[ 2021 ] Preferred Check In Experience? What is this? [MERGED]

[Pamplemousse]

I have. I am at Grande Vista now. Last week I got an email from one of the concierges inviting me to do preferred check-in. We decided to skip this "benefit to ownership" because it ends up taking too long to check in and the real purpose is to get us to sign up for a presentation. The email said I needed to contact them in order to sign up for it so I ignored the email. Then I started getting phone calls, which I again ignored.

When we went to check in, someone inside the door with a clipboard asked for my name. I gave it and walked right up to an associate at the regular check in desk. He called to me and said I was to get preferred check in (even though I didn't opt for it). I said "That's ok. This is faster". I started to check in with the associate at the main desk, giving her my ID and credit card, when the concierge that sent me the original email (and made the phone calls) came out and got me and MADE me go into the preferred check in desk. I did take a glass of wine for my trouble and of course she started to pitch signing me up for an Owners Update. We both told her we weren't interested... though she tried a little harder before accepting my "I'll think about it" just so we could get our room keys and leave.

I had basically this same experience in 2020.

For sales pitches our new tactic with all MVC check ins is only one of us goes in to check in and so the answer is ”I’ll have to check with my spouse“ and then we unplug the room phone.

 

[Serina]

Pamplemousse: When only one of you went into the “preferred“ check in area, were you able to get your key and parking pass without the sales pitch sign up etc?

 

[Pamplemousse]

Pamplemousse: When only one of you went into the “preferred“ check in area, were you able to get your key and parking pass without the sales pitch sign up etc?

Haven’t done it for preferred- haven’t been back to GV.
But I don’t think they could deny you check in- all room occupants are not required to check in.
When the kids were young it was always just one of us.

 

[NboroGirl]

Next time when the guy with the clipboard asks for my name I'm going to give my maiden name so it won't be on their list.

 

[daviator]

I have. I am at Grande Vista now. Last week I got an email from one of the concierges inviting me to do preferred check-in. We decided to skip this "benefit to ownership" because it ends up taking too long to check in and the real purpose is to get us to sign up for a presentation. The email said I needed to contact them in order to sign up for it so I ignored the email. Then I started getting phone calls, which I again ignored.

When we went to check in, someone inside the door with a clipboard asked for my name. I gave it and walked right up to an associate at the regular check in desk. He called to me and said I was to get preferred check in (even though I didn't opt for it). I said "That's ok. This is faster". I started to check in with the associate at the main desk, giving her my ID and credit card, when the concierge that sent me the original email (and made the phone calls) came out and got me and MADE me go into the preferred check in desk. I did take a glass of wine for my trouble and of course she started to pitch signing me up for an Owners Update. We both told her we weren't interested... though she tried a little harder before accepting my "I'll think about it" just so we could get our room keys and leave.

It’s “preferred”, as in “MVC prefers that you check in with someone who can coerce you into a sales presentation.”

 

[aklausing]

We just checked in at Cypress Harbour using the Preferred Check-in. We were not asked once to attend a sales presentation. Apparently Cypress Harbour started this a few weeks ago and it's only owners that are "offered" it.

 

[dioxide45]

We just checked in at Cypress Harbour using the Preferred Check-in. We were not asked once to attend a sales presentation. Apparently Cypress Harbour started this a few weeks ago and it's only owners that are "offered" it.

Where do you go for preferred check-in at Cypress Harbour? Do they have a separate area for it?

 

[aklausing]

Where do you go for preferred check-in at Cypress Harbour? Do they have a separate area for it?

Yes, the building that was originally used for sales and lately for training. It's between buildings 61 & 62. We went to the front desk and they said we were supposed to be checking in through preferred, but they still checked us in at the front desk. We then went to the preferred and had some wine and snacks and the rep that was assigned to us gave us the typical discount coupons, recommendations, etc. Supposedly they sent us an email telling us to use the preferred, but we never got the email.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes, the building that was originally used for sales and lately for training. It's between buildings 61 & 62. We went to the front desk and they said we were supposed to be checking in through preferred, but they still checked us in at the front desk. We then went to the preferred and had some wine and snacks and the rep that was assigned to us gave us the typical discount coupons, recommendations, etc. Supposedly they sent us an email telling us to use the preferred, but we never got the email.

Interesting. Seems odd to have it in a completely separate building, but I guess there ins't much room in the main lobby. I know Sheraton Vistana Resort at times has a VIP checkin in a building way back in Lakes. I wonder if the person at the gate wasn't supposed to direct you in the right direction for "VIP" checkin.

