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

[jabberwocky]

Regarding 13-12 months in reservations, people just don’t want to book so far in advance anymore. The TS industry needs to adapt.

Exactly. While I do make some home resort bookings at 12 months for places like WKORVN, I actually prefer the 8 month VSN window. We don’t really have a clue as to whether vacation time for my spouse will be approved or school vacation dates 12 months in advance. Anything done at 13 months would be highly speculative and I can really only seeing it benefiting those who rent their unit or are retired and/or have completely flexible schedules.

By 8 months out we have a pretty good idea of what our schedules will be and as a result will rarely need to make changes.

 

[CPNY]

Exactly. While I do make some home resort bookings at 12 months for places like WKORVN, I actually prefer the 8 month VSN window. We don’t really have a clue as to whether vacation time for my spouse will be approved or school vacation dates 12 months in advance. Anything done at 13 months would be highly speculative and I can really only seeing it benefiting those who rent their unit or are retired and/or have completely flexible schedules.

By 8 months out we have a pretty good idea of what our schedules will be and as a result will rarely need to make changes.

Right. I booked a trip for this May 10 months ago and while it’s exciting; there were a lot of really important events that popped up that I had to turn down because of this trip. I also prefer 8 months, but sometimes even that seems really far in advance.

Most young people and young families are more likely to book last minute trips or begin looking for a trip around the 4 month mark. I wouldn’t mind if they held back inventory and released a bit at a time, giving you more opportunities to book via points.

 

[duke]

Is there a date when the Bonvoy Titanium and Platinum will be updated for Vistana Elites? ie: 5Star = Titanium?

 

[dioxide45]

Is there a date when the Bonvoy Titanium and Platinum will be updated for Vistana Elites? ie: 5Star = Titanium?

I would expect it won't happen until after the full integration in June. It may not even happen until January/February 2023 given the timing on how they update status.

 

[pchung6]

Seriously, as an VSN mandatory resale owner, I still don’t see anything appealing I want to enroll even it’s free. Maybe the free Interval exchange is the only thing I see value added. Anything else I’ve seen or heard so far about the new program, no thanks.

 

[CPNY]

Seriously, as an VSN mandatory resale owner, I still don’t see anything appealing I want to enroll even it’s free. Maybe the free Interval exchange is the only thing I see value added. Anything else I’ve seen or heard so far about the new program, no thanks.

The interval exchange for no fee would be great for those who exchange. There are so many owners who don’t even know they get interval membership included in their VSN fee currently. There will be a small percentage of owners who will benefit from no fee exchanges. Most vistana owners are accustomed to booking their home resort or using the SO in the VSN. But I agree with you, I have no desire to elect for DC points so I’m not looking forward to retro any units for that access. I’ll stick with my VSN until it’s dead. Once that happens, then I’ll use interval as much as I can.

 

[dioxide45]

As a mandatory resale owner, a benefit for me if we could even enroll would be to achieve at least Executive status in the DC program. That is if the combined Club Points from Vistana plus the Club Points from our Marriott ownership could be combined for this higher status. This would allow for 1+ night 13 month reservations as well as a 25% discount on 30 day point reservations. While we don't use points very often, we sometimes rent last minute and using those points for some discounted stays would be good for us.

 

[CPNY]

As a mandatory resale owner, a benefit for me if we could even enroll would be to achieve at least Executive status in the DC program. That is if the combined Club Points from Vistana plus the Club Points from our Marriott ownership could be combined for this higher status. This would allow for 1+ night 13 month reservations as well as a 25% discount on 30 day point reservations. While we don't use points very often, we sometimes rent last minute and using those points for some discounted stays would be good for us.

Apparently you can combine for status***. According to someone on the Vistana/Marriott FB page who did an owners update today, they were shown a website that has a conversion calculator. 162K Sheraton Flex was giving them 4730 DC points. Here is where the “you can combine” part comes in. The sales rep*** was getting them to buy 2500 points to get them to the corresponding level that 7K DC points will give.

photos of the calculator were posted.

 

[pchung6]

As a mandatory resale owner, a benefit for me if we could even enroll would be to achieve at least Executive status in the DC program. That is if the combined Club Points from Vistana plus the Club Points from our Marriott ownership could be combined for this higher status. This would allow for 1+ night 13 month reservations as well as a 25% discount on 30 day point reservations. While we don't use points very often, we sometimes rent last minute and using those points for some discounted stays would be good for us.

I’m not sure about 13 month reservation beside booking it for rental. My home resort is 12 month, I don’t understand how they can create new rule to supersede the deed week. Marriott can do whatever they want, I just stick to my VSN till death. I think currently VSN also has discount for last minute booking. For me, I have zero none interest in anything from Marriott beside Ko Olina. I will stay in VSN as long as I can.

