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

[TravelTime]

The only way to do it is they delay closing by 6 months. MVC offered to do that for us so that we had time to buy resale and then getting the week enrolled. They said that they would document it so that it was legally binding.

When they said they would document it, did they put it in the contract?

 

[VacationForever]

When they said they would document it, did they put it in the contract?

Yes.

 

[duke]

Owners Update - Update
1. Implementation GO date will be February 2023. Marriott system years start then. (This is when you will be able to see Titanium etc. in your Marriott Bonvoy accounts and when you can convert/elect DC points and book in the Marriott system)
2. There will be 3 columns when you log on which will show your Vistana, Flex, and Marriott DC options.
3. You can elect to be in DC and trade your deeded weeks for that years DC points. You can elect each year individually.
4. Each system (Vistana, Flex, and DC) will remain separate and only deeded weeks that have been traded that year for that years use will be in the other system.
5. One time only at start date (February 2023) will Vistana Elite levels transfer to Bonvoy system. This means that if you were grandfathered to 5 star Elite at lower staroption levels they will grandfather you to Marriott Bonvoy. 5 Star Elite = Marriott Chairman level. After that your status will be determined by DC points.
6. They have all the info on each of your timeshare's history on separate pages and can give to you at the update. It shows everything including StarOption, StarPoints/Bonvoy points, and DC points as well as original owner purchase amounts, etc.
7. Requalified weeks will be accepted as if developer purchased. However, not requalified resales will only be able to book for weeks per the deed and not tradable.
8. Only upgrading weeks if developer purchase. No upgrades after Marriott implementation.
9. Salespersons clearly say DC points given to Maui are way out of line compared to other locations but Marriott thinks this will cause Maui to be elected each year to the DC system.
10. Developer sale price for WKORV ocean view is $100,900 and WKORV OF is $150,000 but they will give 15% discount.
11. Attending owners update gets you 30,000 Bonvoy points.
12. No more sales of deeded weeks after implementation.

 

[TravelTime]

Owners Update - Update
1. Implementation GO date will be February 2023. Marriott system years start then. (This is when you will be able to see Titanium etc. in your Marriott Bonvoy accounts and when you can convert/elect DC points and book in the Marriott system)
2. There will be 3 columns when you log on which will show your Vistana, Flex, and Marriott DC options.
3. You can elect to be in DC and trade your deeded weeks for that years DC points. You can elect each year individually.
4. Each system (Vistana, Flex, and DC) will remain separate and only deeded weeks that have been traded that year for that years use will be in the other system.
5. One time only at start date (February 2023) will Vistana Elite levels transfer to Bonvoy system. This means that if you were grandfathered to 5 star Elite at lower staroption levels they will grandfather you to Marriott Bonvoy. 5 Star Elite = Marriott Chairman level. After that your status will be determined by DC points.
6. They have all the info on each of your timeshare's history on separate pages and can give to you at the update. It shows everything including StarOption, StarPoints/Bonvoy points, and DC points as well as original owner purchase amounts, etc.
7. Requalified weeks will be accepted as if developer purchased. However, not requalified resales will only be able to book for weeks per the deed and not tradable.
8. Only upgrading weeks if developer purchase. No upgrades after Marriott implementation.
9. Salespersons clearly say DC points given to Maui are way out of line compared to other locations but Marriott thinks this will cause Maui to be elected each year to the DC system.
10. Developer sale price for WKORV ocean view is $100,900 and WKORV OF is $150,000 but they will give 15% discount.
11. Attending owners update gets you 30,000 Bonvoy points.
12. No more sales of deeded weeks after implementation.

Can you explain #7, #8 and #10 better?

For #7, does “requalified weeks” mean you purchased something direct from Marriott or Vistana to enroll your Vistana resale week?

For #8, what does “upgrading weeks” mean?

For #10, what do they mean by 15% discount? What is that for?

 

[Negma]

Owners Update - Update
1. Implementation GO date will be February 2023. Marriott system years start then. (This is when you will be able to see Titanium etc. in your Marriott Bonvoy accounts and when you can convert/elect DC points and book in the Marriott system)
2. There will be 3 columns when you log on which will show your Vistana, Flex, and Marriott DC options.
3. You can elect to be in DC and trade your deeded weeks for that years DC points. You can elect each year individually.
4. Each system (Vistana, Flex, and DC) will remain separate and only deeded weeks that have been traded that year for that years use will be in the other system.
5. One time only at start date (February 2023) will Vistana Elite levels transfer to Bonvoy system. This means that if you were grandfathered to 5 star Elite at lower staroption levels they will grandfather you to Marriott Bonvoy. 5 Star Elite = Marriott Chairman level. After that your status will be determined by DC points.
6. They have all the info on each of your timeshare's history on separate pages and can give to you at the update. It shows everything including StarOption, StarPoints/Bonvoy points, and DC points as well as original owner purchase amounts, etc.
7. Requalified weeks will be accepted as if developer purchased. However, not requalified resales will only be able to book for weeks per the deed and not tradable.
8. Only upgrading weeks if developer purchase. No upgrades after Marriott implementation.
9. Salespersons clearly say DC points given to Maui are way out of line compared to other locations but Marriott thinks this will cause Maui to be elected each year to the DC system.
10. Developer sale price for WKORV ocean view is $100,900 and WKORV OF is $150,000 but they will give 15% discount.
11. Attending owners update gets you 30,000 Bonvoy points.
12. No more sales of deeded weeks after implementation.

