IMPORTANT: Marriott is re-issuing Vistana reservations

[daviator]

[

David - I'm new to the timeshare reservation.

After you book a Vistana timeshare reservation, the actual reservation will show up in the regular Marriott reservation system?

Thank

Bill Seward

Yes, assuming your Bonvoy number is part of your Vistana profile, Vistana reservations will show up in the Marriott system, usually pretty immediately after you make them. In the past there was typically a different reservation number on the Vistana side and on the Marriott side, which never seemed to cause a problem. I always assumed that the Vistana reservation number was the important one since any changes would need to be made with Vistana. But in my experience, seeing the reservation show up on the Marriott side usually meant that you would be properly credited in your Bonvoy account for the elite night credits and dollars spent on incidentals.

Now I have so many different reservation numbers and multiple stays showing up that it's a little hard to know what's what, but I assume this is all part of the transition and will be cleared up. What isn't clear to me is whether, under its new(ish) ownership by Marriott Vacations Worldwide, they are transitioning Vistana to use the reservations system that MVCI uses, and what that is exactly. I don't know if it's part of the same broad Marriott Hotels reservation system or if they have their own system. There are so many intricacies to timeshare reservations (many different pools of inventory, systems, rules, etc.) that this has got to be a pretty sizable endeavor.

 

[William Seward]

Yes, assuming your Bonvoy number is part of your Vistana profile, Vistana reservations will show up in the Marriott system, usually pretty immediately after you make them. In the past there was typically a different reservation number on the Vistana side and on the Marriott side, which never seemed to cause a problem. I always assumed that the Vistana reservation number was the important one since any changes would need to be made with Vistana. But in my experience, seeing the reservation show up on the Marriott side usually meant that you would be properly credited in your Bonvoy account for the elite night credits and dollars spent on incidentals.

Interesting ............I'm definitely just novice and trying to learn as much as I can.

Now I have so many different reservation numbers and multiple stays showing up that it's a little hard to know what's what, but I assume this is all part of the transition and will be cleared up. What isn't clear to me is whether, under its new(ish) ownership by Marriott Vacations Worldwide, they are transitioning Vistana to use the reservations system that MVCI uses, and what that is exactly. I don't know if it's part of the same broad Marriott Hotels reservation system or if they have their own system. There are so many intricacies to timeshare reservations (many different pools of inventory, systems, rules, etc.) that this has got to be a pretty sizable endeavor.

Where or how is everybody getting all this information about the merger. Folks have posted letters. Talked about a soft launch in late Feb., something is going to happening by the fourteenth with the complete merger by July one. Where is all of this information coming from.

We bought our timeshare one week before Covid hit and haven't travel since that time, Since the initial purchase we have yet to receive any emails, letter or any information about the merger. Will it be a combined (Vistana & MVC system)? When the MVC properties open up for Vistana property owners reservation and vis versa? How will the points be converted be handled. I know timeshare are more complicated then that. So I'm wonder what instore for the future.

I really am frustrated about the lack of communication. This forum is the only location that has any information.

Thanks for your time,

Bill Seward

 

[daviator]

NOTHING has been officially announced about the "merger" of the Vistana and MVC system. So everything you read here is speculation, largely based on things people get told during timeshare presentations and owner updates (much of which may be untrue, many sales people seem to be trying to use scare tactics to get people to buy more now!) Until MVC/Vistana actually announce something — at which time they will *definitely* send an email out to all owners — take everything you read with a grain of salt. We know some kind of combined product offering is coming, based on what MVC has told their investors, but nobody outside of MVC knows exactly what it will look like. And it's likely that it will not significantly impact your ability to continue using your existing ownership exactly the way you can use it today. Most of us believe that the new program will allow you to spend more money to access the MVC resorts through some kind of overlay program.

There is semi-credible speculation that the new program may be announced on March 14. If that happens, I am sure we'll all get an email on that day with a lot more information.

Take everything you read here with a grain of salt until any actual announcement occurs. Until then, it's all just rumors and guesses.

