Marriott Abound

[vikingsholm]

I don't really care what they call it, and have never gotten worked up over the name Bonvoy either.

What did rile me up though is that I just opened the Marriott news release link. On that page are links to Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton. I wanted to check out Westin and Sheraton to see what resorts they have, since we don't own at either but do at Marriott, and we've only used those other two systems a few times on exchanges.

All of these links go to a Facebook page for each resort system. Then ask you to log in to FB to see the content.

WTH? I hate Facebook. I have never registered for it and never ever will. Their shiny new toy Meta seems even more ridiculous.

What possible reason would they have for sending us to links on a garbage site like Facebook instead of using their own corporate page, when they're introducing the program?

I have no problem if they set up a FB page for those who want it, in parallel. But as their main link when introducing a program?

This abounds with stupidity.

 

[VacationForever]

But many (possibly 40%) of retail owners also have individual accounts.

When you buy a voluntary resort from Vistana, you also get VSN and II account.

 

[dioxide45]

When you buy a voluntary resort from Vistana, you also get VSN and II account.

My reply was more for those that own Marriott given the 40% unenrolled number that was provided during their Investor Day event. Truth is, as you pointed out earlier, II doesn't care if you bought resale or direct. They may be able to tell for some people who the developer owners are, but not for every owner. Thus they don't care how you acquired your ownership and the priority/preference is the same for both types of owners.

 

[SueDonJ]

I don't really care what they call it, and have never gotten worked up over the name Bonvoy either.

What did rile me up though is that I just opened the Marriott news release link. On that page are links to Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton. I wanted to check out Westin and Sheraton to see what resorts they have, since we don't own at either but do at Marriott, and we've only used those other two systems a few times on exchanges.

All of these links go to a Facebook page for each resort system. Then ask you to log in to FB to see the content.

WTH? I hate Facebook. I have never registered for it and never ever will. Their shiny new toy Meta seems even more ridiculous.

What possible reason would they have for sending us to links on a garbage site like Facebook instead of using their own corporate page, when they're introducing the program?

I have no problem if they set up a FB page for those who want it, in parallel. But as their main link when introducing a program?

This abounds with stupidity.

Taking a guess here but were the links that you clicked the same ones in the last sentence of the first section of the press release? The ones embedded in the sentence that says, "For those interested in immersing themselves in the endless vacation possibilities with these brands now, follow Marriott Vacation Club®, Sheraton® Vacation Club and Westin® Vacation Club on social media?" If so, with the sentence literally saying, "follow [us] on social media," why wouldn't a reader expect that those links would direct to social media sites?

[eta] I understand that you would have preferred direct links to the information that you're looking for but for their purposes it seems that getting more social media interaction is their aim, and in this day and age that's not a surprise. I think you can find a list of all the Westin and Sheraton resorts by clicking on the "Destinations" tab at vistana.com.

 

[Eric B]

Taking a guess here but were the links that you clicked the same ones in the last sentence of the first section of the press release? The ones embedded in the sentence that says, "For those interested in immersing themselves in the endless vacation possibilities with these brands now, follow Marriott Vacation Club®, Sheraton® Vacation Club and Westin® Vacation Club on social media?" If so, with the sentence literally saying, "follow [us] on social media," why wouldn't a reader expect that those links would direct to social media sites?

Well, yeah, but I prefer TUG as my social media....

 

[dioxide45]

I don't really care what they call it, and have never gotten worked up over the name Bonvoy either.

What did rile me up though is that I just opened the Marriott news release link. On that page are links to Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton. I wanted to check out Westin and Sheraton to see what resorts they have, since we don't own at either but do at Marriott, and we've only used those other two systems a few times on exchanges.

All of these links go to a Facebook page for each resort system. Then ask you to log in to FB to see the content.

WTH? I hate Facebook. I have never registered for it and never ever will. Their shiny new toy Meta seems even more ridiculous.

What possible reason would they have for sending us to links on a garbage site like Facebook instead of using their own corporate page, when they're introducing the program?

I have no problem if they set up a FB page for those who want it, in parallel. But as their main link when introducing a program?

This abounds with stupidity.

You can go to Vistana.com to take a look at the resorts they have in their system.

 

[SueDonJ]

You can go to Vistana.com to take a look at the resorts they have in their system.

GMTA - I just finished editing my post to include the vistana.com link. Are the Sheraton and Westin resorts at the "Destinations" tab all of the Vistana resorts? If so I didn't realize how many fewer resorts in that portfolio than in Marriott's.

