Marriott Questions from a Potential Newbie

[Andy08]

Hi, my husband and I are looking into purchasing a timeshare. We've attended a few presentations from different companies (BlueGreen, Island One, HGVC) to see what's out there. We stayed at HGVC Tuscany in Orlando last spring break and loved it. We're leaning toward HGVC, but wanted to take a look at Marriott as well -- I really like their locations in contrast to the fewer Hilton-built locations that HGVC offers. I asked some questions yesterday on the HGVC thread, now I'm checking out Marriott.

Hubby and I have 3 kids and we vacation based on school breaks. We’d need a 2-bed/ 2-bath unit, platinum season. We live in Michigan and enjoy traveling to sunny, tropical destinations. The last couple of vacations were to Florida. The kids really enjoy Florida and we would not have a problem vacationing there for a few more times, but I would like to be able to vacation in areas other than Florida. Marriott’s locations seem to match up to some of the places I’d like to visit and re-visit. So…

How does Marriott’s points system work? How many points would I need in order to travel once a year with the kids? How many points would I need if I wanted to travel twice a year, once with the kids and once without the kids?

 

[thinze3]

Marriott is a weeks based system, not a points sytem like HGVC. You can buy a lock-off unit and travel twice a year, once in a 1BR and once in a studio unit.

You can trade your unit to any Marriott loaction. The trading strength of the week you own and have booked would determine you ability to trade into certain resorts at certain times of the year. For instance, trading into a 2BR Marriott at a ski location the week after Christmas is a very tough thing to do for all Marriott owners. If you owned a winter week in South Carolina, your chances of getting that trade would be less than the person who owns a summer week in South Carolina.

Keep reading here on Tug about the different resorts before making a decision. Also, read the Marriott FAQ's to find out how the Marriott system works. Most Marriott owners do not stop after their fist purchase.


Terry

 

[CMF]

Not to contradict Terry but to supplement the post, if you buy a lock-off, it is possible to trade each side for a larger unit when those units are available, e.g., a studio for a two bedroom.

Charles

 

[vlapinta]

Marriott is a weeks based system, not a points sytem like HGVC. You can buy a lock-off unit and travel twice a year, once in a 1BR and once in a studio unit.

When you trade your unit it is not done through Marriott, but through a company such as II. I recommend to buy where you would like to visit so if you do not want to trade you can just go to your home resort and you won't have to pay any xtra fees for locking off or trading. As the previous poster suggested, read, read read the Marriott board. I have learned so much in the last few years! Good Luck.

Vicki

 

[Lawlar]

Don't Do It!

Hubby and I have 3 kids and we vacation based on school breaks. We’d need a 2-bed/ 2-bath unit, platinum season. We live in Michigan and enjoy traveling to sunny, tropical destinations. The last couple of vacations were to Florida.
How does Marriott’s points system work?

My opinion: Don't do it! A big problem with Marriott's system is that you don't have the right to pick dates that you want for your vacation. Even though you buy a platinum season TS you may not be able to get a reservation for summer and other school breaks. You should know that Marriott gives priority to those who own multiple units - they get first pick of the best dates. Marriott sells more Platinum units than can be accomodated for high season - it is very similar to a ponzi scheme.

In order to select a date you need to call exactly 12 months in advance and hope to get through to claim the date. It is like playing the lotto. A lot of people have paid big money to Marriott only to learn that they can only reserve dates that are undesirable.

When we bought our TS the Marriott sales rep lied to us and said that no one would have priority over us in selecting dates. She made it seem like it would be no problem to get summer dates. Afterwards, we learned that was not true. We ultimately, after making some threats, purchased exchanged for fixed date unit so that we can go when we want.

This rasies the question of why would you want to pay Marriott a lot of money for a TS (that you can't sell for 50% of what you paid for it - if you are lucky to find a buyer), and yearly maintenace fees that increase about 10% a year, when you can't reserve a date that you like. You can often rent a nice place for less than the yearly maintenance fees.

Don't believe anything the Marriott sales reps tell you. They will lie to you.

Best bet: rent a timeshare. You can select any date you want. Now that we are in a weak economy there are lots of bargains to choose from.

It was a really big mistake for us to purchase a TS from Marriott. We really regret it. Please don't make the same mistake.

