The Club II account

[m61376]

I just had a not so interesting chat online and, assuming the agent was correct, discovered some very disturbing details about the "free" II account:
- annual dues are covered by the annual club dues. All internal Marriott trades- whether weeks or points, are covered, as well as locking off, changes of reservation fees, trading for reward points, etc. - are included, Sounds good so far....
-included is a vacation advisor who will handle all your trades. I mean ALL your trades. You will NOT have any on-line access to see availability in II. Want a Flexchange trade- hope that your advisor is looking for you, because you can't access your account online. Want to see what Starwood, etc., might be depositing- better hope that a Starwood owner has posted it on the sightings board, because- again- you can't see any external exchanges either.

The only exception- if you really want to see Getaway availability, they will make an exception and allow you access to that with special arrangement basically.

If you want to see what's in II for Flexchanges- well, maintain a separate II account, pay for it, and pay for any trades within that account- whether Marriott or external.

 

[Latravel]

This doesn't make sense to me. They want all 400,000 owners to make a personal phone call instead of routing traffic to self service on line options?

Hmmm, this goes against what all major companies have been doing - reducing staff costs by reducing or eliminating one on one calls to customer service. It's much cheaper to have customers do everything on line. I think the agent may be incorrect.

 

[saturn28]

I just had a not so interesting chat online and, assuming the agent was correct, discovered some very disturbing details about the "free" II account:
- annual dues are covered by the annual club dues. All internal Marriott trades- whether weeks or points, are covered, as well as locking off, changes of reservation fees, trading for reward points, etc. - are included, Sounds good so far....
-included is a vacation advisor who will handle all your trades. I mean ALL your trades. You will NOT have any on-line access to see availability in II. Want a Flexchange trade- hope that your advisor is looking for you, because you can't access your account online. Want to see what Starwood, etc., might be depositing- better hope that a Starwood owner has posted it on the sightings board, because- again- you can't see any external exchanges either.

The only exception- if you really want to see Getaway availability, they will make an exception and allow you access to that with special arrangement basically.

If you want to see what's in II for Flexchanges- well, maintain a separate II account, pay for it, and pay for any trades within that account- whether Marriott or external.

I was told by 3 different owner service people yesterday that I would be able to exchange through II the same way I have been doing when I traded weeks. I could get the VOA to do it for me but I didn't have to. The only time I would have to use the VOA was when I was doing a points exchange. This type of contradiction happens all the time when talking to Marriott reps. Sometimes you can talk to 5 different Marriott people and get 5 different answers.

 

[jjluhman]

My sister owns Disney and I believe that is exactly how it works with them - no access to II. ):

 

[tlwmkw]

I've been told the same (it'll be a limited account that only allows you to go through Marriott) of course you can maintain your old II account but then you are paying twice for II and there go the touted savings with this wonderful new system.

tlwmkw

 

[ArtsieAng]

m61376

You will NOT have any on-line access to see availability in II.

I'm not sure why that would be tho. Even Starwood who deposits your week allows you to see your account, and II's online availability.....I'm really hoping that this is not true.

 

[gmarine]

Its not Marriott nor II but just for reference, Worldmark owners do not have the ability to search or view online inventory with RCI. You have to call.

 

[Twinkstarr]

My sister owns Disney and I believe that is exactly how it works with them - no access to II. ):

Except DVC moved to RCI, still no access.

 

[SueDonJ]

I wondered because so much of the system mimics DVC's working model and that's how their II exchanges work. fyi, Disney owners also say that the inventory to which they can exchange is limited by quality filters that DVC imposes.

The other day the one question I asked about II with a telephone rep was whether we'd have access to Getaways (because we're really not interested in exchanging outside of Marriott.) The answer I got was, "Yes."

{edited to add} Of course as others have pointed out DVC left II and now trades (using the same model) with RCI. I should have used past tense for the DVC/II relationship.

 

[andrea t]

I own DVC and when they traded with Interval it was a corporate account. They made my trade and I was not allowed online access. Since I did not own at Marriott at that time it seemed normal to me! Now I love doing my own "playing" and searching and would hate to give that up!

