Booked Pulse for first time, NYC. Need advice.

[Quilter]

I had 990 MVC points left for the year in holding. Found a couple nights NYC property for 874.

When I was looking to reserve it said I had 1982 possible points available for this reservation. Why is that if I had less than 1,000?

I tried asking in a chat but there's a new format for the chat box and I clicked on something and lost the ability to see advisors comments. There was just a big arrow. Nothing I did would recover the chat dialog.

 

[daviator]

It might be including points that you could borrow from 2025 if you wanted to.

 

[jmhpsu93]

When you try to book the reservation, you should see buckets of points you can apply to the room. If within 59 days you should see those holding points on one line, then the other line or lines will tell you the other buckets eligible to be used for this reservation.

I'm inclined to agree with @daviator above...likely points you could borrow.

 

[Quilter]

Thank you. I thought that too but I haven't elected points for my 2025 usage and the 175 left in my account for 2025 can't be borrowed because I bought them from someone. I made this post last night. This morning I logged in again for another look and the 1982 is no longer there. It just shows the amount I have left for 2024. It's a mystery.

Is this property nice?

 

[jmhpsu93]

Thank you. I thought that too but I haven't elected points for my 2025 usage and the 175 left in my account for 2025 can't be borrowed because I bought them from someone. I made this post last night. This morning I logged in again for another look and the 1982 is no longer there. It just shows the amount I have left for 2024. It's a mystery.

Is this property nice?

It's a converted hotel so nothing like the typical timeshare experience. Our room was pretty tiny, as was the bathroom. Location is great, and they have free walking tours (or at least did when we were there). They have a rooftop bar/restaurant which is nice and has a view of the Empire State Building.

ETA: we typically don't stay there, rather choosing a Residence Inn where we usually get a 1 BR unit with a kitchen, but if you have points to burn it's a good choice.

 

[Big Matt]

The rooms are smaller than any studio lock off that I've stayed in. Location is just ok IMO, but it is safe and not too far from things you want to see. It's somewhat tricky to get an Uber or cab given the street and how crowded it gets. 10-15 minute walk to Times Square.

 

[ljmiii]

Is this property nice?

Yes...as long are you are expecting a typical NYC hotel room. On weekdays the NYC ex-Pulse is usually a good use of Abound points...on weekends not so much (unless you have points that would otherwise expire).

 

[Quilter]

I've reserved the 230 sq. ft. room. Reservation is within hold period so the Chairman discount. I looked at Residence Inn on Central Park. That is $1000 for the 2 weeknights in October. No point redemption available. My cost for these points is $647.

I've never turned in MVC points for Bonvoy points as I heard it wasn't a good deal. What is the exchange rate?

 

[TolmiePeak]

The rooms are smaller than any studio lock off that I've stayed in. Location is just ok IMO, but it is safe and not too far from things you want to see. It's somewhat tricky to get an Uber or cab given the street and how crowded it gets. 10-15 minute walk to Times Square.

It is only a couple of blocks from the Herald Square subway station. I found the location excellent. Also close to the two main train stations.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jwalk03]

I've reserved the 230 sq. ft. room. Reservation is within hold period so the Chairman discount. I looked at Residence Inn on Central Park. That is $1000 for the 2 weeknights in October. No point redemption available. My cost for these points is $647.

I've never turned in MVC points for Bonvoy points as I heard it wasn't a good deal. What is the exchange rate?

40 Bonvoy points for 1 MVC point. It is a very poor exchange.

 

[Quilter]

I had to change the dates of our reservation. While trying to do the transaction on the phone the website sent me to chat and I couldn't get out of it. I waited a while and used computer. Cancelled the first and made the second. The smaller king room was the only thing available so less points. That brought my remaining balance back up to 274 (from 117). I'll have to wait until October to see what availability shows up in December to lengthen another reservation.

We're flying into EWR. Got a low fare on United, nonstop. DH found train that stops near Empire State Building. Anyone taken that?

 

[Quilter]

I found this in the Stickies:

"DC Trust Points may be exchanged for Bonvoy Points on an annual basis according to status:

• Chairman's Club Members may exchange up to 75% of their DC Points for Bonvoy Points
• Executive and Presidential Members may exchange up to 65% of their DC Points for Bonvoy Points
• Owners and Select Members may exchange up to 50% of their DC Points for Bonvoy Points

Effective 3/1/17, 1 Destination Club Point equals 40 Bonvoy Points. (Prior to 3/1/17 the exchange metric was 1:32.) The initial exchange each year must be at least 250 DC Points; increments of 5 DC Points are allowed thereafter."

