Marriott Destinations for Points within 30 days

[Steve Fatula]

I tend to do most of my points stays within 30 days for the discounted points rate being super flexible. Each month, I search all Marriotts and see where I could go that month for 25% less points due to being Executive level. Essentially, I own 25% more points. I've seen dozens of posts stating that few things are available or that even 12 months out you might be at risk. I know this is true for some locations of course, but each month I am pleasantly surprised at what is available! Some are of course low season, some are shoulder, but some are high also.

So, for fun, this month I will enter the list I found in case it helps anyone if you like planning to go somewhere without necessarily a specific week and have thought there may not be much available. My criteria for this list is minimum 1 bedroom (no studios) and at least 7 nights in a row.

So, here are the cities or islands I could go in April for 25% less points:

Los Angeles
Palm Desert
Lake Tahoe
Aspen
Vail
Marco Island
Miami
Orlando
Palm Beach Shores
Riviera Beach
Kauai
Maui
Big Island
Branson
Las Vegas
Absecon NJ
Hilton Head
Myrtle Beach
Park City
Williamsburg
France
Costa del Sol
Bangkok
Phuket

Too bad I am recovering from surgery, have never been to a few of these like Marco! It's always amazing how many places are available within those 30 days. Anyway, just thought someone might want to see without having to make their own list.

I find sometimes there are getaways on the same locations, and sometimes those are cheaper. But far from always. Anyone surprised at all at the list?

 

[BocaBoy]

I tend to do most of my points stays within 30 days for the discounted points rate being super flexible. Each month, I search all Marriotts and see where I could go that month for 25% less points due to being Executive level. Essentially, I own 25% more points. I've seen dozens of posts stating that few things are available or that even 12 months out you might be at risk. I know this is true for some locations of course, but each month I am pleasantly surprised at what is available! Some are of course low season, some are shoulder, but some are high also.

So, for fun, this month I will enter the list I found in case it helps anyone if you like planning to go somewhere without necessarily a specific week and have thought there may not be much available. My criteria for this list is minimum 1 bedroom (no studios) and at least 7 nights in a row.

So, here are the cities or islands I could go in April for 25% less points:

Los Angeles
Palm Desert
Lake Tahoe
Aspen
Vail
Marco Island
Miami
Orlando
Palm Beach Shores
Riviera Beach
Kauai
Maui
Big Island
Branson
Las Vegas
Absecon NJ
Hilton Head
Myrtle Beach
Park City
Williamsburg
France
Costa del Sol
Bangkok
Phuket

Too bad I am recovering from surgery, have never been to a few of these like Marco! It's always amazing how many places are available within those 30 days. Anyway, just thought someone might want to see without having to make their own list.

I find sometimes there are getaways on the same locations, and sometimes those are cheaper. But far from always. Anyone surprised at all at the list?

Not surprised at all.

 

[VacationForever]

Not surprised, but if we can get cheap flights to Hawaii, discounted points to Kauai sounds pretty good.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Not surprised, but if we can get cheap flights to Hawaii, discounted points to Kauai sounds pretty good.

Hawaiian Airlines has some spring discounts. LAX to LIH is $368 round trip for example (ends today). Sometimes, last minute flights have some deals too, and when they line up, great! Too bad I am missing an arm and am in PT!

I wrote this from reading too many posts that say nothing much good within 30 days, been doing this monthly deal tracking for a year and don't recall a bad month!

 

[VacationForever]

Hawaiian Airlines has some spring discounts. LAX to LIH is $368 round trip for example. Sometimes, last minute flights have some deals too, and when they line up, great! Too bad I am missing an arm and am in PT!

I am very sorry to hear this. You don't have to answer, but what happened to your arm?

My husband only insists on travelling on business class and we always try to use points to book. We are running low on points/miles at the moment. From a timing perspective it won't work for us this time around as well, as we are leaving for Rome in 2 weeks and we will be on a cruise until early May. But Hawaii discounted DC points requirement is something we will chew on in the future.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I am very sorry to hear this. You don't have to answer, but what happened to your arm?

My husband only insists on travelling on business class and we always try to use points to book. We are running low on points/miles at the moment. From a timing perspective it won't work for us this time around as well, as we are leaving for Rome in 2 weeks and we will be on a cruise until early May. But Hawaii discounted DC points requirement is something we will chew on in the future.

