Access to Abound is up!

[TravelTime]

Again, Abound isn't a "launch" for Marriott owners. A notice has been on our website for months that says Abound is the new name of the program we've been using for a decade-plus, formerly known as the Destination Club.

And yes, a thread about the integration of Vistana/the ability of Marriott Abound members to book into Vistana resorts was opened yesterday on the TUG Marriott forum: Westin / Sheraton properties are now available to book for MVC owners!

I saw it and posted yesterday. I must have amnesia! LOL

 

[TravelTime]

That’s a great booking! Congrats! But Think about that…. OF 2 bedroom at WKORV in Abound at rollout and only 4 months out…. That unit has been extremely difficult (not impossible) to get at 8 months in the VSN. This lends credence to the “conspiracy theories” that Marriott would put some of the best inventory in Abound.

The Abound program is the new program. I would assume they will put all the inventory they own into Abound going forward. Like others have said, if Marriott is the owner, they can elect points into Abound just like any other owner. I understand this is terrible for Vistana but it makes sense and it is fair IMHO since they are an owner.

 

[TravelTime]

Of course people were going to convert immediately. You can’t really go by 10-15 people on tug who didn’t want to elect to convert as proof that Abound wouldn’t be popular. You’re reading that many people are converting…. Are those the same people who said that they would never convert? I’d convert if I wanted something out of the VSN.

The negative things from many tuggers was more about where the inventory was going and the frustration regarding the way the usage of their ownerships was changing. You were one of the “love it or leave it” mantra folks. You have your thoughts on the program and others have theirs.

I am a resourceful and try to use my timeshares in the way it works for me which is not always the cheapest or most efficient way. I am not a “Love It or Leave It” person because the word “Love” is inaccurate. If you read some of my posts about this mantra, you will see I do not mean you must “Love” Abound, Marriott, Vistana or any other system. Just do not ruin your mental health over it.

I believe you need to expect changes and go with the flow. I said if these changes are making you miserable, then why stay a timeshare owner? Also we all know timeshares are difficult to use. People say Vistana is easy LOL.

I keep repeating myself and people are assuming, interpreting, etc what I say and leaving out that I do not “Love” my timeshares. In fact, I have sold many of them. I have sold about 10 contracts or so and I am definitely not purchasing anymore. I “like” the remaining ones but knowing what I know now, I would not have purchased them at all. One reason I like Abound is because now I do not need to keep up with the rules of two separate timeshare systems other than to elect my SOs every year. Now I only own 2 timeshare systems: Abound and FSA.

Even FSA is questionable to me in terms of owning but it is super easy because there are not many options for using it . It is a double edged sword bc I wish I could internally trade into other Four Seasons. I have only been to FSA once and I have been depositing into ThirdHome, Elite Alliance and II. I am done with EliteAlliance and II because it is too hard to get good trades. I got a few through EA but it was hard to get. This year, I deposited both weeks into ThirdHome.

 

[SueDonJ]

The Abound program is the new program. I would assume they will put all the inventory they own into Abound going forward. Like others have said, if Marriott is the owner, they can elect points into Abound just like any other owner. I understand this is terrible for Vistana but it makes sense and it is fair IMHO since they are an owner.

If it can be said that the Vistana/Abound integration is terrible for Vistana owners because some Vistana inventory will be used by Marriott Abound members, can't the same be said that it's terrible for Marriott owners because some Marriott inventory will be used by Vistana members?

But I just don't understand all the negativity over what is basically another exchange option. Since the Destination Club was introduced in 2010 I've been thinking of, and looking forward to, the now-named Abound Exchange Company being the simple conduit for direct access to non-Marriott-branded timeshares! My pipe dream is that Disney eventually chooses to play in the Abound sandbox, which I know is about as long a shot as a long shot can be.

 

[YYJMSP]

The Abound by Marriott Vacations exchange program is now live.

The Abound by Marriott Vacations™ exchange program is now live. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

