Do you plan to or have you enrolled in the new points program?

[SueDonJ]

Have heard nothing about point system. Where can I learn more?

We own two weeks in Palm Desert.

Later.. just found info on points system. Should we have received info from Marriott or II about this?

Some people got emails or regular mail from Owner Services and/or sales rep contacts, but Marriott didn't do a blanket mailing. Instead they put all the info on my-vacationclub.com and loaded that home page as well as the recorded messages on their telephone lines with prompts to contact Owner Services with questions. TUG has thousands of posts about it, but be aware that we started dissecting it the minute the website was changed on June 20th and we haven't always gotten everything correct.

I just got II's new Marriott-focused directory yesterday and it includes a spread about working with Marriott's new program, but that's the first notification from II about it.

A good way for you to begin is by signing in to your my-vacationclub.com account, click on the "Learn More" link at the bottom of that "New Points-based Option" paragraph, and then click on the "FAQ" link under "Questions?" on the right side of the page. Then check out Dave's Summary of New Marriott Points Program FAQ which is at the top of the Marriott board here on TUG, and feel free to ask any questions here.

There is a 12/31/10 deadline to enroll your Weeks at the introductory prices and get an 800-Point bonus. It's unclear exactly what, if any, changes will be made after 12/31 so you may want to call Owner Services sometime during the next few weeks if you need more info.

 

[cambria]

Longer Term

Like one of the other participants, I mostly want to keep our options open for the future. Over the last six years, we have maximized the use of our three timeshares using split weeks, ACs and bonus weeks. We have blended trades with both II and SFX to upgrade studio deposits into one or two bedroom units and traveled to some nice locations.

We are retired and can be flexible in our our travel arrangements. The option to schedule shorter stays is attractive for us. Other members have outlined strategies (i.e. mid week stays, low season usage) that may allow participants to leverage this system.

Many of our trades have been within the Marriott system so the potential cost savings on fees is another plus.

 

[pwrshift]

. The option to schedule shorter stays is attractive for us. .

Everyone is different, of course, but that 'benefit' doesn't appeal to me in the least. My 3 weeks at Manor Club can be divided into 3 and 4 nite segments for each week...and I've never ever used it. Can't imagine driving all that way to stay a short stay in a timeshare, have to load the fridge, etc., when I much prefer the short stay amenities of a full service hotel with restaurants, room service, maids, etc. I much prefer to 'move in' when I go to a timeshare and most of the time I'm a resident for 2 to 4 weeks a stay. Just like a home away from home, it seems.

Brian

 

[Superchief]

If you can't beat them, join them!

Although I have several concerns regarding the new DC program, I decided to enroll my five MVC weeks (primarily gold and silver) into the program. I also purchased 1500 points to achieve Preferred Plus status and have more flexibility. By purchasing, the enrollment fee was waved and I received 1400 plus points. Since I have two resort with lockoffs and often convert my Royal Palms to MR points, my annual dues will be easily covered by my fee savings.

I will continue to primarily use my home resorts on Singer Island and Newport Coast, as welll as EOY at Mountainside and Canyon Villas. Ocean Pointe, Mountainside, and Newport Coast have reasonable point allocation (less than .40/pt MF, so I may occasionally convert them when we want to try a different vacation experience. In addition to saving on fees, my primary strategy for using DC points will be:
1. Add a couple days to a home resort vacation.
2. Downsize to a one bedroom at a resort that is difficult to get through II.
3. Stay primarily Sun-Fri when point costs are lower, and complement with a weekend stay at a Marriott/Renaissance hotel (where weekend rates are often lower). I have already reserved five nights at Newport coast next year for 1500 pt.
4. Occasionally book a cruise or travel package. (I realize I could probably find a cheaper price through Costco or a travel agency, but this allows me to use my MF to which I am already committed without the hastle of trying to rent).

I was already able to cancel my Royal Palms vacation for next year and convert to 110K MR points without any fees. Due to the ability to cancel DC reservations up until 61 days prior to stay, I think we will see a lot more fluctuation in availability next year.

