Does Marriott have an official deedback program?

[LuvScience]

I'm about to try dipping my toe into the Marriott system with the purchase of an EOY MGC for purposes of mostly trading within II for other Marriott properties. Before purchasing a timeshare I like to always make sure I have an exit strategy. Searching this forum I've found a lot of posts referencing Marriott buying back contracts, or offering deedbacks, but I can't find anything about whether they have a specific deedback program (google didn't help much either). Can anyone answer this question? Will they take a resale purchased deed back? Do they charge for this? Thanks in advance!

I saw you ended up buying, but did you ever find out the answer to your original question of if Marriot would ever do a deed back for someone who has bought a resale week and isn't an original owner? I've been researching this same question to no avail. I have heard of people getting offers to for deed backs as original owners, but haven't heard of a resale going that way. I am like you- I like to know exit options first, in case things go crazy over the next 30 years- you never know what life will bring with aging, or if the whole interval exchange system collapses, or the zombie apocalypse...

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I saw you ended up buying, but did you ever find out the answer to your original question of if Marriot would ever do a deed back for someone who has bought a resale week and isn't an original owner? I've been researching this same question to no avail. I have heard of people getting offers to for deed backs as original owners, but haven't heard of a resale going that way. I am like you- I like to know exit options first, in case things go crazy over the next 30 years- you never know what life will bring with aging, or if the whole interval exchange system collapses, or the zombie apocalypse...

I didn’t. I took a risk (also, the contract still hasn’t transferred to me yet).

 

[jmhpsu93]

A couple of years ago I was considering deeding back my Grande Vista Gold weeks. I emailed the exit team and they indicated interest but I had booked the following year usage so was told to wait until the following fall and contact them again. Not sure if that still applies as I decided to keep them.

 

[bheth1982]

Regarding Marriott Deed-back program, do you know if they accept European memberships?

 

[TUGBrian]

best solution is to reach out to them and ask. policies/rules/etc for deedback programs change all the time.

 

[bazzap]

A couple of years ago I was considering deeding back my Grande Vista Gold weeks. I emailed the exit team and they indicated interest but I had booked the following year usage so was told to wait until the following fall and contact them again. Not sure if that still applies as I decided to keep them.

Yes, MVC will only accept deedback (and from the following year) if MFs are fully paid up and there are no following year bookings in place.
The process can be quite lengthy, so best to start as early as possible in the current year.

 

[Bree]

It is called Platinum Plus as noted and they do exist. TUG members have posted about buying them. Someone who owns one can hopefully address their experience both in buying and exchanging. I would list 5 resorts as the "Usual Traders". These are Grande Vista, Grand Chateau, Willow Ridge, Manor Club (SEQUEL ONLY) and Harbour Lake all Platinum (+/_ Platinum Plus where applicable). With fees going up this year one might eliminate one or more of these resorts from their list though I wouldn't. IMO all of these will work as GOOD to very good (not super strong) exchangers but each have their nuances. My definition of a good trader in terms of Marriott would be Lock off, reasonable fees and DECENT trade power. It is important to understand that TDI is not absolute. A 52 in LV is not the same as a 52 in HI for example.

I think there are some nuances between these 5 resorts. 2 are Elite and 3 are Premier, fees vary somewhat, GC has a wider Platinum season, GV has the potential of the FL Club option and GC will get more points if enrolled. In terms of trade power, I do feel there are some differences but they will not impact results for many exchange options. We also don't have a great way to quantify WHEN these differences might impact your exchange chances. Assuming one is reserving a top TDI week for the resorts in question, my research suggests that GV will trade the best ignoring Platinum Plus and that MC & WR will be behind with GC & HL in the middle and about the same. I do believe the elite vs Premier status will have an effect in some situation but this is even more difficult to quantify. GV week 51 & 52 will likely be almost impossible to reserve as a single week so I'd assume a top summer or spring break week there. Also HL will not be able to exchange into DVC and neither will GV unless one is in the FL CLUB and reserves at a different resort.

Exchanging is not for the faint of heart and one cannot count on getting the top options or larger units (esp 3BR) in most cases other than easier locations like Orlando & LV.. But there are ways to maximize chances including reserving and depositing early, getting a good week to deposit, being flexible on choices and being realistic. The studios will also be limited and work best for easy exchanges and/or short notice exchanges. Sometimes the best resort to own is one that is a balance between usage and exchanging. CA & AZ desert and Ocean Point come to mind here.

Hi Dean, what great information! We own an EOY 2 bedroom ski LO at Grand Timber Lodge and are looking to add a Marriott. We were going to get an EOY but based on some of your comments it appears it may be a safer "bet" to get an EY.

We also would be looking to eventually travel to tropical locations, Hawaii, to Europe. I am looking for at LOs at Willow Ridge, Manor Club Sequel and Canyon Villas. We are in the midwest so WR is the closest. I took WR off thinking the Trade Power wasn't as good as the other two and I'd be able to trade in easily during Platinum season. Your insight on the Trade Power of these 3 is appreciated. I like Manor Club Ford over Sequel (your thoughts?) but not sure it's worth giving up a LO and if we're doing a non-LO then I might as well go back to what I was originally looking at: Ocean Watch or HHI (GO, Barony, Surfwatch)! I have spent a lot of time reviewing and evaluating to get to this point of indecision! (Although I do think I know what direction I'm leaning at this point.)

I see Grand Chateau (and Shadow Ridge) repeatedly listed as a great trader. We can get that but, although we usually trade, I really prefer a resort we would occasionally go to. If it's determined that the trade power of GC (or Shadow Ridge) is that much better, we can go that route.