This is very consistent with what we heard in Florida last week. Implementation dates were not discussed. Thank you.

 

[divenski]

Owners Update - Update
9. Salespersons clearly say DC points given to Maui are way out of line compared to other locations but Marriott thinks this will cause Maui to be elected each year to the DC system.
10. Developer sale price for WKORV ocean view is $100,900 and WKORV OF is $150,000 but they will give 15% discount.

If they have been selling deeded weeks for anywhere near these prices, then the DC point values might not be that far off.

 

[dsmrp]

@duke , Not that I have need or desire to buy Flex, but did sales reiterate they will stop selling Flex at the end of June?

 

[Pedro]

@duke , Not that I have need or desire to buy Flex, but did sales reiterate they will stop selling Flex at the end of June?

That’s what we were told at our owners update yesterday. Flex points will only be sold until the end of June.

 

[timsi]

That’s what we were told at our owners update yesterday. Flex points will only be sold until the end of June.

I am wondering if that is true for all the Flex programs, including Mexico.

 

[dioxide45]

I wonder what they will do with required Flex contracts. THere are always lots of foreclosure recordings in Orange County for Sheraton Flex. Looking at how they handled Westin Flex and Nanea, it looks like they may have just deeded some of the home options to Westin Flex, but I can't see Hawaii recordings to confirm. I can only see where they activated about 7.5 million Home Options in Westin Flex back in 2019. So perhaps they can just deed the HomeOption deeds they take back over to the DC trust. Looking up the some regulations around REITs, it looks like a REIT can own another REIT.

 

[dioxide45]

I am wondering if that is true for all the Flex programs, including Mexico.

I suspect Westin Aventuras will still be sold as it is today. Just Sheraton and Westin Flex could go away. Perhaps all those other flex products like they have too; Nanea and certain phases in WSJ.

 

[aimersyo]

I just received an ownership update call from Vistana and they told me that the launch starts June 30 for 2023 bookings. I was told a few months ago that my Westin Flex points would not be able to access the Marriott Destinations database, unless i bought more. I immediately called BS and have been pretty pissed off about the whole things since. I asked the lady on the phone if Westin Flex owners will be able to convert and access the database of Marriott locations and she said absolutely. Also, she did try to get me to buy into elite level "because that's where the fun stuff happens". I asked what's the fun stuff and she basically rattled off a list of things like VRBO inspired homes for rent, large organized tours and cruises, etc.

She also said my 81000 Flex points equals 2807 Marriott Destination points , FWIW. No clue what that means as far as what I can book, but I guess I will find out soon enough.

 

[cubigbird]

I was told a few months ago that my Westin Flex points would not be able to access the Marriott Destinations database, unless i bought more. I immediately called BS and have been pretty pissed off about the whole things since.

She also said my 81000 Flex points equals 2807 Marriott Destination points , FWIW. No clue what that means as far as what I can book, but I guess I will find out soon enough.

It means your 81000 options can access the Marriott DC. She basically contradicted herself.

 

[dioxide45]

It means your 81000 options can access the Marriott DC. She basically contradicted herself.

Not sure there was a contradiction, she said "absolutely". I took that to mean "yes".

 

[grgs]

It means your 81000 options can access the Marriott DC. She basically contradicted herself.

It sounds like there were two separate interactions. The first person, a few months ago, said that they wouldn't be able to access Marriott resorts. The second person, phone call today, said that they would be able to access Marriott resorts. She also gave the # of DPs. She didn't contradict herself, but did contradict the person from a few months back.

Anyway, tomorrow is June 1. Will we get a formal announcement? LOL!

 

[VacationForever]

It sounds like there were two separate interactions. The first person, a few months ago, said that they wouldn't be able to access Marriott resorts. The second person, phone call today, said that they would be able to access Marriott resorts. She also gave the # of DPs. She didn't contradict herself, but did contradict the person from a few months back.

Anyway, tomorrow is June 1. Will we get a formal announcement? LOL!

I thought it is June 30th.

 

[dioxide45]

It sounds like there were two separate interactions. The first person, a few months ago, said that they wouldn't be able to access Marriott resorts. The second person, phone call today, said that they would be able to access Marriott resorts. She also gave the # of DPs. She didn't contradict herself, but did contradict the person from a few months back.

Anyway, tomorrow is June 1. Will we get a formal announcement? LOL!

We probably won't get an announcement until the day we can actually start booking.

 

[grgs]

I thought it is June 30th.

Oh, ok, maybe I got the alleged date wrong.

