Marriott to Marriott Trading - what are my chances?

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

I thought this deserved its' own thread.

I am new to this and need a bit of advice for potential trading. I am interested in the Grand Château in Vegas. If I were to purchase there, what would my trading power be for either other Marriott's in warm climates (ie Hawaii) or other timeshares and how likely would it be to get one on an exchange (understanding that the farther out I request, the more likely my chances).

thanks in advance

Murray

Hello,
This is my first post on this website. We own Platinum (ski season) Marriott Mountain Valley Lodge in Breckenridge among other resorts. September 2008 we visited one of our timeshares in Kauai, Hawaii and toured both Marriott properties. If the sales person was to be believed it would be difficult for us to trade our Marriott for the Hawaii properties.

On the other hand, we spent last Nov/Dec at Mayan Palace Maya Riviera near Cancun. I had a RCI week ready to expire and checked the exchanges and saw Grand Mayan listed.

I hear lots of stories about how RCI/II and other exchange companies determine "trading power" but my gut feeling is that they want the exchange fee. I deposited a studio reservation for Christmas week in Mazatlan and find the exchange list includes larger units.

RE: buying a Vegas timeshare hoping to trade for Hawaii..... there are plenty of people like me listing excess weeks, my guess is that you can pick and choose from available timeshares in Hawaii to rent from people who already own there.

Hope this was helpful.

-GM

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

We own a 3 bedroom unit at Grand Chateau in Vegas. So far it trades very well but, Marriott is a week for week exchanger and you just never know what the trade value really is or what it will be somewhere down the road. Supply an demand are also things to consider and, with airfare going up it's been speculated that Hawaii might become an easier exchange if airfare gets high enough many people don't want to pay the price.

Our salesman at MGC had sent out an E-mail that he had been successful at exchanging into one of the newer Marriott builds in Hawaii using his Grand Chateau week. But, it was a new build that still had developer inventory, he put in his request over a year from his anticipated travel date and I don't recall if he ever said whether or not he traded down in size.

Always consider the laws of supply and demand. Our 1 bedroom LO of our 3 bedroom unit has been exchanged for a 2 bedroom at Barony Beach Club for early May and for Marriott's Custom House in Boston for the first week of May next year. However, I have not been able to aquire a request first exchang for Newport Coast for the week the AZ schools are on spring break next March. Granted it is a very specific request of one particular week, only one exchange day (Friday) and only one resort. Still, I do not feel that it bodes well that I can't get the 2 bedroom for 2 bedroom exchange after several weeks of having the request in. I will give it until Allegiant ailrines releases flights for Vegas to see what happens. That will be approx. 6 months prior to our travel dates.

We enjoy Vegas and that's why we own there. I always recommend anyone buy where they would like to travel should all else fail and in the season they want to travel. You'll tend to be less dissapointed over time.

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

... I always recommend anyone buy where they would like to travel should all else fail and in the season they want to travel. You'll tend to be less dissapointed over time.

I definitely agree with the buy where you would like to stay. However, if you are interested in Hawaii, a continental (lower 48) Marriott location could work if your interest in Hawaii is an occasional thing and you are flexible as to dates. Owning Hawaiian Marriott properties is expensive on the front end ($35-$40K and up for EY) and the annual maint. fees, as far as I know, are all significantly over $1k with some of the Maui 2 and 3BR units pushing $2k.

We've made several trades into Hawaiian Marriotts using Cypress Harbour (Orlando), and Beach Place Tower (Ft. Lauderdale). The 21 day (I guess it's 24 days now with the inclusion of Horizon's brand) II exchange priority is quite a bonus when trying to go Marriott to Marriott.

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

Supply and demand is key when trying to trade one Marriott for another. The season you own in, as well as the size of your unit will be a huge factor. Also, the time of year you want to travel will make a difference, as well. If you can travel when the kids are in school, you have a huge advantage.

If you own platinum season, and put your request in well in advance, you have a good shot of getting an exchange into another platinum week. Hawaii during the summer is normally a very difficult trade, but not this year. Airfares are keeping people closer to home. We'll see what happens with winter, and the holidays.

I think some of the harder trades might be Newport Coast in Summer, the Caribbean in winter, and prime ski weeks.

BTW...Another very important thing to do is to get the very best week possible to make your request with. Holidays, if available, or prime red weeks, not pinkish red.

That being said, I think the best thing to do when buying a timeshare, is buy where you would like to visit at least 50% of the time. Oh, and I don't remember if you mentioned it, or not, but you should most definitely buy resale!

Good Luck!!!!!