 

[m61376]

I'm not sure why that would be tho. Even Starwood who deposits your week allows you to see your account, and II's online availability.....I'm really hoping that this is not true.

I actually mentioned this to him. I tried every conceivable approach and he supposedly checked with someone and verified that the Marriott II account is a basic account that does not offer any online access, but that if I wanted online access I was free to maintain a separate II account and deposit my Marriott weeks in there and, of course, pay for everything, including the trades. Oh- he did verify that they would do Flexchange trades for us- but we'd have to call and hope there was any availability when the agent looked.

The online agent was probably frustrated with my inquiries about this, and finally suggested that the new program wasn't for everyone and maybe I'd be better off not joining

How's that for customer outreach?:hysterical:

 

[DanCali]

Buyer Beware

Has anyone seen in WRITING that you can deposit your reserved week into II if you are part of the points system?

Since I don't trust MVCI reps on this issue, I have spoken with several II reps who said if you go into points you can only trade points with II. I have been told this by 4 different Interval reps... II is not exactly trained on this, but if what they say is true it sounds more like the Starwood system: If you want to deposit in II, Marriot will cancel your reservation (i.e., keep it for points owners) and give II a certain number of points, presemably the average of your season less the 7% Marriott skim (i.e., what your week was allocated).

If a Marriott rep tells you this will work differently, ask to get it in writing...

 

[floyddl]

I own DVC and when they traded with Interval it was a corporate account. They made my trade and I was not allowed online access. Since I did not own at Marriott at that time it seemed normal to me! Now I love doing my own "playing" and searching and would hate to give that up!

Hilton used to be the same way with RCI until just recently. Now you can go by a link from the HGVC site into the RCI system and do your own searches and trades. I really like the HGVC program but they don't offer the variety of locations that Marriott has.

 

[banquopack]

Has anyone seen in WRITING that you can deposit your reserved week into II if you are part of the points system?

Since I don't trust MVCI reps on this issue, I have spoken with several II reps who said if you go into points you can only trade points with II. I have been told this by 4 different Interval reps... II is not exactly trained on this, but if what they say is true it sounds more like the Starwood system: If you want to deposit in II, Marriot will cancel your reservation (i.e., keep it for points owners) and give II a certain number of points, presemably the average of your season less the 7% Marriott skim (i.e., what your week was allocated).

If a Marriott rep tells you this will work differently, ask to get it in writing...

It is in the Interval Buyer's guide that is linked when you try to enroll points. Yes, you can trade points or a week as a club member:

Week-Based Exchange Method (applicable to Individual Members as well as
those Club Program Exchange Members who choose to continue to receive
exchange benefits from II based on the relinquishment of a Week). Where such
Club Program Members or Individual Members own a “floating” Vacation Interest,
they must first secure a specific Week for a specific type of unit at their Marriott
Resort prior to submitting an exchange request. The reservation information
must then be submitted to II.

 

[dioxide45]

So if you book a week in weeks, will II let you deposit it in to your old II account, or are you forced to use the new one?

 

[ArtsieAng]

UT-OH ...It appers to be true. If you join the program, you will no longer have access to II's online inventory.

Welcome!
Please wait while we contact the next available agent...
You are now speaking with Christina R.!
Christina R.: Hi! My name is Christina R.. How may I help you?
you : Hi Christina, I have a question regarding the new system.
you : I'm wondering if i would be able to do online searches in II, with my new account if I choose to join the new system?
Christina R.: With the new system you wont need to use Interval International, unless you choose to go out of the Marriott and even then you wont need to deal with them at all. Everything is done through Marrriott.
you : I enjoy doing my own online searches, and actually do searches at least once a day. If I choose to continue to do them, could I?
Christina R.: No, you are one of the few that like to do that. Sorry, but with the new program you wont be paying for anymore exchange fees and renewals. which is a great savings...
you : So, I would be giving up my acces to the II online inventory? What about getaways? Would I have access to them?
Christina R.: Just for Interval International, you would be able to do it inside of Marriott. Yes you can still have your getaways through Interval International..
you : What do you mean that i would be able to do it inside of Marriott?
Christina R.: You can go on line to book any Marriott resort.
you : and how would I do that? through II or through the Marriott site?
Christina R.: Marriott
you : OK, what about flexchange exchanges? Is Marriott going to have any similiar to the way II does?
Christina R.: I was just told that we wont.
you : One last question.
you : If I wanted to keep a seperate II account and have my week deposited into it, could I do that? And if so, would I see Marriott inventory when doing an online search?
Christina R.: Your agent is currently busy but will contact you shortly. Your chat is important to us. Thank you for your patience.
Christina R.: No, once you change for the points program you wont have to deposit with Interval International unless your requesting to go to a resort that is not a Marriott. Then your adviser that you will be assigned to you will work directly through Interval International so you don't have to.
you : but I want to. LOL!
you : If I do not join the program, does my II account remain as it?
Christina R.: Your funny! Yes it will stay the same. The program wont effect you unless you want it to.
you : OK, thank you for your time. You have been very helpful. Have a wonderful night!
Christina R.: You too

