• Welcome to the FREE TUGBBS forums! The absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 31 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    All subscribers auto-entered to win all free TUG membership giveaways!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $24,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $24 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    Tens of thousands of subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Hyatt,Marriott Fourseason ,Westin splitting off from II?

CMF said:
Let's think of a "major award" for the first TUGer that posts the details of Marriott's new exchange system [or any new exchange system that Marriott has a hand in creating and participating in].

Here is my suggestion for an award!

legLamp.jpg


Whaddaya think?

Charles
Click to expand...

I have ONE comment of your concept........

Does the lamp come in FISH NET STOCKINGS??? :confused:
 
But of course!

Christmas_story_leg_lamp_large.jpg


Yes, the lucky winner can have the fish net model to display in his/her bay window if that is their wish.

Charles
 
To be honest, I really didn't think much of the prize, but now we're talkin'!!!
 
Carmel,You shoudn't have bailed so quick....Somethings happening with Starwood. Details are sketchy but some kind of new res system is in the works..I Don't know if it has something to do with what Carmel was talking about but it seems to be a big change coming.No ones talking about it much on the Starwood board untill the full details are out ...This is from the Starwood website...............Travelocity Partner Network
Starwood Vacation Network will soon offer one-stop travel booking through Travelocity Partner Network(TM). In addition to making resort reservations online, you will be able to book airline tickets and rental cars at mystarcentral.com. Travelocity's Flight NavigatorSM technology will allow you to execute advanced searches, scan available airfares and seats, and compare travel dates, airlines, airports, car rental companies and much more.

With this comprehensive booking engine, making travel plans will be easier than ever before. Travelocity negotiates low-priced deals with the world's most reputable travel providers—hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines and other destination services—to ensure you have a wide variety of travel options to consider for your 2008 travel.
 
Transit said:
Carmel,You shoudn't have bailed so quick....Somethings happening with Starwood. Details are sketchy but some kind of new res system is in the works..I Don't know if it has something to do with what Carmel was talking about but it seems to be a big change coming.No ones talking about it much on the Starwood board untill the full details are out ...This is from the Starwood website...............Travelocity Partner Network
Starwood Vacation Network will soon offer one-stop travel booking through Travelocity Partner Network(TM). In addition to making resort reservations online, you will be able to book airline tickets and rental cars at mystarcentral.com. Travelocity's Flight NavigatorSM technology will allow you to execute advanced searches, scan available airfares and seats, and compare travel dates, airlines, airports, car rental companies and much more.

With this comprehensive booking engine, making travel plans will be easier than ever before. Travelocity negotiates low-priced deals with the world's most reputable travel providers—hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines and other destination services—to ensure you have a wide variety of travel options to consider for your 2008 travel.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a rental site to me.
 
Transit said:
Carmel,You shoudn't have bailed so quick....Somethings happening with Starwood. Details are sketchy but some kind of new res system is in the works..I Don't know if it has something to do with what Carmel was talking about but it seems to be a big change coming.No ones talking about it much on the Starwood board untill the full details are out ...This is from the Starwood website...............Travelocity Partner Network
Starwood Vacation Network will soon offer one-stop travel booking through Travelocity Partner Network(TM). In addition to making resort reservations online, you will be able to book airline tickets and rental cars at mystarcentral.com. Travelocity's Flight NavigatorSM technology will allow you to execute advanced searches, scan available airfares and seats, and compare travel dates, airlines, airports, car rental companies and much more.

With this comprehensive booking engine, making travel plans will be easier than ever before. Travelocity negotiates low-priced deals with the world's most reputable travel providers—hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines and other destination services—to ensure you have a wide variety of travel options to consider for your 2008 travel.
Click to expand...

Until all the details are in we won't know for certain but, this just sounds like their outsourcing for travel related services.

DRI/Sunterra use to have what appeared to be an inhouse travel agency. If I'm not mistaken I read recently where this will now be outsourced to another travel agency similar to what you've outlined with Starwood.

At any rate it does not sound like any combination of the big 5 having some sort of joint internal booking agreement between the different brands. At least not yet.
 
Another interesting little tidbit is that DVC recently announced that in 2008, DVC members will be able to make II trades for less than a full week. Not really clear on whether that means deposit less than a full week, or request less than a full week, or both. Could it all be related? I dunno.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if Hyatt, SVO, Marriott, Four Seasons, HGVC, etc created direct affiliations with each other and start direct exchanging. It's in their best interest, it forms an exclusivity that will help them create enhanced value to their products, and they can offer it only to owners who buy directly from them.

They can keep all the other stuff in place. These newer exchange relationships will just be a value added enhancement.

Actually, I would be very surprised if this didn't happen within the next 5 years.
 
BocaBum99 said:
I wouldn't be surprised if Hyatt, SVO, Marriott, Four Seasons, HGVC, etc created direct affiliations with each other and start direct exchanging. It's in their best interest, it forms an exclusivity that will help them create enhanced value to their products, and they can offer it only to owners who buy directly from them.

