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

[ilene13]

I drank the Koolaid

Okay, so although I drink a lot of diet pepsi, I just swallowed and drank the Marriott koolaid. I just enrolled our 4 weeks and here are my reasons.

It absolutely DOES NOT SAVE us any money. It actually costs us more as we need a 2nd II account for our Royal Resort weeks.

My husband and I are planning on retiring to Florida in the next few years. If this move comes to fruition we may not want to go to HH and Aruba during the seasons we own. So the DC points would give us options to go to our favorite resorts at different times. Also if we are living in a warm climate maybe we'll use the points one year and go on some of the explorer trips.

Therefore, I bit the bullet and had the koolaid to give us more options. But I just want to add that my credit card has been sitting next to my computer for a week and I just got up the nerve to do it!!!!! I hope I made a good decision--only time will tell.

 

[JanT]

Dioxide,

It's a 1 BR so no lock off savings. I would save the exchange fee as long as it's M to M.

Hmmmm about how the points are allocated - the rep I talked to said we would get 1100 per year, not 2200 EOY. Hey, it's fine if we get 2200 every year - better actually. I thought they were going to force me to take 1100 EY. I knew we could bank or borrow if we wanted to.

Also, thanks for the clarification on MFs. I just have not educated myself enough on the new system. I had no intention of joining so didn't worry about it. But, like some people now that we're down to the wire, I'm thinking maybe we will.

My husband just looks at me with a blank stare for the most part when I talk to him about it. It's like, you want me to make a decision NOW when I don't deal with the timeshare stuff. He enjoys the vacation but enjoys me doing all the planning.

Oh well.....guess I'll have to decide soon. There is NO way I'm going to pay $2395 after 14 June. That would be CRAZY upon CRAZY! Well, in my opinion.

Thanks again!

J

It is tough. Enrolling saves you $12 a year if you enroll. That is because if you lock off and trade both units M to M, you will save the $80 lock off fee and the two $119 exchange fees. You will still have to pay the $165 every year even with your EOY week.

So it will take a loooooong time to pay recoup that $1495 enrollment fee at only $12 a year (over a century ), and that is considering that you never use your home week or trade outside the Marriott system.

So it comes down to the other options. Are they worth the $1495 enrollment fee? Only you can really decide that.

BTW, you actually get 2200 points EOY, not 1100 EY. Though you can get 1100 EY by banking or borrowing. Though you can get more or less than that if you need them.

 

[Cmore]

JanT,
The points are given in the year of your use for EOY's (2200, then zero, then 2200, etc.) Looking at your resorts, could you not enroll your other weeks - 2nd one at Grand Chateau and KBC ? This would give you more points if you ever decided to go that way, and you retain all your normal weeks based options.

 

[dioxide45]

JanT,
The points are given in the year of your use for EOY's (2200, then zero, then 2200, etc.) Looking at your resorts, could you not enroll your other weeks - 2nd one at Grand Chateau and KBC ? This would give you more points if you ever decided to go that way, and you retain all your normal weeks based options.

The other weeks were purchased post 6/20/2010, so they are not eligible for enrollment.

 

[Cmore]

The other weeks were purchased post 6/20/2010, so they are not eligible for enrollment.

Thx, that explains it, didn't read back to see if that was mentioned, just noticed the other resorts listed.

 

[JanT]

Cmore,

Yes, the other two weeks were post 6/20 purchases. I could have enrolled the Kauai week when the "loophole" was in the Marriott system and would have allowed me to even when it wasn't eligible. I just felt that wasn't honest (for me and me ONLY - no judgment on anyone else who did). Looking back, I say, "Would it really have mattered if I did enrolled it?" But, I know I did the right thing - again, for me and me ONLY.

Anyway, if I could put all three into the points system, I would. But, not an option. At least at this point. Which is another thing I wonder about. If I put the one week in, perhaps later they will allow the other two weeks in? Who knows????

Anyway, still kicking it around and will post here what I decide to do.

