any dvc marriott owners?

[jvincent16]

hello, basically starting a new thread so i wouldnt hijack another. just curious if anyone around here besides dean owns a marriott. if so, which one and how do you like it and the marriott system? i am currently looking into purchasing a marriott (yes, already a dvc member) and just looking to hear from some dvc members that also own marriotts. i am currently considering MOC because we love it there (got hitched there on the beach) and NCV because we would probably use more often and its not as expensive (purchase and MF). these are probably the only two places we would travel to, besides disney of course. My only concern is trying to trade for MOC with the NCV. we would probably only use MOC every 3yrs but it would be nice to know that our stay there would be guaranteed. i am also assuming that owning at MOC would guarantee a trade at any location and would be easy to rent. thanks!!

 

[littlestar]

Yes. We own an every other year (EOY) lockoff silver week at Marriott Horizons Branson. We bought it to basically trade back into Orlando with - for Horizons Orlando or Marriott's Cypress Harbour (two of our favorites when we're not staying on our DVC points). Hopefully when Marriott goes internal on its exchanges, we will still be able to trade into the Orlando Marriotts I mentioned above. There seems to be plenty of Orlando Marriotts supply, so hopefully that's in our favor. Plus, we travel off season - September/October, late January, and early May.

I do see the Hawaii Marriotts in flexchange on the II website (flexchange is the 59 day or less travel window). So if a person had some flexibility on being able to travel short notice, I could grab some nice Marriott exchanges in flexchange. But who knows what the future holds on this when Marriott goes to an internal exchange system for Marriott to Marriott exchanges. My husband thinks I'm worrying too much about it. I've even wondered if I should just sell the Horizons week and buy II getaway weeks instead, since we travel off season and there are plenty of Marriott Orlando Getaway weeks on II. And we never take advantage of flexchange in II for those Hawaii Marriotts that we see.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks littlestar. i've read some info on the internal exchange but still dont really understand it. will it basically only allow trades of same value? example: gold for gold or platinum for platinum, etc...
if this is true then the only marriott timeshare worth owning (for us since we travel only in the summer months) is one that is in a very desirable location during a platinum week. true?

 

[littlestar]

Who knows what Marriott is planning when they go internal. I wish I had a crystal ball. I figure they will still need dues paying owners for all year. Especially at seasonal resorts. The platinum owners can't survive without the gold, silver, and bronze owners (unless they want dues out the whazoo). Surely to goodness Marriott would still have something like flexchange (for last minute) travel. But no one high up in Marriott is talking -darn it.

Another thing that worries me with Marriott is they have a habit of dropping resorts. We don't have much money tied up with Marriott so it's no big deal for us. But, if I were paying big bucks/developer prices, I'd want to be careful about what and where I bought. Thank goodness that's one thing I haven't had to worry about with DVC. I guess DVC could drop a resort, but they haven't done it yet.

You definitely need to own platinum if that's when you want to travel.

 

[Dean]

I own 4 Marriott, DVC points, Bluegreen Points and Paradise Village MX at this time. This is a smaller version of what I owned a couple of years ago. I have evolved my holdings more of a own to use and trade for fun and variety approach overall with a few exceptions. One of my Marriott's a a trade unit, it's Platinum lockoff at the same property that Littlestar owns. If looking for a trader realize that closing costs and yearly dues are usually the same or nearly so regardless of season.

As for Marriott internal trading, it's been discussed for a few years but I'm not sure if they'll ever actually do it or not, we shall see. If they do, those with lower demand Marriott trading weeks will likely be far worse off. The current trading system allows an internal trade preference through II though it is not absolute. Trading power still comes into play.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks guys. definitely going with a platinum week since we only travel in summer and with all the internal trading and/or point system talk. WOW, nice diversified portfolio dean!!! i am not really looking for a "trader only" with marriott but of course is always something to consider. the two resorts i am looking at are newport and MOC. MOC only because we love it there and want to be able to go to maui without having to worry about trading. we would only go approx. every 3yrs. would rent the other yrs or trade for a closer resort (live in az). trade power would be great (from what i have read) and is something we would possibly take advantage of since we only travel during the summer months. considering newport platinum because it is closer, would probably use every year or every other year, cheaper purchase/MF, very easy to rent (again from the renting boards/forums i've seen online) but have to worry about trading power (unfamiliar with its trading power) and our ability to book a summer week at MOC. btw, how many weeks can u bank with a marriott resort? thanks again.

