MARRIOTT / CORONAVIRUS [MERGED]

[BreakingAway]

Marriott pays the maintenance fees for the inventory it owns. They use it to rent, hopefully for a profit. You want to basically give it to you, it would put them in an insolvancy position pretty fast. Not to mention, if they own 5% of the inventory, that would not be sufficient to satisfy the other 95%

Marriott will have inventory that will sit unrented because people will be cancelling travel plans for well past April 30, 2020. That will very likely create more inventory during the rest of the year and perhaps into 2021. So that is where the inventory will come from if Marriott wanted to provide service to owners. Unrented inventory becomes inventory that should be made available to timeshare owners. There is unlikely to be a bottleneck until travel returns to pre-pandemic levels which is unlikely to happen soon. I received a pop up questionnaire of 2 questions today when I signed in online to MVC account. The questions were on a scale of 1-10 and asked how likely was I to travel. I think Marriott is keeping one eye on the Covid-19 scenario as it develops and the other eye on guest travel plans to predict cancellations or people who do not have reservations and may not make any travel plans. We will see if cancelations of Marriott reservations will be made available to owners or if Marriott will hold on to those reservations hoping for last minute reservations.

 

[DannyTS]

Marriott will have inventory that will sit unrented because people will be cancelling travel plans for well past April 30, 2020. That will very likely create more inventory during the rest of the year and perhaps into 2021. So that is where the inventory will come from if Marriott wanted to provide service to owners. Unrented inventory becomes inventory that should be made available to timeshare owners. There is unlikely to be a bottleneck until travel returns to pre-pandemic levels which is unlikely to happen soon. I received a pop up questionnaire of 2 questions today when I signed in online to MVC account. The questions were on a scale of 1-10 and asked how likely was I to travel. I think Marriott is keeping one eye on the Covid-19 scenario as it develops and the other eye on guest travel plans to predict cancellations or people who do not have reservations and may not make any travel plans. We will see if cancelations of Marriott reservations will be made available to owners or if Marriott will hold on to those reservations hoping for last minute reservations.

If you are an owner, same as Marriott, why would you expect them to give you their inventory for free? I just do not get it. How about your 2021 bookings, who would you give them to: another owner or to MVC or maybe to a third party? If your answer is " to nobody", you are not willing to give anyone what you own and pay annual fees on, why would they?

Marriott owns over 100 resorts with about 22,000 units. If everyone cancels in the next 60 days, they would somehow have to take out from the hat about 1.3 million nights. Of course, this thing can go on for 4 months or more. Can you explain where would they come with this number of nights from their own inventory? The number is actually higher than 22,000 units because in their reporting, the lockoff units are counted at one but of course you can count them as 2 in most cases.

Concerning the future cancellations, we do not know that. Most people I know do not plan on cancelling their medium and long term plans, they are more concerned about the near future. If this crisis stabilizes, the timeshare owners will be the first to go back to the resorts since they have already paid for the vacations so they do not want to lose the money. You may or may not turn out to be right but it is just a guess, they cannot base their decisions on that since the inventory has to be there, it is their legal obligation.

 

[dioxide45]

Marriott will have inventory that will sit unrented because people will be cancelling travel plans for well past April 30, 2020. That will very likely create more inventory during the rest of the year and perhaps into 2021. So that is where the inventory will come from if Marriott wanted to provide service to owners. Unrented inventory becomes inventory that should be made available to timeshare owners. There is unlikely to be a bottleneck until travel returns to pre-pandemic levels which is unlikely to happen soon. I received a pop up questionnaire of 2 questions today when I signed in online to MVC account. The questions were on a scale of 1-10 and asked how likely was I to travel. I think Marriott is keeping one eye on the Covid-19 scenario as it develops and the other eye on guest travel plans to predict cancellations or people who do not have reservations and may not make any travel plans. We will see if cancelations of Marriott reservations will be made available to owners or if Marriott will hold on to those reservations hoping for last minute reservations.

We have been monitoring II for cancellations/last minute deposits for the end of May. We were supposed to be going to Grande Vista and then Newport Coast, but after a series of retrades we are now going to Oceana Palms and Lakeshore Reserve. My wifes friend is supposed to be coming down from Ohio to visit, not sure if that will still happen, but it is the plan for now. One of the weeks can't be retraded for after May, so we will likely still go unless the resorts are closed.