 

[dioxide45]

GMTA - I just finished editing my post to include the vistana.com link. Are the Sheraton and Westin resorts at the "Destinations" tab all of the Vistana resorts? If so I didn't realize how many fewer resorts in that portfolio than in Marriott's.

Yes, they are all there. They only have a little over 20 properties.

 

[remowidget]

My reply was more for those that own Marriott given the 40% unenrolled number that was provided during their Investor Day event. Truth is, as you pointed out earlier, II doesn't care if you bought resale or direct. They may be able to tell for some people who the developer owners are, but not for every owner. Thus they don't care how you acquired your ownership and the priority/preference is the same for both types of owners.

So, resale Vistana gets the internal exchange time benefit?

 

[remowidget]

I don't really care what they call it, and have never gotten worked up over the name Bonvoy either.

What did rile me up though is that I just opened the Marriott news release link. On that page are links to Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton. I wanted to check out Westin and Sheraton to see what resorts they have, since we don't own at either but do at Marriott, and we've only used those other two systems a few times on exchanges.

All of these links go to a Facebook page for each resort system. Then ask you to log in to FB to see the content.

WTH? I hate Facebook. I have never registered for it and never ever will. Their shiny new toy Meta seems even more ridiculous.

What possible reason would they have for sending us to links on a garbage site like Facebook instead of using their own corporate page, when they're introducing the program?

I have no problem if they set up a FB page for those who want it, in parallel. But as their main link when introducing a program?

This abounds with stupidity.

You can see the Vistana Staroptions chart with all of the resorts here:

StarOptions Value Chart 2021 - 2022 - Advantage Vacation Timeshare Resales

Below you will find a link to the 2021 – 2022 StarOptions value chart:

advantagevacation.com

 

[remowidget]

Well, yeah, but I prefer TUG as my social media....

Lol. I'm guessing the tug is not on Marriotts preferred list of social media.

 

[SueDonJ]

You can see the Vistana Staroptions chart with all of the resorts here:

StarOptions Value Chart 2021 - 2022 - Advantage Vacation Timeshare Resales

Below you will find a link to the 2021 – 2022 StarOptions value chart:

advantagevacation.com

Getting an error message at your link:

Redirect Notice
The previous page is sending you to an invalid url.

If you do not want to visit that page, you can return to the previous page.

[ETA] Now this is very odd! The link doesn't work for me in your post #60 above, but it does work in the quoted section of this post. No idea how/why to fix that!

 

[remowidget]

Getting an error message at your link:

Redirect Notice
The previous page is sending you to an invalid url.

If you do not want to visit that page, you can return to the previous page.

I changed it to a non-vistana link

StarOptions Value Chart 2021 - 2022 - Advantage Vacation Timeshare Resales

Below you will find a link to the 2021 – 2022 StarOptions value chart:

advantagevacation.com

 

[SueDonJ]

I changed it to a non-vistana link

StarOptions Value Chart 2021 - 2022 - Advantage Vacation Timeshare Resales

Below you will find a link to the 2021 – 2022 StarOptions value chart:

advantagevacation.com

Thanks!

 

[dioxide45]

So, resale Vistana gets the internal exchange time benefit?

A select few resale Vistana resorts have the ability to use StarOptions to trade into other Vistana resorts. Most resorts do not.

 

[iqmavin]

I feel left out. No email for me even with 4 VSN units, three of which are considered legitimate by Vistana.

I logged onto Vistana site. That’s where I saw this vacuous notice. More to come in dries and drabs. Stay tuned.

 

[remowidget]

A select few resale Vistana resorts have the ability to use StarOptions to trade into other Vistana resorts. Most resorts do not.

Oops. I was asking about Interval International internal exchanges. Do resale owners get access to the ability to book Vistana and Marriott resorts before other timeshare owners? I'm not sure if I am clear, so I found this explanation.

"When a Marriott owner deposits their week into II that week is essentially put on and internal hold for a designated amount of time. While the week is on “hold” it can only be booked by other Marriott owners who have also deposited their weeks into Interval International. The amount of time the week is kept on hold depends on how far in advance it is deposited before week’s check in date. The longest amount of time a week will be held for Marriott priority booking is 24 days. This timeframe gets shorter the closer it is to the check-in date. The shortest amount of time a week is held is 3 days."

 

[SueDonJ]

Oops. I was asking about Interval International internal exchanges. Do resale owners get access to the ability to book Vistana and Marriott resorts before other timeshare owners? I'm not sure if I am clear, so I found this explanation.

