Thread Dedicated to the Upcoming/Anticipated Integration of Vistana and Marriott Ownerships

[TravelTime]

Here you go again. I’ve used SOs for every use year since I bought my WKV except the last couple due to the pandemic, and I’ve always exchanged for WKORV or other desirable locations at the time I wanted to go.

I even booked Harborside for this year without issue. But go on, keep saying there’s nothing desirable left…


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Glad you find good things at 8 months. Not sure how you do it. Do not get angry at me for sharing my reality. If you have some good tips and tricks, please share them with everyone here. I own Vistana and MVC and MVC is hands down superior, but more expensive to participate in MVC with DPs.

 

[CPNY]

Glad you find good things at 8 months. Not sure how you do it. Do not get angry at me for sharing my reality. If you have some good tips and tricks, please share them with everyone here. I own Vistana and MVC and MVC is hands down superior, but more expensive to participate in MVC with DPs.

Superior is subjective. How can It be superior to me when the 2-3 resorts I love are in the Vistana Network and my Star Options can get me there for 3-4 weeks. I’d have to convert all of my ownerships to get enough DC points for one week at a comparable resort, which wouldn’t be my first choice.

Dont get me wrong, DC is great, but superior is subjective. Vistana will be superior to me until 2024 when HRA can convert. Again, it would probably take all of my vistana ownerships to get a week at HRA via the DC Exchange when my SO will get me 4 weeks in a one bedroom premium, 5 weeks in a one bedroom deluxe (not a Marriott studio).

 

[Ken555]

Glad you find good things at 8 months. Not sure how you do it. Do not get angry at me for sharing my reality. If you have some good tips and tricks, please share them with everyone here. I own Vistana and MVC and MVC is hands down superior, but more expensive to participate in MVC with DPs.

Yikes, I’m not angry. As for sharing…that’s exactly what we have done for as long as I’ve been here. But, as you admitted earlier today in another post, you don’t frequent the Vistana forum that often…

As for comparing Marriott to Westin…well, as I’ve posted before, I’ve been happier with Westin quality and that’s why I bought it. I have still been to 10 or more Marriotts and there’s no way I’m spending a lot to visit them. Forgive me if I say Westin is “hands down superior” to Marriott. I’ve owned since 2005 and been able to go to the locations I wanted when I wanted with StarOptions at an affordable rate, and I’ve visited Marriott’s via II by trading SDO and buying getaway weeks. This isn’t difficult to do, and many of us have been doing it a long, long time.

I have zero interest in giving Marriott any money for a false sense of access based on reports from sales weasels when there is no public documents supporting the program. But I’m glad someone is, since the system has to make money to improve…at least, that was the thinking for years but we haven’t seen a new Westin resort in a long time and without new resorts there seems little reason to give them new money. There are very few Marriott resorts on my list to visit, though I’m sure I would be pleased to see a few - I’ve been considering one of the resorts in Spain and they are frequently available via II. No new money needed.


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[Steve Fatula]

I've only been to one Westin, this past year, Westin Desert Willow, and it's definitely not up to DSV standards (comparing to same area). The rest may be, I have no idea. But this "my timeshare is better than yours" stuff quickly gets out of hand. I've owned Marriott for 23 years now, and I love it, gives me everything I ever wanted for travel (except the website, lol). CPNY is correct, it's subjective. What works for me may not work at all for you, and vice versa. I'm happy for those who own Vistana and love it, better than all the owners who hate their ownership. I suppose emotions are running high due to the merger. Whether we like it or not, we're becoming a little more merged group.

 

[Ken555]

I've only been to one Westin, this past year, Westin Desert Willow, and it's definitely not up to DSV standards (comparing to same area). The rest may be, I have no idea. But this "my timeshare is better than yours" stuff quickly gets out of hand. I've owned Marriott for 23 years now, and I love it, gives me everything I ever wanted for travel (except the website, lol). CPNY is correct, it's subjective. What works for me may not work at all for you, and vice versa. I'm happy for those who own Vistana and love it, better than all the owners who hate their ownership. I suppose emotions are running high due to the merger. Whether we like it or not, we're becoming a little more merged group.

Well, I've been to 10+ Marriotts and I've been to most of the Westins and though it's been a long time since I've been to DSV, I find WDW much nicer given the choice. But then, I prefer the smaller 1-bed units while the Marriott small side is just a hotel room without washer/dryer/full kitchen/etc so it doesn't compare well.

