[2013] Unit Placement Discussion [orig "Homeless In Paradise ..."]

[dioxide45]

You are correct. According to MVCI they are trying to place the remaining RC DC properties in the Trust. At that point we would have access to reserve.

Trust Point owners have nothing to do with your status. The status is based upon how many combined points a member has. As an example, a legacy owner can have a Premier Plus status based upon the point values assigned by Marriott at enrollment in the DC.

If you look at all the RC Destination club properties, it clearly states that access is for a limited time.

Though I think if they place the RC inventory in to the trust, they can no longer restrict it to Premier and Premier Plus. It would be open to all, well all trust owners anyway. I think anyone can book Vail. It is the RC properties available through the Explorer Collection that are restricted to Premier and Premier Plus.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

Checked in to MFC 3-BR earlier today around 5PM. DC points stay for 8 days.

Assigned one of the worst rooms in the property. Crown Bldg. 3rd floor right under check-in. Manager said Owners have higher level priority than DC points reservations.

With only 9 3-BR units at MFC and 3 of them in the Crown Bldg. there is a 33% chance to land here. Not good odds.

FT

 

[suzannesimon]

I feel your pain. We had the same unit and the 2BR next door at FC for our DEEDED fixed weeks last December. The 2BR was in poor condition and you know the location is the worst one in the resort. I don't think that resort gives any kind of priority. I saw people checking out after 2 days in Tortola Bldg, going to the hotel and checking back after the weekend was over. The points reservations can start any day of the week. Weeks owners are limited to Fri, Sat, Sun check-ins. By the time we checked in on Sun, nothing else was left. We always had great locations prior to DC. We'll try
Sat check-in next time and see if there is any improvement.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

I suspect this will happen more and more as the average 2500 Trust Points owners try to book at these popular resorts in the system.

MFC has very little in the trust at the moment so its understandable. Maybe the situation will improve somewhat when and if the new construction is ever completed.

Right now, my recommendation at MFC would be to book two 2-BR units instead of one 3-BR unit if you can afford the extra points. This strategy will give you a better chance at preferential unit view location since the 3-BR are limited at this property.

I will continue to say it, the Marriott Properties have not fully comprehended how to deal with pure Trust owners. At the moment they just see and treat them as any other exchanger.

FT

 

[m61376]

I think it would be a logistical nightmare to try to differentiate between pure trust point owners and hybrid owners on a resort level for unit placement. Imagine trying to give preferential unit placement to DC trust point owners versus DC point reservations made with some trust and some legacy points, versus reservations made with only legacy points. The reservation system has had enough of a job dealing with that. Imagine making the individual resorts make a distinction wrt unit placement as well. I think it makes for an untenable situation.

With only 9 3BR units, are 3 BR week owners having any difficulty reserving their deeded weeks, with the DC competition? I think that is an interesting question, and would be a good reflection of how fairly Marriott is keeping the reservation pools. Because of their relatively low point allocation, MFC is also a relatively good deal for making reservations using points.

 

[puckmanfl]

good morning....

This is interesting!!! Usually 3 bedrooms are in the best locations and mostly OF...Exceptions include MV at Koolina and 1st floor "OF" at ocean Pointe. Imagine being a fixed week winter owner of a 3 bedroom and having a 1/3 chance of lousy location...

I had a 3 bedroom at FC last June and had top floor St John, guess I wad my lucky charms out.

Jim, as resident guru of this property, please chime in here...

 

[csalter2]

Interesting...

I may have to agree with your assessment. One of the things I noticed when making my Ko Olina reservation with points was that I was not given any choices other than size of unit and view for my two bedroom unit. When I make my reservations using weeks, I get the choice of a lockoff unit or not. There was no choice given with points. I had to call a VOA and have her do it. She cancelled the reservation I booked and then created a new one so that I couuld have a lockoff.

Although Ko Olina is my home resort, I am going to make sure that since I am using the DC points that they will know that I am an owner there. I don't want the worse units in the place.

