Access to Abound is up!

[TravelTime]

It may be easy to use, but the fact that you need a chart in MVC to figure this out already implies that the system is much more complicated than Vistana... We never needed this to calculate 12 or 8 months in advance.

If you buy into a timeshare, you need to go with the flow and expect changes. I think both MVC and Vistana are simple systems since I know how to use them. However, for both systems, I do not remember when to book. So I put a note on my online calendar and I send myself reminders the day before and the day of. Otherwise I would not remember when 12 months or 8 months is. Vistana might be simple but it is still hard to remember when to book.

I got upset with my Chase Sapphire credit card company today and was close to canceling the airline reservation and the credit card. The things they said on the phone were totally ridiculous. Then I calmed down a bit and told myself it was not worth being upset. Plus the 4 tickets to Hawaii were free since I was using points. If I canceled everything, then we would need to outlay cash instead. So I called the airline directly, even though I was resentful to have to do this, and made my seat selections.

My point in the above story is many of these various points systems are complicated, frustrating and annoying. We choose to become members because we saw some benefit, at least in the beginning. But we are not slaves or being held hostage. If someone really does not like their timeshare and it is ruining their quality of life, then they should sell it or give it away. You might say then they may be taking a loss. But that is better than hating your vacation provider. Vacations are supposed to be fun and reduce stress. But if it increases your stress, then get rid of it.

 

[DanCali]

If you buy into a timeshare, you need to go with the flow and expect changes. I think both MVC and Vistana are simple systems since I know how to use them. However, for both systems, I do not remember when to book. So I put a note on my online calendar and I send myself reminders the day before and the day of. Otherwise I would not remember when 12 months or 8 months is. Vistana might be simple but it is still hard to remember when to book.

I got upset with my Chase Sapphire credit card company today and was close to canceling the airline reservation and the credit card. The things they said on the phone were totally ridiculous. Then I calmed down a bit and told myself it was not worth being upset. Plus the 4 tickets to Hawaii were free since I was using points. If I canceled everything, then we would need to outlay cash instead. So I called the airline directly, even though I was resentful to have to do this, and made my seat selections.

My point in the above story is many of these various points systems are complicated, frustrating and annoying. We choose to become members because we saw some benefit, at least in the beginning. But we are not slaves or being held hostage. If someone really does not like their timeshare and it is ruining their quality of life, then they should sell it or give it away. You might say then they may be taking a loss. But that is better than hating your vacation provider. Vacations are supposed to be fun and reduce stress. But if it increases your stress, then get rid of it.

I've been seeing the "Love it or Leave It" mantra a lot lately from those benefiting from the changes directed at those who are frustrated at changes they didn't sign up for.

I am an owner with both Vistana and Marriott. In fact, I was Chairman with MVC and 5-Star with Vistana even before these changes, and I am also Lifetime Titanium for reasons unrelated to my MVC ownership. I liked both systems for different reasons and the combination gives us a lot of flexibility. When we upgraded to 5-Star, we did so as informed buyers - our resale weeks were all mandatory, but we got other things that made the deal attractive to us at the time including some unique benefits unheard of at the time. In addition to those benefits, the perks of (free) December 31 Staroptions banking, and late-checkout were attractive - not the main reason to pull the trigger, buy they mattered. They even have nice thick 5-Star brochures like the one below highlighting those perks. I'm still ok with that purchase we made, but I do care about losing those benefits I actually paid for like December 31 banking and late checkout. It may seem minor, but I think most 5-Stars care because you couldn't get to 5-Star without paying for it somehow and somewhere along the way.

So, I can still like my ownership - nothing wrong with Chairman and having access to 35K+ points (maybe around 45K by the time they add HRA) at MFs of around $0.40, but I don't feel the need to be enamored with the vacation provider after they took my money and then literally killed some of the benefits they sold me. There could have handled it differently and kept those legacy benefits for 5-Star owners making home resort and Staroption bookings. It truly would have been "legacy" benefits affecting a shrinking population because there will be no new 5-Star owners. But I'll be happy to tell them that at every owner update from now on and use it as an excuse as to why I'm never buying from them again.


RIP - "5-Star"

 

[capjak]

I converted my SVV 2 bedroom (81,000 SOs) to 2725 abound points. I checked my MVC and they were already showing up.
Seems to be working smoothly so far....

On a side note:

Resort credit (not a good conversion eitherway, but it's an option I have used in the past for expiring points).

