How does a fixed week work?

[SDKath]

Hi there,

We are looking at a Marriott Mountainside fixed week to purchase for resale. I am confused about how these types of weeks work. Do I get a check in day by default if I don't call at 12 months? Is there a possibility that my check in date is not available if I call at 12 months even though I am guaranteed the week?

I guess I am confused on how Marriott manages these inventories. Clearly, this is going to be a high demand fixed week so I don't want to be in the situation where I buy and pay a premium only to have it not be available to me.

Thanks! K

 

[GregT]

Hi there,

We are looking at a Marriott Mountainside fixed week to purchase for resale. I am confused about how these types of weeks work. Do I get a check in day by default if I don't call at 12 months? Is there a possibility that my check in date is not available if I call at 12 months even though I am guaranteed the week?

I guess I am confused on how Marriott manages these inventories. Clearly, this is going to be a high demand fixed week so I don't want to be in the situation where I buy and pay a premium only to have it not be available to me.

Thanks! K

I can't speak for Mountainside, but my fixed weeks are automatically reserved. I don't call to reserve, I just show up at the resort on the appointed day.

I would suspect Mountainside is the same way....wow you did have a good ski trip!!!

Good luck!

Greg

 

[IngridN]

I can't speak for Mountainside, but my fixed weeks are automatically reserved. I don't call to reserve, I just show up at the resort on the appointed day.

I would suspect Mountainside is the same way....wow you did have a good ski trip!!!

Good luck!

Greg

My fixed week guarantees me a week, however, it does not guarantee me a specific check-in day (Fri-Sat-Sun) unless I call and reserve. I forgot to call in at the 12 month mark this year and when I called in a week later, my preferred check-in day was not available, however, the other two days were. When I purchased the week it was explained that if I did not reserve a specific check-in day, I could simply show up on any of the available check-in days and the unit would be available to me.

Ingrid

 

[scrapngen]

At Waiohai, my fixed weeks are guaranteed, but I still need to make the reservation. I believe (but am not positive) that if you don't make the reservation, you still have a week, but no guarantees on the start day.

Since there are 3 different check-in days (Fri, Sat, Sun) this can be very important as the fixed week guarantees that a particular date must be included, but depending on the year, it can shift. So, for New Year's, the fixed week guarantees New Year's eve. Depending on the calendar, that may mean a check-out date from Jan 1 up to Jan 6. Thus, people reserve early to keep it within (or even outside of ) school vacations.

I don't know exactly what would happen if you don't reserve. I don't know whether they'd automatically assign it once there is no choice of date, or if it doesn't get allocated. I would have to look at the documents. I have found myself not able to change the start day to a different one when my plans changed, and they said that the start day I had was the only available one. But I've gotten the days I've wanted when calling in a timely fashion.

 

[scrapngen]

My fixed week guarantees me a week, however, it does not guarantee me a specific check-in day (Fri-Sat-Sun) unless I call and reserve. I forgot to call in at the 12 month mark this year and when I called in a week later, my preferred check-in day was not available, however, the other two days were. When I purchased the week it was explained that if I did not reserve a specific check-in day, I could simply show up on any of the available check-in days and the unit would be available to me.

Ingrid

I'm not sure how the unit would be available to you if you chose to show up on a start day that was fully reserved....but I am pretty sure they'd have one of the start days. The problem lies where the Fri, Sat, Sun are not consecutive due to the nature of what day the fixed week is guaranteeing.

 

[IngridN]

I'm not sure how the unit would be available to you if you chose to show up on a start day that was fully reserved....but I am pretty sure they'd have one of the start days. The problem lies where the Fri, Sat, Sun are not consecutive due to the nature of what day the fixed week is guaranteeing.

My bad...I was not clear. A unit would be available to me only if I showed up on a check-in day with openings, meaning a check-in day not fully reserved. This is not something I would try as I would not trust Marriott to have something available for me.

Ingrid

 

[thinze3]

Hi there,

We are looking at a Marriott Mountainside fixed week to purchase for resale. ...

Thanks! K

Wow Kat. Would you like for someone to explain to you the fastest way to Marriott platinum elite? haha JK

Note that Marriott resales has weeks available at both Mountainside and SummitWatch for "reasonable" prices (not eBay type prices). The fixed weeks are substantially more expensive. You do get MR Points conversion ability but not DC conversion without purchasing mor DC points.

Here's the link.
https://www.marriottvacationclub.com/resales/buy-weeks.shtml

 

[scrapngen]

My bad...I was not clear. A unit would be available to me only if I showed up on a check-in day with openings, meaning a check-in day not fully reserved. This is not something I would try as I would not trust Marriott to have something available for me.

