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Need help using points

Quilter said:
Personally, I would save my hotel certificates for trips to places like Nice, Rome, Capri, Ireland, Paris, Fiji. For places with nice timeshare rooms, like Ko' Olina and Waiohai, it would seem more comfortable for a family. After timesharing, hotels now seem cramped in just a few days. I especially don't like to have to eat out every night just because there's no kitchen to store and prepare a light meal. When we stayed at the JW at Desert Ridge, the room fridge wasn't even a fridge, it was more of a cooler. That way you can't even keep much in the way of restaurant leftovers to munch on the next day. Not to mention to the ridiculous charge for internet when wi-fi is free in the timeshare on the other side of the golf course.

But that's just my opinion.
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Oh... I totally agree... We are definitely a timesharing type family. The thought of staying in hotel room drives us crazy especially with the bathroom, tv sharing, going to bed together, etc...

In fact, we don't even use our Marriott rewards anymore to rack up points as I find their airline program not useful to us. We use Starwood Amex and love how the miles transfer to airlines and we don't have buy a hotel certificate. We do plan to save our points for when our kids leave for college and we really plan to travel in those exotic locations you mentioned. I hope the program stays around for us....
 
Based on all of the discussion about Hawaii, seems as though travel is hopeless if you want to do it economically.:wall:
But I will not give up travel.
I just love the whole planning thing - it's as good as the trip (well almost)

So now I'm thinking France. How about a week in Paris and one in Monaco? I changed my mind about relying on a trade - I like the ideas of booking the hotels and giving the trade a shot. So I'll see if there's an owner in France who wants Aruba, but if not, I'll drop it into II and see what happens.

Anyone been to Monaco?
 
Ellen, I have heard that the Marriott Time Share outside of Paris is a good hour away from Paris by train. I don't think there are any timeshares in Monaco at all.
 
Kathy,
I was thinking of hotels.
I agree - I prefer timeshares. I like fancy hotels - but would stay in one room with husband and have a second for the kids. Makes for a different vacation, as you have to buy your coffee and breakfast, etc.

If I were really sure the points would still be good in 5 years, I'd wait. I'm just so nervous that I bought from the developer for the points and they'll disappear:eek: and I will have wasted 9000 (as I assume I could sell plat manor club 2 bed for around 10,000)
 
Zac495 said:
I'm just so nervous that I bought from the developer for the points and they'll disappear.
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I don't believe there is any chance that they will disappear. Marriott is in an intensely competitive environment with the other major hotel chains, all of which have their own frequent stay programs. Just like the airline FF programs, the hotel frequent stay programs have become standards for the industry and will be around for many years to come.

If you can find any authoritative source that suggests that the Marriott Rewards program might disappear within the next five years, I would be very surprised!

If Marriott had a shaky financial situation, I might be concerned, but that's not the case.

The worst that is likely to happen is that the point requirements to stay at a particular hotel will creep upwards as they have in the past.
 
Zac495 said:
Based on all of the discussion about Hawaii, seems as though travel is hopeless if you want to do it economically.:wall:
But I will not give up travel.
I just love the whole planning thing - it's as good as the trip (well almost)

So now I'm thinking France. How about a week in Paris and one in Monaco? I changed my mind about relying on a trade - I like the ideas of booking the hotels and giving the trade a shot. So I'll see if there's an owner in France who wants Aruba, but if not, I'll drop it into II and see what happens.

Anyone been to Monaco?
Click to expand...

Stayed at the Marriott there in may 05' just before the Grand Prix. The hotel was great but I was a little disappointed in the casino's. I'm not a gambler but I didn't expect to see such a small casino. I didn't expect people in T shirts and sweatpants either. Across the street is the Hotel Monaco be sure to have a drink there but bring plenty of money. Don't try to get in wearing a T shirt either. Restaurants were good, driving around was great, day trip to Nice and Eze was terrific. The Prince's auto collection is pretty nice also. It's not a place I would return again but I'm very glad I went. I think 3-4 for days would be fine, a week and you'll start running out of stuff to do. It's a good 8 hours from Paris by train.

http://www.beyond.fr/villages/eze.html
 
Just my suggestion but have you been to London with your family. It is such a great city with lots and lots of things to do. Many Marriott hotels there to choose from using points although the favorites seem to be Country Hall (Marriott brand) and the Chancery Court (Renissance Brand). You can easily spend a week there and not run out of things to do. It is also easy to catch a train and head out to Hampton Court Palace and to Windsor Castle for a day trip to those locations. I just love London. Then you could take the "Chunnel" high speed train to Paris and spend a few days there. I know there are a couple of Marriott's there including one right on the Champs Elysee. I did go to Monte Carlo on a cruise that we took. It is stunning and breathtaking to see from the water but to be frank just barely enough to see there to get through one day. More than that and you would be wondering how to spend your time.
 
I would also vote for London and Paris. London is great fun for kids, perhaps more than Paris which is best for romantics, as they can walk on Henry VIII's grave and see the Tower of London, etc., etc. Good boat trips on the Thames, and the Red Boat line also has hop-on hop-off bus tour services in the price. If it's a 2nd honeymoon (no kids) go Paris.

I'd save Monaco for a northern Italy trip where you could take in Milan (Last Supper) and the Italian/French Riviera. Beaches are very different over there -- quite rocky -- compared to FL beaches.

Airlines usually allow one stopover when you go to Europe, so you could fly to London ... then to Paris ... then home .... without additional cost or FF miles. Enjoy.

Brian
 
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