 

[Dean]

thanks guys. definitely going with a platinum week since we only travel in summer and with all the internal trading and/or point system talk. WOW, nice diversified portfolio dean!!! i am not really looking for a "trader only" with marriott but of course is always something to consider. the two resorts i am looking at are newport and MOC. MOC only because we love it there and want to be able to go to maui without having to worry about trading. we would only go approx. every 3yrs. would rent the other yrs or trade for a closer resort (live in az). trade power would be great (from what i have read) and is something we would possibly take advantage of since we only travel during the summer months. considering newport platinum because it is closer, would probably use every year or every other year, cheaper purchase/MF, very easy to rent (again from the renting boards/forums i've seen online) but have to worry about trading power (unfamiliar with its trading power) and our ability to book a summer week at MOC. btw, how many weeks can u bank with a marriott resort? thanks again.

What size do you need. Newport is not lockoff and Maui is really too expensive to trade for most options. One thing to look at is if you go retail that you can buy one Every Other year at two different places without paying the 10% premium for EOY normally charged. Of course resale is usually worth the extra savings even with the loss of the points option. Remember not all summer options are Platinum, take Aruba for example. One other issue to consider is that a single week owner at Maui is likely not going to get s summer week most years. Just like with DVC, you might be better off owning something cheaper and trying to trade in to Maui and paying cash if you don't match.

 

[mzzbuzzlightyear]

We own Marriott Ocean Pointe in West Palm Beach, DVC, as well as Paradise and Corel Marien by Hilton, in Puerto Plata, DR.

The Marriotts, we use to either stay at our Home resort or to trade into other Marriotts.

We traded into Marriott Beach Place in FLL this past April...1BR for 1BR.

July 15, we are going to a 1 BR BCV, with a trade-in of our 1 BR Marriott.

I found them both on the II website.

I plan on using my DVC just for WDW, although we did go to HHI and VB once before. I prefer to use my Marriott if I go to Hilton Head or to the beaches in south Florida.

The 2 in the DR, we use to go in February or March when the New Jersey weather is really obnoxious.

All in all, I love both my Marriott and DVC. You can't go wrong with both of them, they compliment each other, IMHO.

June

 

[jvincent16]

thanks guys, btw already dvc owner. just looking to diversify my portfolio so it can one day look like deans
dean, currently we only need a one bedroom since it is just my wife and I. i have been online all day and it seems like MOC just doesnt make as much sense as newport. its just hard to totally abandon the thought of owning there. my heart says moc but my brain says newport. btw, neither one is smarter than the other. if i decide on newport i will just have to take my chances on trading and getting a summer week in maui. now i have to look into the lack of lockoff options with newport. havent really explored or educated myself on the lockoff option. to put it in simple terms i would say a 2bd (either eoy or annual) would only be good for a one week 2bd stay at my resort or another (traded) resort?? correct? if i had a lockoff option i would be able to split the resort and possibly come away with two 2wk vacations for my one week??? this would be great but there arent any other resorts that are close (az) and that i would be satisfied staying at if a trade fell through. any suggestions on other resorts with a lockoff? *TOO much info*
What are the disadvantages of owning EOY? looks like cheaper MF and if i dont plan on using every year, like maui, it seems like it would be an advantage. hey, maybe an EOY at each location gotta be a downside to that. seems to simple, even though i just thought of it
thanks again, love hearing how all of u crunch numbers and use the system to its fullest. seems like multiple ts is the way to go.

