Please Post the Positive things You See with The New Points Program

[saturn28]

I know most people are upset with the new points chart that requires more points to stay at similar resorts than we are being given by Marriott to turn our weeks into points, but there are some positive things to the new system. I thought it may be easier for those who are looking for the positive things about the new Points Option to have a thread where people can read and post positive things about it. That way we will have all the information when making a decission on whether to join.

A few positive things for me are

1) As a resale owner, I will be able to convert my week into Marriott Reward Points.

2) I will be to use the points to break up my week and stay at different resorts for shorter stays

 

[WelcomeHome]

Only ONE Positive!

I think it's very positive that Marriott's new program will most likely return "Dead on Arrival" and produce a collosal loss of market share and ruined reputation as a result of Marriott's greed!

Best wishes,
David

 

[ArtsieAng]

I know most people are upset with the new points chart that requires more points to stay at similar resorts than we are being given by Marriott to turn our weeks into points, but there are some positive things to the new system. I thought it may be easier for those who are looking for the positive things about the new Points Option to have a thread where people can read and post positive things about it. That way we will have all the information when making a decission on whether to join.

A few positive things for me are

1) As a resale owner, I will be able to convert my week into Marriott Reward Points.
2) I will be to use the points to break up my week and stay at different resorts for shorter stays

I just read this post by Dave.....

Dave M

I don't think resale owners who join the points program will be able to trade the use of their week for Marriott Rewards points. I think you missed the definition of "Eligible Member":

Only (i) certain designated Exchange Members who acquired their Interest from Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. (“MORI”), (ii) certain designated Exchange Members who acquired their Interest in a resale transaction brokered by MORI, or a subsidiary or affiliated company of MORI, or a MORI approved broker, (iii) certain designated transferees who acquired their Interest via will or intestate succession from an owner described in (i) or (ii) above, (iv) certain designated present or future children of an owner described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, or (v) certain designated owners of an Interest in an Affiliate Program (“Eligible Members”) are eligible to participate in the Program.

 

[saturn28]

I just read this post by Dave.....

I talked to Marriott Owner Service yesterday and I was told I would be eligble for Marriott Reward Program. So, if anyone wants to know if they would be eligble, just call in and they will tell you. I bought all my weeks on Ebay, so I expect most people should be in the same situation as me.

 

[ArtsieAng]

I talked to Marriott Owner Service yesterday and I was told I would be eligble for Marriott Reward Program.

OK, it's probably one of those things that really needs to be thoroughly checked out, to be certain. Seems that there's some question to whether or not that's true.

 

[dima]

I think resale weeks will be eligible for MRP.
When I started enrollment my resale week was counted and assigned point value. Plus they charge more to convert resale week to point programm.
So, resale week get points too.

 

[kedler]

I just read this post by Dave.....

There is an interesting caveat on the webpage telling us how wonderful the program is:

"Access to the Marriott Collection is provided via membership in the Marriott Rewards® program, and is subject to the Marriott Rewards Terms & Conditions and the terms and conditions as outlined in the applicable Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program documents. Actual participating resorts and hotels are subject to change. The Marriott Rewards program may be discontinued at any time. Some Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program members will be unable to trade their usage for Marriott Rewards points."

I have a developer purchased EOY week that has never been eligible to trade for MR and I assume it will remain ineligible though I will call and ask. I don't know if my resale weeks' owners had the right to exchange for points but if they did then I believe that I will get that right for those weeks which will be a positive for me as we tend to use them for airline tickets or hotel rooms from time to time.

Other positives:

2. More options on a yearly basis and I think the Explorer option for cruising is better than II's current monetary credits towards a cruise, especially as it is currently "per couple". We like to cruise ever few years and if I could do it with my Marriott ownership without shelling out lots of extra cash that would be a positive for me.

3. I like flexibility and more choices and I think that this program will provide both. This flexibility comes at a fee of course which is not so positive but I trade alot and pay II fees on a per week basis not a flat fee per year basis. I haven't done the cost analysis yet but I know I'm spent at least $300 in II exchange fees plus the cost of membership in their program.

