Marriott week deposits

[loreenj]

I am looking to purchase a Marriott t/s and have questions about exchanging that I'm hoping someone can answer:

1. We do a lot of our traveling in the off season. But I'm still thinking it makes sense to buy platinum for trading purposes. If I deposit a platinum week and request a gold (even at the same resort), is my additional trading power just wasted?

2. Likewise, if I own a lockoff, but prefer a regular two bedroom for my own use, can I make that request and, if so, am I wasting trading power?

3. If we cannot go on vacation for 2 years and deposit those 2 weeks, can I combine the trading power of the weeks and go someplace great?

4. If you own two Marriott t/s and cannot go on vacation for one year, can you combine those two weeks for additional trading power?

Many thanks.

 

[Kazakie]

1. I believe most timeshares have restrictions about trading into the same timeshare in the same area. It doesn't mean it's impossible, it means your trading power is reduced at your home resort area.

2. I'm not sure if you mean trading a 2br that can be locked off for a 2br that doesn't have a lockoff (which is an even trade) or trading a studio for a 2br. Trading up (studio to 1br or 1br to 2br) is difficult unless you're trading into an off-season or possibly shoulder season week. Trading a 2br for a 2br, lockoff or not, is considered trading like accommodations for like accommodations.

3. You own a week and can trade that week - you do not own "trading power", although some resorts let you exchange for Marriott Rewards Points. If you trade for Marriot Rewards Points both years and use your Marriott Rewards Points for a hotel.

4. See #3

 

[FlyerBobcat]

I am looking to purchase a Marriott t/s and have questions about exchanging that I'm hoping someone can answer:

1. We do a lot of our traveling in the off season. But I'm still thinking it makes sense to buy platinum for trading purposes. If I deposit a platinum week and request a gold (even at the same resort), is my additional trading power just wasted?

Note that it really depends on the resorts that you are dealing with. These "colors" do not necessarily equal out across resorts. In some cases you might say you are wasting trading power. I'd smile and say I can easily get the resort that I want to exchange to (hopefully that is the case).

2. Likewise, if I own a lockoff, but prefer a regular two bedroom for my own use, can I make that request and, if so, am I wasting trading power?

If you want a regular 2BR in an exchange, your chances of getting it are better if you deposit your 2BR lockoff.
I not sure about trading into a resort that contains both -- and if you can specify a "regular" 2BR.

 

[loreenj]

Thanks very much. I didn't realize that I'd be restricted on trades in my home resort area. I was thinking about buying in Orlando -- let's say Grande Vista. I thought I'd have no problem depositing that week and requesting Horizons, for example. Is that not the case? And what if I deposit a Grande Vista platinum 2 bedroom, and request a Horizons gold two bedroom? Would that be a difficult trade to make? I'd like to be able to try different resorts.

Again, many thanks.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

Someone knowledgeable in Marriott Orlando/Florida geographic restrictions will need to step up...

 

[mlfrancis]

Grande Vista trading power

just FYI, we've owned a Gold week at MGV for 13 years now and have traded it extensively ... including Marbella, several resorts in HH (before we bought at SurfWatch), Ko'olina in Hawaii, Desert Springs, Newport Coast, and many others ... a Gold week will serve you very well if you want to use it for trading.

We've traded MGV back into Orlando with no restrictions. We've actually only used MGV itself 3 times.

We've also used the lockoff feature to trade for 2 separate weeks. Last year the efficiency side got my sister a week at Breckenridge. MGV is a very good purchase for trading purposes.

 

[loreenj]

Sorry: one other related question: If I have Grande Vista platinum, but I want to go during gold season one year, is that consider an exchange? Do I have to pay an exchange fee? Or can I just reserve it as if I were reserving my own week? Thanks.

 

[mlfrancis]

it is an exchange

any time you want to go outside of your season, you need to deposit your week with II and request a trade

Not sure you really need Platinum if you're going to use the week mostly for trading. As I said in my earlier post, we have a Gold week and have never had any problem trading it for what we want.

 

[loreenj]

MLFrancis, thanks. I really appreciate your advice. It makes sense.

Another question: how valuable is a lockoff? When using the t/s, we will probably always want a two bedroom anyway so does it matter if we buy a lockout or not?

Also, I think I'm narrowing it down to Grande Vista and Horizons. (My kids are 8 and 4). I like the layout better at Horizons (both kids can have their own bed -- no pullout couch). But I really know very little about either resort. Any thoughts? And which do you think would be a better trader? This is all assuming gold season.

Thanks!

 

[mlfrancis]

lockoff

I'm not familiar with Horizons; hopefully someone else can weigh in.

As far as a lockoff, it's very valuable if you want to get 2 weeks vacation, and quite often you can exchange the efficiency side for a larger unit, if you're not looking for prime season.

Seeing the age of your children, tho, you should consider platinum if you want to travel to Orlando in the summer or on school vacation week - it's always tough to trade into those times in locations which cater to kids. The Gold season at MGV, tho, does include Thanksgiving week which is nice.