Your thoughts and input on the above would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dean]

Hi Dean, what great information! We own an EOY 2 bedroom ski LO at Grand Timber Lodge and are looking to add a Marriott. We were going to get an EOY but based on some of your comments it appears it may be a safer "bet" to get an EY.

We also would be looking to eventually travel to tropical locations, Hawaii, to Europe. I am looking for at LOs at Willow Ridge, Manor Club Sequel and Canyon Villas. We are in the midwest so WR is the closest. I took WR off thinking the Trade Power wasn't as good as the other two and I'd be able to trade in easily during Platinum season. Your insight on the Trade Power of these 3 is appreciated. I like Manor Club Ford over Sequel (your thoughts?) but not sure it's worth giving up a LO and if we're doing a non-LO then I might as well go back to what I was originally looking at: Ocean Watch or HHI (GO, Barony, Surfwatch)! I have spent a lot of time reviewing and evaluating to get to this point of indecision! (Although I do think I know what direction I'm leaning at this point.)

I see Grand Chateau (and Shadow Ridge) repeatedly listed as a great trader. We can get that but, although we usually trade, I really prefer a resort we would occasionally go to. If it's determined that the trade power of GC (or Shadow Ridge) is that much better, we can go that route.

Your thoughts and input on the above would be greatly appreciated.

My thoughts at the present time. Generally an EY is not much more than an EOY and often not any more. Let the actual prices drive your decision if an EOY would work. Don't forget to consider closing costs, fee reimbursements even timing of the week and how that next years week will or will not work for you. I really like GC for this situation because as it's far more flexible due to the broad platinum season, esp that first year of ownership. WR is good as well. For those that are just looking for exchanging, are planners and have some flexibility I doubt either will work differently. I would not do a non L/O for exchanging like MC original. I'm also somewhat soured on MC as an exchanger partly due to the very limited set of weeks that will be good exchangers. It's a nice resort though if you'll use it part of the time. Don't forget you don't need to buy a L/O if the resort has both unit types but for MC these are technically 2 different resorts so which one does matter there. If you think you might ever enroll, GC is by far the best trader option. The CA desert Platinum units will trade well and can often be bought fairly cheap but the fees are higher. For some they might be worth the higher fees, for others not. My suggestion (based on your post) would be to consider an East Coast or similar unit to use and a separate trader keeping in mind the need to reserve at 13 months out. So make sure both units match up to do so if you were to go that route. Of course you could get the trader and see how it goes then regroup as needed.

 

[Bree]

My thoughts at the present time. Generally an EY is not much more than an EOY and often not any more. Let the actual prices drive your decision if an EOY would work. Don't forget to consider closing costs, fee reimbursements even timing of the week and how that next years week will or will not work for you. I really like GC for this situation because as it's far more flexible due to the broad platinum season, esp that first year of ownership. WR is good as well. For those that are just looking for exchanging, are planners and have some flexibility I doubt either will work differently. I would not do a non L/O for exchanging like MC original. I'm also somewhat soured on MC as an exchanger partly due to the very limited set of weeks that will be good exchangers. It's a nice resort though if you'll use it part of the time. Don't forget you don't need to buy a L/O if the resort has both unit types but for MC these are technically 2 different resorts so which one does matter there. If you think you might ever enroll, GC is by far the best trader option. The CA desert Platinum units will trade well and can often be bought fairly cheap but the fees are higher. For some they might be worth the higher fees, for others not. My suggestion (based on your post) would be to consider an East Coast or similar unit to use and a separate trader keeping in mind the need to reserve at 13 months out. So make sure both units match up to do so if you were to go that route. Of course you could get the trader and see how it goes then regroup as needed.

Thank you for your detailed thoughts, extremely helpful. We own a ski season EOYE at Grand Timber lodge and are looking to add to that. We use it as a trader, although I may look into renting it if we end up with extra weeks at some point. Honestly, we could always get GC and just trade in to the east / southeast. (There are plenty of available exchange weeks for MC next summer right now.) Do you have insight on the "free" golf at MC? My understanding is it is included if you exchange in. Can you expand on why your soured? Do you own MC? Do they not have a lot of good weeks available for owners to book during their platinum season?

Thank you again!

 

[Dean]

Thank you for your detailed thoughts, extremely helpful. We own a ski season EOYE at Grand Timber lodge and are looking to add to that. We use it as a trader, although I may look into renting it if we end up with extra weeks at some point. Honestly, we could always get GC and just trade in to the east / southeast. (There are plenty of available exchange weeks for MC next summer right now.) Do you have insight on the "free" golf at MC? My understanding is it is included if you exchange in. Can you expand on why your soured? Do you own MC? Do they not have a lot of good weeks available for owners to book during their platinum season?

Thank you again!

I can't speak to the free golf. The reason I've soured on MC and all but taken it off my list is because fees went up quite a bit a few years ago, the number of weeks that are reasonable traders are very limited and I get the sense that it doesn't trade as well as some of the others mentioned even with the best weeks. It's a great resort and if one wants to stay there, it can be worthwhile owning or exchanging in. Personally as a trader only I don't see it as a good choice but then I put more emphasis on the trade power than many here do even within the "Trader" group. YMMV.

 

[Bree]

I can't speak to the free golf. The reason I've soured on MC and all but taken it off my list is because fees went up quite a bit a few years ago, the number of weeks that are reasonable traders are very limited and I get the sense that it doesn't trade as well as some of the others mentioned even with the best weeks. It's a great resort and if one wants to stay there, it can be worthwhile owning or exchanging in. Personally as a trader only I don't see it as a good choice but then I put more emphasis on the trade power than many here do even within the "Trader" group. YMMV.

Thank you Dean, you have been very helpful.