4. For better or worse, I think that without joining if I go to sell one or more of my weeks the pool of prospective buyers is greatly reduced if I'm not a member. I don't intend on selling but I don't think I want to take an action that will reduce the resale purchaser's pool.

We are going to be at Grande Vista week starting this Sunday and we've decided to go to one of those darn sales presentations to see what we can learn. I'll also be calling Marriott to ask lots of questions. I'll let you know if I find any more positives or if IMO the positives I'm listed don't exist.

 

[marksue]

Only positive thing I see is that there are no positive things so Marriott will have to rethink this program.

I can picture Marriott execs coming up with this program thinking, how much can we continue to take from our owners.

 

[larue]

I am not sure I will join, but so far, here are the positives I have come up with:

1. As a resale owner I will be able to exchange for reward points (confirmed with two separate calls to owner services yesterday, including speaking to a supervisor). This was the only difference between my resale weeks and developer weeks and I will be able to erase that difference for my two weeks for $1,995.
2. With the way that I use my two weeks, including lock off fees, reservation date change fees (because I reserve a good early week, lock off and deposit and then change my master unit reservations later to the week I actually intend to use), Interval membership, exchange fees of $109 each for the lock off, etc., I will save approximately $288 per year, meaning that I break even after 7 years in the program.
3. I will be able to use only the days I need. I try to link my trips up with frequent flier miles availability and I often end up leaving a day or two of my unit on the table because my low miles seats were only available on a Wednesday or Thursday return. Example is going to Hawaii at Thanksgiving for the week before and week of last year, when the only low cost miles seats involved a return on Thursday night even though I had the unit until Saturday. I can now pay points for 12 instead of 14 days in such an instance, which pretty much wipes out the points differential (the difference between the points they are granting me and what it would hypothetically cost to get back into the same unit using points) that I don't like anymore than anyone else.

What I don't like:

1. Point differential of what they give me and what they charge others to use the same unit, though this does not really bother me too much as I will just stay at my home resort without points when I want to. It will mean that I will come up short in many cases to stay in a comparable unit (e.g. Waiohai, Kuaui Lagoons, etc.), which bothers me. At the same time, I recognize that Marriott is trying to make a profit like every other business, and I can see why they "buy low and sell high" which is the business motto.
2. The lack of something similar to flexchange in the points system. I have used my studio efficiency to trade for a two bedroom many times during flexchange and have gotten some great trades that way that won't work with points. Example is that I have used the studio efficiency to get Newport Coast Villas at 4th of July and Easter both. This has been one of the best things about having a lockoff and I will miss it. I tend to think this is gone whether I join the points system or not given the analysis on these posts of how Marriott will be buying up all the inventory.
3. The way that Marriott seeks to control my vote as an owner at Ko Olina. The enrollment document says that I cannot vote contrary to Marriott's interest, in their discretion, including voting to take Ko Olina out of the Points program. This seems very heavy handed.
4. The variable nature of the program, which can change down the road like Marriott has already done with the Rewards program. I am not sure this will change much, as it has more to do with Marriott's approach to the whole way of doing business.

Again, I am not sure I will join, but if, as a result of their program, nothing is left in Interval from the Marriott units into which I almost always exchange, I might as well. I will be thinking about it and studying further until August when the 800 point bonus expires.

 

[thinze3]

32 MR rewards points per Vacation Club point

Marriott Rewards Points
Vacation Club Points may be traded for Marriott Rewards points. Any trades must be made no later than nine months before the end of the Use Year. For example, if your Anniversary occurs on May 1st of 2012, you must trade for Marriott Rewards points by July 31st of 2012. You will receive the Marriott Rewards points in your Marriott Rewards account within 48 hours.

Currently, a minimum of at least 250 Vacation Club Points may be traded for Marriott Rewards points.

Currently, 250 Vacation Club Points will be equivalent to 8,000 Marriott Rewards points.

For example, a Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owner who trades 3,000 Vacation Club Points will receive 96,000 Marriott Rewards points.

Remember, each year,
Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners may trade up to 50% of their annual allotment of Vacation Club Points for Marriott Rewards points.

Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners with Premier status may trade up to 65%.

Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners with Premier-Plus status may trade up to 75%.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Marriott Rewards Points
Vacation Club Points may be traded for Marriott Rewards points. Any trades must be made no later than nine months before the end of the Use Year. For example, if your Anniversary occurs on May 1st of 2012, you must trade for Marriott Rewards points by July 31st of 2012. You will receive the Marriott Rewards points in your Marriott Rewards account within 48 hours.

Currently, a minimum of at least 250 Vacation Club Points may be traded for Marriott Rewards points.

Currently, 250 Vacation Club Points will be equivalent to 8,000 Marriott Rewards points.

For example, a Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owner who trades 3,000 Vacation Club Points will receive 96,000 Marriott Rewards points.

Remember, each year,
Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners may trade up to 50% of their annual allotment of Vacation Club Points for Marriott Rewards points.

Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners with Premier status may trade up to 65%.

Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners with Premier-Plus status may trade up to 75%.

.



I see that your allowed to trade a limited number of Marriott Vacation Club Points for Marriott Reward Points. However is it allowed somewhere in the fine print to exchange MRP for MVCP ?

If so, how many Marriott Reward Points would you need to obtain each Marriott Vacation Club Points ?




.

 

[marksue]

I
Again, I am not sure I will join, but if, as a result of their program, nothing is left in Interval from the Marriott units into which I almost always exchange, I might as well. I will be thinking about it and studying further until August when the 800 point bonus expires.

You can still turn your units into II. Marriott is keping thier original plan in place with II. Based on what I ahve read so far, many people will still be using the original II plan.

I just spoke to Marriott and asked about the benefits to owners and all they could tell me is that they are trying to be competive with the competition and know this would not work for many owners. I asked a couple of times to the benefits and could not get an answer.

 

[smokies]

Marriott Rewards Points
Vacation Club Points may be traded for Marriott Rewards points. Any trades must be made no later than nine months before the end of the Use Year. For example, if your Anniversary occurs on May 1st of 2012, you must trade for Marriott Rewards points by July 31st of 2012. You will receive the Marriott Rewards points in your Marriott Rewards account within 48 hours.

Currently, a minimum of at least 250 Vacation Club Points may be traded for Marriott Rewards points.

Currently, 250 Vacation Club Points will be equivalent to 8,000 Marriott Rewards points.

For example, a Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owner who trades 3,000 Vacation Club Points will receive 96,000 Marriott Rewards points.

Remember, each year,
Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners may trade up to 50% of their annual allotment of Vacation Club Points for Marriott Rewards points.

Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners with Premier status may trade up to 65%.

Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Owners with Premier-Plus status may trade up to 75%.

Where did you find this? That is pretty significant.

 

[thinze3]

Where did you find this? That is pretty significant.

https://www.my-vacationclub.com/en-us/owners/1_tradingPoints.jsp

 

[Asia2000]

Where did you find this? That is pretty significant.

It is actually less MR points than you would get if you were a "purchased from Marriott" deeded week owner. A 3,000 club point equivalent deeded week would net you 125,000 MR points under the original system "if you bought from Marriott".

Before you get excited, see what 96,000 MR points will give you. Then compare the retail value of your "destinations club point" 5 night stay or in some rare cases, a full week using your club points. Or 8-9 days only staying on a Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed or Thursday night.

 

[ArtsieAng]

It is actually less MR points than you would get if you were a "purchased from Marriott" deeded week owner. A 3,000 club point equivalent deeded week would net you 125,000 MR points under the original system "if you bought from Marriott".

Before you get excited, see what 96,000 MR points will give you. Then compare the retail value of your "destinations club point" 5 night stay or in some rare cases, a full week using your club points. Or 8-9 days only staying on a Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed or Thursday night.

I have an allocated 2075 point week (MFV) that gives me 100,000 points.

 

[marksue]

You can only trade in 50% of the vacation club points. Not much you can do with 45k points.

If you need the points right away just trade in your unit (in most cases).

 

[bogey21]

but there are some positive things to the new system.

Like great for Marriott stockholders!!

