tmmabey
TUG Member
(Maybe it makes sense to move this post to Marriott Vacation Club forum?)
Intro: For about 15 years, we have been owners of a week at Marriott's Shadow Ridge I in Palm Desert, CA. Our experience has been mixed. We have had some great vacations with 4 kids, but in general we have been disappointed at our trading power and the quality of units we were able to get through Interval. We have been slow to do so, but last year we enrolled our week. (The cost to us was the purchase of a $695 Encore package for a stay at Shadow Ridge.) It is worth 1825 points. That many points does not really go very far in many places, so we are considering the purchase of an additional 2250 trust points to get us up above to 4075 points. In fact, we have a contract in hand and are still in the recission period. (We spent a week at Marriott Grande Vista). I want to find out if we are making the right move, or if we should go a different route. I will give answers to the survey questions to help in the assessment.
I should note that my wife and I do not have exactly the same likes and dislikes when it comes to travel. For me, in general, the accommodation is not the destination. My focus is more on the historical sights, the natural wonders, the outdoor activities, etc. in the region, spending less on accommodations and having the flexibility for shorter stays or moving to multiple locations on a single trip. My wife really likes to stay at nice resort properties, and she hopes that our ownership in the future will help facilitate some nice family get-togethers on occasion (possibly by banking and borrowing to get a couple units to accommodate the growing family.) We have the ability to travel a few times a year, so I expect that we can have a combination of both types of experiences in a given year.
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
We like to move around and see new areas. We do like to spend time in Hawaii once in while.
2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Definitely trade more than half the time. Does this question even make sense for Marriott trust points? Is there any assocation with a "home" resort?
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Hard to nail that down, but anywhere in Hawaii, occasionally Orlando, we would like to explore Hilton Head, and more resorts in Florida. Park City is an interest. Would love to try some of the Caribbean resorts. also Thailand/Phuket.
4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
Now it is just 2. We are empty nesters, but hope to use our MVC membership to allow us to have a family reunion once in a while. Our idea would be to every few years or so, to bank or borrrow (or rent?) points to be able to book 2 full units. Our total family numbers are now 8 adults and 2 kids, and growing.
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Any time. Very flexible.
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
I am not sure how that is exactly defined, but in general, I am good with 2-3 stars and my wife is more of a 4-5 star person. In reality, we will have a mixture of both types of experiences in a given year as we take different styles of trips, but the MVC membership is supposed to provide the "nicer" trips hopefully in the 4+ region.
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
If it is the right move, we can pay cash up front. (Let's say up to 30K)
10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
With our current week ownership, and the additional 2250 points we are considering, we would be paying about $3300 (including fees and property taxes). We CAN do that, however it still seems like a large annual expense given the initial investment also required (2250 points cost about $26K). I am not an accountant, but at $3300 per year, that is $471 per night for 7 nights. How can this make financial sense? Help me understand this, and also maybe you will tell me there is a better way by not buying retail, but buying on the resell market. I don't really understand the pros and cons of that approach. I am sure you can point me to some threads that discuss this is in detail.
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes
12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes.
Intro: For about 15 years, we have been owners of a week at Marriott's Shadow Ridge I in Palm Desert, CA. Our experience has been mixed. We have had some great vacations with 4 kids, but in general we have been disappointed at our trading power and the quality of units we were able to get through Interval. We have been slow to do so, but last year we enrolled our week. (The cost to us was the purchase of a $695 Encore package for a stay at Shadow Ridge.) It is worth 1825 points. That many points does not really go very far in many places, so we are considering the purchase of an additional 2250 trust points to get us up above to 4075 points. In fact, we have a contract in hand and are still in the recission period. (We spent a week at Marriott Grande Vista). I want to find out if we are making the right move, or if we should go a different route. I will give answers to the survey questions to help in the assessment.
I should note that my wife and I do not have exactly the same likes and dislikes when it comes to travel. For me, in general, the accommodation is not the destination. My focus is more on the historical sights, the natural wonders, the outdoor activities, etc. in the region, spending less on accommodations and having the flexibility for shorter stays or moving to multiple locations on a single trip. My wife really likes to stay at nice resort properties, and she hopes that our ownership in the future will help facilitate some nice family get-togethers on occasion (possibly by banking and borrowing to get a couple units to accommodate the growing family.) We have the ability to travel a few times a year, so I expect that we can have a combination of both types of experiences in a given year.
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
We like to move around and see new areas. We do like to spend time in Hawaii once in while.
2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Definitely trade more than half the time. Does this question even make sense for Marriott trust points? Is there any assocation with a "home" resort?
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Hard to nail that down, but anywhere in Hawaii, occasionally Orlando, we would like to explore Hilton Head, and more resorts in Florida. Park City is an interest. Would love to try some of the Caribbean resorts. also Thailand/Phuket.
4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
Now it is just 2. We are empty nesters, but hope to use our MVC membership to allow us to have a family reunion once in a while. Our idea would be to every few years or so, to bank or borrrow (or rent?) points to be able to book 2 full units. Our total family numbers are now 8 adults and 2 kids, and growing.
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Any time. Very flexible.
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
I am not sure how that is exactly defined, but in general, I am good with 2-3 stars and my wife is more of a 4-5 star person. In reality, we will have a mixture of both types of experiences in a given year as we take different styles of trips, but the MVC membership is supposed to provide the "nicer" trips hopefully in the 4+ region.
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
If it is the right move, we can pay cash up front. (Let's say up to 30K)
10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
With our current week ownership, and the additional 2250 points we are considering, we would be paying about $3300 (including fees and property taxes). We CAN do that, however it still seems like a large annual expense given the initial investment also required (2250 points cost about $26K). I am not an accountant, but at $3300 per year, that is $471 per night for 7 nights. How can this make financial sense? Help me understand this, and also maybe you will tell me there is a better way by not buying retail, but buying on the resell market. I don't really understand the pros and cons of that approach. I am sure you can point me to some threads that discuss this is in detail.
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes
12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes.