Mayan Palace

[ride2slide]

Newbie here needs some advice from the frequent users! Is there a way to upgrade from the Mayan Palace to the Grand Mayan side without losing to many $? What about the Grand Luxxe?

Also, can I take my own unopened coffee, Splenda, creamer singles and munchies in my checked baggage without a problem?


Mindy

 

[Passepartout]

Newbie here needs some advice from the frequent users! Is there a way to upgrade from the Mayan Palace to the Grand Mayan side without losing to many $? What about the Grand Luxxe?

Also, can I take my own unopened coffee, Splenda, creamer singles and munchies in my checked baggage without a problem?

Can't help with the upgrade (tho I don't think you can- otherwise why would people pay?), but you can put all those things in checked bags. I wonder why you'd take coffee to Mexico (we buy really good coffee there to bring home), and don't take a few good sharp knives. Timeshare knives suck! Since all we wear in tropical places is shorts, T's and swimwear and they have laundry facilities in the unit, we never check a bag to Mexico or Hawaii.

Jim

 

[momeason]

I can't let my hubby read your post Jim. I am lousy at packing light.

 

[Passepartout]

I can't let my hubby read your post Jim. I am lousy at packing light.

Packing light to go to the tropics is nothing. Go on a 15 night cruise with 3 formal nights using carry-ons for a challenge. Actually DW and I DO share one checked bag with primarily formal wear and (her) shoes for that.

Once you learn to pack light it frees you up and you can't do it any other way.

Jim

 

[LannyPC]

I am lousy at packing light.

Maybe this will help you:

http://www.farecompare.com/about/worldwide-baggage-fee-chart/

 

[rpennisi]

Newbie here needs some advice from the frequent users! Is there a way to upgrade from the Mayan Palace to the Grand Mayan side without losing to many $? What about the Grand Luxxe?

Also, can I take my own unopened coffee, Splenda, creamer singles and munchies in my checked baggage without a problem?


Mindy

To upgrade for your stay from Mayan to Grand Mayan, at no cost, you would have to go on the 90 minute presentation that would last for hours. Upgrading for real would cost thousands.

As far as taking provisions, I take sweeteners, powder creamer (otherwise buying which is too much quantity for a week or two) and just enough coffee for a couple of days, until we can get to a Mega or such. The unopened part has never been a problem for checked bags.
Ron

 

[Pat H]

Another option is to deposit your week with RCI and then trade into the Grand. If you own a 2bdr, deposit it as 2 separate units.

 

[ride2slide]

I watched the RCI site ( under my sister's #) for 2 years looking for a way to get into the Grand Mayan. They never once listed it in the points section, that I ever
saw.

I just recently bought myself 189K Wyndam resale points after reading everything I could here on the TUG site. I realized I needed to only buy points for where I knew I would use them the most. I then plan to utitilze the last call and distress options for extra time and places.

Thanks to all that responded to my questions. Hopefully, as I find my way around here, most will be answered without having to even ask.

Mindy

 

[rpennisi]

Another option is to deposit your week with RCI and then trade into the Grand. If you own a 2bdr, deposit it as 2 separate units.

I agree if you are depositing a 2 bedroom Mayan Palace to split it as 2 separate deposits. You will get a lot more TP's that way. However, RCI will not let you trade MP TP's for GM trades unless there is a waiver for a particular year.
Ron

 

[LisaH]

I watched the RCI site ( under my sister's #) for 2 years looking for a way to get into the Grand Mayan. They never once listed it in the points section, that I ever
saw.

I just recently bought myself 189K Wyndam resale points after reading everything I could here on the TUG site. I realized I needed to only buy points for where I knew I would use them the most. I then plan to utitilze the last call and distress options for extra time and places.

Thanks to all that responded to my questions. Hopefully, as I find my way around here, most will be answered without having to even ask.

Mindy

That's odd. I saw tons of Grand Mayan weeks available on RCI site:
(BTW, why are there two RCI codes for each Grand Mayan resort?)

