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

[CPNY]

Perhaps this was just salesspeak for the ability to obtain reservations at Vistana resorts using DPs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That’s what I figured but like the game of telephone…

 

[daviator]

That’s what I figured but like the game of telephone…

This whole thing is like the game of telephone – including this thread. July can't come soon enough, because all of the conflicting information and speculation is getting a little old.

The latest person posting about what they were told and promised – they even spent money based on that – were told very different things, apparently, than I was told during an update just a week ago. And it's all different from what Denise's secret source has said. So what to believe? Believe what they put in writing, because everything else is at best like a game of telephone, several people down the chain... and at worst, is just lies.

 

[DanCali]

The latest person posting about what they were told and promised – they even spent money based on that – were told very different things, apparently, than I was told during an update just a week ago. And it's all different from what Denise's secret source has said. So what to believe? .

It’s simple. They know what you own. They will ask some seemingly harmless questions in the guise of smalltalk to find out how you think. Then they will tell you exactly what they think you hear so you sign the dotted line before you leave.

Everyone has different triggers. Everyone hears a different story.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cjscotto]

I'm new to TUG and I apologize in advance if any of this has been addressed elsewhere. I tried searching the thread...but it is voluminous.

I own several MVC units PLUS Vistana - Atlantis

Has MVC outlined what/how Atlantis will integrate to MVC?

Again...apologies if this has been asked and answered.

 

[kozykritter]

I'm new to TUG and I apologize in advance if any of this has been addressed elsewhere. I tried searching the thread...but it is voluminous.

I own several MVC units PLUS Vistana - Atlantis

Has MVC outlined what/how Atlantis will integrate to MVC?

Again...apologies if this has been asked and answered.

Do a search of this thread for the word Harborside to get caught up on it.

 

[rickandcindy23]

It’s simple. They know what you own. They will ask some seemingly harmless questions in the guise of smalltalk to find out how you think. Then they will tell you exactly what they think you hear so you sign the dotted line before you leave.

Everyone has different triggers. Everyone hears a different story.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[CPNY]

This whole thing is like the game of telephone – including this thread. July can't come soon enough, because all of the conflicting information and speculation is getting a little old.

The latest person posting about what they were told and promised – they even spent money based on that – were told very different things, apparently, than I was told during an update just a week ago. And it's all different from what Denise's secret source has said. So what to believe? Believe what they put in writing, because everything else is at best like a game of telephone, several people down the chain... and at worst, is just lies.

Wait… July? I thought it was June LOL. We can’t even get that right haha

 

[CPNY]

I'm new to TUG and I apologize in advance if any of this has been addressed elsewhere. I tried searching the thread...but it is voluminous.

I own several MVC units PLUS Vistana - Atlantis

Has MVC outlined what/how Atlantis will integrate to MVC?

Again...apologies if this has been asked and answered.

It is written in the fine print of whatever was rolled out, Harborside at Atlantis will be eligible to be converted at a future date. Apparently in 2022 for 2024 reservations.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I will tell you two big changes with the new owner services people at Vistana: 1) They have no idea what they are doing when it comes to booking reservations over a year out for my deeded weeks; and 2) Locking off a unit into a two bedroom and a one bedroom is a chore they do not seem to know how to accomplish.

From now on I will book my SBP lockoffs as two sides separately and not book the full lockoff. The resort will put the units back together for those who need it.

Clueless people.

This brings me to a question about my new ownership at Westin Ka'anapali because I have two weeks reserved in the full unit, full lockoff, for one date. Am I going to get the studio side of the unit keyed differently? Basically, I am asking if I can add guests added to that studio side. We have no need of the full 2 bedroom lockoff, we just want the one bedroom side.

This owner services guy was talking about this process of locking off units and trying to find new reservations for the same dates. I was lost with what he was saying, thinking, "What??????" Then I realized he is talking Staroptions, most likely.