81,000 Staroptions (9,000 SOs equals $110) equals $990 resort credit while if converting to 2725 (325 points = $110) you can get $880 plus a few points left over.

Also conversion to abound points, allows for the "Puck Trick" which is not available via Star options.

 

[SDKath]

I think individuals believed that Abound inventory was dependent on the number of Vistana owners that converted to points. It appears as though Abound will have inventory available even if there is no conversion by Vistana owners. It will be interesting to see what that inventory is compromised of.

Hi all. Just spoke to my very knowledgable SA of almost 15 years... Inventory will come from 2 sources. Sorry if this was stated earlier. This is what I have heard from multiple sources before and confirmed again tonight. Will catch up on the rest of the thread now that things are live.

1) any conversions into Abound by Vistana owners
2) any unsold units that they choose to put into Abound

My biggest concern -- Abound people getting view time stamps in Hawaii at 13 months whereas owners like us cannot reserve until 12 months out! WHAAAA?

 

[KACTravels]

I have a silly question…we have only been Vistana owners and the Vistana Website does send us to the Marriott Vacation Club page and shows our Elite Level…but it seems like we have to actually create a new login for MVC? Is that right? How will they connect the 2 accounts? I don’t want to create yet another online account if we don’t have to?

 

[VacationForever]

I converted my SVV 2 bedroom (81,000 SOs) to 2725 abound points. I checked my MVC and they were already showing up.
Seems to be working smoothly so far....

On a side note:

Resort credit (not a good conversion eitherway, but it's an option I have used in the past for expiring points).

81,000 Staroptions (9,000 SOs equals $110) equals $770 resort credit while if converting to 2725 (325 points = $110) you can get $880 plus a few points left over.

Also conversion to abound points, allows for the "Puck Trick" which is not available via Star options.

Actually 81K yields $990 resort credit.

 

[timsi]

If you buy into a timeshare, you need to go with the flow and expect changes. I think both MVC and Vistana are simple systems since I know how to use them. However, for both systems, I do not remember when to book. So I put a note on my online calendar and I send myself reminders the day before and the day of. Otherwise I would not remember when 12 months or 8 months is. Vistana might be simple but it is still hard to remember when to book.































































































































































































































































I got upset with my Chase Sapphire credit card company today and was close to canceling the airline reservation and the credit card. The things they said on the phone were totally ridiculous. Then I calmed down a bit and told myself it was not worth being upset. Plus the 4 tickets to Hawaii were free since I was using points. If I canceled everything, then we would need to outlay cash instead. So I called the airline directly, even though I was resentful to have to do this, and made my seat selections.































































































































































































































































My point in the above story is many of these various points systems are complicated, frustrating and annoying. We choose to become members because we saw some benefit, at least in the beginning. But we are not slaves or being held hostage. If someone really does not like their timeshare and it is ruining their quality of life, then they should sell it or give it away. You might say then they may be taking a loss. But that is better than hating your vacation provider. Vacations are supposed to be fun and reduce stress. But if it increases your stress, then get rid of it.

If you buy into a timeshare, you need to go with the flow and expect changes. I think both MVC and Vistana are simple systems since I know how to use them. However, for both systems, I do not remember when to book. So I put a note on my online calendar and I send myself reminders the day before and the day of. Otherwise I would not remember when 12 months or 8 months is. Vistana might be simple but it is still hard to remember when to book.

I got upset with my Chase Sapphire credit card company today and was close to canceling the airline reservation and the credit card. The things they said on the phone were totally ridiculous. Then I calmed down a bit and told myself it was not worth being upset. Plus the 4 tickets to Hawaii were free since I was using points. If I canceled everything, then we would need to outlay cash instead. So I called the airline directly, even though I was resentful to have to do this, and made my seat selections.

My point in the above story is many of these various points systems are complicated, frustrating and annoying. We choose to become members because we saw some benefit, at least in the beginning. But we are not slaves or being held hostage. If someone really does not like their timeshare and it is ruining their quality of life, then they should sell it or give it away. You might say then they may be taking a loss. But that is better than hating your vacation provider. Vacations are supposed to be fun and reduce stress. But if it increases your stress, then get rid of it.

If everyone who was unhappy with the IT and all the other issues in the last few years threw the towel and wanted to get rid of the ownership right away, the defaults would be through the roof and the resale prices would plummet. There is only so much the developers can sell so they cannot take back everything. Be careful with what you wish for.