Of course, generally speaking, this is subjective. It always has been, and always will (other than the factual objective differences, such as the simple example of no washer/dryer/full kitchen in the Marriott lock-offs ).

 

[TravelTime]

This is the MVC thread so I think it is okay to state one’s opinion in support of MVC, especially if one owns in both MVC and Vistana. I really love the Ritz Carlton resorts within MVC and that was the #1 reason I decided to buy DPs. For example, in comparing Ritz Carlton St Thomas to Westin St John, I think Ritz Carlton St Thomas is really gorgeous and the location is great. While I love St John, the Westin over there is just okay and the location is not great.

St John used to be one of my top favorite places in the world when Caneel Bay was open. Now, I much prefer staying at Ritz Carlton St Thomas because the resort is fantastic. Many people think St Thomas is inferior for some reason. I think St Thomas is really nice and a great place to stay. I think it gets a bad rap due to all the cruise ships. This reminds me of how Oahu has a bad reputation due to Honolulu. I avoided Oahu for 20+ years. When I finally forced myself to visit Oahu, I fell in love with the island. The ocean around Oahu is most like the Caribbean to me.

 

[CPNY]

This is the MVC thread so I think it is okay to state one’s opinion in support of MVC, especially if one owns in both MVC and Vistana. I really love the Ritz Carlton resorts within MVC and that was the #1 reason I decided to buy DPs. For example, in comparing Ritz Carlton St Thomas to Westin St John, I think Ritz Carlton St Thomas is really gorgeous and the location is great. While I love St John, the Westin over there is just okay and the location is not great.

St John used to be one of my top favorite places in the world when Caneel Bay was open. Now, I much prefer staying at Ritz Carlton St Thomas because the resort is fantastic. Many people think St Thomas is inferior for some reason. I think St Thomas is really nice and a great place to stay. I think it gets a bad rap due to all the cruise ships. This reminds me of how Oahu has a bad reputation due to Honolulu. I avoided Oahu for 20+ years. When I finally forced myself to visit Oahu, I fell in love with the island. The ocean around Oahu is most like the Caribbean to me.

Keep in mind I haven’t stayed at MFC or the Ritz on St Thomas but St. John seems like a different vibe compared to st Thomas. One feels like an unspoiled island and the other a generic Caribbean island. From what I’ve seen, the beaches on St John are amazing. I haven’t seen the beach at the Ritz or STT.

Westin St John is a great place to explore the island from. To me it’s not a place I’d want to stay a full day at the resort. It reminds me of the Harborside. Both are Great to stay and enjoy small pieces of time at their pool on occasion (travel day/after a Long Beach day) but the real draw for both is paradise island/Atlantis for HRA and the beaches of St John for WSJ. It’s different for the Ritz. The whole idea of the Ritz is to stay at the resort and enjoy the luxuries of that high end property. With that being said, how is their beach? If their beachfront is pristine then I’d say it’s amazing. But if you need to leave the Ritz to find pristine beaches, is it really worth all of those points? May as well stay in an airbnb or a lower point Marriott timeshare to use as your base camp while you enjoy the island.

this is one of those examples of difference of opinion. I’ve been to many Marriott resorts that are fantastic and I’d love to go back! There are Marriott resorts than are much nicer than vistana resorts and vistana resorts that are much nicer than Marriott resorts.

I don’t think that Vistana owners hate Marriott resorts, we just aren’t happy with the way MVW operates. We enjoy what we have and don’t trust corporate to continue that customer satisfaction on the Vistana side. We are concerned that what we have will be stripped away little by little and we will be extorted to spend Tens of thousands of dollars to book what we used to be able to with ease.

 

[Eric B]

With that being said, how is their beach?

I'm there this week. Meh; it's about 15 feet wide and is suffering slightly from sargassum - nothing to compare with the ones on St John away from the resort. Some halfway decent looking reefs to snorkel out to from the beach, though; will be trying that in a couple of hours. Lots of chaise lounges on the beach belonging to the resort, though there is also public access (but not to use them). Sand is quite nice, but I wouldn't come here for the beach.

 

[CPNY]

Sand is quite nice, but I wouldn't come here for the beach.

how many DC points does it cost to stay there for a week? If the beach is meh and you wouldn’t go there for the beach, why not stay at a lower point cost resort? This is why I’d think MFC and WSJ would be better options to stay when traveling to STT/STJ.

