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

[daviator]

I wonder what all this means for the remaining build-out at WDW? They'd been adding new buildings pretty regularly until a couple of years ago. I think there are 4 or 5 more buildings (and maybe another pool) before that property is "finished."

But now that they are only selling points and not specific properties, this might be one of the cheaper places for them to add inventory to the program to give them points to sell. So maybe they'll get built. I will ask again next time I have an owner update there, not that they ever know anything.

 

[Mroze]

After reading everything in this thread I can surmise the following:

Developer-Units are eligible to participate in the DC-Program
Resale-Enrolled [Mandatory or Voluntary] are eligible to participate in the DC-Program

Are Eligible: This does not mean that these owners are automatically enrolled [no cost] within the DC-Program.
I was told at multiple sales presentations [corp + other] that there will be a Purchase [DC-Points] necessary in order to participate in the DC-Program.
Only after eligible Vistana-Owners purchased some minimal DC-Points could one gain TS-Status [Presidents, Chairmans] and/or Bonvoy-Status [Platinum, Titanium].

Anyone else heard this?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Just returned from WKORV - Wow! This has taken off. Guess I should have done an owner update last Friday, but weather was too good.

In DeniseM’s post #1… (in other thread)
She states that “Now 3 star and above get Platinum for life”

What? is this a typo? Or is the reference to ‘3 Star’ mean something else and not 3* Elite?

We’re going to need another acronym stickie - hard to keep up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sicnarf]

At the end of the day, there will only be one program - the MVC DC program. The VSE points and weeks will be just another class of enrolled and un-enrolled inventory in addition to the exiting MVC inventory. Owners of enrolled VSE points and weeks will have access to what they currently have today plus the DC program. Owners of unenrolled VSE points and weeks will continue to have access to whatever exchange system they currently have (II, VSN, Flex, etc..) Enrolled flex could be rolled into the DC program potentially but I think VSN will continue on.

 

[bizaro86]

I do still beleive that there are two separate agreements between Marriott Vacations Worldwide and Marriott International regarding the licencing of the Marriott, Sheraton and Westin brands. I recall the agreement between ILG and Starwood didn't allow for new resorts to be built out under those brands. I don't recall the specific restrictions or what if anything could be used to overcome them, but I recall something about it. Just because a new Westin or Sheraton property is built, it doesn't necessarily mean it has to be available in VSE. It could simply be conveyed to the DC trust and sold that way. The resort would be voluntary and Vistana/MVC just chooses to not allow it to participate in VSE.

This is correct. The spin off of Vistana from Starwood precluded anyone else from building Sheraton/Westin vacation ownership resorts, but didn't include the rights to new development, outside of the 3 hotels that were transferred (Kauai and the 2 Mexico properties). So unless they have renegotiated with the new Marriott hotels firm a ground up development couldn't use the Westin or Sheraton names. They do have rights to develop using the Marriott name without additional payment, so I would expect that would be what they do if they develop.

The only possible exception I could see would be if they converted part of an existing hotel that was Westin branded they might try and negotiate to use the Westin name for the vacation club as well. (Eg the MVC property in Washington DC)

 

[dioxide45]

Just returned from WKORV - Wow! This has taken off. Guess I should have done an owner update last Friday, but weather was too good.

In DeniseM’s post #1… (in other thread)
She states that “Now 3 star and above get Platinum for life”

What? is this a typo? Or is the reference to ‘3 Star’ mean something else and not 3* Elite?

We’re going to need another acronym stickie - hard to keep up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3 Star = 3* Elite

 

[Sicnarf]

After reading everything in this thread I can surmise the following:

Developer-Units are eligible to participate in the DC-Program
Resale-Enrolled [Mandatory or Voluntary] are eligible to participate in the DC-Program

Are Eligible: This does not mean that these owners are automatically enrolled [no cost] within the DC-Program.
I was told at multiple sales presentations [corp + other] that there will be a Purchase [DC-Points] necessary in order to participate in the DC-Program.
Only after eligible Vistana-Owners purchased some minimal DC-Points could one gain TS-Status [Presidents, Chairmans] and/or Bonvoy-Status [Platinum, Titanium].

Anyone else heard this?

No requirement to purchase unless VSE owner wants priority access to high demand Trust owned intervals. Equivalent MVC status is automatic based on VSE elite status.

 

[dioxide45]

This is correct. The spin off of Vistana from Starwood precluded anyone else from building Sheraton/Westin vacation ownership resorts, but didn't include the rights to new development, outside of the 3 hotels that were transferred (Kauai and the 2 Mexico properties). So unless they have renegotiated with the new Marriott hotels firm a ground up development couldn't use the Westin or Sheraton names. They do have rights to develop using the Marriott name without additional payment, so I would expect that would be what they do if they develop.