George

 

[Dave M]

I still think it's not a sure bet to exchange resale week usage for MR points. The footnote to Terry's quoted language makes it clear that the ability to trade is subject to the rules in the language quoted for me in the third post in this thread and also includes:

Some Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program Enrolled Owners will be unable to trade their usage for Marriott Rewards points.

 

[Janette]

I just talked with a very polite person on the telephone. He agreed that there is a problem with the value of a week not being the same as what is required to trade into the week. He also agreed that the inventory in sold-out resorts will not be as good as those that are not sold-out. He did not push the point system and indicated that Marriott and owners need to do more research. Maybe he was polite because I didn't bite off his head. We are Disney members and their points work great for us. The difference is that we bought points and were aware of exactly what we would get for them. I'm a positive person who enjoys Marriott vacations so I'm not in a panic mood. I'm heading to Barony and GO in a couple of weeks and nothing will ruin my vacation.

 

[1965]

i just called MVC owner servies. I can get Marriott Reward points for my Marriott Resales when I pay the $1995 fee but I must do it by June 22,2010 800 PM?
anyone told different?

I was offered 125,000 Marriott Reward points for my 2900 marriott Disney Vacation club points
that are the allocaton
for Marriott Desert Springs phase #2/Platinmum

Pls anyone, anything different to you??

 

[dougp26364]

I talked to Marriott Owner Service yesterday and I was told I would be eligble for Marriott Reward Program. So, if anyone wants to know if they would be eligble, just call in and they will tell you. I bought all my weeks on Ebay, so I expect most people should be in the same situation as me.

Just one word of advice. Get it in writing. From some of the posts I've read it does not appear Marriott did an excellent job of training their telephone reps. There have been variences in what's been told. DaveM posted what is in writing. If you're willing to take a reps word over what's in writing, go for it.

 

[dougp26364]

4. For better or worse, I think that without joining if I go to sell one or more of my weeks the pool of prospective buyers is greatly reduced if I'm not a member. I don't intend on selling but I don't think I want to take an action that will reduce the resale purchaser's pool.

Are you under the impression that, if you join your club membership will transfer to another buyer if you sell? You'd better read the fine print. It's my understanding that, after 6/20/2010 NO resale purchases are eligable to join. It's also my understanding that, those who want to buy Marriott Trust points on the resale market will have to pay a fee of $2,000 to be eligable to participate in the program. That's not deeded weeks but trust points purchased after the 6/20.

If you're thinking that joining this program will somehow protect your future resale value I fear you may be wrong. I'm pretty sure the membership is yours and yours alone and will not transfer upon the sale of your ownership.

 

[dougp26364]

i just called MVC owner servies. I can get Marriott Reward points for my Marriott Resales when I pay the $1995 fee but I must do it by June 22,2010 800 PM?
anyone told different?

I was offered 125,000 Marriott Reward points for my 2900 marriott Disney Vacation club points
that are the allocaton
for Marriott Desert Springs phase #2/Platinmum

Pls anyone, anything different to you??

When you compare this to the cost of buying MR points direct from Marriott, aren't you coming out on the short end of the stick? You have to pay your MF's, the joiner fee and the yearly membership fee for 125,000 Marriott Rewards points. That doesn't seem like a deal to me.

 

[dougp26364]

I just talked with a very polite person on the telephone. He agreed that there is a problem with the value of a week not being the same as what is required to trade into the week. He also agreed that the inventory in sold-out resorts will not be as good as those that are not sold-out. He did not push the point system and indicated that Marriott and owners need to do more research. Maybe he was polite because I didn't bite off his head. We are Disney members and their points work great for us. The difference is that we bought points and were aware of exactly what we would get for them. I'm a positive person who enjoys Marriott vacations so I'm not in a panic mood. I'm heading to Barony and GO in a couple of weeks and nothing will ruin my vacation.

I belong to two points based reservations systems. The points given to me for my weeks are the exact number of points required to reserve those weeks. I can reserve them for that number of points and anyone else in the program can reserve them for that number of points. They are balanced systems. Marriott's system should be balanced as well but, it's not.