Age, too much osteoarthritis caused my rotator cuff to tear off. So, they scraped bone smooth and screwed it back in. 9 months full recovery. However, will be slingless come Spain trip, just can't use the arm for a while yet. So, hopefully, can still enjoy Spain. Should be doing weightless "exercises" by then.

Just an FYI somewhere in Hawaii has been available within 30 days in Jun 2017, July, August, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr...... Food for thought! Quite a bit different than trading. We use both points and ownership, they have different strengths.

 

[VacationForever]

Age, too much osteoarthritis caused my rotator cuff to tear off. So, they scraped bone smooth and screwed it back in. 9 months full recovery. However, will be slingless come Spain trip, just can't use the arm for a while yet. So, hopefully, can still enjoy Spain. Should be doing weightless "exercises" by then.

Just an FYI somewhere in Hawaii has been available within 30 days in Jun 2017, July, August, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr...... Food for thought! Quite a bit different than trading. We use both points and ownership, they have different strengths.

Osteoarthritis in rotator cuff must be the most painful thing. At least it sounds like your doctors know what they are doing. Speedy recovery!

We get 30% discount at 60 days so we may have even more availability on short notice. We like Nov/Dec and Apr/May months. Maybe we will keep that in mind for second half 2019 or first half 2020. Our travel plans are in place for the next 18 months already.

We are also learning that despite Marriott's skim, if we stick with semi-shoulder season, we can get decent use of our points.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Osteoarthritis in rotator cuff must be the most painful thing. At least it sounds like your doctors know what they are doing. Speedy recovery!

We get 30% discount at 60 days so we may have even more availability on short notice. We like Nov/Dec and Apr/May months. Maybe we will keep that in mind for second half 2019 or first half 2020. Our travel plans are in place for the next 18 months already.

We are also learning that despite Marriott's skim, if we stick with semi-shoulder season, we can get decent use of our points.

I'll get better, just have to get through all the torture. One hand typing not so fun.

Yep, so imagine shoulder season + 30% discount. And yes, 60 day even better. Kauai can be had as cheap as ~1500 points. That's ~$800 MF which isn't too bad. Just depends what you want, how flexible, etc. We are not picky, so, if it's mountain view, good enough for us!

 

[sandcfort]

I tend to do most of my points stays within 30 days for the discounted points rate being super flexible. Each month, I search all Marriotts and see where I could go that month for 25% less points due to being Executive level. Essentially, I own 25% more points. I've seen dozens of posts stating that few things are available or that even 12 months out you might be at risk. I know this is true for some locations of course, but each month I am pleasantly surprised at what is available! Some are of course low season, some are shoulder, but some are high also.

So, for fun, this month I will enter the list I found in case it helps anyone if you like planning to go somewhere without necessarily a specific week and have thought there may not be much available. My criteria for this list is minimum 1 bedroom (no studios) and at least 7 nights in a row.

So, here are the cities or islands I could go in April for 25% less points:

Los Angeles
Palm Desert
Lake Tahoe
Aspen
Vail
Marco Island
Miami
Orlando
Palm Beach Shores
Riviera Beach
Kauai
Maui
Big Island
Branson
Las Vegas
Absecon NJ
Hilton Head
Myrtle Beach
Park City
Williamsburg
France
Costa del Sol
Bangkok
Phuket

Too bad I am recovering from surgery, have never been to a few of these like Marco! It's always amazing how many places are available within those 30 days. Anyway, just thought someone might want to see without having to make their own list.

I find sometimes there are getaways on the same locations, and sometimes those are cheaper. But far from always. Anyone surprised at all at the list?

Please explain process of finding these deals? Where are the discounted point value disclosed at?
Thanks
Steve

 

[Fasttr]

Please explain process of finding these deals? Where are the discounted point value disclosed at?
Thanks
Steve

Based on your ownership level in the DC as seen here.... https://m.marriottvacationclub.com/...rshipLevelsResources/benefits_at_a_glance.pdf
Executive level and higher can get discounted point ressies either 30 or 60 days out.

The discounted points are simply taken care of by the system based on days out and ownership status....nothing really special you need to do other than find availability and book it.

