Marriot Vacation Club

[SheriB]

A friend of mine was staying at a Marriot Vacation Club in Orlando last week. She and her husband are considering buying. They are huge Disney fans but aren't interested in DVC. They went to the sales pitch for Marriot and the salesman told them that Marriot has "merged" with DVC(his exact words). She asked me if I heard anything about that (since I own DVC) and I said I'm 99.9% certain that was a false statement. She then asked if it was possible to trade into DVC from Marriot. I said I would ask. I would think it's at least a little difficult to trade in, given the fact that some members have a hard enough time booking their home resort between 11 and 7 months. Unless they use cash inventory for outside trades? Or would it be members from DVC who want to trade out, and they use that inventory? I've never stayed anywhere other than Disney with my DVC, so i really don't know. Can anyone clarify? TIA.

Sheri

 

[disneydenisel]

My understanding is that Marriott trades with Interval, and DVC, of course, trades with RCI. So the obvious answer would be no, your friend won't be able to trade Marriott to DVC. There are always changes to exchange companies, so you never know if DVC may go back to Interval, but then who knows what company Marriott might exchange with then.

 

[DenLo]

The only way she could trade into the DVC is by trading into RCI and then from RCI trade into DVC. I don't even know if that is something a Marriott Timeshare could do. And like you said it would depend on the number of DVC members that trade out to RCI. But I see all of the time that RCI members trade into the DVC.

To my knowledge there has not been any changes to incorporate Marriott into a trade agreement with DVC. I think Marriott is spinning off it's TS into a separate entity. But I didn't think they were selling it to RCI.

Tug has more information on other timeshares, if your friend wants to check it out.

http://www.tug2.net/

 

[hakepb]

DVC blocks trades in from other Orlando-based timeshares. (RCI and they used to do that when DVC was in II)

Remember, while "everyone" vacations in Orlando, everyone also has brothers that built timeshares around Orlando, its way overbuilt so there may not be much trading power. Buy where you want to stay.

 

[chalee94]

there are a couple of marriotts that trade through RCI. 99% of the owners of those resorts trade through II and not RCI, as II gives marriott owners a preference period for trading between marriott owners.

so, for the most part, marriott owners cannot trade through RCI to get DVC and DVC owners cannot trade for marriotts.

but marriott has started a points program, largely based on DVC's model, which is probably what the salesman was getting at.

if i were buying a marriott, i would buy a resale and not points...

 

[Dean]

While I love the Marriott system, I would not buy in right now. With their new trust system it's far too expensive to do so. If they like Marriott, they may want to look at buying a week resale, it's a great time to do so.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I believe Marriott recently spun off it's timeshare business also.

They may not be Marriott much longer.

 

[JimC]

Marriott is spinning off the timeshare business into a separate company. It's not surprising because the timeshare business is capital intensive. Marriott prefers to manage. They will continue to brand and manage the timeshares.

 

[papertraveller]

Hi,

We are that unique family that owns DVC, and also owns Marriott through the points system.

Our experiences with DVC have been nothing but exceptional. Inventory availability, service, resorts quality ... fabulous.

Marriott, on the other hand, has been a bumpy experience. The points system is based on flexibility and the ability to book when you want, but many aspects of this plan are not in keeping with that sales pitch. For example, if you want to book a seven-day vacation, you can do so 12 months in advance. If you want anything less, you can book only 10 months in advance.

Inventory is also sketchy. We have booked three vacations so far, but have had to wait list in order to get in.

On other boards, users say the points system is expensive. There is also the issue of the company coping with two different systems to accommodate its legacy weeks users -- those who purchased week-long blocks for use year after year, and trading of course -- as well as the new points people such as us. There is no question we feel like we are secondary to that group.

If your friends are serious, get them to ask hard questions based on any real-life situations they could envision. "So we'd like to book at this resort for Easter, when do we have to book? Show me what is available." "What happens if we have to cancel, and when?"

The Marriott rules are seemingly based on DVC, but they are more restrictive. I won't say yet that we're unhappy, but we're certainly not as thrilled as we are with the DVC experience.

 

[bookwormde]

Also remind them that if they buy from marriot the timeshare will loose 80-95% of its value as soon as they sign.

 

[Dean]

The Marriott rules are seemingly based on DVC, but they are more restrictive. I won't say yet that we're unhappy, but we're certainly not as thrilled as we are with the DVC experience.

I'm sure Marriott gathered info from a lot of points systems as well as ARDA and their internal info. Both DVC and the Marriott Trust system are points systems but other than elements that are common to points systems in general, they similarities tend to stop there. Marriott essentially created a NEW timeshare system with crossover to the old system, essentially their own internal exchange company with 2 different clubs. In addition, they created a crossover option for existing "now enrolled" owners (Destination points). Marriott is FAR closer to the Bluegreen system than to DVC. Their points are trust based, there is NO home resort, fees are the same pp for all owner regardless of where the points are based and they came out of the box with a VIP system for qualified owners/buyers based on the number of points owned. In reality Marriott cut off the old system last June and started a new and mostly unrelated system. The old system will dominate for some time but eventually the trust system will take over if new resorts cont to be added. There are some additional nuances for those who belong to the old system and are now enrolled and have the option of trading into the new system but that's even more complicated so I won't go there unless asked.