​ ABOUND IS NOW LIVE A more fulfilling vacation life starts here. Through your membership in the Vistana Signature Network® (VSN), you now have more direct access to Marriott Vacation Club® resorts and thousands of unique travel experiences — all through Abound by Marriott Vacations™ using the shared currency of Club Points. ​ NEW INFORMATION AND HELPFUL TOOLS Ready for more? Log in to vistana.com/abound to: View the Club Points election value of your Vacation Ownership Interests (VOIs). See your new Owner benefit level and the associated benefits. Elect to receive Club Points for your eligible 2023 VOIs. MORE TO EXPLORE As a complement to how you use your vacation ownership today, the Abound exchange program simply gives you more choices. You can now elect to receive Club Points, which gives you access across an expanded collection of 90+ premium resorts and city properties around the globe. Plus, you can explore thousands more of the world’s best travel experiences. Explore more from the heart of vibrant cities like New York City and San Francisco. Discover more of beautiful Hawaiʻi on Oʻahu and the Big Island.​ Embark on more travel experiences, including cruises, hotels, and guided tours to name a few. Find serenity along the shore on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts.​ Play in paradise in global destinations like Costa Rica, Thailand, and Spain. DO MORE WITH CLUB POINTS You can now elect to receive Club Points using your eligible 2023 VOIs. As an exception, you may elect to receive Club Points until December 31, 2022.* If you have a reservation using Home Options or StarOptions® in 2023, you can cancel it and elect to receive Club Points.** To cancel those reservations, the election transaction must occur at least 61 days in advance of the check-in date of your reservation. Learn more about your new Owner benefits on your Owner Dashboard. Also, VSN® members previously at the 3-, 4-, or 5-Star Elite levels by August 9, 2022, were grandfathered in to the same or potentially higher Marriott Bonvoy® Elite level. Visit your Owner Dashboard to elect to receive Club Points and learn more about your Owner benefit level.​ * Beginning in 2023, the regular election deadlines will apply. The election deadline is September 30 of the previous year for Owners at the Owner, Select, and Executive benefit levels. The deadline is October 31 of the previous year for Owners at the Presidential and Chairman's Club benefit levels. ** Banked and borrowed StarOptions are not eligible to elect to receive Club Points in 2023. Owners of Vacation Ownership Interests (VOIs) at The Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas and Harborside Resort at Atlantis will not initially have the option to elect to receive Club Points when it becomes available to VSN members. That option will be available only after their reservation systems are upgraded, which we anticipate will occur in 2023. Until that time, other Owners may not reserve stays at these resorts using Club Points. ©2022 Marriott Vacation Club International. All Rights Reserved. Marriott Vacation Club International and the programs and products provided under the Marriott Vacation Club, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Club brands are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc. Marriott Vacation Club International uses the Marriott marks under license from Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates. Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions | State & Legal Disclosures | 22-103-1748731

 

[Bob1946]

I am a VSN owner, but not a MVC owner. Considering whether to elect club points. I want to stay at KORN and Nanea. I know how many club points I would get, but not how many weeks that will buy me at KORN or Nanea.

I cannot access the part of the MVC site that would tell me how many club points are needed to rent KORN or Nanea. I cannot find a table online. Can someone post how many points it takes to rent KORN and Nanea?

 

[vacationtime1]

@Bob1946 -- Try this.

 

[Bob1946]

If it can be said that the Vistana/Abound integration is terrible for Vistana owners because some Vistana inventory will be used by Marriott Abound members, can't the same be said that it's terrible for Marriott owners because some Marriott inventory will be used by Vistana members?

But I just don't understand all the negativity over what is basically another exchange option. Since the Destination Club was introduced in 2010 I've been thinking of, and looking forward to, the now-named Abound Exchange Company being the simple conduit for direct access to non-Marriott-branded timeshares! My pipe dream is that Disney eventually chooses to play in the Abound sandbox, which I know is about as long a shot as a long shot can be.

"But I just don't understand all the negativity"?

Most of the posts on this site as regards VSN are negative. So anything new will generate mainly negative posts.

 

[Bob1946]

@Bob1946 -- Try this.

i *HEART* you!

 

[timsi]

None of us knows if that pre-booking is the process that Marriott uses to manipulate intervals via the Abound Exchange Company. I happen to think that's not what they do, that the system is designed to book all reservations in realtime with all intervals coded in such a way that the rights of owners, members and Marriott aren't violated (Post #36.) But regardless of whether I'm right or wrong, just getting to the point where you know for sure how the system works is going to take some legal wrangling that will force you to be prepared for Marriott to push back using any and every legal process available to them. Good luck!

In my book, if a rule is violated ( a non owner has access to a week during a period when only owners should have access, according to the governing documents) the rest are details we can discuss here but do not have a lot of relevance in other venues. I really don't care how they design the system. Also it is naive for some to believe in the "access " theory. Yesterday for example there was inventory at WKV and many other Vistana resorts that was just not available in VSN to the resort owners or exchangers.

 

[vacationtime1]

Does anyone have a non-conspiracy explanation as to how Marriott accumulated all of the 2023 WKORV OF units which are being made available in Abound? It seems unlikely that Marriott owns that many OF weeks, any weeks turned into StarOptions should belong to VSN (not Abound), and because the system didn't launch until this week, OF owners could not have elected points.

