I don't know if this has been brought up before. I just got back from a fantastic honeymoon at the Aruba Marriott. The special service given to us as honeymooning platinum members was the best I've ever received. Anyway, we took the 75 minute time share presentation (which earned another 15K points). I was not aware that owners of Marriott time shares can elect to pass on their week in any given year and just take 100k Merriott Points. It actually sounded like a good deal to me, but then it actually bothered me. She kept bringing up that with "all these points" the time share folks will have that they can use the "anytime 50% surcharge" to get them in any hotel on any day.
Is that one of the reasons for the recent changes? I never had any problem booking before. But now with thousands of new travelers racking up hundreds of thousands of points it sounds like we have to use the 50% to get any desirable rooms. Any thoughts out there??
Is that one of the reasons for the recent changes? I never had any problem booking before. But now with thousands of new travelers racking up hundreds of thousands of points it sounds like we have to use the 50% to get any desirable rooms. Any thoughts out there??
Yes, the timeshare owners can trade their weeks in for points, which vary on location and season. Some location can trade in every year; others only every other year. The catch is that the timshare owners have to pay their annual fees regardless (range from $400-$1000) PLUS $104 charge for the point swap. So the points do cost them. I'm not sure that's the best use of their timeshare week, but it does happen. Oh. another point -- If you buy a timeshare from a resaler (not Marriott) you cannot do the points transfer.
All in all, I doubt that its the timeshare folks causing the change in the program. Its just an evolution of the program. Marriott is no different from the airlines or other hotel chains.
Remember a couple of years ago when the 713 award included the 8 day rental car? Those were the days.
All in all, I doubt that its the timeshare folks causing the change in the program. Its just an evolution of the program. Marriott is no different from the airlines or other hotel chains.
Remember a couple of years ago when the 713 award included the 8 day rental car? Those were the days.
bistee,
You message touched a couple of different points. First, Marriott is in the process of revamping the awards available and the old awards will soon no longer be available. Personally, I would lay the changes to overall degradation of frequent stay/flier programs in general. The airlines and hotels will keep cutting programs as long as they don't appear less attractive than their competition.
Regarding earning points with Marriott's timeshares, here are a few pointers:
1. Being able to turn back a week to Marriott for points varies from location to location. Some can do it annually; others bi-annually. Additonally, there may be resorts where this option is not available.
2. Again, the amount of points that you earn for turning back a week varies from resort to resort. The points value also varies depending on type of unit and what time of year your week is. In general, prime weeks at the older resorts get the most points and off-season weeks in newer resorts get the least points.
3. Additionally, you earn points for all normal purchases as you would for any extras when you stay at any other Marriott property.
4. I don't think it is a generally good idea to turn your weeks back for points. Look at the awards for 100K or slightly less. (6 nights at Cat 4, 5 nights at Cat 5, 4 nights at Cat 6....) Also, in terms of money, you just paid annual fees in the range of $600-$800 in exchange for 100K points. Not a very good deal in my mind! That doesn't take into account the cost of money for the initial outlay of $15K-$20K for purchasing the the timeshare.
5. Marriott has been doing this for years. This is not any new program. I think that any increased difficulty you may currently have obtaining an award stay is for a different reason. There is increased demand for awards because you can only obtain awards under the old system until 7/31. Everyone is rushing to do this. The increased number of awards in circulation is leading to increased demand for award stays. The next year is probably going to be a bit tough for normal award stay availability. Make your plans well in advance.
6. Timesharing is not for everyone and the economics are questionable. If you are even vaguely considering buying a timeshare, I suggest you visit TUG, the Timeshare Users Group. It has lots of information (read Timesharing 101 in the advice section) and an excellent message boards. It is to timeshares what FlyerTalk is to frequent fliers. This is especially important if you considering buy a Marriott timeshare. There are very significant differences betweening buy new and resale (and between buying resales from Marriott or directly from an owner).
You message touched a couple of different points. First, Marriott is in the process of revamping the awards available and the old awards will soon no longer be available. Personally, I would lay the changes to overall degradation of frequent stay/flier programs in general. The airlines and hotels will keep cutting programs as long as they don't appear less attractive than their competition.
Regarding earning points with Marriott's timeshares, here are a few pointers:
1. Being able to turn back a week to Marriott for points varies from location to location. Some can do it annually; others bi-annually. Additonally, there may be resorts where this option is not available.
2. Again, the amount of points that you earn for turning back a week varies from resort to resort. The points value also varies depending on type of unit and what time of year your week is. In general, prime weeks at the older resorts get the most points and off-season weeks in newer resorts get the least points.
3. Additionally, you earn points for all normal purchases as you would for any extras when you stay at any other Marriott property.
4. I don't think it is a generally good idea to turn your weeks back for points. Look at the awards for 100K or slightly less. (6 nights at Cat 4, 5 nights at Cat 5, 4 nights at Cat 6....) Also, in terms of money, you just paid annual fees in the range of $600-$800 in exchange for 100K points. Not a very good deal in my mind! That doesn't take into account the cost of money for the initial outlay of $15K-$20K for purchasing the the timeshare.
5. Marriott has been doing this for years. This is not any new program. I think that any increased difficulty you may currently have obtaining an award stay is for a different reason. There is increased demand for awards because you can only obtain awards under the old system until 7/31. Everyone is rushing to do this. The increased number of awards in circulation is leading to increased demand for award stays. The next year is probably going to be a bit tough for normal award stay availability. Make your plans well in advance.
6. Timesharing is not for everyone and the economics are questionable. If you are even vaguely considering buying a timeshare, I suggest you visit TUG, the Timeshare Users Group. It has lots of information (read Timesharing 101 in the advice section) and an excellent message boards. It is to timeshares what FlyerTalk is to frequent fliers. This is especially important if you considering buy a Marriott timeshare. There are very significant differences betweening buy new and resale (and between buying resales from Marriott or directly from an owner).
InsideFlyer has a cover story on Time Shares and their relationship to point programs. It is probably already online at www.webflyer.com. Other than the fact that it keeps on saying that the time shares are "investments" (and they are not!) it was a good article. Unless you have a family needing more than one room (with a kitchen and family activities) I have yet to see the value of time shares.
Thanks to all for the information. I seriously thought about buying one. We really loved Aruba. I mentioned I would like to get home to see what they were going for on the secondary market. She then offered 50K points if we bought before we left. Seems like they didn't want us even looking at the resale market which runs at about a 50% discount. Back to Aruba, and the Marriott both receive very high marks from us!
To anyone who is thinking about buying a timeshare, check out http://www.tug2.net, the Time Share User Group. It is the Flyertalk of timeshare. There is a Marriott specific bulletin board where the discussion of Developer vs. resale us often debated. I would not buy any property until you check it out. Great advice from people who have bought.