David

 

[William Seward]

NOTHING has been officially announced about the "merger" of the Vistana and MVC system. So everything you read here is speculation, largely based on things people get told during timeshare presentations and owner updates (much of which may be untrue, many sales people seem to be trying to use scare tactics to get people to buy more now!) Until MVC/Vistana actually announce something — at which time they will *definitely* send an email out to all owners — take everything you read with a grain of salt. We know some kind of combined product offering is coming, based on what MVC has told their investors, but nobody outside of MVC knows exactly what it will look like. And it's likely that it will not significantly impact your ability to continue using your existing ownership exactly the way you can use it today. Most of us believe that the new program will allow you to spend more money to access the MVC resorts through some kind of overlay program.

There is semi-credible speculation that the new program may be announced on March 14. If that happens, I am sure we'll all get an email on that day with a lot more information.

Take everything you read here with a grain of salt until any actual announcement occurs. Until then, it's all just rumors and guesses.

David

David - Thank you for the update.

I wish they would send out quarterly blast with updates. If no update the some sort of sales pitch.

I'm hoping someone will post the 14 update on this forum. I'm not holding my breath for an owners email blast.

Thanks

Bill Seward

 

[daviator]

David - Thank you for the update.

I wish they would send out quarterly blast with updates. If no update the some sort of sales pitch.

I'm hoping someone will post the 14 update on this forum. I'm not holding my breath for an owners email blast.

Thanks

Bill Seward

I guarantee there will be LOTS of discussion here when the details of the program changes are released.

 

[DavidnRobin]

The new reservation confirmations for WKORV state that there is a $20 per day parking fee!
WTF

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[EnglishmanAbroad]

The new reservation confirmations for WKORV state that there is a $20 per day parking fee!
WTF

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Yes says the same on our WKORV-N reservations. Hopefully just a 'glitch' in the new system. If it's not I can give plenty of tips about surviving on Maui without a car

 

[Denise L]

I saw that parking fee also, and just assumed that it was for hotel-type guests who book stays at our resorts using cash.

 

[daviator]

I think they are erroneously putting that message about parking fees in all the confirmations. It better be erroneous.

Parking fees have never applied to ownership reservations, either at your home resort or using StarOptions within VSN.

 

[dioxide45]

This is how Marriott.com confirmation have always shown for Marriott timeshare stays that have parking charges for cash and Bonvoy point guests. It has been this way ever since we bought Marriott timeshare in 2007. THe Bonvoy confirmations don't differentiate between cash stays or ownership stays. It says that parking fee for everyone. It doesn't apply to ownership stays.

 

[DavidnRobin]

This is how Marriott.com confirmation have always shown for Marriott timeshare stays that have parking charges for cash and Bonvoy point guests. It has been this way ever since we bought Marriott timeshare in 2007. THe Bonvoy confirmations don't differentiate between cash stays or ownership stays. It says that parking fee for everyone. It doesn't apply to ownership stays.

I realize that Owners don’t pay (yet…), but it can lead to confusion.

It would not be too difficult to add a sentence on the confirmations to clarify.

Also - now no text on prohibiting SO rentals, and villa assignments.


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[dioxide45]

I realize that Owners don’t pay (yet…), but it can lead to confusion.

It would not be too difficult to add a sentence on the confirmations to clarify.

Also - now no text on prohibiting SO rentals, and villa assignments.


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Perhaps, but the problem with adding a sentence is that sentence would go out on ALL Bonvoy confirmations. Cash and points too. Thus causing confusion on the other side. Better to disclose it and not charge it than to somehow not disclose it or not be clear about the disclosure then charge it. Owners on the Marriott side have accepted and learned how it works and how it applies to ownership stays.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Anyway… the BonVoy confirmations are confusing quite a few people. I wouldn’t pay it as I know better, but many do not. There are many Vistana Owners that do not participate in BonVoy (like me) - I am glad to have gotten to buy and use my StarPoints at a bargain (in hind-site).

Adding a single line of clarification (like normal) wouldn’t be that challenging. I could do it, and I suck at writing. More of a math person...

On another aspect of this topic -
I converted StarOptions to Resort Credit (27K restricted SOs => $330) for upcoming WKORV OFD studio HomeResort stay
and…

Immediately I received another Reservation Confirmation with a yet another new number (3rd one now) and when looking at the Marriott BonVoy App, I now have two separate confirmation numbers for the same WKORV reservation???