 

[Quilter]

I agree with your comments regarding legacy point exchangers but I still think that pure Trust point owners/reservations should be on par with weeks based owners when it comes to villa room assignment priority.
FT

I've come to this discussion late (after 4 pages). I've read through the first page and then came to this on the 2nd. Skipped ahead to the 4th page. Since everyone's giving their opinions, here's mine. . .

1) Weeks' owners still get room location priority

2) DC members get what they were promised: program flexibility and, in some cases, reservation priority. Welcoming hugs and kisses at the check-in desk were not part of the selling points. The biggest selling point was to do away with the II system of waiting and gambling for an exchange. Other uses for DC points, such as tour packages, was another selling point.

3) II exchangers go with the flow and sometimes get lucky

The reality is every property has rooms in less desirable locations and these even vary with individual preferences. If you want to visit South Florida, Aruba, St. Thomas, Marco Island, Hilton Head, Hawaii, etc. and have purchased into a Club you need to understand the benefits and the LIMITATIONS of the Club. Spending big bucks in a Club still only gives you benefits as noted by the documents of the Club.

Otherwise, purchase your rooms directly through travel venues and specify what room location you want. You will then find that the most desirable room locations will be possible but they will come with a price.

p.s. I'm Platinum Plus or whatever that high priority is. It has benefits and I understand it's limitations.

 

[puckmanfl]

Quilter...

I know I am reopening the barn door here... but we aren't talking about Legacy enrolees in DC (such as myself) that are clearly Exchangers and come before weeks owners at home resort...

This was started by FT lamenting that he is a trust OWNER at his home resort (anything in trust) and he isn't treated like an owner!!! I am assuming that FT is a "he".

p.s FT Congrats on Heat win... close shave though...

 

[Quilter]

I feel your pain. We had the same unit and the 2BR next door at FC for our DEEDED fixed weeks last December. The 2BR was in poor condition and you know the location is the worst one in the resort. I don't think that resort gives any kind of priority. I saw people checking out after 2 days in Tortola Bldg, going to the hotel and checking back after the weekend was over. The points reservations can start any day of the week. Weeks owners are limited to Fri, Sat, Sun check-ins. By the time we checked in on Sun, nothing else was left. We always had great locations prior to DC. We'll try
Sat check-in next time and see if there is any improvement.

My opinion on this property is there is no great location. I don't like the property and I don't like the island. Please don't make me go there again. It doesn't meet my personal vacation desires and expectations.

Wow, that's rough to say in such a volatile forum isn't it? Before you start throwing stones I'd like to say more.

Some people would be grateful for any room at Frenchman's Cove. It would be their Paradise. The lack of water view would be more than compensated by the size of the room, the well-equipped kitchen, the pool and beach. And even the clutter of the island would bring a quick pace to their heartbeat and thrill of adventure. Their expectations would have been met.

Expectations is the key to travel enjoyment. Figure out what your expectations are and plan accordingly. You'll be sorely disappointed if you expect a property to fill in expectations that weren't specified at booking.

 

[rpgriego]

My opinion on this property is there is no great location. I don't like the property and I don't like the island. Please don't make me go there again. It doesn't meet my personal vacation desires and expectations.

Wow, that's rough to say in such a volatile forum isn't it? Before you start throwing stones I'd like to say more.

Some people would be grateful for any room at Frenchman's Cove. It would be their Paradise. The lack of water view would be more than compensated by the size of the room, the well-equipped kitchen, the pool and beach. And even the clutter of the island would bring a quick pace to their heartbeat and thrill of adventure. Their expectations would have been met.

Expectations is the key to travel enjoyment. Figure out what your expectations are and plan accordingly. You'll be sorely disappointed if you expect a property to fill in expectations that weren't specified at booking.

Your opinion counts as much as any other opinion on this site. And after our recent stay at FC we TOTALLY AGREE with you. FYI: we were an II trade with a GREAT location/view.

