Just Purchased - Have Questions

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

I own at Harbour Lakes - But on eBay there was an offer too good to pass up. I purchased a Marriott Royal Palms for 507.50 White Season (18 - 23 and 40- 49) plus closing costs (Total slightly over $1,000). Every year usage, gold season.

Was this a good purchase? I wanted MRP for its ability as a dual trader (II and RCI). I don't travel during the summer months usually......I enjoy the summer months were I live. It is the winter months I like to get away.

Is this going to be a good trader and can I still trade through RCI. It is listed as a resort on their list.

Thanks for all of your help.

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

Checked RCI website (really slow today). There is a Royal palms but doesn't call it a Marriot. The address given is 8404 Vacation Way, Orlando, Florida. If this is correct it is listed as #1699 in the RCI directory.
Hope this helps.

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

I just checked on Trip Advisor and it is the same place.

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

Marriott left RCI many years ago but, a few Marriott resorts still trade through RCI. Those that trade through RCI are the same resorts but, RCI does not list Marriott in the name.

Is it a good buy? It's a very nice resort and should trade OK inside the Marriott system. For 2 years now Marriott sales reps have been talking about a phantom internal exchange program that will severaly restrict resale buyers. At this point, no one believe's what they're saying.

Marriott does have a points based system set up in Asia. Those that own in the Asian weeks program have reported being asked to cough up another $4,000+ to join Marriott's Asian points based internal exchange system.

How any new internal exchange system will shake out with Marriott is anyone's guess. They keep saying the beggining of next year but, they've been saying that for two years now. I suspect the something will eventually happen and, I suspect Marriott will attempt to limit internal exchanges for resale buyers but, how they'll do that is anyone's guess. I certainly don't trust what the salesmen are pushing.

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

Marriott left RCI many years ago but, a few Marriott resorts still trade through RCI. Those that trade through RCI are the same resorts but, RCI does not list Marriott in the name.

Is it a good buy? It's a very nice resort and should trade OK inside the Marriott system. For 2 years now Marriott sales reps have been talking about a phantom internal exchange program that will severaly restrict resale buyers. At this point, no one believe's what they're saying.

Marriott does have a points based system set up in Asia. Those that own in the Asian weeks program have reported being asked to cough up another $4,000+ to join Marriott's Asian points based internal exchange system.

How any new internal exchange system will shake out with Marriott is anyone's guess. They keep saying the beggining of next year but, they've been saying that for two years now. I suspect the something will eventually happen and, I suspect Marriott will attempt to limit internal exchanges for resale buyers but, how they'll do that is anyone's guess. I certainly don't trust what the salesmen are pushing.

First of all thanks to everyone for their responses.

I have read that about the internal point system and decided to take the gamble. Who knows if this will happen or not. I know on the Marriott site they are offering the upgrade sale but I don't know how they can implement this with the properties being deeded.

Also, will they discontinue with Interval International? What about the owners who don't take advantage of the points system offer? I also read that they are only offering it to the first 500 people in Asia.

Plus, I never believe sales people who make so much on commission. Marriott has trimmed their sales force and even closed some sales offices. I am sure they are on a sell now or hit the pavement job. I am sure they are fighting to maintain the level of income they held before tough economic times.

With economic times, It would be hard to believe that Marriott would do this to their clientele. What happens to transfers for people who give the unit to their kids?

All I know now, I won't be able to convert the unit to Marriott Reward points but who cares for $1,000.

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

You got a great deal!

I would use this unit only with II as u have the Marriott 21/24 day preference.

Go onto the II website - look at the demand index for orlando and then plan on reserving the week in your season with the highest travel demand.

[thinze3 Member Find all posts View Profile Close thinze3]

Trading with II is a must, but ...

RCI does have Royal Palms listed as a 5 star resort. Even though you wouldn't get Marriott priority with RCI, you sure would have the ability to trade into many good resorts whenever you want a change of venue. The bad news is that you would have to pay another membership fee to trade with both RCI and II.

Great purchase. If I were you I would take advantage of the soft economy and make a quick trade into Hawaii, Aruba or the like while the getting is good.

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

It may or may not be a good trader with RCI. BUT it should be a good trader with II. And with the 24 day preference that II give to all Marriott to Marriott trading, IMHO I'd trade only with II unless you want to go to someplace with very little II resorts. ( like Whistler BC or most of Europe)

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

Great buy! As posted above, use the Marriott preference in II and take advantage of the economy if you can afford it and nab one of those harder to trade into units. Your first trade alone can more than offset your purchase price.