They can keep all the other stuff in place. These newer exchange relationships will just be a value added enhancement.

Actually, I would be very surprised if this didn't happen within the next 5 years.
Click to expand...

I agree it would be nice to have some sort of internal exchange privelges with the other major hotel chain timeshares and it might eliminate my need to belong to I.I. with all the choices it would bring. I just don't really want I.I. completely eliminated from the mix.

We have seven timeshares and of those seven, five of them are LO units. Right now it's just the two of us so we typicall lock off our units and use the studio's to exchange into Branson, MO, which is a drive to destination for us. Of the big 5, only Marriott has a timeshare in Branson. While the Marriott may be the best timeshare in Branson we really like a little varity and there are many quality timeshares in Branson that are not related to the big 5 hotel chains. I still need and want I.I. if only to have some variety when exchanging into this one location.

I'm certain there are many other locations we would want to trade into as well that don't have one of the big 5 sitting there or there's only one or two choices. I still like the variety that I.I. offers and, at least in some years if not most, would still find value in maintaining my membership.

I guess my only negative on the OP's original post is getting rid of I.I. IMO that would not be a good move for any of the so called big 5. Leave it as an option and, if a member doesn't want it them don't join.

BTW, if you're including Hilton in this mix, they exchange through RCI and the RCI membership fee is included in the MF. Personally, I'd like to see that fee removed and my MF lowered. I have no use for RCI and don't care for not having the option to opt out.
 
dougp26364 said:
.....I guess my only negative on the OP's original post is getting rid of I.I. IMO that would not be a good move for any of the so called big 5. Leave it as an option and, if a member doesn't want it them don't join.

BTW, if you're including Hilton in this mix, they exchange through RCI and the RCI membership fee is included in the MF. Personally, I'd like to see that fee removed and my MF lowered. I have no use for RCI and don't care for not having the option to opt out.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't it be nice if we had the option of joining II or RCI. In Hyatt's program we must pay for II irrespective if we ever use it. For me neither II or RCI has any value and I would drop them in a heartbeat.
 
I agree that it would be nice to be able to drop II from Hyatt ownerships... even more so when you own multiple weeks and you get the pleasure of paying for II multiple times... and still never use it!!

As far as the big players forming their own exchange system... I personally don't see that as happening because I think Hyatt, Westin, Marriott see each other as direct competition as forming an exchange with each other may show to much of an acceptance of the other companies. Just my 2 cents.
 
Last edited:
Kal said:
Wouldn't it be nice if we had the option of joining II or RCI. In Hyatt's program we must pay for II irrespective if we ever use it. For me neither II or RCI has any value and I would drop them in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

KAl,

You have my vote 1000%...


Does anybody on Tug know who was the original owners of II? I thought it was hyatt and marriott? Please a little help.

Thank you
 
Well, I'm not sure who "Dr. Marriott" is that is being referred to here. To my personal knowledge there is no "Dr." Marriott. There is Bill Marriott who heads up Marriott corporation but I don't believe his title is "Dr." At least he's never indicated that to me. I have been to his home, viewed his amazing car collection, etc. and not once has anyone, including his wife ever said anything about his holding the title of "Dr."

I stand corrected. Technically I guess you could say his title is "Dr." because in May 2006 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Weber State University (Utah). I've never known him to use "Dr" as his salutation however.

I would have serious doubts that Marriott would ever consider dumping II.
 
Last edited:
Carmel -

The original owners of II were two individuals who formed it - way back in 1976. They had no affiliation with any of the hotel companies. One of the individuals left II in the early 1980s and sold his interest to Leaguestar, a London-based investment holding company.

In the mid 90s, CUC purchased all of the stock of II. Due to antitrust concerns when CUC merged with another company in 1997, the ownership was sold to an investment group. Minority partners in that group included Marriott, Hyatt and Carlson. Thus, Marriott and Hyatt didn't acquire their minority ownership until more than 20 years after II first started its timeshare exchange business!

USA Interactive (now called InterActiveCorp or IAC) purchased all of the stock in 2002. That's where 100% of the ownership is today, although IAC has announced that they plan to spin II's ownership off from IAC.

Incidentally, Carmel, it does a disservice to all who read these forums when you go back and make significant changes to your posts to which others have already responded. It makes sense to make minor technical or grammatical changes, if appropriate, but making significant deletions, as you have, makes it impossible for others to follow the flow of the conversation.
 
Dave M said:
Carmel -

The original owners of II were two individuals who formed it - way back in 1976. They had no affiliation with any of the hotel companies. One of the individuals left II in the early 1980s and sold his interest to Leaguestar, a London-based investment holding company.

In the mid 90s, CUC purchased all of the stock of II. Due to antitrust concerns when CUC merged with another company in 1997, the ownership was sold to an investment group. Minority partners in that group included Marriott, Hyatt and Carlson. Thus, Marriott and Hyatt didn't acquire their minority ownership until more than 20 years after II first started its timeshare exchange business!