Ingrid

It's all good. I was also trying to be clear to the OP, as it IS somewhat confusing! You were saying that you could theoretically simply show up and still have your week. I was clarifying that depending on the popularity of different start days, it is more likely that the unbooked weeks might all be on the least desirable check-in day of the week, but still as you say, your week has to be available to you by the nature of owning a fixed week.

Specific example:

2011 Waiohai fixed week check-in dates for New Year's eve:

Friday Dec 30 - Jan 6
Saturday Dec 31 - Jan 7
Sunday Dec 25 - Jan 1

You could have shown up on Dec 30, or 31 and conceivably missed most of your week if Sunday check-in was the only date left... (In this example, that would be absurd, because the Sunday check-in was the most preferred date) Or vice-versa - you could show up on Dec 25 and be told it is full and your guaranteed week would have to be taken Dec 30 or 31. (Much more likely)

 

[bogey21]

You are all confusing me. For years I owned a Fixed Week at Marriott's Monarch on HHI. I never did anything except show up. The Week was in my name and sign-in was simple.

George

 

[Whirl]

You are all confusing me. For years I owned a Fixed Week at Marriott's Monarch on HHI. I never did anything except show up. The Week was in my name and sign-in was simple.

George

I don't think you need to worry, George. I have owned at Monarch for 11 years. My check in day has never varied; It is ALWAYS Saturday. I reserve nothing actively. As a matter of fact I already have a Marriott reservation system confirmation with my 2013 summer check-in dates.

There are many incarnations of fixed and floating -- sometimes within the same resort! -- so it is important to apply only the applicable rules specific to your ownership.

 

[SDKath]

Wow Kat. Would you like for someone to explain to you the fastest way to Marriott platinum elite? haha JK

Note that Marriott resales has weeks available at both Mountainside and SummitWatch for "reasonable" prices (not eBay type prices). The fixed weeks are substantially more expensive. You do get MR Points conversion ability but not DC conversion without purchasing mor DC points.

Here's the link.
https://www.marriottvacationclub.com/resales/buy-weeks.shtml

Thanks so much. We are looking at Week 7. PLEASE don't give me ideas about Marriott platinum! LOL. But the kids went skiing last week and now want to BUY a week!

OK, if I buy direct from the developer (sorry to be so dense), I get some rewards points (says 200,000) for hotel stays. And I get free DC enrollment? Is that right? Not that I would use that for a fixed week 7 since it's so pricy! But still, it would be good to know what the deal is through them.

Resale week 7s are going for about $35,000 it seems. From Marriott it looks like $55,000.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Thanks so much. We are looking at Week 7. PLEASE don't give me ideas about Marriott platinum! LOL. But the kids went skiing last week and now want to BUY a week!

OK, if I buy direct from the developer (sorry to be so dense), I get some rewards points (says 200,000) for hotel stays. And I get free DC enrollment? Is that right? Not that I would use that for a fixed week 7 since it's so pricy! But still, it would be good to know what the deal is through them.

Resale week 7s are going for about $35,000 it seems. From Marriott it looks like $55,000.

Well, at .0125 per point, those 200,000 points are worth $2,500.

I wonder whether you'll buy thru Marriott or a private party:hysterical:



.

 

[SueDonJ]

Thanks so much. We are looking at Week 7. PLEASE don't give me ideas about Marriott platinum! LOL. But the kids went skiing last week and now want to BUY a week!

OK, if I buy direct from the developer (sorry to be so dense), I get some rewards points (says 200,000) for hotel stays. And I get free DC enrollment? Is that right? Not that I would use that for a fixed week 7 since it's so pricy! But still, it would be good to know what the deal is through them.

Resale week 7s are going for about $35,000 it seems. From Marriott it looks like $55,000.

Since the advent of the Destination Club Marriott isn't actually selling (at the US resorts) developer-direct Weeks with full Marriott Rewards and DC-enrollment benefits. I think your only choice is to buy either an external resale (your $35K) or a resale from Marriott Resales Operations (the $55,5K at the link from Terry.)

The way it was last reported to TUG, a Resales Operations Week will not be eligible for enrollment in the DC unless you also purchase at the same time a DC Points package from Marriott. The rule for external resales is that any purchased after 6/20/10 are not eligible at all to be enrolled in the DC.

