MARRIOTT / CORONAVIRUS [MERGED]

[VacationForever]

I bought Travelex for 2 years when we knew we were going to use the points for travel in 2019 to hurricane areas during hurricane months. I could see how that could have been useful. With our recurring travel plans, generally we don't need travel insurance and did not buy for 2019 and 2020 use years. I cannot see ourselves buying it again either.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I bought Travelex for 2 years when we knew we were going to use the points for travel in 2019 to hurricane areas during hurricane months. I could see how that could have been useful. With our recurring travel plans, generally we don't need travel insurance and did not buy for 2019 and 2020 use years. I cannot see ourselves buying it again either.

Yeah agree. For points, there's almost no risk anyway for us. Unless we have some emergency the day before, we don't lose anything. For weeks, I suppose that has risk, though if to another Marriott a simple retrade handles it. I'd probably put in a claim with my travel card and see what happens for an outside Marriott exchange, supposedly it's covered. It would certainly cover airfare, car rental, etc. So, the risk is close to zero for us. For cheapo getaways, likely wouldn't worry about it.

 

[VacationForever]

Yeah agree. For points, there's almost no risk anyway for us. Unless we have some emergency the day before, we don't lose anything. For weeks, I suppose that has risk. I'd probably put in a claim with my travel card and see what happens, supposedly it's covered. It would certainly cover airfare, car rental, etc. So, the risk is close to zero for us. For cheapo getaways, likely wouldn't worry about it.

For actual weeks travel, they are usually using II trades and with ePlus, it is pretty much our insurance plan. We drive to California for most of our vacation. When we need to fly we usually use points, in which if we need to cancel, we just pay a small fee to redeposit the miles.

 

[Mrs.SLLP]

Is there a good one that's reasonably price and covers better. Travelex is the same one that DVC uses. Cancel for any reason plans are dramatically more expensive for obvious reasons and I think that's what it'd take to cover such scenarios. I don't think it's likely to get one that's a lot better without paying a lot more. Personally I wouldn't even get the MVC one (or any other ones) at all except I have an economy of scale. One could always get something independently. I tend to think the MVC one is pretty good and the fact it covers preexisting conditions if you get it up front is a plus.


They usually charge to list an ownership but they will waive that fee if you extend. I assume they'll do the same if you pay for a year or maybe you can find a BOGO and get 2 years for the price of one.

In discussions like this, with several people taking as if they represent the interests of resort developers, I suggest the name of this website be changed from Timeshare User’s Group to Timeshare Developers Group. I am interested in reading some postings from the developer’s position but it really does appear that some posters are trying to get the rest of us to accept the developer’s position. I respect the diversity of opinions and I value this website for the educational information it provides, but every now and then some people take such a hard line position on behalf of developers that I find that they dismiss the opinions of others whose opinion is different.

Small business owners are stressing over how to find ways to keep their businesses afloat while still taking care of employees during this global crisis. Meanwhile, people are justifying and defending Marriott, a multi-billion dollar corporate giant. Public health officials are stopping short of mandating no travel. Stay home. Curfews are being enforced in my area. This is beyond serious and cannot be compared to the fallout from hurricanes. Marriott will reap the benefits of a corporate bailout, but it will not make more reasonable concessions to its owners. Marriott Vacation Club can do better than tossing points affected by this global pandemic in a holding account and extending the book-out time from 60 to 120 days. If Disney can find a way around this, so can Marriott, which touts itself as being the best in the timeshare industry. Disney is closing several of its resorts and has shut down all theme parks and stores. It is taking a massive financial loss in excess of $175 million, according to news reports. That has not stopped Disney from taking a stance that favors its owners, according to its website: "To make the process of changing reservations as smooth as possible, Disney Vacation Club has lifted the close-in reservation cancellation restrictions and will return any of your Points back as Vacation Points or Reservation Points without placing them into holding." If I sound annoyed, I am. We pay more than $6,000 in annual maintenance fees and dues and have not had a seamless transition into ownership. BreakingAway, you're right.

 

[sea&ski]

The issue is that governments are making sudden announcements on forced closures. In Nevada, the governor announced yesterday that all non-essential businesses MUST close today starting at noon. All restaurants must no longer have dine-in option. We just got notice from our club yesterday as to what would be open and close. Less than 12 hours after their announcement, the government issued a mandate which starts today at noon.