The only possible exception I could see would be if they converted part of an existing hotel that was Westin branded they might try and negotiate to use the Westin name for the vacation club as well. (Eg the MVC property in Washington DC)

From what I recall, those agreements go back to when ILG was being pressured to sell the Starwood Vacation Ownership brand (which became Vistana). That deal was made when it was still an independant ILG and thoughs were that the agreements were made in a way to force ILGs hand in selling itself or at least Vistana to Marriott Vacations Worldwide. Without the ability to build out new resorts (other than the 3), ILG was kind of stuck and thus why they ended up selling to VAC.

 

[Sicnarf]

Just returned from WKORV - Wow! This has taken off. Guess I should have done an owner update last Friday, but weather was too good.

In DeniseM’s post #1… (in other thread)
She states that “Now 3 star and above get Platinum for life”

What? is this a typo? Or is the reference to ‘3 Star’ mean something else and not 3* Elite?

We’re going to need another acronym stickie - hard to keep up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This was clarified in a later post.

 

[dioxide45]

After reading everything in this thread I can surmise the following:

Developer-Units are eligible to participate in the DC-Program
Resale-Enrolled [Mandatory or Voluntary] are eligible to participate in the DC-Program

Are Eligible: This does not mean that these owners are automatically enrolled [no cost] within the DC-Program.
I was told at multiple sales presentations [corp + other] that there will be a Purchase [DC-Points] necessary in order to participate in the DC-Program.
Only after eligible Vistana-Owners purchased some minimal DC-Points could one gain TS-Status [Presidents, Chairmans] and/or Bonvoy-Status [Platinum, Titanium].

Anyone else heard this?

Based on the responses from Denise's contact, there will be no requirement to purchase anything in order to use enrolled (otherwise known as qualified) in order to use the DC program. So if you own a developer purchased or retroed ownership today, it will be able to play in DC.

 

[VacationForever]

Based on the responses from Denise's contact, there will be no requirement to purchase anything in order to use enrolled (otherwise known as qualified) in order to use the DC program. So if you own a developer purchased or retroed ownership today, it will be able to play in DC.

In our last owners update at Westin Kierland, the salesperson said the same thing - developer or retro'ed ownership does not require to spend more money to be enrolled into the new program.

 

[CPNY]

I'm only going to address this once:

My "Source" is very knowledgeable and well-respected in the timeshare community. Anyone who thinks I would "promote" something unethical doesn't know me, or TUG very well. Rude responses will be deleted.

If you trust your source, I trust your source….

 

[Mowogo]

From what I recall, those agreements go back to when ILG was being pressured to sell the Starwood Vacation Ownership brand (which became Vistana). That deal was made when it was still an independant ILG and thoughs were that the agreements were made in a way to force ILGs hand in selling itself or at least Vistana to Marriott Vacations Worldwide. Without the ability to build out new resorts (other than the 3), ILG was kind of stuck and thus why they ended up selling to VAC.

And I could see expansion of the Sheraton and Westin brands on timeshares, but only in the specific situation of a market where they are building another property in existing markets Where Marriott hotels might want to get the other brand name there without having a property.

 

[DavidnRobin]

This was clarified in a later post.

I finally got that far thanks.
The sentence is written oddly.
Because ‘Now’ 3* is Gold, but assume going forward from now 3* and above is Platinum.
But… what does Platinum mean in the background of the new Marriott levels?

Sorry - I know little about Marriott other than their IT group sucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mroze]

In our last owners update at Westin Kierland, the salesperson said the same thing - developer or retro'ed ownership does not require to spend more money to be enrolled into the new program.

This is the exact opposite of what we were told at last week's Marriott Virtual-Presentation [via Teams] from Corp.
This is also what was conveyed to us at the last few presentations.

Being hybrid owners [Marriott + Vistana] I explicitly asked if Vistana-Owners like myself would be able to participate in the DC-Program and was told very clearly "Not unless you purchased additional DC-Points"

Will wait and see and hope we don't have to shell out any more money.

 

[pchung6]

It is purely my speculation. Vistana week owners, (All developer or resale, All mandatory or voluntary), might need to buy a small number of points like 1000-1500 DC pts in order to enroll. Probably Flex Pts owners can be enrolled for free or a small fee. Does anyone know or remember when Marriott launched DC pts 10+ yrs ago, legacy Marriott week owners needed to purchase points or enrollment fees?

 

[VacationForever]

This is the exact opposite of what we were told at last week's Marriott Virtual-Presentation [via Teams] from Corp.
This is also what was conveyed to us at the last few presentations.

Being hybrid owners [Marriott + Vistana] I explicitly asked if Vistana-Owners like myself would be able to participate in the DC-Program and was told very clearly "Not unless you purchased additional DC-Points"

Will wait and see and hope we don't have to shell out any more money.

If you have been reading Denise's posts, the answer which she received was that there will not be an enrollment fee for Vistana developer and requalified ownership.

