Another data point if needed...call General Reservation line and the CSR didn't seem to know much about the travel packages, but was able to quickly read up on it as I helped "guide" her, too. She was able to convert my OC7 to NC5 and she did quote the QP91 code. The expiration date did extend another year and I was able to attached the new cert to my reservation. All done in about 10 mins...pleasantly surprised. Good luck, Everyone!

Do 5-night certs still exist under the new program? My parents are MVC owners and I'm trying to plan a points getaway for them.

Yes, but you must call MVCI to get the package.

Datapoint for upgrading travel packages?
 

Was able to convert my OC7 to NC5, after 30 minutes. But told by 1 CSR my 5 night package would be 135,000 points to upgrade, and by 2 others "we don't do that anymore." The 135,000 for upgrading a 5 night cert is way hi...How are others doing?

Do you happen to know the points pricing or where a table is published?

I have the Old 1-4, but in my account it shows:


7 Night Travel Package Category 1-5 Hotels


Can I redeem this for NC 5 hotel?

No. What you have is the OC 1-5 cert. You cannot attach this to a hotel now. You must exchange it for an NC cert and the default will be to convert to an NC4. You may be able to talk the agent into ordering an NC5 when they exchange it but it will cost more points. See the wiki for pricing details.

There is no old 1-4. It sounds like you have an old 1-5 which will convert to a new 1-4 which is not usable at a NC5 although could possibly be upgraded.

There was some chatter last week about the hotel portion no longer being refundable. Has anyone had any success refunding or conversely, been unable to refund an old travel package hotel cert?

You can still do it. I was even able to refund a NC6 by complaining that I wasn't informed of the policy change when I chose to convert, and that is a clear cut policy says "no" case. The technical ability is entirely there, but finding the right CSR is key.

Gary at VFTW confirmed with a Marriott spokesperson that refunding the hotel portion is allowed.

You Can Still Get Points Back For Marriott Travel Packages

Once you have a NC X, the chances of upgrading are slim to none.

As others have mentioned, a few agents will upgrade during the OC to NC conversion process.

I would be cautious about relying on this. Note that Gary does not distinguish between (a) getting a refund on an old certificate instead of converting it and (b) getting a refund on a new certificate. As you know, the explicit T&C for new certificates says no refunds, and even if they are not enforcing this right now (although some data points seem to indicate they generally are) they can always point to the T&C and deny the refund on new certificates in the future.