 

[Dean]

thanks guys, btw already dvc owner. just looking to diversify my portfolio so it can one day look like deans
dean, currently we only need a one bedroom since it is just my wife and I. i have been online all day and it seems like MOC just doesnt make as much sense as newport. its just hard to totally abandon the thought of owning there. my heart says moc but my brain says newport. btw, neither one is smarter than the other. if i decide on newport i will just have to take my chances on trading and getting a summer week in maui. now i have to look into the lack of lockoff options with newport. havent really explored or educated myself on the lockoff option. to put it in simple terms i would say a 2bd (either eoy or annual) would only be good for a one week 2bd stay at my resort or another (traded) resort?? correct? if i had a lockoff option i would be able to split the resort and possibly come away with two 2wk vacations for my one week??? this would be great but there arent any other resorts that are close (az) and that i would be satisfied staying at if a trade fell through. any suggestions on other resorts with a lockoff? *TOO much info*
What are the disadvantages of owning EOY? looks like cheaper MF and if i dont plan on using every year, like maui, it seems like it would be an advantage. hey, maybe an EOY at each location gotta be a downside to that. seems to simple, even though i just thought of it
thanks again, love hearing how all of u crunch numbers and use the system to its fullest. seems like multiple ts is the way to go.

The main advantage of a lockoff is an extra trade for every year of ownership usually with a bonus week as well. As for EOY, the only disadvantage I can think of is the usually higher buy in price plus managing the EOY option. Obviously this is a personal decision and really depends on how you'll use it and the $$ differences involved as well as your risk tolerance. See what prices you can find for what you want keeping in mind the fees as well. Don't forget what I said about the difficulty in reserving summer for the Maui Marriott. I know more than one person that bought then sold because they could never get summer, usually in a very bitter way. Truthfully I think the only way to buy for summer at MOC is to have 2 weeks min so you can reserve at 13 months out.

One option is to rely more on the exchange aspect by buying something cheaper, preferably a lockoff. The CA and AZ desert options come to mind as does LV and Utah for the Western US. A few good options for the central and eastern US might include Ocean Point, Manor Club and Horizon's Branson. NC shouldn't be too difficult to get if you have a good MVCI trader and plan ahead. MOC will be tough to own or trade to get what you want. Regardless there are no perfect answers to this situation. One approach is to do what I've done. That is to buy multiple weeks plus a trading week to essentially ensure success on reservations, at least until Marriott changes the rules, LOL. One of the options might be to talk Marriott about a fixed week for Maui in the new section EOY, it might be more but you'd be set for what though at an even higher cost.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

We just purchased a Plat. week in the Marriott in St. Thomas. We are also DVC owners, but we only have 150 pts. We haven't even gotten into the whole trade thing yet, so I can't comment on that. Sounds very confusing! I don't even know why we bought into it, it must have been the rum drinks! We do plan on going there next March as it should be almost fully completed by then.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks again. i will look into the fixed week at MOC. waiting for a reply from a sales executive. havent seen any fixed weeks for that resort on the resale ads.
it seems like newport rents very easily but its my understanding that marriott handles the rentals now and take a large chunk of change out of the owners pocket. true?? i was thinking make some money by renting newport then turn around and rent MOC. would probably have to pay a couple hundred more than i would make but i would be able to get what i want when i want. lots of rentals for pretty much anywhere and everywhere. even MOC. would also possibly come out ahead since i would be saving from the lower MF's. it seems like owning a property, renting it out, and then renting what u want is the way to go. seems much more reliable, hasselfree and actually pretty easy. i guess it would only really work out if u did that with "like" resorts. wouldnt be able to do that with a less reliable resort that obviously would rent for less.
why doesnt newport offer lockoff? does it have anything to do with desireabilitytrading value/power? is it eligible for the AC? btw, whats that stand for again? i know its the extra week II gives u for banking your week correct? maybe going away once the internal switch right? thanks

 

[jvincent16]

congrats tinkbell fan. "rum drinks" if they were smart they would have an open bar at every ts presentation. i would probably be a proud owner of 10ts right now and living out of a cardboard box!!