 

[cp73]

I still don't believe that this is such a great deal. I guess if you are only in the points program and you are at executive level (7000) points or greater its better than nothing (Really you have to be at executive level, who thought of that great rule). I dont see how this compares to doing exchanges within 60 days (flex change) in II. In II I can trade my studio within 60 days and get any resort thats available. Last summer I exchanged a DSVI studio for a week at Newport Coast within 60 days. Thats a lot better than 25 or 30% off the number of points. I know the inventory may not be as plentiful but the deals are still there in II. I have never been disappointed doing this and always able to get what I wanted with some patients and checking frequently. Every time I start thinking about trading my unit in for points I just stop because I can do better than that. I just told this to a Marriott Sales Rep during a presentation last month and she agreed with me. Maybe this wont keep up for ever but it still works.

 

[Steve Fatula]

I never said it was better, we have both weeks and points. And I am not suggesting buying points vs weeks, nor am I suggesting trading weeks for points (we've never done that). Definitely places I can go with points not possible with weeks, and vice versa, depends on inventory levels in each bucket. So it "compares" if I am able to get into somewhere I want to go at a decent price that I could not get into otherwise. There is no way you can get into all the places noted just on this months list with flexchange (I look at those also). Conversely, there are likely places you can go with weeks I cannot as well. Each method has its upsides and downsides. Some of those Hawaii weeks can be expensive resale also. Sure, I could buy a resale week there (even if $0) and pay >$1,600MF. But we just like to get there, when we use points, cheaper. And we are flexible, which doesn't work for many people with kids for example. All of this is not the point in this thread. I certainly do agree trades are still there in II though less plentiful than before. A little persistence pays off.

So, this was not meant to be a discussion comparing weeks vs points. If you have points, it's something to perhaps consider. I posted it as I keep reading over and over how there is limited inventory via points, or off season only, have to get in way in advance, etc. In case people have never looked system wide, just wanted to show that is simply not the case. I don't consider $800 for a Kuaui week bad in April or May (certainly cheaper than owned MF in those months), I'd rather go then than summer even though summer has inventory also. Executive or higher is not a bad deal if you have points and use the features. Given the monthly deals all 12 months, it just allows an extra trip. And, having both allows us to enjoy our travels in a better manner (for us).

 

[cp73]

I have to believe that the points program is a nightmare for room control. With all the different possible check in days I believe that there are and will be more and more unused days in small quantities at all resorts. With people using deeded weeks and also points there must be a lot of waste (unused days). In theory if all points were sold it would be very difficult to reserve a large number of days (say a week) just because of the people doing smaller stays and different check ins. I did like your list of resorts above Steve, and agree that using flex change can require a lot of checking. I must imagine that each week they must set aside so many deeded week reservations and some for point users. I would like to see that software program.

 

[VacationForever]

I have to believe that the points program is a nightmare for room control. With all the different possible check in days I believe that there are and will be more and more unused days in small quantities at all resorts. With people using deeded weeks and also points there must be a lot of waste (unused days). In theory if all points were sold it would be very difficult to reserve a large number of days (say a week) just because of the people doing smaller stays and different check ins. I did like your list of resorts above Steve, and agree that using flex change can require a lot of checking. I must imagine that each week they must set aside so many deeded week reservations and some for point users. I would like to see that software program.

Hence Marriott can use this as one of the reasons for skim.

 

[davidvel]

I tend to do most of my points stays within 30 days for the discounted points rate being super flexible. Each month, I search all Marriotts and see where I could go that month for 25% less points due to being Executive level. Essentially, I own 25% more points. I've seen dozens of posts stating that few things are available or that even 12 months out you might be at risk. I know this is true for some locations of course, but each month I am pleasantly surprised at what is available! Some are of course low season, some are shoulder, but some are high also.

So, for fun, this month I will enter the list I found in case it helps anyone if you like planning to go somewhere without necessarily a specific week and have thought there may not be much available. My criteria for this list is minimum 1 bedroom (no studios) and at least 7 nights in a row.

So, here are the cities or islands I could go in April for 25% less points:

Los Angeles
Palm Desert
Lake Tahoe
Aspen
Vail
Marco Island
Miami
Orlando
Palm Beach Shores
Riviera Beach
Kauai
Maui
Big Island
Branson
Las Vegas
Absecon NJ
Hilton Head
Myrtle Beach
Park City
Williamsburg
France
Costa del Sol
Bangkok
Phuket

Too bad I am recovering from surgery, have never been to a few of these like Marco! It's always amazing how many places are available within those 30 days. Anyway, just thought someone might want to see without having to make their own list.

