[2012] "Should My Week(s) Be Enrolled?"

[puckmanfl]

Your insight is always quite interesting Puck...does your perspective change now with these additional facts?

Yes, it sure does....

Perhaps you could explain your situation to MVCD and they could defer your 800 pts for one year!!! It would take flexibility and common sense on their part, thus I am not optimistic but its worth a shot...

The gist of your angst, is the "hosing" that you and the other Aruba owners took with the points charts... I remember in all of my sales tours, the Aruba properties were in the top echelon

Hawaii
Caribbean in winter
Ski weeks
PalmBeach winter
HHI summer

no particular order...

MY waiohai was priced the same as Aruba plat but did better in points. Aruba owners took it on the chin. I can't fix that!!! The other bummer is you are not driving distance from other resorts... I hail from Tampa, with 14 resorts within a 8 hr drive 10 within 4 hrs easy to take a "getatway"

Lucky, I think in your situation DC doesn't work for you but I think in the future(to quote M6) they are going to stack the deck in favor of enrollees. Yes, I know you still have your week ,in your season but they will find a way

I still would not sell the heir thing short..Things have a way of changing!!! If you enroll DC priviliges move to your heirs. This is clear and in the supporting documents!!!

 

[dioxide45]

I still would not sell the heir thing short..Things have a way of changing!!! If you enroll DC priviliges move to your heirs. This is clear and in the supporting documents!!!

I think though that the ability to enroll an enrolled week also pases to an heir. So if one has an enrolled ownership and it passes to the heir, then the heir can enroll that week. Though they will have to pay the then enrollment fee and also only if enrollment is still open. That fee of course will be much more on June 14th than today for a direct purchaser.

I think it is also possible to get ~$400 out of renting the PlusPoints as a reservation. The important thing is to put them up for rent the day you get them and don't wait until just a few months before they expire to offer them up.

 

[Luckybee]

Yes, it sure does....

Perhaps you could explain your situation to MVCD and they could defer your 800 pts for one year!!! It would take flexibility and common sense on their part, thus I am not optimistic but its worth a shot...

The gist of your angst, is the "hosing" that you and the other Aruba owners took with the points charts... I remember in all of my sales tours, the Aruba properties were in the top echelon

Hawaii
Caribbean in winter
Ski weeks
PalmBeach winter
HHI summer

no particular order...

MY waiohai was priced the same as Aruba plat but did better in points. Aruba owners took it on the chin. I can't fix that!!! The other bummer is you are not driving distance from other resorts... I hail from Tampa, with 14 resorts within a 8 hr drive 10 within 4 hrs easy to take a "getatway"

Lucky, I think in your situation DC doesn't work for you but I think in the future(to quote M6) they are going to stack the deck in favor of enrollees. Yes, I know you still have your week ,in your season but they will find a way

I still would not sell the heir thing short..Things have a way of changing!!! If you enroll DC priviliges move to your heirs. This is clear and in the supporting documents!!!

I asked owner services if there was any way to extend the expiry of the 800 points and was given a very firm absolutely not !

The "hosing" is also quite interesting when one compares rental rates. We paid less on a per night basis on our last trip to Ko-olina for a 1 bdrm, then we would have had we been renting a 1 bdrm at the OC in Aruba for the same time frame.

I agree that the deck may very well be stacked in favour of dc members in the future, but that said we do still have our weeks which have more than paid for themselves(after 8 yrs we were at the break even point, which for us meant that if we has to sell them for 1 cent we lost nothing). They cant take our weeks away in our season no matter what they do(sounds like a song..."they cant take that away from me, lalalala"...although I wouldnt be surprised if they tried ...lol. We still love going to Aruba, which is getting more popular all the time so that if worse came to worse I'm confident we could get out of them if our life circumstances change.

What I do find amazing, perhaps more sad then anything else is that the people selling these things still dont know there own product. I was told by the rep I spoke with that DC membership does not transfer on sale or death. Quite frankly I was too lazy to check it out myself (But if they're giving out inaccurate info it could be costing them business if this was an important factor to someone)

 

[Luckybee]

I think though that the ability to enroll an enrolled week also pases to an heir. So if one has an enrolled ownership and it passes to the heir, then the heir can enroll that week. Though they will have to pay the then enrollment fee and also only if enrollment is still open. That fee of course will be much more on June 14th than today for a direct purchaser.