 

[dioxide45]

Can you still do weeks for weeks exchanges, or are you locked in to using points when wanting to exchange in to another Marriott?

 

[DanCali]

If it smells like a dead fish...

I can't wait to hear experiences from the early adopters...

 

[Stressy]

UT-OH ...It appers to be true. If you join the program, you will no longer have access to II's online inventory.

Welcome!
Please wait while we contact the next available agent...
You are now speaking with Christina R.!
Christina R.: Hi! My name is Christina R.. How may I help you?
you : Hi Christina, I have a question regarding the new system.
you : I'm wondering if i would be able to do online searches in II, with my new account if I choose to join the new system?
Christina R.: With the new system you wont need to use Interval International, unless you choose to go out of the Marriott and even then you wont need to deal with them at all. Everything is done through Marrriott.
you : I enjoy doing my own online searches, and actually do searches at least once a day. If I choose to continue to do them, could I?
Christina R.: No, you are one of the few that like to do that. Sorry, but with the new program you wont be paying for anymore exchange fees and renewals. which is a great savings...
you : So, I would be giving up my acces to the II online inventory? What about getaways? Would I have access to them?
Christina R.: Just for Interval International, you would be able to do it inside of Marriott. Yes you can still have your getaways through Interval International..
you : What do you mean that i would be able to do it inside of Marriott?
Christina R.: You can go on line to book any Marriott resort.
you : and how would I do that? through II or through the Marriott site?
Christina R.: Marriott
you : OK, what about flexchange exchanges? Is Marriott going to have any similiar to the way II does?
Christina R.: I was just told that we wont.
you : One last question.
you : If I wanted to keep a seperate II account and have my week deposited into it, could I do that? And if so, would I see Marriott inventory when doing an online search?
Christina R.: Your agent is currently busy but will contact you shortly. Your chat is important to us. Thank you for your patience.
Christina R.: No, once you change for the points program you wont have to deposit with Interval International unless your requesting to go to a resort that is not a Marriott. Then your adviser that you will be assigned to you will work directly through Interval International so you don't have to.
you : but I want to. LOL!
you : If I do not join the program, does my II account remain as it?
Christina R.: Your funny! Yes it will stay the same. The program wont effect you unless you want it to.
you : OK, thank you for your time. You have been very helpful. Have a wonderful night!
Christina R.: You too

Oh Wow!

I already have control issues..I won't be controlled! :hysterical:

Welcome to Marriott!

Here are your blinders. Just put these on and everything will be fine!

 

[jjluhman]

dioxide - I was told in my online chat today (that I posted under the information from Marriott thread) that I would still be able to trade my platinum week for another platinum Marriott resort week internally without using points... for what that is worth- I would like to see that in writing.

The more I find out about this the better I feel about staying with the legacy system and actually being able to get the exchanges that I have received in the past!

 

[DanCali]

It is in the Interval Buyer's guide that is linked when you try to enroll points. Yes, you can trade points or a week as a club member:

Week-Based Exchange Method (applicable to Individual Members as well as
those Club Program Exchange Members who choose to continue to receive
exchange benefits from II based on the relinquishment of a Week). Where such
Club Program Members or Individual Members own a “floating” Vacation Interest,
they must first secure a specific Week for a specific type of unit at their Marriott
Resort prior to submitting an exchange request. The reservation information
must then be submitted to II.