 

[VacationForever]

This brings me to a question about my new ownership at Westin Ka'anapali because I have two weeks reserved in the full unit, full lockoff, for one date. Am I going to get the studio side of the unit keyed differently? Basically, I am asking if I can add guests added to that studio side. We have no need of the full 2 bedroom lockoff, we just want the one bedroom side.

Can you not have owner services split the 2BR L/O into 2 separate reservations if it is not already done in the background? Based on my recent experience, they showed up as 2 reservations in marriott.com even though I had booked 2BR L/O as one reservation. Having 2 reservations for my booking got me concerned that they were going to split my room up.

 

[remowidget]

From now on I will book my SBP lockoffs as two sides separately and not book the full lockoff. The resort will put the units back together for those who need it.

Clueless people.

If you don't want to deal with clueless people, book online. I mostly have booked online and prefer it as I can see exactly what is available and what I'm booking.

 

[vacation dreaming]

I will tell you two big changes with the new owner services people at Vistana: 1) They have no idea what they are doing when it comes to booking reservations over a year out for my deeded weeks; and 2) Locking off a unit into a two bedroom and a one bedroom is a chore they do not seem to know how to accomplish.

From now on I will book my SBP lockoffs as two sides separately and not book the full lockoff. The resort will put the units back together for those who need it.

Clueless people.

This brings me to a question about my new ownership at Westin Ka'anapali because I have two weeks reserved in the full unit, full lockoff, for one date. Am I going to get the studio side of the unit keyed differently? Basically, I am asking if I can add guests added to that studio side. We have no need of the full 2 bedroom lockoff, we just want the one bedroom side.

This owner services guy was talking about this process of locking off units and trying to find new reservations for the same dates. I was lost with what he was saying, thinking, "What??????" Then I realized he is talking Staroptions, most likely.

I have been going to Westin Ka’anapali for 18 years and they always ask how I want the rooms keyed. If I have guests, I give them the guests names at checkin and they had no problem adding them. We have also given two different credit cards for room charges to the two rooms, but that was messed up once. I would, however, be more concerned about assuming the resort will put the rooms together if you have reserved the lock-off separately. These rooms are assigned based on time stamps and I wouldn’t assume that they would be willing to put them together.

 

[steve1000]

I have a question regarding the 13 month window for post-combination reservations. If I own a resale Marriott week and I also own a resale Westin week both in the same season for which I would like to book consecutive back to back reservations will I be able to do so under the Marriott 13 month window? Would the result be different if both weeks were developer purchased? Or in order to use the 13 month window must both weeks be Marriott timeshares? I know if they were both Marriott timeshares the 13 month window would clearly be available. If they are both developer purchased I don't think that we know for sure how this would work but I suspect once there is guidance it would ultimately be permissible. What if only the Westin timeshare was developer purchased would that be sufficient to utilize the 13 month window? Not sure it would affect the above analysis but I believe I will be Presidential or Chairman's level once the combination is effected. This might all be speculation but I would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[TravelTime]

Someone mentioned earlier that in the new program, the 8 month booking window will go away and all Westin properties will be bookable at 12 months. They said Marriott properties will still be at 13 months. To me, this does not make a lot of sense for people who are buying direct from MVC. I would hope I could use my DPs at 13 months to book any property in the new integrated program. If someone has paid MVC for an integrated program, shouldn’t they get the same benefits listed on the MVC benefits chart based on their total DPs (including converted SOs to DPs)?

 

[VacationForever]

I have a question regarding the 13 month window for post-combination reservations. If I own a resale Marriott week and I also own a resale Westin week both in the same season for which I would like to book consecutive back to back reservations will I be able to do so under the Marriott 13 month window? Would the result be different if both weeks were developer purchased? Or in order to use the 13 month window must both weeks be Marriott timeshares? I know if they were both Marriott timeshares the 13 month window would clearly be available. If they are both developer purchased I don't think that we know for sure how this would work but I suspect once there is guidance it would ultimately be permissible. What if only the Westin timeshare was developer purchased would that be sufficient to utilize the 13 month window? Not sure it would affect the above analysis but I believe I will be Presidential or Chairman's level once the combination is effected. This might all be speculation but I would appreciate your thoughts.

