Surrendering Vistana

[TUGBrian]

I personally have a genuine distaste for a company that charges a fee to surrender a unit while said company is still in active sales.

much like sales tax on a used car every time its sold over and over again, some things just dont add up.

 

[dioxide45]

Why all the pushback on a fee? Marriott is a business. They have costs associated with processing a deed back. In the end they're doing the owner a favor by releasing them from future maintenance fee payments. Yes, they are receiving back the ownership which they can stick in a trust or resell but in many cases they're facing the same economics as the owner with things renting for less than high maintenance fees, etc.

I think so many of us here are conditioned to immediately criticize Marriott for anything that they charge. There are options to avoid the fee but require more work on the part of the owner. If the owner decides they want to avoid that work/hassle and just have it handled to where they won't owe any more money, then paying a fee to do that is reasonable IMHO.

It just seems that Marriott wants to squeeze an extra nickel out of an owner only to reduce their inventory costs when they resell the week as points.

 

[dmurray007]

I personally have a genuine distaste for a company that charges a fee to surrender a unit while said company is still in active sales.

much like sales tax on a used car every time its sold over and over again, some things just dont add up.

Don't ever reside in Canada because every time you sell a used car, the Federal and Provincial Governments will collect GST (Goods and Services Tax, aka Grab and Steal or Gouge and Swindle Tax).

 

[kozykritter]

It just seems that Marriott wants to squeeze an extra nickel out of an owner only to reduce their inventory costs when they resell the week as points.

Fee for service isn't a concept unique to Marriott, though. It's the basis for all for-profit companies and even some nonprofit organizations. But I hear you on the PTSD of it all!

 

[jabberwocky]

Don't ever reside in Canada because every time you sell a used car, the Federal and Provincial Governments will collect GST (Goods and Services Tax, aka Grab and Steal or Gouge and Swindle Tax).

not all used car sales are subject to GST. If you buy privately (non-GST registrant or dealer) then no GST is charged.

 

[Rottentot]

Started process to give this back to Marriott. They were very prompt on accepting it back for free, surprise! 400.00 fee, 120 days to complete, will update as it goes along.

I started my process last November...mine was free.

 

[Iwant2gonow]

Thanks to Tugs I am well on my way to Marriott accepting my Deedback. I just sent in my $400 payment. Thank you for all of the great information!

 

[heitmullerj02]

Signed Docs today, will see how long it takes to get the deed release. Looks like 2 months to get it all done.

 

[myip]

Marriott offered to take back Sheraton Broadway resort in Myrtle beach no fees. Stated closure would take 120 days.

Who did you contact to take back the deed?

 

[dioxide45]

Who did you contact to take back the deed?

The Marriott Vacation Clubs | Responsible Exit

Learn how to safely exit your Marriott timeshare with guidance from Responsible Exit. Discover verified programs and how to avoid common exit company scams.

responsibleexit.com

 

[heitmullerj02]

Vistana just cancelled my 2026 reservation, looks like it's done, started late April.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Always try to give your week away here on TUG before reaching out to Owner Services. I gave away a gold season Marriott Willow Ridge EOY and had many offers for it. I wouldn't deedback anything we own currently. I would stop paying on Hono Koa starting in use year 2027.

 

[Iwant2gonow]

I completed the process and no longer am an owner at Vistana. So happy to not have a bill coming in January!! I still own an EOY 3 bedroom in New England.

 

[jabberwocky]

Congrats!

 

[vistanapita]

Started process to give this back to Marriott. They were very prompt on accepting it back for free, surprise! 400.00 fee, 120 days to complete, will update as it goes along.

Hi heitmullerj02,

I contacted this team + things started off well. I paid the $400 I have it in writing that I will retain unused StarPoints from previous years and my 2026 allocation, the fees for which I need to pay. However, within a few days, I started getting emails from 'Owner Services' telling me that any unused usage will be forfeited if not used before the deedback process is completed - specifically: "Please be advised, any remaining usage left on this account at time of closing is forfeited". After much time trying to understand what the real situation is, I received an email today from Owner Services' stating: "The deadline to use the usage is November 23, 2025; otherwise, the StarOptions will be forfeited. "

I don't know how this is going to play out, but I recommend you get as much confirmation as possible that any accumlated usage won't be lost.

Started process to give this back to Marriott. They were very prompt on accepting it back for free, surprise! 400.00 fee, 120 days to complete, will update as it goes along.

 

[vistanapita]

I completed the process and no longer am an owner at Vistana. So happy to not have a bill coming in January!! I still own an EOY 3 bedroom in New England.

Can I ask how long the process took ? I just started speaking to the Exit Services Team + they gave me a very wide window. Thanks.

 

[dioxide45]

Hi heitmullerj02,

I contacted this team + things started off well. I paid the $400 I have it in writing that I will retain unused StarPoints from previous years and my 2026 allocation, the fees for which I need to pay. However, within a few days, I started getting emails from 'Owner Services' telling me that any unused usage will be forfeited if not used before the deedback process is completed - specifically: "Please be advised, any remaining usage left on this account at time of closing is forfeited". After much time trying to understand what the real situation is, I received an email today from Owner Services' stating: "The deadline to use the usage is November 23, 2025; otherwise, the StarOptions will be forfeited. "

I don't know how this is going to play out, but I recommend you get as much confirmation as possible that any accumlated usage won't be lost.

My understanding is that you need to make reservations with your 2026 StarOptions before the process is completed. You can then keep those reservations and can't manage them online. When the transfer is done, you lose your VSN membership and won't have an online account. I believe @Cornell went through a similar process and could perhaps weigh in.

 

[Iwant2gonow]

Can I ask how long the process took ? I just started speaking to the Exit Services Team + they gave me a very wide window. Thanks.

For us it took 4 1/2 to 5 months. The extra time was partly because we were vacationing and not checking our email and also because the title company sent the incorrect pages to be signed the first time so so we had to wait and sign again.