 

[winger]

Although I have several concerns regarding the new DC program, I decided to enroll my five MVC weeks (primarily gold and silver) into the program. I also purchased 1500 points to achieve Preferred Plus status and have more flexibility. By purchasing, the enrollment fee was waved and I received 1400 plus points. Since I have two resort with lockoffs and often convert my Royal Palms to MR points, my annual dues will be easily covered by my fee savings.

I will continue to primarily use my home resorts on Singer Island and Newport Coast, as welll as EOY at Mountainside and Canyon Villas. Ocean Pointe, Mountainside, and Newport Coast have reasonable point allocation (less than .40/pt MF, so I may occasionally convert them when we want to try a different vacation experience. In addition to saving on fees, my primary strategy for using DC points will be:
1. Add a couple days to a home resort vacation.
2. Downsize to a one bedroom at a resort that is difficult to get through II.
3. Stay primarily Sun-Fri when point costs are lower, and complement with a weekend stay at a Marriott/Renaissance hotel (where weekend rates are often lower). I have already reserved five nights at Newport coast next year for 1500 pt.
4. Occasionally book a cruise or travel package. (I realize I could probably find a cheaper price through Costco or a travel agency, but this allows me to use my MF to which I am already committed without the hastle of trying to rent).

I was already able to cancel my Royal Palms vacation for next year and convert to 110K MR points without any fees. Due to the ability to cancel DC reservations up until 61 days prior to stay, I think we will see a lot more fluctuation in availability next year.

The DC is all about flexibility (of course, at a price)...

Just one note about doing the Sun-Fri then supplementing with a hotel stay for the weekend. We just 'experimented' with 3 nights at NCV (Newport), then two nights a Residence Inn, then a move back into NCV for 7 nights. All the moving, unpacking/repacking, checkins/outs (especially with two young kids and boatload of Costco food) - it was a unique experience, but we may not like to make this into a habit/choice of travel every year as the vacation can be taken up with an abundant amout of 'in-transit' time. If it were just two of us with a couple of small luggages, maybe, it would be less 'disruptive'.

 

[dartmax]

Owner concerns

How does Marriott get inventory for the point system? If the resort is sold out the inventory can only come from owner who take Reward points for their week or the week is obtained from II. How can owners be assurred that by Marriott Points Program will not be given preference by II to get weeks instead of owners? Booking for owners I think will be more difficult with II for other Marriott resorts if not impossible. Marriott and II are in bed together and I don't trust that relationship.

 

[vincenzi]

We own three weeks. We own two weeks in Aruba and one week in Hilton Head. Have not enrolled. We do not plan to enroll.

 

[Big Matt]

Marriott can buy back defaulted loans or at auction. There is more of this than you may want to believe.

How does Marriott get inventory for the point system? If the resort is sold out the inventory can only come from owner who take Reward points for their week or the week is obtained from II. How can owners be assurred that by Marriott Points Program will not be given preference by II to get weeks instead of owners? Booking for owners I think will be more difficult with II for other Marriott resorts if not impossible. Marriott and II are in bed together and I don't trust that relationship.

 

[wof45]

The DC is all about flexibility (of course, at a price)...

Just one note about doing the Sun-Fri then supplementing with a hotel stay for the weekend. We just 'experimented' with 3 nights at NCV (Newport), then two nights a Residence Inn, then a move back into NCV for 7 nights. All the moving, unpacking/repacking, checkins/outs (especially with two young kids and boatload of Costco food) - it was a unique experience, but we may not like to make this into a habit/choice of travel every year as the vacation can be taken up with an abundant amout of 'in-transit' time. If it were just two of us with a couple of small luggages, maybe, it would be less 'disruptive'.

we learned on a couple of tours to travel light with a single bag and to stay at least two nights in each hotel. In the past few years, the airlines have the two of us traveling with one carry-on size case that we check plus a large computer case and wheeled backpack.

the laundry at the MVCI helps on longer trips. We have been wondering what to do with the 2nd bedroom at the 2BR only resorts, but we always invite the kids (grown now) and let them decide if the timing works.

