Let’s talk the positives at Marriott Vacation Clubs!

[jwalk03]

If you have a chance, can you post or send a picture of the activity schedule? I stayed there during Christmas week with my niece and nephew and they loved the holiday activities (especially reporting the elf on the shelf each day). I’m curious what’s on the schedule for a non-Christmas week. Thanks!

If you download the MVC app the activity schedules are available there for all the resorts. They change very little week to week but at least a good guide.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Loving Ocean Pointe. We have been here two nights, the weather is good, not ridiculously hot, pretty rainy today. Speaking of art on the walls, we are in a corner OF unit, and the big blue wall in the dining room has no pictures. It's like 12 feet with no art, just a navy blue wall. That's odd for Marriott. Every Marriott we stay is very uniquely decorated, art work on most every wall, even the smaller walls. To have nothing on a big wall, kind of strange.

I still have to say that I like Westin best on Maui and Kauai.

Are there any plans to build Westin near Marriott's Ko Olina?

 

[jmhpsu93]

Are there any plans to build Westin near Marriott's Ko Olina?

There are two open parcels near MKO, the one next to it and the one between DVC and Beach Villas. Both were sold to a developer earlier this year with plans to develop an Atlantis (the north parcel) and a related hotel / condo complex next to MKO. Lots of regulatory hurdles to clear but completion expected in 4-5 years.

 

[ljmiii]

There are two open parcels near MKO, the one next to it and the one between DVC and Beach Villas. Both were sold to a developer earlier this year with plans to develop an Atlantis (the north parcel) and a related hotel / condo complex next to MKO. Lots of regulatory hurdles to clear but completion expected in 4-5 years.

I'll believe it when I see it. Atlantis Ko Olina was first announced in 2005 and a series of owners have tried to move the project forward ever since.

But yes indeed, earlier this year Kam Sang Co. Inc. purchased the 43.55 acres fronting Ko Olina Resort’s two center lagoons for a total of about $216 million from
China Oceanwide and agreed to (try to) develop the Atlantis Ko Olina resort.

 

[TUGBrian]

did my duty today at the pool! another dad and I stroked up a conversation while our kids played....they originally bought a few thousand points in Maui....was telling me all their offers to buy 2500 more points etc.... told him about the resale market and he was stunned. Super nice guy from Kentucky...hope he has many happy years as a marriott owner especially now that he knows about resale!

I was most interested in his comment about how the salesperson told him if he bought 2500 more points and moved up to the next status level, he could "cancel and rebook" and get a 25% bonus on his points...then take those 25% bonus points and turn them into credit at the resort. Said as it was explained to him if he booked 5000 points then CrB hed end up with 1250 extra abound points in his account to use however they wanted. "pay for all your food while you stay at the resort!"

Salesperson apparently said "all owners at the higher status levels do this" this apparently was a major push during the sales pitch.

 

[Beachspace]

Oceana Palms is only slightly better, but the building next door ruined its appeal for me.

I was on the opening team for Oceana Palms. I remember that lot was just sold to a developer. This was 2010, no one was building. I would later go back and celebrate my wife and I anniversary on the beach, we stayed in the newer sunset tower. Loved the new amenities. I remember seeing the building next door finally going up. I Figured it would ruin the views for many people. The sales people didn't keep it hush hush, they did say views on the sides aren't forever. The direct Ocean units are amazing. I know the 'sexy steam' showers weren't for everyone, but I thought it was forward thinking by Marriott. Fast forward 10 more years, we still love going there vs Ocean Pointe.

 

[Beachspace]

Keeping it positive, I love the FL club allows me to own a lesser resort (Grande Vista) and swap for free (no membership needed) and rent a unit at Ocean Pointe. I've never once used my GV unit as I make a profit every year on the rental, even after Redweek fees. Ocean Pointe is very well run, has a great location and a huge demand!

 

[claraj]

moved up to the next status level, he could "cancel and rebook" and get a 25% bonus on his points

A sales person in Orlando told me the exact same thing. I didn't think that's how it worked but he was adamant that he does this all the time ..

 

[TUGBrian]

A sales person in Orlando told me the exact same thing. I didn't think that's how it worked but he was adamant that he does this all the time ..

id certainly like to know the full story behind that claim for sure... if thats true at face value it would be exploited to ridiculous levels!

