"Hello HOTELS" Speculation Thread [MERGED]

[dioxide45]

We are at Crystal Shores now and the concierge who tried to get us to book the owner’s update said this location is one of the first to roll out the new program and we could learn all about it. We don’t want to waste time in the presentation but it looks like the information will be available soon for all of us to analyze, scrutinize, and discuss.

There really isn't a new program rolled out, yet. So one location doesn't have anything over another. Perhaps some sales people have been trained on how to use points for hotel stays in the future as a selling point, but I doubt any reps really know exactly how it will work yet. The best details will be when they roll this out so we can actually see how it works and the value.

 

[dougp26364]

We are at Crystal Shores now and the concierge who tried to get us to book the owner’s update said this location is one of the first to roll out the new program and we could learn all about it. We don’t want to waste time in the presentation but it looks like the information will be available soon for all of us to analyze, scrutinize, and discuss.

We heard the exact same line in San Diego last March. We didn’t bite.

 

[dougp26364]

There really isn't a new program rolled out, yet. So one location doesn't have anything over another. Perhaps some sales people have been trained on how to use points for hotel stays in the future as a selling point, but I doubt any reps really know exactly how it will work yet. The best details will be when they roll this out so we can actually see how it works and the value.

If I were a betting man, the only thing they’re going to do is make it a one step process to use Abound points to book a hotel room instead of having to convert Abound points to BonVoy points, then book the hotel room. I’d go so far as to say the cost to use Abound points will be similar to the 40:1 conversion rate we see today. IOW, a 40,000 BonVoy point night will cost 1,000 Abound point.

Aside from the value, I wonder if the limits placed on the different ownership levels to convert Abound points to BonVoy points will hold true. Will owners still be limited to a certain percentage or will they be able to use 100% of their points to book hotel nights? As bad as the value is to convert to BomVoy points today, I’m surprised they’re not letting owners convert all their points anyway.

 

[Chucez]

The markets must have liked this news! VAC stock is up quite a bit since they released their Q1 earnings.

I think their dividend had something to due with the increase as investors head to high dividend stocks.

 

[Transit]

I did a presentation last week at Crystal Shores. The Salesperson’s pitch was that the new program would be way more attractive than the current conversion to Bonvoy points. The Salesperson also pitched that Marriott feels the program would be attractive enough to free up availability in the timeshares that are currently difficult to get reservations. The Salesperson also said the conversion charts would be available mid July and the program starting shortly after.

 

[Transit]

I did a presentation last week at Crystal Shores. The Salesperson’s pitch was that the new program would be way more attractive than the current conversion to Bonvoy points. The Salesperson also pitched that Marriott feels the program would be attractive enough to free up availability in the timeshares that are currently difficult to get reservations. The Salesperson also said the conversion charts would be available mid July and the program starting shortly after

 

[BrownThunder]

I did a presentation last week at Crystal Shores. The Salesperson’s pitch was that the new program would be way more attractive than the current conversion to Bonvoy points. The Salesperson also pitched that Marriott feels the program would be attractive enough to free up availability in the timeshares that are currently difficult to get reservations. The Salesperson also said the conversion charts would be available mid July and the program starting shortly after.

If this allowed me to use MVC points to book at the Swan and Dolphin hotel, I'd be absolutely ecstatic.

 

[dioxide45]

I did a presentation last week at Crystal Shores. The Salesperson’s pitch was that the new program would be way more attractive than the current conversion to Bonvoy points. The Salesperson also pitched that Marriott feels the program would be attractive enough to free up availability in the timeshares that are currently difficult to get reservations. The Salesperson also said the conversion charts would be available mid July and the program starting shortly after.

I don't see how it will really free up inventory. Marriott has to cover the costs of the hotel stay given in exchange for the Club Points. The only way they can do that is to rent them for cash on Marriott.com or offer them up as marketing packages. That still uses the inventory.

