How important has the Marriott priority been lately?

[DannyTS]

We decided to add one maybe two traders to our portfolio. We already own Vistana so I am quite familiar with the potential trades. But how important has the Marriott preference been lately? Most of the postings in the Sightings forum have been seen without priority. I also scored few good Marriott trades myself so I am wondering if it is worth paying the premium vs the Vistana traders. Thoughts?
I am posting it here because I would rather have the prospective of the MVC owners that own Vistana as well.

 

[NiteMaire]

There are several great Marriott TSs which appear frequently without preference (KBC, St Kitt's, Frenchman's Cove, non-peak Hilton Head, and Spain immediately come to mind). Like you stated, you can score a few good Marriotts without a Marriott. If you want to score a better Marriott (season/location/size), then it may be worth it to get Marriott trader.

My Marriott trader is worth it to me. I purchased my MGC 3BR LO several years ago, and would do it all over again (but may settle for a 2BR LO). 2020 MFs for MGC 2BR LO are $1,323.37. Throw in the Marriott LO fee to enable 2 trades, and it'll cost you slightly more than $700 for each week before the II exchange fee (which is at a discounted rate just like Vistana-to-Vistana).

I was on a mission to get to Hawaii twice a year, and really wanted a 2BR Marriott. Before I purchased MGC, I was able to snag studios and 1BRs with my non-Marriott; 2BRs typically didn't made it out of preference, or they were last minute which didn't work for us. Since purchasing MGC, I've been able to snag 2BR Marriotts at Ko Olina (x2) and Waiohai.

In the end, it depends on location, timing, and if you are willing to accept a studio/1BR in certain locations.

 

[DannyTS]

thank you @NiteMaire, this is exactly the info I was looking for

 

[PamMo]

My experience has been the same as NiteMaire's. My Vistana timeshares see a lot of Marriott weeks in Interval, but my Marriott deposits see many more units, including higher demand weeks (with dates much farther out) and larger units.

 

[sjsharkie]

...and keep in mind, what you see is leftover from those that have cleared any existing OGSs. I snagged a premium summer Hawaii 2BR week with an OGS Marriott trader -- I'd have to think this was under preference.

-ryan

 

[wjarcher]

Would Marriott 1br be sufficient to get the premium 2brs either via OGS or live search? I have a 2br, wonder if I should lock it off to get two trades. Thanks

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[NiteMaire]

Would Marriott 1br be sufficient to get the premium 2brs either via OGS or live search? I have a 2br, wonder if I should lock it off to get two trades. Thanks

I have a 3BR LO (2BR and 1BR). My 1BR has seen everything the 2BR has seen.

The studio may be different. I recall several discussions on them. Some say it's not as good, while others have been able to snag premium 2BR units with a studio.

 

[sjsharkie]

It depends what you mean by premium 2BR...
I define peak summer in Hawaii as when everyone is out of school... so from around June 15 to around Aug 10.

A plat 2BR in OGS, likely if you are flexible on island. Gold 2BR in OGS honestly is tough. I had a gold 2BR search for last summer a year out and it didnt hit. Of course YMMV.

In a instant trade, my experience it will likely trade fine, especially in flex. However you will need to be right place right time to execute the exchange.

For lesser premium 2BR (let's say Tahoe during spring break), it is easier to match in OGS with a 2BR. For a 1BR, maybe.

Usually a 1BR is fine to trade if you find something live without OGS. Especially in flex... even studios often will be enough. But remember that most times in order for it to be searchable it has to pass the OGSs in place.


Ryan

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[DannyTS]

has anyone gotten a summer Spain week with an OGS without Marriott priority? How easy is to get it with priority?

 

[NiteMaire]

has anyone gotten a summer Spain week with an OGS without Marriott priority? How easy is to get it with priority?

I realize this isn't an answer to your question, but I haven't seen much availability for immediate exchange for summer in Spain. For the last several years, availability stopped late-June until mid-to-late August. There were/are plenty weeks available outside of July and August; I have seen availability for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Week.

 

[tschwa2]

has anyone gotten a summer Spain week with an OGS without Marriott priority? How easy is to get it with priority?

I think summer spain is difficult with priority. In order to get a spain week without Marriott priority would mean that no one took it with priority and it sat in open availability for those with priority for 24 days. I don't think that has ever happened.

Summer beach weeks in 2 BR units (perhaps with the exception of Florida) are not easy even with priority. Priority will get you nice weather weeks vs dead of winter weeks without priority but school vacation times are still difficult even with priority especially if you need larger units or is in a location without 1 BR and studios.