confused about Marriott rules for internal exchanges and Resale vs. Developer

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

Hi Everyone,

I am considering buying a Marriott timeshare, but there are still a couple of things I am confused about. I have searched through a lot of the threads; but there is so much info here, I am probably missing these answers somewhere, I just couldn't find it.

On the Marriott VO web-site it says, "Exchange your week(s) through Marriott Vacation Club International. Go ahead. Explore. With Marriott, you can exchange your week(s) at your home resort for a stay at one of the nearly 50 other Marriott Vacation Club or Grand Residence Club resorts worldwide." However, it doesn't explain how this works (I assume you have to go to a presentation to get the details, but after looking through a lot of the posts on this forum, I would be concerned about getting the whole truth from a salesperson). This leads to my first set of questions:


How does exchanging within the Marriott system work? If I buy a 2Bd/2Ba Platinum at (say) Desert Springs, can I exchange this for a 2Bd/2Ba at any other resort in Platinum season (if it is available). If I buy a Silver Season, does that mean I only have the ability to trade into Silver Season or could I move up to Red or even Platinum if it is available? Can I trade down in size to move up in season?

To exchange to another resort is it as simple as calling Marriott and making the request?



2nd question on resale vs developer
What is the disadvantage to buying resale vs buying direct from the developer? I know I will not get any bonus Marriott Rewards points for the purchase; and I think I will never have the ability to exchange the TS for Rewards Points (but it also seems like the devaluing of Rewards Points makes this a bad move these days). Are there any other perks you get from buying direct that do not come through on a resale?



Thanks for any advice you can give!

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

uclabruinfan....Welcome to TS4M's

I know that there is a lot of info to digest, so I will try and help you with the process.

To exchange a Marriott, for another Marriott, you must first join II (Interval International). They are the exchange company that Marriott uses. At present, Marriott does not do in-house exchanges. Although, there seems to be plans in the making for Marriott to conduct their own exchanges, in the future.

You do not need to join II, to make a reservation for a week, at your home resort. That you can do directly through Marriott, just by calling. Of course, if you want a holiday, or prime week, you would need to call at the first opportunity. (Will get more into that later)

You can request any week, at any resort through II. However, you are not allowed to upgrade number of bedrooms, unless the resort that you are requesting does not have the anything less. So, if you deposit a 1 bdrm, you need to put in a request for a 1 bdrm, unless a particular resort only has 2 + bdrms. Then II, will accept your request for more bdrms.

II uses a "like for like" system. So, generally, you are able to trade into resorts that are equivalent in rating, and season, to what you have deposited. Occasionally, you can get lucky, and upgrade to a better resort, or season. But, it is best, not to count on that happening.

There is a yearly fee for joining II, as well as an exchange fee, if II fills your request. For a Marriott to Marriott exchange, I believe that the fee is 89.00....No fee for requesting a week at your home resort, through Marriott.

As far as buying direct or resale, I would strongly suggest buying resale, unless you are the first in line at a new resort. The only advantage to buying direct is that you can trade your week in for points, every other year. As you have suggested....No big deal!! Especially with the devaluing of points, over the years. Also, Marriott recently sold points, at a great price. That offer is no longer in effect, but you can see that points aren't what they used to be.

There are many people at TS4M's who would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have. So, ask away.

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

Thanks Angela. Just to make sure that I understand.

Does this mean that, as a Marriott owner, I would have no more rights to the other Marriott resorts than any other II member?

Also, would I only be able to exchange into resorts that others had deposited? My concern is that this would eliminate a lot of the value I see in Marriott. The biggest value in Marriott is the number of resorts they have and the various vacation options this gives their owners. However, if the only way I will ever get to go to (say) Thailand is if an owner of this resort happens to deposit the right size and season at a time when I can make that trip, then Marriott loses a lot of value for me.

I understand that there is always going to be a limit on the number of units available and impacted weeks will be hard to come by. What I am hoping is possible would be that Marriott has 'x' number of rooms at each resort for each week of the year. Any Marriott owner can make a request for a room at the resort and they will prioritize the requests based on owners at that resort, owners of another Marriott resort then other II exchangers. I don't know if this is the way that Marriott works through II.

Let me know if this isn't clear.

Thanks again for the help.

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

Thanks Angela. Just to make sure that I understand.

Does this mean that, as a Marriott owner, I would have no more rights to the other Marriott resorts than any other II member?