And always remember... An opinion is just that, an opinion. Now if someone can establish a trend line based on published and validated facts that would not be an opinion, but I don't see that much. That said, the posts on here can be informative.

 

[Quilter]

Quilter...

I know I am reopening the barn door here... but we aren't talking about Legacy enrolees in DC (such as myself) that are clearly Exchangers and come before weeks owners at home resort...

This was started by FT lamenting that he is a trust OWNER at his home resort (anything in trust) and he isn't treated like an owner!!! I am assuming that FT is a "he".

p.s FT Congrats on Heat win... close shave though...

I understand that puck. I've gone back to the original post and lifted the following:

"I'm told real owners have priority; I'm just another guest looking for something for free. Since we don't really know the source of inventory, what if that unit I reserved was actually from the Trust? Would I be a legit owner then? Would Marriott recognize my existence then? Would they give me that sought after discount privilege card at check-in so I can eat on property at a reasonable price?

Would I really be an exchanger if the unit was from the Trust? Can the property be challenged to show me that it was not from the trust? Could they even be able to tell the difference in the source of that inventory?

Being homeless in the trust stinks! How can that be though? Wait a minute, I'm paying Marriott top dollar for those Trust Points.

My salesman said if I bought those points I would have DIRECT access to all those wonderful properties in the Trust. Oh wait a minute, I think his lips were moving....."

My answer to most of his questions: You own Points. Points give you direct access to exchange. You're paying top dollar for Trust points because of the timing of the purchase.. .not the superiority of your ownership. You exchanged points for the room. Therefore, it is a MVC Exchange.

As far as getting those special owner recognitions (such as a dining discount), those are items of an old system. If they're not in the documents they cannot be claimed as a benefit of the new system. Of course, Marriott can provide them as a customer service, but they cannot be expected.

Others have chimed in that at properties with both legacy and trust inventory room allocation priority should be equal. I contend an exchanger is always an exchanger. MVC exchangers have priority over II exchangers.

As such, I know it will come up when I use points at my home property. I'll have to work with the front desk on each reservation because of this. But hey, that's no different than every stay within the Marriott system. I don't think there is any solution to room location allocation that will satisfy all the guests.

It seems to me, and I say this with the utmost appreciation for FT's presence on TUG, is what he's looking for as a Trust Owner is a "DYKWIA Clause". Sorry, FT it doesn't exist.

 

[dioxide45]

Checked in to MFC 3-BR earlier today around 5PM. DC points stay for 8 days.

Assigned one of the worst rooms in the property. Crown Bldg. 3rd floor right under check-in. Manager said Owners have higher level priority than DC points reservations.

With only 9 3-BR units at MFC and 3 of them in the Crown Bldg. there is a 33% chance to land here. Not good odds.

FT

Are you calling or e-mail in advance of your stay to make a villa request? If not, is it possible that those that are calling in advance are getting priority over you whom is not?

 

[suzannesimon]

I don't think it matters what you request or what kind of owner you are there - legacy, points or weeks - you get what you get. There are no dumpster views at FC and I'm unaware of any weeks that don't have at least some ocean view.

 

[Quilter]

Checked in to MFC 3-BR earlier today around 5PM. DC points stay for 8 days.

Assigned one of the worst rooms in the property. Crown Bldg. 3rd floor right under check-in. Manager said Owners have higher level priority than DC points reservations.

With only 9 3-BR units at MFC and 3 of them in the Crown Bldg. there is a 33% chance to land here. Not good odds.

FT

Before the DC those 9 3 BR's might have been broken up to (3) Friday check-in, (3) Saturday check-in and (3) Sunday check-in. You guys are the math experts, not me, but I would think this would worsen the odds of getting a preferred location. Now that the DC has entered into the equation with 7 more days of possible check-in, preferred location is even more elusive.

Am I right?