I find sometimes there are getaways on the same locations, and sometimes those are cheaper. But far from always. Anyone surprised at all at the list?

I didn't know Marriott had a timeshare in L.A. As for the remainder of the west coast resorts noted, they would all be very-off season/"mud" weeks. Which ones are "high season?"
I would love to see specific details about the Hawaii full week, 1Brs. (posted in sightings thread.)

 

[Steve Fatula]

I didn't know Marriott had a timeshare in L.A. As for the remainder of the west coast resorts noted, they would all be very-off season/"mud" weeks. Which ones are "high season?"
I would love to see specific details about the Hawaii full week, 1Brs. (posted in sightings thread.)

Sorry, I call Newport Coast LA, I know it isn't but close enough, it's just the way I think of it, sorry, don't live there. Didn't want to type each and every resort, one handed right now and can't handle it. For the others as far as details, just log into mvci and look. No way I would go into detail with view, etc. as this is something I do for me and it takes maybe 10 mins/mo, and could potentially differ minute by minute. This was just a single sample month of data I've been tracking for a year or so. This is not an unusual month. Points inventory has been very pleasantly surprising for me. I don't look at it the way you do. I generally try and avoid high seasons but not always. The point was merely to show a high level close term availability. Definitely some places I would not go this time of year.

I certainly would not call Palm Desert "very off season", red ended April 2 afaik. I love the area in April myself. I can tell you I added on to Palm Desert stay in February with <30 day lead time, high season. It was available via points 30 days advance in Jan, Feb, Mar. We just used the cheap days, Sun-Thu to add on.

Hawaii was at Kauai Lagoons, MOC, and WOC this month. Of all noted destinations, no idea which ones are high season, about half are low season. But for Hawaii, availability is every month at least one of the resorts. Kauai seems to be the most available. In June, July last year, every island had availability. In August and September, every resort on every island. Every month can't be low season. Surprisingly to me at least January had the least Hawaii availability even though it's the lowest point cost.

I've been very pleased with executive point usage. It's a great benefit for us at least.

 

[SeaDoc]

I do the same 60 days out (the benefits of Presidential and Chairman's) and the flight availability is terrific... BTW, the list is even longer 60 days out as most people will cancel on day 61 so as not to receive 'holding points'... Thanks for the effort - quite illuminating when you see it in print...

I tend to do most of my points stays within 30 days for the discounted points rate being super flexible. Each month, I search all Marriotts and see where I could go that month for 25% less points due to being Executive level. Essentially, I own 25% more points. I've seen dozens of posts stating that few things are available or that even 12 months out you might be at risk. I know this is true for some locations of course, but each month I am pleasantly surprised at what is available! Some are of course low season, some are shoulder, but some are high also.

So, for fun, this month I will enter the list I found in case it helps anyone if you like planning to go somewhere without necessarily a specific week and have thought there may not be much available. My criteria for this list is minimum 1 bedroom (no studios) and at least 7 nights in a row.

So, here are the cities or islands I could go in April for 25% less points:

Los Angeles
Palm Desert
Lake Tahoe
Aspen
Vail
Marco Island
Miami
Orlando
Palm Beach Shores
Riviera Beach
Kauai
Maui
Big Island
Branson
Las Vegas
Absecon NJ
Hilton Head
Myrtle Beach
Park City
Williamsburg
France
Costa del Sol
Bangkok
Phuket

Too bad I am recovering from surgery, have never been to a few of these like Marco! It's always amazing how many places are available within those 30 days. Anyway, just thought someone might want to see without having to make their own list.

I find sometimes there are getaways on the same locations, and sometimes those are cheaper. But far from always. Anyone surprised at all at the list?

 

[GregT]

I think this is a useful thread also -- I'm not currently in a position to travel frequently 60 days out or less, but I hope to in the future. I've found HGVC's Open Season to be a great source of last minute travel in those few instances where I have been able to, and I will know start to think more carefully about Marriott's system as a source of last minute reservations. I agree with others that FlexChange is a great value, especially with my Worldmark, which only needs 4,000 credits ($280 in MFs) however points may be a viable alternative too.

Thanks for the thread and I will start to study availability as well.

