New to Marriott / More questions about Marriott

[Deb from NC]

I've traded into many Marriotts, but never owned one. We're looking at a resale fixed week at a resort we like and would use 90% of the time. But if we DID want to trade it, would we get any kind of Marriott priority, or any benefits at all ? What would be the main drawback of buying a fixed resale week ?

 

[mash84121]

Yes, you still get the Marriott priority for any trades done thorugh II for resale weeks. This is what makes the resale weeks so valuable as they trade so well with other Marriotts.

 

[tschwa2]

System wide Marriott has very few fixed weeks. There are a few older resorts. There's one in Hawaii and then off course event weeks.

If you really want a fixed week, double check that it really is fixed. I just saw a Sumday Vacations ad for a fixed week 36 at Ocean Watch in Myrtle Beach. It's not, its a silver float.

 

[Weimaraner]

I would definitely recommend Marriott resale weeks. You won't be able to use the Destination Points program but you will have plenty of options through Interval for trades and you get that Marriott priority. One thing I like about our Surf Club weeks is the fact they are lockoff units. One time I locked off my week into two deposits and got a 2 bed in Orlando and another 2 bed in Hilton Head. One if our weeks is a fixed Platinum Plus President's Week 7 so it was more money but the others are Platinum and float Jan-April. MVCI resorts offer consistent quality and similar family activities across their resorts - I think it sounds like you are doing a good job with your research

 

[Deb from NC]

Thanks all. I've been trying to read all the information on TUG about the Marriott program, but it's a bit overwhelming .

 

[Deb from NC]

System wide Marriott has very few fixed weeks. There are a few older resorts. There's one in Hawaii and then off course event weeks.

If you really want a fixed week, double check that it really is fixed. I just saw a Sumday Vacations ad for a fixed week 36 at Ocean Watch in Myrtle Beach. It's not, its a silver float.

Oh my, that's one I was looking at! Thanks for the heads up. How were you able to tell its not a fixed week? Did I miss something in the ad?

 

[tschwa2]

The only fixed weeks there would be the platinum plus 4th of July event week.

https://www.my-vacationclub.com/resort/PdfLinkServlet?file=%5Cresort%5Cow%5C020%2BOwner_Guides_and_Resources%5C020%2BCalendars%5C099%2BMarriott%27s_OceanWatch_Villas_at_Grande_Dunes_Resort_Calendar.pdf

You just have to know. It would likely be discovered during the estoppel phase but maybe not. It is the first week in the fall silver season. If you want that week you will need to be on the phone and/or online as soon as reservations open up.

 

[BocaBoy]

The only fixed weeks there would be the platinum plus 4th of July event week.....It is the first week in the fall silver season. If you want that week you will need to be on the phone and/or online as soon as reservations open up.

Really? Most weeks in the Marriott system don't require a reservation 12 months ahead. I am surprised if a fall silver week at Ocean Watch requires that.

 

[tschwa2]

Silver season in Myrtle Beach is weeks 5-8 and 37-48. I think out of the 16 week period there would be a disproportionately large number of Silver season owners looking for week 37 and then to a slightly lesser extent week 38 and Thanksgiving. If you are open to Friday, Saturday or Sunday check ins or are willing to fall back on 38 or 39 you wouldn't need to book at 12 months but if you want a Saturday check in and want early September I wouldn't risk it by waiting to call in.

 

[Deb from NC]

So, the Sumday price on this seems really low to me...what am I missing?
Would less than $500 for Myrtle Beach pass ROFR ?
Our favorite time to go to the beach is fall-usually late fall-and we prefer Friday check-ins so I'm trying to see how I could go wrong with something like this.... ?

 

[Pens_Fan]

If you are buying it to primarily stay there, why bother purchasing a Silver week?

I like the OceanWatch resort and go there every year in January/February using Interval Getaways. I have never paid more than $500 for a week, and I don't have to pay maintenance fees. I can't imagine that late fall weeks would be any harder to pick up.

If you are purchasing it for the Marriott trade preference as well, then the $500 price will probably get through ROFR. I can't imagine Marriott fighting you for a silver week.

 

[Deb from NC]

If you are buying it to primarily stay there, why bother purchasing a Silver week?

I like the OceanWatch resort and go there every year in January/February using Interval Getaways. I have never paid more than $500 for a week, and I don't have to pay maintenance fees. I can't imagine that late fall weeks would be any harder to pick up.

If you are purchasing it for the Marriott trade preference as well, then the $500 price will probably get through ROFR. I can't imagine Marriott fighting you for a silver week.

Wow... I had no idea you could pick up a getaway for that little. I need to look into that too...... I'm still in the learning/gathering information phase where Marriott is concerned ! I just know that we have NEVER been disappointed when we've traded into a Marriott.

 

[tschwa2]

I don't think it is going to be that simple. January and February are Bronze and September and October is going to have more demand. I think Getaways if available would be around the same as MF's for September maybe slightly less and then dropping down to $700-800 by mid November.

