Vistana/MVC merger? 5-star elite to Titanium status?

[yezzy]

Hi all, I apologize if this is a re-post. I searched both this forum and the MVC forum for similar threads, but I didn’t see any.

We’re finishing up a wonderful week at Nanea (fortunately, no sewer smell ). Against our better judgement, we attended the owners update this morning. I heard a few tidbits that I thought I would share.

First, we were told that there is currently a plan to combine Vistana, MVC, and the Hyatt vacation properties into one network, and that this is probably going to launch sometime this year, likely in Q4. There would be some direct conversion from SOs to Marriott vacation points, and that the conversion would be based on the home resort: i.e 144,800 SOs from, say, Lagunamar, would convert to fewer MVC points than 144,800 SOs from, say, Westin Princeville. Bottom line: we’d be able to directly book into any of the 3 networks using our SOs thru some internal conversation process without having to trade thru II.

Second, I expressed some concern that our 5-star Elite benefits had been diluted thru the merger; specifically, that the “SPG platinum for life” benefit, which was the highest level of loyalty within the SPG system, is no longer the highest within the Bonvoy system. In response, I was told that there was already a plan in place to elevate 5-Star Elite members to “lifetime Bonvoy Titanium status” later this year.

Obviously, I take anything I hear at these updates with an enormous grain of salt. Curious if any other owners have heard similar things.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

Hi all, I apologize if this is a re-post. I searched both this forum and the MVC forum for similar threads, but I didn’t see any.

We’re finishing up a wonderful week at Nanea (fortunately, no sewer smell ). Against our better judgement, we attended the owners update this morning. I heard a few tidbits that I thought I would share.

First, we were told that there is currently a plan to combine Vistana, MVC, and the Hilton vacation properties into one network, and that this is probably going to launch sometime this year, likely in Q4. There would be some direct conversion from SOs to Marriott vacation points, and that the conversion would be based on the home resort: i.e 144,800 SOs from, say, Lagunamar, would convert to fewer MVC points than 144,800 SOs from, say, Westin Princeville. Bottom line: we’d be able to directly book into any of the 3 networks using our SOs thru some internal conversation process without having to trade thru II.

Second, I expressed some concern that our 5-star Elite benefits had been diluted thru the merger; specifically, that the “SPG platinum for life” benefit, which was the highest level of loyalty within the SPG system, is no longer the highest within the Bonvoy system. In response, I was told that there was already a plan in place to elevate 5-Star Elite members to “lifetime Bonvoy Titanium status” later this year.

Obviously, I take anything I hear at these updates with an enormous grain of salt. Curious if any other owners have heard similar things.

I think you mean Hyatt though rather than Hilton . Did they say you would need to buy Marriott points to enroll your Vistana or Hyatt weeks?

 

[yezzy]

I think you mean Hyatt though rather than Hilton . Did they say you would need to buy Marriott points to enroll your Vistana or Hyatt weeks?

You’re correct - Hyatt, not Hilton. My apologies - original post corrected. They did not specifically say whether or not we would need to buy Marriott points, but it was implied that we would not. Details seem very fuzzy at this point.

 

[controller1]

I had a Nanea owner's update on April 4. I was also told that a plan was in place to move 5-Star Elite to Titanium status. The salesperson didn't say anything about combining the three systems. I was asked about increasing my points in Nanea or Westin Flex and I was told to never trade in my WKORV-N OF for anything (as if I needed to be told that). We were out in 70 minutes with 30,000 Bonvoy points and all the cash I walked in with.

 

[YYJMSP]

Second, I expressed some concern that our 5-star Elite benefits had been diluted thru the merger; specifically, that the “SPG platinum for life” benefit, which was the highest level of loyalty within the SPG system, is no longer the highest within the Bonvoy system. In response, I was told that there was already a plan in place to elevate 5-Star Elite members to “lifetime Bonvoy Titanium status” later this year.

SPG Platinum for life was actually the fourth highest level (equivalent to Platinum 25stays), being lower than Platinum 50nts and 75nts levels and 100nts (aka Ambassador) level. Each level added more benefits that were not given to 5 Star Elite owners, unless they also stayed on the hotel side for that many nights each year.

I don't see how they are going to give out Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, as that is now a legacy status that can not be earned. it was granted to those who had qualified from either Marriott or SPG hotel side up to between Aug and Jan. the criteria did not take in to account VSE ownership.

 

[JIMinNC]

I don't see how they are going to give out Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, as that is now a legacy status that can not be earned. it was granted to those who had qualified from either Marriott or SPG hotel side up to between Aug and Jan. the criteria did not take in to account VSE ownership.

Top-tier owners in Marriott Vacation Club (Presidential and Chairman's) already get Titanium Status in Bonvoy, so it would make sense that top-tier Vistana owners would get the same. It's not really "Lifetime" since if you sell your ownership the status goes away, but for all practical purposes it functions like lifetime since you don't have to qualify each year based on nights, etc.

