Want To Get Into Marriott - What is The Best Way ?

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

I want to get into Marriott, but on the cheap. Where to buy, how much to buy and so forth.

I am tired of being shut out of seeing them until the very last week even with my strongest traders.

What's the best way ?

I've read all the threads, but need some concise and expert opinions, please.

I think that ebay might be the best/cheapest way to go, but will hold back.

Thank you.

[Art Member Find all posts View Profile Close Art]

First, the bad news. There is no best way.

The best week to have depends on what you hope to obtain as an exchange. Even with the Marriott internal priority, there is still a pecking order based onthe quality of week being offered as an exchange. Supply and demand rules!

If you want prime weeks, you are going to need a platinum week in a prime location, and a lot of luck. These can run big bucks even on resales, upwards of $20K is not unusual

If you want good weeks as exchanges, that is doable with gold and even silver weeks, especially if you are willing to have ongoing requests in place a year ahead of check-in date. Probably the best value might be Summit Watch gold weeks which have been reported in the $5000 range.

So, all that stuff you have been reading is right. Let that reading guide you to the week that best meets your needs taking into account planned usage, hoped for exchanges, and maintenance fees. Decide what that week is worth to you and start making offers.

Art

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

First, the bad news. There is no best way.

The best week to have depends on what you hope to obtain as an exchange. Even with the Marriott internal priority, there is still a pecking order based onthe quality of week being offered as an exchange. Supply and demand rules!

If you want prime weeks, you are going to need a platinum week in a prime location, and a lot of luck. These can run big bucks even on resales, upwards of $20K is not unusual

If you want good weeks as exchanges, that is doable with gold and even silver weeks, especially if you are willing to have ongoing requests in place a year ahead of check-in date. Probably the best value might be Summit Watch gold weeks which have been reported in the $5000 range.

So, all that stuff you have been reading is right. Let that reading guide you to the week that best meets your needs taking into account planned usage, hoped for exchanges, and maintenance fees. Decide what that week is worth to you and start making offers.

Art

Art,
Great advice and I appreciate your honesty.
Oh, yes...........the ROFR - so it could be all for naught, too.
Good thing I have "friends with Marriotts" and something to trade back with them.
With appreciation,
Beags

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

Beags, depends on whether or not you want lockoff or non-lockoff. I'm like you but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Probably most common way reported OY previously was Platinum Manor Club for around $8K with MFs of $850ish. That's a 2BR non-l/o. Manor Club sequels are l/o and go for around $11K +or-. That has ROFR.

Other one I've heard is Platinum Fairway at Seaview for $6Kish. 2BR non-l/o

Another option is MSDV I or II, gold season for ~$6K for I and bit less for II. 2BR l/o. I doesn't have ROFR but II does, hence the price difference. MFs are in the $985 range with taxes

If you're looking for trading that's what I would do and am looking to do. All of the above qualify for ACs but you'll need to be a bit cautious on the MSDVs to see which weeks exactly qualify for AC

While I havne't done this myself, this is what I've gleened from a few different sources. I'm sure one of those sources will be along soon

DJ

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

Gordon, thanks !!
I am also considering an EOY.
Will wait as I think the recession may present some opportunities, sad to say.
B.

P.S. Am really looking forward to The Crane at Christmas thanks to you.

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

I am away, will add my 2 cents at the end of the week

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

I am away, will add my 2 cents at the end of the week

At a luxury Marriott, no doubt !

Have fun and please comment on your return to "the little people", you know, the non-Marriotters !

Enjoy !

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

Do you want just flexchange or longer horizons (no pun intended you Marriott owners)?

If you want just flexchange, check to see if Marriott Summitt Watch is still selling those cheap bronze weeks (a PM to BocaBum may be helpful here).

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

Internal exchange?

How about this whole internal exchange system that is supposedly going to be implemented in the near future? I've read various rumors but I don't think anyone can be sure how it works, how resale owners (such as myself) will be treated, etc. Just something else to consider if you're planning on getting a Marriott only for trade priorities.

[bookworm Member Find all posts View Profile Close bookworm]

We were considering buying a Marriott as well but put the idea on the back burner. A while ago I saw an opportunity to buy a Marriott Branson platinum. We went for it (mostly for trading) and are waiting to be recognized by Marriott right now so we can reserve a summer week. The few trades that are mentioned on TUG sound good. We are not expecting the highest demand weeks - we would prefer not to travel during the highest demand weeks anyway - so I guess we'll see. If it doesn't work out, we'll sell it.

An additional question arises out of this. If an owner with just one Marriott week wants to make a reservation at exactly 12 months out, will it be possible to still get one of the top 4 or 5 highest season weeks for II trades or will they likely be gone to those who reserved at 13 months? Are the best reservations really only available to those owning multiple weeks? (We really DON'T need another one.)

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

OY, a realitively new member just reported buying a Shadow ridge (which passed ROFR) for $4000 (EOY Platinum) plus costs.

That sound to me to be the best deal yet for a platinum week in Marriott.

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

We were considering buying a Marriott as well but put the idea on the back burner. A while ago I saw an opportunity to buy a Marriott Branson platinum. We went for it (mostly for trading) and are waiting to be recognized by Marriott right now so we can reserve a summer week. The few trades that are mentioned on TUG sound good. We are not expecting the highest demand weeks - we would prefer not to travel during the highest demand weeks anyway - so I guess we'll see. If it doesn't work out, we'll sell it.

An additional question arises out of this. If an owner with just one Marriott week wants to make a reservation at exactly 12 months out, will it be possible to still get one of the top 4 or 5 highest season weeks for II trades or will they likely be gone to those who reserved at 13 months? Are the best reservations really only available to those owning multiple weeks? (We really DON'T need another one.)

We used to own at the MDSV-I but only had one week and it was very difficult to get reservations for the most desirable weeks because they are all gone by the people who own multiple weeks. There were several times that we had to call three weeks on a row to get our own use week in March. The more weeks you own, the earlier you can reserve but you have to own at that particular resort where you want to reserve. If you get a resort where they have a Thursday check-in then you are ahead of other resorts where check-in starts on Friday. The rest of the year is no issue. Flexchanges are open to anyone who owns a Marriott and they are great resorts and even in HI. Ask Boca as he takes advantage of Flexchange often.

Marriott is going to have an internal reservation system and nobody knows what changes there will be. I assume that the new system will start as of that date and the people, who own a Marriott, will be grandfathered at the resorts that are built today but I doubt if it will be for the new resorts that will be built in the future. They have to make it attractive for new buyers to buy from the Marriott direct. JMHO.

[cmb Member Find all posts View Profile Close cmb]

How does owning EOY fit into this? Does that count as one ownership? If you buy 2 EOY does that count as 2 ownerships?

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

Yes to both. I hope the experts will tell you more. We are only a one week owner and it is fixed (fixed time/unit) so we do not exchange.

[billymach4 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close billymach4]

How about this whole internal exchange system that is supposedly going to be implemented in the near future? I've read various rumors but I don't think anyone can be sure how it works, how resale owners (such as myself) will be treated, etc. Just something else to consider if you're planning on getting a Marriott only for trade priorities.

I have said this before OY and I will say it again. I think this internal trading rumor thing is a bunch of CRAP!!!

Beag,

I would advise a Summit Watch Bronze for $1500 hands down. You get a 2br LO no questions. No other fees involved. Besides if this internal thing ever does come to pass you (I still say its just an internet rumor) you will be a direct Marriott owner, not a resale owner.

Give me a PM and I will gladly share my trades with you!

Thanks,

Bill