 

[Dean]

Also remind them that if they buy from marriot the timeshare will loose 80-95% of its value as soon as they sign.

In some cases yes but often no. Current retail buyers are likely in a very good situation right now as there's little availability for resales since the new system is less than a year old. Even for existing properties under the old system, it depends. For many options the base value is as good as DVC, for others not. Given the current status, it's unrealistic to think DVC will hold up much or any better than Marriott will going forward.

 

[arthur06]

Are most of Marriott's "week" fixed or float? I would love to add a good Marriott week at a value price!

 

[Dean]

Are most of Marriott's "week" fixed or float? I would love to add a good Marriott week at a value price!

Most current Marriott weeks are floating weeks but they float within a season. For the most part, Marriott weeks are designated either Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum. There are a few small wrinkles but this is the basis of the previous system and most current weeks. Some are lockoff's and some not. Like any other timeshare purchase one needs to educate themselves as to what's best for them. It is a great time to buy a Marriott week if one fits your plans otherwise but home resort AND season are very important to the process. And realize that one may never have access to the Marriott points system with such a purchase. I would say that a good Bluegreen or Wyndham purchase or even RCI points may be a better value for many people. Just do your homework and find what's best for you, if anything.

 

[mecllap]

Anyone considering any type of timeshare purchase should do a lot of research first. (I didn't, and while I don't regret having the timeshares I have, I could have gotten them cheaper). I really enjoy timesharing; it has improved my vacation experiences. One source of helpful info is http://www.tug2.net/ -- including its bulletin board ( http://tugbbs.com/forums/ ).

I have done "getaways" into a couple of Marriott properties which we really enjoyed (units tend to be larger than DVC units) -- I seek them out. A couple of pieces of the main advice: Never (rarely) buy from the Developer (resale is the way to go); and Buy where you want to stay most often (possibly within driving distance -- a destination that you can "default" to, if you can't get an exchange or something -- it does get a little complicated -- you can't count on being able to exchange). Except for DVC, I wouldn't buy in Orlando, because it's pretty easy to buy "getaways" there (or make an exchange into). A timeshare is not an "investment" -- it's a purchase of lodging for future vacations (and commits you to a large amount of money taking those vacations over many years, including/plus the annual maintenance fees).

 

[SheriB]

Thank you all for all the information! I will pass this on to my friend (or maybe give her a link to this thread). I did tell her to look up an online forum, perhaps specifically for Marriot owners, where she could get some questions answered.
That's how I found the Disboards: we took the DVC tour our 2nd trip to Disney in 2002. My husband wanted to buy then and there, but I said no, I wanted to research more before we jumped in. We came home from vacation and I found the Disboards. We made our decision to buy BCV within a couple of weeks and LOVE our DVC. I don't post often, because I'm usually able to find answers to my questions from someone who has already asked.
Again, thanks for all the info and opinions. They are very much appreciated!

Sheri

 

[Dean]

Thank you all for all the information! I will pass this on to my friend (or maybe give her a link to this thread). I did tell her to look up an online forum, perhaps specifically for Marriot owners, where she could get some questions answered.
That's how I found the Disboards: we took the DVC tour our 2nd trip to Disney in 2002. My husband wanted to buy then and there, but I said no, I wanted to research more before we jumped in. We came home from vacation and I found the Disboards. We made our decision to buy BCV within a couple of weeks and LOVE our DVC. I don't post often, because I'm usually able to find answers to my questions from someone who has already asked.
Again, thanks for all the info and opinions. They are very much appreciated!

Sheri

The Timeshare Users Group (tug2.net) is a great resource.

 

[bookwormde]

Yes have your frend do lots of research.

While there is a new converted "system" it is still about the resorts, here is the eaby links to Marriott timeshares which will give you a feel for resale.

WHile OT I was ahcked to see Ko-olina selling without a reserve.

http://realestate.shop.ebay.com/i.h...lub&_osacat=10542&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1311

http://cgi.ebay.com/2BR-Marriotts-K...80659682210?pt=Timeshares&hash=item2a1027fba2

 

[taaren]

Yep research is good.
We own DVC and I'm on my mom's week + an EOY week at a Marriott. I was pleasantly surprised to see that if we'd bought resale we would not have saved much money, so the extra reward points she received (more than a half million) was well worth it for that particular platinum ski week. But that's mainly because the weeks bought are apparently highly sought after.
We have been very pleased with both DVC and Marriott, but we bought where and in Marriott's case when we wanted to stay. Those room nights were going for around $600/night when we bought, now they're going for well over $1K.
That being said, while Marriott on Maui seems to have a good trading value the Kauai one does not, and I've never been able to see much of a difference. We looked at the points system when they offered to convert and decided it wasn't for us. I'm gotten the vague impression that the Orlando ones don't trade nearly as well, and from what I can see on II neither do the Vegas ones (at least it looks easy to trade into from that perspective), so it does matter where and when one buys apparently with Marriott.
I wasn't aware that Marriott people could trade using other than II, but II is a cool system though DVC no longer is a part of it. Lots of features of II that we like, including getaways.

 

[Dean]

I wasn't aware that Marriott people could trade using other than II, but II is a cool system though DVC no longer is a part of it. Lots of features of II that we like, including getaways.

You can trade anything that is accepted through an independent company. Some Marriott's are in RCI and can trade either, mostly older ones.