I think it is also possible to get ~$400 out of renting the PlusPoints as a reservation. The important thing is to put them up for rent the day you get them and don't wait until just a few months before they expire to offer them up.

That makes more sense because my question to the rep was , "if we do join does the enrollment pass to someone we sell to , or if we give it to dh's sons, or pass it in a will ", at which point I was told, that it didnt and they would have to pay the fees to enroll again if allowed at that time.

Re : renting...Im just too lazy to bother ...as I said in an earlier post, we ended up giving a weeks stay to friends for Xmas who are joing us this upcoming Aruba trip in November. I know I could have rented out the week, or kept it for another year in I.I but we really wouldnt have used it since our holidays are pretty much accounted for.

 

[puckmanfl]

good morning

Lucky....

call 888 MVCIVOA.. andget a supervisor/manager on the line... explain your situation. Tell them you will enroll if plus points can be deferred one year..if not you won't enroll... bet they come through!!!

I see your point if you don't enroll..let me know..

p.s. I'll take any week that you dont want to rent in the future :whoopie: :whoopie: :whoopie:

 

[m61376]

Especially if it's a week in Aruba ! We landed up giving a unit to friends and due to the generosity of another Tugger had another unit the same week to give to friends as well. Not only did we all have a great time, but the second set of friends said it was the best vacation he's had since his honeymoon, and they still talk about it months later.

I do agree with Luckybee, especially about both using my Aruba weeks and the shafting of Aruba owners (despite, as Puck alluded to, being told over and over that Aruba traded second only to Maui) but nevertheless am going to join, I guess just for the "what ifs....." Probably not the smartest move, but it does impart a level of comfort.

That said, I know several people have posted about calling in to enroll. Is there any disadvantage to just clicking through online? No danger of converting weeks or anything, is there, or any other things I should look out for or read carefully?

 

[dioxide45]

It seems that the Caribbean resorts have a different setup on the points chart than the mainland resorts. The weekend differential is not as great as those more drive to locations. Also the peak times are REALLY peak in point prices. Hawaii is similar to this. My thought is that these resorts are more week long destinations or where people go for longer periods and not just weekend stays. They are also more tied to peak travel periods where places like Orlando or other mainland locations may have a more spread out demand period.

I do agree with the Aruba ripoff. I think for the 51/52 Surf Cub, there is at least a 2000 point skim from what they give an owner vs. what they charge for that same week.

 

[vacationcrazy]

Don't Know What to Do? Please Help!

I own one Marriott Platinum eligible resale week and one week at a non Marriott resort. I do not see how the DC would be a benefit for me as I would have to maintain a II account anyway. Could anyone please weigh in on my situation and give advice as to what to do.
Thanks,

 

[dioxide45]

I own one Marriott Platinum eligible resale week and one week at a non Marriott resort. I do not see how the DC would be a benefit for me as I would have to maintain a II account anyway. Could anyone please weigh in on my situation and give advice as to what to do.
Thanks,

We need to know how you have used your eligible week in the past and how you plan to use it in the future. Are you retired, close to retirement? There are a number of factors that we would base our advice on.

 

[abg1688]

That said, I know several people have posted about calling in to enroll. Is there any disadvantage to just clicking through online? No danger of converting weeks or anything, is there, or any other things I should look out for or read carefully?

I have the same question whether I can just enroll online or there is any benefit calling owner service? I read somewhere that the 800 DC points have to be used up this year? Can we see the availability prior to joining DC? Thanks!

 

[Ann in CA]

There is not an advantage that I know of to calling owner services to enroll. Our 800 points are good for one year from the date we enrolled, not just until the end of this year. Looking forward to spending them!

 

[abg1688]

There is not an advantage that I know of to calling owner services to enroll. Our 800 points are good for one year from the date we enrolled, not just until the end of this year. Looking forward to spending them!

Thanks. Once you enrolled, can you make servation right away, and exchanges right away or there is a waiting period?

 

[Ann in CA]

I think it took a couple of weeks for the II account to be active. We were traveling so I didn't check often. Now when we check in I have my old II account (we still have a week and some ACs there) and can see that account and the new one, and switch back and forth easily, without logging out and starting over again.

Tried playing with the 800 points at myvacationclub.com tonight, have a bit to learn about that part, but I was able to do a few to see how far the 800 will go at different resorts. Could also use the points chart, but want to get used to what it takes to reserve online with points.

