Newbie Questions

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

I'm not getting a lot of help from Marriott here.

I went to their Malaga Resort in Spain last year and ended up buying a TS at Royal Palms for $14,000 ish. Seemed like a good deal at the time, but what's done is done.

However, having finally completed the purchase in January I've heard nothing from Marriott in terms of helping me to make use of the TS. The sales girl who has now left, (surprise), promised to help me make the most of the TS and to book two weeks in Thailand and new Zealand. We got a Marriott Visa Card to collect points etc.

The paper work all arrived including the Interval International stuff, but I haven't even registered or deposited my week yet as I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

I phoned Marriott last week in frustration and they promised a "New Owners" assistant would be in touch but so far nothing.

I guess I'm not the first to ask, but what am I supposed to do?

Chris

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

cbucks ......Welcome to TS4M's

You can call member services, and they will assist you. No reason to wait for them to call you. However, what you want to do is call Marriott, and book the best possible week that you can. In the Interval Internation book, weeks 9, 13, 51, & 52 are the most in demand. Weeks 10, 11, 12 & 14 are next in line. You can book one year in advance, 13 months if you own two timeshares in the same season. So, the best weeks will most likely be taken, at this point. But, give it a try, and see what you can get.....Early summer, and holiday weeks, when the kids are of from school should also trade well.

You want to get one of those weeks as they will give you the best trading power.

Is Royal Palms a lock-off? If so, you would want to lock -off your unit. That will give you two units to deposit into II. BTW, there will be a fee for locking off your unit.

You would then join II, and put in a request for an exchange to Thailand. You will have the choice of a "request first," or a basic deposit of your units.....With "request first," if II does not come up with your requested week, you do not have to give them your units. With your "basic deposit," you deposit your week, and give up any right to your week. You can then place a deposit for an exchange.

One reason that you might make a basic deposit opposed to a request first, is that you would receive an AC (accommodation certificate) for your deposit. Another would be that you you are positive that you do not want to go to your home resort, and have a number of locations that you would prefer visiting.

Hope that helps a little....Good luck!!

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

Hiya! Thanks for the quick reply! I'm guessing that I should have been quicker off the mark then, but with the MVC sales person leaving it took me a while to sort out where to get advice. When you say book the best week, do you mean book the weekend that we want to go on holiday? (sorry to be so dumb, but I really don't get this stuff yet.).

We're not sure when we will go yet or whether we might have to save this year's week to get two weeks next year. The sales girl said she could show us how to get two weeks this year for the trip, but I have no idea how. (I guess that's sales people for you!).

I'm wondering if you are saying that we should try to book the week numbers you suggested, but is that for where we want to go i.e. Thailand and New Zealand? or is this for our home resort?

(Hope I'm not already on your list of annoying people!)

Thanks for being so helpful.

Chris

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

Hiya! Thanks for the quick reply! I'm guessing that I should have been quicker off the mark then, but with the MVC sales person leaving it took me a while to sort out where to get advice. When you say book the best week, do you mean book the weekend that we want to go on holiday? (sorry to be so dumb, but I really don't get this stuff yet.).

No, I mean that you need to get the best possible week (highest in demand) from Marriott, to deposit into II. The higher the demand is for your deposited week, the better your trading power will be with II.

We're not sure when we will go yet or whether we might have to save this year's week to get two weeks next year. The sales girl said she could show us how to get two weeks this year for the trip, but I have no idea how. (I guess that's sales people for you!).

If you are able top lock-off your timeshare, then you can get two weeks, instead of one for your timeshare. You would get a 1 bdrm, and a studio. Or, if you own a 3 bdrm, you would get a 1 bdrm, and a 2 bdrm.

I'm wondering if you are saying that we should try to book the week numbers you suggested, but is that for where we want to go i.e. Thailand and New Zealand? or is this for our home resort?

The weeks that I suggested are weeks that you should try and book for Royal Palms.....They will give you the strongest possible trading power for your resort. You would then have a better chance of getting your requested exchange with II.

(Hope I'm not already on your list of annoying people!)

Not yet....We'll see how things go.

Thanks for being so helpful.

You're welcome! Please ask any questions that you may have. There are lots of very knowledgeable people on TS4M's that can help you make the best of your timeshare.


Chris

Good luck!!

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

OK!! I'm getting there! I think!
I've deposited my week with II, (which was an MVC floating white week), they've got it as Week 48 on their site, but not sure why that is. I guess they have to pick the best one they can.

I was hoping to get 2 weeks in Spain using II and then the Marriott Reward Points I've got for the other week. Not so simple though! I've requested one week anywhere from Mid June to Mid Aug in a Spanish Marriott resort but there is NO availability until Oct. Surprise!! So they're going to let me know if I one comes up. Then I have to phone Marriott and try to get either the previous or following week on points before.

