New MVC Owner. Good or bad deal?

[AvidTravelers88]

Hello all,

Me and my wife are avid travelers and primary only stay in Marriott properties as we are lifetime platinum members. We spend a considerable amount of money on Marriott hotels and are somewhat familiar with the MVC after attending a few presentations. Considering how much hotels have increased after Covid, we finally purchased an MVC membership today with a deeded week at the MVC in St. Kitts. It is a platinum season (weeks 1-17) 2bd Villa w/ocean view that we can elect convert to 3650 MVC yearly points for $27,500. Maintenance dues are $2,500. The offer also includes a 1 time bonus of 5000 points.

We have a 7 day cooling off period to back out, so still pondering whether or not this is a good deal that will pay off in the long run. We’re both in our mid 30’s, vacation at least 2-3 weeks a year, and are financially comfortable. We are flexible and have no problem going to destinations during low season. My main concern is the maintenance dues and their increase year over year. I can understand and accept increases but I’m having a hard time estimating what’s the average annual increase after a few years. I did look into the dues thread but it does not show the average over a period of years. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Still deciding what to do. Thanks.

 

[Mroze]

The first instinct is to just "Rescind".
However, doing the math I would hold on to what you purchased.

If I assume you do manage to use the 5000 Bonus-Points, I would value them at ~$5K.
Since you paid $27500 - $5000-Bpnus, you paid net $22500.
This works out to $6.16/DCP [$22500/3650-Points] which is better than resale.

Positives

• Deeded-Week: Purchasing a Week is better than Points. Lower MF and lower Cost/DCP.
• Purchase-Price [Cap-Ex]: The cost of $6.16 $/DCP is below $6.50 which is better than resale which can work out to ~$7/DCP
• Annual MF [Op-Ex]: The annual MF works out to $0.68/DCP [$2500/3650-DCP], which is better that the MF for Points [$0.82/DCP].
• Enrollment: Since this is a direct purchase, its already enrolled which counts toward Benefits-Level + all the privileges of a Direct-Purchase [Abound-Exchange, Interval-Fees, ...]
• No-Bundle: Marriott does offer Bundel-Packages [Week + DCP-Points] which average out to lower Cost/DCP, however, you do have to buy a minimum of 2000-4000-DCP with higher MF

Future Maintenance-Fees.
Maintenance-Fees on weeks in general [exception being places like Hawaii] are lower $/DCP compared to points.

 

[AvidTravelers88]

The first instinct is to just "Rescind".
However, doing the math I would hold on to what you purchased.

If I assume you do manage to use the 5000 Bonus-Points, I would value them at ~$5K.
Since you paid $27500 - $5000-Bpnus, you paid net $22500.
This works out to $6.16/DCP [$22500/3650-Points] which is better than resale.

Positives

• Deeded-Week: Purchasing a Week is better than Points. Lower MF and lower Cost/DCP.
• Purchase-Price [Cap-Ex]: The cost of $6.16 $/DCP is below $6.50 which is better than resale which can work out to ~$7/DCP
• Annual MF [Op-Ex]: The annual MF works out to $0.68/DCP [$2500/3650-DCP], which is better that the MF for Points [$0.82/DCP].
• Enrollment: Since this is a direct purchase, its already enrolled which counts toward Benefits-Level + all the privileges of a Direct-Purchase [Abound-Exchange, Interval-Fees, ...]
• No-Bundle: Marriott does offer Bundel-Packages [Week + DCP-Points] which average out to lower Cost/DCP, however, you do have to buy a minimum of 2000-4000-DCP with higher MF

Future Maintenance-Fees.
Maintenance-Fees on weeks in general [exception being places like Hawaii] are lower $/DCP compared to points.

Thank you for your response and analysis. Could you help me understand what enrollment is and how it can be considered a benefit?

 

[Pamplemousse]

If you can elect points for your week it is “enrolled” in Abound.
You will pay yearly club dues and and get a free membership to interval international that will allow you to deposit your week and exchange it to other MVC resorts for free or exchange to other resorts for a fee.
You choose yearly to stay your owned week, deposit it into interval, or elect the week to Abound points and use those to directly book Abound timeshares.
These are not Bonvoy points that you use for hotels.

