Enrolling in Abound

[daviator]

My mom's long-time weeks ownership at MOC was recently transferred to me. It turns out that she never enrolled in DC (now Abound) because she only used MOC. But I called MVC and I'm eligible to enroll the VOI without charge because it was purchased back in 2005 from the developer. I own other weeks (with Vistana) and am Chairman's Club.

I know there are a zillion threads on DC/Abound enrollment and I've read through several of them, but before I pull the trigger and enroll the MOC week, my cautious self just wants to confirm that there is absolutely no reason not to do it. My belief is that it only gives me more options, doesn't take anything away, and that there is zero reason not to do it. Is there anything I'm missing? Although I'm familiar with Abound (from the Vistana side) I'm new to MVC and so I just want to avoid making a terrible and irrevocable mistake.

Thanks for any help!

 

[sponger76]

My mom's long-time weeks ownership at MOC was recently transferred to me. It turns out that she never enrolled in DC (now Abound) because she only used MOC. But I called MVC and I'm eligible to enroll the VOI without charge because it was purchased back in 2005 from the developer. I own other weeks (with Vistana) and am Chairman's Club.

I know there are a zillion threads on DC/Abound enrollment and I've read through several of them, but before I pull the trigger and enroll the MOC week, my cautious self just wants to confirm that there is absolutely no reason not to do it. My belief is that it only gives me more options, doesn't take anything away, and that there is zero reason not to do it. Is there anything I'm missing? Although I'm familiar with Abound (from the Vistana side) I'm new to MVC and so I just want to avoid making a terrible and irrevocable mistake.

Thanks for any help!

Well, if it's free, why not? It does give you another option for use, but you can also continue to use exactly as you are now, with no loss of any benefits.

 

[CPNY]

My mom's long-time weeks ownership at MOC was recently transferred to me. It turns out that she never enrolled in DC (now Abound) because she only used MOC. But I called MVC and I'm eligible to enroll the VOI without charge because it was purchased back in 2005 from the developer. I own other weeks (with Vistana) and am Chairman's Club.

I know there are a zillion threads on DC/Abound enrollment and I've read through several of them, but before I pull the trigger and enroll the MOC week, my cautious self just wants to confirm that there is absolutely no reason not to do it. My belief is that it only gives me more options, doesn't take anything away, and that there is zero reason not to do it. Is there anything I'm missing? Although I'm familiar with Abound (from the Vistana side) I'm new to MVC and so I just want to avoid making a terrible and irrevocable mistake.

Thanks for any help!

There is no reason not to do it….. I think you’re making a terrible mistake by not doing it. But that’s my opinion

 

[daviator]

There is no reason not to do it….. I think you’re making a terrible mistake by not doing it. But that’s my opinion

I’m planning to do it, I just wanted confirmation from folks that there wasn’t any hidden trap there. My mom told me she never did it because she didn’t trust Marriott and was worried it would somehow diminish her ownership. My understanding is that it’s only beneficial to enroll, but I just wanted confirmation of that before I pull the trigger and do so.

Thanks for confirming that it would be silly not to enroll, especially when it’s free.

 

[dioxide45]

The only downside will be the annual Club Fee.

 

[Dean]

My mom's long-time weeks ownership at MOC was recently transferred to me. It turns out that she never enrolled in DC (now Abound) because she only used MOC. But I called MVC and I'm eligible to enroll the VOI without charge because it was purchased back in 2005 from the developer. I own other weeks (with Vistana) and am Chairman's Club.

I know there are a zillion threads on DC/Abound enrollment and I've read through several of them, but before I pull the trigger and enroll the MOC week, my cautious self just wants to confirm that there is absolutely no reason not to do it. My belief is that it only gives me more options, doesn't take anything away, and that there is zero reason not to do it. Is there anything I'm missing? Although I'm familiar with Abound (from the Vistana side) I'm new to MVC and so I just want to avoid making a terrible and irrevocable mistake.

Thanks for any help!

You're Chairman's Club based on Vistana correct. Won't you have 2 club fees if you enroll? This would be the only downside I can see and even then it might still be worth it.

 

[dioxide45]

You're Chairman's Club based on Vistana correct. Won't you have 2 club fees if you enroll? This would be the only downside I can see and even then it might still be worth it.

