"Important News About Your Payment Options"

[Eric B]

For comparison, if you use a credit card to pay maintenance fees on a Ritz Carlton Club St Thomas fractional there's a flat charge of $500. That works out to about 2.4% for a 2 BR Residence unit for three weeks. The sad thing is that it is collected through a third party entity, Concord Financial or something like that, which is not coded as a travel company or Marriott branded so you have to find a credit card with rewards sufficient to justify the extra expense if you want to use one. Got me over the cusp for United Mileage Plus Gold this last year, resulting in several upgrades to first class that I wouldn't have gotten as Silver, plus an extra 10,000 mile award discount. Not sure what I'll do this coming season as I should make Gold without it.

 

[dansimms]

I just paid roughly half of what my maintenance due will be. No mention of a 3% service charge. Could have saved me almost $200. Fingers crossed.

 

[lily28]

i was able to pay for 6 vistana fees today without additional cost. next will be the marriott timeshare which hopefully will work too. it is just so bad to pay for maintenance fees exceeding $10k 4 months in advance

 

[Don Springett]

i was able to pay for 6 vistana fees today without additional cost. next will be the marriott timeshare which hopefully will work too. it is just so bad to pay for maintenance fees exceeding $10k 4 months in advance

My online account shows nothing due. Did you just pay lasts years statement amount and plan to pay the balance when the 2027 statements comes out?

 

[vacationtime1]

My online account shows nothing due. Did you just pay lasts years statement amount and plan to pay the balance when the 2027 statements comes out?

That's what I did. My account now shows a credit balance equal to 2026 MF's.

 

[duke]

When should we start making advance payments before fee kicks in?

 

[dioxide45]

When should we start making advance payments before fee kicks in?

You make prepayments now.

 

[amycurl]

Or wait the three weeks until management realizes what a dumb idea this was and changes their mind, lol! (But, I understand, it's a different group of owners being charged here, for now.)

 

[bizaro86]

When should we start making advance payments before fee kicks in?

I already did for mine.

 

[dioxide45]

Word is that the MVC Trust has "paused" the new 3% fee. Has Sheraton or Westin Flex had their annual meetings? If so, did anyone attend?

 

[daviator]

Word is that the MVC Trust has "paused" the new 3% fee. Has Sheraton or Westin Flex had their annual meetings? If so, did anyone attend?

I believe that I just returned my proxy for the Westin Flex annual meeting a week or two ago, so I don't think the meeting has happened yet. I think it's usually around October 1?

All of the association information available on the Vistana owner site is woefully out of date, some of it hasn't been updated in many years.

 

[LahainaMoon]

It is official. Credit card surcharge policy reversed!

 

[iowaguy09]

It is official. Credit card surcharge policy reversed!

LahainaMoon, you beat me to the news! Email arrived 2 hours ago:

Dear Flex Collection Trust Owner,

I am writing to share an important update regarding maintenance fee payments for the 2027 billing cycle.

Recently, you received your 2027 maintenance fee invoice, along with a cover letter which outlined a surcharge that would be assessed when paying your maintenance fee via credit card.

That proposal was one of the many initiatives included in developing the 2027 Association budget. While cost management remains a key responsibility, it has recently become clear that the credit card surcharge was not the right tool.

Over the past several weeks, many Owners have shared their thoughts and concerns about the proposed surcharge. I thank everyone who reached out and took the time to provide feedback. We heard you and it made a difference.

Quite simply, we underestimated how strongly and passionately many Owners value the flexibility, convenience and benefits that come with paying maintenance fees by credit card.

We take responsibility for that, and we have recently taken the following action.

Working with the Flex Collection Owners Association Board, we have decided not to move forward with the planned credit card surcharge. Please note - the Association’s approved 2027 budget and your recently invoiced maintenance fee will remain unchanged. We will work with your Board to identify and consider additional ways to operate efficiently, while still delivering great hospitality experiences.

Your perspective matters, and in this case, helped us recognize the need to revisit the original recommendation. We appreciate your continued trust and look forward to welcoming you on your next vacation.

Sincerely,

Matthew E. Avril Chief Executive Officer Marriott Vacations Worldwide

 

[iowaguy09]

My theory, and this was suggested on the MVC thread also, is that the Bonvoy/Chase/Amex credit card agreements somehow prevented this surcharge arrangement from being allowed. If true, makes you wonder how corporate management could miss that or be so ignorant of it. I wasn't really "strongly and passionately" opposed to the policy, just disappointed and ready to figure out the best way to maximize the situation to my benefit, and really surprised they would even consider this policy given how much they push the Bonvoy credit cards and their points earning benefits on the sales side. There is a reason we hold 4 of them (plus the free night certs easily pay for themselves).

 

[Negma]

Data point....I just went and prepaid some maintenance fees by credit card and was not charged the 3% fee. So if you prepay some now you can at least avoid it for now.

Same. Flex trust ownership. paid no fee yesterday