You have a valid point though, there is only so much time and effort one can invest into these ownerships, in the end if they make it too complicated, time consuming and the system seems unfair, there is no point in living in a dysfunctional relationship.

 

[SDKath]

Actually non-owners should not be able to book at 12mo out either. Owners should have at least a month or two to book before non-owners.

 

[travelhacker]

Well crud. I just converted a week, but can't seem to search availability.

Is search down for anyone else? I'm getting the following error:

 

[SDKath]

Well crud. I just converted a week, but can't seem to search availability.

Is search down for anyone else? I'm getting the following error:
View attachment 69398

yup. Down for me right now. Probably trying to debug it....

 

[bizaro86]

Hi all. Just spoke to my very knowledgable SA of almost 15 years... Inventory will come from 2 sources. Sorry if this was stated earlier. This is what I have heard from multiple sources before and confirmed again tonight. Will catch up on the rest of the thread now that things are live.

1) any conversions into Abound by Vistana owners
2) any unsold units that they choose to put into Abound

My biggest concern -- Abound people getting view time stamps in Hawaii at 13 months whereas owners like us cannot reserve until 12 months out! WHAAAA?

Biggest thing is any inventory from both (1) and (2) shouldn't be bookable by the exchange company until the start of the home resort period.

 

[dsmrp]

I converted my SVV 2 bedroom (81,000 SOs) to 2725 abound points. I checked my MVC and they were already showing up.
Seems to be working smoothly so far....

On a side note:

Resort credit (not a good conversion eitherway, but it's an option I have used in the past for expiring points).

81,000 Staroptions (9,000 SOs equals $110) equals $770 resort credit while if converting to 2725 (325 points = $110) you can get $880 plus a few points left over.

Also conversion to abound points, allows for the "Puck Trick" which is not available via Star options.

What is the "puck trick" (on the Marriott side) ?
Thx!

 

[ocdb8r]

What is the "puck trick" (on the Marriott side) ?
Thx!

Taking advantage of the last minute points discount that Executive Tier and above members receive. For example, for Presidential tier you get a 30% discount on required points for any reservation made within 60 days. If you have an existing reservation and within 60 days you see the same availability, you can call in and hold a new reservation, cancel your existing reservation, and receive back in your account the 30% points in a holding account (which permits them to be used on future reservations made within 60 days).

In short, a way of stretching your points by taking advantage of the last minute discounts (which VSN does not offer).

 

[DanCali]

What is the "puck trick" (on the Marriott side) ?
Thx!

Taking advantage of the last minute points discount that Executive Tier and above members receive. For example, for Presidential tier you get a 30% discount on required points for any reservation made within 60 days. If you have an existing reservation and within 60 days you see the same availability, you can call in and hold a new reservation, cancel your existing reservation, and receive back in your account the 30% points in a holding account (which permits them to be used on future reservations made within 60 days).

In short, a way of stretching your points by taking advantage of the last minute discounts (which VSN does not offer).

This seems like an obvious strategy to me. I never was quite sure why a (former?) tugger got the honor of getting it named after him.

But I suspect his handle had a lot do to with it. If either of you were the ones to mention it first, it probably would not be called the "ocd Trick" or "dsm Trick"

 

[CPNY]

Hi all. Just spoke to my very knowledgable SA of almost 15 years... Inventory will come from 2 sources. Sorry if this was stated earlier. This is what I have heard from multiple sources before and confirmed again tonight. Will catch up on the rest of the thread now that things are live.

1) any conversions into Abound by Vistana owners
2) any unsold units that they choose to put into Abound

My biggest concern -- Abound people getting view time stamps in Hawaii at 13 months whereas owners like us cannot reserve until 12 months out! WHAAAA?

I know this has been beaten to the beyond but your second point is one of the reasons why many who benefited from the VSN were not happy or skeptical on the intentions of Marriott. Some of Those units would have been put into the VSN for 8 month reservations using star options, now it will all be placed into the Abound exchange. To those who use the system they bought into, this is a valid concern, not to mention the perks most elites lost. People are upset and unfortunately as @DanCali said, they are being forced to accept it with this “love it or leave it” mantra.

I’m hoping I can still get WSJ and HRA in the VSN without having to convert to Abound Club Points. If I need to convert and play in Abound exchange then so be it. Unfortunately the Abound exchange greatly reduces my point to MF ratio since I can stretch my SO much further than ACP’s.

It’s not all doom and gloom for me, I am looking forward to being able to short stays in some of the Florida Marriott resorts AND the free interval exchanges!