Nah. Only one Club Fee applies for us dual owners. It might take MVC a while to get things straightened away though to make sure they aren't charged twice. I didn't even look at the list of resorts the OP owned, so my post #5 wouldn't really even apply.

 

[Dean]

Nah. Only one Club Fee applies for us dual owners. It might take MVC a while to get things straightened away though to make sure they aren't charged twice. I didn't even look at the list of resorts the OP owned, so my post #5 wouldn't really even apply.

That's great and if it's NO difference, they should take the free enrollment while they can. The other potential extra cost would be if it put them up to a higher club fee but since he's Chairman's Club already, that won't apply here either.

 

[daviator]

I enrolled. I was 99% sure I was going to, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some reason not to.

I should only have one Club Dues across my entire ownership. I'm not sure, but I suspect that if I hadn't enrolled, I might have had to pay some kind of MVC membership fee (for the unenrolled property) in addition to the Club Dues I already pay, so even if I never elect Club Points, I think enrollment saves me money.

I found a really great MVC rep on the phone earlier who seems to have connected all of my accounts properly, so I'm optimistic that they won't bill me for extra Club Dues. I can see all my Club Points from both the Vistana side (log in from Vistana website) and from the MVC side (log in from MVC website) which is kind of cool.

 

[dioxide45]

I enrolled. I was 99% sure I was going to, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some reason not to.

I should only have one Club Dues across my entire ownership. I'm not sure, but I suspect that if I hadn't enrolled, I might have had to pay some kind of MVC membership fee (for the unenrolled property) in addition to the Club Dues I already pay, so even if I never elect Club Points, I think enrollment saves me money.

I found a really great MVC rep on the phone earlier who seems to have connected all of my accounts properly, so I'm optimistic that they won't bill me for extra Club Dues. I can see all my Club Points from both the Vistana side (log in from Vistana website) and from the MVC side (log in from MVC website) which is kind of cool.

The only fees that would have applied to the unenrolled week would be if you were to exchange them through Interval International. For weeks ownership, there isn't any type of membership or club fee.

 

[Dean]

I enrolled. I was 99% sure I was going to, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some reason not to.

I should only have one Club Dues across my entire ownership. I'm not sure, but I suspect that if I hadn't enrolled, I might have had to pay some kind of MVC membership fee (for the unenrolled property) in addition to the Club Dues I already pay, so even if I never elect Club Points, I think enrollment saves me money.

I found a really great MVC rep on the phone earlier who seems to have connected all of my accounts properly, so I'm optimistic that they won't bill me for extra Club Dues. I can see all my Club Points from both the Vistana side (log in from Vistana website) and from the MVC side (log in from MVC website) which is kind of cool.

Congratulations. Are you certain it wasn't enrolled previously and became unenrolled during the transfer? It's unusual for them to volunteer to do it for free. It's often been an option as a sales tour incentive or with watching a webinar (also sales related) but not normally just by calling in. As I understand it, when we do a qualified family transfer the week(s) become unenrolled and can be reenrolled later. Do you have a personal II account that you will no longer need? This is a potential savings for some in this situation though I suspect it doesn't apply for you.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The only downside will be the annual Club Fee.

What about the skim? Emmy (iconnections Taffy19) and Peter bought a week and enrolled it into the DC. When we visited with them at their Marriott ocean unit, she told us that they wanted to book the studio and 1 bedroom back-to-back, and they couldn't because they would be short one day of the two weeks. So they owned a lockoff and couldn't split it and get the full stay they desired. They took it out of the DC.

 

[dioxide45]

What about the skim? Emmy (iconnections Taffy19) and Peter bought a week and enrolled it into the DC. When we visited with them at their Marriott ocean unit, she told us that they wanted to book the studio and 1 bedroom back-to-back, and they couldn't because they would be short one day of the two weeks. So they owned a lockoff and couldn't split it and get the full stay they desired. They took it out of the DC.

There is the skim. But when staying at your home resort, you just book your home resort usage. Lock off an book back to back.

 

[ljmiii]

What about the skim? Emmy (iconnections Taffy19) and Peter bought a week and enrolled it into the DC. When we visited with them at their Marriott ocean unit, she told us that they wanted to book the studio and 1 bedroom back-to-back, and they couldn't because they would be short one day of the two weeks. So they owned a lockoff and couldn't split it and get the full stay they desired. They took it out of the DC.

