Marriott Trade Question

[DavidPJ]

Our Marriott preview rep told us that when it comes to trading, it doesn't matter which room/view you have. For example, I could own a garden view room and trade to another Marriott's ocean front room with no disadvantage for holding the less expensive garden room. Is this true? What about if trading outside of the Marriott timeshare resorts? Thanks.

 

[Dave M]

Yes, theoretically it's true. That's because the trades are through II, which uses trade criteria which are blind as to whether your unit overlooks the beach or the parking lot.

However, it's only theoretically true because at many Marriotts the pecking order for assigning units leaves exchangers near the end of the line for getting the best views. For example, see posts #11-13 in this thread for the priority ranking at Grande Ocean.

 

[DavidPJ]

Thanks DaveM. That thread helped quite a bit. I've pasted the GO priority you posted earlier:

1. Multiple-week GO owners
2. Single-week GO owners
3. GO owners returning on an exchange
4. Other Marriott multiple-week owners on an exchange
5. Other Marriott single-week owners on an exchange
6. Rental and preview guests
7. Non-Marriott owners on an exchange

So, it again appears that no matter what Marriott room type I own, it would not be considered in whether I could exchange into an Ocean Front room. The drawback for me would be the low priority as single week Marriott owner should there be other requests for the same time and room type. But regardless, my chance of obtaining the OF room would be the same no matter what room type I own.

 

[turkel]

I believe when you exchange you get the unit the owner gave up. So if they gave up an oceanfront you get an oceanfront. I am exchanging into KBC my reservation had no view cat (as II is view blind) but when I called the resort they told me I had oceanfront. I am a single week owner on exchange. If the theory stated above was correct wouldn't all owners get the best view regardless of what they bought at their home resort? This does not happen as Marriott does not upgrade. I am pretty sure it is the luck of the draw. This would also complicate the system.. they would have to wait to know who was coming before they could make room assignments and it would be to easy to screw it up. By the way my reservation had the owners name on it. Last name only but I believe this helps to validate my theory.

 

[Dean]

Thanks DaveM. That thread helped quite a bit. I've pasted the GO priority you posted earlier:

1. Multiple-week GO owners
2. Single-week GO owners
3. GO owners returning on an exchange
4. Other Marriott multiple-week owners on an exchange
5. Other Marriott single-week owners on an exchange
6. Rental and preview guests
7. Non-Marriott owners on an exchange

So, it again appears that no matter what Marriott room type I own, it would not be considered in whether I could exchange into an Ocean Front room. The drawback for me would be the low priority as single week Marriott owner should there be other requests for the same time and room type. But regardless, my chance of obtaining the OF room would be the same no matter what room type I own.

Specifics may vary somewhat from resort to resort but I think you can generally follow the above. II will not take into account what you gave up and generally neither will the destination resort. But it never hurts to include what you gave up (ie OF), when you contact the room controller for your requests as they will sometimes give it some consideration. From a trade standpoint, a GV will trade the same as an OF thus the GV is a better trade value assuming a lower cost. Of course the ratings of the resort with II will reflect the units given to exchangers so resorts like Barony and Harbour Pointe will tend to have lower ratings if exchangers get the lessor units there.

 

[gmarine]

I believe when you exchange you get the unit the owner gave up. So if they gave up an oceanfront you get an oceanfront. I am exchanging into KBC my reservation had no view cat (as II is view blind) but when I called the resort they told me I had oceanfront. I am a single week owner on exchange. If the theory stated above was correct wouldn't all owners get the best view regardless of what they bought at their home resort? This does not happen as Marriott does not upgrade. I am pretty sure it is the luck of the draw. This would also complicate the system.. they would have to wait to know who was coming before they could make room assignments and it would be to easy to screw it up. By the way my reservation had the owners name on it. Last name only but I believe this helps to validate my theory.

This is not necessarily true. You may get the unit on your confirmation but more often than not, you will get a different unit. The resort maintains complete control over unit assignment. I have traded to Marriott's a dozen times and only three times did I get the unit on my confirmation.

When requesting unit assignment, exchangers are on the bottom of the food chain.