 

[Pens_Fan]

Currently on Interval:

Feb 06 2016 - Feb 13 2016
2 6 8
$397.00 $372.00 $347.00



Feb 26 2016 - Mar 04 2016
2 6 8
$507.00 $482.00 $457.00



Feb 27 2016 - Mar 05 2016
2 6 8
$507.00 $482.00 $457.00



Feb 28 2016 - Mar 06 2016
2 6 8
$507.00 $482.00 $457.0

Weeks 1-4 are bronze, 5-8 are silver and 9-17 are gold at OceanWatch. The first Getaway is a silver week, the last three are gold.

I would expect the fall weeks to be similar in price.

 

[Deb from NC]

Weird...in my experience September, October and even into November are usually really nice weather at the SC beaches. Jan and Feb not so much. I'm surprised that fall isn't considered a 'higher' season.....

 

[SueDonJ]

Since you're talking about OceanWatch at Myrtle Beach you should be aware that some Weeks were sold with an "Ultimate Occupancy" provision, meaning that the unit number contained in the deed MAY NOT REFLECT the actual view designation of a Week. Basically, while the resort was being developed and sold in stages, it was possible to buy a Week with a specific view type in a building that was not yet open for occupancy. During the interim period until build-out was complete, affected owners were allowed to stay in a different view/unit type. The resort has long since been completed so no interim placements are occurring now.

Not all Weeks at the resort are affected. It's necessary to confirm through Owner Services whether or not any individual Weeks are affected. DO NOT RELY ON THE UNIT NUMBER CONTAINED IN THE DEED to confirm the view type, and do not expect the resort personnel to be able to confirm it either - the resort personnel are not aware of Ultimate Occupancy and can't access the necessary records.

As far as TUG is aware, OceanWatch and SurfWatch are the only two resorts which may be affected by Ultimate Occupancy.

See this TUG thread: just won a silver Myrtle Beach for $449 +closing. Why so cheap? [Ultimate Occupancy?]

 

[Deb from NC]

Since you're talking about OceanWatch at Myrtle Beach you should be aware that some Weeks were sold with an "Ultimate Occupancy" provision, meaning that the unit number contained in the deed MAY NOT REFLECT the actual view designation of a Week. Basically, while the resort was being developed and sold in stages, it was possible to buy a Week with a specific view type in a building that was not yet open for occupancy. During the interim period until build-out was complete, affected owners were allowed to stay in a different view/unit type. The resort has long since been completed so no interim placements are occurring now.

Not all Weeks at the resort are affected. It's necessary to confirm through Owner Services whether or not any individual Weeks are affected. DO NOT RELY ON THE UNIT NUMBER CONTAINED IN THE DEED to confirm the view type, and do not expect the resort personnel to be able to confirm it either - the resort personnel are not aware of Ultimate Occupancy and can't access the necessary records.

As far as TUG is aware, OceanWatch and SurfWatch are the only two resorts which may be affected by Ultimate Occupancy.

See this TUG thread: just won a silver Myrtle Beach for $449 +closing. Why so cheap? [Ultimate Occupancy?]

Very helpful thread....thanks so much. Much to think about!

 

[Deb from NC]

More questions about Marriott

Hi all,
We are still contemplating a Marriott purchase and have still more questions. If, for example, we buy a week (resale) at Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach and we want to trade one year for someplace like Palm Springs. Is there an internal system outside of Interval to do that ? Or if we use Interval, do we get a reduced exchange fee for trading into another Marriott? And how hard is that to do ?
I notice fewer and fewer choices available in II with my non-Marriott weeks; is
it the same case for Marriott owners, or is there tons of availability in the Marriott preference period (and how long is that)?.
And if you were buying now, would you buy into the points system or a deeded week (both resale of course).
Thanks in advance for your advice, and please forgive my ignorance of the Marriott system!
Deb

 

[alexb]

Marriott purchase

What time of year to you intend to visit hhi

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Hi all,
We are still contemplating a Marriott purchase and have still more questions. If, for example, we buy a week (resale) at Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach and we want to trade one year for someplace like Palm Springs. Is there an internal system outside of Interval to do that ? Or if we use Interval, do we get a reduced exchange fee for trading into another Marriott? And how hard is that to do ?
I notice fewer and fewer choices available in II with my non-Marriott weeks; is
it the same case for Marriott owners, or is there tons of availability in the Marriott preference period (and how long is that)?.
And if you were buying now, would you buy into the points system or a deeded week (both resale of course).
Thanks in advance for your advice, and please forgive my ignorance of the Marriott system!
Deb

Marriott does have an internal reservation (like trading) system, however it is with only (and amongst) five specific Florida Resorts. It is called "The Florida Club".

Other than that you generally have to use DC Points to make direct Marriott reservations if you don't opt to sign up for Interval International.

DC Points are expensive, so I would suggest a nice resale week to use for trading purposes.

Best of luck.



.