I don't like conspiracy theories, but I cannot figure out where this inventory originated.

 

[SueDonJ]

In my book, if a rule is violated ( a non owner has access to a week during a period when only owners should have access, according to the governing documents) the rest are details we can discuss here but do not have a lot of relevance in other venues. I really don't care how they design the system. Also it is naive for some to believe in the "access " theory. Yesterday for example there was inventory at WKV and many other Vistana resorts that was just not available in VSN to the resort owners or exchangers.

Well, I guess "naive" is a little bit better than the utter lack of knowledge you've ascribed to Marriott owners in some of your many other threads on the topic, so I'll take it.

Aside: I'm noticing that you're having some difficulty with replies after the system update Brian did the other day, with your response text ending up in the quoted section instead of below it. I only mention it because I've edited a few to correct it, and the first time seeing the new format confused me, too! When you reply the prompt should be outside the quote box.

 

[Red elephant]

In my book, if a rule is violated ( a non owner has access to a week during a period when only owners should have access, according to the governing documents) the rest are details we can discuss here but do not have a lot of relevance in other venues. I really don't care how they design the system. Also it is naive for some to believe in the "access " theory. Yesterday for example there was inventory at WKV and many other Vistana resorts that was just not available in VSN to the resort owners or exchangers.

If Marriott owns WKV (which I know they do as they tried to sell it to me) then they can put it in Abound so maybe that’s why it was available .

 

[DavidnRobin]

Does anyone have a non-conspiracy explanation as to how Marriott accumulated all of the 2023 WKORV OF units which are being made available in Abound? It seems unlikely that Marriott owns that many OF weeks, any weeks turned into StarOptions should belong to VSN (not Abound), and because the system didn't launch until this week, OF owners could not have elected points.

I don't like conspiracy theories, but I cannot figure out where this inventory originated.

It could be that during the HR reservation period earlier this year - they were having issues with their IT merger and ended up with prime weeks.

Examples at exactly 12 months:
It was tough to get our OFD studio reserved last Feb (never the case before), and…
Then almost impossible to get our 1Bd WKV in early March. Had to settle for Fri-Fri where never had issues for either of these in past 10+ years.

I posted about this - and contact with MVC Consumer Advocacy Dept - last March.

Also - MVC offered multiple 1Bd WKORV OV nights during prime whale watching times in 2023 as a special invitation to Owners for 90K SOs (I am doing this). This is pure Marriott Marketing as this reservation shows on BonVoy site but not Vistana site.
How did they get these as well?

Just so happens at same times they were having IT issues.

I will give them a break as I got my 2023 usage. If it happens again? Then there will be lots of noise. Not unlike the WSJ Thread (Part 1)…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DanCali]

Does anyone have a non-conspiracy explanation as to how Marriott accumulated all of the 2023 WKORV OF units which are being made available in Abound? It seems unlikely that Marriott owns that many OF weeks, any weeks turned into StarOptions should belong to VSN (not Abound), and because the system didn't launch until this week, OF owners could not have elected points.

I don't like conspiracy theories, but I cannot figure out where this inventory originated.

"When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

- Spock

 

[CPNY]

The Abound program is the new program. I would assume they will put all the inventory they own into Abound going forward. Like others have said, if Marriott is the owner, they can elect points into Abound just like any other owner. I understand this is terrible for Vistana but it makes sense and it is fair IMHO since they are an owner.

So then vistana owners also have a right to be angry and not be labeled conspiracy theorists. If a vistana owner bought into vistana with the ability to book in network at 8 months they have a right to be upset that there won’t be much inventory in the VSN for network reservations.

Some people plan 8 months in advance, the Marriott points system operates much different with a whole new set of owners who book 12 months in advance. It drastically changes the way someone uses their ownership. Let’s not forget how sales people sold the vistana product.

I’m all for the abound exchange, so long as the inventory that belongs in the VSN actually stays in the VSN.

 

[The Haileys]

Can anyone else access the Vistana site or Dashboard right now?

 

[GoPokes!]

Can anyone else access the Vistana site or Dashboard right now?

View attachment 69432

It's down for me as well.

 

[sponger76]

So then vistana owners also have a right to be angry and not be labeled conspiracy theorists. If a vistana owner bought into vistana with the ability to book in network at 8 months they have a right to be upset that there won’t be much inventory in the VSN for network reservations.

Some people plan 8 months in advance, the Marriott points system operates much different with a whole new set of owners who book 12 months in advance. It drastically changes the way someone uses their ownership. Let’s not forget how sales people sold the vistana product.

