is very good. Weekends are less available and much pricier.
March weekends are showing 3/10 and 3/11 (2, 3 and 4br), 3/16 (3br only). You can waitlist.
There are other threads on buying points in the secondary market. Cheers.

Thanks for the info.

So the 750-850 points per day the salesman mentioned is for the 2 br or a hotel stay?

 

[serendip7]

I believe the Ritz Carlton Club only has 2, 3, and 4 BR units:
http://www.marriottvacationclub.com...elpfulTools/resorts/rw/pdfDisplay/2018_rw.pdf
Maybe you’re thinking of the attached hotel?
Anyway, I have found decent availability midweek other than holiday weeks, as long as I book early...and the points price is very good. Weekends are less available and much pricier.
March weekends are showing 3/10 and 3/11 (2, 3 and 4br), 3/16 (3br only). You can waitlist.
There are other threads on buying points in the secondary market. Cheers.

Being able to book just 2 weekends (3/10-3/11) out for a ski weekend is quite good in my opinion. At least you can figure out if there’s snow on the ground before booking.

 

[serendip7]

The

Robert,

We just did a "owner update" over in Kauai and they offered a "bundle" that brought the point cost down to under $7.00 (I believe it was 6.50 per point all in). It was a Newport Plat week worth 3500 (approx) points but also required 3500 trust points purchased that were discounted down as well. It would have worked for us if we either weren't owners yet, not just wanted to have a higher status within Marriotts system (We already are hybrid Chairman's Club members with 15K annual points we passed on this).

Ritz availability was a huge reason for us purchasing the points, however we have stayed at other Marriott properties as well and enjoyed them (Our favorite Marriott is Newport Coast outside the Ritz collection currently..). I would say that flexibility is the key, and keep checking - we've always got at least 1-2 ski weekends in (and more if we wanted) at the Ritz Lake Tahoe (Which is an awesome property) and done several get-a-ways at the Ritz San Francisco (another spectacular property). Although, even way in advance nothing is guaranteed and sometimes there is not any availability. We are looking forward to in the future trying out Aspen, Vail and St. Thomas (All RCC properties) but have not yet. If you are flexible, I doubt you will be disappointed - as there is inventory available.

When I looked, resale may be _slightly_ cheaper but not worth the hassle if they will sell you a bundle, IMO. I also would prefer a bundle vs. pure trust points because depending on the weeks you purchase you will have a much lower cost per point in annual fees.

Hope this helps,
Darius

Sure does thanks. The sales guy wanted $13.90 per point. That made me want to take a hard look at resale. Nice to know some package deals can lower the cost.

 

[serendip7]

As mentioned 2 bedroom is the smallest accommodation at the Club. Below is a chart showing reservation windows based on the number of points you own: <7000 is 6months. It shows RC Hotel stays as an option for owners of 7000 or more points but not the # of points required. Probably not an economical option.

https://www.my-vacationclub.com/en-us/owners/ownershiplevels/pdfs/orl_benefits.pdf

I figure 2 ski weekend days at the hotel would cost me about $1700. Using points would cost about 1700 points or about $950 in maintanence + the membership fee + interest on the purchase cost. That sound about right?

 

[Fairwinds]

I figure 2 ski weekend days at the hotel would cost me about $1700. Using points would cost about 1700 points or about $950 in maintanence + the membership fee + interest on the purchase cost. That sound about right?

It sounds like a good savings. I probably shouldn’t have chimed in because I don’t know the process for using TS points for RC hotel stays. Where did you get the 1700 points for the hotel stay? Typically converting timeshare weeks or points into hotel points for Marriott hotels doesn’t work out as a cost saving over renting the room but maybe the luxury collection does.

 

[davidvel]

I figure 2 ski weekend days at the hotel would cost me about $1700. Using points would cost about 1700 points or about $950 in maintanence + the membership fee + interest on the purchase cost. That sound about right?

