New one from tele-sales

[Dave M]

I can assure you that my statements in this thread, at least as they pertain to Marriott's plans to develop its own internal exchange program, are not opinion. They are based on statements from a very high level inside Marriott. Although the timeline may be as long as four-five years, Marriott has definite plans to start such a program.

The development and testing of the plan, followed by the development and testing of the software to handle it, dictates a long timeline to make sure it works properly when introduced.

 

[GaryDouglas]

Working in IT support for a forture 10 company for a few decades I can tell you that the web design and programming part can easily take 18 to 24 months alone. So, there's plenty of time for speculation...

 

[Beverley]

IF Marriott were to go to an internal trading system, why does that mean converting to a point based system. I like te week system ... I have been extremely suspicious of RCI since they went to a point system. A number of friends that use RCI have become concerned that they were appropriating time at the expense of owners. I can not say any of that is definately true but it is a feeling that is out there.

Why would it all have to mean points .. why couldn't there be an internal trading woth weeks???

Beverley

 

[msweaver]

msweaver: does your brochure have any website that we can go to to reprint it? If not, does it have a phone number and what is on the front cover if I were to call and request it. Thanks in advance

No, the brochure provides no information as to websites, etc. that you could not get online. The the title of the brochure is "Imagine the Possibilities"

 

[Dave M]

IF Marriott were to go to an internal trading system, why does that mean converting to a point based system.

It doesn't.

 

[short]

Marriott starting an internal trading system does not have to include loss of revenue to II.

I believe HGVC contracts with RCI to run the reservation side of the Club. My understanding is that RCI has specially trained VCs who are physically located at RCI's offices.

I believe other resort groups might have the same arrangement.

Short

 

[short]

IF Marriott were to go to an internal trading system, why does that mean converting to a point based system. I like te week system ... I have been extremely suspicious of RCI since they went to a point system. A number of friends that use RCI have become concerned that they were appropriating time at the expense of owners. I can not say any of that is definately true but it is a feeling that is out there.

Why would it all have to mean points .. why couldn't there be an internal trading woth weeks???

Beverley

Because a points based system could be designed to accommadate those who like weeks and those who like shorter stays. Don't forget that a week is just a 7 day reservation in points. Just because you are in a point program does not mean you cannot make a 7 day reservation.

In HGVC you can reserve a week from 10-12 months out. After that you can reserve shorter stays(3 night min). There is nothing magical about 9 months. It could be 2 mo or 4 mo or ?

Short

 

[floyddl]

Marriott starting an internal trading system does not have to include loss of revenue to II.

I believe HGVC contracts with RCI to run the reservation side of the Club. My understanding is that RCI has specially trained VCs who are physically located at RCI's offices.

I believe other resort groups might have the same arrangement.

Short

I believe it would involve a loss of revenue by II. The HGVC system does not utilize RCI for an owner who wants to use his points from his home resort in Las Vegas to go to Hawaii. There is no real exchange rather a reservation using points that does not involve RCI. RCI only gets involved when you wish to go to a non-HGVC property or you have points that are about to expire so you deposit them with RCI and start a search for a HGVC property over a 2 year period.

Marriott would not entertain doing the internal exchange system if were not going to generate revenue. It is clear that is where Marriott is focused, profitablility growth.

 

[taffy19]

Right now, it is not mandatory to belong to II if you want to use, rent your week or use another exchange company instead. They should leave this choice to us.

However, I read that some of the companies include the yearly exchange membership fees in the yearly maintenance fees and I would be completely against this so hope that the Marriott will not do this too.

Most of this thread is speculation so some of it may never happen so why worry about it yet? I am asking myself.

 

[swing4thefence]

And here's some food for thought...

I was visiting Timber Lodge earlier this week and the sales rep gave me a brand-new MVCI brochure, with descriptions and color pics of every MVCI resort, including Frenchman's Cove (very beautiful publication). After reading this thread, I took a look at that brochure.

Previous materials from Marriott have described the Internal and External Exchange available through II. But this new brochure states that you can exchange "within the Marriott Vacation Club network" (no mention of II), or exchange to over 2000 II resorts worldwide.

I hate to make a conclusion based on a lack of evidence, but the copy in this brochure certainly seems to confirm a change in direction... Just adding more speculation for pondering...

You've always been able to exchange "Within the MVCI Network" When you actually purchase or when you speak with your voa, you'll find out that there is a "Marriott Internal Exchange".
You'll also find out that it is still administered by interval.

As for the rest of you, it doesn't matter what the result is of an internal exchange network. There WILL be a revolt. The only question is, "Will it be led by Owner A or Owner B". As hard as they try, Marriott CAN'T Satisfy everyone.

