We just spend a week at Monarch on Hilton Head Island and are now at Ocean Watch in Myrtle Beach.
One observation to add to the mystery . . . the elevator signs that usually promote the sales tours and offer a choice of either Marriott Vouchers for local attractions/restaurant or points now only mention the vouchers and not the points. I noticed this at Monarch where the tours are for Surf Watch. Last year points were offered and mentioned in all advertisements.
Also on the lists of daily activities at Monarch was a program about learning about Ritz Carlton and using points for the Ritz Carlton . . . we did not attend (got busy and forgot), but this seemed strange to specifically be targeting Ritz Carlton.
Today we took the tour at Ocean Watch on Myrtle Beach. I remembered some of what was being discussed here and asked a couple of questions.
I asked about a new internal exchange program. I was told that since I asked she (the sales rep) was allow to say that the program would becoming out in March. She further said all the sales personnel had been informed but were not supposed to be talking about it unless they were asked. She did not discuss the details but she said a few things I either was not aware of or had not heard before.
I asked if resale purchases and timeshares purchased directly from Marriott would be treated differently in regards to exchanging. She said there is no difference.
According to her, the 24 day Marriott advantage for Marriott deposits and owners does not show up with II on the computer system. When Interval gets a Marriott deposit they are required to hold it for the use of Marriott for 24 days. The only way a Marriott owner finds out about a unit that is in the 24 day window is by talking to your Marriott Adviser. She stressed several times that I should call my adviser and establish a report with my adviser. She indicated this was important. She also said the Marriott desk at II may know about some of the units but not all the units available within the 24 day "hold for Marriott Owners" period. Anyone using the computer will not see those units. Upon reflection, I am wondering if the owner's home resort may have access to the inventory prior to the general Marriott owners who do not own at a Marriott resort they are hoping to exchange into. This may be part of the new program. My next paragraph will shed a little light into why I am thinking this might be a possibility. This is only speculation on my part.
The sales rep also claimed that within the exchange hierarchy it is possible (though not always probable) for a bronze week owner to get a Platinum week at anytime . . .not just within the 59 day period. She stated that all owners at their home resort have priority over all other exchanger who do not own at a certain resort, including Marriott owners exchanging from another Marriott resort in their same season, irregardless of the season they own. So, when you go through the pecking order of Marriott owners in their home resort exchanging into the season they own, giving priority to multiple week owners staying at their home resort, before a week is offered to II, any owner in any season at their home resort has a priority over any other Marriott owner or outside exchanger. Thus, if a bronze owner calls and asks for a platinum week, if one is available it goes to the bronze week owner in their home resort if there are no other high priority request unfulfilled. She said she would not buy a bronze week with the hope of exchanging into a platinum but it does occasionally happen. Hopefully you all will be able to understand what it is I am trying to explain
Let me know your thoughts.. . as if I had to ask