I'm Chairman level. I have the required 250 points as a current balance. They were transferred to me. I don't have Trust Points. Any points I have come from turning in my weeks ownership. If I don't find reservation for the remaining 274, will I be allowed to exchange them for Bonvoy points? If so, does the 75% limit pertain to that 274 or the number of DC points I could potentially get in a year by turning in my weeks?

 

[ljmiii]

Any points I have come from turning in my weeks ownership. If I don't find reservation for the remaining 274, will I be allowed to exchange them for Bonvoy points?

No. Trading your week for Bonvoy Points is a different process than electing it into Abound Points. You can do one or the other (or use the week as a week) but once the choice is made it is done.

 

[dioxide45]

I found this in the Stickies:

"DC Trust Points may be exchanged for Bonvoy Points on an annual basis according to status:

• Chairman's Club Members may exchange up to 75% of their DC Points for Bonvoy Points
• Executive and Presidential Members may exchange up to 65% of their DC Points for Bonvoy Points
• Owners and Select Members may exchange up to 50% of their DC Points for Bonvoy Points

Effective 3/1/17, 1 Destination Club Point equals 40 Bonvoy Points. (Prior to 3/1/17 the exchange metric was 1:32.) The initial exchange each year must be at least 250 DC Points; increments of 5 DC Points are allowed thereafter."

I'm Chairman level. I have the required 250 points as a current balance. They were transferred to me. I don't have Trust Points. Any points I have come from turning in my weeks ownership. If I don't find reservation for the remaining 274, will I be allowed to exchange them for Bonvoy points? If so, does the 75% limit pertain to that 274 or the number of DC points I could potentially get in a year by turning in my weeks?

Only trust points can be converted to Bonvoy. Transferred points and points from elected weeks can not be converted to Bonvoy.

 

[iowaguy09]

I had to change the dates of our reservation. While trying to do the transaction on the phone the website sent me to chat and I couldn't get out of it. I waited a while and used computer. Cancelled the first and made the second. The smaller king room was the only thing available so less points. That brought my remaining balance back up to 274 (from 117). I'll have to wait until October to see what availability shows up in December to lengthen another reservation.

We're flying into EWR. Got a low fare on United, nonstop. DH found train that stops near Empire State Building. Anyone taken that?

Yes, we just did the train from EWR last February when we flew in to see Billy Joel at MSG. The airport train takes you right to the EWR station. Then it’s NJ Transit or Amtrak right into the Penn Station below MSG. Very convenient and easy. You can buy train tickets at kiosks at the station.

 

[TolmiePeak]

Yes, we just did the train from EWR last February when we flew in to see Billy Joel at MSG. The airport train takes you right to the EWR station. Then it’s NJ Transit or Amtrak right into the Penn Station below MSG. Very convenient and easy. You can buy train tickets at kiosks at the station.

That is what we have done from EWR.

 

[gln60]

It might be including points that you could borrow from 2025 if you wanted to.

Correct

 

[Sandy VDH]

The air train to NJ transit connection from EWR takes you to Madison Square Garden. I have taken this trip frequently. Install the app on your phone, and purchase tickets that way. NJ Transit app is what I am referring to.

 

[NJWolfpacker]

I’m at the Pulse now as I too had to burn a few points before the end of the year. Nothing really too impressive here in my opinion.

Was wondering, do people buy into this location as a ‘home base’ or do most people come here using points or trading weeks if they want to visit NYC?

 

[Pamplemousse]

I’m at the Pulse now as I too had to burn a few points before the end of the year. Nothing really too impressive here in my opinion.

Was wondering, do people buy into this location as a ‘home base’ or do most people come here using points or trading weeks if they want to visit NYC?

That location was not sold as weeks so it is not owned.
You need to book with abound points or exchange via II if MVC deposits excess units there.
Or on Marriott with cash or bonvoy points if available.

 

[ljmiii]

Was wondering, do people buy into this location as a ‘home base’ or do most people come here using points or trading weeks if they want to visit NYC?

The only (ex-)Pulse location you can buy into is Boston's Custom House. All the others were made after MVC switched over to (primarily) selling points.

 

[CericRushmore]

I’m at the Pulse now as I too had to burn a few points before the end of the year. Nothing really too impressive here in my opinion.

Was wondering, do people buy into this location as a ‘home base’ or do most people come here using points or trading weeks if they want to visit NYC?

Is there a fridge and microwave in the room? If not, is there an option for them to be put in the room for the stay?

 

[NJWolfpacker]

^ I’m in the smallest room type (King bed) which does have a small fridge/freezer, a coffee maker, but not a microwave.