MVC owners: Does this [rental] process sound legitimate?

[afdakhil]

I need a quick sanity check from experienced MVC owners.

I’m renting a Week 32 reservation at Newport Coast Villas (Aug 7–14, 2026).

I sent a $500 deposit. After that, I was told an additional $480 MVC enrollment/occupancy fee must be paid before the reservation can be fully enrolled and verified in my name.

I was sent the attached screenshot showing:

• Status: Confirmed
• Guest Certificate: Processed

However:

• The reservation number was partially redacted.
• Marriott could not locate the reservation based on the information available to me.
• I was told there is no way to verify the reservation until the $480 is paid.

Questions:

1. Have any of you ever seen a $480 MVC enrollment/occupancy fee for a guest reservation?
2. Is it normal for a reservation showing “Confirmed” and “Guest Certificate: Processed” to still be unverifiable?
3. Is it normal that a renter cannot receive the full reservation number before paying such a fee?
4. Would you send the additional $480 without being able to independently verify the reservation?

Attached is the screenshot I received with my personal information removed.

 

[WBP]

I need a quick sanity check from experienced MVC owners.

I’m renting a Week 32 reservation at Newport Coast Villas (Aug 7–14, 2026).

I sent a $500 deposit. After that, I was told an additional $480 MVC enrollment/occupancy fee must be paid before the reservation can be fully enrolled and verified in my name.

I was sent the attached screenshot showing:

• Status: Confirmed
• Guest Certificate: Processed

However:

• The reservation number was partially redacted.
• Marriott could not locate the reservation based on the information available to me.
• I was told there is no way to verify the reservation until the $480 is paid.

Questions:

1. Have any of you ever seen a $480 MVC enrollment/occupancy fee for a guest reservation?
2. Is it normal for a reservation showing “Confirmed” and “Guest Certificate: Processed” to still be unverifiable?
3. Is it normal that a renter cannot receive the full reservation number before paying such a fee?
4. Would you send the additional $480 without being able to independently verify the reservation?

Attached is the screenshot I received with my personal information removed.

I hope I’m wrong, but it looks totally scandalous to me.

I suggest you call Marriott Owner Services, in the USA, or email them; send them a copy of your alleged confirmation. I’m not sure that MVW Owner Services will talk to you, but, they may.

 

[afdakhil]

I hope I’m wrong, but it looks totally scandalous to me.

I suggest you call Marriott Owner Services, in the USA, or email them; send them a copy of your alleged confirmation. I’m not sure that MVW Owner Services will talk to you, but, they may.

Additional context: I already contacted MVC Owner Services twice. They advised they could not discuss the reservation because I am not the owner and directed me to Marriott/Bonvoy. I also contacted Marriott/Bonvoy, but they were unable to locate a reservation under my name based on the information available to me.

 

[echino]

Looks like a scam. Don't send any money. This is not how legitimate MVC rentals work.

 

[DeniseM]

It looks like a scam - WHERE did you find this rental? Who did you rent from? Did you pay with a credit card?

 

[Venter]

I am an owner who rents. I live in the USA. There is no such process. All you do is go on the website and change the reservation into the renter's name. If given the correct information you should also be able to verify the reservation by calling the resort directly.
I would be very cautious as the procedure sounds like they are trying to get more money out of you before they take off.

 

[afdakhil]

It looks like a scam - WHERE did you find this rental? Who did you rent from? Did you pay with a credit card?

I posted a Wanted ad here on TUG and was contacted directly by email by someone identifying herself as Mary Baker. Payment was sent via Zelle, not a credit card. I’ve successfully used Zelle before with another MVC rental without any issues and was able to independently verify that reservation. Based on the feedback I’m receiving here, I intend to share the full details and documentation privately with the moderators.

 

[DeniseM]

Here's what you need to do - scroll down and click on "Contact BBS Admin," at the bottom of the page, and send them all of the details.