This is very true. It is out of the control of the MVC and their resorts. However, there seemed to be no organized plan for the occupation of the resort going forward. On our second day of occupancy, a woman with rubber gloves and a clipboard came to our unit, tried unlocking the blocked door to the smaller side of the unit after knocking once, and asked us what our plan was. Well, what is their plan? Shouldn't they be encouraging us to leave? Even when we did leave after our third day, there was only shrugs at the front desk: they were staying open as long as there were people "trickling in". This seems very irresponsible for a company in the hospitality business. We looked, and reservations were still being offered for this coming weekend for $1400 per night.

Going forward, I feel it is important for MVC to have an emergency occupancy/occupancy forfeit plan. And to make that plan obvious and transparent to the owners and guests of MVC.

 

[csalter2]

Small business owners are stressing over how to find ways to keep their businesses afloat while still taking care of employees during this global crisis. Meanwhile, people are justifying and defending Marriott, a multi-billion dollar corporate giant. Public health officials are stopping short of mandating no travel. Stay home. Curfews are being enforced in my area. This is beyond serious and cannot be compared to the fallout from hurricanes. Marriott will reap the benefits of a corporate bailout, but it will not make more reasonable concessions to its owners. Marriott Vacation Club can do better than tossing points affected by this global pandemic in a holding account and extending the book-out time from 60 to 120 days. If Disney can find a way around this, so can Marriott, which touts itself as being the best in the timeshare industry. Disney is closing several of its resorts and has shut down all theme parks and stores. It is taking a massive financial loss in excess of $175 million, according to news reports. That has not stopped Disney from taking a stance that favors its owners, according to its website: "To make the process of changing reservations as smooth as possible, Disney Vacation Club has lifted the close-in reservation cancellation restrictions and will return any of your Points back as Vacation Points or Reservation Points without placing them into holding." If I sound annoyed, I am. We pay more than $6,000 in annual maintenance fees and dues and have not had a seamless transition into ownership. BreakingAway, you're right.

I wouldn’t toot Disney’s horn too loudly because they charge a great deal of money for everything they brand. Plus, whenever I’m at Ko Olina,I am so happy I’m on the Marriott side and not the crowded Disney side of the beach. Aulani is overcrowded, expensive, and overrated.

Marriott, Disney and all of these timeshare companies are profit motivated and whatever they do is geared toward making customers FEEL happy so they will spend more with them. I’m sure even some Disney people are unhappy for whatever reason. If not now, they may be later.

 

[jbeachlvr]

I have been a Marriott timeshare owner since the late 80’s. Weeks only (no destination points) in Florida (those 2 weeks sold), and since it opened, Aruba Surf Club. In all these years, this is 1st time we’ve been in this situation. We had JetBlue insurance but no Marriott insurance.
We were due to fly 3/29 to Aruba for our week, but on 3/16, Aruba closed entry to ALL int’l passengers. Since we were in the less than 14-day checkin, MVC is allowing deposit with II but I have the 30-day confirmation to exchange window. I had to complete an online form on my MVC owner’s page, and they said they’d get back to me with details.

Do I use my current week reservation # to deposit into II? Or wait for MVC to respond to me?


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[dioxide45]

I have been a Marriott timeshare owner since the late 80’s. Weeks only (no destination points) in Florida (those 2 weeks sold), and since it opened, Aruba Surf Club. In all these years, this is 1st time we’ve been in this situation. We had JetBlue insurance but no Marriott insurance.
We were due to fly 3/29 to Aruba for our week, but on 3/16, Aruba closed entry to ALL int’l passengers. Since we were in the less than 14-day checkin, MVC is allowing deposit with II but I have the 30-day confirmation to exchange window. I had to complete an online form on my MVC owner’s page, and they said they’d get back to me with details.

Do I use my current week reservation # to deposit into II? Or wait for MVC to respond to me?


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Do you even have an II account? You will likely be far faster to call II and get everything done. And yes, you use your current reservation number to deposit to II.