 

[puckmanfl]

good morning

Lucky...

I am going to try again to get you the enroll....

I am going to ask you to consider using the "reverse skim" The reverse skim lets you upgrade from a 1 to 2 bedroom or (2 to 3) for less than the cost of the studio ressie. I don't have my point charts handy, but it works like this. Hypothetically, a 1 bedroom at joint A costs 2000 DC points, the studio 1 week costs 1300 pts. however the 2 bedroom is 3000 pts. The reverse skim is 300 pts in your favor!!!!

Take your Aruba Golds...you stated you have 2 units. so essentially you have "14 bedroom nights". You get 2100 pts per. Assuming a skim of about 8% It would take 2400 pts to reserve your unit using DC points. Perhaps, one year instead oft aking 2 separate trips in the one bedroom, you want to take your family/friends in a 2 bedroom for 10 nites...You book a 2 bedroom week using the reverse skim for 3300 pts and use your remaining 900 pts (2100 X 2) and snag 3-4 more nites on the front or back end (weekdays)
Now you have 10 days in a 2 bedroom for a total of "20 bedroom nights'

You would have to pull out your charts to see if it could work...You could also "downgrade" your view and do even better. If you have OF , you could downgrade view to OS and even with the skim get 8-9 days for your week. The point charts really do favor the OF owner...remember, if you trade in II you frequently get skimmed on the view when you get confirmed

Play with the numbers and let me know if this works for you!!!

 

[piper_chuck]

Thanks. Once you enrolled, can you make servation right away, and exchanges right away or there is a waiting period?

Not sure what type of reservation you want to make, but after I enrolled Wed morning I immediately had an option elect vacation club points for 2013 for both of my weeks. What I do not yet have is my 800 bonus points or any idea about my new II account. I suspect I could make a vacation club reservation if I convert one of my 2013 weeks to points, but I need to do some studying on points usage before I do anything.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I own one Marriott Platinum eligible resale week and one week at a non Marriott resort. I do not see how the DC would be a benefit for me as I would have to maintain a II account anyway. Could anyone please weigh in on my situation and give advice as to what to do.
Thanks,

A big advantage of the DC program is that you can make your week begin and end mid week in order to take advantage of the better air fares.

Most air fares are lower priced if you fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday....

At least it's another factor out there to consider.

Best of luck with your decision.





.

 

[dioxide45]

I have the same question whether I can just enroll online or there is any benefit calling owner service? I read somewhere that the 800 DC points have to be used up this year? Can we see the availability prior to joining DC? Thanks!

I think it may be better to enroll online. There are certain terms you have to agree to, by doing it online you do that as part of the enrollment process online. If you do that over the phone they e-mail you some documents that you have to agree to and e-mail back. We enrolled online and it was seamless, once enrolled online you were done. Received some e-mails was all. We didn't have to respond back to anything after the fact.

 

[m61376]

I think it may be better to enroll online. There are certain terms you have to agree to, by doing it online you do that as part of the enrollment process online. If you do that over the phone they e-mail you some documents that you have to agree to and e-mail back. We enrolled online and it was seamless, once enrolled online you were done. Received some e-mails was all. We didn't have to respond back to anything after the fact.

Thanks. I assume that the option to convert a week that piper_chuck mentioned was obvious, or do I need to carefully scrutinize every page not to make an error and accidentally convert to points?

I started to do it last night but was tired and didn't want to unintentionally deposit weeks. I guess part of me really is resisting this- hence the procrastination.

 

[puckmanfl]

good morning

m6 just do it... you can't possibly convert your week to points accidentally.... enrolling just gives you the option!!!!

you'll feel better!!!!

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks. I assume that the option to convert a week that piper_chuck mentioned was obvious, or do I need to carefully scrutinize every page not to make an error and accidentally convert to points?

I started to do it last night but was tired and didn't want to unintentionally deposit weeks. I guess part of me really is resisting this- hence the procrastination.

Electing points right after enrollment is not an option that I remember when we enrolled last year, so that must be new. Just read each page before you click confirm. I would think the option to elect points would be obvious.

 

[juanitar]

I think I am about to take the plunge and enroll. Not the best payback period for me given I only own one developer lock-off week and one non-marriott week. I probably won't trade for points that often since I tend to lock-off and stay in my 1Bdr and trade the studio thru interval but I'm afraid to not enroll because I feel like I'm going to miss out on something - it's really that simple. Not the best reason, but the truth. I've watched these boards and tried to talk myself out of enrolling but that feeling in my gut tells me that I should go ahead and do it. I am more afraid of the regret I will have by not enrolling than by enrolling.