 

[Dean]

I’d like an answer to this too. I have a ton of points that had been banked from last year. What will Disney do about banked in points? If I can’t reserve anything the points will be useless.

Let me rephrase. From what I understand they've held firm on the expiration related to points that were banked. They've allowed one to bank late and returned borrowed points to their original UY. The one thing I can't recall is whether one could cancel the day of but IIRC, there have been instances of that being allowed as well. They have not donated time not in the club itself and obviously they can't manufacture availability.

 

[BreakingAway]

If you are an owner, same as Marriott, why would you expect them to give you their inventory for free? I just do not get it. How about your 2021 bookings, who would you give them to: another owner or to MVC or maybe to a third party? If your answer is " to nobody", you are not willing to give anyone what you own and pay annual fees on, why would they?

Marriott owns over 100 resorts with about 22,000 units. If everyone cancels in the next 60 days, they would somehow have to take out from the hat about 1.3 million nights. Of course, this thing can go on for 4 months or more. Can you explain where would they come with this number of nights from their own inventory? The number is actually higher than 22,000 units because in their reporting, the lockoff units are counted at one but of course you can count them as 2 in most cases.

Concerning the future cancellations, we do not know that. Most people I know do not plan on cancelling their medium and long term plans, they are more concerned about the near future. If this crisis stabilizes, the timeshare owners will be the first to go back to the resorts since they have already paid for the vacations so they do not want to lose the money. You may or may not turn out to be right but it is just a guess, they cannot base their decisions on that since the inventory has to be there, it is their legal obligation.

My opinion is that Martiott owns units during September-December and beyond that have not been reserved nor is it likely they will be reserved. There will likely be more cancellations of Marriott owned reservations. Those units will go empty. That is the inventory that will be available. By allowing owners to use those units, they are not “giving away” anything.

 

[DannyTS]

My opinion is that Martiott owns units during September-December and beyond that have not been reserved nor is it likely they will be reserved. There will likely be more cancellations of Marriott owned reservations. Those units will go empty. That is the inventory that will be available. By allowing owners to use those units, they are not “giving away” anything.

Provided that you are right, what makes you think that those who cancel now would want to travel those months?

 

[tschwa2]

Provided that you are right, what makes you think that those who cancel now would want to travel those months?

I think if the option was one of those weeks or nothing they would take it and maybe deposit it in II if it is something they are completely unable to use.

 

[DannyTS]

I think if the option was one of those weeks or nothing they would take it and maybe deposit it in II if it is something they are completely unable to use.

There is no way of knowing now how long the travel restrictions are going to last, the number of cancellations during this period and the occupancy at the VAC resorts after that. I am not saying Marriott should not make an effort if possible but if the restrictions last for more than few weeks, Marriott is on a very slippery slope.

 

[JEPASVC]

What happens if you do get exposed/infected while staying at a MVC property. For example you have to be quarantined for 2 weeks but your stay is only for 2 days ? Do they kick you out ?

 

[celica7101]

Does anyone have any info on the sales / presentation trips and whether or not they're issue refunds on those?

 

[amy241]

Does anyone have any info on the sales / presentation trips and whether or not they're issue refunds on those?

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.

 

[Yohon34]

I am confused. With the CDC recommending or even banning groups of 50 or more people, why are flights still allowed (domestic or international) that hold 50 or more passengers? Seems like pretty close contact to me, especially on longer flights.

CDC Guidance as of 3/15/2020

"Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.

Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.

This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials."

 

[sportsfan1]

I have a trip planned at MGV for the week of 4/4. I don't know what to do as I am a Platinum season owner. I want to cancel, but they will only let me deposit my week. What will happen if the resort is forced to close? I'm about 90% sure this will happen prior to my reservation.

