Info Re Cancellations Due To Maui Fires [MERGED]

[gln60]

Has anyone had MVC cancel a MOC reservation?….if so,did the points go into a holding account or did the points go back to where they originated from?

 

[aklausing]

Don't have a reservation for MOC that has been canceled, but a few years back we had a reservation at Ocean Watch that was canceled following the hurricane. We were within the 60 day window and our points went into a holding account.

 

[pspercy]

To Our Valued Owners,

As you may know, the devastation in Maui this past week caused by several wildfires will leave a long-lasting impact on the island and our associates and their families. The loss of life and damage to property caused by these wildfires in Lahaina and the affected areas is difficult to comprehend.

First and foremost, we are focused on the safety and well-being of our associates, as well as those few Owners, Members, and guests who are currently on Maui.

At the time of this note, power has been restored to the resort; however, internet and telephone service remain unreliable on the island.

The lack of power and communications over the past several days has been especially difficult as the management company sought to make contact with associates, Owners, Members, and guests on Maui. Fortunately, as certain roads reopened for limited purposes and limited periods of time, we were able to have food, water and supplies delivered to our resorts over the past few days.

What We’re Doing for Upcoming Reservations

Owner Services is proactively contacting Owners, Members and guests with a confirmed reservation for occupancy during August 21 to August 31 and giving them the opportunity to cancel their reservation or explore alternative options. If you have an upcoming reservation, please contact Owner Services who can assist you in changing that aspect of your travel plans.

What We’re Doing for Our Associates

While we wait for communication lines to fully reopen, we continue to try to make contact with every associate on the island. We estimate that several hundreds of our associates and their families have sustained significant damage to, or loss of, their homes and their belongings. Active efforts are underway to assist impacted associates and their families by providing temporary housing, food, disaster pay for unworkable hours, supplies and other vital resources in the aftermath of the recent wildfires.

We have had an outpouring of concern and inquiries by many wanting to assist with support for our associates and their families. We thank you for your care and generosity. To help aid those associates and their families who incur significant damage or displacement after a natural or civic disaster such as this, our company previously established an associate relief fund. To help support recovery and relief efforts, we invite you to visit our Company Relief Fund website. All funds donated are distributed directly to our associates in need. Contributions to this Company Relief Fund will help our associates and their families across all nine impacted Maui properties managed by MVW build back following the wildfires.


Our thoughts continue to be with all of our teams on Maui.

Best regards,

Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Edgar Gum
Regional Vice President
Vacation Ownership, Americas - Hawaii

 

[10spro]

Just saw this update on Marriott and Vistana sites. Does anyone know what "transient rentals" means?

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Updated August 15 at 8 a.m. ET.

All cancellation fees for transient rentals are waived for cancellations through September 30, 2023. Owners with existing reservations through August 31, 2023, should contact Owner Services. If you have a reservation beyond August, please understand that the situation is changing rapidly, and we cannot yet answer questions about the resort status, amenities, and services that will be available this fall.

 

[vol_90]

All our points reservations cancelled within 60 days during Covid in 2020 went into the 60 day holding account. We also had a reservation at Crystal Shores for Nov. 2022 that was cancelled by Marriott due to hurricane damage and those points also went into the 60 day holding account.

 

[DanCali]

All our points reservations cancelled within 60 days during Covid in 2020 went into the 60 day holding account. We also had a reservation at Crystal Shores for Nov. 2022 that was cancelled by Marriott due to hurricane damage and those points also went into the 60 day holding account.

Didn't they also create a 120-day holding account during covid?

 

[gln60]

All our points reservations cancelled within 60 days during Covid in 2020 went into the 60 day holding account. We also had a reservation at Crystal Shores for Nov. 2022 that was cancelled by Marriott due to hurricane damage and those points also went into the 60 day holding account.

When I went on the chat feature this past Saturday,I spoke to an advisor who told me flat out that if I cancelled my reservation at the MOC,the points would go into a holding account...(for my daughter and fiancés honeymoon in mid September)I decided not to wait any longer and cancelled the reservation and immediately went to work finding dates at other Marriot resorts that would coincide with the dates i cancelled for Maui..luckily I used the majority of the holding points to book 5 nights at Timber Lodge…and 4 nights at Pulse San Diego and I kept their 7 night reservation at Ko OLINA...

 

[vol_90]

Didn't they also create a 120-day holding account during covid?