 

[jmlmeyer]

We decided to join. We own 2 "non developer" purchased weeks, both Platinum. One is Beach Place, the other is Desert Springs 1. Joined because we believe based on how we use our weeks we will save at least $500 a year in II fees. We like the option of being able to convert our weeks to MRP which we could not do before. Lastly we feel in the future there may be benefits to the new points system and feel uncertain about our ability to access it with our "non developer" weeks if we don't do so by year end. To use these benefits were worth $1995.

 

[appell]

Joined

I went to the sales pitch while staying at Cypress Harbor. I decided to join for the $595 because it looked like Marriott was squeezing owners to join. New resorts work only on the point system so you would loose access. I did not buy any new points but received 2100 points for my Grande Vista. I understand I still can trade the old fashioned way by depositing with II. I had nothing to loose but my $595.

 

[labguides]

We received the Destination Info yesterday. CONFUSING.
If we go the Destination way are we limited to trading into Marriotts?
If we join the Destination and then decide we want to go back to "old" way.. is that possible?

Admittedly, I have not studied the info as it just arrived yesterday.

 

[DanCali]

New resorts work only on the point system so you would loose access.

What new resorts? Did I miss anything?

You can't lose access to something that doesn't exist and is unlikely to get built (at least not in the next decade)....

 

[jimf41]

Can not sure's change their vote

Dave M,
It would be nice to know how the not sure votes finally decided by the 31st or if they did. Any way of allowing them to do that?

 

[shoeslover05]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone would give me some pointer. First off, I own a week w/Marriott in Vail, Co...evergreen building. I don't have any problem trading for the places that I want to go. (aruba, hawaii 2x, tahoe) In fact, I had just got confirmation for a 2b/2b ko olina for my bff wedding this march. Though, I do have to mention my request for this up coming trip was just strictly 2/27-3/6. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to get it b/c my travel time request was not flexible.

Alright, here is the question. I toy about the idea of buying points but my husband made a good argument is that, why buy points if we are able to trade through II in all of the destinations that we wanted to go in the past even w/high demand places like Hawaii.

I'm just puzzle as to what's the faith of week ownership going to be in the future. Will I have a harder time trading into high demand places? Will Marriott continue to trade through II? Any pointer is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[goin4golf]

I own 3 weeks at Marriott resorts and I will NOT join. I don't understand how anyone considers the program to be a benefit over II - - Marriott does not even give you enough points to be able to trade back into your own resort if you need to. Plus, it eliminates ability to upgrade seasons or propertie (e.g. exchange one bedroom for two bedroom). Not a good deal!

 

[taffy19]

We changed our answer in the poll from "I'm still not sure what to do." to "Single week owner; I will not join." and I doubt if we will in the future the way the new program is presented right now. I am not going to say never because things may change for the better.

 

[DIB]

Thoughts/Questions on DC point program

We own two weeks at OP which we lock off and use every year, and one week at RP which we either trade for Reward Points or, after getting Christmas Week from MVCI, do an Exchange First with II. We did a "tour" with sales pitch earlier this week at Oceana Palms while at OP.

