Marriott Grand Vista purchase

[pchung6]

Hi everyone, looking for some advise about a possible purchase of a 2 bed gold season Grand Vista. I am trying to find a reasonable way to get Marriott preference in II for trading and wondering what trading power this would have. We are retired so very flexible for timing and are fine with studio or 1 bed units. Just wondering if I will be able to pull Marriotts in Hawaii?
Thanks,
Brent

I paid $299 for a Platinum Marriott Willow Ridge. It took me second try to pass the ROFR. My MWR has be trading very well last few years. I've been to these places in last 3 years by locking off my MWR:
Marriott Ko Olina 1 bedroom x2 (from 1 br both times)
Marriott Waiohai 2 bedroom x1 (from studio)
Marriott St-Thomas 3 bedroom x1 (from studio)

I like all of the trades I received beside the view treatment in MKO trades which were really bad. Once I had to face the dumpster view on 2nd or 3rd floor. After all, I decided to purchase an MKO OV to avoid fighting with front desk anymore.

 

[kds4]

I paid $299 for a Platinum Marriott Willow Ridge. It took me second try to pass the ROFR. My MWR has be trading very well last few years. I've been to these places in last 3 years by locking off my MWR:
Marriott Ko Olina 1 bedroom x2 (from 1 br both times)
Marriott Waiohai 2 bedroom x1 (from studio)
Marriott St-Thomas 3 bedroom x1 (from studio)

I like all of the trades I received beside the view treatment in MKO trades which were really bad. Once I had to face the dumpster view on 2nd or 3rd floor. After all, I decided to purchase an MKO OV to avoid fighting with front desk anymore.

Those are probably some of the best trades I have seen reported using a Willow Ridge unit. Well done.

 

[MikeM132]

Hi everyone, looking for some advise about a possible purchase of a 2 bed gold season Grand Vista. I am trying to find a reasonable way to get Marriott preference in II for trading and wondering what trading power this would have. We are retired so very flexible for timing and are fine with studio or 1 bed units. Just wondering if I will be able to pull Marriotts in Hawaii?
Thanks,
Brent

First, I own a week at Grande Vista and have for about 15 years. I've traded all over (it's platinum, but I'm not sure how much difference that makes). I am kind of a believer that in II trading, almost anything is possible. A key is you are flexible as to when you want to go somewhere. KoOlina is the second biggest Marriott timeshare (GV is first). KoOlina is in active sales...meaning many promotions, many vacancies. I own there, too. Buy a resale week. Forget points....I have "enrolled weeks" and while points are flexible, their value is nowhere near as high as weeks (which you can only buy resale). Advice to get a "Florida Club" week might be good. You pay a little more each year (forget, like 35 bucks) but can direct reserve at 4 other properties in Florida (not trade, you reserve it like you own there...I've done it at Ocean Pointe....slick). Most of all, I personally really like Orlando. Wife not so much. I could go there every year. You probably know all about it...way more than just Disney and Universal. Look around for a resale week. I bought all my weeks direct from Marriott. The only advantage to that, I think, is I could trade them for Marriott Reward Points (now BonVoy points or whatever) which have been devalued to the point of it makes no sense to trade for them. So the downside of a resale week is.....none. Good luck.

 

[CPNY]

I paid $299 for a Platinum Marriott Willow Ridge. It took me second try to pass the ROFR. My MWR has be trading very well last few years. I've been to these places in last 3 years by locking off my MWR:
Marriott Ko Olina 1 bedroom x2 (from 1 br both times)
Marriott Waiohai 2 bedroom x1 (from studio)
Marriott St-Thomas 3 bedroom x1 (from studio)

I like all of the trades I received beside the view treatment in MKO trades which were really bad. Once I had to face the dumpster view on 2nd or 3rd floor. After all, I decided to purchase an MKO OV to avoid fighting with front desk anymore.

First, I own a week at Grande Vista and have for about 15 years. I've traded all over (it's platinum, but I'm not sure how much difference that makes). I am kind of a believer that in II trading, almost anything is possible. A key is you are flexible as to when you want to go somewhere. KoOlina is the second biggest Marriott timeshare (GV is first). KoOlina is in active sales...meaning many promotions, many vacancies. I own there, too. Buy a resale week. Forget points....I have "enrolled weeks" and while points are flexible, their value is nowhere near as high as weeks (which you can only buy resale). Advice to get a "Florida Club" week might be good. You pay a little more each year (forget, like 35 bucks) but can direct reserve at 4 other properties in Florida (not trade, you reserve it like you own there...I've done it at Ocean Pointe....slick). Most of all, I personally really like Orlando. Wife not so much. I could go there every year. You probably know all about it...way more than just Disney and Universal. Look around for a resale week. I bought all my weeks direct from Marriott. The only advantage to that, I think, is I could trade them for Marriott Reward Points (now BonVoy points or whatever) which have been devalued to the point of it makes no sense to trade for them. So the downside of a resale week is.....none. Good luck.