How do you plan to use your purchase?
Will you ever stay at that location?
Will you exchange your week on II?
Or book elect points and book that way?
Have you looked at points charts to see what you could book with that number of points?

Really consider how this will work for you while you are within the recision period.

 

[Hindsite]

If you want to use the week for the club points there are potentially better deals available via the resorts in Spain that are lower initial purchase price and lower ongoing MFs.
St Kitts is expensive for the MF due to the hurricane risk, Europe could add a currency risk that might go either way.

At the MF/club point equivalent calculated above its not a bad deal, whatever you choose to do, how you use it will determine whether it is worth it or not. Timeshares aren't like hotel reservations, choices are more limited and planning ahead is helpful for getting value. If you can work the system you should do well.

If you want to take the time to explore more, also look at the Asia points systems as well. You can get decent deals buying direct but it takes some work and you might save $1-2/club point equivalent on purchase price and $3-500/year on MF.

 

[Dean]

First, I'm a little concerned that your numbers are not correct. Firs, ignore the bonus points in your calculations, in the large scheme of things they are almost negligible. As written your cost is $7.53 per point, I have not seen an offer that good for a Platinum week in many years if ever. You should double check, I'd say it's very likely this was an Every Other Year week. The price you listed is about 2/3 of what the price was in November 2022. IF it's an Every Year week at that price, it's a great deal if the system works out well for you otherwise, just be warned it's likely not what you think it is.

IMO, being familiar with the concept is not sufficient information. One needs to be familiar with the compromises of a timeshare as well. things like how far you have to plan ahead, no housekeeping, limited options, availability possibilities and the like. For most options you'll need to plan 12-13 months out or even further in some cases. And one must be flexible, very flexible like being open to multiple resorts over multiple weeks at 12-13 months out. You should consider a couple of stays, possibly as a private rental.

There are 3 basic ways to approach MVC timeshare ownership: Points, weeks to use and using weeks to exchange into other properties. Each have their benefits and downsides, each have their cost parameters and each have situations where they are the best and most flexible option. Points will give you the most control and flexibility but also the highest cost, by far. Owning a week to use is the most stable but can also be the most limiting. Owning a good resort/week to exchange is flexible in a different way, can be the cheapest by far and is often the best choice; but it is also caries more uncertainty and risk of not getting what you want. There is a crossover option for points where you own a week that is enrolled. This must be bought retail OR if you buy resale, there is a program that has been offered for several years part of the year to enroll a week(s) but that requires an additional retail purchase. As noted, buying resale then enrolling with a purchase for one of the Spanish resorts is often the cheapest and best way if that is one's goal, Aruba would be my second choice but is more expensive. No matter how you cut it, having points for MVC is a very expensive process now but there are some ways that are far superior to others if that is one's goal.

It sounds like you have enough travel experience to understand about high season availability issues but they are FAR more pronounced with timeshares than hotels. Keep in mind that the highest demand weeks at the highest demand resorts are extremely difficult to reserve with ANY of the methods noted. Places like Aruba, Marco Island, HI, HH during the busiest times can require booking at minute one exactly 12 months out and even then one may be shut out at times. You said you are OK with low season but just be sure you understand what that is in timesharing. When I hear that I'm thinking Orlando/Branson/Vegas not during school breaks. HHI/MB not during the cooler time and for HI demand locations like Arub/HI I can go any week I can get and ccmmit a year out.

 

[AvidTravelers88]

If you can elect points for your week it is “enrolled” in Abound.
You will pay yearly club dues and and get a free membership to interval international that will allow you to deposit your week and exchange it to other MVC resorts for free or exchange to other resorts for a fee.
You choose yearly to stay your owned week, deposit it into interval, or elect the week to Abound points and use those to directly book Abound timeshares.
These are not Bonvoy points that you use for hotels.

How do you plan to use your purchase?
Will you ever stay at that location?
Will you exchange your week on II?
Or book elect points and book that way?
Have you looked at points charts to see what you could book with that number of points?

