• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
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    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 31st Birthday TUG!
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    Visit TUG on Youtube!
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    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

marriott vacation club

  1. P

    Low maintenance fees on MVC resale, too good to be true?

    I’m potentially interested in buy MVC points resale and have been looking around here, Redweek, eBay, and on broker websites. I’ve noticed a lot of variation in the maintenance fees and see what seem like really good deals in some cases. For example, a verified listing on Redweek for 2,50...
  2. Clifbell

    SCAM Resistant Timeshare Purchases… Timeshare Traveler Episode 209

    So many people feel cheated or "Scammed" regarding timeshares. There are definitely a lot of people who are disappointed and upset about the timeshare experience. What I wanted to provide was a few ways to attend a sales presentation and end up not feeling scammed. Timeshares can be an...
  3. Clifbell

    Should you Buy Used or New Points?... Timeshare Traveler Episode 208

    Should you buy New (Often called Developer) or Used (know as Resale) Timeshare Points? The are plusses and minuses to each and in this video I will provide a simplified overview of the two choices. I will share my personal experiences with both. I like the perks of the developer points (New)...
  4. Clifbell

    When Timeshares are Your Permanent Home... Timeshare Traveler Episode 206

    What is it like to live in a timeshare full time? What are the life changes you need to adjust to? What are the downsides from someone who has done it? What are the costs and how does that compare to buying or renting? In this video, I will address all of the above questions. I[ve been...
  5. M

    In need of advice please

    My husband and I just purchased the 1500point package at MVC and they sold it to us for $17k and change. This came with the bonuses of Gold Elite Status, Unlimited Getaways, 40k bp, 3000 VCP, free bonvoy week (No Expiration), after 18 months 1500 points, so for 2024-2025 we have a total of...
  6. Clifbell

    My Advice to Marriott Vacation Club ... Timeshare Traveler Episode 201

    I wanted to provide Marriott Vacation Club a list of what they should do more of to improve their program. I consider myself an experienced traveler and knowledgable of their program. But I also have some ideas on how the program could be better. In this video, I go through the major...
  7. Clifbell

    Marriott Timber Lodge Three Bedroom in South Lake Tahoe Ca.

    Located at the base of Heavenly valley Ski resort is the Marriott Vacation Club Timber Lodge. The three bedroom has a pull out sofa. It has a full kitchen and a dining table for eight people. the primary bathroom has a separate shower and jacuzzi tub, as well a large living room with a...
  8. Clifbell

    Don't buy a Timeshare IF... Timeshare Traveler Episode 199

    I want everyone who buys a timeshare to enjoy their purchase. So, I came up with a set of realities of owning a timeshare. If these realities are not something you are not willing to do, then perhaps timeshares are not for you. Better to find out now before you buy than waiting until you buy...
  9. Clifbell

    Timeshare “sales speak” translated by Timeshare Owner...Timeshare Traveler Episode 198

    This video is about providing clarity about what the reality is about some of the timeshare salespersons claims about timeshares. Many first time purchasers feel misled by many of the claims that a timeshare salesperson makes. So I decided to do a video to provide my experience of what the...
  10. Clifbell

    Top 5 Pleasant Surprises as a Timeshare Owner... Timeshare Traveler Episode 197

    This video is about getting the most out of your timeshares. Many people buy timeshares and just use them to vacation like they did before. But I like to learn all the details about the programs and see how I can maximize the benefits. In my case, this has allowed me to live full time in...
  11. Clifbell

    Marriott Grand Residence Studio review in South Lake Tahoe, Ca

    Located at the base of Heavenly valley Ski resort is the Marriott Vacation Club Grand Residence. The studio has a nice bathroom with a tub and shower combination. It has a full kitchen and a dining table for two people which is unusual for a studio. The bed area is partially separated from the...
  12. Clifbell

    Weekday Getaways are Relaxing...Timeshare Traveler Episode 196

    This video is about Using your timeshares to relax on a regular basis. Vacations are wonderful, but they tend to occur a couple weeks a year. Why not schedule regular getaways? It is similar to having a second home or a summer cottage. And doing shorter regular getaways can create a more...
  13. Clifbell

    When I Choose a Studio over One Bedroom ... Timeshare Traveler Episode 194

    This video is about stretching your points as far as you can. Why not stay in a studio instead of a one bedroom. Typically a studio would allow you to stay 2-3 days longer for the same about of points as a one bedroom. And who wouldn't want 2-3 days more on vacation? In this video I go...
  14. Clifbell

    Marriott Timber Lodge Studio in South Lake Tahoe Ca

    Located at the base of Heavenly valley Ski resort is the Marriott Vacation Club Timber Lodge. The studio unit has a pull out sofa. It has a kitchenette with coffee pot, Microwave, small refrigerator, and a dining table for two people. the bathroom has a Combined shower and tub, as well a...
  15. Clifbell

    Don't Give up on Your Timeshare... Timeshare Traveler Episode 193

    This video is about persistence and sticking to the effort to learn how to use your timeshare. Being on a vacation is a vacation. Learning how to use your timeshare is work. And to get the most value out of your timeshare, it requires putting in the work. In my opinion, the gain from...
  16. Clifbell