This doesn't sound very likely at all really and I'm wondering if I'm going to end up with one week in Spain at whatever destination is left at the bottom of the barrell. I don't imagine I'll be able to use my Marriott Reward Points for any non-Marriott places.

Given the situation, do you think I've done the right thing? If I haven't is there much else I can do now?

Thanks very much for all your help.

Chris

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

OK!! I'm getting there! I think!
I've deposited my week with II, (which was an MVC floating white week), they've got it as Week 48 on their site, but not sure why that is. I guess they have to pick the best one they can.
I was hoping to get 2 weeks in Spain using II and then the Marriott Reward Points I've got for the other week. Not so simple though! I've requested one week anywhere from Mid June to Mid Aug in a Spanish Marriott resort but there is NO availability until Oct. Surprise!! So they're going to let me know if I one comes up. Then I have to phone Marriott and try to get either the previous or following week on points before.

This doesn't sound very likely at all really and I'm wondering if I'm going to end up with one week in Spain at whatever destination is left at the bottom of the barrell. I don't imagine I'll be able to use my Marriott Reward Points for any non-Marriott places.

Given the situation, do you think I've done the right thing? If I haven't is there much else I can do now?

Thanks very much for all your help.

Chris

Hi Chris, sorry I am coming to this thread so late -I am a 3 week Marriott owner and I am RUNNING out right now BUT - week 48 is a REALLY bad week for Marriott to deposit for you.
I am assuming that YOU did not request week 48, right?Marriott just gave that week to II for you?

I say it is bad because if you look at the travel demand for Orlando that II has on their website (100 is average, 50 is the lowest demand and 150 is the highest demand) the numbers run from 65 to 130 - and week 48 is 75...not so good.

Highest demand is weeks 51,52 then 5-15 that rate between 120-130

I then went to Marriott Vacation Club International the Marriott owner website and looked up your resorts seasons.
White is 18-23, 40-49
The highest demand of those weeks accordong to II is 22 at 110, 23 at 105, 41 & 47 are 100.

So for 2010, call and reserve week 22 or 23 to get the best trade power.

Mid June thru mid August is THE highest demand time in Spain - if u were asking for a May or October week in Spain, your Late November week would probably get it as I see those times with non Marriott weeks....but I don't think your week will get that

More later......

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

Wait a minute - MCV is Marriott Canyon Villas....week 48 has a travel demand of 85 based on the same scale of 50-150 total...MCV weeks demand are 70-150 - still not a great week...OY!

Let's back up - what season did u buy at Royal Palms?

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

Wait a minute - MCV is Marriott Canyon Villas....week 48 has a travel demand of 85 based on the same scale of 50-150 total...MCV weeks demand are 70-150 - still not a great week...OY!

Let's back up - what season did u buy at Royal Palms?

I bought a White floating week at Royal Palms. MVC was Marriott Vacation Club! :-) not MCV.

They didn't ask me what week I wanted to deposit the buying power of the weeks weren't even discussed. The New Owner lady that "helped" me just did it for me and told me it was done. I'll need to ask her why she did that now.

Thanks for your help and the link to the owners site.

Chris

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

cbucks

I bought a White floating week at Royal Palms.

I'm not positive of the exact dates of "White Season," but I think weeks 33, 41 & 47 might fall in that season. If so, they would have been your best bet with a scale ratio of 100%. Weeks 32, 34 & 42 are next in line.

I'm not sure that there's anything that you can do, at this point. However, it never hurts to call Marriott, and see if they'll switch your week for you.

If they are not available, or Marriott will not make the switch, you will still get the Marriott preference which will help with your exchange. Also, you chances will improve greatly, if you can make make travel plans during the 59 day (flexchange) window.

Good luck!

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

I'm not positive of the exact dates of "White Season," but I think weeks 33, 41 & 47 might fall in that season. If so, they would have been your best bet with a scale ratio of 100%. Weeks 32, 34 & 42 are next in line.

I'm not sure that there's anything that you can do, at this point. However, it never hurts to call Marriott, and see if they'll switch your week for you.

If they are not available, or Marriott will not make the switch, you will still get the Marriott preference which will help with your exchange. Also, you chances will improve greatly, if you can make make travel plans during the 59 day (flexchange) window.

Good luck!

I then went to Marriott Vacation Club International the Marriott owner website and looked up your resorts seasons.
White is 18-23, 40-49
The highest demand of those weeks according to II is 22 at 110, 23 at 105, 41 & 47 are 100.