No, that's not correct. Using the March 11 weekend as an example, will cost you 1,750 points PER NIGHT ($1,925 in MF for the weekend). Not sure where the 950 points came from. This doesn't count the buy-in cost for those points, that would be another $24,500 (at $7/pt), or $1,225 a week over 20 years.

 

[Steve Fatula]

March 11, a Sunday, is 675 for the night for a 2BR. March 10, a Saturday, is indeed 1750 for the night. Except for one thing, 7000 points he would effectively have is Executive level owner. Since he said close in reservation, that means within 30 days he gets a 25% point discount. So, even with Fri and Sat nights, his cost would be 1750*.75 = 1310 points per night (Marriott seems to round down to nearest 10?). On any other night, which would be wise if possible given the massive point difference, that would be 500 points per night. That equates to a 810 points per night difference on a 2BR. Those within 30 day trips (when you have the flexibility) are awesome.

 

[davidvel]

March 11, a Sunday, is 675 for the night for a 2BR. March 10, a Saturday, is indeed 1750 for the night. Except for one thing, 7000 points he would effectively have is Executive level owner. Since he said close in reservation, that means within 30 days he gets a 25% point discount. So, even with Fri and Sat nights, his cost would be 1750*.75 = 1310 points per night (Marriott seems to round down to nearest 10?). On any other night, which would be wise if possible given the massive point difference, that would be 500 points per night. That equates to a 810 points per night difference on a 2BR. Those within 30 day trips (when you have the flexibility) are awesome.

Yes, you're right as to Sun night but he (as I understood it) and I were talking about the weekend days, so the Sun. night is irellevant. I could be wrong.

In your scenario, he has to put roughly $50,000 down up front for those 7000 pts, for the chance that there will be rooms inside of 30 days to get his 25% discount. If not, my scenario is still valid.

Not a sound financial strategy IMO, to lower his ski weekend costs. Very sound for a Marriott salesperson.

Weekdays may be a better point deal, but cash rate will also be lower.

 

[Steve Fatula]

It was he who posted 7000 points. Most all of my points trips are within 30 days, except for foreign ones that need, for free airfare purposes, longer lead times. For sure, one never has a guarantee or possibly even likelihood they can get in especially at a popular spot as that is.

Looking up that resort, on March 11, the going rate appears to be $900 per night for 2 BR (vrbo). The points are $275 per night (in MF only). Yes, I know that's a Sunday but it's just a comparison to show cost difference. Sat the 10th seems to be $1,500. It obviously takes time to get paid back, totally agree, but that's up to him. People buy for many reasons. That resort does typically rent for a very high rate, I have monitored it over the years but never went for it myself. I suppose he would have a long history of rental rates. And obviously one could stay elsewhere too.

 

[davidvel]

It was he who posted 7000 points. Most all of my points trips are within 30 days, except for foreign ones that need, for free airfare purposes, longer lead times. For sure, one never has a guarantee or possibly even likelihood they can get in especially at a popular spot as that is.

Looking up that resort, on March 11, the going rate appears to be $900 per night for 2 BR (vrbo). The points are $275 per night (in MF only). Yes, I know that's a Sunday but it's just a comparison to show cost difference. Sat the 10th seems to be $1,500. It obviously takes time to get paid back, totally agree, but that's up to him. People buy for many reasons. That resort does typically rent for a very high rate, I have monitored it over the years but never went for it myself. I suppose he would have a long history of rental rates. And obviously one could stay elsewhere too.

I don't think the OP ever mentioned 7000 pts, but others did. I was just trying to clarify that what the OP was apparently told by a salesperson (that he could book his "weekend" trips for only 1700 DC points), was (shocker!) false information.

As to that issue, I meant to post the points chart for OP, so here it is:
2018-2019 DC points chart.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Opps, I see it was Darius, thought it was the op, my bad. No, he cannot book the weekend trip for 1700 dc points, except for non skiing season.

 

[Jayco29D]

I called the Ritz Carlton Residence Club and the concierge said they are pet friendly. Can anyone who has stayed there confirm that?

I have been thinking of buying DC points solely for the purpose of staying at the Ritz with my family and being able to bring our dogs with us.