A Resales Operations Week will be eligible for the Marriott Rewards exchange benefit. It looks like this particular Week 7 at MountainSide can be exchanged for 200,000 MR Points. Generally Plat Weeks are eligible for annual MR exchanges but you should double-check that - at some resorts Weeks can only be exchanged for MRP on an every-other-year basis. An external resale has never been eligible for the MRP-exchange benefit, no change in that since the DC.

So I'd guess a DC enrollment option with this Week is off the table, not something you have to think about unless you're also thinking of purchasing DC Points. If the MRP exchange option is a big consideration for you, it's only available with the Week from Resales Operations.

 

[thinze3]

Correct. The number of DC points you would have to purchase is 2000 (or is it 2500) to "retro" your Mountainside week back into the DC program. That week would probably be worth upwards of 7200 DC points.

Also, I value the MR points at way more than .0125, even though you can buy 50K a year for that. Two years of deposits (400k) and two years of purchase (100K) can get you a very nice travel package.

All that being said, buying a resale could be very advantageous on the pocket book, especially if you could find one for about $25K to $30K.

 

[thinze3]

Wait a minute!!!

I was told by Jim Dinda in resales that for prime fixed weeks at Mountainside, like weeks 7, 51 & 52, Marriott would consider offers. So make an offer.

 

[Weimaraner]

With the DC program is there a limit on how often you a trade a week for Marriott Reward points? Before DC i remember there was some type of restriction like you only trade for MR points every other year

 

[Beefnot]

Didn't TheTimeTraveler say MRP exchange is only worth $2,500? In what scenario would it make sense to purchase from Marriott rather than pocket the difference and "self fund" one's own MRP?

 

[thinze3]

With the DC program is there a limit on how often you a trade a week for Marriott Reward points? Before DC i remember there was some type of restriction like you only trade for MR points every other year

But not if you bought the week from Marriott. The original rewards agreement carries over. This Mountainside would trade for rewards points every year.

 

[Beefnot]

But not if you bought the week from Marriott. The original rewards agreement carries over. This Mountainside would trade for rewards points every year.

But when you trade a week for points, you lose the use of your week, no? That exacerbates even further the value of buying resale on open market vs. buying from Marriott resale. So if you could effectively rent that week for the $2,500 worth of MRPs you'd get from relinquishing it to Marriott, then that's a wash, and the $20k differential in pricing could never get earned back over time. Am I understanding correctly?

 

[SueDonJ]

With the DC program is there a limit on how often you a trade a week for Marriott Reward points? Before DC i remember there was some type of restriction like you only trade for MR points every other year

If you own a developer-direct Week, regardless of whether it's enrolled in the DC or not, OR one of the Resales Operations Weeks that can be purchased through the link Terry gave, you can exchange for MRP according to the terms written into the Marriott Rewards-related governing docs of your purchase. The amount of MRP varies greatly both across seasons and the resorts but once stipulated for a certain interval, the amount never changes. Generally, not in all cases but in most, Plat Weeks can be exchanged for the stipulated amount every year, and Weeks in all other seasons can be exchanged every-other-year.

External Resale Weeks are not eligible for the MRP exchange benefit unless they are enrolled in the DC. (And, external resales purchased after 6/20/10 are not eligible to be enrolled in the DC.) The Marriott Rewards-related language in the DC governing docs is somewhat confusing and TUGgers haven't reached a consensus. Either it means that all enrolled Weeks can only exchange for MRP on an every-other-year basis, or it means that enrolled Weeks can exchange for MRP only half as often as a same developer-direct Week can be exchanged. Or it means something else.

Here's the applicable language. You decide:

-An Eligible Member who did not have the ability to trade the use of their Interest in a particular Use Year for Marriott Rewards points prior to enrollment in the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program shall receive the amount of Marriott Rewards points for each traded Interest as specified in the applicable Resort Rules & Regulations for the resort where the Interest is located. If the applicable Resort Rules & Regulations for the resort where the Interest is located does not identify the amount of Marriott Rewards points to be received for the traded Interest, then the Eligible Member shall not have the ability to trade the use of their Interest for Marriott Rewards points after enrollment in the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program. The option to trade the Use Period associated with the Exchange Member’s Interest per season for Marriott Rewards points shall be limited to non-successive Use Years; i.e. trades may not be made two (2) years in a row, or in the case of an every-other-year Eligible Member, at least three (3) years must separate Use Years in which trades are made, as specified in the Resort Rules & Regulations. The applicable Resort Rules & Regulations for the resort where the Interest is located shall also govern the number of Marriott Rewards points the Eligible Member may receive for the assignment of a Use Period associated with the Exchange Member’s Interest.

