Asked to convert my week to points

[rmclain73]

I own a legacy week at Aruba Surf Club. Week was recently purchased resale. On a recent to call with Marriott discussing another issue, I was asked if I would be interested in converting my week for the Destination Points program. I told the op that I thought I was not eligible. She told me that anything is possible, and she could make it work. I am not interested in doing it, but how is it possible?

 

[EKniager]

They have been known to offer conversion deals occasionally, especially ones which require the purchase of points.

 

[dioxide45]

but how is it possible?

By buying a boatload of points. Probably a minimum of 3,000. They run an annual "promotion" allowing for post 2010 resale weeks to enroll if you buy points. It isn't cheap, but it is possible.

 

[Dean]

I own a legacy week at Aruba Surf Club. Week was recently purchased resale. On a recent to call with Marriott discussing another issue, I was asked if I would be interested in converting my week for the Destination Points program. I told the op that I thought I was not eligible. She told me that anything is possible, and she could make it work. I am not interested in doing it, but how is it possible?

As noted, you would be able to convert by buying something. I suspect you could get it down to 2000 or 2500 points for 1 week or a Platinum 1 BR at Ocean Club or a St. Kitt's 2BR (cheaper per point purchase). Could likely do the same by buying Spain as well. Make sure you look at both the up front price and yearly fees. If you're thinking of needing more points than that'd get you or additional weeks, wait and convert later. I do have a contact for Aruba and St. Kitt's weeks, PM if you want it.

 

[DanCali]

As noted, you would be able to convert by buying something. I suspect you could get it down to 2000 or 2500 points for 1 week or a Platinum 1 BR at Ocean Club or a St. Kitt's 2BR (cheaper per point purchase). Could likely do the same by buying Spain as well. Make sure you look at both the up front price and yearly fees. If you're thinking of needing more points than that'd get you or additional weeks, wait and convert later. I do have a contact for Aruba and St. Kitt's weeks, PM if you want it.

From what I know all these Aruba/Spain weeks are RTU so they cannot go in the trust. What happens at the end of the RTU period - do the usage rights just revert to Marriott? Does the lease expire, and they can get a different management company? Either way, in all these cases you are buying an asset that by definition will be worth zero at the end of the RTU period (as opposed to points which may have some residual resale value in 2-3 decades)? Is that the right way to think about the residual value of a purchase like that when RTU expires?

 

[csalter2]

From what I know all these Aruba/Spain weeks are RTU so they cannot go in the trust. What happens at the end of the RTU period - do the usage rights just revert to Marriott? Does the lease expire, and they can get a different management company? Either way, in all these cases you are buying an asset that by definition will be worth zero at the end of the RTU period (as opposed to points which may have some residual resale value in 2-3 decades)? Is that the right way to think about the residual value of a purchase like that when RTU expires?

I think the way to look at it is that you have a right to use the property until you are dead since the agreement will more than likely outlast you.At that point, your heirs will probably be happy to rid themselves of it.

 

[tschwa2]

From what I know all these Aruba/Spain weeks are RTU so they cannot go in the trust. What happens at the end of the RTU period - do the usage rights just revert to Marriott? Does the lease expire, and they can get a different management company? Either way, in all these cases you are buying an asset that by definition will be worth zero at the end of the RTU period (as opposed to points which may have some residual resale value in 2-3 decades)? Is that the right way to think about the residual value of a purchase like that when RTU expires?

https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/aruba-ocean-club-deed-v-rtu.315778/#post-2577993

Mar 8, 2021

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The vast majority of the TS and hotels in Aruba are built on government land.
The land is lease by the government to the resort (usually) for a renewable period of 60 years.

To be considered deeded a property need to be built on a purchased land.
(The land cannot be leased for a property to be deed)

Deed means that it is "totally" yours. And total ownership implies that you own the land as well.

