What to do with expiring points?

[Pompey Family]

We've been a bit pre-occupied with other stuff this year to keep on top of our Vacation Club portfolio and I've now realised that we have 7500 points that will expire on the 30th December this year. We're too late to bank the points as that needed to be done at least six months out. Our travel options are limited with one child in the critical Year 11 at school and the other in his second year of A-Levels. I've already exchanged two banked weeks into Canyon Villas and Desert Spring Villas in December with the boys joining me during the second week because they too were expiring at the end of the year. Any ideas what to do with the points? I've tried looking at the Destinations Escapes but the page on the website is no longer available and it keeps sending me on a loop to the homepage. I'm loathe to convert them to Bonvoy points due to the poor exchange rate.

 

[winger]

You can try renting them on VacationExchange.com

 

[VacationForever]

Note that all these have poor value:

1) Deposit into II to extend the lives by 2 years.
2) Collette tours and cruises for next year's travel.
3) Resort credit for Canyon Villas and Desert Springs stays.
4) Golf rounds at Desert Springs and Shadow Ridge. They have 1-year expiration.
5) Bonvoy point conversion.
6) Rent points out at a loss.

I have used (3), (4) and (6) for expiring banked points during COVID lockdown.

 

[sunski]

I think there have been other posts like this recently
For option 1 are the points only eligible for non-Marriott exchanges in II?

 

[VacationForever]

I think there have been other posts like this recently
For option 1 are the points only eligible for non-Marriott exchanges in II?

Yes. But there are a ton of options for good resorts like Hyatt and Four Seasons in II.

 

[sunski]

Thanks, just wanted to confirm what I'd thought I'd read on another post.

 

[winger]

Yes. But there are a ton of options for good resorts like Hyatt and Four Seasons in II.

Why would they limit non-Marriott access in II?

 

[VacationForever]

Why would they limit non-Marriott access in II?

They limit Marriott access as opposed to non-Marriott access in II. The idea is that you use DC / Abound system to reserve MVC resorts.

 

[DRH90277]

Consider reserving a couple of 5 day point stays and then renting them out quickly on Redweek. Marriott resorts in Palm Desert might be good prospects. I think the script and insurance deals are really bad. You could list the points for rent at the same time. A $50 Redweek expense and good pricing would go a long way toward solving your problem.

 

[winger]

They limit Marriott access as opposed to non-Marriott access in II. The idea is that you use DC / Abound system to reserve MVC resorts.

Is this non-Marriott use in II a new thing or only enforced for certain circumstances (e.g. late deposits, etc.) ?

 

[VacationForever]

Is this non-Marriott use in II a new thing or only enforced for certain circumstances (e.g. late deposits, etc.) ?

Since Destination Club inception in June 2010, DC points cannot be exchanged into Marriott properties in II. My ownership are all bought after 2010 and enrolled, but most of the time I use Marriott weeks to deposit into II to exchange into Marriott properties. Hence enrolled weeks are much more flexible than DC points.

 

[winger]

Since Destination Club inception in June 2010, DC points cannot be exchanged into Marriott properties in II. My ownership are all bought after 2010 and enrolled, but most of the time I use Marriott weeks to deposit into II to exchange into Marriott properties. Hence enrolled weeks are much more flexible than DC points.

Oh, I see. You are referring to use of DC points and an II limitation for only non-Marriott exchanges. I thought this was in reference to Marriott weeks deposited into II cannot being able to be used for exchanges into Marriotts !

 

[Pompey Family]

Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't aware that by depositing into II you were unable to excahnge for Marriott properties so that completely rules out II deposit. With such limitations in a short time frame and our time off availability already accounted for (half term booked in Spain and the Arizona/California weeks booked) we've decided to cut our losses to some degree and exchange for Bonvoy points which we'll use for weekend breaks in the UK and Europe.