Anyone seen this?

I made this HomeResort reservation exactly 12 months (9pm PST) - be interesting to see our location relative to previous stays. We’ve been fortunate for 15 years - no complaints here. Location really doesn’t matter for this stay - our friends rented a 2Bd LO OFC ($4800 from a Tugger I think…) and hanging out there.

For our 1Bd OFD stay in Sept - I was thinking of converting more restricted SOs, but not if it screws with our location.
My direct experience over the years at WKORV and WPORV has shown that that Timestamp Rules and directly correlated to confirmation number.

Glad we had all these great years - I miss Starwood SVO.


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[daviator]

Anyway… the BonVoy confirmations are confusing quite a few people. I wouldn’t pay it as I know better, but many do not. There are many Vistana Owners that do not participate in BonVoy (like me) - I am glad to have gotten to buy and use my StarPoints at a bargain (in hind-site).

Adding a single line of clarification (like normal) wouldn’t be that challenging. I could do it, and I suck at writing. More of a math person...

On another aspect of this topic -
I converted StarOptions to Resort Credit (27K restricted SOs => $330) for upcoming WKORV OFD studio HomeResort stay
and…

Immediately I received another Reservation Confirmation with a yet another new number (3rd one now) and when looking at the Marriott BonVoy App, I now have two separate confirmation numbers for the same WKORV reservation???

Anyone seen this?

I made this HomeResort reservation exactly 12 months (9pm PST) - be interesting to see our location relative to previous stays. We’ve been fortunate for 15 years - no complaints here. Location really doesn’t matter for this stay - our friends rented a 2Bd LO OFC ($4800 from a Tugger I think…) and hanging out there.

For our 1Bd OFD stay in Sept - I was thinking of converting more restricted SOs, but not if it screws with our location.
My direct experience over the years at WKORV and WPORV has shown that that Timestamp Rules and directly correlated to confirmation number.

Glad we had all these great years - I miss Starwood SVO.


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I think the timing of the new confirmation number may have been a coincidence. But I received new confirmations for my WKORV stays too, and now have three different confirmation numbers for each. Who knows which one(s) are relevant?

 

[Ken555]

My Marriott emails (when I get them... I've noticed I don't receive them for every resort, even after I request them) now have at bottom the designation "Migration Points". I see in an earlier post "Migration Weeks" so I suppose that's how they're classifying VSN.

 

[Ken555]

On a related topic, I'm trying to book hotels at marriott.com tonight and this is what I see:

504 Gateway Time-out
The server didn't respond in time.

 

[vacationtime1]

On a related topic, I'm trying to book hotels at marriott.com tonight and this is what I see:

504 Gateway Time-out
The server didn't respond in time.

Same here.

 

[Gremanda]

We have an upcoming stay at Nanea, and we are combining some StarOptions and an Encore package. I called a couple of months ago to make the request to link the reservations so we can stay in the same unit for the duration of the stay.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a new confirmation number via email for the StarOptions reservation, but did not receive a new confirmation number for the Encore package.

I called the resort earlier today to confirm our request that the two reservations are linked. It seems that after the change of the StarOptions confirmation number, the request to link the two reservations was no longer notated. The Nanea receptionist was able to find both reservation confirmation numbers and notate the request for us, again.

I also logged into my Bonvoy account today, and in the "My Trips" link at the top right of the page, I get the message:

"We’re temporarily unable to display the information you requested. Please try again later."


I can find the StarOptions reservation using the "Search by confirmation number" function with the new confirmation number.

In my Vistana Dashboard, the StarOptions reservation still lists the old confirmation number.

Bottom line, you may want to call the resort to check on your special requests if they were made prior to the re-issuing of Vistana reservation confirmation numbers.

 

[daviator]

We have an upcoming stay at Nanea, and we are combining some StarOptions and an Encore package. I called a couple of months ago to make the request to link the reservations so we can stay in the same unit for the duration of the stay.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a new confirmation number via email for the StarOptions reservation, but did not receive a new confirmation number for the Encore package.

I called the resort earlier today to confirm our request that the two reservations are linked. It seems that after the change of the StarOptions confirmation number, the request to link the two reservations was no longer notated. The Nanea receptionist was able to find both reservation confirmation numbers and notate the request for us, again.