 

[aklausing]

Interesting. Seems odd to have it in a completely separate building, but I guess there ins't much room in the main lobby. I know Sheraton Vistana Resort at times has a VIP checkin in a building way back in Lakes. I wonder if the person at the gate wasn't supposed to direct you in the right direction for "VIP" checkin.

Yes, they said the person at the gate should have sent us there a well.

 

[Ixchel]

We were called a week ahead and told to go to the " New Owner Preferred Check-in ". Arrived at 4 pm, found no other guests, one staff member. We had sent in our room request ahead of time and were assigned a villa direct opposite to what we had requested-- so we insisted on reassignment. That took about 45 minutes, because the Preferred staff can't do that...they had to email the usual Reception and ask. We eventually got another room.

We had already said we didn't plan to do a presentation, as we can barely afford the points we have now. Still, got the hard sell to attend a Virtual Presentation for $150 gift card. Still no.
For future visits, will insist we be able to check in at the " Non-Preferred" location.

 

[dioxide45]

Somehow I was roped into preferred checking this time around at Grande Vista. I've never done it before. We are on an II getaway booking. Checkin wasn't all that busy overall as it was late avter the mad crush was over. That said, they asked if we wanted to do a tour for 40,000 Bonvoy but later discovered that we did a presentation last month and weren't eligible anyway. I did get a pack of shortbread cookies out of it. Overall it took longer than if I could have just gone to the main check in desk.

 

[iowaguy09]

Somehow I was roped into preferred checking this time around at Grande Vista. I've never done it before. We are on an II getaway booking. Checkin wasn't all that busy overall as it was late avter the mad crush was over. That said, they asked if we wanted to do a tour for 40,000 Bonvoy but later discovered that we did a presentation last month and weren't eligible anyway. I did get a pack of shortbread cookies out of it. Overall it took longer than if I could have just gone to the main check in desk.

The annoying part is when they don't already know you "...weren't eligible anyway." That just wastes everybody's time.

 

[Morear23]

I am at Cypress Harbor right now and indeed was ushered into the preferred checking process. We own two timeshares one in Aruba and one in Williamsburg.

Personally I did not like it because I had just completed a long drive and didn’t feel like chit chat. The person that checked me in was very much like a sales person. Trying to get us to talk about Marriott almost a mini sales presentation. And yes, at the end they offered us 400 plus points to attend.

What I don’t like about this is that I am not always in the mood to play their schmooz game. I wasn’t yesterday as I was very tired and resented every second I was forced to sit there chatting.

Our room wasn’t ready so we left but we got a text at 4:00 to pick up our keys. When we picked up our keys they asked us for a third time if we’d reconsider attending.

I used to attend “owner updates” - yes they still call them that even though it’s of course a sales presentation. We’ve stopped attending these when at a sales person tried to guilt us by saying “why did you waste my time when you had no intention of buying”. She got all red in the face and was extremely extremely rude to us. This was several years ago at oceana. If that’s the way then sales people feel, then stop lying to people saying it’s only an owner update.

I rarely rant, but I am not a fan of this preferred check-in process. I’d rather wait in line 10 minutes without having to talk after a very long drive than be forced into idle chit chat when I know their end game.

Ok rant over.

 

[Superchief]

I’d rather wait in line 10 minutes without having to talk after a very long drive than be forced into idle chit chat when I know their end game.

Ok rant over.

On my last two MVC visits, the wait for 'preferred check-in' was longer than it was for normal check-in. In one case, they wouldn't let me use the regular check-in and made me wait.

 

[ChiefIlliniwek]

I am at Cypress Harbor right now and indeed was ushered into the preferred checking process. We own two timeshares one in Aruba and one in Williamsburg.

Personally I did not like it because I had just completed a long drive and didn’t feel like chit chat. The person that checked me in was very much like a sales person. Trying to get us to talk about Marriott almost a mini sales presentation. And yes, at the end they offered us 400 plus points to attend.

What I don’t like about this is that I am not always in the mood to play their schmooz game. I wasn’t yesterday as I was very tired and resented every second I was forced to sit there chatting.

Our room wasn’t ready so we left but we got a text at 4:00 to pick up our keys. When we picked up our keys they asked us for a third time if we’d reconsider attending.