Ok - I see it... and a couple of paragraphs below that:

5. No fee is required to deposit vacation accommodations. An exchange
fee, however, is required when placing an exchange request against the
deposited accommodations.

So if you trade a week you owe I a fee, even if you are a Club member?

 

[saturn28]

UT-OH ...It appers to be true. If you join the program, you will no longer have access to II's online inventory.

Welcome!
Please wait while we contact the next available agent...
You are now speaking with Christina R.!
Christina R.: Hi! My name is Christina R.. How may I help you?
you : Hi Christina, I have a question regarding the new system.
you : I'm wondering if i would be able to do online searches in II, with my new account if I choose to join the new system?
Christina R.: With the new system you wont need to use Interval International, unless you choose to go out of the Marriott and even then you wont need to deal with them at all. Everything is done through Marrriott.
you : I enjoy doing my own online searches, and actually do searches at least once a day. If I choose to continue to do them, could I?
Christina R.: No, you are one of the few that like to do that. Sorry, but with the new program you wont be paying for anymore exchange fees and renewals. which is a great savings...
you : So, I would be giving up my acces to the II online inventory? What about getaways? Would I have access to them?
Christina R.: Just for Interval International, you would be able to do it inside of Marriott. Yes you can still have your getaways through Interval International..
you : What do you mean that i would be able to do it inside of Marriott?
Christina R.: You can go on line to book any Marriott resort.
you : and how would I do that? through II or through the Marriott site?
Christina R.: Marriott
you : OK, what about flexchange exchanges? Is Marriott going to have any similiar to the way II does?
Christina R.: I was just told that we wont.
you : One last question.
you : If I wanted to keep a seperate II account and have my week deposited into it, could I do that? And if so, would I see Marriott inventory when doing an online search?
Christina R.: Your agent is currently busy but will contact you shortly. Your chat is important to us. Thank you for your patience.
Christina R.: No, once you change for the points program you wont have to deposit with Interval International unless your requesting to go to a resort that is not a Marriott. Then your adviser that you will be assigned to you will work directly through Interval International so you don't have to.
you : but I want to. LOL!
you : If I do not join the program, does my II account remain as it?
Christina R.: Your funny! Yes it will stay the same. The program wont effect you unless you want it to.
you : OK, thank you for your time. You have been very helpful. Have a wonderful night!
Christina R.: You too

She gave you the wrong information. If you want the correct information, log onto your account on the Marriott website. Once logged in click on the link under where it says "Understanding My Timeshare." (click on where is says "Tell me More). When the next page comes up, click on the "Learn more" link under where it says "Getting The Most Out of my Timeshare." When the next page comes up skroll down the page until you see "Exchanging out side of Marriott Vacation Club" Then click on the link that says "Enrolled Owner." You will now be able to read all the types of exchanges that you will be able to do both external and internal as well as flexichange. These all can be done as an enrolled owner of the destination points option. It does show you can do it yourself.

 

[ann824]

This is HUGE! I don't think most people realize they will be giving up their right to access II online unless they pay for two accounts. This is a deal killer for me.

 

[jjluhman]

I think that this explains how Points members will be able to reserve Marriott properties that have not been enrolled in points- basically the weeks belonging to folks who maintain their own II account and deposit their weeks in II. I would suspect that the deal that Marriott & II have worked out gives the Marriott II account priority over the individual accounts.:annoyed:

Marriott Internal Exchange Procedures and Priorities
1. For all Club Program Trust Members and all Club Program Exchange
Members requesting exchange services based on the relinquishment
of Points, the Club Program Manager will be solely responsible for the
performance of exchanges into the Marriott Resorts. Where a requested
internal exchange cannot be confirmed through inventory available in
the MVC Club Program, the Club Program Manager will submit internal
exchange requests through II and, where the necessary inventory is
or becomes available in the Exchange Program, II will issue the
Confirmation to the Club Program Manager, who in turn will issue such
Confirmation to the applicable Club Program Member.

 

[Antny]

Multiple weeks

What if you have multiple weeks and you only enroll one. Do you still have access to II with the week that isnt enrolled?