Good luck.

Mary

 

[applegirl]

Hi loreen! And Welcome to TUG!

I definitely have some things to say about your questions, but first, I was wondering what part of the country you are in. Can you at least tell us your state?

Thanks!
Janna

 

[loreenj]

Hi. Thanks for the welcome.

I'm in New Jersey -- just outside NYC.

 

[m61376]

Hi Loreen-
Since you appear a little confused, I figured I'd throw out a few more considerations to confuse you a little more .... Seriously, though, I know your kids are young. But do you want Orlando because of the Disney magic and, if so, do YOU really love Disney or are you buying there because right now it is a great place with the kids?

When my kids were young those couple of Disney trips were wonderful. After that, my DH vowed that the next time he'd go was when he had to with grandkids in the future. Other people love it, and if you do, that's a great choice for you then. But, since you mention trading, buying an Orlando unit if you intend to trade a lot of the time may not be your best purchase.

Think about what you liked to do before the kids and what you feel you will want to do once they are a bit older. Since you still have lots of school years left, make sure you buy when you can use it. In other words, buy where you can go during the summer, unless you want to buy a Platinum Plus winter vacation week somewhere. So base your season purchase not only on trading power but on real usage. I know you said that now you travel mostly off-season, but realize that those time frames may change as the kids get a little older and missing school becomes harder. Don't just buy with now in mind- buy with future use in mind.

That said, Platinum weeks in general do trade better, but most importantly when trading is to book a desirable week for deposit. Lock-offs are nice, esp. for future use, although it sounds like for the next 10+ years you'll be wanting 2BR's. Keep in mind that it is harder to get a 2BR trade in areas that have lock-offs, since most people separate them. If you want a 2 BR deposit a 2BR as your trader, unless you are interested in making last minute arrangements during Flexchange (in that case, you can get 2BR's if available with half of your unit, for great trades). You do not lose trading power if you don't lock off.

Just to make sure your other questions were answered so that you understand how things work, you are entitled to use or trade your unit. You can only book through Marriott in the season you own; anything else you need to trade for. 1 2BR trades for another, up to a year before the reserved date or two years afterward. You cannot combine 2 2BR deposits to increase your trade power. Each deposit trades on its own merits and is good for one exchange week.

Just to add to the confusion- if you feel that now you'd like to go to Orlando off-season but envision wanting perhaps a summer beachfront destination as well, or anything else, if you buy the alternate location and join II you will be able to buy inexpensive Orlando Getaways for those off-season weeks generally for less than the annual MF's, without buying a unit and obligating yourself long-term. That way, you get to use Orlando off season now and when you get tired of it (if you feel you will) you can look elsewhere.

Hope I didn't add too much to your confusion.

 

[loreenj]

I should have said too that I really want an EOY. That's probably a primary reason for picking these two resorts. We already own an EOY winter ski week with an RCI resort. I wanted to buy a Marriott b/c I think their properties are so nice and I was thinking it would give us a lot of flexibility. But I don't think buying a yearly usage makes sense -- we would just be owning more vacation time than we could really use at that point.

As for the off season, NJ schools are closed the first Thursday and Friday in Nov so that's a good week for us to just take them out for a vacation. I don't know if even three days out will be ok in future years though. I would like to try HH as well as Orlando, but was thinking I could trade into HH in the off season. Anyway, I don't think HH has EOY.

 

[budnj]

We have Arub Surf lock-off eoy

I should have said too that I really want an EOY. That's probably a primary reason for picking these two resorts. We already own an EOY winter ski week with an RCI resort. I wanted to buy a Marriott b/c I think their properties are so nice and I was thinking it would give us a lot of flexibility. But I don't think buying a yearly usage makes sense -- we would just be owning more vacation time than we could really use at that point.

As for the off season, NJ schools are closed the first Thursday and Friday in Nov so that's a good week for us to just take them out for a vacation. I don't know if even three days out will be ok in future years though. I would like to try HH as well as Orlando, but was thinking I could trade into HH in the off season. Anyway, I don't think HH has EOY.

We just bought it three years ago (when we toured Grand Vista!) We have been able to obtain a 2 br twice for our lock-off in Aruba, during NJEA convention week. Got an AC this year for our split 1 br, and just traded our lock-off for a 2 br at Surf on Oct 30.
If you can find eoy resale, I'd say that's a good way, based on my limited experience.
PM if you have any questions, be glad to discuss.

 

[GrayFal]

1. Buy Platinum - u will not be sorry to have spent a little more initially to get a lifetime of GREATLY enhanced trading power.

2. Buy a lock-off - as it also gives you a lifetime of options.
If u buy a 2BR non-lock-off you will ALWAYS only have one trading option.
If you buy a lock-off, depending on when and where u want to go - you will be able to take two weeks of vacation with just an extra exchange fee.