 

[Dean]

Small business owners are stressing over how to find ways to keep their businesses afloat while still taking care of employees during this global crisis. Meanwhile, people are justifying and defending Marriott, a multi-billion dollar corporate giant. Public health officials are stopping short of mandating no travel. Stay home. Curfews are being enforced in my area. This is beyond serious and cannot be compared to the fallout from hurricanes. Marriott will reap the benefits of a corporate bailout, but it will not make more reasonable concessions to its owners. Marriott Vacation Club can do better than tossing points affected by this global pandemic in a holding account and extending the book-out time from 60 to 120 days. If Disney can find a way around this, so can Marriott, which touts itself as being the best in the timeshare industry. Disney is closing several of its resorts and has shut down all theme parks and stores. It is taking a massive financial loss in excess of $175 million, according to news reports. That has not stopped Disney from taking a stance that favors its owners, according to its website: "To make the process of changing reservations as smooth as possible, Disney Vacation Club has lifted the close-in reservation cancellation restrictions and will return any of your Points back as Vacation Points or Reservation Points without placing them into holding." If I sound annoyed, I am. We pay more than $6,000 in annual maintenance fees and dues and have not had a seamless transition into ownership. BreakingAway, you're right.

This is the way Disney has always handled such matters as I've stated in this thread. They allow last minute cancelations, waive the holding period, allow last minute bankings and unborrowing of points. They do not extend borrowed points. DVC is giving nothing, this is born by the other members. MVC is a much larger system and this is a much larger event than a hurricane. Just the normal response for those that cancel and bank will be overwhelming for the system. I don't see any way the system could handle full use points and more flexible banking. Any flexibility in that area would also be born by the other members. Certainly MVC could have made those allowances but they didn't, not right or wrong, just slightly different. I understand the idea that many hands make light work and would generally agree with that principle but I don't think it applies here given the scope of the situation. DVC won't lose much or anything with the resort closings as the members will cover any costs to the system though Disney itself will in other areas as will Marriott. Certainly the sales side (DVD, Marriott, etc) will suffer in all systems as will the employees. Interesting you talk about a corporate bailout like it's already happened but you advocate for additional flexibility that would be tantamount to a bailout. I pay a lot more than you and I'm directly affected on the professional side as well as a physician seeing patients who may have already been exposed but that's a decision I made when I went in to this profession just like I made personal decisions years ago in a former life when I spent 13 years with the Military, 6 & 1/2 on active duty including in Desert Storm.

ETA: Even though historically DVC has allowed people to unborrow points, they are now not allowing that in this situation.

I have been a Marriott timeshare owner since the late 80’s. Weeks only (no destination points) in Florida (those 2 weeks sold), and since it opened, Aruba Surf Club. In all these years, this is 1st time we’ve been in this situation. We had JetBlue insurance but no Marriott insurance.
We were due to fly 3/29 to Aruba for our week, but on 3/16, Aruba closed entry to ALL int’l passengers. Since we were in the less than 14-day checkin, MVC is allowing deposit with II but I have the 30-day confirmation to exchange window. I had to complete an online form on my MVC owner’s page, and they said they’d get back to me with details.

Do I use my current week reservation # to deposit into II? Or wait for MVC to respond to me?


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MVC may deposit directly esp if they already have an II account linked to your MVC account. I'd email MVC first but you can call II as well if you want.

 

[jbeachlvr]

Dioxide45 and Dean
I imagine we’ll all be pros after all this, thanks to Tug too!
Yes, I have an II account linked to my MVC. I’ll probably call II myself. Thanks!


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[Dean]

Dioxide45 and Dean
I imagine we’ll all be pros after all this, thanks to Tug too!
Yes, I have an II account linked to my MVC. I’ll probably call II myself. Thanks!


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Knowledge is power and the collective learning all of us have had over the years is invaluable IMO. If you call II, make sure you discuss the waived limitations and get documenting info.

 

[celica7101]

I just called the rep to ask about this, and she basically confirmed part of what you said. The sales trip was nonrefundable, but they're being flexible with rescheduling at the last minute given the circumstances.

Hope it's not bad still in June but I would probably cancel by May if I needed to.

Put it in writing and email it to owner services that you wish to cancel. Put a date at the top of the email. Save a copy of that email. Also, submit your request through the form they have posted on their website.

We have an owner’s package that requires you to cancel no less than 60 days prior to arrival to receive a refund. You need to look at the terms and conditions of your package.