 

[divenski]

When people say that Marriott's IT is bad, are they referring to the hotel or timeshare side? I was about to post that the TS system has always worked well for me.

Having said that, I just tried doing a search for next year in MVCI and got this message. Most likely though, this is due to the upcoming integration as I have never seen this before.

 

[divenski]

It is purely my speculation. Vistana week owners, (All developer or resale, All mandatory or voluntary), might need to buy a small number of points like 1000-1500 DC pts in order to enroll. Probably Flex Pts owners can be enrolled for free or a small fee. Does anyone know or remember when Marriott launched DC pts 10+ yrs ago, legacy Marriott week owners needed to purchase points or enrollment fees?

There was a modest enrollment fee, maybe $500 for developer weeks, which is a lot less than a 1000 DC points. A resale required more, maybe $1K, but still not too bad.

 

[dioxide45]

I finally got that far thanks.
The sentence is written oddly.
Because ‘Now’ 3* is Gold, but assume going forward from now 3* and above is Platinum.
But… what does Platinum mean in the background of the new Marriott levels?

Sorry - I know little about Marriott other than their IT group sucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the whole thing is confusing. It should really say that 3* Elite will be at least Platinum. They expect they actually match up to the Marriott levels as follows;

3* - MVC Executive - Bonvoy Platinum
4* - MVC Presidential - Bonvoy Titanium
5* - MVC Chairman's Club - Bonvoy Titanium

There are benefits that come with the MVC levels with regard to timeshare ownership and other benefits that come with the Bonvoy levels at Marriott hotel properties (and timeshare properties).

 

[Mroze]

It is purely my speculation. Vistana week owners, (All developer or resale, All mandatory or voluntary), might need to buy a small number of points like 1000-1500 DC pts in order to enroll. Probably Flex Pts owners can be enrolled for free or a small fee. Does anyone know or remember when Marriott launched DC pts 10+ yrs ago, legacy Marriott week owners needed to purchase points or enrollment fees?

This is my expectation too.

If this is the case [Vistana-Owners need to pay to play] many on this thread will be very disappointed.

 

[TravelTime]

I am confused by a reply Denise got. Her source said you need to upgrade resale weeks before it goes live. How will be know when to do that? How will be know what the live date is if it is not announced until it is live?

Also I got confused but did the source say resale owners can upgrade? And for no fee?

 

[dioxide45]

There was a modest enrollment fee, maybe $500 for developer weeks, which is a lot less than a 1000 DC points. A resale required more, maybe $1K, but still not too bad.

The original Marriott DC enrollment fees were as follows.

1 Direct Week - $595
2 or more Direct Weeks - $695
1 External Week - $1,495
2 or more External Weeks - $1,995

 

[dioxide45]

I am confused by a reply Denise got. Her source said you need to upgrade resale weeks before it goes live. How will be know when to do that? How will be know what the live date is if it is not announced until it is live?

Also I got confused but did the source say resale owners can upgrade? And for no fee?

I don't see where the source said resale owners could upgrade for no fee. I am sure between now and June there will be a big push to get people through the sales floor to "upgrade". Even as they have done up to now, they will tell everyone they need some Flex in order to participate. That doesn't look to be true unless you need to retro some resale weeks.

 

[SueDonJ]

I finally got that far thanks.
The sentence is written oddly.
Because ‘Now’ 3* is Gold, but assume going forward from now 3* and above is Platinum.
But… what does Platinum mean in the background of the new Marriott levels?

Sorry - I know little about Marriott other than their IT group sucks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This "Benefits At A Glance" chart differentiates benefits according to the status tiers of ownership (Owner, Select, Executive, Presidential, Chairman's Club) in Marriott Vacations Worldwide:
https://www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com/common/cms/mvc/pdfs/owners/Owner-Benefit-Level.pdf
The bottom line shows which Bonvoy status is conferred with Destination Club status.

The "Benefits At A Glance" chart about halfway down this page differentiates benefits according to the status tiers of membership (Member, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, Ambassador) in Marriott, International's Bonvoy loyalty program:
https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/member-benefits.mi

According to the info Denise posted in her Q&A thread: "Here is some basic info: 3 Star members get Executive, 4 Star, Presidential, and 5 Star, Chairman, regardless of how many DC points they convert to. Now all 3 Star and above get Platinum for life." Toggling between the two programs makes it a little confusing but I would assume:

- 3* confers the same Bonvoy status as Destination Club Executive membership confers, i.e. Platinum
- 4* confers the same Bonvoy status as Destination Club Presidential membership confers, i.e. Titanium
- 5* confers the same Bonvoy status as Destination Club Chairman's Club membership confers, i.e. Titanium

***********************
At the least this post will help you figure out which ownership/membership terms apply to either Marriott owners or Bonvoy members, but as time goes on maybe more of the info in the charts will start making some sense related to upcoming Vistana changes, too.