Sell the sizzle, before the facts come out and prove there is no sizzle.
Devaluation. In 2009 when Marriott Rewards (nee Honored Guest Awards) announced "exciting" new changes, they created two new categories and got rid of perks.
Can what you said possibly be true, that a week in Longwarf would be 20k points? That would take me ten years to save up, and since banking is limited to one year, I'd never be able to save that much.
Sure it’s true. Here’s the points chart directly from the MVC website. Keep in mind I’m comparing the 1 bedroom suite at Long Warf to a unit at Custom House, but that’s equivalent accommodations in my mind.
I attended a presentation at Crystal Shores last week, and this was a big part of the pitch to buy more points. Some hotels are available now, and the bulk will be added "during the summer."
Those numbers are hard to take. I know the answer to my question, but I just don't know how they can sell that schedule. If it were 2,000 points per week, yes, but not per day for crying out loud.
Those "some hotels" that are available now are what has long been available. What Marriott Vacation Club seems to be pitching now is far different than their current hotel offering through what they once called the Explorer Collection. Those were individual negotiated rates between the hotel operators and Marriott Vacations. What we seem to be expecting with the new program is access to all 9000 Marriott hotels with some more standard conversion rate. Either a conversion rate based on cash rates or based on Bonvoy point requirements.
Is this call in anticipation of an upcoming stay? Those calls are always, ultimately, to get you to sign up for a presentation.
We've used the Explorer Hotel Collection exactly once - a three night stay at the JW Chicago for 1225 a night instead of a bit over $500 a night. Completely worth it since the points were in holding and using them at the JW was a much better value than a resort credit or any of my other holding point options.
Holding points are perfect for this function, especially when the end of year suddenly arrives. A couple of years ago I found myself in the middle of December with a boatload of holding points and used them at Lakeshore Reserve in Orlando. I used the remaining, expiring points for resort credit and used it for some expensive dinners over at the nearby JW resort.
I'm Executive level and have about 4,000 points per year available and I have problems getting into properties, even at the 12 month point. Add to the mix that I'm retired and can travel during any week. Even finding something in shoulder season can prove problematic. I also feel the program has become stale because there aren't any new properties and don't care for going back to the same places. The product, alas, has matured - just like me
Wow, the same playbook that was used when points were introduced to get us off of deeded weeks. "You won't be able to book anything during your season..".
So you are supposed to shell out tens of thousands of dollars on the hope that a non nonexistent product that you are "buying" will someday come to fruition and have a good exchange value to your? Comedy hour.
All they’re selling right now is the sizzle, not the steak. It’s sort of their golden hour when they can sell something and you can’t check out the facts prior to the rescind period expiring.