I also logged into my Bonvoy account today, and in the "My Trips" link at the top right of the page, I get the message:

"We’re temporarily unable to display the information you requested. Please try again later."


I can find the StarOptions reservation using the "Search by confirmation number" function with the new confirmation number.

In my Vistana Dashboard, the StarOptions reservation still lists the old confirmation number.

Bottom line, you may want to call the resort to check on your special requests if they were made prior to the re-issuing of Vistana reservation confirmation numbers.

For what it’s worth, I have had back-to-back reservations very similar to yours, including with Encore packages, on many occasions, and they’ve always figured it out on their own and kept us in the same unit. I’ve never called in advance to make any special request, they just always do it proactively. So while there are no guarantees, I wouldn’t be that worried that you’ll have to move between units, unless they simply aren’t able to accommodate keeping you in the same unit.

 

[Eric B]

Just got a “migration points” confirmation from Marriott for a VSN stay at Lagunamar. It had the new confirmation number and I was able to add my Bonvoy number.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The new Bonvoy numbers on reservations of Vistana confirmations are a disaster that is causing a lot of confusion for guests. When our guest for our 7/2 SBP reservation, which I made with a floating week, not options, called to confirm that her name is on the confirmation, they told her they didn't have that confirmation # (which begins with 4) in their system. No explanation as to why this is an issue for the guest to reassure her. I called Vistana, they said that the confirmation shows my name first and the resort needs to open up the confirmation to see it. I told Vistana they don't have that number as the confirmation #.

Found out that a longer number beginning with 8 (Marriott Bonvoy #) is the number the resort has, with the old Vistana reservation # embedded into the confirmation on the resort's end. Vistana still has the number beginning with 4 and no Bonvoy number listed on the confirmation when I open it up.

Finally, the resort's manager was able to add the guest name on their end, and we had to communicate the Bonvoy res # to the guest.

This is a terrible transition, and I hope the IT department gets a handle on it before we get more of these guests trying to confirm reservations. ANGRY is how I am feeling right now. ANGRY.

The clueless guy at Vistana sent two emails with the guest's name on the old reservation # beginning with 4, as though having additional emails is going to fix this issue.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Not sure if I reported here before,but…
Even with the changing confirmation numbers. It appeared that our TimeStamp held for location preference
WKORV OFD studio - with 24 of them, we ended up in one of top location (IMO YMMV).

We have never stayed in our OFD studio before (used to rent out to help cover MFs) - really like the layout with the window wall next to balcony slider.


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[divenski]

The new Bonvoy numbers on reservations of Vistana confirmations are a disaster that is causing a lot of confusion for guests. When our guest for our 7/2 SBP reservation, which I made with a floating week, not options, called to confirm that her name is on the confirmation, they told her they didn't have that confirmation # (which begins with 4) in their system...

Interesting info as I was dealing with a similar situation a few days ago. The person I talked with at Vistana, and who seemed like she knew what she was doing, said that the new Bonvoy reservations should never have been sent out as they were intended for internal use. That sounded a little fishy to me, but that was the story. She said that they would only send updated res, eg with a guest name change, with the Vistana format.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Interesting info as I was dealing with a similar situation a few days ago. The person I talked with at Vistana, and who seemed like she knew what she was doing, said that the new Bonvoy reservations should never have been sent out as they were intended for internal use. That sounded a little fishy to me, but that was the story. She said that they would only send updated res, eg with a guest name change, with the Vistana format.

Yes, it's a big deal, and it will be a big deal for Redweek Verified, go-koala.com Verified, because our name shows as the arriving guest on all confirmations. And it will cause a problem for all owners who have rented their weeks privately. If the old Vistana numbers are truly embedded somewhere in the reservation, I need all of the Bonvoy numbers and I need to know that guests are showing as guests. I don't know what Marriott thinks they are doing. Maybe I can find all of the Bonvoy numbers in our two Bonvoy accounts, but how to add guests from there? My guests were already added via Vistana.

 

[divenski]

Maybe another reason to hope that the complete integration is finalized sooner than later, and that there will be better links between the systems. In the meantime though, it's a little screwed up.