Really consider how this will work for you while you are within the recision period.

Thank you for this clarification. Makes sense.

 

[AvidTravelers88]

First, I'm a little concerned that your numbers are not correct. Firs, ignore the bonus points in your calculations, in the large scheme of things they are almost negligible. As written your cost is $7.53 per point, I have not seen an offer that good for a Platinum week in many years if ever. You should double check, I'd say it's very likely this was an Every Other Year week. The price you listed is about 2/3 of what the price was in November 2022. IF it's an Every Year week at that price, it's a great deal if the system works out well for you otherwise, just be warned it's likely not what you think it is.

IMO, being familiar with the concept is not sufficient information. One needs to be familiar with the compromises of a timeshare as well. things like how far you have to plan ahead, no housekeeping, limited options, availability possibilities and the like. For most options you'll need to plan 12-13 months out or even further in some cases. And one must be flexible, very flexible like being open to multiple resorts over multiple weeks at 12-13 months out. You should consider a couple of stays, possibly as a private rental.

There are 3 basic ways to approach MVC timeshare ownership: Points, weeks to use and using weeks to exchange into other properties. Each have their benefits and downsides, each have their cost parameters and each have situations where they are the best and most flexible option. Points will give you the most control and flexibility but also the highest cost, by far. Owning a week to use is the most stable but can also be the most limiting. Owning a good resort/week to exchange is flexible in a different way, can be the cheapest by far and is often the best choice; but it is also caries more uncertainty and risk of not getting what you want. There is a crossover option for points where you own a week that is enrolled. This must be bought retail OR if you buy resale, there is a program that has been offered for several years part of the year to enroll a week(s) but that requires an additional retail purchase. As noted, buying resale then enrolling with a purchase for one of the Spanish resorts is often the cheapest and best way if that is one's goal, Aruba would be my second choice but is more expensive. No matter how you cut it, having points for MVC is a very expensive process now but there are some ways that are far superior to others if that is one's goal.

It sounds like you have enough travel experience to understand about high season availability issues but they are FAR more pronounced with timeshares than hotels. Keep in mind that the highest demand weeks at the highest demand resorts are extremely difficult to reserve with ANY of the methods noted. Places like Aruba, Marco Island, HI, HH during the busiest times can require booking at minute one exactly 12 months out and even then one may be shut out at times. You said you are OK with low season but just be sure you understand what that is in timesharing. When I hear that I'm thinking Orlando/Branson/Vegas not during school breaks. HHI/MB not during the cooler time and for HI demand locations like Arub/HI I can go any week I can get and ccmmit a year out.

We just verified line by line and the contract states it’s for annual use. I guess my gut feeling is telling me it’s too good to be true and I’m trying to find out why. I have no problem booking in advance, but my new concern is availability primarily at overseas locations (we’re mostly interested in international travel with some Caribbean included from time to time, excluding Aruba). Is there anyway to check availability while not having an owners portal yet?

 

[Dean]

We just verified line by line and the contract states it’s for annual use. I guess my gut feeling is telling me it’s too good to be true and I’m trying to find out why. I have no problem booking in advance, but my new concern is availability primarily at overseas locations (we’re mostly interested in international travel with some Caribbean included from time to time, excluding Aruba). Is there anyway to check availability while not having an owners portal yet?

I reached out to my contact and am waiting for additional clarification but the info I received suggested they got a small amount of inventory around that price point. If the system work for you, that's a good deal. Still high on the fees per point but not as bad as just having points.

 

[Pamplemousse]

We just verified line by line and the contract states it’s for annual use. I guess my gut feeling is telling me it’s too good to be true and I’m trying to find out why. I have no problem booking in advance, but my new concern is availability primarily at overseas locations (we’re mostly interested in international travel with some Caribbean included from time to time, excluding Aruba). Is there anyway to check availability while not having an owners portal yet?