The Grand Mayan Acapulco (#6982)
Acapulco, Guerrero 39900, Mexico
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
459 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
6 - 20
Check-In Date Range
08-Nov-2013 - 28-Dec-201

The Grand Mayan Acapulco (#6983)
Acapulco, Guerrero 39900, Mexico [map resort]
Check-In Date Range
08-Nov-2013 - 31-May-2015
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
478 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
6 - 31

The Grand Mayan Cabos (#7905)
San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur 23400, Mexico
Check-In Date Range
13-Dec-2013 - 31-May-2015
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
332 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
8 - 40

THE GRAND MAYAN CABOS (#7102)
SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Baja California Sur 23400, Mexico
Check-In Date Range
15-Nov-2013 - 27-Dec-2014
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
102 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
8 - 24

The Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta (#7486)
NUEVO VALLARTA, Nayarit 63735, Mexico
Rating: ( 92 )
Check-In Date Range
08-Nov-2013 - 28-Dec-2014
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
376 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
6 - 20

THE GRAND MAYAN NUEVO VALLARTA (#7491)
NUEVO VALLARTA, Nayarit 63000, Mexico
Check-In Date Range
10-Jan-2014 - 31-May-2015
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
480 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
6 - 28

The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya (#6973)
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710, Mexico
Rating: ( 222 )
Check-In Date Range
08-Nov-2013 - 28-Dec-2014
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
287 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
7 - 27

The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya (#6974)
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77735, Mexico
Rating: ( 23 )
Check-In Date Range
10-Jan-2014 - 31-May-2015
[Hotel] [1 Bedroom] [2 Bedroom]
377 check-in nights available
Exchange Trading Power Range
7 - 30

 

[rpennisi]

That's odd. I saw tons of Grand Mayan weeks available on RCI site:
(BTW, why are there two RCI codes for each Grand Mayan resort?)...

...

The question is can MP points or TP's be used to trade for Grand Mayan? I don't think so, although the Wyndham points might work to make that trade. Also, MP can trade into GM in places where there is no MP, like in Cabo San Jose if there is space available.

I believe there are 2 RCI codes for each because there are user deposited weeks and Vida developmental (ie fresh blood for them) deposited weeks.
Ron

 

[LisaH]

The question is can MP points or TP's be used to trade for Grand Mayan? I don't think so, although the Wyndham points might work to make that trade. Also, MP can trade into GM in places where there is no MP, like in Cabo San Jose if there is space available.

I believe there are 2 RCI codes for each because there are user deposited weeks and Vida developmental (ie fresh blood for them) deposited weeks.
Ron

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[pittle]

Ron - I have used Mayan Palace units to trade into Grand Mayan before. I have a weeks account. The point value for a MP will get you a GM if you plan far enough ahead or do not want to go in Feb, Mar, or Apr.

The 1-in-5 rule does not apply to MP/GM owners. If you own somewhere else and want to exchange in and it says you have been there in the past 5 years, you can call RCI and when they check your account that you own MP, the 1-in rule will be waived.

MP owners cannot get Extra or Last Call Vacations to the GM though - just exchanges.

 

[rpennisi]

Ron - I have used Mayan Palace units to trade into Grand Mayan before. I have a weeks account. The point value for a MP will get you a GM if you plan far enough ahead or do not want to go in Feb, Mar, or Apr.

The 1-in-5 rule does not apply to MP/GM owners. If you own somewhere else and want to exchange in and it says you have been there in the past 5 years, you can call RCI and when they check your account that you own MP, the 1-in rule will be waived.

MP owners cannot get Extra or Last Call Vacations to the GM though - just exchanges.

Hi Phyllis,
I have also in the past used MP TP to trade into GM, but this is what I currently get when I try to book on RCI for a GM unit using MP deposits......

Mayan Palace Acapulco (#2984) Mar-2012 - Mar-2015 Exchange Fee Your resort’s rules prevent you from exchanging to the desired resort
24

Mayan Palace Riviera Maya (#6483) Feb-2013 - Feb-2016 Exchange Fee Your resort’s rules prevent you from exchanging to the desired resort
27

Mayan Palace Riviera Maya (#6483) Feb-2013 - Feb-2016 Exchange Fee Your resort’s rules prevent you from exchanging to the desired resort
25

Mayan Palace Puerto Vallarta (#1294) Mar-2013 - Mar-2016 Exchange Fee Your resort’s rules prevent you from exchanging to the desired resort
20

 

[Pat H]

I am going to the GM in Mar 2014. I made the trade a few months ago. With TPU's it doesn't matter what you use. I can't remember what I used when it was a straight exchange.

 

[pittle]

Well, that is the pits! I know they make changes all the time - it might change back next year - who knows??. SFX has never let you exchange into another Grupo Mayan property, that is why I've used RCI. But, now we have positioned ourselves so that we do not need to exchange. We where we want to go and go there.

 

[ride2slide]

All we had available to us were just RCI points. No weeks. Since I didn't "own" points at the time, I did it on a guest certificate unless she went with us. But, now that I have bought my own points, I can get in on the last call stuff.

 

[Jwerking]

Hi Phyllis,
I have also in the past used MP TP to trade into GM, but this is what I currently get when I try to book on RCI for a GM unit using MP deposits......