 

[DeeCee]

Small business owners are stressing over how to find ways to keep their businesses afloat while still taking care of employees during this global crisis. Meanwhile, people are justifying and defending Marriott, a multi-billion dollar corporate giant. Public health officials are stopping short of mandating no travel. Stay home. Curfews are being enforced in my area. This is beyond serious and cannot be compared to the fallout from hurricanes. Marriott will reap the benefits of a corporate bailout, but it will not make more reasonable concessions to its owners. Marriott Vacation Club can do better than tossing points affected by this global pandemic in a holding account and extending the book-out time from 60 to 120 days. If Disney can find a way around this, so can Marriott, which touts itself as being the best in the timeshare industry. Disney is closing several of its resorts and has shut down all theme parks and stores. It is taking a massive financial loss in excess of $175 million, according to news reports. That has not stopped Disney from taking a stance that favors its owners, according to its website: "To make the process of changing reservations as smooth as possible, Disney Vacation Club has lifted the close-in reservation cancellation restrictions and will return any of your Points back as Vacation Points or Reservation Points without placing them into holding." If I sound annoyed, I am. We pay more than $6,000 in annual maintenance fees and dues and have not had a seamless transition into ownership. BreakingAway, you're right.

I'm in NY, on Long Island, Nassau County. We have a cluster of this virus and I am mostly house bound, as I work for a school district and am now working from home. All NY schools are now mandated closed until April 1st so far. Restaurants and bars, theaters, museums closed. So, super serious here, can't even get toilet paper!

That being said....I have my legacy week booked for April 12-19 in Hilton Head. I would be flying Jetblue, but that's not happening, and Jetblue will give me all my money back (no insurance purchased) for a flight on a future date, no penalties.

I just checked the Marriott site, all of it's resorts remain open, and we would lose our week if we cancel it. I still had to pay the maintenance fees. I did not buy insurance and don't usually. I'm not so sure insurance would help anyway, unless, God forbid, we actually get sick. I'm surprised at this and extremely disappointed in the lack of Marriott working with it's members due to the increase in cases and everything we hear on the news, hour by hour, regarding a global pandemic. I mean what would it take for them to work with us????

Anyway, I'm not cancelling the trip. I'm waiting to see what they will do. We can drive - long drive - but we can drive. They did just send an email that some services are closed, as are some local places. IMHO, Marriott should work a little more with members. If we can't travel for any number of reasons, (i.e. travel bans inside and out of NY - off chance, but who knows during these times) I'd expect them to step up. We are also Disney Vacation Club members and were there in February before the _____ hit the fan with the virus. Some of us came down with a stomach virus there and I can't tell you how amazing Disney was in working with us, our points, and even tickets for loss of time in the parks due to getting sick. Second to none - Marriott is a far inferior in it's service to its members. We only own for a few years, but in comparison, well there is no comparison in how well Disney works with it's member and how poorly Marriott has been so far.

They should do the right thing, and so far they are not.....in light of what's priority here right now (health, family and TOILET PAPER!)....this is a back burner type of thing - still very disappointing though.

Just this owners opinion...

Dee

 

[catharsis]

Just as an FYI we were forced to cancel an explorer package (albeit a Westin one, but still VAC) AFTER checking in due to Coronavirus... I called the explorer/encore department and after checking with a manager they rescheduled us for later in the year. so not only did they not enforce the 60 day limit but they allowed us to cancel at zero days.

 

[aka Julie]

I understand that many MVC resorts have closed their onsite bars, restaurants (except carryout), hot tubs and saunas. Has anyone experienced a resort that closed their outdoor pools or fitness centers? These are becoming more important due to closures of fitness centers in many states. It will be difficult to stay healthy and build up resistance without being able to work out.

At Barony Beach now. Fitness center is closed as well as hot tubs. Pools still open.

 

[Fasttr]

TOILET PAPER!....this is a back burner type of thing.

I realize I took this out of context.....but best quote of the thread. ;-)

 

[pedro47]

At Barony Beach now. Fitness center is closed as well as hot tubs. Pools still open.

The resort is open now. Are there any words on what will happen the last week in April 2020 and the first three (3) weeks in May 2020?

