Weeks to Points with no fee?

[cl526]

We called into MVC to talk about the points system because of our recent experience w/ the II cancellation and limited options. We almost always exchange to Marriott because the quality. We own an EOY floating week at Waiohai in Kauai... But we don't go back there often because we want to explore other places. We had a week in Spain exchanged, but now that is on II retrade and the fact I have to continue to search all the time for something decent in the time we want to travel is a pain.

So, called to just see what the latest was on the points program. Went thru the pitch... basically for our EOY we would get 5075 points. They tried to upset me on another 1500 points so that we'd qualify for Select (only thing that sounded good Is Bonvoy Platinum - for life? is that true?).

Cost of 1500 points would be 9.20 per point, which I understand is their June special, but not as low as they'll go from research on here (cash - no financing). MF of .60 per point so $900 a year, which is almost as much as we pay for our EOY ;(. Not really interested in that...

I asked if we could just enroll our current week, so if we didn't use in Waiohai, we could use the points in Marriott. They said right now, there's no fee. So it would just be our normal MF + $205 club dues?

Does anybody know if that's legit? I remember looking years ago and there was a very high fee to "enroll" in the program, even w/o purchasing new points.

 

[Fasttr]

As long as you owned your Waiohai week before June 20, 2010, then free enrollment is likely legit. They have been running that promotion for a while now just for watching a web video. And you are correct, years ago, there was an enrollment fee you would have had to pay.

 

[Theiggy]

My parents enrolled a year or so ago with a promo of free enrollment if you watched a webinar. Maybe that free enrollment promo is back. As long as your week qualifies.


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[cl526]

My parents enrolled a year or so ago with a promo of free enrollment if you watched a webinar. Maybe that free enrollment promo is back. As long as your week qualifies.


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Do you parents find it valuable? Any hidden fees other than the club dues? Do they still join interval?

Thanks!!!

 

[Fasttr]

The club dues include a corporate paid II account that only enrolled weeks can be in, so if that is the only week you own, you can save on that fee.

 

[cl526]

The club dues include a corporate paid II account that only enrolled weeks can be in, so if that is the only week you own, you can save on that fee.

Interesting... so it is our only week, and likely ever to be cause of the MFs. If we can enroll for free now, keep our "deeded" week as is, and then convert it to points if we want, or exchange to II, for the $205 yearly fee (and exchange fee in II I assume?)... it sounds like a win for us. I'm just skeptical though and looking for that hidden cost

 

[Fasttr]

Interesting... so it is our only week, and likely ever to be cause of the MFs. If we can enroll for free now, keep our "deeded" week as is, and then convert it to points if we want, or exchange to II, for the $205 yearly fee (and exchange fee in II I assume?)... it sounds like a win for us. I'm just skeptical though and looking for that hidden cost

Sit down as it gets even better....most of the II fees you are accustomed to paying are also free when using your corporate provided II account and trading Marriott to Marriott. I believe only the villa size upgrade fee to be one of the few fees you would still have to pay if it applied.

 

[Theiggy]

Do you parents find it valuable? Any hidden fees other than the club dues? Do they still join interval?

Thanks!!!

Yes the do find it valuable I doubt they will exchange for points bc they have a low point week- off season Orlando, but the enrollment fee covers II membership which they normally paid for. Additional benefits are free Marriott to Marriott trades in II, and free retrades. There are prob other benefits as well (maybe discounts on unit size upgrades in II?) I’m not sure bc my weeks are resale and not eligible for enrollment. I don’t see a downside to enrollment, just gives more options for use. You don’t lose any.


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[Gemini Chica]

I would defo do it, only advantages. Extra usage. Club dues included Interval membership, they are the only costs.


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[Dean]

Interesting... so it is our only week, and likely ever to be cause of the MFs. If we can enroll for free now, keep our "deeded" week as is, and then convert it to points if we want, or exchange to II, for the $205 yearly fee (and exchange fee in II I assume?)... it sounds like a win for us. I'm just skeptical though and looking for that hidden cost

I would if you trade it some and can drop your private II account. Marriott to Marriott exchanges (and retrades) are free as are changes cancelations were applicable. IF it was a lockoff, that would be free as well. However, for an EOY that's not a lockoff, the benefit is minimal if you use it much at all yourself. That's exp true for something you could rent privately and likely come out ahead. Still, minimal cost and almost no risk for some benefit and flexibility.

 

[dougp26364]

We joined when they initially opened the program. At the time we had to pay a fee of something like $500 or $600. The only “cost” is the fact you typically receive fewer points for your week than it would take to reserve the same week. For instance, we receive around 4,600 points for our Grand Chateau week but it would take over 5,000 points if we wanted to reserve the same week we typically would use. BUT, our Ocean Pointe week actually receives MORE points than the typical week in our assigned season..... but fewer than the December week we almost always reserve.
Still, I prefer reserving using points. It’s easier IMHO and I can choose the view if the resort offers views. We use our Ocean Pointe week every year. We deposit our Grand Chateau week each year for DC points. For us this works. Typically, before the DC, we would exchange our the GC week for spring/fall weeks somewhere else, which tend to be less expensive if we use points and we get more value than straight exchanges. We also enjoy going to Hawaii, and it was nice to reserve an ocean front view on Maui rather than exchange and likely receive an island view room. Hawaii is a long travel time for us and securing a nice view is important.
As with everything, your mileage using points may differ, but it’s great to have options.