 

[Dean]

thanks again. i will look into the fixed week at MOC. waiting for a reply from a sales executive. havent seen any fixed weeks for that resort on the resale ads.
it seems like newport rents very easily but its my understanding that marriott handles the rentals now and take a large chunk of change out of the owners pocket. true?? i was thinking make some money by renting newport then turn around and rent MOC. would probably have to pay a couple hundred more than i would make but i would be able to get what i want when i want. lots of rentals for pretty much anywhere and everywhere. even MOC. would also possibly come out ahead since i would be saving from the lower MF's. it seems like owning a property, renting it out, and then renting what u want is the way to go. seems much more reliable, hasselfree and actually pretty easy. i guess it would only really work out if u did that with "like" resorts. wouldnt be able to do that with a less reliable resort that obviously would rent for less.
why doesnt newport offer lockoff? does it have anything to do with desireabilitytrading value/power? is it eligible for the AC? btw, whats that stand for again? i know its the extra week II gives u for banking your week correct? maybe going away once the internal switch right? thanks

The fixed weeks are fairly new and there aren't many of them. I doubt you'll find one resale for a while. Marriott has changed their rental approach for the worse. If you own and want to rent, do it on your own. Some Marriott's offer lockoff's and others don't. I've never heard an official explanation but it likely relates to parking and density, it certainly does at HH.

 

[jvincent16]

hey dean, they did say fixed units available at MOC during summer months but it will be in the new units and only 2 or 3bedroom. i can only imagine what the price will be. expecting prices tomorrow. he didnt get back to me on newport. do u know if they offer fixed weeks? looks like i might just have to bite the bullet and buy exactly what we want/need. wife is a teacher and is the reason why we need summer months only.
about the 13month window. if i own ncv eoy (lets say odd yrs.) and moc eoy(even yrs.) that allows me to book at the 13month window correct? also, just saw their promotion. allows u to buy 2 eoy contracts at different resorts for 50% instead of the 65 or 67% for eoy contracts. it is only on certain inventory though. probably not what i want. gonna have to start searching the resale ads. maybe i'll get lucky. i just have to know exactly what i want/need first. thanks again to all. anyone else out there with a marriott?? how u like??

 

[jvincent16]

sorry, another question. i assume you cant bank any weeks with marriott since i dont see that on their site and on any of the marriott faq's. if so then what happens if i book a week, cant go or cant rent? do a basically just lose that week? can i bank it with II for lets say, two years or longer? if so and if i buy where i want to go (eoy) but cant then i have to bank with II and not be able to stay at my resort and have to play the trading game for that following year. ahhh!! dvc is so much easier. sorry for all the marriott questions but u guys are great. btw, for all u new comers, yes i am a dvc member as well
heres an example of what i am thinking.
buy eoy at moc and eoy at newport. that will give me 13month window for moc (which is suggested). could i bank one of the eoy at moc with II then make a reservation the following year or two years later at moc for two weeks instead of one. again, sorry, i think i am confusing myself now.
thanks!!!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

hey dean, they did say fixed units available at MOC during summer months but it will be in the new units and only 2 or 3bedroom. i can only imagine what the price will be. expecting prices tomorrow. he didnt get back to me on newport. do u know if they offer fixed weeks? looks like i might just have to bite the bullet and buy exactly what we want/need. wife is a teacher and is the reason why we need summer months only.

From what I've heard the prices will be higher than you think. I don't believe NC offers fixed weeks. Some of the ski properties did and some of the older resorts came in with them such as Harbour Pt and Monarch. The other essentially fixed week resorts are the Platinum plus where you can reserve THE high demand one or two weeks but can also reserve in the Platinum season as well. I'm not really sure how that works exactly. For Maui this is only weeks 52 or 51 & 52 depending on the portion in question.

about the 13month window. if i own ncv eoy (lets say odd yrs.) and moc eoy(even yrs.) that allows me to book at the 13month window correct?