Do you think Marriott will refund the lockoff fee I paid back in March if I enroll? Guess it's worth a try.

 

[mjm1]

What I do find amazing, perhaps more sad then anything else is that the people selling these things still dont know there own product. I was told by the rep I spoke with that DC membership does not transfer on sale or death. Quite frankly I was too lazy to check it out myself (But if they're giving out inaccurate info it could be costing them business if this was an important factor to someone)

The DC membership does transfer to your heir. I even asked a manager about if my father in law who may not enroll his unit purchased directly from Marriott, when we inherit it could we enroll it. I was told "yes" as the ownership rights transfer to a heir. Of course we would have to pay the enrollment fee as it is at that time. If he does enroll his week, the DC membership would transfer to us. He recently decided to enroll because the cost of $595 is easily offset by the plus points and the program gives him more flexibility with his week.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

I think I am about to take the plunge and enroll. Not the best payback period for me given I only own one developer lock-off week and one non-marriott week. I probably won't trade for points that often since I tend to lock-off and stay in my 1Bdr and trade the studio thru interval but I'm afraid to not enroll because I feel like I'm going to miss out on something - it's really that simple. Not the best reason, but the truth. I've watched these boards and tried to talk myself out of enrolling but that feeling in my gut tells me that I should go ahead and do it. I am more afraid of the regret I will have by not enrolling than by enrolling.

Do you think Marriott will refund the lockoff fee I paid back in March if I enroll? Guess it's worth a try.

Your gut is very WISE.

I bet 5 years from now you will look back and say I'm so glad I did.

 

[bsohn]

Just my 2 cents here but enrolling with the current rates (before they go sky high) is kind of a no brainer.

Think about it II Membership costs you $90.00 or so a year and a trade is now up to $120.00 or so that makes just one trade a year more than the cost of the membership dues.

The 800 plus points that they give are usable 1 year from the date of enrollment and can be rented off. Granted there is a little issue with these points in that nothing quite equals 800 points so unless you deposit your week into points or possibly loose a few you will not actually be able to use all 800. These points would be easily rented for $400.00 or so..

After you are enrolled you are enrolled for life (including your heirs) or until you decide that you wish to cancel out (though I really don't see why). Once Enrolled you also never even need to convert any of your units to DC points ever.. There is no requirement to do so and you still have all your options as far as your weeks unit goes. But because you get II in your Club Dues you get the trades at no additional cost.

Now granted those that fall under the resale week upgrade (prior to the cutoff) have more to consider as Marriott is charging a lot more for that.

Basically you are in the end only really spending about $300.00 or so for alot more options as far as trading..

Now for trading without DC enrollment...

One thing to consider as far as wanting to get back into a Marriott property in trade is the DC points system allows Marriott to keep as much of their inventory InHouse as possible. This means that less Marriott properties will make it out into II. Example (numbers not actual), Say 70% of weeks owners trade their properties every year to go somewhere else. Originally all these properties would go to II's general pool. Now say half of those 70% are enrolled in DC and choose to elect points, That means that 35% of what used to be deposited into interval is now out of reach to II users either Marriott or not. Those 35% DC point converted units will be available to those with DC points. So basically by not enrolling you are going to be more limited in your access to get to other properties within the Marriott system.

Unfortunately I can tell you that more than likely most of the high end units in places like Hawaii are going to be enrolled and traded for destination points and therefore will not be available through II..

Our Family has a KoOlina 2BR OF Penthouse unit and for the points given we can get a few weeks at many other properties and almost 2 weeks in a OF 1BR at KoOlina which was much harder to do through II with the standard 2BR as the lock-off is an efficiency. It also makes sense for us to trade it for points rather than put it into interval if we are not using in. Also half of the year about we can actually trade back into the PH 2BR with a gain of 50 DC points.

Brion

 

[divenski]

Expiration date for the 800 points

Has anyone tried and been able to extend the expiration date for the 800 pts? I joined last year and the 1 yr date is coming up.


FYI, I joined with a developer Waiohai week, and am still debating about adding the resale Mountainside week, as I am not sure the $1495 is worth the benefits.