 

[bazzap]

Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't aware that by depositing into II you were unable to excahnge for Marriott properties so that completely rules out II deposit. With such limitations in a short time frame and our time off availability already accounted for (half term booked in Spain and the Arizona/California weeks booked) we've decided to cut our losses to some degree and exchange for Bonvoy points which we'll use for weekend breaks in the UK and Europe.

The restriction is only for using DC Points in Interval for MVC resorts though.
We still regularly
- use DC Points directly with MVC to book any MVC resorts
- use MVC weeks deposits (or mostly Request First) with Interval to exchange into other MVC resorts

 

[winger]

The restriction is only for using DC Points in Interval for MVC resorts though.
We still regularly
- use DC Points directly with MVC to book any MVC resorts
- use MVC weeks deposits (or mostly Request First) with Interval to exchange into other MVC resorts

<Sigh of relief > this just reminded me, in June a sales rep warned us if we do not buy Trust Points, we can no longer stay in Marriott resorts through II exchanges because Marriotts were being removed from II. Maybe he was confused with using DC points?

 

[Pamplemousse]

<Sigh of relief > this just reminded me, in June a sales rep warned us if we do not buy Trust Points, we can no longer stay in Marriott resorts through II exchanges because Marriotts were being removed from II. Maybe he was confused with using DC points?

No, he was repeating a lie that a sales rep first told me 7+ years ago.

When I argued with mine she finally said that owners were going to love points so much they would never deposit in II. Nope.

We need to stop listening to sales reps. It’s their job to take our money, not help us.

 

[Pompey Family]

The restriction is only for using DC Points in Interval for MVC resorts though.
We still regularly
- use DC Points directly with MVC to book any MVC resorts
- use MVC weeks deposits (or mostly Request First) with Interval to exchange into other MVC resorts

That's our problem. We don't have any spare time to book anything via MVC before the points expire however we do deposit our weeks in II on occasions to exchange into other MVC resorts.

 

[Pamplemousse]

That's our problem. We don't have any spare time to book anything via MVC before the points expire however we do deposit our weeks in II on occasions to exchange into other MVC resorts.

Just wondering- have you looked through the II resort directory?
There are some nice properties that are not MVC/Marriott.

When you have MVC convert your points to a week to deposit (good for 2 years) you can choose the size/season of the week deposited and then place your exchange request. This gives you the option to deposit a week with high trading power.
Might be a good opportunity to explore someplace new that doesn’t have an MVC.

 

[Pompey Family]

Just wondering- have you looked through the II resort directory?
There are some nice properties that are not MVC/Marriott.

Yes, there are some nice non-Marriott properties however they are primarily located in the US, Carribbean and Mexico, there are very few in Europe which are of the standard that we want. Notwithstanding that many of the one's I'm interested in are in locations that are not served by direct flights from the UK. I'm also only really interested in visiting the National Parks in the US and there isn't much in the way of upmarket resorts near such locations. Even my forthcoming trip to Phoenix requires a 3.5 drive to reach the Grand Canyon which makes for a long day.

 

[VacationForever]

Yes, there are some nice non-Marriott properties however they are primarily located in the US, Carribbean and Mexico, there are very few in Europe which are of the standard that we want. Notwithstanding that many of the one's I'm interested in are in locations that are not served by direct flights from the UK. I'm also only really interested in visiting the National Parks in the US and there isn't much in the way of upmarket resorts near such locations. Even my forthcoming trip to Phoenix requires a 3.5 drive to reach the Grand Canyon which makes for a long day.

Worldmark is not Marriott standard but they are in most National Parks in the US. Easy to buy and easy to sell when you are done with it. You can check out worldmark forum here and wmowners.com

 

[Pamplemousse]

Yes, there are some nice non-Marriott properties however they are primarily located in the US, Carribbean and Mexico, there are very few in Europe which are of the standard that we want. Notwithstanding that many of the one's I'm interested in are in locations that are not served by direct flights from the UK. I'm also only really interested in visiting the National Parks in the US and there isn't much in the way of upmarket resorts near such locations. Even my forthcoming trip to Phoenix requires a 3.5 drive to reach the Grand Canyon which makes for a long day.