 

[dioxide45]

how many DC points does it cost to stay there for a week? If the beach is meh and you wouldn’t go there for the beach, why not stay at a lower point cost resort? This is why I’d think MFC and WSJ would be better options to stay when traveling to STT/STJ.

It ain't cheap,

http://www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com/common/cms/mvc/pdfs/helpfulTools/resorts/RS/pdfDisplay/2023_RS.pdf

 

[Eric B]

how many DC points does it cost to stay there for a week? If the beach is meh and you wouldn’t go there for the beach, why not stay at a lower point cost resort? This is why I’d think MFC and WSJ would be better options to stay when traveling to STT/STJ.

I'm not really sure; I'm on an exchange via ThirdHome that cost me the equivalent of 10,667 WorldMark credits and a $795 exchange fee, so cost me a lot less all in than the 1 BR WSJ weeks I own. This was my first visit here and I figured I'd try it out - I would return as the facilities are quite nice.

 

[Eric B]

It ain't cheap,

http://www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com/common/cms/mvc/pdfs/helpfulTools/resorts/RS/pdfDisplay/2023_RS.pdf

My cost for a 2 BR suite was a lot better than that, though the availability isn't as great as it would be going through Marriott and using points. Still don't know if I'd be able to do that or what my cost per point would be. Ran into some folks staying here in a 2 BR for the same week that rented on VRBO for $10,000 for the week and like it so much they were planning on buying in....

 

[CPNY]

It ain't cheap,

http://www.marriottvacationsworldwide.com/common/cms/mvc/pdfs/helpfulTools/resorts/RS/pdfDisplay/2023_RS.pdf

So 3675 in a two bedroom for the times I would go. If I go by speculation conversion of my units (assuming I can convert), it would take all of my VOI’s for one week. I can book 2 two bedrooms with the VSN at WSJ and still have points left over.

 

[CPNY]

I'm not really sure; I'm on an exchange via ThirdHome that cost me the equivalent of 10,667 WorldMark credits and a $795 exchange fee, so cost me a lot less all in than the 1 BR WSJ weeks I own. This was my first visit here and I figured I'd try it out - I would return as the facilities are quite nice.

I need to get back into looking at third home

 

[TravelTime]

how many DC points does it cost to stay there for a week? If the beach is meh and you wouldn’t go there for the beach, why not stay at a lower point cost resort? This is why I’d think MFC and WSJ would be better options to stay when traveling to STT/STJ.

The point cost in June when I am going is very low. About the same as staying at the Marriott Frenchman’s Cove. I think the beach at Westin St John is meh too. You need to have a rental car to drive to the public beaches that are nice.

To me, paradise in St John was destroyed with the hurricane. If you ever stayed at Caneel Bay, it was amazing. I have never been to such an amazing resort. I hope it reopens. We stayed there for 8 days a few years before the hurricane. I wanted to go back but it was too late.

Caneel Bay Resort On-line Boutique & Gift Shop

Enjoy Caneel Bay Resort logo apparel wear and gifts

www.caneelbay.com

I would stay at Westin St John too with my SOs if I could get a booking there. It is pretty hard to get at the 8 month mark. Not impossible if you check a lot but hard. We are staying at Ritz St Thomas for 15 nights in June. If I could have gotten something to combine it and split the time on each island, I would.

We will visit St John at least 3-4 times on our upcoming trip. Most of those times will be by boat. One time, we may take the ferry over and go to Honeymoon Beach, which is one of Caneel Bay’s beaches. I need to see if it is open to the public. I think this beach rents cabanas, which is important for me due to my light skin and recent skin cancer surgery. To me, taking the ferry over to St John and then a taxi to the beach is not all that much more complicated than staying at Westin St John and driving over to the beaches. Westin St John is on the wrong side of St John. If it were on a beach like Caneel Bay was, I would own there for sure.

Do you have any advice about getting around St John? Which are the best beaches? Which beaches have chairs and umbrellas for rent?

 

[TravelTime]

So 3675 in a two bedroom for the times I would go. If I go by speculation conversion of my units (assuming I can convert), it would take all of my VOI’s for one week. I can book 2 two bedrooms with the VSN at WSJ and still have points left over.

What do you own in Vistana? I own WKOVRN. Based on speculation, it would convert to DPs for about double what it would cost to stay at Ritz Carlton St Thomas in the summer. So I do not understand why you say you get more value out of Vistana. I think it’s about the same.