 

[DeeCee]

The resort is open now. Are there any words on what will happen the last week in April 2020 and the first three (3) weeks in May 2020?

I do so want to be at my beach resort, but if we cannot - I want the option of using the week at a future date. Seems only fair among a GLOBAL PANDEMIC - no?

 

[DeeCee]

Just as an FYI we were forced to cancel an explorer package (albeit a Westin one, but still VAC) AFTER checking in due to Coronavirus... I called the explorer/encore department and after checking with a manager they rescheduled us for later in the year. so not only did they not enforce the 60 day limit but they allowed us to cancel at zero days.

Isn't an explorer package a cash paid thing? As opposed to timeshare thing? Also, did I hear something about Marriott closing some hotels? Could be wrong...

 

[Saintsfanfl]

I do so want to be at my beach resort, but if we cannot - I want the option of using the week at a future date. Seems only fair among a GLOBAL PANDEMIC - no?

Sure but so does everyone else. It is a math problem that cannot be solved.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Fitness center, pools, marketplace, reef room, bar and grill all still open at Ocean Pointe.

 

[jme]

Fitness center, pools, marketplace, reef room, bar and grill all still open at Ocean Pointe.

a mistake, imho

 

[jme]

I understand that many MVC resorts have closed their onsite bars, restaurants (except carryout), hot tubs and saunas. Has anyone experienced a resort that closed their outdoor pools or fitness centers? These are becoming more important due to closures of fitness centers in many states. It will be difficult to stay healthy and build up resistance without being able to work out.

IMHO, and with all due respect, one can exercise on a train track, but the train will soon run you over.
There's nothing wiser right now than eliminating EXPOSURE to something that could be far more dangerous than missing workouts.
For those whose workouts are imperative due to compromised health, perhaps creative workouts at home would suffice
over the next few months during these more dangerous times.

(This is coming from a healthcare provider whose office is now shut down for the next 3 weeks per strong recommendations
from our national and state organizations, and frankly our closure could go well beyond that.
We do this for the health and safety of our beloved patients and also our staff.
In addition, studies in the past few days indicate that the COVID-19 virus can survive for hours on plastic, stainless steel, even cardboard surfaces,
as well as slightly less in the air---and all of these can occur even in a grocery store, and heaven forbid, at a resort.)

 

[sportsfan1]

Other service related companies are giving their customers refunds and/or credits for use at a later date (see airlines, cuiselines, etc.). But nothing of significance from hotel chains like Marriott. Will that change if there is a government mandate? I'm already hearing they may be shutting down beaches in FL. We are entering some of the busiest times for Marriott resorts during spring break, and yet nothing...

It's really frustrating and not customer centric.

 

[hcarman]

Obviously there are differences of opinion on how Marriott Vacation Club should be handling this. I do think their policies are much less accommodating than our other clubs. But I think there are two things that could really help out the situation for people stressed to make a decision.
1) MVCI should provide a list on their website of the resorts that have facilities closed and what they are. I just had to call all three properties we are scheduled to stay at next week to find out what is open and what is not to help make a decision. I am sure the front desk staff get these calls all day long. Just task someone with updating their webpage with new information as it comes in. This would prevent all the needless calls from backing up the phone lines. Other vacation clubs have been updating their sites a lot more frequently. My impression from my last correspondence with MVCI was it was business as usual at their resorts - which is not the case at many of them. Owners will be very upset if they risk the travel and find out most of the resort is shut down and they are not getting a break on the points for a resort that is just providing a room. San Diego has apparently shut down just about everything - no pool, no gym, no activities, take food to room only, and everything in surrounding areas is closed or take out only. Zoo and other attractions also closed.
2) Since things are changing every day, the 14 day cancellation requirement for a week's owner is stiff. They could decide to make the trip and then one week out find out the resort is mostly shut down - but too late to cancel. I am glad they have some form of online cancellation as I was told in the past no one could cancel online which I always thought a bad idea considering they are shut down on Sundays.

I understand MVCI is a business and they are profit driven but how you treat your owners (customers) leaves people with a lasting impression of your company - long after this is over. MVCI touts themselves as the biggest and the best but I am just not seeing that in keeping owners informed or their policies. The travel industry will it seems be getting a form of bailout money for their economic hardships.