Thanks for the reply.
I was just curious why you were rejecting all else out of hand.
There aren’t many MVC in Europe either but I’m guessing you like the ones that there are.
Also not many MVC near the National Parks.

One non Marriott to consider is Harbor Ridge in Southwest Harbor Maine on Mount Desert Island- home of Acadia National Park. An amazing beautiful place.

The Big Island of Hawaii is another idea to exchange to for Volcano National Park. I don’t have a TS recommendation specifically there. We stayed at a Shell Vacation club which was fine and I would stay again.

Some friends of ours stayed at the Hyatt TS in Bonita Springs FL a few years ago and they loved it.
They visited the Everglades and took the same park boat tours from Everglades city as we did when staying at Crystal shores (if I recall its 1-1.5 hours from the Hyatt).

And remember you have 2 years to use the weeks in II. They trade just like any other week- you are not limited to the season you deposit and can pay to upsize to a larger unit if one is available and offered.

Also a suggestion for the Grand Canyon from Phoenix (we did that several years ago)- it is a long drive and you won’t want to arrive, take a quick look and turn around again. Consider spending a night there- you can book accommodations here https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/
We had a great dinner at el Tovar.

Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[klpca]

Yes, there are some nice non-Marriott properties however they are primarily located in the US, Carribbean and Mexico, there are very few in Europe which are of the standard that we want. Notwithstanding that many of the one's I'm interested in are in locations that are not served by direct flights from the UK. I'm also only really interested in visiting the National Parks in the US and there isn't much in the way of upmarket resorts near such locations. Even my forthcoming trip to Phoenix requires a 3.5 drive to reach the Grand Canyon which makes for a long day.

Very few resorts of any quality are conveniently located near the NP and none are upscale that I am aware of. Even non timeshare resorts are tough to find. Which NP are you targeting?

We recently stayed in at a resort near Glacier that was a not upscale but still enjoyable (Meadow Lake). It was still a 30 min drive to the west gate and then getting anywhere in the park was at least another 30 min. We also stayed in Bass Lake to visit Yosemite and the drive was way too long to do it for a full week (probably an hour to get where you want to be). For National Parks you will have a lot more flexibility paying cash and staying as close as possible to the parks. So maybe renting your points would be the way to go.

 

[winger]

There is a resort in nice location on Parksville, Vancouver Island in Canada overlooking the water. Unsure of the quality.

 

[Pompey Family]

Also a suggestion for the Grand Canyon from Phoenix (we did that several years ago)- it is a long drive and you won’t want to arrive, take a quick look and turn around again. Consider spending a night there- you can book accommodations here https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/
We had a great dinner at el Tovar.

I've booked a night at Flagstaff to break the drive up and enable me to spend more time at the Canyon.

Which NP are you targeting?

All of them! lol. I love Yellowstone and certainly want to return, last time we spent a week on an exchange into Park City and then drove to Driggs, Idaho to a VBRO rental and visited Yellowstone and the Tetons from there. Also visited Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Everglades, Blue Ridge Mountains and the Grand Canyon but only via a flight tour from Vegas. I'm keen on MOAB, Bryce Canyon and Zion but they're a bit out of reach when I'm over in December.

 

[Bodie]

<Sigh of relief > this just reminded me, in June a sales rep warned us if we do not buy Trust Points, we can no longer stay in Marriott resorts through II exchanges because Marriotts were being removed from II. Maybe he was confused with using DC points?

When we bought in years ago - weeks first, then points - we had two very good sales reps who knew the product, explained it clearly and were available for follow up questions. Both are no longer with MVC. Sometime in 2015/2016 we went through another pitch and declined to buy. The sales rep’s warm and charming full court press turned ice cold and he just walked out leaving us sitting there. A couple of years later I mentioned our experience to another rep and he said they knew the guy was an a****** but he was the top closer. Reading some of these nightmare pitches tells me the people skills of these reps have further devolved to the point they don’t even know what they’re selling.