What is your perfect Marriott Portfolio?

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

I recently purchased my first Marriott and I am thrilled with it. I have a ton of experience owning point systems such as RCI Points, WorldMark, Bluegreen and Fairfield. I love them all and I have received a ton of great reservations and exchanges with them.

Now, I am trying to create my own perfect Marriott portfolio. I was wondering how you have created yours so that I can get some great ideas for creating mine.

Here's how I am thinking about my Marriott portfolio. Please feel free to indicate how you think about yours. These are just my initial thoughts. I'm interested in learning how others prioritize theirs.

Since I have a lot of experience with points, I have learned how to use them for very inexpensive trades. So, I don't think I need a Marriott for exchanging outside of MVCI (I think). For instance, WorldMark has decent trading power and the MF are really cheap. So, it's a very cost effective trader. Are there higher end external trades that only certain Marriott's can see that I should consider?

I bought a cheap Bronze Summit Watch to use for Flexchange purposes for other Marriott's. This is actually what prompted me to get into Marriott. That is working great so far. So, I use a Marriott Bronze week to use for Flexchange opportunities for Marriott resorts that my other point systems cannot see in the 3-day Marriott priority period.

Also, there are a lot of Marriott timeshares that pop up on Interval International. The Florida resorts always seem to be available for exchanging. For those high supply resorts, I use other timeshares to exchange into Marriott's. That's how I've done it in the past. It's very cost effective doing that. The only problem with this is that you can't ensure a great view. But, you tend to get great cost.

I also use renting Marriott's from owners. Last New Year's, I rented a 2 bedroom Ocean Front unit at Ocean Pointe from an owner. That was my best Marriott stay ever. I rented it for $500. So, it's hard to beat that.

So now, to complete my Marriott portfolio, I need to consider purchasing some other Marriott's. It does make sense to buy where you want to stay. But, I haven't been to enough Marriott's to know where I want to stay. So, I think my next Marriott needs to be a Marriott to Marriott trader. A platinum Branson comes to mind since it has relatively low MF, decent internal trading power (I think) and low purchase price.

As I fall in love with various resorts, I think I'll consider buying specific units at those resorts. I love Oceanfront locations. I would love owning a 2 bedroom Oceanfront at Ocean Pointe. That's an example of what I mean.

So, that's my concept for a Marriott portfolio. What's yours?

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

Jim,

Not taking into consideration any changes that Marriott may implement in the future, I think Aruba 'gold season' is one to consider.

Personally, I like the Marriotts that are connected to hotels. I really enjoy all the various amenities offered at those locations. Even when I go to really nice locations, such as 'The Grand Ocean,' I feel cheated, because there are not enough amenities being offered.

The Aruba locations offer restaurants, shops, a Casino, a spa, room service, etc......It really has that resort feeling, and I love that about it.

Aruba Gold is much more affordable than Platinum, and I think it still would be a tiger trader.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I am working on this myself since I just sold my Harbor Club Platinum week. I am hoping to pick something up for flexchange (like you did, with any luck ), and then probably will not buy a Gold or Platinum week until I see if there is a really unfulfilled need...

If there is somewhere you would want to own to use, and unit location is important, then it makes sense to buy. Even Marriott-to-Marriott exchangers get disappointing room locations...

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

I am working on this myself since I just sold my Harbor Club Platinum week. I am hoping to pick something up for flexchange (like you did, with any luck ), and then probably will not buy a Gold or Platinum week until I see if there is a really unfulfilled need...

If there is somewhere you would want to own to use, and unit location is important, then it makes sense to buy. Even Marriott-to-Marriott exchangers get disappointing room locations...

For me, unit location at a resort is extremely important. Of course, cost trumps that. LOL. That's why I hope that Marriott creates a point system that enables unit view selection. I would be willing to pay a significant premium for that feature.

The problem is that it will only work if there is a critical mass of units converted to the point system. This will only happen if Marriott has a huge carrott and an even bigger stick. But, the stick is counter to the Marriott brand. So, they won't use it.

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

Jim,

Besides Branson, I would probably look into a platinum, 2 bdrm lock-off in Williamsburg. Not sure how the maintenance fees compare to Branson, but I think you could probably pick one up at a decent price.

Edited to add......Or, because of your new location, perhaps Palm Desert!

