New owner DSII

[JBoy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JBoy]

I've started escrow on a Desert Springs II, white season. This is my first timeshare. My questions;
1. I've been told by a friend who owns a Marriott timeshare that the company offers up special deals to Marriott owners (including resale owners) at resorts that are in their off-season. An example was $299 for a week at Park City this summer. Does Marriott do things like this or is something like this offered through Interval? Is my friend wrong/confused?
2. My broker can't seem to explain why I'm purchasing a "floating week, white season" but the deed is for a specific week. She says this specific week is only your 'fallback' week-if the owner doesn't request a different week this deeded week is automatically given to you. Sound legit?
BTW, your site has been very helpful to me in learning about the Marriot timeshare system!! Thanks.

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

I've started escrow on a Desert Springs II, white season. This is my first timeshare. My questions;
1. I've been told by a friend who owns a Marriott timeshare that the company offers up special deals to Marriott owners (including resale owners) at resorts that are in their off-season. An example was $299 for a week at Park City this summer. Does Marriott do things like this or is something like this offered through Interval? Is my friend wrong/confused?
2. My broker can't seem to explain why I'm purchasing a "floating week, white season" but the deed is for a specific week. She says this specific week is only your 'fallback' week-if the owner doesn't request a different week this deeded week is automatically given to you. Sound legit?
BTW, your site has been very helpful to me in learning about the Marriot timeshare system!! Thanks.

Hello and to TS4Ms

1. usually the lower price off season rentals are done thru Interval International....II calls them 'getaways' and they are usually excess inventory that II does not feel will exchange.

2. Your use is floating within your season but each unit sold is attached to a particular unit and week interval. This prevents the developer from selling more units then they actually own. I have never heard with Marriott floating weeks that this is a 'fall-back' for you - there are other TS that DO have that option, but not Marriott - your 'assigned' week is for deeding purposes only.
There are certain Marriotts that DO sell assigned weeks and views - such as in Maui - oceanfront week 10 - or Aruba Surf Club - oceanside New Years week - but even this does not specify a particular unit - only time and view.

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

Hi and welcome to TS4M's.

I've updated the Marriott FAQ to include the floating week nuance which you inquired about. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, as it is a common issue new purchasers deal with.

Regarding "specials"...very common, especially at the desert resorts. Also, if renting there, use the "MOD" code in the Marriott booking engine for your owner discount, which is substantial.

Additionally, inquire as to what blue weeks go for (lowest season). Sometimes, such a week is helpful for getting difficult summer weeks elsewhere and still has good trade power.

Pat

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

Hi and welcome to TS4M's.

Regarding "specials"...very common, especially at the desert resorts. Also, if renting there, use the "MOD" code in the Marriott booking engine for your owner discount, which is substantial.

Pat

Are you saying thru www.marriott.com you can get a week for $299?
I do know about using the MVCI owners discount code of "MOD" on www.marriott.com but it is a good reminder...can be 25% owners discount and an additional 10% off for using your Marriott VISA.

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

Annecdotally, I've often been able to secure rooms for less per night by just renting on Marriott.com than the net cost of such a "getaway", with no advance payment and no timeshare preview required.

Adding, during my disaster at Shadow Ridge, I went online and reserved a master for less money than I paid for the preview, and it showed availability, which the front desk told me didn't exist. Trust me, sales got an earful before we checked out early the next morning. They didn't get a nickel for that stay and have been paying for it every since

I've especially noticed this at the Palm Desert properties, and less so at NCV during specific times from September through February. I'm most familiar with the west coast properties so YMMV.

Pat