Enrolling the week doesn't take away the ability to lockoff their villa and stay two weeks. It just adds the ability to elect into DPs and stay at other MVC locations (or even stay for more than two weeks in a studio at their home resort).

 

[Dean]

What about the skim? Emmy (iconnections Taffy19) and Peter bought a week and enrolled it into the DC. When we visited with them at their Marriott ocean unit, she told us that they wanted to book the studio and 1 bedroom back-to-back, and they couldn't because they would be short one day of the two weeks. So they owned a lockoff and couldn't split it and get the full stay they desired. They took it out of the DC.

As noted, it's really a separate issue. One can chose to take points and potentially dear with the skim or not and just use, rent or exchange the week. And if enrolled, free lock off's, change/cancelation and free Marriott to Marriott exchanges.

 

[daviator]

Congratulations. Are you certain it wasn't enrolled previously and became unenrolled during the transfer? It's unusual for them to volunteer to do it for free. It's often been an option as a sales tour incentive or with watching a webinar (also sales related) but not normally just by calling in. As I understand it, when we do a qualified family transfer the week(s) become unenrolled and can be reenrolled later. Do you have a personal II account that you will no longer need? This is a potential savings for some in this situation though I suspect it doesn't apply for you.

No, my mom never enrolled the week because she was afraid that it was all a trick by MVC that would affect her ability to book as she always had. I don't blame her for being suspicious, which is why I asked here for confirmation, but I was pretty sure that enrollment had no downside.

I believe the reason they did it for free is because it was purchased back in 2005, and I think purchases prior to 2010 are eligible for free enrollment. I don't think that carries through on resales, but this was a family transfer and so they don't consider it a resale.

I don't have a personal II account, just the corporate one I have through Vistana. Actually, that raises a question: will I now have another corporate II account for my new-to-me MVC ownerships? Is that something I need to set up?

 

[daviator]

What about the skim? Emmy (iconnections Taffy19) and Peter bought a week and enrolled it into the DC. When we visited with them at their Marriott ocean unit, she told us that they wanted to book the studio and 1 bedroom back-to-back, and they couldn't because they would be short one day of the two weeks. So they owned a lockoff and couldn't split it and get the full stay they desired. They took it out of the DC.

I suspect they *elected* points, which leaves them with not enough to do the two weeks. If you're going to use your week at your home resort, you almost never want to elect points. Just lock it off and use each week back to back.

 

[Dean]

No, my mom never enrolled the week because she was afraid that it was all a trick by MVC that would affect her ability to book as she always had. I don't blame her for being suspicious, which is why I asked here for confirmation, but I was pretty sure that enrollment had no downside.

I believe the reason they did it for free is because it was purchased back in 2005, and I think purchases prior to 2010 are eligible for free enrollment. I don't think that carries through on resales, but this was a family transfer and so they don't consider it a resale.

I don't have a personal II account, just the corporate one I have through Vistana. Actually, that raises a question: will I now have another corporate II account for my new-to-me MVC ownerships? Is that something I need to set up?

I don't think free enrollments were ever a thing just calling in. They've had specials to enroll for free at times as a sales tour incentive either to attend a presentation or by watching a webinar. That's not to say it's never happened, it's just never been routine from what I am aware of. As for the account I believe you will have a separate account for each but they will be included with your other costs. Those that are enrolled on both sides like Jeremy can likely answer for certain.

My understanding is that even for direct family transfers where the weeks are still eligible, they become non enrolled as a technicality of the process but can be immediately reenrolled if one wants. At least that's what the documentation says MVC sends out.

 

[Dean]

I suspect they *elected* points, which leaves them with not enough to do the two weeks. If you're going to use your week at your home resort, you almost never want to elect points. Just lock it off and use each week back to back.

Sounds like that couple simply didn't understand the process then made a second rash decision to compound the first.

 

[daviator]

Sounds like that couple simply didn't understand the process then made a second rash decision to compound the first.

On the Vistana side, where Abound/DC is new to most owners, we are seeing too many people (in my opinion) deciding to elect club points for their ownership without any real plan on how to use them, just to try out the new system. Then they often find that they can’t use the points in the way that they were hoping, especially to book back into their own resort.

Electing CP just to try out the system is a little like driving your car into a wall just to see how the airbags work. Much better to figure out the system before you choose to elect.