 

[jazzeaw]

I personally would LOVE Marriott to let you trade within Marriott. I own 3 Marriott T/S and have NEVER traded outside of Marriott and I am tired of paying II all that money - it really stinks! If/when Marriott goes to Internal trading I will NOT renew my II membership and I will be glad to save the money

oh and an FYI I own platinum at Grande Vista, OceanWatch and Grande Ocean

 

[Dave M]

I am tired of paying II all that money - it really stinks!

You can be reasonably sure that when Marriott starts their own internal trading program, you'll be paying close to the same amount to Marriott. Marriott is making this change because they believe it will be a profitable venture for them, not because they want to do it for free for our benefit.

 

[camachinist]

If Marriott goes internal, I'll opine that the cost parameters won't change much, and the potential for abuse will just shift from II to Marriott, which is very efficient in renting out their MVCI intervals, just not dumping them to the same extent as RCI (and perhaps II) does. All it will do (significantly), IMO, is lessen the "audience" after the 21-24 day internal window currently at II.

I don't think there will ever be a time when a MVCI owner can reserve a week at any MVCI resort at no cost, like one does at their home resort. Marriott's just too smart for that, as evidenced by points surrender fees, lockoff fees, split week fees and on and on. They're the masters of the nickel and dime fees...

Pat

 

[dmharris]

I just deposited our 2007 week into II yesterday through our Marriott customer service rep assigned to us. When I said, "Marriott should develop their own trading system just for Marriott owners", she said "I think they are". More affirmation that it is coming. I'm new at this, I think it would be simpler Marriott to Marriott, but what if you want to go to a Westin, Hyatt etc.? I am clueless if this is good or bad.

Diane

 

[mj2vacation]

The cost won't change, just who collects the fee.

As for what will happen, less marriott weeks for non MVC owners, but if you think that getting a high demand week will get easier, it won't.

As an owner who has gotten a ton of ac's, I am a bit apprehensive. I don't know what they will roll out, but I know what I have, and how to work the current system in my favor.

 

[camachinist]

Intervals will still be able to be deposited with II and the independents, just as now, and qualify for whatever incentives are available. There will just be an internal option for owners, so they can do their all-Marriott transactions without leaving the MVCI site.

It shouldn't affect booking issues one way or another. I'm assuming there will be some effect on Marriott's available beyond the 21-24 day internal window with II.

I'm expecting Marriott to incent owners to book within their internal system. Unclear as to what those incentives will be.

Pat

 

[dmharris]

Pat,

Maybe we'll see booking wars between Marriott and II offering us lots of incentives!!:whoopie:

 

[jazzeaw]

You can be reasonably sure that when Marriott starts their own internal trading program, you'll be paying close to the same amount to Marriott. Marriott is making this change because they believe it will be a profitable venture for them, not because they want to do it for free for our benefit.

an exchange fee is one thing but paying to be a member of II is ridiculous. i assme that Marriot will not charge a fee to be a member if you own their t/s

 

[camachinist]

Pat,

Maybe we'll see booking wars between Marriott and II offering us lots of incentives!!:whoopie:

Hope springs eternal!

Pat

 

[potchak]

Well, if they are going to a new internal program, then I imagine they would have to give some sort of priority to where you purchased. Therefore owners in Tahoe would be able to reserve Tahoe before anyone else, etc. I would hate to think that I am buying Hawaii and someone with an Orlando unit can reserve it before me. If they do it like Disney, it would give several months priority to the current owners, then after a certain length of time, opens up to everyone else. But, I have to say, I hope they do not go to points, I would be very disappointed, because they talked us into an Island View instead of Oceanview which was a lower point value.

 

[Dean]

Well, if they are going to a new internal program, then I imagine they would have to give some sort of priority to where you purchased. Therefore owners in Tahoe would be able to reserve Tahoe before anyone else, etc. I would hate to think that I am buying Hawaii and someone with an Orlando unit can reserve it before me. If they do it like Disney, it would give several months priority to the current owners, then after a certain length of time, opens up to everyone else. But, I have to say, I hope they do not go to points, I would be very disappointed, because they talked us into an Island View instead of Oceanview which was a lower point value.

You have your priority for your purchase. There is no real priority trading in to your home resort in spite of what some people may have stated.

There are many options that Marriott could use. While I'm sure it'd be somewhat different than things work now, they may or may not be better. And it's likely for every winner, there would be another loser. It's likely those with top weeks and resorts to trade would do well and those with off weeks and lower rated resorts would do worse.