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

Bum,
I'd look closely at Palm Desert.(I want to buy but my DW doesn't like the desert) All 3 seasons (red, white & blue) are II red. The Red seasons are very good traders, White good traders and Blue are average traders. All get an AC. All are lock-offs. The blues can be picked up for less than $6k.

The blue weeks you'd buy to trade, since any good II trader (non Marriott) can get a DSV during the summer. You'll likely be able to trade a blue week for a weak-platinum week at several of the Mariott on the west coast(like a Oct NCV).

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

I like your thinking and I too am starting to see the "Marriott Light"

I found Branson and Williamsburg to have the lowest MF and resale cost for a platinum week.

If trades are your major concern, these two are great values, but your Bronze SW would be equal to them during flexexchange.

However, I assume you are looking for trades outside the 59 day flexchange period?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

In fact, the Bronze SW may exceed them during flexchange, depending on whether II rates them as "A" or "B" resorts. Only "A" resorts can see certain 'top shelf' deposits like FSA unless checkin is very close... another reason I sold my Harbour Club week...

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

In fact, the Bronze SW may exceed them during flexchange, depending on whether II rates them as "A" or "B" resorts. Only "A" resorts can see certain 'top shelf' deposits like FSA unless checkin is very close... another reason I sold my Harbour Club week...

Avery,

I use WorldMark to get FSA. Only costs 4000 credits for Flexchange. Total cost including exchange fee is less than $300.

I wonder if SW is A or B? That would prevent me from getting other Marriott's during the Flexchange period if were only a B.

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

I like your thinking and I too am starting to see the "Marriott Light"

I found Branson and Williamsburg to have the lowest MF and resale cost for a platinum week.

If trades are your major concern, these two are great values, but your Bronze SW would be equal to them during flexexchange.

However, I assume you are looking for trades outside the 59 day flexchange period?

Yeah, I am looking for a trader for outside the Flexchange period. I'll use it to sample other Marriott's until I decide which ones I actually want to own. Then, I'll use those or rent them.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Avery,

I use WorldMark to get FSA. Only costs 4000 credits for Flexchange. Total cost including exchange fee is less than $300.

I wonder if SW is A or B? That would prevent me from getting other Marriott's during the Flexchange period if were only a B.

I think SW may be an A, but I don't believe the A/B designation affects Marriott- to- Marriott visibility, I could always see the A Marriotts with my B...

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

In fact, the Bronze SW may exceed them during flexchange, depending on whether II rates them as "A" or "B" resorts. Only "A" resorts can see certain 'top shelf' deposits like FSA unless checkin is very close... another reason I sold my Harbour Club week...

Do you know if MSE (Manor Club) is a A or B?

This A/B list would be valuable to have.

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

I use WorldMark to get FSA. Only costs 4000 credits for Flexchange. Total cost including exchange fee is less than $300.

That trade alone should make you eligable to be inducted into the "timeshare exchanger hall of fame"!!!!

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

That trade alone should make you eligable to be inducted into the "timeshare exchanger hall of fame"!!!!

I got the idea from another WorldMark owner who does it all the time. That's what it cost me for my Four Seasons Scottsdale exchange. It cost me that much for a round of golf at Troon North with my dad.

Of course, I didn't include the cost of capital. If I did that, then the right amount should be $375. So, I understated the cost by a bit.

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

I got the idea from another WorldMark owner who does it all the time. That's what it cost me for my Four Seasons Scottsdale exchange. It cost me that much for a round of golf at Troon North with my dad.

Of course, I didn't include the cost of capital. If I did that, then the right amount should be $375. So, I understated the cost by a bit.

Would that be PerryM?

I am sure you do not feel too guilty about the $75 underestimate to stay at a 5 Star (+) resort that most "normal" people pay $1000 per NIGHT!!!!!

I would pay $ to see the look in the other guests faces if they only knew how little you paid as compared to them.

That was the #1 factor I used when I was looking at WM vs Marriott. I decided on Marriott now (and may get WM soon) as I need to plan my trips several months ahead (not the 59 day window). But during the summer, I could justify a family trip to the 4 seasons, if I could snag them for $375/week. Are the WM exhanges for 4 seasons available during the summer flex period???

Now how can you (or me) score a Ritz for the same price?