 

[frank808]

What about the skim? Emmy (iconnections Taffy19) and Peter bought a week and enrolled it into the DC. When we visited with them at their Marriott ocean unit, she told us that they wanted to book the studio and 1 bedroom back-to-back, and they couldn't because they would be short one day of the two weeks. So they owned a lockoff and couldn't split it and get the full stay they desired. They took it out of the DC.

Should not convert to Abound points. Just lock off and use the studio and 1br like they normally do. The best part is the enrolled week would save the $90 lock off fee. If planning to stay at the owned resort, do not elect unit for points but book it as weeks.

 

[davidvel]

Should not convert to Abound points. Just lock off and use the studio and 1br like they normally do. The best part is the enrolled week would save the $90 lock off fee. If planning to stay at the owned resort, do not elect unit for points but book it as weeks.

I'm still not understanding what RickandCindy says that Taffy19 did: "she told us that they wanted to book the studio and 1 bedroom back-to-back, and they couldn't because they would be short one day of the two weeks. So they owned a lockoff and couldn't split it and get the full stay they desired." I don't see any mention that they elected points (but I get the presumption given the skim reference.)

I'm too brain dead to look and do the math, but would the skim account for only 1 day over 2 weeks (in Studio and 1BR) at MOC?

Either way it is sad they unenrolled for this reason. (If it was that they always lock off and stay their owned week, would make sense not to have Club fee if that wasn't worth the ability to rent points for them.)

 

[SueDonJ]

It's been a while since the beginning of the DC (nka Abound) when Emmy - and many others - were confused about how enrollment would impact their ownership and/or how they used their Weeks. I thought that Emmy in particular eventually understood the basics (such as why it's generally not advantageous to elect Points intending to use them the same as Weeks at home resorts) but if Denise's experience with her is recent, then maybe not. (I'm not asking this to disparage in any way, but didn't we recently learn a sad update to Emmy's health in one of the "where are these TUGgers?" threads? Perhaps that's in play?)

@daviator, I think you're already convinced but if not, or for anyone reading who's not, a review of this thread might help. Some of the details are outdated, especially with respect to fees, but the basics with respect to usage are still the same. [2012] "Should My Week(s) Be Enrolled?"

 

[danill]

It's been a while since the beginning of the DC (nka Abound) when Emmy - and many others - were confused about how enrollment would impact their ownership and/or how they used their Weeks. I thought that Emmy in particular eventually understood the basics (such as why it's generally not advantageous to elect Points intending to use them the same as Weeks at home resorts) but if Denise's experience with her is recent, then maybe not. (I'm not asking this to disparage in any way, but didn't we recently learn a sad update to Emmy's health in one of the "where are these TUGgers?" threads? Perhaps that's in play?)

@daviator, I think you're already convinced but if not, or for anyone reading who's not, a review of this thread might help. Some of the details are outdated, especially with respect to fees, but the basics with respect to usage are still the same. [2012] "Should My Week(s) Be Enrolled?"

SueDonJ or others, I'm curious to better understand your comment about it being generally not advantageous to elect points when planning to use those points for a stay at the home resort. I am aware of the possibility that the desired week might require more club points to reserve than the elected points. Other than that, I've felt that there is advantage in using the elected points to reserve a week due to the added flexibility of reservations made with club points, if there is a need to change or cancel the reservation. Particularly if banked from a prior year, there may be a longer usage window if there is a need to cancel the reservation, as well as the flexibility to then go to a different location, exchange for resort credit, or use for any of the other points options.

I've been told by a sales rep (I know, I know) there is no priority advantage to reservations made using Weeks ownership versus using club points - can anyone here either confirm or refute that statement?

Are there other advantages to booking with the Weeks ownership, rather than elected points, that I am missing?

Thanks.

 

[CPNY]

On the Vistana side, where Abound/DC is new to most owners, we are seeing too many people (in my opinion) deciding to elect club points for their ownership without any real plan on how to use them, just to try out the new system. Then they often find that they can’t use the points in the way that they were hoping, especially to book back into their own resort.

Electing CP just to try out the system is a little like driving your car into a wall just to see how the airbags work. Much better to figure out the system before you choose to elect.

I completely agree. The good thing about that is most people will end up staying within the vistana system. Marriott mucked this whole thing up if you asked me. I think they just wanted to satisfy they have been making on all of their investor calls. Not to mention give as much vistana inventory to the Marriott legacy owner