 

[suzannesimon]

Before the DC those 9 3 BR's might have been broken up to (3) Friday check-in, (3) Saturday check-in and (3) Sunday check-in. You guys are the math experts, not me, but I would think this would worsen the odds of getting a preferred location. Now that the DC has entered into the equation with 7 more days of possible check-in, preferred location is even more elusive.

Am I right?

Absolutely you are right. I don't care what kind of ownership you have, I think a 7 day reservation should trump a 2-day. Put those short-timers in the Crown Bldg.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

Are you calling or e-mail in advance of your stay to make a villa request? If not, is it possible that those that are calling in advance are getting priority over you whom is not?

Spoke to the Member Relations Manager on phone 2 times and traded e-mails several times one month before reservation.

FT

 

[suzannesimon]

My first choices were high floor Tortola and Jost VanDyke. Got low floor Crown - go figure. I requested this when I reserved plus the email prior to check in. Not until I checked in did I know that Crown had 3 3-bedroom units. My first trip there in 2009, I asked the mgr where the 3 BR's were. He told me Crown had one but they never put owners there inCrown - only exchangers and people attending a timeshare presentation so I was very surprised to be assigned there . Crown has only one 2 and 1 3BR on each floor. Since I needed a 2 and a 3 BR, they tried to sell it to me that we would a full floor all to ourselves. Honestly, it didn't bother anyone but me because my expectations were that an owner wouldn't be there. It is all about expectations.

 

[jimf41]

good morning....

This is interesting!!! Usually 3 bedrooms are in the best locations and mostly OF...Exceptions include MV at Koolina and 1st floor "OF" at ocean Pointe. Imagine being a fixed week winter owner of a 3 bedroom and having a 1/3 chance of lousy location...

I had a 3 bedroom at FC last June and had top floor St John, guess I wad my lucky charms out.

Jim, as resident guru of this property, please chime in here...

I like this resident guru idea. Does that position come with a stipend? I'm on a fixed income now and I could use a little extra cash to cover the ever increasing MFs.

Actually my Guru status is in question. Until suzannesimon reported that she was placed in the Crown bldg I would have sworn up and down that 3bdrms in MFC are all on the top floors and that an owner would never be placed in the Crown bldg. Lost twice on that one.

At the two resorts that I own and frequent, Ocean Pointe and Frenchmans Cove. I stay at least 3-4 weeks at a time. I've always had good room locations at both resorts but at both I know they give preference to multiple week owners. What worries me is that FT and suzannesimon are multiple week owners also yet they were given a low priority room. The only thing that explains it is the very low number of 3bdrms at MFC and the fact that 33% are less than desirable views. Perhaps this situation will improve upon completion of the resort but thats years in the future IMO.

The bigger issue for me is the pecking order for weeks owners, legacy points and trust points. IMO weeks owners and trust owners should be treated equally. Weeks owners and trust owners that decide to deposit into the exchange pool should be next. All others can fall in behind somewhere. If MVCI doesn't straighten this out it's going to make for some interesting conversations at the owners meetings and sales presentations.

 

[jimf41]

My opinion on this property is there is no great location. I don't like the property and I don't like the island. Please don't make me go there again. It doesn't meet my personal vacation desires and expectations.

Wow, that's rough to say in such a volatile forum isn't it? Before you start throwing stones I'd like to say more.

Too late. I have called a couple of old pals in the Michigan Army National Guard. Two Blackhawk helicopters have been dispatched to spray weed killer on your garden.

 

[Quilter]

Absolutely you are right. I don't care what kind of ownership you have, I think a 7 day reservation should trump a 2-day. Put those short-timers in the Crown Bldg.

I wasn't saying a 7 day reservation should trump a 1-6 day stay. I was trying to point out that most resorts spread the Fri./Sat./Sun. check-ins evenly amongst the villas. Then the front desk has to fit in there the renters and DC members who have shorter stays.

What about the owner/MVC Exchanger who adds 3 days to their owned week? Would you insist they move units? If not, that leaves 4 nights open in what you would consider a prime location. How would you fill it. . .renter, MVC Exchange? Also, don't forget the rooms that get taken out of rotation for days when there is a major repair.