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

Another option you might consider would be a 3-BR with lock-off. This would allow you to go on your vacation with the kids, lock-off to the 2-BR and then exchange the studio portion for a trip without the kids. Unfortunately, there are only a few places with this option, so finding one may be difficult. I am pretty sure Grande Vista has this option and Aruba Surf Club has this option too. Maybe others.

The good thing is, you've probably been focusing on the prices that the developer has been providing you. If you definitely want to do 2 TS vacations every year, you can buy 2 weeks resale for about the same price as a developer week. But then you've also got 2 MF's.

As stated earlier, choose a location you'd be comfortable with for years to come.

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

In order to select a date you need to call exactly 12 months in advance and hope to get through to claim the date. It is like playing the lotto. A lot of people have paid big money to Marriott only to learn that they can only reserve dates that are undesirable.

It was a really big mistake for us to purchase a TS from Marriott. We really regret it. Please don't make the same mistake.

Andy08, Although Lawlar may not be a fan of Marriott, check out the Sticky on the Marriott Resort System board about satisfaction with Marriott. You'll find that 89.42% of responses show very happy/happy owners.

I own 2 MVCI resorts. I have never once (in 6 years so far) called "exactly 12 months in advance". I usually reserve 9-10 months in advance (this year was 11 months). I have never had a problem getting the week (range of weeks) I wanted.

I'm not saying that some locations aren't difficult to use for specific weeks, but don't bet on getting the very best week possible every single year if everyone else wants that same week.

 

[Lawlar]

Bs Poll

Andy08, Although Lawlar may not be a fan of Marriott, check out the Sticky on the Marriott Resort System board about satisfaction with Marriott. You'll find that 89.42% of responses show very happy/happy owners.

I think a lot of Marriott sales reps have voted in that poll.

Regardless, there is no dispute that a Marriott TS purchased at retail will decline in value by 50% or more and that the MFs continue to increase. Also, there is no dispute that a TS owner may have difficulty getting a desired date [Its very difficult, for example, for purchasers at the new Lahaina MOC to get a summer date - same problem for owners at NCV].

Does anyone dispute that the Marriott sales reps are dishonest [other than the sales reps]?

 

[CMF]

Regardless, there is no dispute that a Marriott TS purchased at retail will decline in value by 50% or more and that the MFs continue to increase.

And there are better properties in other system with steady MFs that increase in value?

Also, there is no dispute that a TS owner may have difficulty getting a desired date [Its very difficult, for example, for purchasers at the new Lahaina MOC to get a summer date - same problem for owners at NCV].

Looking for specific weeks is more challenging but booking in the season you own, where you own is not - especially in Florida.

Please see my response in blue.

Charles

 

[thinze3]

I recently booked my two '09 weeks for the exact dates that I wanted (spring break and summer) without a problem. This was done with one of my resorts being sold out and the other at about 95%.

As stated above, there are some resorts that have way to long of a platinum season (such as Newport Coast), while others do not (such as Grande Ocean). If you MUST travel to Newport Coast during July, then I would suggest buying a fixed week, but if you want to go to BeachPlace Towers in Ft Lauderdale during July, then you shouldn't have a problem with a floating platinum week there.

Just like anything else, you must do your research before you buy. You will need to shop around to find the reosrt and season/week that fits your needs exactly.



Terry

 

[luv2vacation]

Regardless, there is no dispute that a Marriott TS purchased at retail will decline in value by 50% or more and that the MFs continue to increase.

Show me ANY other TS that does not do the same when purchased from the developer. Except for DVC, I would say that every other TS does WORSE than Marriott - some decreasing as much as 90% or having no (cash) value at all once you walk away from the developer. Also, like everything else in life, MF's go up - it's called rise in the cost of living.

Also, there is no dispute that a TS owner may have difficulty getting a desired date [Its very difficult, for example, for purchasers at the new Lahaina MOC to get a summer date - same problem for owners at NCV].

I also have never booked at exactly 12 months out. In fact, just booked my OP week for 2009 3 days ago. I got exactly what I wanted, week starting with July 4th, Saturday check-in. Last year, I didn't book until September and still was able to get a mid-July week. Like Thinze3 and LuvourMarriotts says, it all in what you want.

Does anyone dispute that the Marriott sales reps are dishonest [other than the sales reps]?

