VISTANA OWNERS: Important Update to our Guest of Owner Policy

[daviator]

Redweek needs to stop requesting that the guest name be changed on the Marriott Bonvoy site in their instructions as this can no longer be done. Fortunately they did not have a problem processing my rental as I only did it on the Vistana side. That was sufficient as the reservation is no longer on my bonvoy app. The process for changing guest name in Vistana has not changed so I don’t understand the email being sent to its owners.

I worry that they intend to start enforcing the 30 day rule they seem to have invented. I have no problem with the changes made so far, it always seemed odd and problematic that you could change the guest info for a Vistana reservation on the Marriott site, and so I'm glad you can't do that any more. But if they actually start requiring you to know with certainty who will be checking in, 30 days in advance, that's a very onerous change that I think people will push back against.

 

[DebraR]

(This was also posted in the Marriott thread by mistake due to following link from TUG email) I recently used Redweek to rent an Abound week we couldn't use in Cancun -Westin Lagunamar. When I went to the guest form through the website (Vistana link taking you to Marriott) it gave me an odd security warning. I called the next day to make sure they actually got the name change and was told Vistana employees were not allowed to change reservation names on Marriott reservations. They sent my call over to Marriott and they confirmed they received the form but that guest name changes are done manually and that it can take a day or two before they actually get changes. You must have name, address and phone number of the guest to make the change. Personally, I think there are still lots of bugs that need to be worked out between the two systems. The 30 day window may catch errors in name changes that might not get made manually.

 

[DeniseM]

Confused: Why would you use Abound to make a reservation at a Vistana resort, when you are a Vistana owner?

I think the Marriott forum was the best place for your post, because you had a Marriott reservation.

 

[daviator]

Confused: Why would you use Abound to make a reservation at a Vistana resort, when you are a Vistana owner?

I think the Marriott forum was the best place for your post, because you had a Marriott reservation.

Without meaning to be rude, that question is surprising in its ignorance. There are lots of reasons a Vistana owner might reserve a Vistana resort with Abound points. I have done it. Sometimes it’s a better deal with Abound points, the Abound points chart is much more granular than the VSN chart. Also, because you have to elect Abound points so far in advance, you might find yourself with some unused points when you want to reserve something. Or there might be availability in Abound when there isn’t in VSN.

 

[DeniseM]

Yeah, that was rude, but thanks for the explanation!

My policy is KISS (keep it simple stupid) so I have no intention of ever converting to Abound. IMNSHO, my Vistana resorts that are eligible, have more value using the home weeks or Staroptions, and my Vistana resorts without Staroptions have been excellent II traders, so I'm not interested in making things more complicated than necessary. YMMV

 

[DeniseM]

Update on name change availability on the Vistana dashboard: NO CHANGE.

Today, 7/21/24, I can no longer change the name on a 7/24/24 reservation, AS EXPECTED, because we are within 4 days of check-in.

But I can still change the name on a July 26th reservation, also as expected, because it is more than 4 days out.

When it's too late to change the name, that button is missing from the reservation details, so it's easy to tell:

The button for "Special Requests" is also gone.

In other words - there have been no changes.

 

[DeniseM]

Today's update on name change availability on the Vistana dashboard: NO CHANGE.

Today, 7/22/24, I can no longer change the name on a 7/26/24 reservation, because we are within 4 days of check-in.

But I can still change the name on a July 27th reservation, because it is more than 4 days out.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Just changed the name on a reservation for 7/27. So glad the guy finally paid, so I didn't have to call. Having someone at Vistana doing it gets the, "This is a one-time courtesy," talk. I am not fond of that lecture, and honestly, that is not good customer service to say they will only do this one time.

 

[DeniseM]

Today's update: Names can still be added to reservations up to 5 days before check-in - NO CHANGE.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I just rented our WKORV OFD Studio for Feb. 2025 via RedWeek.
I haven't rented out a villa for quite some time - back when a name change could be made directly on the Marriott BonVoy site.

It is not possible to change name on the BonVoy site, only the other info (address, etc). The name fields are greyed out.
The most recent MVC email regarding name changes for Vistana reservation states to only change name on the Vistana site using the same process as before, and not on the BonVoy reservation page.
RedWeek has a field for the 8-digit MVC reservation number in their booking procedure.
I can only assume that eventually that the name change will be made on the BonVoy reservation page.

I have done a name change on an Abound reservation (WKV -> LV Grand Chateau) and it did require a form to be filled out 30+ days in advance for a name change.