In Marriott system, you don't need developer-purchased week to be able to book at 13 months out for 2 consecutive or concurrent weeks. My guess would be MVC would allow 13 months booking for Westin weeks as well. Who knows!

 

[DanCali]

I have a question regarding the 13 month window for post-combination reservations. If I own a resale Marriott week and I also own a resale Westin week both in the same season for which I would like to book consecutive back to back reservations will I be able to do so under the Marriott 13 month window? Would the result be different if both weeks were developer purchased? Or in order to use the 13 month window must both weeks be Marriott timeshares? I know if they were both Marriott timeshares the 13 month window would clearly be available. If they are both developer purchased I don't think that we know for sure how this would work but I suspect once there is guidance it would ultimately be permissible. What if only the Westin timeshare was developer purchased would that be sufficient to utilize the 13 month window? Not sure it would affect the above analysis but I believe I will be Presidential or Chairman's level once the combination is effected. This might all be speculation but I would appreciate your thoughts.

You would only be able to book the Westin timeshare with points at 13 months out. I don't believe the 13 month rule would apply to any VSN timeshare for a home resort reservation. There is nothing in the official documents that mentions 13 months. I can't see how they suddenly change that and put single week owners at a disadvantage.

From WKV Owner Docs:
Home Resort Reservation Period means the four (4)-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending eight (8) months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period. The Home Resort Reservation Period is comprised of the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period.

 

[Mroze]

I have a question regarding the 13 month window for post-combination reservations. If I own a resale Marriott week and I also own a resale Westin week both in the same season for which I would like to book consecutive back to back reservations will I be able to do so under the Marriott 13 month window? Would the result be different if both weeks were developer purchased? Or in order to use the 13 month window must both weeks be Marriott timeshares? I know if they were both Marriott timeshares the 13 month window would clearly be available. If they are both developer purchased I don't think that we know for sure how this would work but I suspect once there is guidance it would ultimately be permissible. What if only the Westin timeshare was developer purchased would that be sufficient to utilize the 13 month window? Not sure it would affect the above analysis but I believe I will be Presidential or Chairman's level once the combination is effected. This might all be speculation but I would appreciate your thoughts.

Unsure what you mean by "Combination".
I was under the impression that Marriott would combine our Westin + Marriott ownerships to create a Unified-Status.
After multiple presentations [both Marriott + Vistana] I have come to realize that there will be no Unified-Status.

We will continue to have 2 x Distinct Ownerships and 2 x Distinct Statuses.
The integration will be 1-Way [VSN --> Marriott] and result in the following:

• Our Marriott-Ownership will remain unchanged. No Level-Change.
• Each of our VSN-Eligible [Direct/Retro'd] weeks will be assigned a DCP-Equivalent.
  • If we choose to Enroll our Account, the sum of our Eligible weeks will be used to decide our status.
  • E.g. 6-Enrolled-WKV x 2BR-EY-PLAT+ weeks currently equate to 888600-SO [148.1K-SO x 6] or 5*-Elite.
  • 5*-Elite will designate the Primary-Account-Owner as Bonvoy-Titanium as long as we maintain 5*-Elite Status.
  • Our VSN-Ownership will receive a standing in the Marriott-System based on what we own.
    • 5*-Elite will designate the Account as Marriott equivalent of Chairmans-Club [+15K-DCP].
    • BTW: There is a possibility that Marriot will create a new level above Chairmans-Club. Possibly 20K-25K/DCP.
• We would have to pay a new SINGLE Marriott Club-Dues which would eliminate all current A-La-Carte VSN-Fees.
• Each year these 6 x WKV-Weeks [888600-SO] would accrue 24300-DCP [4050-DCP/Week x 6].
  • Each year we could elect to use our VSN-Ownership as we do today with no change [including depositing and exchanging via Interval].
  • Additionally: We could choose to elect DCP-Points and exchange internally within the Marriott DCP-System.