J

 

[Cmore]

JanT,
I admire your honesty, makes it easy to look in the mirror when you try to do the right thing in your dealings with others. My guess is you'll find yourself with a "special limited time opportunity" :rofl: to enroll your other weeks in the not too distant future.

The DC seems to be doing better than many expected in selling points, but given the huge amount of weeks owners, I cannot beleive they won't make attempts to bring more weeks owners into the system. Especially those with some weeks in and some out. Time will tell, but I sure wouldn't bet against you getting another bite of the apple. Good Luck !

 

[korndoc]

Duplicate, sorry

 

[korndoc]

if you lock off and trade both units M to M, you will save the $80 lock off fee and the two $119 exchange fees.

I am still confused regarding the lock-off. Why would I lock off if I am staying with points? My total doesn't change, so what's the point? I can see locking off when thinking of trading with II. If I were to do so, could I later change my mind and "rejoin" my 2 units to get the 3200 points? Would Marriott assign a portion of my total points to the studio and 1 bedroom?

Thank you SudDonJ, Cmore, Klpca and FractionalTraveler for your thoughts.

It's crazy. I decided long ago this was not worth it and I would not spend $1500 for it, but nobody, including me, wants to be left out of something of potential value. The value I see is being able to get into a Marriott resort in the future. I do not expect any to be available real soon if I stay as a weeks only member. And if I do join, my current 2 week vacations will be reduced to 75% of one week if I do go to a Marriott. Makes no sense to join, and yet...... With 3225 points, isn't this scenario correct? Can I really ever hope to trade to a Marriott and have 2 full weeks of vacations?

Jeff

 

[dioxide45]

I am still confused regarding the lock-off. Why would I lock off if I am staying with points? My total doesn't change, so what's the point? I can see locking off when thinking of trading with II. If I were to do so, could I later change my mind and "rejoin" my 2 units to get the 3200 points? Would Marriott assign a portion of my total points to the studio and 1 bedroom?

The locking off that I am speaking of is only for saving fees when trading through II as an enrolled owner. By enrolling, one would save on the lock off fee through Marriott and would save on any exchange fees through II. If you instead opt to elect points then you can't lock off or just use part of your unit for points. You must convert the entire week to points in return for the full value of points assigned to it.

 

[klpca]

I am still confused regarding the lock-off. Why would I lock off if I am staying with points?

Jeff

This may be stating the obvious, but keep in mind that you can still use your enrolled week as a "week", and only use the points if you choose to do so (hence the flexibility of the DC). I personally think that I can get more value out of locking off and trading it in II than using the points that are allocated to our resort.

 

[Cmore]

Korndoc,
The key with the DC is that you can use either the points system or the weeks system. Personally, I have kept some weeks in II and also had DC points. So I use points when that is to my advantage such as locations/seasons that are less points, short stays, or adding points days to a weeks reservation.

There are uses for both systems depending on what you want to do and how long you want to be gone. If you really look at the points charts many times the shoulder or off season trades are good value via points, especially the Sun - Thurs points. Everyone has different needs and desires, For the first time I am considering being all in DC points in 2013 and not having a week in in II. I just used my last two II deposits and have to make a decision in the next couple weeks as the 2013 points deadline is the end of the month. Personally, I have always had good luck via II, so it's not an issue with them, just a matter of the DC being so easy so far and my likely travels are not point killers. At the end of the day, I guess I value ease of use and flexibility more than getting absolutely the most value out of my time. I don't intend to get beat up, so it's not like will recklessly throw points away, but I am not agonizing over a few hundred here or there as long as I got what I wanted.

 

[korndoc]

Thanks for explaining the flexibility angle to all this. Much easier when you have several resorts rather than only one like I own. Hard to "add on" when you already used your week for a full week vacation.

Please explain about the upcoming deadline. You need to decide soon about your 2013 points? If you convert now, do they expire at the end of 2013 if not used?