The rep we talked to the other day at Waiohai said it would cost anywhere from 5 to 500 points per night. I doubt many, if any (likely NONE) nights would only be 5 points.

 

[BrownThunder]

I don't see how it will really free up inventory. Marriott has to cover the costs of the hotel stay given in exchange for the Club Points. The only way they can do that is to rent them for cash on Marriott.com or offer them up as marketing packages. That still uses the inventory.

The rep we talked to the other day at Waiohai said it would cost anywhere from 5 to 500 points per night. I doubt many, if any (likely NONE) nights would only be 5 points.

That's a much better conversion rate than I was expecting.

 

[BigDawgTUG]

Had a presentation last Friday at Boston's Custom House. Sales Rep told us details are expected to be announced end of June. For now, he tells us, no details have been released to the Sales Reps.

 

[jwalk03]

Had a presentation last Friday at Boston's Custom House. Sales Rep told us details are expected to be announced end of June. For now, he tells us, no details have been released to the Sales Reps.

This is the most believable thing o have ever heard from a sales weasel! lol

 

[bizaro86]

I don't see how it will really free up inventory. Marriott has to cover the costs of the hotel stay given in exchange for the Club Points. The only way they can do that is to rent them for cash on Marriott.com or offer them up as marketing packages. That still uses the inventory.

The rep we talked to the other day at Waiohai said it would cost anywhere from 5 to 500 points per night. I doubt many, if any (likely NONE) nights would only be 5 points.

Were the sales reps lips moving when he/she said that?

There's no way the max will be 500 points if they're having the advertised full availability.

And the only was I can see 5 points being possible for a night is if MVW gets a free night from the hotel (eg sometimes hotels run buy 3 get 4th night free) and their IT isn't able to code the 4th night free so they charge 5 points for it.

 

[flyboy0681]

I received a call from MCVI inviting me to do a Webex presentation to explain the exciting new change that was implemented a few days ago. I declined, but am curious if his come-on was legitimate.

Have any new changes been announced that I may have missed?

 

[davidvel]

Supposedly you can use Abound points to reserve hotels directly per a recent sales meeting. Haven't seen any formal confirmation yet though.

 

[cubigbird]

“Exciting new changes” either usually means loyalty program devaluation or timeshare sales. Take your pick.

 

[dougp26364]

If it’s anything like the hotel bookings available now, I’m not very excited. We have a week booked at customer House for 3175 Abound points. The same week in a 1 bedroom suite at Longwarf would cost >20,000 Abound points.

 

[jwalk03]

They always claim there is something new and exciting for you to learn about! It’s just a hook to make you think you are going to miss out on something if you don’t subject yourself to their lie session.

 

[dioxide45]

Lots of "Hello, Hotels" placards and balloons at all the resorts. They are certainly trying to use it to hook people into presentations even though it won't launch until sometime this summer.

 

[Fasttr]

Lots of "Hello, Hotels" placards and balloons at all the resorts. They are certainly trying to use it to hook people into presentations even though it won't launch until sometime this summer.

Sell the sizzle, before the facts come out and prove there is no sizzle.

 

[flyboy0681]

“Exciting new changes” either usually means loyalty program devaluation or timeshare sales. Take your pick.

Devaluation. In 2009 when Marriott Rewards (nee Honored Guest Awards) announced "exciting" new changes, they created two new categories and got rid of perks.

 

[flyboy0681]

If it’s anything like the hotel bookings available now, I’m not very excited. We have a week booked at customer House for 3175 Abound points. The same week in a 1 bedroom suite at Longwarf would cost >20,000 Abound points.

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.

 

[dougp26364]

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.
Exciting isn’t it?

 

[mbstn6254]

Supposedly you can use Abound points to reserve hotels directly per a recent sales meeting. Haven't seen any formal confirmation yet though.

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."

 

[flyboy0681]

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.
Exciting isn’t it?

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.

 

[dioxide45]

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 "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.