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Re: Purchasing a Marriot Vacation Club timeshare (by Kenneth K.):

gailt19 wrote:

catherine412 wrote:

Hi, I do own some Fairfield timeshares., I have been recently discussing a purchase of one week in the Marriott Vacation Club. I am just wondering about anyone's experience either with the purchase process, or about the vacation club itself. They are obviously very nice resorts. I am being told that if you don't use a resort in a give year you can gain Marriott Rewards points which might work for me as I still work and can't always get away.

I have not considered resale on this, I know that they are out there. Appreciate any comments. Thanks

Cathy in CT

Cathy:

We own at Marriott Ocean Pointe, Sabal Palms, and Grande Vista. In order to take advantage of the Marriott Rewards program you have to buy from Marriott.

If you buy from an outside agency or owner you cannot get a memership into the Rewards System. You also cannot pass your rewards program along to anyone if you decide to sell your unit.

We enjoy the ability to trade for points as we often cannot use all the weeks we own. You can give your points to family members for use also. Of course everything you do with your unit if you decide not to use it costs you money -- a charge for banking with Interval International as well as a charge to bank for points. You also get an additional charge when you go to use your points. Marriott is not always easy to deal with but their units are kept in excellent condition and their choice of locations are numerous.

Gail

Not exactly true. Anyone can join the Marriott Rewards program. It is simply a travel rewards program. Many business people who travel a lot get many points when they stay in Marriott properties.

All Others use the affinitty Marriott Rewards card from JPMorganChase...a VISA ( there are two differnt main charge programs).

The only thing you give up ( currently) from Marriott when buying resale (not from Marriott Development) is the ability to trade back your very expensive week ( including maint fees of $1000 per week average) for a set of points that is determined by Marriott. (If the HOA allows points return...some HOA contracts with Marriott don't allow it).

As mentioned before, Marriott Rewards points were on sale during last winter and spring for one penny each.

Turn back of a week (Discussed on another thread here on redweek) might not be that great a deal.....unless you have a super plat week, you will get 130,000 points or less, for a weeks turn in of a 2 bed 2 bath unit. If you want another 2 bed 2 bath unit in the MVCI system (that will take points in trade, it will cost 150,00 for the same size and lenght of time ( IF AVAILABLE ). (Those points guarantee you nothing if the place isn't available)

Consider your loss of $20,000 to buy a week and $1000 a week main & taxes. Loss of interest/div on the #20,000 is also about $1000.

(I'm forgoing the Marriott charges to convert a week to points)

I guess its $2000 to get those points. If you are a points wiz, it might be of great value. There are 3 folk on the www.tugbbs.com site that can pull off the great values for points. Most of the rest of us are in La La land. 225,000+ points might get the world trip for 2 (used to be 200,000 points) but now you must find the conversion to airline points and the Marriott HOTEL that will be available when you can go ( being flexible is a great help)

IMO- the best value continues to buy a Marriott resale with a lock out and during a good week. ( I think Seth has a MBP unit Plat for $13,000 or a Gold for $9000 on Redweek & myresortnetwork right now) Both are Red. Both will not be eligible for turn back of points. Both will be eligible for the FAMOUS Florida Club ( who knows???/cares)

Take the week in your float period, and then (if not using) Lock out the unit to 2 units, pick the best time period available in the float from Marriott, and get two weeks back from II. If II likes your week ( you picked the strongest time in your float, right??) they may give you an AC (bonus week). Thats 3 weeks for your one. Using the II Getaways to Marriott resorts ( or other places) is also a steal.....