Before you join RCI, look into whether you will want to visit the locations that they offer over the ones that II offers and/or if you want to take advantage of their last minute opportunities for purchase. Keep in mind that you can join RCI if/when you want to trade there or use their services, and don't have to have concurrent or continuous II and RCI memberships.

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

RCI does have Royal Palms listed as a 5 star resort. Even though you wouldn't get Marriott priority with RCI, you sure would have the ability to trade into many good resorts whenever you want a change of venue. The bad news is that you would have to pay another membership fee to trade with both RCI and II.

Great purchase. If I were you I would take advantage of the soft economy and make a quick trade into Hawaii, Aruba or the like while the getting is good.

Thanks again to everyone's reponses.

I am doing Aruba in November...and I am doing Grand Chateau in March 2010 with my other Marriott property, Harbor Lakes. Exchanged efficiencies for 2 BR units. I still have the 1 units available for other trips.

I know it is stupid to own two resorts in the same area but I wanted a second Marriott for the 13 month window. After reading many TS Forums on this subject, it seemed logical to look at this option cheaply. I am usually going to trade them anyway and this deal was too good to pass up.

Plus, the Marriott World Center usage, justified this purchase for me.

I really appreciate the input about RCI. Maybe a selective membership would be wise. II offers some resorts and RCI offers some more from the same family (ie The Palace Resorts in Cancun, Sun, Beach and LeBlanc.) Also, in case I decide to trade from Gold to Platinum season for Orlando, DVC is now an RCI resort. Not likely an option for me....I like the summers where I live. I hate the winters!

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

Thanks again to everyone's responses.

I am doing Aruba in November...and I am doing Grand Château in March 2010 with my other Marriott property, Harbor Lakes. Exchanged efficiencies for 2 BR units. I still have the 1 units available for other trips.

I know it is stupid to own two resorts in the same area but I wanted a second Marriott for the 13 month window. After reading many TS Forums on this subject, it seemed logical to look at this option cheaply. I am usually going to trade them anyway and this deal was too good to pass up.

Plus, the Marriott World Center usage, justified this purchase for me.

I really appreciate the input about RCI. Maybe a selective membership would be wise. II offers some resorts and RCI offers some more from the same family (ie The Palace Resorts in Cancun, Sun, Beach and LeBlanc.) Also, in case I decide to trade from Gold to Platinum season for Orlando, DVC is now an RCI resort. Not likely an option for me....I like the summers where I live. I hate the winters!

Ace, I don't want to burst your RCI bubble but - an Orlando sort of off-season week is not going to trade well in RCI. There is a glut of Orlando resorts and as u can see from my II demand index posted above, your ownership does not fall into the high demand time.
Also, there is a regional block in RCI for Orlando to Orlando trades, so u can not trade into Disney or any other Orlando resort (I just read this on the RCI site yesterday) If you are interested in RCI, start reading the site and u will find other less expensive options that will trade very well in RCI.

In II, even though there is a restriction in Orlando to Orlando trades, you can always trade Marriott to Marriott - so if u wanted two weeks at your home or two units the same week, you could get it.

The other reality of RCI is that they rent out exchanges - there is a class action suit going on but basically they start renting out the good deposits 30 days after they are deposited
You can rent from RCI without joining or depositing a unit at several websites.

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

Ace, I don't want to burst your RCI bubble but - an Orlando sort of off-season week is not going to trade well in RCI. There is a glut of Orlando resorts and as u can see from my II demand index posted above, your ownership does not fall into the high demand time.
Also, there is a regional block in RCI for Orlando to Orlando trades, so u can not trade into Disney or any other Orlando resort (I just read this on the RCI site yesterday) If you are interested in RCI, start reading the site and u will find other less expensive options that will trade very well in RCI.

In II, even though there is a restriction in Orlando to Orlando trades, you can always trade Marriott to Marriott - so if u wanted two weeks at your home or two units the same week, you could get it.

The other reality of RCI is that they rent out exchanges - there is a class action suit going on but basically they start renting out the good deposits 30 days after they are deposited
You can rent from RCI without joining or depositing a unit at several websites.

Thanks for the insight Pat...We will see how it goes! I will keep trading with II, I just like having the open option with RCI.