 

[thinze3]

But when you trade a week for points, you lose the use of your week, no? That exacerbates even further the value of buying resale on open market vs. buying from Marriott resale. So if you could effectively rent that week for the $2,500 worth of MRPs you'd get from relinquishing it to Marriott, then that's a wash, and the $20k differential in pricing could never get earned back over time. Am I understanding correctly?

Technically you are correct. You can only buy 50K MR points a year for $625. Some people want to accelerate their ability to get MR points by both buying MR points and trading their weeks for MR points.

For example:
you and wife buy 50K MR points each for 2 years. = 200K MR points
you trade your Mountainside for points for 2 years = 400K MR points

With 600K MR points two people can go to Europe for 10 nights and stay in a Cat 8 (the highest) hotels. You would also get 240K frequent flyer miles out of the deal. That's enough for two first class round trip tickets.

This 2 year plan would cost about $4700 ($625x4 & $2200 for MF).
This vacation would have a retail value of about $15K..

If you did not convert your Mountainside timeshare to points, it would take you 6 years to accomplish this, not 2 years.

 

[Beefnot]

Technically you are correct. You can only buy 50K MR points a year for $625. Some people want to accelerate their ability to get MR points by both buying MR points and trading their weeks for MR points.

For example:
you and wife buy 50K MR points each for 2 years. = 200K MR points
you trade your Mountainside for points for 2 years = 400K MR points

With 600K MR points two people can go to Europe for 10 nights and stay in a Cat 8 (the highest) hotels. You would also get 240K frequent flyer miles out of the deal. That's enough for two first class round trip tickets.

This 2 year plan would cost about $4700 ($625x4 & $2200 for MF).
This vacation would have a retail value of about $15K..

If you did not convert your Mountainside timeshare to points, it would take you 6 years to accomplish this, not 2 years.

I get you. Couple things though to keep in mind. In scenario 2, let's say that since you don't have the option of relinquishing for MRPs, you rent it out to cover MFs. So over a 2 yr period you have 200k points and $4,400 cash. Add one more year, and you have $6,600 cash and 300k points during a 3 yr period, which may be able to produce the equivalent vacation experience of using 600k points. Then the question is whether paying a $20k premium is worth being able to accelerate a first class European vacation by 1 year (I haven't done any deep analysis, just speaking more conceptually than anything else)

And realistically speaking, most people putting down tens of thousands of dollars on a time share aren't going to do so for the sole purpose of doing what you describe; while the option to bank MRPs is definitely a plus, they are ponying up that type of money for the actual use of the timeshare. So I wouldn't expect this scenario to be exercised more than, say, 2 to 3 times max over a 20 year period. Still seems like $20k is an awfully hefty premium to pay for accelerating a vacation by 1 year on 2 to 3 occasions over 20 years (and that also assumes over 20 years that we don't see point deflation where 200k points begins to accomplish less and less, as we've witnessed with hotels and airlines over the last 20 years). But if money is no object, then hey, it's just money, what's a few more dollars.

 

[Beefnot]

Is there a list of Marriott properties that have fixed week systems vs. floating systems? Do any have a mixture of fixed and floating?

 

[SueDonJ]

Is there a list of Marriott properties that have fixed week systems vs. floating systems? Do any have a mixture of fixed and floating?

There aren't many fixed Weeks compared to the number of resorts. I don't think any are all-fixed, so those with fixed Weeks are all a mixture of fixed and floating. Only some of the fixed Weeks are also fixed Units.

This link will take you to the calendars for every resort. If you go through them one-by-one you'll see the "Plus" designations for any fixed Weeks. Once you've found them all, you can ask owners of those fixed Weeks to verify if the fixed Weeks are also fixed Units.

{edited to add} Another thing about fixed Weeks is, some of them can be directly booked through Owner Services into any week in the Plat season at the same resort. But not all, so that's another thing the owners of such Weeks would be able to verify.

 

[scrapngen]

At Waiohai, there are no fixed units. New Year's is a dedicated fixed week.
(doesn't float)

Christmas is different. When the first two buildings were sold, they were designated for weeks 1-51 as a float, and 52 fixed. In other words, only New Year was fixed. After that, they started selling 51 and 52 weeks as fixed, so if the deed is bldg 3-8, there are 1-50 float, fixed 51 and fixed 52. Therefore, Christmas is a mix of float and fixed weeks. Those with the fixed week have it guaranteed, but others can choose any week that is available within the float. The unit is still float, so a fixed 51 week could still potentially stay in bldg 1 or 2.