At Ocean Pointe the Management has a weekly session on the Activities for room location sudoku. They do this as a friendly way to introduce the complexities of room assignments. I've never gone to one of these. I'm glad it's not my job.

Just think of the different levels of guests there are at any given property:

owners
DC Trust points exchangers
DC Legacy points exchangers
II exchangers
renters
MR point users
Tour packages
DYKWIA's

 

[Quilter]

I like this resident guru idea. Does that position come with a stipend? resort but thats years in the future IMO.

If MVCI doesn't straighten this out it's going to make for some interesting conversations at the owners meetings and sales presentations.

No stipend, but if you ask real nice they may find a dining discount card. But wait..........if you get a discount then you won't get 10 points per dollar for the full price of the meal. Or do you want the 10 points per dollar credited to your bill before the discount?

The interesting conversations at the owners meetings and sales presentations will have to get fit into the allowed time frame as all the other interesting conversations at these meetings. What's new about 2 hours of whining?

Too late. I have called a couple of old pals in the Michigan Army National Guard. Two Blackhawk helicopters have been dispatched to spray weed killer on your garden.

Sorry Jim, that won't work. You're not the only one with friends in the Michigan Army National Guard.

 

[Quilter]

Spoke to the Member Relations Manager on phone 2 times and traded e-mails several times one month before reservation.

FT

The next step is to write Owner Services. Forward all the email correspondence as proof that you were robbed of a more superior location. Demand to know why this Manager did not follow your instructions.

Please report back.

FT, the reality I've had with the Marriott system is like I've mentioned in a previous post. . .it's a Club. As such, it has the failings of a Club. We still enjoy the benefits and, at times, we also pull out the multi-week owner, Platinum and Premium Plus DYKWIA cards.

For the most part the system works for us.

"A point is a point." Isn't that what's been demanded on these Boards since the outing of the DC? Trust points, as I understand them, will supersede legacy points for reservations at those elusive Trust properties if there is a demand overload of exchangers.

Trust points had/have a high purchase point and m/f but that is only as a result of the timing they came on the market. It is the new market price to buy into the MVCI and the new product (flexibility). With it came the new flexibility (and limitations) documents. It has nothing to do with their superiority. Would you say a week's owner who bought pre-construction was equal to an owner who paid triple because of market inflation over time? Would you say a Trust owner who buys at tomorrow's price supersedes an original Trust owner?

As far as room location. . .it's always a gamble that whoever is working the reservation locations at the time of our stay will put us in what we would consider an o.k. spot. I've wondered just how much the stay (not room location) is worth to me. If I found out it was a crummy room location would I rather just stay home? Sometimes I've thought I would. That's one of the challenges with the ownership in this Club.

 

[puckmanfl]

good morning...

no skin in the game, but I am going to have to disagree... Trust owners aren't members in a club. They are owners in a Trust. That is the sales pitch "you own everywhere!!!" If they are booking Trust inventory they are owners and entitled to same priviliges as weeks owners at home resort. If I book Trust inventory with Legacy points I am an exchanger, If FT books Exchange inventory with Trust points he is an exchanger..

The issue is 2 fold..

#1 no transparency, the poor room assignment person has no idea if inventory is Trust or Exchange..

#2 Not much traction for this issue on TUG as only a few pure Trust Owners live here..

same problem for the poor unknowing soul that purchases OF on Marriott.com , there is no disclaimer saying owners come first!!!!

 

[Quilter]

good morning...

no skin in the game, but I am going to have to disagree... Trust owners aren't members in a club. They are owners in a Trust. That is the sales pitch "you own everywhere!!!" If they are booking Trust inventory they are owners and entitled to same priviliges as weeks owners at home resort. If I book Trust inventory with Legacy points I am an exchanger, If FT books Exchange inventory with Trust points he is an exchanger..