That is not correct. In order to book at 13 months out it's not enough to be a multiweek owner. You must book concurrent or consecutive weeks that match up exactly. But you can book the same week in Maui and the east coast if you want and one could be another season say Silver at one resort and Platinum at another. As I mentioned, I have 4 weeks, my trading unit is a lockoff. I locked it off (extra fee) then booked week 25 studio, week 26 1 BR, week 27 for two HH weeks and week 28 for the other HH week (pre-rented for this week).

also, just saw their promotion. allows u to buy 2 eoy contracts at different resorts for 50% instead of the 65 or 67% for eoy contracts.

I know I mentioned that recently on another thread. In the past the EOY premium has normally been 10% (60% compared to 50%) with the option to upgrade to EY with a year for the extra 40% ante.

Marriott has ROFR of many but not all of their properties and they have been far more active in exercising it lately. Let me reiterate, buying platinum at the Maui Marriott will not ensure you get a summer week that will work for you, actually far from it unless you go for the fixed weeks. NC should work better in that capacity. Let me go another direction, you might consider buying a fixed week non Marriott option for a week later in the time you prefer. You could then place a request first for the Marriott, Westin, etc. If you get it great, if not, you're all set since you have a week that works for you. Or you could look at the Westin property, sorry I don't know enough about their system to direct you further that way.

 

[Dean]

sorry, another question. i assume you cant bank any weeks with marriott since i dont see that on their site and on any of the marriott faq's. if so then what happens if i book a week, cant go or cant rent? do a basically just lose that week? can i bank it with II for lets say, two years or longer? if so and if i buy where i want to go (eoy) but cant then i have to bank with II and not be able to stay at my resort and have to play the trading game for that following year. ahhh!! dvc is so much easier. sorry for all the marriott questions but u guys are great. btw, for all u new comers, yes i am a dvc member as well
heres an example of what i am thinking.
buy eoy at moc and eoy at newport. that will give me 13month window for moc (which is suggested). could i bank one of the eoy at moc with II then make a reservation the following year or two years later at moc for two weeks instead of one. again, sorry, i think i am confusing myself now.
thanks!!!!!!!!

Marriott currently uses II as their internal trading mechanism. There have been rumors they may start to handle it on their own. You can deposit or request first and the charge is $89 for Marriott ONLY exchanges and a little higher for requests that include non Marriott options, I think it's $134 & $149 domestic and intl. If you actually give up your week to II you have up to 2 years past your week to secure and USE a week from their system.

DVC is easier because you know it and you call and get a reservation or not at 7 or 11 months out. But there are other benefits and flexibilities to the Marriott and II system that CAN be better for a given person depending on needs and circumstances. Once you learn the system I think DVC is more difficult in many ways.

You may also want too reconsider a good trading option that you can use during the summer such as Manor Club lockoff or Ocean Pointe, even Aruba. If you use the request first trade option you can keep what you have and use it while looking for NC, MOC, etc. A little less certain but certainly workable. You've already shown me you're aggressive enough and willing to do the work to make this approach successful.

 

[jvincent16]

thanks dean! you've been a great help. i'm a little bit closer to knowing what i want. i have looked at other companies/resorts but either the resorts dont impress me, too many disgruntle owners, too many horror stories or too many questions regarding the companies reputation and current events. i think i will stick with marriott. i think i will also just stick to the resort i would want to stay at. nc or moc and try to get a fixed week if possible. since it will only be the second ts in my portfolio i am still going to play it safe. i am still at the point where i need to know that i will be able to have a june/july month and have it at one of my desired locations. maybe the third will be an inexpensive one that i can use as a trader and take full advantage of a system. some of the very first posts were right, "this is an addiction."

real quick, about the 13month window. if i wanted two eoy resorts then i would have to buy both for the same yrs (either both odd or both even) to qualify for the 13mos.? if its not too much trouble can u give an example using nc (2bd eoy) and moc (1bd eoy). as u know, neither one a lock off. THANKS!!!!!!!!

 

[jvincent16]

one more ? about the eoy. if i own two same eoy resorts, lets use nc and a really cheap resort but platinum week, can i try to reserve two consecutive weeks at nc during the 13month window?