    Residence Inn Two Bedroom Farfield review in Fairfield Ca

    Here is what you do with the Bonvoy points you earn with your owner updates. Located in Fairfield which is about one hour from San Francisco sits the residence Inn by Marriott. The Residence Inn has many of the same features as a timeshare but also free breakfasts like a hotel... I call this...
  17. Clifbell

    Reasons to Upgrade Your Timeshare...Timeshare Traveler Episode 192

    I wanted to share the reasons that I would consider doing an upgrade. It is important to understand why you are doing an upgrade. I tried to break down the reasons I have upgraded into categories. The first category being ownership in enough weeks to enjoy your annual holidays periods...
  18. Clifbell

    Why I chose Timeshare over RV.... Timeshare Traveler Episode 191

    I've been happily using my timeshares for the last three years living full time in my timeshares. Before I moved agressively into using timeshares, I also looked at getting an RV (either a Bus or Truck Camper). When I looked at the costs for the RV, it seemed like the timeshares prices were...
  19. Clifbell

    Ritz Carlton Club San Francisco One Bedroom Review

    Today I am reviewing the Ritz Carlton Club one bedroom in San Francisco, California. This property is located in the center of Downtown San Francisco. This is the only Ritz Carlton property that I have stayed in. The One bedroom is extremely opulent. Every part of the unit is first class...
  20. Clifbell

    Using Timeshares to Raise Money for Charity... Timeshare Traveler Episode 189

    One of the amazing opportunities you have as a timeshare owner is that you can donate your timeshare vacations to non profits or charity. Just in case you have points expiring or you just want to donate to a charity. In this video, I'll discuss the process of how I have donated to non profits...
  21. Clifbell

    Westin Desert Willow One Bedroom Review in Palm Springs Ca

    Palms Springs is about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. The Desert Willow Resort is located about 3 miles off the main freeway. But what an Oasis in the desert. The room was adequate for 2 people and could fit 4. In stayed in the small one bedroom because I was Driving though and the cost was...
  22. Clifbell

    Advantage of Consolidating Points in ONE System...Timeshare Traveler Episode 188

    If you have decided that timeshares are for you or if you already own timeshares, then this video is for you. I have found that by consolidating my ownership into one system, you can leverage all of the features more easily than by having a few points in each system. In my case I have two main...
  23. Clifbell

    Help for Struggling Timeshare Owners... Timeshare Traveler Episode 187

    This video is for all the people who bought a timeshare and then realized they don't know how to use it. They are often angry at the timehare companies and themselves for caving in to the pressure from the timeshare salesperson. They might have considered dumping the timeshare. If any of...
  24. Clifbell

    Ritz Carlton Club San Francisco Two Bedroom Review

    Today I am reviewing the Ritz Carlton Club two bedroom in San Francisco, California. This property is located in the center of Downtown San Francisco. This is the first Ritz Carlton property that I have stayed in. The two bedroom is extremely opulent. Every part of the unit is first class...
  25. Clifbell

    What I like about Marriott ABOUND... Timeshare Traveler Episode 186

    For many peoiple who don't own timeshares, learning about the good parts of the timeshare from a timeshare salesperson can be misleading. So, I decided to create a video of the parts of ABOUND that I like. This comes from a person who has years of timeshare experience. and has practical...
  26. Clifbell

    San Francisco Pulse Studio by Marriott Vacation Club Review

    Today I am reviewing the studio unit of the San Francisco Pulse by Marriott Vacation Club in San Francisco, California. The property is located in the Fisherman's wharf area of San Francisco. This is the first Pulse property that I have stayed in. The studio is really a hotel room rather than...
  27. P

    MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB doubts and rescind!

    Hi, Thank you for this active website, I'm hoping my wife and I can rest easy after sending out our cancellation letter. We sat for a MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB presentation in Orlando on Feb 5th, had no intention of buying, but heard them out. Even though we love the locations / offerings, after...
  28. L

    How many points using Marriott premier chase visa for maintenance fees?

    Hello! We are trying to decide which credit card to use for our MVC maintenance fees. We have a Marriott Bonvoy Premier Chase Visa signature card. We are lifetime titanium. What kind of points will we earn on this card? Thanks so much! I looked up the same question and could only find answers...
  29. B

    Pay off Marriott Vacation Club?

    Hi all, Signed up back in 2021 directly at a Marriott and discovered this forum and how we could have saved thousands by not making the mistake we did. At this point the plan is to pay it off ASAP, the rate is 11.99%. Any known issues doing early payoff with MVC? Trying to avoid the added...
  30. Clifbell

    Are Timeshares A SCAM?... Timeshare Traveler Episode 177

    There are many reasons why people can feel like timeshares are a scam. I don't necessarily disagree with how people feel. In some cases people made a decision based on lies or they made a purchase that wasn't big enough to be useful, or they didn't ever learn how to use the timeshare. All of...
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