 

[loreenj]

Thanks so much to everyone. I've been reading and re-reading your answers -- trying to get the hang of everything. One thing I'm still not sure of: Let's say I buy a two bedroom lockout at Horizons. I want to go during my season to Horizons, but I don't want the lockoff layout; I want a regular two bedroom. Can I just make that request through the resort, and are they likely to honor it? Or do I have to do an official trade and pay the trade fee? Again, many thanks.

 

[m61376]

Thanks so much to everyone. I've been reading and re-reading your answers -- trying to get the hang of everything. One thing I'm still not sure of: Let's say I buy a two bedroom lockout at Horizons. I want to go during my season to Horizons, but I don't want the lockoff layout; I want a regular two bedroom. Can I just make that request through the resort, and are they likely to honor it? Or do I have to do an official trade and pay the trade fee? Again, many thanks.

All the 2BRs there are sold as lock-offs (I believe) and the ability to lock-off is a first come, first serve. You need to request a lock-off in advance. Likelihood is that you can just call the resort a few weeks ahead and request it be a non-lock-off unit.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

Based on that question from loreenj, I guess it makes me wonder:

• What are the drawbacks (if any) of staying in a 2BR lockout vs. a "normal" 2BR?
• Does the access to the other side seem "limited" in a 2BR lockout? I certainly feel that way sometimes staying in adjoining hotel rooms. (But I never stayed in a lockout.)
• Does Marriott have lockouts that the only access to the "other" side is via a common foyer/corridor? I stayed once at a Hyatt TS in the 1BR side of a lockout which had entrances to each side behind the main door in the foyer area. I don't recall seeing a locked door inside the place to get to the other side -- but maybe I didn't really look.

THANKS!

 

[loreenj]

I looked at one resort I believe (and now I cannot remember which one). The lockoff layout had a king in the master, and the guest room had a queen and a queen pullout sofa. The non lockoff unit had a king in the master, but the guest room had two queen beds. With two kids, the two beds just works better for us. I wish I could remember what resort it was where I saw that layout.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

loreenj,
Be careful if you are just looking at layouts diagrams -- and possibly making important decisions based on that. I seem to recall that the bedding configuration (pull-out vs real beds) can change during a refurb.

And possibly at a given resort, bedding arrangements in certain rooms may differ from others rooms (not sure about that though).
Good luck!

I looked at one resort I believe (and now I cannot remember which one). The lockoff layout had a king in the master, and the guest room had a queen and a queen pullout sofa. The non lockoff unit had a king in the master, but the guest room had two queen beds. With two kids, the two beds just works better for us. I wish I could remember what resort it was where I saw that layout.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

All the 2BRs there are sold as lock-offs (I believe) and the ability to lock-off is a first come, first serve. You need to request a lock-off in advance. Likelihood is that you can just call the resort a few weeks ahead and request it be a non-lock-off unit.

I might be having a brain lock here... but I don't understand this reply:

• If all are lock-offs, what does it mean "to request the lock-off in advance"?
• Likewise, how can you "call the resort a few weeks ahead and request it be a non-lock-off unit" if all are lock-offs?
• What does this mean: "the ability to lock-off is a first come, first serve"?

Maybe it's the cocktails I've had....
Thanks

 

[m61376]

I might be having a brain lock here... but I don't understand this reply:

• If all are lock-offs, what does it mean "to request the lock-off in advance"?
• Likewise, how can you "call the resort a few weeks ahead and request it be a non-lock-off unit" if all are lock-offs?
• What does this mean: "the ability to lock-off is a first come, first serve"?

Maybe it the cocktails I've had....
Thanks

There are a few resorts where units are sold as lock-offs but not all units actually are lock-offs. In reality, many people reserve to occupy the entire unit, so the resort saved cost by building some dedicated 2BR units (and probably saved on required parking space availability based on the number of keyed rooms). Owners at those resorts should request a lock-out unit when they reserve; later on, they may or may not have the ability to lock-off depending upon the availability. Similarly, they should be able to request a non-lock-off unit for their stay if that is their preference.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

Gotcha'. Thanks... didn't realize that.

There are a few resorts where units are sold as lock-offs but not all units actually are lock-offs. In reality, many people reserve to occupy the entire unit, so the resort saved cost by building some dedicated 2BR units (and probably saved on required parking space availability based on the number of keyed rooms). Owners at those resorts should request a lock-out unit when they reserve; later on, they may or may not have the ability to lock-off depending upon the availability. Similarly, they should be able to request a non-lock-off unit for their stay if that is their preference.

 

[slawson928]

We are in the middle of purchasing an EOY at Horizons resale. While I have purchased in the past directly from Marriott you can't beat the resale prices especially on the EOY right now. I don't if you will find a lock out on the resale market right now at Horizons. I think the lock out units are relatively new at that property. We also have two small kids so the EOY is a great option and Horizons has a ton of stuff for kids.

Since I come from a large family and usually take an extra family member or two the lockoffs are a huge deal for me because I need both bedrooms. Lockoffs are great when you want to stay two weeks as a couple or get two trade weeks. I don't see any real advantage with 2 kids at 8 and 4. It is a vacation for us parents too and I need my space.

Good luck.