I am paying over $3000 for my Vistana week. I think the MFs at Westin St John are higher than what I pay and my unit is one of the highest cost ones in VSN.

I think some people purchase at the Orlando resort and save money that way to use the VSN. I just do not like to rely on luck with hoping to book at WSJ or elsewhere at 8 months. There are a few resorts I like that are easier to book at 8 months but it depends on the season. I think Harborside, Laugunamar and possibly Princeville are easier to book at 8 months and I would like to visit those locations one day. Overall, I like the certainty of booking my home resort in Vistana at 12 months or booking with DPs at 13 months. This way, I know for sure I will get something I want.

How often have you been able to book at WSJ at the 8 month mark and when was it? I often look and can’t find a week at or after the 8 month mark. Before Covid, I was able to piece something together at WSJ but I ended up not going. I recall it was very hard to book and I had to keep checking repeatedly to see if something opened up. I think in the end it would have been a mix of room types.

 

[CPNY]

What do you own in Vistana? I own WKOVRN. Based on speculation, it would convert to DPs for about double what it would cost to stay at Ritz Carlton St Thomas in the summer. So I do not understand why you say you get more value out of Vistana. I think it’s about the same.

I am paying over $3000 for my Vistana week. I think the MFs at Westin St John are higher than what I pay and my unit is one of the highest cost ones in VSN.

I think some people purchase at the Orlando resort and save money that way to use the VSN. I just do not like to rely on luck with hoping to book at WSJ or elsewhere at 8 months. There are a few resorts I like that are easier to book at 8 months but it depends on the season. I think Harborside, Laugunamar and possibly Princeville are easier to book at 8 months and I would like to visit those locations one day. Overall, I like the certainty of booking my home resort in Vistana at 12 months or booking with DPs at 13 months. This way, I know for sure I will get something I want.

How often have you been able to book at WSJ at the 8 month mark and when was it? I often look and can’t find a week at or after the 8 month mark. Before Covid, I was able to piece something together at WSJ but I ended up not going. I recall it was very hard to book and I had to keep checking repeatedly to see if something opened up. I think in the end it would have been a mix of room types.

I own in orlando and have booked only at SVV, HRA, WSJ, WLR, WKOVN-OF X2, Ski weeks at SMV. HRA is tough at 8 months but I’ve booked spring break weeks precovid as well as holiday summer weeks (Memorial Day/ 4th of July). The oceanfront in Hawaii were at 8 months and I sent my mom and my aunt and uncle on two different occasions. All pre COVID. No one said it was easy to book at 8 months, but it’s def not impossible. All of my SO come from orlando currently. I am waiting for the transfer of an EOY WKV small one bedroom to come into my account. My annual fees are less than 3,000 and I have a nice amount of options for my usage.

 

[Steve Fatula]

If the beach is meh and you wouldn’t go there for the beach, why not stay at a lower point cost resort? This is why I’d think MFC and WSJ would be better options to stay when traveling to STT/STJ.

The best stay I have ever had at any resort (likely until I get to St Thomas) was at a Ritz Carlton. The service was impeccable. For me, and everyone is different, that made the trip the best ever for pure overall happiness. They are far beyond any other timeshare service wise. Some may not care, I do. I engaged with the crew daily and there was absolutely nothing I could ask for they didn't get me or had. It felt like family and I loved it, they took care of me in every way and then some. There were so many things within the room that I've never seen at any other timeshare in 22 years of trips that were just great to have.

I am staying at both MFC and the Ritz later this year and am 99.9% sure I will enjoy the Ritz vastly better based on my previous experience at one. Not interested in beach, not my thing, but we'll see when I get there. I wish there were more Ritz resorts, I'd probably only stay at them.

Regarding the lockoff thing, I don't stay in lockoffs so the point is moot for me. I actually prefer pure 2 BR with no lockoff.

 

[CPNY]

The best stay I have ever had at any resort (likely until I get to St Thomas) was at a Ritz Carlton. The service was impeccable. For me, and everyone is different, that made the trip the best ever for pure overall happiness. They are far beyond any other timeshare service wise. Some may not care, I do. I engaged with the crew daily and there was absolutely nothing I could ask for they didn't get me or had. It felt like family and I loved it, they took care of me in every way and then some. There were so many things within the room that I've never seen at any other timeshare in 22 years of trips that were just great to have.

I am staying at both MFC and the Ritz later this year and am 99.9% sure I will enjoy the Ritz vastly better based on my previous experience at one. Not interested in beach, not my thing, but we'll see when I get there. I wish there were more Ritz resorts, I'd probably only stay at them.