Correct for the Covid situation Marriott made an exception and established a 120 day holding account. The Crystal Shores cancellation in Nov. 2022 went to the 60 day holding account. Thanks for the catch!

 

[bazzap]

Didn't they also create a 120-day holding account during covid?

Yes, we had a points booking Covid closure cancellation put in a 120 day holding account.
MvC have indicated that they have been considering “an option” for Owners for Maui cancellations.
Perhaps it could be something similar?

 

[BocaBoy]

I called Owner Services yesterday and was told (after a multi-hour hold time) that if I cancel our August 29 reservation, my 3200 points will go back to a holding account. This cannot be correct, so I am calling back today, currently on hold again.

 

[JIMinNC]

I called Owner Services yesterday and was told (after a multi-hour hold time) that if I cancel our August 29 reservation, my 3200 points will go back to a holding account. This cannot be correct, so I am calling back today, currently on hold again.

Since you are inside of 61 days, points going into a holding account is generally MVC policy.

 

[BocaBoy]

But MVC are the ones canceling, not me. I just got off the phone and they told me all reservations through September 2 are being automatically canceled and all points are being returned to a holding account, which means the points cannot even be banked. If that is the case, and they told me it was a decision from 2 hours ago, the points cannot even be banked because holding account points cannot be banked. Since the year is almost over we can't use them later this year and will be out 3200 points, worth at least $2,000. If I were the one canceling I could understand this, but I am not allowed to go.

 

[Superchief]

But MVC are the ones canceling, not me. I just got off the phone and they told me all reservations through September 2 are being automatically canceled and all points are being returned to a holding account, which means the points cannot even be banked. If that is the case, and they told me it was a decision from 2 hours ago, the points cannot even be banked because holding account points cannot be banked. Since the year is almost over we can't use them later this year and will be out 3200 points, worth at least $2,000. If I were the one canceling I could understand this, but I am not allowed to go.

This is the same way they handled the cancellations at Crystal Shores last October. Do you have travel insurance? You should be able to make a claim and at least get your Maintenance fees back in a claim. I was able to use my holding points last year at Sabal Palms in December so I didn't lose the points.

 

[Dean]

But MVC are the ones canceling, not me. I just got off the phone and they told me all reservations through September 2 are being automatically canceled and all points are being returned to a holding account, which means the points cannot even be banked. If that is the case, and they told me it was a decision from 2 hours ago, the points cannot even be banked because holding account points cannot be banked. Since the year is almost over we can't use them later this year and will be out 3200 points, worth at least $2,000. If I were the one canceling I could understand this, but I am not allowed to go.

This is c/w the options given during Covid or hurricane situations other than they gave an expanded holding time of 120 days during Covid. Owned weeks were worse off, some getting a flex change deposit to II. It's really no different than if you owned a condo.

 

[Pamplemousse]

This is the same way they handled the cancellations at Crystal Shores last October. Do you have travel insurance? You should be able to make a claim and at least get your Maintenance fees back in a claim. I was able to use my holding points last year at Sabal Palms in December so I didn't lose the points.

We were told last year that the resort needed to cancel to collect insurance, not the customer.

 

[gln60]

I called Owner Services yesterday and was told (after a multi-hour hold time) that if I cancel our August 29 reservation, my 3200 points will go back to a holding account. This cannot be correct, so I am calling back today, currently on hold again.

Unfortunately it is correct…I canceled a reservation for MOC this past Saturday morning Using the chat feature.it was for the first week of my daughters and fiancés honeymoon in mid September..I rebooked other resorts using the holding points for the same time frame in September..i kept the 2nd week of their honeymoon at Ko Olina

 

[BocaBoy]

This is c/w the options given during Covid or hurricane situations other than they gave an expanded holding time of 120 days during Covid. Owned weeks were worse off, some getting a flex change deposit to II. It's really no different than if you owned a condo.

Oh but it is a lot different. I no longer own in Maui. This was an exchange.

 

[Dean]

Oh but it is a lot different. I no longer own in Maui. This was an exchange.

Then you would work with II or their insurance if purchase. Normally II doesn't assume responsibility for acts of nature.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Oh but it is a lot different. I no longer own in Maui. This was an exchange.

I think you said it was booked with abound points?

If you can’t find something else to book with the points through abound like @gln60 did you might be able to use them to book directly to a non abound resort through interval within the 60 days.