I used to attend “owner updates” - yes they still call them that even though it’s of course a sales presentation. We’ve stopped attending these when at a sales person tried to guilt us by saying “why did you waste my time when you had no intention of buying”. She got all red in the face and was extremely extremely rude to us. This was several years ago at oceana. If that’s the way then sales people feel, then stop lying to people saying it’s only an owner update.

I rarely rant, but I am not a fan of this preferred check-in process. I’d rather wait in line 10 minutes without having to talk after a very long drive than be forced into idle chit chat when I know their end game.

Ok rant over.

I got the preferred check-in at Cypress Harbor on Wednesday. Plane had sat on the tarmac at Sanford Airport for three hours because of lightning. The preferred check-in lady called and said she’d wait for me. She and another lady gave me cookies and drinks. Was offered a $225 Mastercard gift card and $100 gift card to Charley’s Steak House for attendance at a presentation. Two days later I went over to building 25 at SVV and got my gifts.

 

[ChiefIlliniwek]

Yes, the building that was originally used for sales and lately for training. It's between buildings 61 & 62. We went to the front desk and they said we were supposed to be checking in through preferred, but they still checked us in at the front desk. We then went to the preferred and had some wine and snacks and the rep that was assigned to us gave us the typical discount coupons, recommendations, etc. Supposedly they sent us an email telling us to use the preferred, but we never got the email.

Is “The Link” the equivalent over at SVV?

 

[aklausing]

Is “The Link” the equivalent over at SVV?

Sorry, not sure what you mean by "The Link"? Have not been to SVV, so don't know what they have there either.

 

[dioxide45]

Is “The Link” the equivalent over at SVV?

It is different from "The Link" at Sheraton Vistana Villages. From what I understand about The Link, this is where promo package guests go to check in. If you are staying on, for example, a 3-night discounted stay with the requirement to take a timeshare presentation you check in at The Link. SVV has a separate preferred checkin for other guests just off the main lobby down the hall. When you go in to the main lobby, someone will check your name against a clipboard and will direct you to the appropriate place. We've done preferred checkin many times at SVV past (mainly before covid). They have snacks and soda fountains. I've even gone back in there mid stay and filled up a stainless steel cup with soda. I think they also have wine if you ask or are offered. It was a nice place to go and sit down while waiting to checkin.We haven't had preferred checkin at SVV in a long time and I understand many of the long time employees jumped ship and left. I probably wouldn't recognize anyone in there anymore and I had great relationships with a couple of the employees there.

 

[ChiefIlliniwek]

Sorry, not sure what you mean by "The Link"? Have not been to SVV, so don't know what they have there either.

It is different from "The Link" at Sheraton Vistana Villages. From what I understand about The Link, this is where promo package guests go to check in. If you are staying on, for example, a 3-night discounted stay with the requirement to take a timeshare presentation you check in at The Link. SVV has a separate preferred checkin for other guests just off the main lobby down the hall. When you go in to the main lobby, someone will check your name against a clipboard and will direct you to the appropriate place. We've done preferred checkin many times at SVV past (mainly before covid). They have snacks and soda fountains. I've even gone back in there mid stay and filled up a stainless steel cup with soda. I think they also have wine if you ask or are offered. It was a nice place to go and sit down while waiting to checkin.We haven't had preferred checkin at SVV in a long time and I understand many of the long time employees jumped ship and left. I probably wouldn't recognize anyone in there anymore and I had great relationships with a couple of the employees there.

Ahh..yeah. I know the one down the hallway. The soda fountain is long gone. The last time I was in there was in January. Hardly any snacks, either. I tried to check in there while on an Encore package, only to be told that I had to check in at the main desk.

 

[dioxide45]

Ahh..yeah. I know the one down the hallway. The soda fountain is long gone. The last time I was in there was in January. Hardly any snacks, either. I tried to check in there while on an Encore package, only to be told that I had to check in at the main desk.

Too bad about the soda fountain and snacks. For a long time I would simply go down to the preferred checkin and they would help me, but when covid started and we started going a lot more the preferred checkin for us stopped. Not sure why. Perhaps because we were staying more on getaways and ACs through II vs. using our StarOptions.

The thing that bothers me about The Link is that it would make a fantastic owner's lounge but isn't. In fact, for a long time they had business center computers in there where I would go to print some things out now and then. I suppose you can still go and hang out in there, but it is kind of awkward as there are employees there who jump on you as soon as you walk in the door.