 

[tperez]

First, we were told that there is currently a plan to combine Vistana, MVC, and the Hyatt vacation properties into one network, and that this is probably going to launch sometime this year, likely in Q4. There would be some direct conversion from SOs to Marriott vacation points, and that the conversion would be based on the home resort: i.e 144,800 SOs from, say, Lagunamar, would convert to fewer MVC points than 144,800 SOs from, say, Westin Princeville. Bottom line: we’d be able to directly book into any of the 3 networks using our SOs thru some internal conversation process without having to trade thru II.

Funny... we're just completing a week at KOR south and attended an owner's update and were told the plan was to combine Vistana and MVC. I asked specifically about Hyatt and was told Hyatt wasn't in the plan right now. Also we were told the launch was probably sometime next year.

Didn't hear anything about getting Titanium status though.

 

[YYJMSP]

Top-tier owners in Marriott Vacation Club (Presidential and Chairman's) already get Titanium Status in Bonvoy, so it would make sense that top-tier Vistana owners would get the same. It's not really "Lifetime" since if you sell your ownership the status goes away, but for all practical purposes it functions like lifetime since you don't have to qualify each year based on nights, etc.

that makes more sense that it is Titanium each year -- now that I think about it, I seem to remember some email to that effect circulating from VSE late last year? I'm already Lifetime Titanium and Ambassador annually from the hotel side, so I may not have paid that much attention to the message to us 5-Star Elites.

only thing is they would not get the benefit choices at 50nts and 75nts unless they actually stayed that many nights in the year, so same as the Platinum25 mapping in the old system vs the 50/75/100nts versions.

 

[controller1]

that makes more sense that it is Titanium each year -- now that I think about it, I seem to remember some email to that effect circulating from VSE late last year? I'm already Lifetime Titanium and Ambassador annually from the hotel side, so I may not have paid that much attention to the message to us 5-Star Elites.

only thing is they would not get the benefit choices at 50nts and 75nts unless they actually stayed that many nights in the year, so same as the Platinum25 mapping in the old system vs the 50/75/100nts versions.

If an owner is 5-Star Elite, it should be pretty easy to hit 50 nights now that Vistana timeshare nights count. I'll hit 50 by May 1 with a combination of Vistana, Marriott and the 15 credit card nights.

If a 5-Star Elite is not hitting 50 nights by the end of the year, they may not be maximizing use of their ownership.

 

[controller1]

Funny... we're just completing a week at KOR south and attended an owner's update and were told the plan was to combine Vistana and MVC. I asked specifically about Hyatt and was told Hyatt wasn't in the plan right now. Also we were told the launch was probably sometime next year.

Didn't hear anything about getting Titanium status though.

Are you currently 5-Star Elite?

 

[YYJMSP]

If an owner is 5-Star Elite, it should be pretty easy to hit 50 nights now that Vistana timeshare nights count. I'll hit 50 by May 1 with a combination of Vistana, Marriott and the 15 credit card nights.

I'm at 86nts right now for the year between actual stays (work and holidays) and promotional nights and expect to hit 163nts this year plus whatever I stay in the fall months for work...
​

If a 5-Star Elite is not hitting 50 nights by the end of the year, they may not be maximizing use of their ownership.

agreed. you'd have to own around 4.5wks of 2BR units give or take, so that's 9wks = 63nts of stays, give or take, add in the credit card nights, and 75nts should not be unreasonable and enough to get the benefit choices at 50/75nts...

 

[duke]

Hi all, I apologize if this is a re-post. I searched both this forum and the MVC forum for similar threads, but I didn’t see any.

We’re finishing up a wonderful week at Nanea (fortunately, no sewer smell ). Against our better judgement, we attended the owners update this morning. I heard a few tidbits that I thought I would share.

First, we were told that there is currently a plan to combine Vistana, MVC, and the Hyatt vacation properties into one network, and that this is probably going to launch sometime this year, likely in Q4. There would be some direct conversion from SOs to Marriott vacation points, and that the conversion would be based on the home resort: i.e 144,800 SOs from, say, Lagunamar, would convert to fewer MVC points than 144,800 SOs from, say, Westin Princeville. Bottom line: we’d be able to directly book into any of the 3 networks using our SOs thru some internal conversation process without having to trade thru II.

Second, I expressed some concern that our 5-star Elite benefits had been diluted thru the merger; specifically, that the “SPG platinum for life” benefit, which was the highest level of loyalty within the SPG system, is no longer the highest within the Bonvoy system. In response, I was told that there was already a plan in place to elevate 5-Star Elite members to “lifetime Bonvoy Titanium status” later this year.

Obviously, I take anything I hear at these updates with an enormous grain of salt. Curious if any other owners have heard similar things.

Very positive news.
Thanks!

 

[Helios]

Hopefully there is some truth in this.

 

[tperez]

Are you currently 5-Star Elite?

Yes.