I am going to call Marriott now. Some posters have said they were very helpful for making this decision. If I have time, I may call II to see their take.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Topfuelweb]

Maui EOY

JanT,
The points are given in the year of your use for EOY's (2200, then zero, then 2200, etc.) Looking at your resorts, could you not enroll your other weeks - 2nd one at Grand Chateau and KBC ? This would give you more points if you ever decided to go that way, and you retain all your normal weeks based options.

We own 2 Plat weeks EOY at Maui Ocean club on even years which are worth 5850 points for a total of 11700 points. When we bought the weeks we had no kids, now we have a 6 and 8 yr old so our travel pans/needs have changed and on the surface I like flexibility that points offer us as well having a fair amount of points gives us decent opportunities to take more vacations outside of Hawaii. I have a few question/concerns. I read that we can bank points, but there is a use or lose them clause, so we must bank them 6 months in advance of the expiry date and use them no later than 12 months after....did I get that right?? So for my 2014 weeks they would expire Dec 31 2014, so the latest I could book something would be June30 2014 ( and bank any leftover points for 2015 travel) and the earliest would be Jan 2013 for Jan 2014 travel? ....correct?? Second if I want to trade outside of Marriott, how do the points work through II, for example if I book into Vistana Villages in Orlando for a few nights, do they have assigned point values? I would really appreciate any comments as I think I understand things but it gets a bit confusing.

I do have one question with respect to AC's, can they be used by a family member if the owner is not there? We would like to send my in laws on a trip.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[GregT]

All,

There have been several posters who own a single week, or a week that doesn't lock-off, and are debating the merits of enrolling. I hope my rationale may be useful?

I enrolled, and I enrolled early. I don't expect to redeem my weeks for points and I do not trade my weeks within II. Therefore, what's the benefit to me?

Renting points to/from other owners is the answer -- renting points is extremely powerful. This reduces the pressure on you to buy more Marriott weeks (or Trust Points, until they introduce features that are unique to TPs -- and then rent those). Or you can rent points needed to extend your existing legacy week reservation for a partial week.

You can rent the exact number of points you need -- you have cancelation protection if your plans change (cancel 61+ days without penalty) -- and current rental costs -- at $0.50 - $0.65 per point -- aren't that much higher than MFs associated with actually owning another week.

The other benefit to you is if you own another system or timeshare that is attractive to Marriott owners (Starwood, HGVC, Hyatt, Disney, Windjammer, the Crane). You can generate Marriott points by booking your other week on behalf of the Marriott owner (and getting their DC points).

The ability to transfer points is very very powerful. I hope this is helpful?

All the best,

Greg

 

[jont]

All,



Renting points to/from other owners is the answer -- renting points is extremely powerful. This reduces the pressure on you to buy more Marriott weeks (or Trust Points, until they introduce features that are unique to TPs -- and then rent those). Or you can rent points needed to extend your existing legacy week reservation for a partial week.

You can rent the exact number of points you need -- you have cancelation protection if your plans change (cancel 61+ days without penalty) -- and current rental costs -- at $0.50 - $0.65 per point -- aren't that much higher than MFs associated with actually owning another week.



All the best,

Greg

Exactly! Well said Greg

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Exactly! Well said Greg

Welcome back JonT..... haven't seen you post since early in the year.





.

 

[jont]

Thanks, been lurking off and on. Haven't had too much to say.

 

[Numismatist]

Just registering my opinion before the deadline:

I did NOT enroll. I have developer week from Frenchman's Cove, and at 2775 points it is not enough to trade anywhere I personally would consider comparable. I'm a bit miffed at the low point rating of MFC as compared to other similar locations. I guess MFC is an acquired taste!

Anyway, I didn't want to get into the 'just buy some more points' game...

 

[Cmore]

Thanks for explaining the flexibility angle to all this. Much easier when you have several resorts rather than only one like I own. Hard to "add on" when you already used your week for a full week vacation.

Please explain about the upcoming deadline. You need to decide soon about your 2013 points? If you convert now, do they expire at the end of 2013 if not used?

I am going to call Marriott now. Some posters have said they were very helpful for making this decision. If I have time, I may call II to see their take.