Mayan Palace Acapulco (#2984) Mar-2012 - Mar-2015 Exchange Fee Your resort’s rules prevent you from exchanging to the desired resort
24

Bummer - I just did a search on RCI online and came up with the same results using a MP week - none of the Mayans will even show up if I use the MP weeks even though it is a combined deposit with leftover TPUs from another resort.

I do own other resorts - so the Mayan exchanges and Extra vacation option show up, but they can only be confirmed using the non-Mayan deposits.

Can I purchase more than two consecutive Extra vacations based on current rules? Or am I NOT allowed any Extra Vacations to Mayan since I am already an owner? If I book them online, will they just eventually catch up with me and cancel them??

I was ready to purchase a bunch of Extra Vacations for GM Cabo for an extended vacation.

Joyce

 

[rpennisi]

Joyce,

When you combine TP's, if they contain any MP TP's then they are treated as MP, even if most of them are from other timeshares. They get polluted.by the MP.

In 2012 I traded for GM in San Jose del Cabo using combined TP's that contained MP. MP can be used for GM in that location because they don't have a MP. You should also be able to book GM in Cabo using your MP through Vida reservations and bypass RCI.

About 3 years ago, I traded through RCI for one week in MP and the next in GM, both in Riviera Maya. A couple of weeks later I got a call saying I couldn't have that and I could either have 2 MP weeks or 2 GM weeks. I thought for less than a millisecond and took 2 GM weeks. That might have been a year when they waived their RCI rules on trading into other levels.

Good luck, Ron

 

[MuranoJo]

Has anyone tried the special MP owners' RCI # at (used to be) 877-724-1001 to check this out? I've never done that, but at one time I know others were using that route to circumvent some of the restrictions.

(From the sounds of it, there may not be exceptions anymore, but no harm asking is my mantra.)

 

[Jwerking]

Joyce,

In 2012 I traded for GM in San Jose del Cabo using combined TP's that contained MP. MP can be used for GM in that location because they don't have a MP. You should also be able to book GM in Cabo using your MP through Vida reservations and bypass RCI.

Good luck, Ron

Ron, thank you for the info, but could you please clarify. I own MP at PV. So are in saying that I can call the RCI Mayan owners desk and use my MP weeks deposited with RCI to trade to GM Cabo? Or I can make my annual Mayan reservations at GM Cabo directly with Vida? Or I can use either of these two options?

I am likely going in the winter (Jan/Feb) - so trying to reserve my week with Vida at the 6 month window will be very difficult. I have only done this once and was very lucky to get a Jan week when I called as soon as the phone lines opened and got thru after being on an extended hold. I remember the rep told me the computer system was down but she would record my request and stated it should be no problem since I called so early. I was doubtful, but I did get the requested week - kudos to Vida!

That was several years ago and we have not been back to Mexico since that time. I did buy my resale MP week just so that I would be allowed to trade into the Mayan whenever we wanted - they are truly awesome resorts esp the GM. We have not been since they opened the Bliss, etc - which I am certain are even better.

Joyce

 

[ilene13]

Ron, thank you for the info, but could you please clarify. I own MP at PV. So are in saying that I can call the RCI Mayan owners desk and use my MP weeks deposited with RCI to trade to GM Cabo? Or I can make my annual Mayan reservations at GM Cabo directly with Vida? Or I can use either of these two options?

I am likely going in the winter (Jan/Feb) - so trying to reserve my week with Vida at the 6 month window will be very difficult. I have only done this once and was very lucky to get a Jan week when I called as soon as the phone lines opened and got thru after being on an extended hold. I remember the rep told me the computer system was down but she would record my request and stated it should be no problem since I called so early. I was doubtful, but I did get the requested week - kudos to Vida!

That was several years ago and we have not been back to Mexico since that time. I did buy my resale MP week just so that I would be allowed to trade into the Mayan whenever we wanted - they are truly awesome resorts esp the GM. We have not been since they opened the Bliss, etc - which I am certain are even better.

Joyce

You seem to own some II resorts. We have traded into the Grand Luxxe three times using II trades.

 

[pittle]

Ron, thank you for the info, but could you please clarify. I own MP at PV. So are in saying that I can call the RCI Mayan owners desk and use my MP weeks deposited with RCI to trade to GM Cabo? Or I can make my annual Mayan reservations at GM Cabo directly with Vida? Or I can use either of these two options?

