Marriott Timeshare "Secrets" on Ebay...

[m61376]

Yes, the MF are a little high. I belong to RCI and II, but never heard of Flexchange until I joined TUG. Still not quite sure how it works.

Flexchange is the 59 days before departure. Basically, if you can plan within that 2 month period, there are fabulous last minute deals. While there is still somewhat of a filter matched to resort quality (meaning that if you own high end resorts II will not show you what they consider lackluster properties for trading), size and trading value equivalencies are off. What that means is that you can lock off your Bronze Summit week and get two fabulous last minute trades.

Several people have posted about fabulous nabs of 2 BR Hawaii units, last minute ski season weeks, etc. During Flexchange the Marriott to Marriott priority goes as low as 3 days, but it still exists, but since is a Marriott, you can see them as soon as they are deposited. If you can make last minute plans you can get some amazing trades, and really get value out of your MF's.

The downside: if you can't make last minute plans the week is a weak trader with relatively high MF's for its trading value. Last minute plans means last minute airfare, unless you live within driving distance of a place or places that you'd like to trade into frequently when/if available. Then it can be a super opportunity.

Also- which is one of the reasons I didn't jump on this (which may just make me overcautious- not necessarily the reason to nix it) is that, while still in the rumor stage, it is pretty definite that Marriott will be having its own internal trading system within the next few years (2 years? 5 years?- no one has the answer to that; it is in the works). It is likely that they will be more restrictive in comparative trade value, so these deals may dwindle or disappear. Of course, Marriott may offer their own last minute deals rather than things sitting vacant and we will still be able to make non-Marriott trades in II (and probably there will be a small supply of non-Marriotts in II from people who deposited there in order to get something else), so you may get on-going good value for your week. Regardless, you will be obligated to pay the MF's.

Personally, if there were a few nice places within a 4 or 5 hour drive (which given your location there probably are, plus you can get some pretty good last minute flights to Hawaii) I would definitely have jumped on this. I haven't because of the high cost of airfare- but that's not to say I am not really tempted (esp. when I read about some of the amazing trips already booked by other Tuggers who did buy that week).

HTH

 

[kvp]

I'm a few hours from Palm Springs where there are a few Marriotts and one hour from the Marriott in Newport Beach; so maybe this is something to consider.

Thanks for your thorough explanation!

Kathy

 

[swing4thefence]

There was on guy on ebay selling his bronze bonus Summit Watch for $3500 last fall on EBAY. Thanks to you gracious tuggers I saved over $2000 due to the discussions here regarding the $1500 price direct from Marriott. My $15 dues are well worth the secrets bestowed here on TUG!!!:whoopie: BTW this guy is still peddling his Summit Watch for about $2850 on EBAY. He has a 100% feedback rating. Where is the justice in EBAY!!!???

Wow. With 5 weeks in the season it's practically a fixed week!
:hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: