Okay, this was an email surprise today. It looks like the Marriott and former Starwood timeshare brands are also all coming together under the same corporate umbrella. I received this email this afternoon, as a former Starwood, now Vistana Signature Experiences, timeshare owner:

Dear Owner,

As a valued Owner, we want to personally share some exciting news with you. Earlier today, ILG, the parent company of Vistana Signature Experiences, announced its plans to combine with Marriott Vacations Worldwide to create a leading global provider of premier vacation experiences. The combined company will bring together several of the most coveted lifestyle vacation ownership brands under a single entity, including Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, Hyatt Residence Club, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, St. Regis Residence Club and Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, providing an unparalleled collection of world-class vacation ownership resorts and services.

While the transaction is scheduled to close in the second half of 2018, it's still too early to identify all the opportunities it will provide. Rest assured, Owners will receive the same valuable benefits, award-winning Sheraton and Westin branded experiences and privileged access to the Starwood Preferred Guest program through the Vistana Signature Network.

As plans progress, we will communicate in advance any changes to programs or products, but for now they remain the same.

Although details still need to be worked out, we anticipate that the strengths of the combined company, along with its upper-upscale brands, will deliver even more value to you as an Owner.

This is the start of an exciting journey and we look forward to sharing updates as they become available. To view today's press release and a list of frequently asked questions, please visit vistana.com/news.

Warm regards,
Serge Rivera
President & Chief Executive Officer
ILG Vacation Ownership

As I come to this relationship from the Starwood-now-Vistana side, any insights on Marriott Vacations Worldwide from the FT hive mind? I realize MVW is a separate company and no longer a division of Marriott International, but assume there's some crossover in experiences as well as brand (and I realize TUG BBS is a good place to check, too).