 

[damianinpa]

I've read through most of the thread, but, I'm still confused. I bought a Fixed week 27 in Vistana a very long time ago. But, when some refurbs happened, I was invited to join SVN Program which I did. So, today, in the what I own, it shows Annual week 27, 2 Bedroom Palms, but, I can use my 81,000 Staroptions to trade in network and it shows 126,000 bonvoy points. I can fully dump to II too. I think this means I'll be invited into the program was wasn't sure. Is this what people mean by Re-qualified? If it does mean I can use the Marriott resorts, anyone have an idea of how many points will be offered?

 

[jabberwocky]

I've read through most of the thread, but, I'm still confused. I bought a Fixed week 27 in Vistana a very long time ago. But, when some refurbs happened, I was invited to join SVN Program which I did. So, today, in the what I own, it shows Annual week 27, 2 Bedroom Palms, but, I can use my 81,000 Staroptions to trade in network and it shows 126,000 bonvoy points. I can fully dump to II too. I think this means I'll be invited into the program was wasn't sure. Is this what people mean by Re-qualified? If it does mean I can use the Marriott resorts, anyone have an idea of how many points will be offered?

Requalified means you bought a unit on the resale market and subsequently purchased from the developer (Vistana). As part of the process, they treat your resale the same as if you had purchased directly from them.

I’m assuming that you purchased your unit a long time ago directly from Vistana (before they were purchased by Starwood). If this is the case you don’t need a requalified week as your unit is already in the network and was purchased directly.

Not sure how many pointed exactly you will get for your week in MVC, but I’d figure low 2000s.

 

[damianinpa]

No, I bought off Ebay as a fixed week 27 Resale like 15 years ago for practically nothing. At that time, I could only use it that week/specific unit I bought. Then, a few years in, they did some mandatory refurbs for all the units in Orlando (I think that was because RCI downgraded them to Silver from Gold). At that time, I was offered to join SVN program which I did. So, now I still have my week 27 Fixed, but, can cancel yearly and it just coverts to Options where I can book any week that has availability in any of the SVN resorts. So, I don't know where I fall into all of this, but, my gut tells me I will be able to use the program especially since I see the 126,000 Bonvoy Points too.

 

[lorenmd]

No, I bought off Ebay as a fixed week 27 Resale like 15 years ago for practically nothing. At that time, I could only use it that week/specific unit I bought. Then, a few years in, they did some mandatory refurbs for all the units in Orlando (I think that was because RCI downgraded them to Silver from Gold). At that time, I was offered to join SVN program which I did. So, now I still have my week 27 Fixed, but, can cancel yearly and it just coverts to Options where I can book any week that has availability in any of the SVN resorts. So, I don't know where I fall into all of this, but, my gut tells me I will be able to use the program especially since I see the 126,000 Bonvoy Points too.

yes you are in. we did the same thing. bought vistana from resale in 1997. sheraton bought our condos and we were offered to join their network for a small price and we did. so now we get 81k SO points. we went to an owner's update today at marriott and they gave us what i think is erroneous information. i was texting with my timeshare salesman from sheraton desert oasis and he also said they were giving me incorrect information. they had three of my units which I retroed into the network and have SO and count towards my elite status, as non weeks for becoming marriott points. they said i needed to buy 1000 marriott points to get these last 3 units into their system. my salesman from SDO said that is wrong. since i retroed them they are in the system. i saw the printout and it clearly said N next to 3 of my units under the heading VC eligible. SDO says it's a computer migration issue and it will be corrected to show any week that has been retroed will be eligible to convert to VC points. they also did say that for a small spend until september any resale marriott weeks can move into VC points. 1000 points gets you one. and 3000k gets you 3 and 5k points gets you up to 7. 5k points costs $52k if anyone is interested in that.

 

[ExploringTS]

Questions below pertain to the scenario of a resale 2 bedroom lockoff week purchased at WKORVN (mandatory)
1. Can we still split the two bedroom reservation into a studio and 1 bedroom?
2. Can we use staroptions to stay somewhere else in the vistana system?

Wife and I are strongly considering buying a week on the resale market at either WKORV south or north and are trying to figure out what the downsides would be with the program merger.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Questions below pertain to the scenario of a resale 2 bedroom lockoff week purchased at WKORVN (mandatory)
1. Can we still split the two bedroom reservation into a studio and 1 bedroom?
2. Can we use staroptions to stay somewhere else in the vistana system?

Wife and I are strongly considering buying a week on the resale market at either WKORV south or north and are trying to figure out what the downsides would be with the program merger.

It's an unknown, but I think with mandatory options, you are going to be in better shape. The Flex options, I wouldn't be so confident.

We also bought resale 2 bedroom at WKORV. It's not even transferred to us yet, but I was confident enough to buy it. Marriott cannot take anything away from us, I don't think, anyway.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Yes. We own resale and have those options. Cannot convert to Bonvoy but not good value anyway. With high MF you are better off renting out and using cash to go somewhere else.