No....Marriott has a 24 day preference period. During this time frame, only Marriott's can be exchanged for other Marriott's. After that, they become available to other requests.....An exception to that rule would be the last 59 days before check-in, called 'flexchage'. Then the preference period could be as little as 3 days.

Also, would I only be able to exchange into resorts that others had deposited? Yes!

My concern is that this would eliminate a lot of the value I see in Marriott. The biggest value in Marriott is the number of resorts they have and the various vacation options this gives their owners. However, if the only way I will ever get to go to (say) Thailand is if an owner of this resort happens to deposit the right size and season at a time when I can make that trip, then Marriott loses a lot of value for me.

I understand that there is always going to be a limit on the number of units available and impacted weeks will be hard to come by. What I am hoping is possible would be that Marriott has 'x' number of rooms at each resort for each week of the year. Any Marriott owner can make a request for a room at the resort and they will prioritize the requests based on owners at that resort, owners of another Marriott resort then other II exchangers. I don't know if this is the way that Marriott works through II. That is correct!

Although you would only be able to get weeks that have been deposited into II, if you are not looking to go 'prime time', you shouldn't have a problem. For example, if you can only travel during summer, and want to go to Newport Coast, it becomes more difficult. But, still doable.

Let me know if this isn't clear.

Thanks again for the help.

Hope that was helpful!

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

As usual, Angela, your explanations are a learning experience . Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in on one thing (and that's probably all it's worth): although you can not request a larger unit that you are depositing (unless the resort only has larger units), if you check online at II or call them and if you have a strong enough trader that your unit can "see" larger units, you can book one. So, if you land up purchasing a week that has great trading power or is more desirable than what you are looking to trade for, you would probably benefit from frequently checking on II and might be able to exchange a 1 BR for a 2 BR or a studio for a 1 BR or even a 2 BR, depending on resort and time. Also, if you can make last minute travel plans, during Flexchange (59 days before travel time) you can frequently trade into bigger units and into very desirable locations even with a relatively weak trader.

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

How does exchanging within the Marriott system work? If I buy a 2Bd/2Ba Platinum at (say) Desert Springs, can I exchange this for a 2Bd/2Ba at any other resort in Platinum season (if it is available). If I buy a Silver Season, does that mean I only have the ability to trade into Silver Season or could I move up to Red or even Platinum if it is available? Can I trade down in size to move up in season?

To exchange to another resort is it as simple as calling [STRIKE]Marriott [/STRIKE] Interval and making the request?

Sometime a gold week will get higher trading power with II than a platinum week because II doesn't value the weeks the same as Marriott. II looks at the historical demand for your week within their system.

2nd question on resale vs developer
What is the disadvantage to buying resale vs buying direct from the developer? I know I will not get any bonus Marriott Rewards points for the purchase; and I think I will never have the ability to exchange the TS for Rewards Points (but it also seems like the devaluing of Rewards Points makes this a bad move these days). Are there any other perks you get from buying direct that do not come through on a resale?

There are other perks but they are not highly thought of. Marriott will not offer to sell [STRIKE]or rent [/STRIKE]your week for you, if you bought it resale. But most people aren't happy with the prices Marriott offers when selling [STRIKE]or renting [/STRIKE]owners weeks.

Hope that helps

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

to TS4Ms

Thanks Angela. Just to make sure that I understand.

Does this mean that, as a Marriott owner, I would have no more rights to the other Marriott resorts than any other II member?

No, it means that you would have a 24 day PREFERENCE or Priority to trade into other Marriott Resorts.....but you still must have the trade POWER to do so.
Example - a silver week on Hilton Head might not have the power to trade into Platinum Aruba Time - you won't get that trade but it won't be offered outside the Marriott owner group until 24 days have passed.

Also, would I only be able to exchange into resorts that others had deposited?
Yes, you deposit your week into II, other owners deposit their weeks into II and exchanges are made.

My concern is that this would eliminate a lot of the value I see in Marriott.
Why, how else would you get into the OTHER resorts unless you traded for them?

The biggest value in Marriott is the number of resorts they have and the various vacation options this gives their owners. However, if the only way I will ever get to go to (say) Thailand is if an owner of this resort happens to deposit the right size and season at a time when I can make that trip, then Marriott loses a lot of value for me.
This part I don't get???? Even with point based systems like Starwood or Disney Vacation Club - owners at particular resorts get to reserve their HOME resort first at say 13 months from check-in and then owners at other resorts can reserve if there is anything left over at 10 months.
Which goes to the advice given by many here, buy WHERE you want to go and WHEN you want to go 3 out of 4 years and you will never be unhappy.