Marriott properties are not deeded they are certificate of ownership.
Why? Because they are build on a land lease.
Still the resort is totally owned by the owners.
(The ownership is subject to the 60 years land lease renewal)
As long as these TS are under a valid land lease they are just like a deeded property.
What happen if the land lease is not renewed?
If the government don't renew the land lease then the resort will need to be appraise to determine the value and then buy back by the government, the money will then be distributed between the owners.
Is there any chance that the government will do that?
It is very very unlikely, first resorts like the Stellaris, the Ocean Club or the Surf Club worth more than $250,000,000usd each!
Government mission is not owning and managing resorts.

Still if a resort becomes a dump because it’s not manage properly and if his value is close to nothing there is a good chance that the government won’t renew the land lease and buy back the resort. It will then probably lease it again for another resort project.

my understanding is the lease expires in 2056 or 2060, so I wouldn't even start worrying about it for another 15-20 years at the earliest.

 

[Dean]

From what I know all these Aruba/Spain weeks are RTU so they cannot go in the trust. What happens at the end of the RTU period - do the usage rights just revert to Marriott? Does the lease expire, and they can get a different management company? Either way, in all these cases you are buying an asset that by definition will be worth zero at the end of the RTU period (as opposed to points which may have some residual resale value in 2-3 decades)? Is that the right way to think about the residual value of a purchase like that when RTU expires?

I wouldn't think once would become unenrolled for any remainder. If the RTU ends, you wouldn't own it anymore. For Aruba I think that's unlikely, can't speak to the other locations. There are other examples where RTU timeshares ended and in some cases, they were updated and then sold new.

 

[Bill4728]

Here is the info on what is allowed to convert to points

( from the TUG FAQ of Marriott points program)
~~ Enrolling MVCI Weeks in the DC ~~

• All US and Caribbean resort Weeks purchased prior to 6/20/10, and all European resort Weeks purchased prior to 6/18/12, are eligible to be enrolled in the MVC Destinations program. Caribbean resort Weeks purchased direct from Marriott between 6/20/10 and 12/26/12 are also eligible for enrollment.
• Weeks purchased on the external resale market on or after the 6/20/10 (US and Caribbean) and 6/18/12 (European) introduction dates are NOT eligible for enrollment.
• Weeks purchased direct from Marriott Resales Operations are eligible if a purchase of DC Trust Points (equal to the amount of points for which the purchased Week(s) may be converted) is made within 12 months of the Weeks purchase.
• Two recurring sales incentives involve direct-purchases of either DC Trust Points or non-US-based Weeks, that allow for simultaneous enrollment of otherwise-ineligible previously-purchased Weeks. These incentives may be subject to begin-and-end dates, specific Trust Points minimum purchases and/or cut-off dates for the existing Weeks.

 

[bazzap]

Here is the info on what is allowed to convert to points

( from the TUG FAQ of Marriott points program)
~~ Enrolling MVCI Weeks in the DC ~~

• All US and Caribbean resort Weeks purchased prior to 6/20/10, and all European resort Weeks purchased prior to 6/18/12, are eligible to be enrolled in the MVC Destinations program. Caribbean resort Weeks purchased direct from Marriott between 6/20/10 and 12/26/12 are also eligible for enrollment.
• Weeks purchased on the external resale market on or after the 6/20/10 (US and Caribbean) and 6/18/12 (European) introduction dates are NOT eligible for enrollment.
• Weeks purchased direct from Marriott Resales Operations are eligible if a purchase of DC Trust Points (equal to the amount of points for which the purchased Week(s) may be converted) is made within 12 months of the Weeks purchase.
• Two recurring sales incentives involve direct-purchases of either DC Trust Points or non-US-based Weeks, that allow for simultaneous enrollment of otherwise-ineligible previously-purchased Weeks. These incentives may be subject to begin-and-end dates, specific Trust Points minimum purchases and/or cut-off dates for the existing Weeks.

There is a further, later cutoff date for Asia (Phuket Beach Club) weeks of August 2016 - I can’t immediately recall the exact date.