Considering my first Marriott. Can anyone help?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

LOV is all you need........
Will send you a pm

OK, thanks.......

[JudyS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JudyS]

My strongest II trader (not a Marriott -- I don't own Marriott) sees some of the resorts that have been suggested here, just sitting online with check-in dates almost all-year around. I see Williamsburg and Orlando Marriotts just sitting online for pretty much any check-in date. The same is also true of Park City (and I think Breckenridge; don't remember) except (of course) for ski season. All three Palm Springs resorts are generally available almost every week of the year, just sitting online, although right now I don't see MDS for March. The Palm Springs weeks that I see online are almost all studios for January through April, so larger weeks might have decent trade power. Hilton Head Marriott weeks are only sitting there unclaimed from November to about March.

I'm not sure any of the weeks that I see sitting online would be worth the steep Marriott MFs if you planned to use them for exchanging. I hear that the Marriott trade priority only is valid if your week has enough trade power to be reasonably comparable to the week that you are requesting. I'm not sure these weeks would qualify. Has anyone traded one for a Marriott in Hawaii?

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Can a bronze Marriott studio at any resort grab a 2 bedroom Flexchange anywhere within Marriott?

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Boca,
Have you considered Hyatt ? It's an incredible trader and comparable to Marriott.
B.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Boca,
Have you considered Hyatt ? It's an incredible trader and comparable to Marriott.
B.

Yeah, I love Hyatts. I like their points program. But, I probably wouldn't use it for trading.

My main objective for my Marriott purchase is to grab those Flexchange weeks that Angela is posting. In fact, I think I'll just give her access to my account so she can book it for me when she sees it. LOL.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Yeah, I love Hyatts. I like their points program. But, I probably wouldn't use it for trading.

My main objective for my Marriott purchase is to grab those Flexchange weeks that Angela is posting. In fact, I think I'll just give her access to my account so she can book it for me when she sees it. LOL.

.................LOL

You definitely need to get yourself a Marriott. You are fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the flexchange sightings........I think you would really be able to grab some fantastic deals.

BTW.....Access to your account sounds good.....And, I'm sure you wouldn't mind me using it to book myself a vacation or two. You know, a finders fee, of sorts.......

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

I would also be mindful of the coming changes in the Marriott exchange and reservation programs, as they move to a private exchange system and points. That will change the landscape for non-Marriott tiger traders, IMO, as well as for up-traders. Upon reflection, when putting a monetary value on my brain time, I find it (getting the deals) to achieve parity only when I have nothing else profitable to do (since I still work and own a business); otherwise, it's far more profitable to work and just pay for things, at least for me.

Pat

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

My main objective for my Marriott purchase is to grab those Flexchange weeks that Angela is posting. In fact, I think I'll just give her access to my account so she can book it for me when she sees it. LOL.

Boca,

How about letting the rest of us peons access your account so we can see how the "other half" lives in the TS world?!!!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Upon reflection, when putting a monetary value on my brain time, I find it (getting the deals) to achieve parity only when I have nothing else profitable to do (since I still work and own a business); otherwise, it's far more profitable to work and just pay for things, at least for me.

Pat

What.......Go to work, make money, and then use that money to purchase things.....like great vacations?????

Sheesh.....anyone can do that.......It's staying home, doing nothing, and still being able to purchase great vacations that takes talent, and true artistry.....

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

What.......Go to work, make money, and then use that money to purchase things.....like great vacations?????

Sheesh.....anyone can do that.......It's staying home, doing nothing, and still being able to purchase great vacations that takes talent, and true artistry.....

How about golfing 18 holes in the morning. Selling a timeshare on the 6th fairway in the golf cart. Going home, looking up Angela's sightings, booking a Flexchange, Go out to dinner.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

How about golfing 18 holes in the morning. Selling a timeshare on the 6th fairway in the golf cart. Going home, looking up Angela's sightings, booking a Flexchange, Go out to dinner.

Sounds like a good life to me.......

I should probably have said.....

Work a smidge.....play most of the day.....spend a few minutes finding deals.....go on great vacations......

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I would also be mindful of the coming changes in the Marriott exchange and reservation programs, as they move to a private exchange system and points. That will change the landscape for non-Marriott tiger traders, IMO, as well as for up-traders. Upon reflection, when putting a monetary value on my brain time, I find it (getting the deals) to achieve parity only when I have nothing else profitable to do (since I still work and own a business); otherwise, it's far more profitable to work and just pay for things, at least for me.

Pat

What's more profitable than timesharing? I bought a timeshare last night and I flipped it today for a $1500 profit. The problem is the lag time for the paperwork. It'll take 2-3 months for that deal to close.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Sounds like a good life to me.......

I should probably have said.....

Work a smidge.....play most of the day.....spend a few minutes finding deals.....go on great vacations......

Don't forget that you can deduct the vacations. But, you don't call them that. You call them site visits.

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

Just like with most businesses, it's the time between the deals which makes the difference. Not being a salesperson, I'm more focused on servicing the customer than how much money there is in the deal. We're not all wired the same. Long-term, it's been something I truly enjoy and was born to do. I could never get the same satisfaction out of flipping timeshares (or even selling widgets) as it's just not the right fit for me. Hence, I'm happy to leave such pursuits to those who truly enjoy them.

For us, timesharing was/is a way to travel and to escape the realities of caring for a demented parent. No more, no less. To that end, it has served us well. I won't miss it when we move on to other things. Marriott was a great company when I first started using them for business travel a decade ago, but I'm not so sure anymore. Their philosophy of business has changed and it's no longer compatible with my own. YMMV. I have to feel good about a vendor to do business with them; again a personal preference.

I do like your idea of timesharing as a business. For the right person, it can be a quite intriguing and profitable one. Myself, I'm now looking into care management and owning/investing in a RCFE (residential care facility for the elderly). With the population aging and dementia becoming more prevalent with such, it's an industry in need of compassionate and bright minds and quality care. Perhaps a RCFE timeshare?

Pat

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Can a bronze Marriott studio at any resort grab a 2 bedroom Flexchange anywhere within Marriott?

Maybe but don't count on it always.....
It would have the 'quality' level.....if you purchased a 'purpose built' Marriott.....but I think I really would avoid bronze....for 5K you can pick up a Gold at many resorts that would be a better trader - and remember the coming change to points.