Marriott Points & Direct Exchanges

[GregT]

All,

I wanted to update this thread for another Direct Exchange that I've completed. Again, my objective here is to think a little differently about our Marriott points, versus simply using them to book vacations through Marriott.

For this Direct Exchange, I'd listed on my classified ad board access to the HGVC properties on the Big Island. I was contacted by a lady who wants to visit HGVC Waikoloa in August 2012. We agreed on the number of Marriott points that I would receive (modestly less than the equivalent points for a Ko Olina mountain view).

To match my other travel needs, we are splitting the Marriott points that I will receive between 2013 and 2014, since I don't need more points in 2013. I just booked her August 2012 reservation (with low-MF HGVC points) and she has transferred me the 2013 Marriott points, and will transfer the balance later.

I can see this model repeating in future years, as people utilize Marriott points to trade with other TUGgers who are in DClub, to access other desirable properties (HGVC Big Island, Harborside, Westin St. John, Windjammer Landing, Residences at the Crane, are a few that come to mind).

I remain curious if others think this is viable/repeatable, or if I've just had some good luck here.

Thanks very much!

Greg

 

[slum808]

Great Trade

Greg,

Thanks for sharing the info, it sounds like you made another great trade. This should work out well for both of you, since HGVC and Marriott don't trade together in II/RCI. I'm beginning to think you now paid for your Aulani DVC points with DC points gained through HGVC trade. It get's more complicated each time I think about it.

On a related note, I was tring to broker a trade for my VGC points. My original plan was to book Aulani with VGC points. There was a request on mouseowners to trade some WDW points for VGC points. There would have been no benifit for me but the requester is also a Tugger so I tried to see if we could do a trade. Unfortunatly I couldn't figure out how to do it wtihout using both my 2012 and 2013 transfers. The single transfer rule for DVC really limits what I can do.

Steve

 

[m61376]

Greg- WOW! I love your creativity! I also really think that the best use of high end timeshares will be for cooperative private exchanges like this. Last year we were party to a three way exchange, which I thought was such a creative and good trade for everyone. We all had 3 BR units and A booked the week that B wanted, B booked the week for C and C for A; we each got to go to somewhere where we would have had a very hard time getting a trade through II for the week we wanted in a 3BR, and we had the plans confirmed a year out, with no fees involved. We all got owner priority for room assignments too. While ours involved different systems as well, your concept takes it a step further utilizing point exchanges.

My feelings on the DC system as a whole have been very negative, but I have to admit it is posts like yours that makes me likely to join by year end, since I can foresee some interesting options.

 

[dioxide45]

All,

I wanted to update this thread for another Direct Exchange that I've completed. Again, my objective here is to think a little differently about our Marriott points, versus simply using them to book vacations through Marriott.

For this Direct Exchange, I'd listed on my classified ad board access to the HGVC properties on the Big Island. I was contacted by a lady who wants to visit HGVC Waikoloa in August 2012. We agreed on the number of Marriott points that I would receive (modestly less than the equivalent points for a Ko Olina mountain view).

To match my other travel needs, we are splitting the Marriott points that I will receive between 2013 and 2014, since I don't need more points in 2013. I just booked her August 2012 reservation (with low-MF HGVC points) and she has transferred me the 2013 Marriott points, and will transfer the balance later.

I can see this model repeating in future years, as people utilize Marriott points to trade with other TUGgers who are in DClub, to access other desirable properties (HGVC Big Island, Harborside, Westin St. John, Windjammer Landing, Residences at the Crane, are a few that come to mind).

I remain curious if others think this is viable/repeatable, or if I've just had some good luck here.

Thanks very much!

Greg

I find this rather intriguing and a good option to have by being enrolled in DC. We are looking to travel back to Hawaii in 2013. I looked at what II has to offer on the Big Island and I was not impressed with their offerings. Having been to Oahu and Maui twice, we would like to head to Kauai and the Big Island the next time around.

Unfortunately DC won't work for us in Hawaii like II did back in 2010. It would take every point we get from converting our two weeks in a year in order to get one week during the time of year we are looking to travel (October/November). II would be a viable option still for Kauai given the Marriott properties there, but netier DC or II would provide us with much for the Big Island.

It looks like HGVC has three properties on the Big Island; Waikoloa Beach Resort, the Bay Club at Waikoloa and Kings Land. Any opinions on which one would be the best property?

When looking at a trade is there a DC to HGVC point conversion that one would consider, or would the exchange be based more on what the HGVC MF may be for their points or based on what they are able to book with their HGVC points?

 

[GregT]

It looks like HGVC has three properties on the Big Island; Waikoloa Beach Resort, the Bay Club at Waikoloa and Kings Land. Any opinions on which one would be the best property?

When looking at a trade is there a DC to HGVC point conversion that one would consider, or would the exchange be based more on what the HGVC MF may be for their points or based on what they are able to book with their HGVC points?

Dioxide,

There are three HGVC timeshares on the Big Island, all in Waikoloa (the sunny/dry side of the island). They are right next to the Hilton Waikoloa Resort Hotel, which is a very important property to Hilton. The criticism of the three timeshares is that none are ocean front.

If you think of four dominoes that stretch across one mile, the hotel is the left domino and well situated on the coast (with a nice lagoon and bay, but no beach). The second domino is the Bay Club, which is an HGVC affiliate that was purpose-built as condominiums (and are therefore much larger than most timeshares and recently renovated beautifully). Third domino is HGVC Waikoloa, which is a purpose built timeshare that has modest amenities in its own right, but has full access to the substantial amenities at the hotel property. HGVC Waikoloa rooms are very nice, but only have 2BR units (Bay Club has 1BR and 2BR). The last domino is Kings Land, which is the newest timeshare property and perhaps the flagship of the HGVC timeshare portfolio. The rooms are very very nice and it has a Super Pool modeled along the lines of Maui Ocean Club. Like HGVC Waikoloa, Kings Land has access to the amenities at the hotel, but its point requirements make it an expensive stay for many HGVC'ers. I'm staying at Kings Land in June 2012, but only because I was able to trade into it through RCI -- I was planning on staying at the Bay Club using points until the RCI trade cleared (which is why I had the excess HGVC points available for this Direct Exchange).

There really isn't a standard points conversion, you would have to discuss something with your counterparty. I'll send you a PM with some thoughts and suggestions. Separately, I believe the nicest II property on the Big Island is Kona Coast Resort, which would be a very easy trade for a Marriott.

Best,

Greg

 

[larue]

Greg, thanks to your website, I was able to rent enough points to upgrade from a 2 bedroom island to a 3 bedroom ocean view at Kauai Lagoons. Without the rental of additional points, I would have been left with about 1,000 points that I would not be likely able to use by year end. The additional points (purchased at $.60 per point) allowed me to maximize my DC points for 2012.

By the way, the deals at Kauai Lagoons are spectacular. 3 bedroom ocean view at spring break for 4,375 points. We don't generally eat on site or use the market place, so the lack of those amenities is not a big deal at all for us.