I understand that there is always going to be a limit on the number of units available and impacted weeks will be hard to come by. What I am hoping is possible would be that Marriott has 'x' number of rooms at each resort for each week of the year. This is true
Any Marriott owner can make a request for a room at the resort This is true already, you just make the request thru II because II is Marriotts Trading/Exchanging company edited to say not entirely true - you must be an owner at the particular resort to make a reservation there thru Marriott vacation Club

and they will prioritize the requests based on owners at that resort, True as long as you are trading like for like (see example above about Plat versus Silver time)
owners of another Marriott resort Yup, that is right!
then other II exchangers. I think you've got it!!!

I don't know if this is the way that Marriott works through II.Yes, it is.....

Let me know if this isn't clear. I think you were clear, how was mine and Angela's explaination?
Thanks again for the help. Your Welcome

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

Marriott will not offer to sell or rent your week for you, if you bought it resale. But most people aren't happy with the prices Marriott offers when selling or renting owners weeks.

Marriott WILL accept resale weeks into their rental program. I own a resale week at Mountainside and just accepted Marriott's rental offer, which I think was reasonably close to fair rental value. It was a bit on the low side, but not bad at all, and to me worth it to get the cash almost a year before the check in date, with no advertising cost, and no risk that the unit won't rent. Also, while I have no first hand experience with this, I am told by one of the highly regarded resale brokers that Marriott WILL sell a resale week for you as well.

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

Marriott WILL accept resale weeks into their rental program. I own a resale week at Mountainside and just accepted Marriott's rental offer, which I think was reasonably close to fair rental value. It was a bit on the low side, but not bad at all, and to me worth it to get the cash almost a year before the check in date, with no advertising cost, and no risk that the unit won't rent. Also, while I have no first hand experience with this, I am told by one of the highly regarded resale brokers that Marriott WILL sell a resale week for you as well.

Agreed, there are others reporting the same (and I don't mean rubins alter ego ) here and on TUG - Quilter specifically comes to mind.

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

Agreed....

Ditto!

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

(and I don't mean rubins alter ego )

shhhhh - you'll blow my cover!

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

To the OP:

Welcome and sounds like you received some excellent advice.

There are a lot of things Marriott that I'm seeing to be in flux, based on our ownership and my use of the Marriott hotel system, so I would advise, if purchasing a Marriott at this time, to purchase resale for the most advantageous price.

If and when Marriott makes changes detrimental to your ownership, which is by no means a certain thing, your downside exposure will be minimal, even though resale values might suffer, depending on what they do.

I personally would not consider buying developer for at least the next 12-18 months.

Additionally, as it sounds like the thrust of your questions concerns exchanging of Marriott intervals, I would additionally advise you to carefully consider the cost/benefit of owning with Marriott to exchange into other Marriott's. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but be clear on both the good and bad and your other options to exchange into Marriott.

Some wise folks told me a long time ago to buy where we can easy and inexpensively travel to and it is advice which I now know to be accurate. Luckily we had done this, even prior to finding timeshare forums to learn about things...

Good luck and hope you find TS4M's a useful resource

Pat

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

Hi, and welcome to TS4Ms. I too own MVCI and think you should buy resale if possible. But sometimes folks do buy from the developer because they often can get great incentives like points with their purchase. Look for a TS4Ms member who goes by "jme" and ask him questions...he knows more about the Marriott system than anyone I know. And Marty is a heck of a nice guy, too.

[Dave M Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave M]

Carol -

Although Marty knows of this site (I just discussed it with him earlier this week), I don't believe he has ever posted here.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Ditto!

Marriott has done very well for us rental wise and exchange value wise too. When they rented our timeshare, we got the full value for our week minus their cut. After that, we did it on our own and got the same amount which was a good deal to the renters and for us too. They rented from us several years on a row because of that.

When we traded in our Marriott timeshare for one of their newer ones (the new Lahaina tower in Maui), we made a very nice profit but Uncle Sam is taking a big chunk away of that but that is not Marriott's fault. We have to pay these taxes if we like it or not but if you pay taxes, that means you made a profit. That's better than selling your timeshare at a big loss. How many other timeshares make you a profit? Not too many. Thank you Marriott!!!