Are you aware there are very few Abound time shares in Europe and the carribean?
3 Spain, 1 France, St. Thomas, St. John, St. Kitts, Atlantis, plus Costa Rica, Bali, 3 in Thailand and 1 in Australia and some Westins in Mexico.
There are a few more available by exchanging via II.
But in general there are not many time shares in Europe, you would be best to book those as hotels or air bnb.

I’ll add that we have owned a week which is now enrolled for nearly 20 years and had many great family vacations- mostly in the US and mostly exchanges via II. More recently we have been electing points and booking that way for trips for just the 2 of us to allow more flexibility and booking the views we want (you can’t select views with II).

Where did you make your purchase?

 

[goodbadugly]

Hello all,

Me and my wife are avid travelers and primary only stay in Marriott properties as we are lifetime platinum members. We spend a considerable amount of money on Marriott hotels and are somewhat familiar with the MVC after attending a few presentations. Considering how much hotels have increased after Covid, we finally purchased an MVC membership today with a deeded week at the MVC in St. Kitts. It is a platinum season (weeks 1-17) 2bd Villa w/ocean view that we can elect convert to 3650 MVC yearly points for $27,500. Maintenance dues are $2,500. The offer also includes a 1 time bonus of 5000 points.

We have a 7 day cooling off period to back out, so still pondering whether or not this is a good deal that will pay off in the long run. We’re both in our mid 30’s, vacation at least 2-3 weeks a year, and are financially comfortable. We are flexible and have no problem going to destinations during low season. My main concern is the maintenance dues and their increase year over year. I can understand and accept increases but I’m having a hard time estimating what’s the average annual increase after a few years. I did look into the dues thread but it does not show the average over a period of years. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Still deciding what to do. Thanks.

When did MVC go back to just selling weeks? Is this because it is not a US property?

 

[Pamplemousse]

When did MVC go back to just selling weeks? Is this because it is not a US property?

Yes, they sell non US weeks

 

[jwalk03]

When did MVC go back to just selling weeks? Is this because it is not a US property?

All of the non-US properties cannot belong to the US land trust so they sell weeks instead. (Except the Asia Pacific resorts which have their own Asia based points trust).

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Yes, they sell non US weeks

They never stopped selling weeks in the USA either, however they WON'T ever talk about them unless you (the customer) brings them up in a sales presentation. Their concentration is now on points because points are far more profitable for Marriott (and their sales reps.).

Resale weeks are readily available at almost every resort in the USA, but you must specifically ask for them.







.

 

[dioxide45]

They never stopped selling weeks in the USA either, however they WON'T ever talk about them unless you (the customer) brings them up in a sales presentation. Their concentration is now on points because points are far more profitable for Marriott (and their sales reps.).

Resale weeks are readily available at almost every resort in the USA, but you must specifically ask for them.

But those weeks are through the resale department and don't come with enrollment in Abound unless you put them together in a bundle package with trust points.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

But those weeks are through the resale department and don't come with enrollment in Abound unless you put them together in a bundle package with trust points.

That's true!

Points are an expensive form of ownership. Great flexibility but an expensive method of ownership.






.

 

[AvidTravelers88]

Are you aware there are very few Abound time shares in Europe and the carribean?
3 Spain, 1 France, St. Thomas, St. John, St. Kitts, Atlantis, plus Costa Rica, Bali, 3 in Thailand and 1 in Australia and some Westins in Mexico.
There are a few more available by exchanging via II.
But in general there are not many time shares in Europe, you would be best to book those as hotels or air bnb.

I’ll add that we have owned a week which is now enrolled for nearly 20 years and had many great family vacations- mostly in the US and mostly exchanges via II. More recently we have been electing points and booking that way for trips for just the 2 of us to allow more flexibility and booking the views we want (you can’t select views with II).

Where did you make your purchase?

Hello again, yes we are aware. Between all resorts I think we counted about 16 destinations we would be interested in (including a few in the US). After giving it some thought, we do tend to take a few long weekend trips from time to time and having MVC’s at these locations would be convenient. We are in SoCal and many are within driving distance. This may just work for us if availability isn’t an issue. We purchased in Aruba FYI.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Hello again, yes we are aware. Between all resorts I think we counted about 16 destinations we would be interested in (including a few in the US). After giving it some thought, we do tend to take a few long weekend trips from time to time and having MVC’s at these locations would be convenient. We are in SoCal and many are within driving distance. This may just work for us if availability isn’t an issue. We purchased in Aruba FYI.

