Visitana - Buy cheap presale now in hopes of goodness with a full merger of programs?

[rthib]

Wonder what thoughts are on adding a cheap vistana resale now in hopes that they will allow enrollment in DC program so time in future?
Thinking of adding Westin Kierland Villas since I own Canyon Villas and like Scottsdale area.

Thoughts?

 

[dioxide45]

Well, if you are looking at WKV Platinum + season, it is not likely to be cheap.

 

[dlpearson]

As a long-time Marriott and Vistana owner, I wouldn't expect Marriott to do any favors to Vistana owners. If you want a Vistana week for use in the Vistana system, great, but don't expect to get any perks/full treatment in the Marriott system.

 

[GregT]

I actually bought an SDO last year for this reason -- if I can enroll it in the Marriott system, then great -- it not, then I can use it for Spring Training. If you think you would use your new Vistana week for personal use anyway, then I think it is a decent plan?

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Best,

Greg

 

[vacationtime1]

As a long-time Marriott and Vistana owner, I wouldn't expect Marriott to do any favors to Vistana owners. If you want a Vistana week for use in the Vistana system, great, but don't expect to get any perks/full treatment in the Marriott system.

+1

Marriott is going to take care of Marriott (or MVC is going to take care of MVC, to be accurate). If it permits Vistana weeks to enroll in the common currency, it will be at a price -- as it did for its owners in 2010. I absolutely agree that it would be nice to get into the common program at a reduced price, but buying something now to get there later is a gamble, a gamble Marriott/MVC wants you to lose.

That said, OP and GregT have a separate and independent reason to buy -- they would be happy use the property themselves.

 

[mjm1]

I agree with the others who have responded.

We own MVC and Kierland Villas and hope they provide a good combined program with enrollment of Vistana weeks. With that in mind, if you are thinking of doing this and it is a week/unit/resort you would enjoy either way I would encourage you do buy it sooner rather than later. The cutoff for eligibility to enroll may be the date they announce the program or it could be some other unknown date.

Good luck.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[rthib]

Thanks.
Do the Kierland weeks work like enrolled Marriott week, meaning I can reserve a week there or exchange for points?
How hard is it to get reservation?
There are some medium tier weeks that are going for peanuts. Most ads mention worth 81,000 points.
We lI’ve Scottsdale so even without any extra might be nice to spend another week there and going set or October would be fine.
thanks for advice

 

[rickandcindy23]

Thanks.
Do the Kierland weeks work like enrolled Marriott week, meaning I can reserve a week there or exchange for points?
How hard is it to get reservation?
There are some medium tier weeks that are going for peanuts. Most ads mention worth 81,000 points.
We lI’ve Scottsdale so even without any extra might be nice to spend another week there and going set or October would be fine.
thanks for advice

WKV is a mandatory resort, so the options transfer to a resale buyer, but $14K for a good platinum week is not cheap.

 

[mjm1]

Thanks.
Do the Kierland weeks work like enrolled Marriott week, meaning I can reserve a week there or exchange for points?
How hard is it to get reservation?
There are some medium tier weeks that are going for peanuts. Most ads mention worth 81,000 points.
We lI’ve Scottsdale so even without any extra might be nice to spend another week there and going set or October would be fine.
thanks for advice

As Cindy mentioned WKV is a mandatory resort, so a resale buyer gets the SO’s that go with the7 it. You just can’t turn the unit into Bonvoy points for hotel use. That isn’t a good value anyways.

We haven’t had any trouble making reservations in late February or March, which is the high demand time. The problem with the lower cost medium season weeks is the maintenance fees are the same as during the high (platinum) season and you get less SO’s. A 2BR gets 81,000 vs 148,100. Of course that only matters if you plan to use the SO’s at a different resort or a different season at WKV. So you have to consider spending more up front vs less SO’s (ie value).

Best regards.

Mike

 

[dioxide45]

There are some medium tier weeks that are going for peanuts. Most ads mention worth 81,000 points.

Don't spend money on a medium tier week at WKV. The SO to maintenance fee ratio is cheaper by going and buying SVV Bella or Key West. Buy WKV if you can buy Plat Plus only. Otherwise go the SVV route.

 

[Dean]

Wonder what thoughts are on adding a cheap vistana resale now in hopes that they will allow enrollment in DC program so time in future?
Thinking of adding Westin Kierland Villas since I own Canyon Villas and like Scottsdale area.

Thoughts?

I would only do this if it's win/win for any Vistana/Westin type option. So if it works great for you without an enrollment or similar options and you get options later that are beneficial, it's simply extra gravy. Just don't buy where it only makes sense if there is an enrollment option later, even if there is, it may not be that beneficial.

As a long-time Marriott and Vistana owner, I wouldn't expect Marriott to do any favors to Vistana owners. If you want a Vistana week for use in the Vistana system, great, but don't expect to get any perks/full treatment in the Marriott system.

I tend to think more along these lines. Some are assuming MVC will want those owners in a combined program enough to make them a deal but I am doubtful. They'll want $$$ of course thus I'm thinking anything that's particularly beneficial on the usage side will be high dollars and anything that doesn't take your breath away financially likely won't be very helpful.