 

[dsmrp]

Seriously, as an VSN mandatory resale owner, I still don’t see anything appealing I want to enroll even it’s free. Maybe the free Interval exchange is the only thing I see value added. Anything else I’ve seen or heard so far about the new program, no thanks.

The interval exchange for no fee would be great for those who exchange, there are so many owners who don’t even know they get interval membership included in their VSN fee currently. There will be a small percentage of owners who will benefit from no fee exchanges. Most vistana owners are accustomed to booking their home resort or using the SO in the VSN. But I agree with you, I have no desire to elect for DC points so I’m not looking forward to retro any units for that access. I’ll stick with my VSN until it’s dead. Once that happens, then I’ll use interval as much as I can.

From Denise's contacts answers, it appears that Flex point owners will have free II exchanges, but weeks owners will not. They'll continue to have discounted Vistana to Marriott exchanges as we do now. Perhaps he/she was mis-understanding the question. I would think that eligible weeks owners electing to DC points would have no cost exchanges (included in the revised MVC club fee)

 

[dsmrp]

Apparently you can combine for status***. According to someone on the Vistana/Marriott FB page who did an owners update today, they were shown a website that has a conversion calculator. 162K Sheraton Flex was giving them 4730 DC points. Here is where the “you can combine” part comes in. The sales rep*** was getting them to buy 2500 points to get them to the corresponding level that 7K DC points will give.

photos of the calculator were posted.

162K flex points should qualify the person for Vistana 3* Elite, assuming 1 Flex pt = 1 star option. It was stated several times that 3* Elite would be given the Executive MVC status level which starts at 7000 club pts. Why would this Flex owner need to buy additional pts to get to Executive level?

 

[CPNY]

From Denise's contacts answers, it appears that Flex point owners will have free II exchanges, but weeks owners will not. They'll continue to have discounted Vistana to Marriott exchanges as we do now. Perhaps he/she was mis-understanding the question. I would think that eligible weeks owners electing to DC points would have no cost exchanges (included in the revised MVC club fee)

I would agree, don’t enrolled Marriott weeks owners get free Marriott to Marriott exchanges? I would assume enrolled VSE weeks would have the same if the VSN fee is increasing. As an unenrolled mandatory resale owner I’ll be annoyed if they increase my VSN without the added benefits. Then it’s just a price hike. This is also why I posted we need clarification on the “it seems that if you pay the VSN fee you’re eligible to convert” which was followed up with “I need more information but it seems only enrolled weeks will have ability to convert”. Which is it? Since all ownerships in the VSN regardless of enrolled status pay the VSN membership fee

 

[pchung6]

From Denise's contacts answers, it appears that Flex point owners will have free II exchanges, but weeks owners will not. They'll continue to have discounted Vistana to Marriott exchanges as we do now. Perhaps he/she was mis-understanding the question. I would think that eligible weeks owners electing to DC points would have no cost exchanges (included in the revised MVC club fee)

Thanks for clarifying. I really cannot see a reason to spend $20K+ to retro just to join new program. Everything I own in VSN is amazing. I don’t like anything from Marriott. Anything this company does, I just dislike. I won’t even join for free. I just stick to VSN until it’s totally dead and killed by Marriott.

 

[CPNY]

162K flex points should qualify the person for Vistana 3* Elite, assuming 1 Flex pt = 1 star option. It was stated several times that 3* Elite would be given the Executive MVC status level which starts at 7000 club pts. Why would this Flex owner need to buy additional pts to get to Executive level?

Um because a sales rep said so lol.

 

[dsmrp]

Um because a sales rep said so lol.

Buyer beware

 

[YYJMSP]

It’s actually $20k for ambassador. Now if they counted MFs for some TUG members towards tha it would be easy. But they don’t.

There's no real change in benefits from Titanium to Ambassador.

Same elite points. Same lounge/breakfast/upgrade access.

Your24 is pretty much never OKed. Personal contact point is email 2days later from a pool of reps. No real extras for recognition.

For the life of me, I can't think of what other benefits there are.

In the old days, it was definitely better...

 

[CPNY]

I get nothing as a titanium. I get a thank you and that’s about it. I was once “upgraded”. The put me in was smaller than the room I booked. THANKS MARRIOTT

 

[kozykritter]

162K flex points should qualify the person for Vistana 3* Elite, assuming 1 Flex pt = 1 star option. It was stated several times that 3* Elite would be given the Executive MVC status level which starts at 7000 club pts. Why would this Flex owner need to buy additional pts to get to Executive level?

Not if their flex ownership was all in one VOI contract. For any Vistana elite level you need two or more VOI contracts. It would be far cheaper for them to buy a second Sheraton flex VOI of minimum amount which I think is 20,700 options which costs about $8,000 rather than buying 2,500 DC points which will cost three times as much. Then they would have 3* which converts to Executive according to Denise's contact.