 

[amy241]

I have a trip planned at MGV for the week of 4/4. I don't know what to do as I am a Platinum season owner. I want to cancel, but they will only let me deposit my week. What will happen if the resort is forced to close? I'm about 90% sure this will happen prior to my reservation.

we just canceled a 37 day trip to Hawaii involving 7 flight segments And 3 different timeshare properties. We had to deposit our MVC week in II As a late deposit. It is better to self-isolate right now and limit travel. We all have to make sacrifices right now. The farther out you cancel, the less the restrictions and penalties involved. This is really spiking right now and your trip is a lot sooner than ours which was scheduled for 4/24.

There is just too much uncertainty right now. What happens if Trump imposes a domestic travel ban? They are all saying the worst is yet to come.

 

[sportsfan1]

we just canceled a 37 day trip to Hawaii involving 7 flight segments And 3 different timeshare properties. We had to deposit our MVC week in II As a late deposit. It is better to self-isolate right now and limit travel. We all have to make sacrifices right now. The farther out you cancel, the less the restrictions and penalties involved. This is really spiking right now and your trip is a lot sooner than ours which was scheduled for 4/24.

There is just too much uncertainty right now. What happens if Trump imposes a domestic travel ban? They are all saying the worst is yet to come.

That will likely happen. What is my best recourse at this point?

 

[amy241]

That will likely happen. What is my best recourse at this point?

I would take the late Interval International deposit rather than lose everything. They are extending your ability to use that late deposit for 2 years. I deposited my May 2nd week and I can use the deposit through May 2, 2022. But I can only “see” availability up to 59 days in advance.

 

[byebye]

I think I lost everything. I'm in my 70's with an upcoming surgery and decided to cancel my reservation at Beachplace Towers in Ft. Lauderdale. Since my reservation is for this Saturday March 21st, the MVC website states that Interval will take it but I have to reserve a new date with 30 days of the reservation. This will not happen since I'm scheduled for a by-pass operation early April. Bad time for my 72nd birthday! Don't know what else to do.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I think I lost everything. I'm in my 70's with an upcoming surgery and decided to cancel my reservation at Beachplace Towers in Ft. Lauderdale. Since my reservation is for this Saturday March 21st, the MVC website states that Interval will take it but I have to reserve a new date with 30 days of the reservation. This will not happen since I'm scheduled for a by-pass operation early April. Bad time for my 72nd birthday! Don't know what else to do.

The 30 days is from the date you try and make a reservation, which can be November or whatever. It's not from the cancel date.

 

[taxare]

[Ocean Pointe-COVID 19 Changes - MERGED]

We are currently at Ocean Pointe (Riviera Beach, Fl). They have implemented the following changes:
-No self service coffee or soda in the Marketplace
-No self service ice machines
-No group activities or gatherings
- No board game or library exchange
-No fitness classes
- No reusable cup program

Other guests that I have spoken to are concerned about getting home if there are travel restrictions, otherwise business as usual.

 

[pspercy]

Uncle Sam is now effectively telling us not to travel but MVC is punishing anyone who cancels with the "special holding account" rip off.
Such service.

 

[amy241]

Uncle Sam is now effectively telling us not to travel but MVC is punishing anyone who cancels with the "special holding account" rip off.
Such service.

Agreed. I received a late deposit II trade on a HawaiI Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club week with sky high maintenance fees. It will be a significant trade down for us.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Uncle Sam is now effectively telling us not to travel but MVC is punishing anyone who cancels with the "special holding account" rip off.
Such service.

But been there since day 1. I used holding account points since our first DP purchase 7 or more years ago. Not a new thing. Don't agree it is punishing.

 

[pspercy]

Yes, it's not new, I knew that. However it shows that the "new" policy is nothing of the sort.
It IS punishment because I can no longer exercise all DP options. If I cancel, and it looks inevitable, I can no longer push those points to next year.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Yes, it's not new, I knew that. However it shows that the "new" policy is nothing of the sort.
It IS punishment because I can no longer exercise all DP options. If I cancel, and it looks inevitable, I can no longer push those points to next year.

The "new" policy only benefits you by doubling the amount of time before your time you can use them, it's not worse. Holding was always reservations within 60 days, always. They took nothing away. You were never able to bank holding account points.

 

[jmhpsu93]

Have they shut down the bar/grill locations at the main pool and over at the Kingfish building, or the store/pizza place?