I’m all for the abound exchange, so long as the inventory that belongs in the VSN actually stays in the VSN.

I am definitely not happy that there were people able to book Vistana properties in Abound 12+ months out, before owners even have the opportunity in VSN. That definitely isn't right, and anyone who wants to call MVC out on that, I support their efforts.

However, while I'd rather have access via VSN I can understand how there might not be much inventory at 8 months for StarOptions use. In a worst-case scenario, imagine owners in a particular resort either all reserve their weeks or elect them into Abound more than 8 months out. Not great for me if I want to go there using my StarOptions, but that is their right.

 

[TravelTime]

So then vistana owners also have a right to be angry and not be labeled conspiracy theorists. If a vistana owner bought into vistana with the ability to book in network at 8 months they have a right to be upset that there won’t be much inventory in the VSN for network reservations.

Some people plan 8 months in advance, the Marriott points system operates much different with a whole new set of owners who book 12 months in advance. It drastically changes the way someone uses their ownership. Let’s not forget how sales people sold the vistana product.

I’m all for the abound exchange, so long as the inventory that belongs in the VSN actually stays in the VSN.

The inventory that belongs in VSN will stay in VSN. That is the owner inventory that do not elect points. Why not be angry at the owners who elect points too? They will be diminishing VSN inventory. Marriott is an owner and can elect points too.

 

[luv_maui]

I elected club points for WKORV. But no points showed. I called and they told me they see I tried to elect club points but there was an IT issue hold up so I could back out or did I really want to move forward. I said move forward, and was told IT will try to get my club points into my account within 24 hours.

 

[DanCali]

The inventory that belongs in VSN will stay in VSN. That is the owner inventory that do not elect points. Why not be angry at the owners who elect points too? They will be diminishing VSN inventory. Marriott is an owner and can elect points too.

Marriott may acquire some things on ROFR here and there, but definitely not WKV, where they have no ROFR at all. And whatever they have via foreclosure or other means should most likely be in the Westin Flex trust, no? They were selling Flex until now...

Yet I can see that I can book some December dates that are 12.5 months out (that's Gold season). I can't do that in Vistana even if I owned in that season!

Does Marriott really already own a bunch of WKV Gold weeks that they can't acquire at ROFR and are not in Westin Flex? Without transparency we'll never know but lack of transparency inevitably leads to conspiracy theories. Their own brochures say you can book Vistana at 12 months out...

 

[kozykritter]

Marriott may acquire some things on ROFR here and there, but definitely not WKV, where they have no ROFR at all. And whatever they have via foreclosure or other means should most likely be in the Westin Flex trust, no? They were selling Flex until now...

Yet I can see that I can book some December dates that are 12.5 months out (that's Gold season). I can't do that in Vistana even if I owned in that season!

Does Marriott really already own a bunch of WKV Gold weeks that they can't acquire at ROFR and are not in Westin Flex? Without transparency we'll never know but lack of transparency inevitably leads to conspiracy theories. Their own brochures say you can book Vistana at 12 months out...

View attachment 69433

Dioxide can confirm but I'll pretty sure they haven't conveyed WKV to the Westin Flex trust in the past few years. It's not an automatic thing when an ownership ends up coming back to Vistana/Marriott, of course.

 

[TravelTime]

Marriott may acquire some things on ROFR here and there, but definitely not WKV, where they have no ROFR at all. And whatever they have via foreclosure or other means should most likely be in the Westin Flex trust, no? They were selling Flex until now...

Yet I can see that I can book some December dates that are 12.5 months out (that's Gold season). I can't do that in Vistana even if I owned in that season!

Does Marriott really already own a bunch of WKV Gold weeks that they can't acquire at ROFR and are not in Westin Flex? Without transparency we'll never know but lack of transparency inevitably leads to conspiracy theories. Their own brochures say you can book Vistana at 12 months out...

View attachment 69433

It is odd they are letting people book before 12 months. Is this happening across all Vistana properties? Could it be a bug? They announced 12 months so that is the policy. There are sometimes bugs in the system. Someone reported that sometimes Marriott inventory is released a few days before. I have never experienced this but others have.

 

[cubigbird]

It is odd they are letting people book before 12 months. Is this happening across all Vistana properties? Could it be a bug? They announced 12 months so that is the policy. There are sometimes bugs in the system. Someone reported that sometimes Marriott inventory is released a few days before. I have never experienced this but others have.

If this is the case and it frontruns owner 12 month home resort reservation period they are going to have to cancel reservations.