Regarding the lockoff thing, I don't stay in lockoffs so the point is moot for me. I actually prefer pure 2 BR with no lockoff.

Since you don’t care for the beach, I can see why you will enjoy it. The beach is def my thing, much more so than the resort. What I love is a big room, my own kitchen, and a washer dryer. After that…..get me to the pristine beach! Lol. No one is denying the quality of the Ritz being impeccable. That’s a fact that we can all agree on. For you, the high point value will be worth it. For me, I’d rather multiple trips at a “nice” resort. It sounds like the beaches at MFC, Ritz, and WSJ are all comparable. For that reason I’d choose WSJ because I’d rather spend my time on the isle of St John.

A combined program wouldn’t help me to achieve that better than the VSN. That was my original Point. I’m not knocking the DC, I’m just saying that it won’t work in my favor. That’s ok, that’s the rules of the game. Doesn’t mean I’m on the losing end (yet). For me the VSN is a winning bet, until MVW Erodes the inventory. When the game changes so will my strategy. No biggie, it makes ownership fun I guess, keeps ya on your toes haha.

 

[Clifbell]

[Timeshare Traveler Episode 47... The Marriott Vacation Club / Vistana Merger is happening - MERGED]

I am excited about the Merger of Marriott Vacation Club finally happening. It has been a long four + years since the announcement. The sales team is now showing "informal" updates to what the future merged program will look like. Of course, there is a "last chance" to buy the benefits to Vistana points.

In this video, I will discuss the merger as described to me... I will touch on it from a Vistana owner perspective. I will also discuss my views of the merger from the Marriott Vacation Club perspective. All in all, I am happy. I get to be Bonvoy Platinum for life as a result of owning some Marriott Vacation club points and Vistana Points.

Timeshare Traveler Episode 47... The Marriott Vacation Club / Vistana Merger is happening

Map of all my timeshare reviews

 

[Ken555]

The best stay I have ever had at any resort (likely until I get to St Thomas) was at a Ritz Carlton. The service was impeccable. For me, and everyone is different, that made the trip the best ever for pure overall happiness. They are far beyond any other timeshare service wise. Some may not care, I do. I engaged with the crew daily and there was absolutely nothing I could ask for they didn't get me or had. It felt like family and I loved it, they took care of me in every way and then some. There were so many things within the room that I've never seen at any other timeshare in 22 years of trips that were just great to have.

I am staying at both MFC and the Ritz later this year and am 99.9% sure I will enjoy the Ritz vastly better based on my previous experience at one. Not interested in beach, not my thing, but we'll see when I get there. I wish there were more Ritz resorts, I'd probably only stay at them.

Regarding the lockoff thing, I don't stay in lockoffs so the point is moot for me. I actually prefer pure 2 BR with no lockoff.

The Ritz is on my list. I’ve stayed at both of the Four Seasons timeshares and believe they are superb, so if it’s anything like those I know I would enjoy it.

Using the lock off / smaller 1-bed in Vistana with its superior features is one of its distinctive benefits compared to Marriott, and a major reason why I bought with them rather than Marriott. The systems are designed to be flexible, so when comparing what is best for one is not always best for all. With this in mind, for those considering converting it’s yet another factor since a unit with a full kitchen and washer/dryer at Marriott will cost more than a well equipped, though smaller, unit at Vistana.

If the eventual program is similar to what’s been reported, I have little doubt I will be happy just sticking with using SOs to stay at other Vistana resorts and using my SDO to trade into others, including Marriott, as I’ve done for many, many years. If things change, then I’ll just rent my WKV (as I am doing for next year) and give away my SDO and move on. There are many other options competing for my travel money and time, and I see little reason to waste significant sums with Marriott.

Full disclosure: I’m currently biased against Marriott after their recent devaluation on the hotel side…I’ve got well over a million BonvoyPesos and almost everything I want just increased considerably. Considering ditching both credit cards, using my points, and switching to another brand, assuming I can’t find value in the next year or so. With this in mind, there’s no way I will give Marriot a dime.


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[CPNY]

There are many other options competing for my travel money and time, and I see little reason to waste significant sums with Marriott.

Full disclosure: I’m currently biased against Marriott after their recent devaluation on the hotel side…I’ve got well over a million BonvoyPesos and almost everything I want just increased considerably. Considering ditching both credit cards, using my points, and switching to another brand, assuming I can’t find value in the next year or so. With this in mind, there’s no way I will give Marriot a dime.