The issue is 2 fold..

#1 no transparency, the poor room assignment person has no idea if inventory is Trust or Exchange..

#2 Not much traction for this issue on TUG as only a few pure Trust Owners live here..

same problem for the poor unknowing soul that purchases OF on Marriott.com , there is no disclaimer saying owners come first!!!!

Let's leave the useless sales pitch out of this. And while we're at it, let's forego perceived entitlement.

This is from the Marriott Vacation CLUB website:

"Learn About Ownership
Explore the world with the leader in vacation ownership.
For more than 25 years, Marriott Vacation Club® has remained the leader in the vacation ownership industry, delivering unforgettable vacations to more than 400,000 Owner families around the globe.

Today, that tradition continues with our newest innovation, Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ ownership program—an easy-to-use, points-based approach to vacation ownership that offers you the flexibility, convenience and affordability to take dream vacations year after year.

Most Vacation Flexibility in the Industry
Vacation where you want, when you want and for as long as you want2.
Visit one or all of the 53 Marriott Vacation Club resorts with spacious 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom accommodations for families and friends6.
Enjoy access to thousands of Marriott® hotels and resorts worldwide and hundreds of affiliate resorts3.
Experience exotic safaris, magnificent cruises and more through the Explorer Collection4.
Simple and Convenient Planning
Receive an annual allotment of Vacation Club Points to book thousands of vacation options.
Experience the ease of online booking, plus the assistance of a dedicated Vacation Planning Advisor for all your vacation needs.
Bank, borrow or add more Vacation Club Points for longer vacations or to expand your vacation options.
Affordable Family Vacations
Own your vacations—don’t just take them.
Secure a deeded real-estate timeshare interest with a one-time purchase.
Avoid rising hotel room or rental apartment costs."

The first 2 paragraphs specify that Marriott Vacation Club is marketing vacations in it's newest innovation that is an easy-to-use points based approach allowing the purchaser vacation ownership with flexibility, convenience and affordability. Those are the marketing key words put out at the forefront of the description to this program. Vacation ownership, not property ownership. Flexibility, convenience and affordability. Not preferential room location.

If you work from the bottom up you will see that the purchaser avoids rising hotel or rental costs by purchasing a deeded real-estate timeshare interest in order to own a vacation (not necessarily specified as owning a certain view category or preferential ownership acknowledgement at any property). Thousands of vacation options can be booked with an annual allotment of Vacation Club Points. Vacation options can be redeemed for the Explorer Collection, Marriott hotels and resorts and the 53 Marriott Vacation Club resorts.

The next section "How Vacation Club Points Work" clarifies that a it is ownership of a vacation, not a property.

"Vacation Club Points
When you become a Marriott Vacation Club DestinationsTM Owner, you purchase a deeded real-estate interest and own your vacations. This innovative, points-based approach to vacation ownership is as
easy as 1-2-3.


Purchase Vacation Club Points
Purchase the number of Vacation Club Points based on your family's vacation plans.
There is a one-time purchase price starting around $17,800 or a low monthly payment.
Receive an annual allotment of Vacation Club Points to use however you choose.
There are yearly maintenance fees equal to approximately 4% of your total purchase price.


Plan Your Vacations
Vacation Club Points are flexible currency that you can use for stays at any of the thousands of destinations worldwide as well as once-in-a-lifetime vacation experiences.
Choose when and how long you vacation, size of accommodations and choice of room view1.
A personal Vacation Planning Advisor and easy-to-use online tool are available to help you plan and book all your vacations.
Flexibility to use Vacation Club Points from past or future allotments, or purchase additional points to grow your vacation options.


Go on Vacation
Stay at one or all of the 53 Marriott Vacation Club resorts.
Expand your travels to thousands of destinations including Marriott® hotels and
affiliate resorts2.
Experience unique travel adventures, from Tuscany to the Great Wall of China—even cruises."

FT is right. He is homeless in Paradise. But he's on vacation and that is what he bought.