 

[frank808]

Didn't get the preferred check in email or pushy rep at front to check in a couple days ago. But I did check in at 9am so preferred check in at Grand Vista was not open. BtW room was not ready till 4pm.

Also went to get parking pass and did not get invited to tour. Will check later on this week or next.

Does anyone know if MVC will let me tour here at MGV, then 2/3 weeks later at Lakeshore and then 3 weeks after that at Cypress Harbour? I am ok with sitting through those owner updates (if i get at least $225 in gift card or equivalent) to see what they try to sell me. Luckiest I have been is being let go at the 30 min mark.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[dioxide45]

Didn't get the preferred check in email or pushy rep at front to check in a couple days ago. But I did check in at 9am so preferred check in at Grand Vista was not open. BtW room was not ready till 4pm.

Also went to get parking pass and did not get invited to tour. Will check later on this week or next.

Does anyone know if MVC will let me tour here at MGV, then 2/3 weeks later at Lakeshore and then 3 weeks after that at Cypress Harbour? I am ok with sitting through those owner updates (if i get at least $225 in gift card or equivalent) to see what they try to sell me. Luckiest I have been is being let go at the 30 min mark.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

I don't know about the specific rules in Florida, but based on west coast experience, they seem to only allow you to tour once every 6 months in the same state. That was something they asked us in Arizona. Hawaii is different as they seem to look at each island separately. We toured once on each island over the period of six weeks. Three islands, three tours. Then we toured again in Arizona. They seem to also look at Vistana and Marriott as one now where in the past they would consider them separate. We've toured twice in the same state within days of each other, one being at a Vistana property the other at a Marriott. They didn't seem to offer that in Hawaii. When we went to Maui Ocean Club we toured, but they didn't ask us and even mentioned our MOC tour when we went to the Westins.

My rule is, if they ask, I attend. It isn't up to me to police their policy on how often I can attend. I suspect you will only be asked to tour once in Florida, but YMMV.

 

[Dean]

I don't know about the specific rules in Florida, but based on west coast experience, they seem to only allow you to tour once every 6 months in the same state. That was something they asked us in Arizona. Hawaii is different as they seem to look at each island separately. We toured once on each island over the period of six weeks. Three islands, three tours. Then we toured again in Arizona. They seem to also look at Vistana and Marriott as one now where in the past they would consider them separate. We've toured twice in the same state within days of each other, one being at a Vistana property the other at a Marriott. They didn't seem to offer that in Hawaii. When we went to Maui Ocean Club we toured, but they didn't ask us and even mentioned our MOC tour when we went to the Westins.

My rule is, if they ask, I attend. It isn't up to me to police their policy on how often I can attend. I suspect you will only be asked to tour once in Florida, but YMMV.

My wife's rule is not no but heck no. I talk her into it about once every year or 2. My understanding is there is no set rule for touring other than that established by the resorts sales department based on when one last toured. We've toured back to back in HI and were asked a 3rd time the third week and told we would be OK, we declined. I think the rule is more stringent if one has bought recently. I've seen a hard pass for that circumstance and it is apparently based on the date entered, not closing or submission.

I agree completely on their rules their responsibility. When asked at HHI this year why we attended, I simply told the truth that we were talked into it by the concierge.

 

[dioxide45]

My wife's rule is not no but heck no. I talk her into it about once every year or 2. My understanding is there is no set rule for touring other than that established by the resorts sales department based on when one last toured. We've toured back to back in HI and were asked a 3rd time the third week and told we would be OK, we declined. I think the rule is more stringent if one has bought recently. I've seen a hard pass for that circumstance and it is apparently based on the date entered, not closing or submission.

I agree completely on their rules their responsibility. When asked at HHI this year why we attended, I simply told the truth that we were talked into it by the concierge.

My wife's rule is very different. Her's is not only yes, but heck yes. It does seem that their rules are based on the local sales office and do change over time. I recall checking in once at Shadow Ridge and signing up only to get a call saying they cancelled our tour because we had toured only a few months prior in Florida. We've never toured back to back on the same Hawaiian Island with the same company (Vistana or Marriott. Nor have we done the same in western states like CA, NV or AZ. We've done up to six tours out there, two in CA with Vistana and Marriott, then one in Las Vegas and two more in Arizona (at Canyon Villas, Desert Oasis and Kierland). This was several years ago when they seemed to also consider Sheraton and Westin tours as being somehow different.