No more than any other TS sales reps. And in my experience of over 12 years and more than 30 TS presentations (with many different companies), I have found Marriott sales reps to, on the whole, be the least pushy and most honest of the lot.


If you read through this board, you will find a lot of very happy Marriott owners - we are definitely not in a minority here. Why do you think this board is the busiest on the whole BBS? I am really, truly sorry that Lawlar had such a bad experience with his Marriott TS purchase. I truly am because I have found owning a Marriott TS to be a wonderful vacation experience (and I bought from the developer, also). All I can say is read through this board and make your own decision about whether the Marriott brand is what you are looking for.

 

[tlwmkw]

We are also happy with Marriott despite buying direct and paying more than for resale. Have never had a problem booking at home resort or even with trades.

That said I do wonder about some of the Platinum seasons. If you look at the new Grande Lakes resort in Orlando Marriott has created a "Platinum Premier" and then everything else is Platinum- sounds like they are trying to sell Gold and Silver as Platinum by creating the new higher designation. The people buying Platinum will think they have the very best when the more desirable times will be in the premier period, and many people will be vying for the school vacations during the large Platinum season. Its like season inflation.

 

[Lawlar]

Cranky

Ok, so maybe my posts have been a little bit cranky lately. I think my recent experience at a Marriott sales presentation left a bad taste in my mouth.

I will add a few positives thoughts:

My wife and grandkid love our Marriott TS (that is why I can't sell it).

Marriott probably does a better job than most TS operators.

The Villa units are beautiful.

The staff at the Marriott's are very pleasant and helpful.

No doubt, many TUGGER's love their Marriott TSs (and that is a good thing). And I do appreciate all of the helpful posts from TUGGERs.

OK? Those are my happy thoughts for today. Now I can be cranky for the rest of the day.

 

[kjd]

I purchased a golf membership at a country club, used it for 10 years and I lost 30% of the value when I quit. I bought two cars, used them for five years and lost 75% of their value when I sold them. Should I have made money when I had the full use of these depreciating assets? Evidently, there are some here that believe that you should.

Timeshares are not an investment. They are a license to use a facility for a given period of time under certain conditions and restrictions. In fact, at least Marriott gives its' owners a deed rather than some other timeshare companies that give nothing. Some timeshare operators even limit the usage to something like 30 years. Your family will have nothing after that. Many ts companies sell points which are subject to manipulation and are only as good as long as the company stays in business.

Several timeshare companies have bad reputations that in many cases are well deserved. Marriott is not one of those companies. The Marriott brand is well respected both within the ts industry and by its' customers. Those persons who are having buyers remorse should have invested their money rather than buy a depreciating asset. Caveat emptor.

 

[Latravel]

I think you'll love the Marriott timeshare experience. We own another points based timeshare system and I just can't use it. With that system, I cannot guarantee that I will receive a high quality experience, even with gold crown resorts. The Marriott brand is exceptionally nice and a high quality product. The Marriott experience has spoiled us, and our young children (5,2) to the point we never use the other timeshare company. Such a waste of money.

Not only will your children love the experience but so will you. Good luck shopping!

 

[m61376]

And, bot to nit-pick, but many of the Platinum season resorts sell between a third and 40% less than direct prices, so it is not fair to say that buyers lose over half immediately.

There are many resale buyers who break even to even making a few dollars reselling, and even some developer purchasers who bought pre-construction. So, while buying esp. directly from Marriott isn't an investment, it is not throwing money away either.

 

[pianodinosaur]

Try Marriott Rewards

Hi, my husband and I are looking into purchasing a timeshare. We've attended a few presentations from different companies (BlueGreen, Island One, HGVC) to see what's out there. We stayed at HGVC Tuscany in Orlando last spring break and loved it. We're leaning toward HGVC, but wanted to take a look at Marriott as well -- I really like their locations in contrast to the fewer Hilton-built locations that HGVC offers. I asked some questions yesterday on the HGVC thread, now I'm checking out Marriott.

