Original Message:
Re: Marriott Vacation Club "Destinations" - What I Like and What I've Done (by G333 S.):
Kathrynm,
A few tips and tricks you may want to look into: as a premiere owner you qualify for a 20% "discount" on any point reservation made within 7 days prior to check in. That means that if the normal cost is 2000 points, you would only have to pay 1600.
To take advantage of this coupled with the perk of being able to book 13 months out at any resort and no cxl fees. You should try the following:
Book what you want 13 months out. Then 7 days before arrival call your VOA (or check online) to see if you there is your same vacation available. If so, book it and cxl the other reservation, and save 20%. There is a downfall to this however, I believe those refunded points must be used within 60 days (most owners simply tack on an extra day with those points or use it as an excuse to go somewhere within the next two months, even if it's only for a few days).
Another trick that anyone can do is to look into Sunday Check-ins and Friday Check-outs. It's a 6 day stay but will make any reservation almost 50% less the required point cost.
Sometimes sacrificing a day or two is worth it when it leaves enough points left to take 2 or 3 more trips doing the same 50% off trick.
When going to Hawaii, I am breaking up my flight so that I can stay in Vegas Thursday-Friday night, Checking out Saturday, then flying on to Kauai Checking in on Saturday with a Friday Check out.
So 3 days/2 nights in Vegas (about all the time needed for that place) and 7 days/6 nights in Kauai, but since Vegas is cheaper in points for Friday than Hawaii is, it made sense to split the weekend days that are more expensive between the two destinations.