 

[pchung6]

I get nothing as a titanium. I get a thank you and that’s about it. I was once “upgraded”. The put me in was smaller than the room I booked. THANKS MARRIOTT

I've been SPG platinum for many years and titanium with Marriott last 4 years. I got almost nothing since Marriott dissolved SPG. Not even room upgrade last 3 years. Last month I was in Cupertino visiting a client, I got 2 bottles of water and that was it. I asked to use business lounge to meet/talk with client, Marriott front desk gave me cold face in front of my client and didn't even offer us beers said the card is not functioning, so we can only stay but can't open refrig. Never happened with SPG. When it was SPG at the hotel i stayed frequently, employees would immediately recognize me and knew what I wanted. SPG took care of me very well.

 

[TravelTime]

In basic terms, based on my understanding from the responses;

• Resale Voluntary (unqualified) - No VSN : Won't be able to participate
• Resale Mandatory (unqualified) - Yes in VSN : Won't be able to participate
• Resale Requalified (you bought a vistana week or flex to make your week as good as direct - Yes in VSN : Yes can participate
• Retail Direct - Yes in VSN : Yes can participate

An even easier way to look at it;
Can you convert your VOI to Bonvoy Points?

• If Yes, then you will be able to convert to Club Points
• If No, then you won't be able to convert to Club Points

Club Points=MVC DC Points

Thank you for your explanation. It sounds like folks are interpreting the responses from Denise’s source to mean it is possible that Vistana mandatory week owners may be able to convert to MVC DPs if they purchase DPs to qualify the mandatory week. Am I understanding this correctly?

I am not sure I recall where he directly said this. Did the source actually state this or are we interpreting that he said this.

 

[Eric B]

Thank you for your explanation. It sounds like folks are interpreting the responses from Denise’s source to mean it is possible that Vistana mandatory week owners may be able to convert to MVC DPs if they purchase DPs to qualify the mandatory week. Am I understanding this correctly?

I am not sure I recall where he directly said this. Did the source actually state this or are we interpreting that he said this.

I don't believe the source said that unqualified Vistana mandatory ownerships would be eligible to convert to MVC DPs. I believe that what the source said was that they would not be eligible, but also said that ownerships for which someone pays a VSN fee would be eligible to convert - this is somewhat contradictory. There was also some discussion of increased VSN fees that would cover a number of things that may or may not include having the ability to convert to MVC DPs. In the end, I don't have the impression that the source had a great understanding of what was being asked so I'm waiting to see what comes out in writing in an official announcement. I've always preferred to be able to refer to the terms and conditions directly rather than what someone in sales thinks they say and I don't believe that sales actually has them yet.

 

[TravelTime]

I don't believe the source said that unqualified Vistana mandatory ownerships would be eligible to convert to MVC DPs. I believe that what the source said was that they would not be eligible, but also said that ownerships for which someone pays a VSN fee would be eligible to convert - this is somewhat contradictory. There was also some discussion of increased VSN fees that would cover a number of things that may or may not include having the ability to convert to MVC DPs. In the end, I don't have the impression that the source had a great understanding of what was being asked so I'm waiting to see what comes out in writing in an official announcement. I've always preferred to be able to refer to the terms and conditions directly rather than what someone in sales thinks they say and I don't believe that sales actually has them yet.

Yes this is what I was interpreting too. I was confused with things the source said and also saw contradictions. I think “wait and see” makes sense.

 

[CVC]

162K flex points should qualify the person for Vistana 3* Elite, assuming 1 Flex pt = 1 star option. It was stated several times that 3* Elite would be given the Executive MVC status level which starts at 7000 club pts. Why would this Flex owner need to buy additional pts to get to Executive level?

Because they own Sheraton Flex and it supposedly the second lowest conversion rate (according to other posts). The executive level has to be 7000 MVC and their Sheraton flex only got them to 4730.

 

[tamu_bu]

I'd say it depends on searching ability. If you can search DC before making election then it really is the best of both worlds as you can search for availability and then opt into whichever program gives you what you need.

Denise's follow up from Mr.X answered this question that I asked.

Q. When electing to convert annual SO's into DC, will one have the ability to view Marriott availability before finalizing the conversion?

Mr.X. NO, keep in mind you can book Vistana if you convert so there is nothing to lose."

 

[Mowogo]

Because they own Sheraton Flex and it supposedly the second lowest conversion rate (according to other posts). The executive level has to be 7000 MVC and their Sheraton flex only got them to 4730.

The system is set up to handle grandfathering even when not at the minimum for the standard. The benefits of 3* align closer to Executive so it makes sense to start there. Also from an enrollment incentive there are enough owners at the 3 star level where the Marriott figures the minimal cost of having elites below the executive level grandfathered is a minimal cost to provide more reason for them to trade into DC initially.