Hubby and I have 3 kids and we vacation based on school breaks. We’d need a 2-bed/ 2-bath unit, platinum season. We live in Michigan and enjoy traveling to sunny, tropical destinations. The last couple of vacations were to Florida. The kids really enjoy Florida and we would not have a problem vacationing there for a few more times, but I would like to be able to vacation in areas other than Florida. Marriott’s locations seem to match up to some of the places I’d like to visit and re-visit. So…

How does Marriott’s points system work? How many points would I need in order to travel once a year with the kids? How many points would I need if I wanted to travel twice a year, once with the kids and once without the kids?

Dear Andy08:

I met you first time on the HGVC forum. I understand the aggravation that you are going through. No single TS system is perfect. Although I am very happy with my HGVC points, my friends who own in the Marriott system are pleased with their purchase even though the have more difficulty getting the time and location they want than I do with HGVC. However, Marriott has lots of resorts in many locations compared to HGVC and Westin. We did a HHonors redemption last August to stay in the Embassy Suites in Lake Tahoe. Marriott Time shares were right next door. The facilities Marriott had to offer were outstanding and in an ideal location right next to the ski lift. I have also seen the Marriott properties in Aruba while on an RCI exchange to Casa del Mar. The Marriott properties in Aruba are incredible. The Marriott Grand Chateau in Las Vegas is conveniently located very close to the monorail and is beautiful.

I participate in Marriott Rewards. Although I have not yet done a redemption, it is a convenient way to accumulate points that can be used at both Marriott Hotels and TS properties without ownership or II membership. The Marriott sales rep in Lake Tahoe advised me that if I purchased a Marriott TS resale, that I would be treated exactly the same as any other Marriott owner with one exception. I was told that owners who purchase resale cannot convert their TS points to Marriott Rewards for hotel reservations. This is only a problem if you want to go to a posh Marriott hotel in Rome or Paris where there is no Marriott TS. It takes years to accumulate enough Marriott Rewards for a 1 week redemption at a category five, six, or seven property. However, if you are not yet ready to take the plunge into purchasing a Marriott TS but like Marriott Hotels, consider joining Marriott Rewards. It will cost you nothing.

The same can also be said of HHonors and SPG. You can join both and it will cost you nothing.

 

[Andy08]

Marriott is a weeks based system, not a points sytem like HGVC. You can buy a lock-off unit and travel twice a year, once in a 1BR and once in a studio unit.

So do you buy units or points with Marriott?

You can trade your unit to any Marriott loaction. The trading strength of the week you own and have booked would determine you ability to trade into certain resorts at certain times of the year. For instance, trading into a 2BR Marriott at a ski location the week after Christmas is a very tough thing to do for all Marriott owners. If you owned a winter week in South Carolina, your chances of getting that trade would be less than the person who owns a summer week in South Carolina.

How does exchanging work with Marriott? What if we wanted to stay in another Marriott resort that wasn't our home resort? Would we have to deposit our week with II first and wait to see if we got what, when, and where we wanted?

 

[tracie15436]

I will add a few positives thoughts...
OK? Those are my happy thoughts for today. Now I can be cranky for the rest of the day.

Lawlar...you just made my day....That's funny.:hysterical:

 

[Andy08]

Andy08, Although Lawlar may not be a fan of Marriott, check out the Sticky on the Marriott Resort System board about satisfaction with Marriott. You'll find that 89.42% of responses show very happy/happy owners.

I own 2 MVCI resorts. I have never once (in 6 years so far) called "exactly 12 months in advance". I usually reserve 9-10 months in advance (this year was 11 months). I have never had a problem getting the week (range of weeks) I wanted.

I'm not saying that some locations aren't difficult to use for specific weeks, but don't bet on getting the very best week possible every single year if everyone else wants that same week.

So if I don't want to go to my home resort, where I end up (including unit size and dates) depends on availability? Part of the reason for looking at Marriott was the idea of being able to visit other areas (Marriott resorts).

Does Marriott have different reservation periods (home resort, club,and open season) similar to HGVC?

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

So if I don't want to go to my home resort, where I end up (including unit size and dates) depends on availability? Part of the reason for looking at Marriott was the idea of being able to visit other areas (Marriott resorts).

Does Marriott have different reservation periods (home resort, club,and open season) similar to HGVC?