USA Interactive (now called interactive corp or IAC) purchased all of the stock in 2002. That's where 100% of the ownership is today, although IAC has announced that they plan to spin II's ownership off from IAC.

Incidentally, Carmel, it does a disservice to all who read these forums when you go back and make significant changes to your posts to which others have already responded. It makes sense to make minor technical or grammatical changes, if appropriate, but making significant deletions, as you have, makes it impossible for others to follow the flow of the conversation.
Click to expand...


Thank you for the information. The spin off of II when is this going to happen?

I made changes because you though i was speaking on you behalf which was NOT ture so I deleted the post. It is that simple.
 
They have announced plans to spin it off, but I haven't seen a definitive timetable yet. Here is last month's press release.

Rather than change an existing post after someone has responded, please consider adding a new post to clarify or add to what you said earlier. Otherwise, a later post by someone else might not make any sense to those who might read it.
 
Dave M said:
They have announced plans to spin it off, but I haven't seen a definitive timetable yet. Here is last month's press release.

Rather than change an existing post after someone has responded, please consider adding a new post to clarify or add to what you said earlier. Otherwise, a later post by someone else might not make any sense to those who might read it.
Click to expand...

Dave,

Thank you for the information abou0t the spin off and press release.:)

Stay out of the snow we here in California are heading to the beach today yes even here in Carmel,Ca but next week we get tons of rain and great snow in Lake Tahoe.:whoopie:

Thanks again for the info this is making more and more sense.:cheer:
 
Kal said:
Wouldn't it be nice if we had the option of joining II or RCI. In Hyatt's program we must pay for II irrespective if we ever use it. For me neither II or RCI has any value and I would drop them in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...


I agree- For some of us- its money out the door- Its almost unfair sometimes you consider the drop in quality- If the big five decided to work togehter they may be able to force II and rCIs hands and benefit the owners-
 
Dave M said:
Bob -

Echoing TUG Improvements!'s comments, click on the first link in my above post responding to Charles and you'll see numerous examples of significant skepticism about one of my Marriott statements. Such strong skepticism is normal and to be expected on public forums such as here at TUG.

I learned long ago that I have three choices when I have information to share TUG with others here at TUG, such as what you posted here.

1) Share it and take the flack when there is no way for people to independently verify my info.

2) Share it and divulge my confidential sources.

3) Keep it to myself.

In almost every case, I choose #1. Developing a thick skin is necessary if you post otherwise unpublished info here and that info can't be verified by others, isn't popular with others or both!

So join the crowd and take the flack with a smile!! :)
Click to expand...

Carmel-
Just to tailgate on this- many times your advice and predictions actually do happen- Just like Hyatt Northstar-
so keep em coming- pal- yor info helps
 
benjaminb13 said:
Carmel-
Just to tailgate on this- many times your advice and predictions actually do happen- Just like Hyatt Northstar-
so keep em coming- pal- yor info helps
Click to expand...


Beji,

Thanks for the encouragement I just get tired of getting beat down but a select few and nothing happens . But dont worry I will keep the info coming on some of the other board that many of us Hyatt owners review!!!

NOW let it now HEAVY in Lake Tahoe Next week we need it big big time.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Kal said:
Wouldn't it be nice if we had the option of joining II or RCI. In Hyatt's program we must pay for II irrespective if we ever use it. For me neither II or RCI has any value and I would drop them in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

HGVC is the same way. I pay for an RCI membership in my MF's even though I don't use it. To top it off it's not a full membership. With Hilton I must call an RCI rep with HGVC to make exchanges. I can't search online myself just to see what's out there that might interest me. I resent literally being forced into a membership I don't want. Plus, if I own 2 weeks or more, I pay that RCI fee for each and every week I own. Talk about a rip off IMO.

Yes I would like the option to pay or not to pay the yearly I.I. fee. I can see between Marriott and our DRI accounts that there would be years that I would not need to maintain my personal account with I.I. Dropping that $89 fee when I don't need it would be fine. However, having the option to pay it and make exchanges with I.I. is an option I'd like to keep.
 
The Hyatt Interval membership is also exclusive to Hyatt. I can't add on any of my non-Hyatt timeshares into the II membership. Ultra rip-off!
 
Kal said:
The Hyatt Interval membership is also exclusive to Hyatt. I can't add on any of my non-Hyatt timeshares into the II membership. Ultra rip-off!
Click to expand...

Kal,

You are 1000% correct!!!! RIP OFF!!!!! BIG TIME!!!!


I find it funny Hyatt owners pay about $120 for II and it looks like marriott owners pay $89.00 is this correct?? What about the other hotel programs what do you all pay to II?

Sounds like Hyatt is keeping a lot for themselves!!!!

Bob
 
Last edited:
Bob - That $120 covers both Interval AND Hyatt Vacation Club. I believe the Interval portion is somewhere around $70/unit-week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top