Best,

Greg

 

[Quilter]

Very useful thread. Thank you Steve for spending the time typing with one hand.

Forgive me if you think this impertinent but it seems you are going through your own shoulder season. Hope the tortuous part is brief.

 

[Steve Fatula]

By Christmas all will be better than before. But by late May, should have minimal no weight use so at least many things are easier again and perhaps I can even sleep in a bed again. Soon thereafter, can start regaining strength. No brief unfortunately, but, yes, definitely a shoulder season! That Season is Spring!

 

[VacationForever]

By Christmas all will be better than before. But by late May, should have minimal no weight use so at least many things are easier again and perhaps I can even sleep in a bed again. Soon thereafter, can start regaining strength. No brief unfortunately, but, yes, definitely a shoulder season! That Season is Spring!

Within the past 6 months, I had a cortisone shot to my left knee due to osteoarthritis and another one to my right elbow due to tendonitis. My pain is nothing when compared to yours!

 

[Quilter]

I did a little sample of DC availability vs. II. I have an OP studio on deposit with II.

Looked in II for all dates in May for Crystal Shores. The only number of guests I could put in was 2 because it's a studio. Nothing available. I figure a cost of the studio is $500 (1/3 of my $1500 m/f). Any upgrade to a larger unit would add $99 or $198.

I also looked for all dates in May at Crystal Shores using 5 as the number of guests thinking this would show me 2 bedroom inventory. Requested 5 nights. I got 3 possible dates for check-in mid-May.

I'm all out of points so I couldn't go the extra step to find out details for amount of points it would require. Currently my points cost me a maximum of $.60 per point. At Chairman level I'd get the larger discount.

 

[icydog]

I do the same 60 days out (the benefits of Presidential and Chairman's) and the flight availability is terrific... BTW, the list is even longer 60 days out as most people will cancel on day 61 so as not to receive 'holding points'... Thanks for the effort - quite illuminating when you see it in print...

I don't think it was mentioned but you can go through your DP reservations and find several where the points have gone down at 60 days.

Then you can rebook the night(s) using the reduced points and keep the change in your account, I usually add days to my reservation for the same cost in points as the shorter vacation!!

 

[SeaDoc]

I do this a lot and these discounted difference in points become 'holding points' which I can use as 'free stays' as long as I book within 60 days. Having Presidential or Chairman's Club ownership, you'll also receive a 30% discount on these holding points as well when you book within these 60 days... It's a great way to get maximize value out of points, which wipes out all the concerns people have with the 'skim' effect as to the difference between what your week is worth in the club and what the cost is to make the reservation.

I don't think it was mentioned but you can go through your DP reservations and find several where the points have gone down at 60 days.

Then you can rebook the night(s) using the reduced points and keep the change in your account, I usually add days to my reservation for the same cost in points as the shorter vacation!!

 

[TdoaoR]

I tend to do most of my points stays within 30 days for the discounted points rate being super flexible. Each month, I search all Marriotts and see where I could go that month for 25% less points due to being Executive level. Essentially, I own 25% more points. I've seen dozens of posts stating that few things are available or that even 12 months out you might be at risk. I know this is true for some locations of course, but each month I am pleasantly surprised at what is available! Some are of course low season, some are shoulder, but some are high also.

So, for fun, this month I will enter the list I found in case it helps anyone if you like planning to go somewhere without necessarily a specific week and have thought there may not be much available. My criteria for this list is minimum 1 bedroom (no studios) and at least 7 nights in a row.

So, here are the cities or islands I could go in April for 25% less points:

Los Angeles
Palm Desert
Lake Tahoe
Aspen
Vail
Marco Island
Miami
Orlando
Palm Beach Shores
Riviera Beach
Kauai
Maui
Big Island
Branson
Las Vegas
Absecon NJ
Hilton Head
Myrtle Beach
Park City
Williamsburg
France
Costa del Sol
Bangkok
Phuket

Too bad I am recovering from surgery, have never been to a few of these like Marco! It's always amazing how many places are available within those 30 days. Anyway, just thought someone might want to see without having to make their own list.

I find sometimes there are getaways on the same locations, and sometimes those are cheaper. But far from always. Anyone surprised at all at the list?

I know this is an old post, I am new to TUG. Curious how you "search" the properties for availability. Do you just have to go into the MVC site and enter sets of 15 and look through them? Or is there an easier way?