Not sure what this is all about.

I got a call from Marriott today, explaining that I had entered their Dream Sweepstakes a while ago, and they were going to offer me a week at any of their resorts (or maybe any Marriott) with an 80% price reduction. I can take the trip any time within a year.

Does anyone know what this is all about? I haven't called them back yet, because I like to have an idea of what I'm getting into.

If it's as it seems, 80% off does seem like a pretty good deal.

Big Lar,I do belive this is a time share proposition,
I was home and took the call.Very nice non aggressive rep.
Somewher along the line you might have entered the "dream"sweepstakes.
Very good offer If you can put up with a timeshare presentation.

I got this offer, too. Rep finally offered me a week trip to any Marriott property I wanted, but I still said no. I HATE timeshare props. Its always high pressure and unexpectedly longer than they say.

Hmmmm. I feel neglected. I entered the sweepstakes, I actually stay at MVCI's from time to time, and nobody has called me with a "dream" offer.

My biggest problem with some of them is that they are too vague upfront with the terms of where you will actually stay. I've received what appeared to be good offers for a couple of different properties, but the lowball numbers I was initially quoted were for a studio "lockoff" room. (In other words, a thin small hotel room with no kitchen and, in some cases, no private balcony.) Attempts to get them to quote me some other number for a guaranteed 2-bedroom 2-bath villa were not successful. I'd be happy to pay an upcharge and even endure the timeshare schpiel, but uncertainty about the accommodation type and exact dates before I put down my money is totally unacceptable.

Are you guys getting offered any Marriott property, or just any MVCI property?

I'll let you know after I call back, but from the phone message it seemed like anywhere in the world.

So they called me back.

Yes, it was a timeshare presentation.
No, it was not anyplace in the world -- just selected locations.
No high pressure, just hoping I would sit through it and tell all my friends how wonderful it is.

I just can't fit it in my schedule.

I also did not receive a "dream" vacation offer either. But then, I tend to stay at MVCI properties when possible already. If you catch them at the right time, the rental rates can be reasonable. I will use points sometimes as well, but most of the properties don't have the points availability to allow that. I have also been on more of their "poperty tours" than I care to count. I bet I have been on somewhere between 10-15 of them. And at 15K points a tour, that adds up to nice tidy points vacation in itself.

I guess they must think I will never buy, which is probably true, and are looking at greener pastures.

Maybe that's the same thing with me. I don't do as many of the presentations (in fact, I don't think I've done a Marriott one in about 3 years), but they can easily see that I visit MVCI's frequently already. It's almost always pretty easy to find good promo rates at them unless you are trying during a peak season.

I get a call twice a year or something for properties in the southwestern corner of the country and Hawaii. When I mention I'm interested in international resorts only, then mention Hawaii again.

I get a message, in my hotel room - during 80% of my stays at the SF Marrriott.

I am pre-qualified to receive a Special Gift! I just need to stop by their desk to collect it.
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Next time I reserve - I'm going to include a 'do not call me w/your offer' comment.