Note: Wow! RedWeek really increased their fees! On top of the booking fee, it is now an additional $99 on my side, and a large fee by RW on the renters side.

 

[Bird01]

I just noticed the new RedWeek fees. They are almost 10% added to the rental price. I inquired and was told that CA now requires the ad to show the total cost including fees. This adds a lot of extra cost to the advertised price......and may hurt rentals.

 

[rickandcindy23]

People can only afford so much, and RW fees added make it rather expensive, but has it always been that way on the renter's side? The fees were added and we didn't see them.

I mentioned the add-on fees that are now showing on my listings, this was another thread, and was hammered by a bunch of "no-nothings" who told me that Westin Ka'anapali OFC wasn't worth that price, which was actually able to get last year.

I think RW not allowing me to add into my listing that this is oceanfront center, and also that they add $88 "Housekeeping fees" and warnings of obstructions to views is hurting rentals. They have no right to do that. I don't call trees obstructions, and OFD and OFC at Westin Ka'anapali South don't really have those "obstructions" to which they are referring. RW is very heavy handed in adding this nonsense to our ads.

 

[DeniseM]

Clarification: You are not charged the $99 fee unless you ask Redweek to process the payment for you. You can just opt out of it. When you choose "Do-it-yourself Basic," there is only a listing fee of $39.99, and if you post a lot of Ads, you get a "multiple posting" discount of $9.99:

 

[Bird01]

People can only afford so much, and RW fees added make it rather expensive, but has it always been that way on the renter's side? The fees were added and we didn't see them.

I mentioned the add-on fees that are now showing on my listings, this was another thread, and was hammered by a bunch of "no-nothings" who told me that Westin Ka'anapali OFC wasn't worth that price, which was actually able to get last year.

I think RW not allowing me to add into my listing that this is oceanfront center, and also that they add $88 "Housekeeping fees" and warnings of obstructions to views is hurting rentals. They have no right to do that. I don't call trees obstructions, and OFD and OFC at Westin Ka'anapali South don't really have those "obstructions" to which they are referring. RW is very heavy handed in adding this nonsense to our ads.

What was the other thread you mentioned about add-on fees. Thanks.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Update:
Not sure WTF is going on at RedWeek or MVC, but I've rented 2 Vistana reservations within the last couple of weeks (both at WKORV) with both more than 30 days away.

On my 1st, I only had to change the name on the Vistana site - and it dropped off my vacations on the Marriott BonVoy site. RedWeek did not ask me to change via MVC (like MVC reservations). Plus there was a message form MVC/Vistana at some point that it was not required.

On my 2nd, RedWeek is now asking to change the name via MVC using the name change form. And there is no longer a message about name changes.

But, if you go to FAQs on the Vistana site it states:

What if I cannot travel and wish to change a name within 30 days of arrival?
While we cannot ensure that a Guest of Owner form submitted less than 30 days prior to arrival will be processed, we make every effort to accommodate Owners who have an unexpected change of plans. Please complete your guest’s name change online as far in advance of arrival as possible to ensure a seamless resort check-in experience.

WTF!!!
Is it true that we need to contact Marriott Owner services and complete the Marriott guest form?

 

[daviator]

Update:
Not sure WTF is going on at RedWeek or MVC, but I've rented 2 Vistana reservations within the last couple of weeks (both at WKORV) with both more than 30 days away.

On my 1st, I only had to change the name on the Vistana site - and it dropped off my vacations on the Marriott BonVoy site. RedWeek did not ask me to change via MVC (like MVC reservations). Plus there was a message form MVC/Vistana at some point that it was not required.

On my 2nd, RedWeek is now asking to change the name via MVC using the name change form. And there is no longer a message about name changes.

But, if you go to FAQs on the Vistana site it states:

What if I cannot travel and wish to change a name within 30 days of arrival?
While we cannot ensure that a Guest of Owner form submitted less than 30 days prior to arrival will be processed, we make every effort to accommodate Owners who have an unexpected change of plans. Please complete your guest’s name change online as far in advance of arrival as possible to ensure a seamless resort check-in experience.

WTF!!!
Is it true that we need to contact Marriott Owner services and complete the Marriott guest form?

The only approved way to change the name of the arriving guest is via the online name change form. At least according to the web site, owner services and the property will not assist with a name change over the phone or by chat.

 

[DeniseM]

There has been nothing published about changing Vistana reservations with Marriott. In fact their recent email and webpage popup says NOT to change it with Marriott. This is a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing...

 

[Ken555]

Short version: Marriott sucks.