To get the best availability use the ‘when can I book’ calculator under helpful tools on the owner site to book right at inventory release- at your points level that will be 12 months for a full week and 10 months for less than a week.

 

[Quilter]

Hello again, yes we are aware. Between all resorts I think we counted about 16 destinations we would be interested in (including a few in the US). After giving it some thought, we do tend to take a few long weekend trips from time to time and having MVC’s at these locations would be convenient. We are in SoCal and many are within driving distance. This may just work for us if availability isn’t an issue. We purchased in Aruba FYI.

You were in Aruba but purchased at St. Kitts? Did they have a comparable offer for Aruba?

Once you're in the system you can "rent" points from others to supplement what you have.

 

[Hindsite]

Hello again, yes we are aware. Between all resorts I think we counted about 16 destinations we would be interested in (including a few in the US). After giving it some thought, we do tend to take a few long weekend trips from time to time and having MVC’s at these locations would be convenient. We are in SoCal and many are within driving distance. This may just work for us if availability isn’t an issue. We purchased in Aruba FYI.

Sounds like you got a decent deal, thanks for letting people know its out there, its good to see MVC offering at sensible prices . Enjoy your ownership

 

[AvidTravelers88]

You were in Aruba but purchased at St. Kitts? Did they have a comparable offer for Aruba?

Once you're in the system you can "rent" points from others to supplement what you have.

No they did not. I was interested in the program but not for $17/point. I just flat out asked what’s the best deal they have as I was ready to walk out. Then they offered the week in St. Kitts for about 30k before any incentives or credits.

 

[Dean]

You were in Aruba but purchased at St. Kitts? Did they have a comparable offer for Aruba?

Once you're in the system you can "rent" points from others to supplement what you have.

Aruba has been able to sell St. Kitts for a number of years now and it's always been cheaper than Aruba weeks though this is the biggest difference I've seen. The OV Platinum is the best week they have right now. Still a little high on the fees side and wouldn't qualify to enroll even 1 week by itself.

 

[jwalk03]

St. Kitts doesn’t have a sales center anymore. So Aruba sells St. Kitts weeks.

 

[m61376]

Something to consider- you mention likely visiting Aruba. The best way to make an Aruba week reservation is to own an Aruba week. If you anticipate returning every few years, asking about a similar deal for an Aruba week might work better. Since they’re not enrolled in the Tryst, Marriott also still sells Aruba weeks. That’s give you additional options- Aruba weeks were allotted a few hundred more points so when you elect points you’ll do a little better. If I remember correctly. St. Kits weeks font lick off, whereas Aruba weeks do. If you’re going to Aruba in z given year and only need the 1BR, you can lock off and trade the studio in II. Since you have flexibility, for a small upgrade fee you can nab a 1BR of even a 2BR trading in II, effectively getting 2 weeks for one MF. Or you can lock off and trade both halves in II.
I may be partial to Aruba, but I can tell you from experience I’ve traded Aruba studios to 1BRs at the Westin Lagunamar in Cancun, to 1 and 2 BRs to Hawaii Marriotts multiple times, 2BRs at Newport Coast, Phoenix, Hilton Head, Aruba, etc.
Buying a lock off week gives greater versatility, MFs are a bit lower in Aruba, rental rates are higher- all reasons to consider asking them about a similar deal for an Aruba week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Red elephant]

Aruba has been able to sell St. Kitts for a number of years now and it's always been cheaper than Aruba weeks though this is the biggest difference I've seen. The OV Platinum is the best week they have right now. Still a little high on the fees side and wouldn't qualify to enroll even 1 week by itself.

I went thru this last year and for that price only Playa Andalusia gold week was the cheapest for 30k (after incentives) seafront 3 bedroom at 4100 points approx $1700 MF and enrolled my 3 other resales. Aruba was the most expensive.