Yes, Marriott exchanges are done through II. Your best bet is to book the best week you can get and deposit that week. Then, you can do a request first deposit, which means you request a list of resorts with a list of dates but you don't give up your week yet. Once your request is fulfilled, II takes your week and gives you the week that matches your request. Being flexible definitely helps. Meaning, don't request only a specific week, because that is harder to get. If for some reason you don't get your exchange request fulfilled, you still have your home resort week to use as a fall-back.

Where you end up depends on availability, but that is true for any TS company, isn't it? You can only get in if availability exists. Booking early is helpful. We've owned MFV for 7 years now. According to most, it is on the low end of the bar for trading power. Well, we've never NOT received the exchange we've wanted. The longest we've waited for confirmation is about 6 weeks. We traded for Aruba Surf Club (which we now own), Manor Club, Barony Beach, Grande Vista, MountainSide, and Ocean Watch (OW was using my brother-in-law's MFV week).

Different resorts do have different seasons. For instance, of course a ski resort has different seasons than a beach resort. But even some beach resorts are different. Compare Hilton Head compared to Florida. The seasons are a little different.

Again, flexibility and planning are the keys to getting what you want. You'll have great success.

 

[CAROLW]

We LOVE our Marriott T/S. We own 2 weeks, one has a lock-off, one doesn't. We are able to take 3 weeks of vacation during the year and we are finding that we still have weeks left, (just by being a little creative). Now we can rent the extra weeks and at least cover our M/F's.

We have 6 y/o twins and the Marriott T/S are VERY kid-friendly. This passed winter we used our Marriott Points to stay a week at the Marriott Los Suenos in Costa Rica. A beautiful hotel, however, we learned that staying at a hotel, with kids, is not as good as staying at a 1 or 2 BR T/S.

Last summer we deposited our gold season studio from Aruba & was able to trade into a 2 BR Grande Ocean in HHI during July. We recently traded the 1 BR lockoff from Aruba for a 1 BR at Disneys Beach Club Villas next March. (Spring Break)

We easily got a 4th of July week at Surfwatch in HHI for 2009 (made the reservation on-line at 12 months). We deposited that week, received an a/c, and am confident we will get our trade into Ocean Watch in Myrtle Beach during next July.

It does take a little work to make these things happen, but I LOVE planning vacations, and what a thrill to get to go where I want to go when I want to go there.

 

[PerryM]

Layer your timeshares...

Hi, my husband and I are looking into purchasing a timeshare. We've attended a few presentations from different companies (BlueGreen, Island One, HGVC) to see what's out there. We stayed at HGVC Tuscany in Orlando last spring break and loved it. We're leaning toward HGVC, but wanted to take a look at Marriott as well -- I really like their locations in contrast to the fewer Hilton-built locations that HGVC offers. I asked some questions yesterday on the HGVC thread, now I'm checking out Marriott.

Hubby and I have 3 kids and we vacation based on school breaks. We’d need a 2-bed/ 2-bath unit, platinum season. We live in Michigan and enjoy traveling to sunny, tropical destinations. The last couple of vacations were to Florida. The kids really enjoy Florida and we would not have a problem vacationing there for a few more times, but I would like to be able to vacation in areas other than Florida. Marriott’s locations seem to match up to some of the places I’d like to visit and re-visit. So…

How does Marriott’s points system work? How many points would I need in order to travel once a year with the kids? How many points would I need if I wanted to travel twice a year, once with the kids and once without the kids?

I own ONE Gold Summit Watch and I get to ANY Platinum Marriott I’ve set my sights on. That lockoff has gotten us to the Maui Ocean Club 4 times now and 2 Christmas weeks in Park City at MountainSide and 1 Christmas Weeks at Summit Watch. I see no reason why anyone needs to buy anything more for US Marriotts. Gold Summit Watches go for $8k or less. MF is about $1k and locks off to units in II.

This Marriott allows you access to the 24-day window for just Marriott owners in II. Many times I get a Studio and 1BR in 2 exchanges and Marriott merges them together into a 2BR.

I “Layer” all our vacations with WorldMark reservations to their resorts which are nearby in many cases. The WM will exchange into ANY II timeshare with little difficulty and you need just a 6,000 WM credit account which will cost you $4,500 total cost.

I make the WM reservations 13 months out and then spend the next year trying to get a Marriott or something nicer and can return the WM reservation up until 30 days before check-in and get ALL my credits back. When I get the better II exchange I just roll my WM reservation credits over to the II exchange.