I am likely going in the winter (Jan/Feb) - so trying to reserve my week with Vida at the 6 month window will be very difficult. I have only done this once and was very lucky to get a Jan week when I called as soon as the phone lines opened and got thru after being on an extended hold. I remember the rep told me the computer system was down but she would record my request and stated it should be no problem since I called so early. I was doubtful, but I did get the requested week - kudos to Vida!

That was several years ago and we have not been back to Mexico since that time. I did buy my resale MP week just so that I would be allowed to trade into the Mayan whenever we wanted - they are truly awesome resorts esp the GM. We have not been since they opened the Bliss, etc - which I am certain are even better.

Joyce

The number that Muranojo gave you for RCI is the one you should use to when you call in for an exchange or to ask questions. I have generally used the website for reservations, but occasionally it will say that I cannot make a reservation because I have done so in x years. Then I call the number for MP owners.

When you want to make a reservation through Mayan Palace Customer Service, it is still 1-800-AWAY-I-GO. You might be able to get a Cabo San Jose January week using a MP week. February might be more difficult as it is the most popular month and many GM, GB, and GL Members who can book 8-12 months ahead snag February before the 6 month folks have to wait until July for January and August for February.

Ron is correct - When they first built the GM there, owners were told in the fall of 2006 edition of "Good News" info mailer that in March 2007, the Grand Mayan Los Cabos would begin operation. "Our first priority is to give our Members the best. That is why we are happy to inform you that even though this resort is one of the Grand Mayans, its unsold units will be able to be used by the Mayan Palace Members, at no extra charge, until the Mayan Palace Los Cobos is finished."] At that time, they supposedly had 40% unsold, but I have no idea what the number would be now. They still have not started the Mayan Palace on the East Cape.

 

[Jwerking]

You seem to own some II resorts. We have traded into the Grand Luxxe three times using II trades.

We do own the Marriott weeks and trade thru II - hmmm, Grand Luxxe units - are those the units even above the Bliss (is there a Grand Bliss)? Would be a very nice treat and worthy of the huge maint fees we pay for those Marriotts. I definitely reserve my Marriott trades for high end resorts - LOL!

We traded to the Royals in Cancun for years and then to the Marriott Surf Club in Aruba - loved by resorts. But then the Royals essentially lost their beach because of all those hurricanes (have not been for 7 or 8 yrs) and I hate fighting for the beach chairs at the Surf Club - what a pain!

Thinking about trying Cabo - as we have never been there. We have been to PV and NV several times, but the sand and water are not that turquoise blue like in Cancun.

 

[rpennisi]

Ron, thank you for the info, but could you please clarify. I own MP at PV. So are in saying that I can call the RCI Mayan owners desk and use my MP weeks deposited with RCI to trade to GM Cabo? Or I can make my annual Mayan reservations at GM Cabo directly with Vida? Or I can use either of these two options?

I am likely going in the winter (Jan/Feb) - so trying to reserve my week with Vida at the 6 month window will be very difficult. I have only done this once and was very lucky to get a Jan week when I called as soon as the phone lines opened and got thru after being on an extended hold. I remember the rep told me the computer system was down but she would record my request and stated it should be no problem since I called so early. I was doubtful, but I did get the requested week - kudos to Vida!

That was several years ago and we have not been back to Mexico since that time. I did buy my resale MP week just so that I would be allowed to trade into the Mayan whenever we wanted - they are truly awesome resorts esp the GM. We have not been since they opened the Bliss, etc - which I am certain are even better.

Joyce

These are RCI trades for GM San Jose del Cabo and Sunset Beach for 2012 that I made:
Weeks Exchanged
Your Exchange Details
The Grand Mayan Cabos (# 7905)
City: San José del Cabo State: Baja California Sur
Country: Mexico
Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
Start Date: 02/17/2012 End Date: 02/24/2012

Exchange Vacation Status: Confirmed Confirmation Date: 12/11/2010
Deposit Details
COMBINE GENERIC RESORT ID (#GGGG)
Relation Number: 00071 Interval: 0 / 0
Unit Number: Deposit Date: 12/11/2010

The following week we used MP TP's to trade for:

Weeks Exchanged
Your Exchange Details
Pueblo Bonito Resort at Sunset Beach (# 5704)
City: Cabo San Lucas State: Baja California Sur
Country: Mexico
Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
Start Date: 02/24/2012 End Date: 03/02/2012
Exchange Vacation Status: Confirmed Confirmation Date: 12/11/2010
Deposit Details
Mayan Palace Puerto Vallarta (#1294)
Relation Number: 00072 Interval: 0 / 0
Unit Number: Deposit Date: 12/11/2010

They were both excellent trades at different ends of Los Cabos.
What I don't know is if the RCI rules have changed again for trading.
Ron