Thanks,
Jeff

Let me clarify, I have quite a few 2012 points remaining and the deadline to bank them into 2013 is the end of the month, so if I bank them that would probably impact my decision to take all points for 2013. I'd have to look it up, but if I remember correctly, the deadline to elect DC points for 2013 is the end of September. So that decision doesn't have to made right now. I keep an eye on if prime TDI weeks (Interval Int'l) are still plentiful and right now they are so I don't have any immediate pressure to book time at my home resorts and then deposit with II. I deposit early when I go with II, but my resorts are not like some where I have to be on the phone 12 or 13 months to the day to get a high TDI reservation.

 

[windje2000]

All,

There have been several posters who own a single week, or a week that doesn't lock-off, and are debating the merits of enrolling. I hope my rationale may be useful?

I enrolled, and I enrolled early. I don't expect to redeem my weeks for points and I do not trade my weeks within II. Therefore, what's the benefit to me?

Renting points to/from other owners is the answer -- renting points is extremely powerful. This reduces the pressure on you to buy more Marriott weeks (or Trust Points, until they introduce features that are unique to TPs -- and then rent those). Or you can rent points needed to extend your existing legacy week reservation for a partial week.

You can rent the exact number of points you need -- you have cancelation protection if your plans change (cancel 61+ days without penalty) -- and current rental costs -- at $0.50 - $0.65 per point -- aren't that much higher than MFs associated with actually owning another week.

The other benefit to you is if you own another system or timeshare that is attractive to Marriott owners (Starwood, HGVC, Hyatt, Disney, Windjammer, the Crane). You can generate Marriott points by booking your other week on behalf of the Marriott owner (and getting their DC points).

The ability to transfer points is very very powerful. I hope this is helpful?

All the best,

Greg

Well stated. The 'options' within DC have value.

 

[m61376]

Okay, so although I drink a lot of diet pepsi, I just swallowed and drank the Marriott koolaid. I just enrolled our 4 weeks and here are my reasons.

It absolutely DOES NOT SAVE us any money. It actually costs us more as we need a 2nd II account for our Royal Resort weeks.

My husband and I are planning on retiring to Florida in the next few years. If this move comes to fruition we may not want to go to HH and Aruba during the seasons we own. So the DC points would give us options to go to our favorite resorts at different times. Also if we are living in a warm climate maybe we'll use the points one year and go on some of the explorer trips.

Therefore, I bit the bullet and had the koolaid to give us more options. But I just want to add that my credit card has been sitting next to my computer for a week and I just got up the nerve to do it!!!!! I hope I made a good decision--only time will tell.

I had to laugh when I read your post. I too enrolled yesterday morning- after opening the screen on and off and refusing to bite the bullet. I'm not quite sure why I did either, except for the nudging thought that Marriott might make further changes down the road and it might be worth to grab the opportunity to enroll in case they roll up the welcome mat for resale owners at some future point.

 

[dioxide45]

Tomorrow is the last day!

The price goes up on June 14th, so you have to be enrolled by tomorrow the 13th to get the current pricing and incentives.

It will be interesting to see if they change the 800 PlusPoint bonus.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

You can actually get quite a few more Plus Points and other incentives than the standard 800 for joining if you make use of the FriendShare Program.

 

[RandR]

Reluctantly joining

GregT, your point about being able to rent points is one of the bigger reasons that may get me to join the program. Makes things flexible if I just want to add a few days to a trip. The payback for me is likely to be almost 7 years. (Assuming Marriott doesn't jack up the $165/yr fee.) It also will help me with trading earlier. The last few years I have traded the 1 BD side of my MGV for a 2bd Surf Club. This year I couldn't get the trade until the airfare was crazy expensive. Now I can just trade for a 1 bd and then as it gets closer switch to a 2 bd without paying an extra fee. That will also make airfare cheaper (or actually less AMEX points) shortening my payback time. I will never trade for points as MGV doesn't give me many.

Just to check, has anyone gotten an XYZ week while using the new system?