1. We will enroll in the new system, but not sure if will buy extra DC points.
2. The annual lockoff fees and RP to II or Reward Point fees are more than the new flat rate $199/yr DC Club Fee (assuming we do not do exchanges thru II out of the MVCI system). So enrolling is a no brainer for us.
3. We are short 525 DC points from Premier Plus. Marriott says will sell minimum of 1500 DC. Does anyone know if Marriott will sell less new DC points than 1500? We like the advantage of being able to book single nights at 13 months out as a Premier Plus member.
4. We too would use the DC points for midweek stays at MVCI and use Reward Points for weekend stays. It's just two of us and moving once or twice is no big deal. Plus can use washer/dryer at MVCI (but then part of buy decision is cost of DC points and whether the added flexibility; use of washer/dryer; etc., etc. is worth it. It would cost us ~$18,300 to buy 2000 DC points - the theory being that 2000 points plus the 2125 points we get from giving back RP = 4125 points which is what a 2BR goes for an some of the nicer MVCI locations (Singer Island, USVI) in platinum season (except holiday weeks).
4. Once concern discussed at length around the pool this week was whether MVCI inventory in II would go down significantly with the new DC system Many of us have been able to do great upgrade exchanges: a studio at OP for a 2BR an another MVCI property (in platinum season); a 1BR at OP for a non-MVCI 3BR in Marbella, a 2 BR in Panama City for a 2BR at OP during Christmas week. This is big concern going forward.
5. The multi weekowners at OP seem mostly OK with new system since they use OP only for 2-3 months with lockoffs and save fees under new system. But owners of fewer weeks who trade seem very angry, especially those who bought "cheap" weeks at lesser resorts in order to use same for exhanges into better resorts. Many did this at encouragement of prior salesmen and feel lied to by Marriott as to the worth of these "trade only" week. While people recognize that the deeds promise nothing, the feel misled by Marriott reps and are very unhappy.
6. The word is out the Marriott extended the 12/31/10 deadline for the discounted enrollment fees to 6/30/11.

Thoughts always appreciated,
David

 

[Shauna]

Have we enrolled?

Yes we are multiple owners and we have enrolled

 

[Former Cruiser]

No. We only own 1 Platinum week at MOW. They are not lock-offs. We use it to trade, and have had no problems - yet. The skim isn't worth it.

 

[67miner]

Not for Me

Just went to a presentation at Shadow Ridge. Looks more like a revenue builder for Marriott Vacation Club I own two weeks at Desert Springs and typically use my weeks and really can't see any justification for enrolling since I purchased my units from a secondary seller. Marriott Reward points availability by joining is not a positive as that system is weakened every year with increased points needed for top-of-the-line properties. I've done a few exchanges through II put it requires more patience than I have.

 

[CatJ114683]

We have not enrolled our single week . We will NOT be purchasing any additional points. The cost to invest now is a 1500 point min., that comes in around 14-15K plus an additional $600.00 a year maint. fee. We are in our late 50's and do not have children, so this would just be wasted money for us. For 15 K we can rent or purchase a decent week for the next 7 years. Our last presentation the salesperson was very candid and said that the maint. fee would be raised annually. Our initial 16K investment is probably worth 6 or 7 on ebay now, so putting more $$ into the system just seems silly to us. We have traded our week very successfully into many lovely non-Marriott resorts. We also think that now our week will carry a little more clout with II since there will be less inventory deposited. I am also curious about reading that people have enrolled their weeks that were not developer purchased. I was under the impression that only developer weeks were eligable to convert......

 

[dioxide45]

I am also curious about reading that people have enrolled their weeks that were not developer purchased. I was under the impression that only developer weeks were eligable to convert......

Any week purchased prior to 6/20/2010 can enroll in the DC program. It doesn't matter where it was purchased.

 

[CatJ114683]

Any week purchased prior to 6/20/2010 can enroll in the DC program. It doesn't matter where it was purchased.

I see. So all these units I have watched being sold independently recently(EBay, Craigs list, etc) can not join the new program and can only use their week or trade on II. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[jimf41]

We like the advantage of being able to book single nights at 13 months out as a Premier Plus member.

Don't count on the 13 month advantage using DC points. I've read about some folks having success but I've had no luck at Frenchman's Cove, Ocean Pointe or Oceana Palms for Plat weeks.


5. The multi weekowners at OP seem mostly OK with new system since they use OP only for 2-3 months with lockoffs and save fees under new system.
David

Don't say that to any of the OP multi-week Plat owners I know. If you go to the OPNewsgroup I think you'll find the word OUTRAGE best describes their feelings. I'm enrolled but as far as I can see they really need to work out a few problems before it will be an advantage over the old system.