Newbie Marriott Vacation Club Questions

[billycwhatup]

Hi Everyone:
A few admittedly newbie questions as I continue to learn....

By way of background, I am flirting with purchasing a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare...

1. In a floating week membership, at what point in advance can a reservation be made? Is it a mad dash at midnight on Date XX where everyone tries to book the same week?

2. Is a "floating platinum week" in, say, Aruba valued at the same level as a floating platinum week in Hawaii, Florida or wherever else?

3. How likely is it that a floating platinum week person would get their choice of weeks? How about at non-home other Marriott VC properties?

I'm sure they'll be more. Thanks in advance.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

Marriott and II info

A good starting point is the Marriott FAQs that can be found on the Stickies on top the Marriott forum.... or directly at:
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391

Also II exchange information at the Sticky at the top of the Echange forum.
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74057

Hope that gets you started...

Hi Everyone:
A few admittedly newbie questions as I continue to learn....

By way of background, I am flirting with purchasing a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare...

1. In a floating week membership, at what point in advance can a reservation be made? Is it a mad dash at midnight on Date XX where everyone tries to book the same week?

2. Is a "floating platinum week" in, say, Aruba valued at the same level as a floating platinum week in Hawaii, Florida or wherever else?

3. How likely is it that a floating platinum week person would get their choice of weeks? How about at non-home other Marriott VC properties?

I'm sure they'll be more. Thanks in advance.

 

[thinze3]

Hi Everyone:
A few admittedly newbie questions as I continue to learn....

By way of background, I am flirting with purchasing a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare...

1. In a floating week membership, at what point in advance can a reservation be made? Is it a mad dash at midnight on Date XX where everyone tries to book the same week?

2. Is a "floating platinum week" in, say, Aruba valued at the same level as a floating platinum week in Hawaii, Florida or wherever else?

3. How likely is it that a floating platinum week person would get their choice of weeks? How about at non-home other Marriott VC properties?

I'm sure they'll be more. Thanks in advance.

Start calling Marriott at 8:59am ET 12 months before your first check-in date of your resort. Example: If your resort has a Thursday check-in then call 12 months before that Thursday.

NO! All resorts are valued differently. Platinum Hawaii will probably be valued more than Platinum Florida, for instance.

Up to 50% of the weeks may already be booked by multiple week owners 'before' you (a single week owner) make your call at 8:59am ET. Sometimes prime week can be difficult to get at sold out resorts. To get any other resort, you must trade your week through Interval International. If you request a week 52 at a ski resort, your chances are not very good. If you request July in Orlando, your chances will be much better.

Terry

 

[billycwhatup]

Thanks so much for the info

 

[tlwmkw]

Beware of Aruba

If you look at some of the other threads on this site you will see that the Aruba properties are having some issues (especially the Ocean Club) and you may not want to buy there.

To answer your question about scheduling your week- it is recommended to call at the 12 month mark but I do know of some people who have waited and still been able to get the week that they want. I wouldn't depend on this and to be certain of your desired week you would probably want to call at the 12 month point. When buying look at how long the Platinum season is- sometimes if it is long it can be hard to get the more desirable weeks (when school is out or Presidents day or other special breaks)- NCV is a good example of this. Good luck!

 

[toocherie]

can I add a question?

I was looking at one listing on ebay (for Newport Coast) and it said it was "white" season but trades "red" for Interval International. Does that sound right?

I will probably not be using a timeshare for "prime" summer times or holidays so would I be ok buying a Marriott with lower than platinum season?

 

[FlyerBobcat]

I was looking at one listing on ebay (for Newport Coast) and it said it was "white" season but trades "red" for Interval International. Does that sound right?

I will probably not be using a timeshare for "prime" summer times or holidays so would I be ok buying a Marriott with lower than platinum season?

I believe that NVC trades RED with II all year long. Marriott has two season there, plus the Platinum Plus and Holiday weeks.

In general, the recommendation on this board is: Buy during the season that you will be using your TS. Of course there is a LOT more to it than that, but it's a general rule.

 

[m61376]

If you look at some of the other threads on this site you will see that the Aruba properties are having some issues (especially the Ocean Club) and you may not want to buy there.

Just so the OP doesn't get the wrong impression- the Marriott properties in Aruba are still very high demand resorts and have excellent trade value (almost as good as Hawaii). The Ocean Club issues, while definitely something to consider before purchasing, are not so much the quality of the resort but the special assessment for the next two years for refurbishment and repairs and a jump in the MF's. From what I've seen, this hasn't caused the prices to dive over and above the general economic downturn, but as MF's come due next month and owners have to face the assessment you may find some good deals from anxious owners. The Surf Club, which is a newer property and was built entirely by Marriott rather than utilizing a pre-existing structure apparently with flaws like the OC was, is not having the same issues.

 

[m61376]

can I add a question?

I was looking at one listing on ebay (for Newport Coast) and it said it was "white" season but trades "red" for Interval International. Does that sound right?

I will probably not be using a timeshare for "prime" summer times or holidays so would I be ok buying a Marriott with lower than platinum season?

II has different designations than Marriott, and may identify even off season Marriott weeks ar red weeks, partially because of the quality of the Marriott resorts. However, peak weeks (those more in demand) will be better traders; not all red weeks trade equally.

When determining when you want to travel, make sure to consider your lifestyle now and what it may be in 5 or 10 years. For instance, if you are young and just starting a family, while off season travel may be appealing now, in a few years you will have to deal with school holidays. If you don't have kids to worry about, that's different (although, again, will you want to be able to take grandkids along at some point). Just keep in mind that things change and you don't want to lock yourself into something that will be a problem in a few years down the road.