 

[dioxide45]

Update:
Not sure WTF is going on at RedWeek or MVC, but I've rented 2 Vistana reservations within the last couple of weeks (both at WKORV) with both more than 30 days away.

On my 1st, I only had to change the name on the Vistana site - and it dropped off my vacations on the Marriott BonVoy site. RedWeek did not ask me to change via MVC (like MVC reservations). Plus there was a message form MVC/Vistana at some point that it was not required.

On my 2nd, RedWeek is now asking to change the name via MVC using the name change form. And there is no longer a message about name changes.

But, if you go to FAQs on the Vistana site it states:

What if I cannot travel and wish to change a name within 30 days of arrival?
While we cannot ensure that a Guest of Owner form submitted less than 30 days prior to arrival will be processed, we make every effort to accommodate Owners who have an unexpected change of plans. Please complete your guest’s name change online as far in advance of arrival as possible to ensure a seamless resort check-in experience.

WTF!!!
Is it true that we need to contact Marriott Owner services and complete the Marriott guest form?

How were the reservations made, Home Resort, StarOptions, Club Points? Vistana based reservations, Home resort or StarOption should always be done on Vistana.com. Redweek is a third party and doesn't dictate the policy.

 

[DavidnRobin]

How were the reservations made, Home Resort, StarOptions, Club Points? Vistana based reservations, Home resort or StarOption should always be done on Vistana.com. Redweek is a third party and doesn't dictate the policy.

HomeResort reservation for one, and leftover StarOptions from HomeResort for the other. Both are >30 days out.

It is weird that for the WKORV HomeResort reservation there was no need to fill out MVC name change form (only Vistana). Plus, the reservation dropped off my BonVoy vacation list.
For the other WKORV SO reservation, RedWeek won't complete reservation booking without name change using MVC name change form. I sent them the Vistana confirmation with the name change. I contact RedWeek about this discrepancy, but have not heard back.

How do I get to the MVC name change form when this is not a MVC reservation?

 

[dioxide45]

HomeResort reservation for one, and leftover StarOptions from HomeResort for the other. Both are >30 days out.

It is weird that for the WKORV HomeResort reservation there was no need to fill out MVC name change form (only Vistana). Plus, the reservation dropped off my BonVoy vacation list.
For the other WKORV SO reservation, RedWeek won't complete reservation booking without name change using MVC name change form. I sent them the Vistana confirmation with the name change. I contact RedWeek about this discrepancy, but have not heard back.

How do I get to the MVC name change form when this is not a MVC reservation?

There is no change to the process now from as it was years ago. You make the guest name change on Vistana.com by accessing the reservation in your Vistana account. You don't use the MVC form. Odd that Redweek doesn't understand the process for StarOption reservations.

 

[DavidnRobin]

There is no change to the process now from as it was years ago. You make the guest name change on Vistana.com by accessing the reservation in your Vistana account. You don't use the MVC form. Odd that Redweek doesn't understand the process for StarOption reservations.

I realize I do not and as mentioned I did change name on the Vistana site. I responded to RedWeek about this issue.
The reservation has recently dropped off my BonVoy Trips (like the other one did), so it looks like it is in process.

 

[dioxide45]

I realize I do not and as mentioned I did change name on the Vistana site. I responded to RedWeek about this issue.
The reservation has recently dropped off my BonVoy Trips (like the other one did), so it looks like it is in process.

You should be able to do a mani al lookup of the reservation using the guest name on Marriott.com. Then provide that to Redweek.

 

[DanCali]

You should be able to do a mani al lookup of the reservation using the guest name on Marriott.com. Then provide that to Redweek.

Does that still work? I thought it wasn't possible to do anymore once your Bonvoy number drops from the reservation.

I suspect Redweek wants the Marriott confirmation numbers because they have an automated way to confirm the names via API. It's probably best to make note of the Marriott confirmation number before changing the name via Vistana, and provide that to Redweek after it drops from "My Trips".

 

[dioxide45]

Does that still work? I thought it wasn't possible to do anymore once your Bonvoy number drops from the reservation.

I suspect Redweek wants the Marriott confirmation numbers because they have an automated way to confirm the names via API. It's probably best to make note of the Marriott confirmation number before changing the name via Vistana, and provide that to Redweek after it drops from "My Trips".

You can do the lookup while logged out and it does bring up some limited details about the reservation; Name, Resort, checkin and checkout. It does want you to login in order to add it to My Trips. You don't need the Bonvoy number to lookup a reservation on Marriott.com.