 

[CPNY]

Anyone else not seeing some of their ownerships eligible for conversion? I have two resale units that I do not see as eligible when they should be. The post 8/9 resale however says that it’s not eligible.

 

[ocdb8r]

I’m hoping I can still get WSJ and HRA in the VSN without having to convert to Abound Club Points.

For the time being no worries on HRA as they haven't figured out how to cram it into Abound yet...

 

[CPNY]

For the time being no worries on HRA as they haven't figured out how to cram it into Abound yet...

I’ll get a year out of it, only issue is, I don’t need any reservations at HRA this year haha

 

[TravelTime]

I've been seeing the "Love it or Leave It" mantra a lot lately from those benefiting from the changes directed at those who are frustrated at changes they didn't sign up for.

I am not promoting Love It or Leave It. I am just saying if you hate something, do not ruin your life whining about it, threatening to sue, coming up with conspiracy theories, reading volumes of legal documents, etc. Take control. Do what you can to be happy with what you have. It is like a wife who always complains about her husband but stays in the relationship with no changes. At least come to some agreement about how to live together and how to live your own life while married if you will not separate or divorce.

 

[TravelTime]

Hi all. Just spoke to my very knowledgable SA of almost 15 years... Inventory will come from 2 sources. Sorry if this was stated earlier. This is what I have heard from multiple sources before and confirmed again tonight. Will catch up on the rest of the thread now that things are live.

1) any conversions into Abound by Vistana owners
2) any unsold units that they choose to put into Abound

My biggest concern -- Abound people getting view time stamps in Hawaii at 13 months whereas owners like us cannot reserve until 12 months out! WHAAAA?

You should not be able to reserve Vistana inventory until 12 months out. If people are seeing this, then it could be a bug. Marriott does not use time stamps. So if you want a time stamp, you should book with Vistana unless Vistana changes this too. Marriott usually calls or emails me the week before and asks me what I want and then they try to match it to the best of their ability.

 

[TravelTime]

Well crud. I just converted a week, but can't seem to search availability.

Is search down for anyone else? I'm getting the following error:
View attachment 69398

I think the system still has bugs. Generally, I have been able to search but sometimes it does not let me.

 

[TravelTime]

Taking advantage of the last minute points discount that Executive Tier and above members receive. For example, for Presidential tier you get a 30% discount on required points for any reservation made within 60 days. If you have an existing reservation and within 60 days you see the same availability, you can call in and hold a new reservation, cancel your existing reservation, and receive back in your account the 30% points in a holding account (which permits them to be used on future reservations made within 60 days).

In short, a way of stretching your points by taking advantage of the last minute discounts (which VSN does not offer).

Don’t you need to cancel at day 59 and re-book on day 60 for this to work? Isn’t that a bit risky? Or is there another way to do the puck trick?

 

[cubigbird]

I am not promoting Love It or Leave It. I am just saying if you hate something, do not ruin your life whining about it, threatening to sue, coming up with conspiracy theories, reading volumes of legal documents, etc. Take control. Do what you can to be happy with what you have. It is like a wife who always complains about her husband but stays in the relationship with no changes. At least come to some agreement about how to live together and how to live your own life while married if you will not separate or divorce.

I think all of this just drives home the importance of “owning where you want to go.” We own where we want to go, and we use what we own, where, and when we own so these “changes” are less of an effect for us. Will we use Abound? Maybe, but not until we can do due diligence and find ways to receive value. Converting to club points and losing time or benefits through a skim isn’t value. We will just continue to use our ownerships as the contract grants.

 

[YYJMSP]

The problem with this roll out is it is not really a roll out. There has been no announcement. Everyone is confused and speculating. Those of us in the “know” are booking inventory early and by the time they formally announce, there may not be much inventory left for the late adopters. I was lucky that what I wanted to do worked smoothly. I am really lucky I read TUG and found out that Abound was live.

I got an email with subject "View Your New Owner Benefit Level and Election Value" from "The Marriott Vacation Clubs" mid-day Wed that happens to say "ABOUND IS NOW LIVE" in the body along with some minimal info.

i would call that an official announcement, just not a very obvious/good one...

 

[TravelTime]

I got an email with subject "View Your New Owner Benefit Level and Election Value" from "The Marriott Vacation Clubs" mid-day Wed that happens to say "ABOUND IS NOW LIVE" in the body along with some minimal info.

i would call that an official announcement, just not a very obvious/good one...

I did not get an email. I seem to not be receiving many emails.