CLOSED: Thread Dedicated to the Upcoming/Anticipated Integration of Vistana & Marriott Ownerships (Marriott Link + Vistana Discussion)

[DanCali]

It looks like the only major changes are to the banking deadline for what was 5*

That part is minor since if you had a week 52 reservation, you still needed to cancel by Oct 31 to be able to bank it. But it was definitely nice to keep them in the account till after Christmas in case of a last minute trip.

But seems like they also change the banked Staroption expiration. Didn't it use to be 2 years for everyone? Now it's in line with DC Points - 12, 18 and 24 months (latter only for Chairman). This change affects most owners except 5-Star.

I thought they said you won't be worse off???

This is from VSN Rules and regulations:

Bank, Banking or Banked means the act of depositing the Network Member’s StarOptions from the current Use Year with Network Operator in order to save them for use in the next two succeeding Use Years.

 

[ndang3]

That part os minor since if you had a week 52 reservation, you still needed to cancel by Oct 31 to be able to bank it.

But seems like they also change the banked Staroption expiration. Didn't it use to be 2 years for everyone? Now it's in line with DC Points - 12, 18 and 24 months (latter only for Chairman).

I thought they said you won't be worse off???

That’s what I thought too. Don’t like the 1.5 year banking duration. I’m hoping that is only if you put your VSN SO into Abound. If you leave everything in VSN maybe it will still be 2 years? Going to talk to my guy sometime this week to learn more.

 

[DanCali]

And here is what allows them to do it (except they did say people won't be worse off with Abound)

 

[robertk2012]

Looks like the late checkout is gone.....

 

[DanCali]

Looks like the late checkout is gone.....

That’s what I thought too. Don’t like the 1.5 year banking duration. I’m hoping that is only if you put your VSN SO into Abound. If you leave everything in VSN maybe it will still be 2 years? Going to talk to my guy sometime this week to learn more.

I agree - even though I am 5-Star and find the Oct 31 deadline vs Dec 31 deadline minor, it's a bit frustrating. The late checkout was also a nice bonus to have, though they ignored it during covid.

Given that I already have enough MVC weeks that I can elect points with, I anticipate converting WKV to Abound points approximately never. I don't see a point in enrolling them and giving up any prior benefit if I can help it.

 

[dioxide45]

Here is the current VSN chart showing the dates as they are now.

 

[dioxide45]

I don't see a point in enrolling them and giving up any prior benefit if I can help it.

It actually looks like you will have to opt-out (however that works and if you actually can). Enrollment looks like it will be automatic with the option to opt-out.

 

[DanCali]

Looks like the late checkout is gone.....

Deadline to elect Bonvoy points also worse... not that anyone here uses that.

 

[ndang3]

It actually looks like you will have to opt-out (however that works and if you actually can). Enrollment looks like it will be automatic with the option to opt-out.

Where did you see this and the eliminated late check out which was at what time anyway?

 

[DanCali]

In the words of their CEO on Investor Day 6/16/2022:

Transcript by Rev.com Page 15 of 48 (https://ir.marriottvacationsworldwide.com/static-files/c255b213-f4b8-4090-9cfc-587aef00af3b)

Steve Weisz:
I'll start with the first part and then we'll ask Lori to chime in on the second part. There is no question that when you have three different platforms, whether it be Marriott Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, or Sheraton Vacation Club, they were all started in different iterations, different currencies, etc. Trying to find the common denominator between those and make sure that no one is disadvantaged as a result of joining Abound, which in fact is just another overlay. It’s another use option that you have.

Looking at the chart below, along with the 2-year Staroptions banking for all VSN members, and some of the other deadline in the document dioxide45 uploaded, I beg to differ...

 

[DanCali]

Where did you see this and the eliminated late check out which was at what time anyway?

Late checkout is 12pm. Seems minor, but if you have a flight at 4pm and can stay in the room 2 extra hours it can make the difference of an extra 1/2 day at the beach... Otherwise we typically just have breakfast and leave. FWIW there is also 2pm early checkin, which is much less reliable during peak times. Both of those are (were?) just for 5-Star.

Late checkout is not listed as a benefit and therefore we have to assume it's gone. It never existed in MVC and everything else now seems aligned, with some legacy SVN things like banking dates and banked SOs expiration worse than they were.

I suspect the 1-year banking will be a deal breaker for many who might be eligible to enroll but not excited about the program.

 

[tomvc]

Banking not disadvantage for first few years of integration. There's a footnote in VSN club points benefits posted by @ndang3.

* The new StarOptions banking use periods will apply to StarOptions banked beginning in 2025.

 

[DanCali]

Banking not disadvantage for first few years of integration. There's a footnote in VSN club points benefits posted by @ndang3.

* The new StarOptions banking use periods will apply to StarOptions banked beginning in 2025.

I saw that too. But it will be a disadvantage after two years…

It doesn't cure the problem, just weakens the pain for a while.

 

[Mulege]

I think January 2023 at Lagunamar was very hard to book compared to other years. Abound did not even start yet and odd things are happening already. I am very curious to see in October if those weeks show up miraculously in Abound and of course much more expensive than in VSN.

But if January had Platinum Plus SO pricing, it would be a lot less popular.

Generally timeshare developers manipulate the points charts so they can get more points from a room to then be able to sell more points and make more revenue. I suspect this is why Cabo has higher point pricing as it was sold as pure points, Aventuras.

Can Marriott change Lagunamar January from Gold to Platinum season?

 

[robertk2012]

Might be a new program by then.....

I saw that too. But it will be a disadvantage after two years…

It doesn't cure the problem, just weakens the pain for a while.

 

[kozykritter]

And here is what allows them to do it (except they did say people won't be worse off with Abound)

View attachment 63267

So basically John Ruble was lying when he said that in synching up benefits between the two programs, they would lean towards adopting the more generous policy, specifically when it came to banking. All they did was to take Marriott benefit policies and apply them to VSN. Admittedly I feel let down by the results... Damn my eternal optimism!

 

[kozykritter]

Everyone, they posted a very long list of detailed FAQs about Abound and VSN changes which you can link to off your dashboard when you log in to vistana.com.Mandatory resales before 8/9 are eligible to elect bound and also have their ownership count towards elite levels. They removed the language about them being given the opportunity and have just changed it to they are able to. There's no mention of any kind of enrollment or purchase requirement.

 

[Eric B]

Everyone, they posted a very long list of detailed FAQs about Abound and VSN changes, etc. Mandatory resales before 8/9 are eligible to elect bound and also have their ownership count towards elite levels. They removed the language about them being given the opportunity and have just changed it to they are able to. There's no mention of any kind of enrollment or purchase requirement. Go to your dashboard, scroll down to the bottom and click on site map, then click on important information under the Abound category, and then click on FAQ.

Site seems to be flooded right now and won't open - did you happen to copy the FAQs?

 

[kozykritter]

I was going to but it is way too long...probably 50+ questions with some long answers. I put Dioxide on the task since he's so good at it

 

[Eric B]

I was going to but it is way too long...probably 50+ questions with some long answers. I put Dioxide on the task since he's so good at it

That's probably why it's not working...

 

[remowidget]

Deleted

 

[DeniseM]

NEW THREAD HERE: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/n...ew-abound-vsn-documents-posted-online.343214/