 

[SueDonJ]

Hi all,
We are still contemplating a Marriott purchase and have still more questions. If, for example, we buy a week (resale) at Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach and we want to trade one year for someplace like Palm Springs. Is there an internal system outside of Interval to do that ? Or if we use Interval, do we get a reduced exchange fee for trading into another Marriott? And how hard is that to do ?
I notice fewer and fewer choices available in II with my non-Marriott weeks; is
it the same case for Marriott owners, or is there tons of availability in the Marriott preference period (and how long is that)?.
And if you were buying now, would you buy into the points system or a deeded week (both resale of course).
Thanks in advance for your advice, and please forgive my ignorance of the Marriott system!
Deb

External resale Marriott Weeks are not eligible for enrollment in the Destination Club Points program, which is the only internal Marriott exchange program,* so your exchanges would have to be external. You could use any exchange company but Marriott is affiliated with II so the overwhelming majority of external exchanges are processed through II. There is a reduced exchange fee if you deposit a Marriott Week and include only Marriott properties in your search parameters - even if you include non-Marriotts in the search and confirm into a Marriott, you'll be charged the higher exchange fee. I'm sure someone more familiar with II will be happy to tell you the current exchange fees.

Owner deposits to II do have a Marriott preference attached to them in that they're only available to other Marriott owners for the first 21-24 days. There are exceptions to the preference rules - the time period is reduced to 3 days if the deposit is within 60 days of check-in; and, some deposits made by Marriott of Marriott-held inventory do not carry the preference.

Availability of specific inventory is never guaranteed - unless you're talking about Fixed Weeks - either as owners or exchangers. As should be expected the highest-demand Weeks throughout the system can be difficult to get in exchange because Owners use them (or rent them privately.) I don't know if Marriott/II exchanging is "better or worse" than it used to be, but I wouldn't count on it if your aim is to get high-demand intervals in exchange for low-demand Weeks.

*edited to add - DOH! As TheTimeTraveler said, there's an internal exchange system among a few resorts in The Florida Club; see this document from TUGger dioxide.

Moderator Note: I'll be merging this thread with your similar thread from a month ago, to make it easier for you to review all of the current information.

 

[tschwa2]

You can look at the sightings board for recent availability. Difficult exchanges into prime time 2 br and sometimes even 1 br, with a lot of lead time is still going to be quite difficult even with a Marriott exchanger. You will still need to put in an ongoing request 14-12 months in advance and hope you are on top of the list to get the prime deposits. You do get an M to M exchange discount but I think it is only around $30. If you put non Marriott's on your list you pay the full exchange amount even if you confirm into a Marriott.

Palm Springs even in Feb-March is probably only moderately difficult but if you are restricted to a single week- like your spring break it could be hard. The most difficult would be Ocean Front resorts in SC in the summer, Marriott Crystal Shores most of the year, Hawaii 2br more than 5 months in advance during summer, holidays and whale season, and mid Jan-March 2 br and 1 br in Southern Florida.

 

[Deb from NC]

What time of year to you intend to visit hhi

Spring or fall....not July or August...too hot for me then!

 

[Deb from NC]

Marriott does have an internal reservation (like trading) system, however it is with only (and amongst) five specific Florida Resorts. It is called "The Florida Club".

Other than that you generally have to use DC Points to make direct Marriott reservations if you don't opt to sign up for Interval International.

DC Points are expensive, so I would suggest a nice resale week to use for trading purposes.

Best of luck.



.

Thank you ! I'm currently an interval member so that could work...I was just hoping there was a cheaper option

 

[Deb from NC]

External resale Marriott Weeks are not eligible for enrollment in the Destination Club Points program, which is the only internal Marriott exchange program,* so your exchanges would have to be external. You could use any exchange company but Marriott is affiliated with II so the overwhelming majority of external exchanges are processed through II. There is a reduced exchange fee if you deposit a Marriott Week and include only Marriott properties in your search parameters - even if you include non-Marriotts in the search and confirm into a Marriott, you'll be charged the higher exchange fee. I'm sure someone more familiar with II will be happy to tell you the current exchange fees.

Owner deposits to II do have a Marriott preference attached to them in that they're only available to other Marriott owners for the first 21-24 days. There are exceptions to the preference rules - the time period is reduced to 3 days if the deposit is within 60 days of check-in; and, some deposits made by Marriott of Marriott-held inventory do not carry the preference.

Availability of specific inventory is never guaranteed - unless you're talking about Fixed Weeks - either as owners or exchangers. As should be expected the highest-demand Weeks throughout the system can be difficult to get in exchange because Owners use them (or rent them privately.) I don't know if Marriott/II exchanging is "better or worse" than it used to be, but I wouldn't count on it if your aim is to get high-demand intervals in exchange for low-demand Weeks.

*edited to add - DOH! As TheTimeTraveler said, there's an internal exchange system among a few resorts in The Florida Club; see this document from TUGger dioxide.

Moderator Note: I'll be merging this thread with your similar thread from a month ago, to make it easier for you to review all of the current information.

Thanks all...I feel like I'm getting closer to getting a good understanding of the system. We do really like the Marriott resorts !!