 

[DavidnRobin]

In Marriott system, you don't need developer-purchased week to be able to book at 13 months out for 2 consecutive or concurrent weeks. My guess would be MVC would allow 13 months booking for Westin weeks as well. Who knows!

Regardless of the CCRs and VSN Docs - they can change those with a vote that they control…

They can only use those VOIs (or Points) held by Marriott DC inventory.
They can’t hold own more than is due to them legally by their ownership.

E.G. If WKORV/N Owners hold 80% of weeks/points, it would be illegal for them to use more than 20% for whatever usage they want (Rental, DCP) whether at 13 months or 12 months or 8 months or 60/90 days (?) - at this point all unused inventory is theirs.

Nothing stopping them from taken the prime weeks though as there is zero transparency.

Or by making reservations next to impossible…

Or scamming more Owners to give up their deeds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mroze]

I have a question regarding the 13 month window for post-combination reservations. If I own a resale Marriott week and I also own a resale Westin week both in the same season for which I would like to book consecutive back to back reservations will I be able to do so under the Marriott 13 month window? Would the result be different if both weeks were developer purchased? Or in order to use the 13 month window must both weeks be Marriott timeshares? I know if they were both Marriott timeshares the 13 month window would clearly be available. If they are both developer purchased I don't think that we know for sure how this would work but I suspect once there is guidance it would ultimately be permissible. What if only the Westin timeshare was developer purchased would that be sufficient to utilize the 13 month window?

In response to this, here is what we can/cannot do.
Deeded-Weeks
We own 3 x 2BR-LO Units at 3 x Different-Resorts [MKO, MCV, MRD].
1 was a resale [Pre-2010] that was qualified/enrolled and 2 are Direct-Purchases [Bundle/Hybrid-Packages].
Based on the rules explained to me, it is not possible for us to book using my weeks at 13-Months.
We were informed that we would need to own at least 2+ Contracts at the same resort [e.g. 2 x MKO] in order to book at 13-Months.
This has not affected us so far as we have always Locked-Off and deposited our weeks with II.

Destination-Points
All of our exchanges done internally within MVCI have been to Ritz Carltons using Destination-Points which is possible at 13-Months.

 

[steve1000]

Thank you Microze I was not aware of that requirement. When I have used the Marriott 13 month window I've always used multiple weeks at the same resort as well as one week at a different resort. However, I didn't realize that having at least 2 contracts at the same resort was critical.

 

[Venter]

You don't need two contracts at the same resort. If you have a contract at two different resorts the seasons just have to overlap in order to make a consecutive reservation.

 

[steve1000]

You don't need two contracts at the same resort. If you have a contract at two different resorts the seasons just have to overlap in order to make aa consecutive reservation.

Thank you for the clarification - that's what I had always thought was the case.

 

[Mroze]

You don't need two contracts at the same resort. If you have a contract at two different resorts the seasons just have to overlap in order to make a consecutive reservation.

Thank you for that.
Nice to learn something new.
Do we still need to call to get this done or can it be done online?

 

[DanCali]

Thank you for that.
Nice to learn something new.
Do we still need to call to get this done or can it be done online?

You cannot book online 13 months out. Only via phone agent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Red elephant]

Just attended a sales presentation in Marco Island received $250. No fee to enroll in the new program if weeks/points/options are qualified. Apparently Marriott did a survey with Vistana owners and came to the conclusion that charging a fee would alienate the very owners whom they anticipate would purchase more in the future.
No resales can participate whether voluntary or mandatory .
I also got a print out of all my weeks and the conversion to DC point and it’s accurate with what has been already presented on this thread.
This soft roll out is to get sales trained and ready for this summer.