This has worked 100% of the time for 5 years now.

WM allows you to rent unlimited number of WM credits from other owners for 7¢ each and a 2BR Red II exchange costs 10,000 credits or $700 + exchange fee of $139. You can rent 52 weeks a year if you want on just the one 6k account. I get lots of Marriotts this way and at 59 days before check in it costs just 4,000 credits for ANY size unit.

This is what I recommend for folks starting out – 1 Gold Summit Watch and 6,000 WM credits – total outlay of $13k or less to take unlimited vacations in 5-star resorts all around the world for just $839 total cost or within 59-days $419 per week. We have spent many great vacations in Marriotts for just $339 (MF is about 5¢ for our credits) – the Marriott owners paid $1k in MF for their 2BR unit they gave up to II.

This is a great way to leverage your hard earned money.

 

[GetawaysRus]

Let's look at what you said and try to digest it:

Hubby and I have 3 kids and we vacation based on school breaks. We’d need a 2-bed/ 2-bath unit, platinum season. We live in Michigan and enjoy traveling to sunny, tropical destinations. The last couple of vacations were to Florida. The kids really enjoy Florida and we would not have a problem vacationing there for a few more times, but I would like to be able to vacation in areas other than Florida. Marriott’s locations seem to match up to some of the places I’d like to visit and re-visit. So…

How does Marriott’s points system work? How many points would I need in order to travel once a year with the kids? How many points would I need if I wanted to travel twice a year, once with the kids and once without the kids?

You've got 3 kids. Florida is thumbs up for at least a few more visits. You like visiting warm, sunny climates because you live in Michigan. Points are tempting you.

You only need Marriott points if you are intending to travel to destinations other than timeshares. A purchase from Marriott allows you to trade in (give up) your timeshare usage and get points that can be used for Marriott hotel stays or airline tickets, usually best used for international travel. If timeshare stays with the kids is the goal, you can buy a resale for about half the price of a developer purchase (or less - the economy is weak right now, and timeshare resale prices are depressed). But if the goal is a timeshare stay every other year and then a trip to Europe with your husband on points every few years (in lieu of your timeshare usage), then the points option might start to make more sense to consider (expect to pay a premium to purchase directly from Marriott in order to have this).

You will find varying opinions on TUG about whether the premium you pay to Marriott to have the option of trading for points is worth it. My wife and I did. We purchased in 2004. In 2005 we spent a week in Rome using the points from our purchase. In 2007 we spent a week in Paris and several days in Prague and purchased 2 roundtrip business class airline tickets using our points. We trade our 2BR unit every other year for 110,000 points. We also accumulate points by using a Marriott/Chase VISA card. This gets us enough points for a hotel stay every other year OR a hotel stay + airline tickets about every third year. So I once again have enough points to plan another European vacation (if the dollar ever recovers). The points program has so far worked well for us. It takes much advance planning, however.

I have a friend who purchased resale at the same resort that I did. He paid about half of what I did, which was $9000 less back in 2004. But if you figure in the dollar value of the European vacations I have taken since, we're starting to get closer in terms of overall value. He may still be ahead of me, but I'm gradually catching him. I do not regret my developer purchase. It allows me to take grander vacations than I otherwise might be able to afford. (I treat my wife in the style that she would like to become accustomed to.)

Also, you say you like Florida. The advice on TUG is generally to buy at a resort/location you like. So if you are looking into Marriott, check the various Marriott timeshares in Florida.

Consider your travel plans for the future. If you choose to purchase, make your best choice about purchase. If you do, the money has been spent. If you can afford it, don't second guess yourself, and then enjoy your travels.

 

[applegirl]

I recommend to buy where you would like to visit so if you do not want to trade you can just go to your home resort and you won't have to pay any xtra fees for locking off or trading. Vicki

I ditto what Vicki recommends above. If you buy a platinum week at a desirable resort in Florida (like Horizons maybe?), then you will have a better chance of getting your requests for trades. Also, with 3 kids, you are not going to want to lock-off your unit for trade. You will always want to deposit the whole 2 bedroom for now until they leave the nest. Usually a one bedroom will only sleep up to 4 anyway. Grand Vista does have some 3 bedroom units though. You may want to cosider there.

Janna