"When a Marriott owner deposits their week into II that week is essentially put on and internal hold for a designated amount of time. While the week is on “hold” it can only be booked by other Marriott owners who have also deposited their weeks into Interval International. The amount of time the week is kept on hold depends on how far in advance it is deposited before week’s check in date. The longest amount of time a week will be held for Marriott priority booking is 24 days. This timeframe gets shorter the closer it is to the check-in date. The shortest amount of time a week is held is 3 days."

To verify what I'm sure you already know from what you found, there's no difference between external-resale and direct-purchase Marriott Weeks when it comes to exchanging in II, including whatever priority booking a deposit might have. (Really the only difference between them - other than DC enrollment eligibility - is that a direct-purchase can be exchanged for Bonvoy Points while an external-resale cannot, which many owners will say is no difference at all because many owners don't think exchanging for Bonvoy Points is a good usage option.)

 

[sharr7]

Saw this on Facebook (shocked, it's rare anything useful appears on FB, especially before TUG). Was also just shared on the Marriott boards but haven't seen it here yet so:

Seems to confirm some important speculation points: Most VSN inventory won't be available to Abound unless elected for points. 12 month availability (not 13 but not 8).

Much wording has hinted they won't hit July 1 but at least they're saying August in official communications and not just "end of summer" "third quarter" "soon" or other vague/later timeframes. With potential for continued communication before then now that we're seeing actual information, however minor, from corporate.

I see this as fairly positive and in line with expectations/hopes/speculation so far.

 

[dioxide45]

Saw this on Facebook (shocked, it's rare anything useful appears on FB, especially before TUG).

It is becoming more and more common. Facebook groups are beating TUG to the punch. Probably not unexpected, some of the Facebook groups are pretty big.

 

[sharr7]

It is becoming more and more common. Facebook groups are beating TUG to the punch. Probably not unexpected, some of the Facebook groups are pretty big.

Perhaps - still frustrating to follow some of those groups when so many posts and responses are flat out wrong about basic information, but then there's already 80 comments all over the place. Easy to see how FB has a big disinformation problem with things far more important than timeshares hah.

Anyway happy to see more official communication from MVW. Ready to win some of those sweepstakes! lol. 1.5x rewards at your next owner's update! $5 toward ARDA on your next MF payment! 50 Bonvoy points! So many possibilities.

 

[Mowogo]

Perhaps - still frustrating to follow some of those groups when so many posts and responses are flat out wrong about basic information, but then there's already 80 comments all over the place. Easy to see how FB has a big disinformation problem with things far more important than timeshares hah.

Anyway happy to see more official communication from MVW. Ready to win some of those sweepstakes! lol. 1.5x rewards at your next owner's update! $5 toward ARDA on your next MF payment! 50 Bonvoy points! So many possibilities.

Don’t forget the grand prize of an Encore package at any MVW resort.

 

[dioxide45]

Perhaps - still frustrating to follow some of those groups when so many posts and responses are flat out wrong about basic information, but then there's already 80 comments all over the place. Easy to see how FB has a big disinformation problem with things far more important than timeshares hah.

Anyway happy to see more official communication from MVW. Ready to win some of those sweepstakes! lol. 1.5x rewards at your next owner's update! $5 toward ARDA on your next MF payment! 50 Bonvoy points! So many possibilities.

How about priority villa assignment on your next stay?

 

[iowaguy09]

Perhaps - still frustrating to follow some of those groups when so many posts and responses are flat out wrong about basic information, but then there's already 80 comments all over the place. Easy to see how FB has a big disinformation problem with things far more important than timeshares hah.

Anyway happy to see more official communication from MVW. Ready to win some of those sweepstakes! lol. 1.5x rewards at your next owner's update! $5 toward ARDA on your next MF payment! 50 Bonvoy points! So many possibilities.

I follow this group on FB, don’t monitor it religiously, but mostly for entertainment value and for the unique info I can gleam from time to time. I have posted several times with a recommendation and link to Tug, with a plug for the annual TUG fee being well worth it for the education to be gained. Usually in response to some query about resale vs. direct sale, or some comment about ways to use an ownership. The Bonvoy Elite FB groups are also helpful for some reviews and property info.

 

[iowaguy09]

I follow this group on FB, don’t monitor it religiously, but mostly for entertainment value and for the unique info I can gleam from time to time. I have posted several times with a recommendation and link to Tug, with a plug for the annual TUG fee being well worth it for the education to be gained. Usually in response to some query about resale vs. direct sale, or some comment about ways to use an ownership. The Bonvoy Elite FB groups are also helpful for some reviews and property info.

There is also a Vistana only forum on FB the same comments above apply to. They haven’t added “Abound” to their tag yet (haha!). I have also commented on questions about the new combined program that I’m not believing anything with certainty until I see it in official writing.