Marriott's Asia Pacific points

[Mapletown]

Last Octorber, I became a member of Marriott Asia Pacific which is a (pure) point-based TS system.
I know here are fewer members from Asian countries but still want to share tips or experiences of Asia Pacific points of Marriott.

Our internal exchange resorts are,

TS-based, (we were told that the number of the resorts would be increased)
- Marriott's Grand Chateau, Las Vegas
- Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, Hawaii
- Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club, Hawaii
- Marriott's Phuket Beach Club, Thai
- Marriott's Mai Khao Beach, Thai
- Marriott Vacation Club at the Empire Place, Thai

and hotel-based, (they will be changed among the Marriott hotels yearly)
- Mayfair Marriott Executive Apartments, Thai
- Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Thai
- Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Malaysia
- The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa, Indonesia
- 2 Macdonnell Road, Hong Kong
- Okinawa Marriott Resort & Spa, Japan
- Courtyard Surfers Paradise Resort, Australia

We can also purchase TS in Interval International with our deposited points. (Points are defined depending on place, unit and TDI.)
Has anyone already used the system ?

Thanks,

 

[abdibile]

Sounds intersting.

What did you pay for the points up front and ongoing and how many points do you need to reserve different units?

Thanks!

 

[Mapletown]

The price as of Oct., 2008 was $1.25 per point for the minimum purchase of 12000 points, for a total of $15000. (Unit price would be cheaper when you purchase more points. I purchased the minimum points of 12000.)
Annual club dues as of Jan., 2009 are $0.027 per point for 12000 points, that is $324.

Any external exchanges to II are made from our club points which are defined by size of unit and TDI (Travel Demand Index). The number of required points as of 2008 and 2009 are ranging from 10000 to 85000,
- 10000p (studio) to 32500p (three BR) for low season (TDI of 50 to 80)
- 15000p (studio) to 45000p (three BR) for moderate season (TDI of 80 to 120)
- 27500p (studio) to 85000p (three BR) for high season (TDI of 120 to 150+)
- 10000p for Flex Change (59days or less) any type of unit and any season

This membership expires on a year of 2056.


Thanks,

 

[Asia2000]

10,000 point flexchange

Are you finding the 10,000 point flexchange to be available often? I'm thinking about joining, used of course. Any AP properties that you would recommend?

The rep I have been dealing with has very encouraging news which might calm some of the USA program fears. I had asked about when new resorts come into the system, will they have a higher point value, which would "squeeze out" the old members. Here is the reply from Marriott.

"The points values for future properties in the Asia Pacific Program will not be higher than the current properties as we work the same way as interval international who have a fixed point value for their resorts depending on what size accommodation etc.. you require. Also remember one of the benefits of becoming a member is that collectively amongst members you pay your annual club dues which maintain our resorts to a high standard. Also around about 50% of our business comes from our member referral program! We rely on you as members and we don’t want to upset you and feel like you are being squeezed out! This is not the Marriott Way! I don’t believe this would be very good business practice!"