I agree that calling Marriott and asking them to give u something 'better' is not a bad idea - it never hurts to ask!

Chris, you can reserve week 22 at exacting 12 months out - so plan on calling Marriott owners services on the THURSDAY before the Friday/Saturday/Sunday this year for best trading power.

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

I agree that calling Marriott and asking them to give u something 'better' is not a bad idea - it never hurts to ask!

Chris, you can reserve week 22 at exacting 12 months out - so plan on calling Marriott owners services on the THURSDAY before the Friday/Saturday/Sunday this year for best trading power.

I'm SO VERY GRATEFUL to you people for being so helpful and patient.

Forgive a final request for clarification. I think you are saying that I should try to trade Week 22 to get the best exchange and that I should contact Marriott / II exactly one year before wk 22 in 2010. However I'm not sure if that means I should book my own break on that week, which may or may not be convenient, or whether I will get the trading power for whatever week I choose to take as a holiday as long as I trade my week for week 22.

Thanks again

Chris

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

I'm SO VERY GRATEFUL to you people for being so helpful and patient.

Forgive a final request for clarification. I think you are saying that I should try to trade Week 22 to get the best exchange and that I should contact Marriott / II exactly one year before wk 22 in 2010. However I'm not sure if that means I should book my own break on that week, which may or may not be convenient, or whether I will get the trading power for whatever week I choose to take as a holiday as long as I trade my week for week 22.

Thanks again

Chris

Chris,

Pat has noted that "White Season" is weeks 18-23, 40-49......Sorry, I didn't really know which weeks were considered white, and didn't have time this morning to look it up.

In White Season, wk 22 is the strongest trader.......You want to book week 22 at 12 months out. You can call from the Thursday before. As Pat states....

Chris, you can reserve week 22 at exacting 12 months out - so plan on calling Marriott owners services on the THURSDAY before the Friday/Saturday/Sunday this year for best trading power.

Your goal is to deposit the strongest week that you can in II. That would be wk 22. The week that you deposit only matters in trading power. Once it's deposited, you can request the date/week/resort that you're looking to exchange into.

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

I'm SO VERY GRATEFUL to you people for being so helpful and patient.

Forgive a final request for clarification. I think you are saying that I should try to trade Week 22 to get the best exchange and that I should contact Marriott / II exactly one year before wk 22 in 2010. However I'm not sure if that means I should book my own break on that week, which may or may not be convenient, or whether I will get the trading power for whatever week I choose to take as a holiday as long as I trade my week for week 22.

Thanks again

Chris

And I wouldn't book your own break until you have a trade. I would put in the request for as broad a range as possible to increase your chances of getting a match, and then put in for vacation for those dates. If your job requires a great deal of notice for vacation dates, then you can take a shot, but it could get a bit stressful, depending on where/when you want to travel and what the demand is for those weeks. Welcome to the timeshare squeeze... it's great when it works out, but can be frustrating along the way...

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

I'm SO VERY GRATEFUL to you people for being so helpful and patient.

Forgive a final request for clarification. I think you are saying that I should try to trade Week 22 to get the best exchange

and that I should contact Marriott / II exactly one year before wk 22 in 2010.

However I'm not sure if that means I should book my own break on that week, which may or may not be convenient,
or whether
I will get the trading power for whatever week I choose to take as a holiday as long as I trade my week for week 22.
Thanks again

Chris

YES!

and YES!


As Ang and Glitter have said - this would be the STRONGEST week in terms of trade power for your home resort/season - so book/reserve your HOME resort for week 22....you will have from May 2009 to May 2012 to book a vacation using THIS Deposited Week,,,,

and no - it is about getting the STRONGEST week in YOUR season deposited so u can get the trade you want

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

Newbie is learning! Thanks to you guys!

YES!

and YES!


As Ang and Glitter have said - this would be the STRONGEST week in terms of trade power for your home resort/season - so book/reserve your HOME resort for week 22....you will have from May 2009 to May 2012 to book a vacation using THIS Deposited Week,,,,

and no - it is about getting the STRONGEST week in YOUR season deposited so u can get the trade you want

OK I get it. They certainly don't warn you about all this stuff when they're selling you the timeshare in the first place! I guess it's about being organised and planning ahead - never my strong point.

I understand it now and will ask my New Owner Rep why she deposited Wk 48 for me, but doubt I'll be able to change it now.

I will however be on the phone like a rocket 12 months before Wk22 kicks in (only a few week away now!) to deposit my week for next year.

Thanks again for all your help.

You're an amazing bunch of nice people. A rare treat on the net these days.



I look forward to becoming more expert and giving the same help to others.

Chris