What are thoughts on a Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge in Breck? Good place to own a ski week 2 bedroom?

 

[Dean]

What are thoughts on a Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge in Breck? Good place to own a ski week 2 bedroom?

I didn't think they have 2 BR units there.

 

[CPNY]

Guess your right. Given mis information.

I didn't think they have 2 BR units there.

 

[pchung6]

What are thoughts on a Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge in Breck? Good place to own a ski week 2 bedroom?

No, don't do it. You will not like the quality. Stay with Westin.

 

[Dean]

Guess your right. Given mis information.

Yes, I thought it was only studio and 1 BR. Fees there are high comparatively speaking. I haven't been to the resort but I hear it's of slightly lower quality compared to most Marriott's but others with more direct information can comment.

 

[Quilter]

In this thread there are several references to “MVG”. I know MVC as Marriott Vacation Club but not MVG.

What is this?

Thank you

 

[CPNY]

In this thread there are several references to “MVG”. I know MVC as Marriott Vacation Club but not MVG.

What is this?

Thank you

I think there was confusion about MVG being Marriott Vacation Group as a whole parent company where MVC is referred to as Marriott vacation club. In reality it is MVW Marriott vacation worldwide, the parent company to all TS groups. MVG was a confused acronym coming from a combo of ILG (interval leisure group) and MVW. So many acronyms it’s hard to keep up. I was one of those confused. Heck I still prob explained it wrong lol.

Stick with MVW and MVC. Ignore MVG.
And VSN for Vistana’s signature network (the network/program of resorts) similar to the DC program. VSE, Vistana Signature Experiences which is the equivalent to MVC

 

[pianodinosaur]

Yes, I thought it was only studio and 1 BR. Fees there are high comparatively speaking. I haven't been to the resort but I hear it's of slightly lower quality compared to most Marriott's but others with more direct information can comment.

I purchased a gold season week about 9 years ago. It has been an excellent trader in interval international. There are no two bedroom units but for $95.00 you can upgrade to a 2 bedroom unit when you trade. The quality of the units is not as good as the other Marriott’s we have visited, but it has the best location in down town Breckenridge. I purchased this unit for $39.00 on EBAY about 9 years ago. Just purchased a 2 bedroom platinum at Legend’s Edge for $1.00 on EBAY. I can already tell that my new unit is a much better trader and I am now in The Florida Club.

 

[CPNY]

I purchased a gold season week about 9 years ago. It has been an excellent trader in interval international. There are no two bedroom units but for $95.00 you can upgrade to a 2 bedroom unit when you trade. The quality of the units is not as good as the other Marriott’s we have visited, but it has the best location in down town Breckenridge. I purchased this unit for $39.00 on EBAY about 9 years ago. Just purchased a 2 bedroom platinum at Legend’s Edge for $1.00 on EBAY. I can already tell that my new unit is a much better trader and I am now in The Florida Club.

What’s the maint fee on the legends edge?

 

[Fasttr]

What’s the maint fee on the legends edge?

See MF Sticky at top of Marriott Forum.

 

[CPNY]

See MF Sticky at top of Marriott Forum.

Found it. Thanks! I’m trying to figure out if I should pick up a resale with hight trade power in MVC or VSE. I already have Star Options so MVC would be a logical choice for priority trading. I’d look for MVC ski weeks on occasion with preference of Aruba or st Thomas

 

[Dean]

I purchased a gold season week about 9 years ago. It has been an excellent trader in interval international. There are no two bedroom units but for $95.00 you can upgrade to a 2 bedroom unit when you trade. The quality of the units is not as good as the other Marriott’s we have visited, but it has the best location in down town Breckenridge. I purchased this unit for $39.00 on EBAY about 9 years ago. Just purchased a 2 bedroom platinum at Legend’s Edge for $1.00 on EBAY. I can already tell that my new unit is a much better trader and I am now in The Florida Club.

I didn't think you had to pay for the size upgrade from a 1 BR to a 2 BR if you were trading to other Marriott's that do not have a 1 BR from this and a handful of other resorts.

 

[kds4]

I didn't think you had to pay for the size upgrade from a 1 BR to a 2 BR if you were trading to other Marriott's that do not have a 1 BR from this and a handful of other resorts.

If I remember correctly, the MVC provided II account for enrolled/points owners pays basic exchange fees Marriott to Marriott, but not 'uptrading' fees to a larger unit than the one deposited (which applies to all trades more than 60 days prior to check-in). I've never used our MVC provided II account. So, I don't have first hand experience to know for sure.