 

[Fasttr]

id certainly like to know the full story behind that claim for sure... if thats true at face value it would be exploited to ridiculous levels!

The concept was first mentioned by @puckmanfl years ago, and was affectionately named The Puck Trick. Here is an explanation….

Cancellation and rebooking with destination points

Can I cancel a reservation 61+ days out and rebook the same destination and dates 60- days (30% discounts Chairman)?

tugbbs.com

Note: 25% discount for Executive level at 30 days from check in
30% for Pres and Chairman at 60 days from check in.

 

[dioxide45]

The concept was first mentioned by @puckmanfl years ago, and was affectionately named The Puck Trick. Here is an explanation….

Cancellation and rebooking with destination points

Can I cancel a reservation 61+ days out and rebook the same destination and dates 60- days (30% discounts Chairman)?

tugbbs.com

Note: 25% discount for Executive level at 30 days from check in
30% for Pres and Chairman at 60 days from check in.

The issue is that is requires availability to still be there when you do it. Otherwise you are chancing a cancel and rebook and loss of the whole reservation.

 

[iftravel]

The issue is that is requires availability to still be there when you do it. Otherwise you are chancing a cancel and rebook and loss of the whole reservation.

3AM to do this?

 

[dioxide45]

3AM to do this?

Maybe, but I don't know if we know that when you cancel a reservation that the inventory instantly goes back into the inventory pool available for booking.

 

[WBP]

Maybe, but I don't know if we know that when you cancel a reservation that the inventory instantly goes back into the inventory pool available for booking.

Does the cancelled reservation automatically default to owners/requests on the Wait List?

 

[TUGBrian]

couldnt you just make a reservation you didnt actually care about just to earn the 25% bonus?

 

[WorldT]

couldnt you just make a reservation you didnt actually care about just to earn the 25% bonus?

And that is precisely why that sales person was selling lies. Getting 25 percent more by just cancelling will put the whole program into a death spiral.

My understanding of this as linked in post #36 above is that you get a DISCOUNT of 25 or 30 % if within a certain window and level (30 days, 60 days).
Also, it seems those discounted points, if they came from a cancelled reservation, maybe subject to restrictions.

 

[dioxide45]

couldnt you just make a reservation you didnt actually care about just to earn the 25% bonus?

You aren't getting a bonus. You are getting points back from the reservation, those points are also restricted.

You make a reservation at 10 months that requires 1000 points. An Executive level owner can get a 25% discount on points reservations at 30 days. What many have done is they call and have the reservation adjusted (or cancelled and rebooked) at the discounted amount. They get back 250 restricted points.

 

[TUGBrian]

absolutely knew it was only a half truth, but didnt know what the catch was! that makes far more sense.

 

[claraj]

The salesperson made it sound like you just call and they automatically give you back 25% as if it didn't depend on availability, etc.

 

[Fasttr]

The salesperson made it sound like you just call and they automatically give you back 25% as if it didn't depend on availability, etc.

And why would they do that?

 

[claraj]

And why would they do that?

Felt like desperation.

 

[dioxide45]

Felt like desperation.

That was the salesperson's reason. I think @Fasttr is asking why MVC would just give 25% of the points back without any catch.

 

[claraj]

Oh, right. Of course I didn't believe what I was hearing. I just nodded and smiled.

 

[TUGBrian]

And why would they do that?

in the case of this guy, it was to get him to buy more points and go up to the next level of ownership.

like kohls bucks... "cost you more NOT to buy it" :lol:

 

[WBP]

is pretty wild when i give out my marriott member number (dad bought in the 80s at hilton head!). they almost always tell me i didnt give them enough numbers.

Hi Brian,

I remember, fondly, your dad, from our early MVCI (actually, MORI) days, and the humble beginnings of TUG (we still have a white binder (looks like a photo album) that says Marriott Ownership Resorts on its cover)).

I will say this, in the context of “Positives at Marriott Vacation Clubs,” we notice a dramatic difference between the performance of MVC resorts when we vacation AT MVC resorts; our "resort experience," particularly at the California resorts, is often outstanding, vs dealing with MVC Owner Services and MVC policies, rules, and decision making, and technology infrastructure, which is a far cry from outstanding. In our experience, the California resorts are exceptionally well run by highly skilled/very dedicated General Managers.