This chart shows uses for each type of points, although there have been some recent changes. You can ask questions through the chat so you don’t need to wait on the phone if you need to clarify.

How to use Expiring, Holding Account, PlusPoints and More - Abound Club Points

I promise, this isn't a duplicate question of the recent few that have popped up in the forum the last few days, but rather a place to consolidate the information. With the help of @kozykritter and @Pamplemousse I have put together the attached chart. It shows the different types of points you...

tugbbs.com

Good luck, we went through this last year with Marco Island.

 

[gln60]

But MVC are the ones canceling, not me. I just got off the phone and they told me all reservations through September 2 are being automatically canceled and all points are being returned to a holding account, which means the points cannot even be banked. If that is the case, and they told me it was a decision from 2 hours ago, the points cannot even be banked because holding account points cannot be banked. Since the year is almost over we can't use them later this year and will be out 3200 points, worth at least $2,000. If I were the one canceling I could understand this, but I am not allowed to go.

I made the same argument that you made to the advisor…he didn’t want to hear it…case closed

 

[BocaBoy]

I think you said it was booked with abound points?

If you can’t find something else to book with the points through abound like @gln60 did you might be able to use them to book directly to a non abound resort through interval within the 60 days.

This chart shows uses for each type of points, although there have been some recent changes. You can ask questions through the chat so you don’t need to wait on the phone if you need to clarify.

How to use Expiring, Holding Account, PlusPoints and More - Abound Club Points

I promise, this isn't a duplicate question of the recent few that have popped up in the forum the last few days, but rather a place to consolidate the information. With the help of @kozykritter and @Pamplemousse I have put together the attached chart. It shows the different types of points you...

tugbbs.com

Good luck, we went through this last year with Marco Island.

Yes it was booked with Abound points, which is an EXCHANGE. Has nothing to do with assuming the risks of a Maui owner.

 

[BocaBoy]

Then you would work with II or their insurance if purchase. Normally II doesn't assume responsibility for acts of nature.

A better a]nalogy would be a hotel or airline that cancels your reservation. They must refund you without penalty.

 

[Dean]

Yes it was booked with Abound points, which is an EXCHANGE. Has nothing to do with assuming the risks of a Maui owner.

My apologies, I misunderstood and I am not unsympathetic.

A better a]nalogy would be a hotel or airline that cancels your reservation. They must refund you without penalty.

IMO, this is quite a bit different for a number of reasons. In effect we are participating in a cooperative. We are not using our points to reserve something owned by MVC but rather owned by other owners either directly or through the trust. MVC has made no provisions to accommodate such matters outside the normal cancelation rule other than extension of the holding account option for points and an II replacement week for weeks owners affected during Covid. Remember MVC is simply the managing agent and any flexibility or reimbursement is directly on the back of the others owners. Plus there is a track record of what to expect. The Enrollment Agreement says the following and I suspect the trust agreement does as well.

Limitation of Liability
MVCEC’s liability to Owner in connection with the Program and any claims related to or arising from this Enrollment Agreement is limited to the fees paid to MVCEC by Owner during the then-current term. In no event shall MVCEC or an MVCEC affiliate be liable for any consequential, indirect, or special damages arising from Owner’s use of or participation in the Program or arising from this Enrollment Agreement. MVCEC is not responsible for Accommodations and related facilities that become unavailable for use due to natural disaster, act of God, war, terrorism, insurrection, or any other reason beyond MVCEC’s reasonable control, or for any additional costs or expenses incurred by Owner related thereto, and by use of the Program, each Owner waives any and all claims against MVCEC in this regard.

I'm pretty sure II has similar language for those affected. Plus II has the language that could nullify any deposit from a Maui owner where the resort was closed.

 

[pchung6]

I have an Maui reservation via II in October. What will happen to my II exchange if Marriott cancels Oct reservation?

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I have an Maui reservation via II in October. What will happen to my II exchange if Marriott cancels Oct reservation?

As long as you have E-Plus then you'll be all set. You'll have 3 chances to book a week elsewhere.

I was due to arrive in Maui on an II exchange on September 8th. I was progressive last Wednesday August 9th and just went ahead and used my E-Plus to book elsewhere. I didn't want to wait until the last minute to be cancelled and not find alternative reservations.....

It will be a long, long time before things are back to anywhere a near normal. Think 10 years or so. With your reservation in a couple of months I wouldn't hesitate to make alternative plans immediately. But, that's just me.





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