 

[bazzap]

If I remember correctly, the MVC provided II account for enrolled/points owners pays basic exchange fees Marriott to Marriott, but not 'uptrading' fees to a larger unit than the one deposited (which applies to all trades more than 60 days prior to check-in). I've never used our MVC provided II account. So, I don't have first hand experience to know for sure.

All II accounts, including the MVC provided one, included unit size upgrades until a couple of years ago when II started charging fees for this.
The MVC account still includes other fees, such as lock off..

 

[Dean]

If I remember correctly, the MVC provided II account for enrolled/points owners pays basic exchange fees Marriott to Marriott, but not 'uptrading' fees to a larger unit than the one deposited (which applies to all trades more than 60 days prior to check-in). I've never used our MVC provided II account. So, I don't have first hand experience to know for sure.

What I was referencing was that the II MVC agreement allows those at some resorts with dedicated 1 BR units to trade to 2 BR units at resorts that don't have the smaller unit size. I was wondering out loud if that waived the upgrade fee where applicable but I don't know and I haven't seen any posts addressing the question before myself.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Used to be you could only request up to the size unit you were exchanging (ie 1 br could only ask for a max size of 1 br) unless requesting a resort that only had 2 br units and then that request was allowed.

Since the introduction of the upsize fee you can request any size you want and indicate you will pay the upsize fee. But unless it is flexchange, everyone pays the fee (Amount per step varies by membership level).

 

[bazzap]

I have regularly requested unit size upgrades through II with my MVC weeks exchanges, whether the MVC resort I am requesting has had equivalent size or even smaller.
Once II introduced the unit size upgrade fees, we have had to pay them irrespective of whether the resort only has larger units.
Sadly we don’t get a rebate if they only have smaller units!

 

[Pamplemousse]

Hi Barry,
Just so I understand what you are saying...

Five years ago (before the fee introduction) if you had a 1br unit deposited in II are you saying you could do an online request for a 2Br unit at a resort that also had 1br?
In my hands this wasn’t possible- if I wanted to upsize I needed to request to a 2Br only resort or do a manual exchange to 2Br that showed available.

Thanks for explaining- I’m not sure if I’m understanding correctly and if all accounts work the same.

 

[Dean]

Used to be you could only request up to the size unit you were exchanging (ie 1 br could only ask for a max size of 1 br) unless requesting a resort that only had 2 br units and then that request was allowed.

Since the introduction of the upsize fee you can request any size you want and indicate you will pay the upsize fee. But unless it is flexchange, everyone pays the fee (Amount per step varies by membership level).

The II wording always confused me since you could always ask for what was allowed at certain resorts like CH and Breckenridge. The questions then were did you have the same priority as you were exchanging a 2 BR and I never saw a good answer. The question now is whether one would pay the upgrade fee from a 1 to 2 BR where applicable for the covered situation.

 

[bazzap]

Hi Barry,
Just so I understand what you are saying...

Five years ago (before the fee introduction) if you had a 1br unit deposited in II are you saying you could do an online request for a 2Br unit at a resort that also had 1br?
In my hands this wasn’t possible- if I wanted to upsize I needed to request to a 2Br only resort or do a manual exchange to 2Br that showed available.

Thanks for explaining- I’m not sure if I’m understanding correctly and if all accounts work the same.

Yes correct, although I never “deposited” and always made my “request” by telephone call direct to one of the II agents I regularly deal with.
I have occasionally been offered a 1 Bed for my 1Bed (Master) or Studio (Guest Suite) and just said no thanks, waiting for a 2 or 3 Bed exchange to come through.
We never travel in peak season though, which I am sure helps.

 

[SueDonJ]

Prior to the II upsize charges, I thought any of the resorts that have 1BR units could request in exchange a 2BR unit at any resort that doesn't have 1BR's, but Custom House was the only one where a 1BR deposit is equal in trade power to a 2BR deposit.

Since the II upsize charges, it looks like the same is still true for Custom House 1BR exchanges and they won't be subject to an upsize fee. For all the other non-Custom House 1BR's, there's still the same ability to request a 2BR but the upsize fees will be charged.

Here's a 2018 thread: Possible to trade Custom House 1BR for 2BR ski week?

 

[Pamplemousse]

Yes correct, although I never “deposited” and always made my “request” by telephone call direct to one of the II agents I regularly deal with.
I have occasionally been offered a 1 Bed for my 1Bed (Master) or Studio (Guest Suite) and just said no thanks, waiting for a 2 or 3 Bed exchange to come through.
We never travel in peak season though, which I am sure helps.

Thank you.
That explains it- I knew I couldn’t select a larger unit placing an online request-there just wasn’t a larger size to select back then. The phone was the difference. I did a bunch of stays at cypress harbor, sabal palms, hilton head- since they were 2 br only and I could request using my lock off pieces. I never travel peak either and I had great success too.