So many other great travel options! VRBO, AIRBNB, Great resort deals constantly being Advertised, or just renting on redweek for less than MF in many cases. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on timeshare points is a real head scratcher!

the devaluation on the hotel side is terrible! While MVW is separate from Marriott hotels, we know the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

 

[Steve Fatula]

The Ritz is on my list. I’ve stayed at both of the Four Seasons timeshares and believe they are superb, so if it’s anything like those I know I would enjoy it.

Using the lock off / smaller 1-bed in Vistana with its superior features is one of its distinctive benefits compared to Marriott, and a major reason why I bought with them rather than Marriott. The systems are designed to be flexible, so when comparing what is best for one is not always best for all. With this in mind, for those considering converting it’s yet another factor since a unit with a full kitchen and washer/dryer at Marriott will cost more than a well equipped, though smaller, unit at Vistana.

If the eventual program is similar to what’s been reported, I have little doubt I will be happy just sticking with using SOs to stay at other Vistana resorts and using my SDO to trade into others, including Marriott, as I’ve done for many, many years. If things change, then I’ll just rent my WKV (as I am doing for next year) and give away my SDO and move on. There are many other options competing for my travel money and time, and I see little reason to waste significant sums with Marriott.

Full disclosure: I’m currently biased against Marriott after their recent devaluation on the hotel side…I’ve got well over a million BonvoyPesos and almost everything I want just increased considerably. Considering ditching both credit cards, using my points, and switching to another brand, assuming I can’t find value in the next year or so. With this in mind, there’s no way I will give Marriot a dime.


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Yep, I get it. I would probably be annoyed myself. Though, there is a thread here where numerous people are reporting trips that cost less Bonvoy points since the change. And some more also of course. I suppose it depends on the specific properties. For me, not an issue as I just go where it's cheap and I'd want to go anyway. Random places, no plan. That's the way I travel. If today I see something and it's a decent deal I go for it. My goal is currently to stay at every single MVCI. No good reason, cause I can. For Bonvoy points I have my own way of using them and get great value out of them. Far more than any cashback card. For others, not so much and yes, if it doesn't make sense, change where you send your business. If you truly believe "devalue" then change.

There is no problem with sticking with what you have. In the past, that's the way Marriott has worked. They might give you more options, you will likely pay for it, but you could always use what you have as you had it. I have liked that aspect. No one here had to convert to destinations points, their options have remained. I could still have my week unenrolled, but enrolled gave too many advantages that I wanted. Change is always stressful.

The reason I bought marriott was more destinations originally in program. I don't often travel (other than DSV and Branson) to the same town over and over. I travel all around the world, and while Marriott doesn't have tons of overseas options, where they have it I will go. Yes, could trade into others but want to stay at Marriott where I can. And it was the best choice for that back in 1999. At least for me. I'm not knocking you guys at all. I get it. And I love when timeshares owners of any brand are happy with what they have! See too many horror stories, whether Marriott or any other brand. If you can continue to use what you always had the way you have, then, you should be mostly happy.

But I don't see the point of coming over to Marriott forums and constantly complaining about things you say you don't want. If you don't want or won't use those options, don't!

 

[Steve Fatula]

So many other great travel options! VRBO, AIRBNB, Great resort deals constantly being Advertised, or just renting on redweek for less than MF in many cases. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on timeshare points is a real head scratcher!

the devaluation on the hotel side is terrible! While MVW is separate from Marriott hotels, we know the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

I guess you have not read all the reports of stays being cheaper. I am sure overall they are not, but, it's not like anywhere near disaster levels here. I still find many places to go cheaply and get immense value out of the points the way I use them. Many here including me own DC points, very happy with them. You can scratch your head all you want. If it's not for you it's not but i don't show up in the Vistana forums to bash Vistana either. I could.

I know there is change going on, and I know you love your brand. That's cool. But many of us love the Marriott brand too. Travel as you see fit, I'm happy if you enjoy what you are doing. But that doesn't make what anyone else does wrong.

For me, hate Airbnb and VRBO, not an option. Renting not an option on Redweek, it's not for me for many reasons. For some it is and if you can get what you want, that's great!

 

[daviator]

When you buy a lock off, you are actually deeded two different VOIs, I am almost certain they each have their own contract number.

None of my Vistana lockoffs have two contract numbers.