Marriott changes and SFX

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

My point is why should Marriott get any special offers. They are no better than many others. I have stayed at Marriott, HGVC, Royals, Grand Mayans, and several others. I would put Marriott at the bottom of that list. The whole value of any timeshare is how much does demand exceed supply. A Manhattan Club or HGVC West 57th Street week is worth a lot more than any Marriott week.

All deposits at SFX are good quality resorts. That, and other things, is what sets SFX apart from other exchange companies. If they start giving special favors to certain owners then the system has changed and not for the better. Trading power is always a factor as it should be but not special favors.

Because as Mark pointed out-it happens in all industries. On Delta I can still get a blanket, on American, you have to pay for it. Loyalty to a certain automobile maker will often get you specials or incentives too if you continue to buy from them and not "jump ship" Holding an American Express Card gives you advanced opportunities to buy concert and baseball tickets. HTSE offers bonus weeks for Hawaii deposits. II targets weeks and timeframe for Marriott and other highly desirable locations. Fair? Maybe, Maybe not, but we use and keep certain things at our disposal due to these features or offers. It works.

That said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I own a Marriott but I have stayed at almost all hotel chain t/s's (excluding Starwood-haven't stayed there yet) and the Royals and GM. I actually prefer the HGVC unit I had in Hawaii over the Marriott unit. Better layout and a nice change from from seems like the same ole same ole with Marriott units.

I know you're happy with SFX and I have been too. I don't believe that Brand targeting is going to change anything about the way you exchange. It just opens up more opportunity for others including yourself. Oh, but Marriott is on the bottom of the food chain, so we won't offer you anything of those

I'M KIDDING JOHN!

[cathyb Member Find all posts View Profile Close cathyb]

Hi CalGal - Thank you for your post. This certainly is an interesting dynamic. It may have the potential for a number of Marriott Owners to use SFX for their vacation exchange... and we of course would welcome each and every one of them!

We do have a number of Marriott Owners that use SFX, but needless to say, we would like that number to grow significantly. We are watching this event closely.

In the last 12 months, we have been in intensive business development for the lauch of some exciting new programs which we hope to announce around January 2011. It's all about a big improvement in our services and benefits.

Here is my question to Marriott Owners..... If SFX was to create a Marriott Owner's Exchange department, which could be used for both internal and external exchanges, how would you the Owners like to see it operate and why?

This is a very interesting dialogue, and hopefully you can get this post out to as many Marriott Owners as possible perhaps on the Owner's websites (Starwood too). If there is a strong enough response, we will certainly give this a lot of attention.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

Mark: As owners of two Marriotts, what I would prefer is being able to browse the available Marriott weeks being offered; then if I see a trade I want, could contact SFX to complete the exchange. Have you heard of Ownertrades.com? They have an interesting online setup dealing strictly with Marriott owners but it is owner to owner. I do like how you can put in your timeshare and week and see if there are matches for where you want to travel.

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

I signed up with them yesterday. I like the idea of doing a direct exchange but mainly with people, who are regulars on the timeshare forum boards, so I know that I can feel comfortable with them.

Exchanging is such a crap shoot unless you can do it on the spur of the moment and get confirmed immediately. JMHO. I am glad that we bought for use but I was hoping to lock off our Marriott on Maui and make one week last for two whole weeks. II did a pretty good job for us last year but will it continue?

It's going to be interesting what SFX can come up with what may be better than II from hereon.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I want to thank all of those who have contributed their thoughts and ideas in this thread. All of them will be reviewed and taken into consideration, as we constantly strive to better serve our Members with an ongoing committment for a more rewarding vacation exchange experience.

I would like to close by re-posting this extract from a previous post for those who may have missed it.

Again... we appreciate all the input.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

===

Barndweller - thank you for your post and feedback. Sometimes there isn't always an exact science as to what "Value" is. Many times it is "Subjective", as value is seen differently by people. However, for the most part I must disagree with you, because when the whole picture is looked at and analyzed, I don't see where our bonus week prices are "twice as much".

Please refer to the price comparison chart below, because when you take in all actual costs you are paying with another exchange company, as an SFX Gold Member your overall exchange costs are "Lower", not higher.

With regards to the Bonus Weeks being higher... in some cases they can be a little higher, but not all. For example, our 60-90 day or less space can vary between $99 - $399 for a week. (There may be exceptions).

With SFX you can request your Bonus Week up to one year in advance including Prime-Timeand and Prime-Locations, which according to previous posters you cannot do with your current exchange company. And an SFX Bonus Week certificate can be good for up to 18 month depending on how soon you bank your week, not 12 months as per the comparison.

So although we all see value differently and sometimes its “subjective”, our Members have no problem paying a reasonable amount for a High or Prime Season Bonus week. That's only an average of $57 to $71 per day !! And let's not forget, there is a value having access to both major systems rather than just one, and being able to request a Bonus Week a year in advance including the Prime-Season.

For Hawaii there is a nominal $199 surcharge for the whole week, and only $299 for New York and London. ($698 for week in Kensington London or NY, is only $99 per day which is outstanding value.

There will always be instances where one is a little more than the other, but overall there is good value for money, even if paying a little more on occasion.

Take a peek at this chart. It is based on a 5 year membership plan comparison, except for I.I. as we couldn't find their 5 year pricing, just 1 year. So it may not be a science... but it will put everything into a "realistic" perspective. If there is any inaccurate pricing, please let me know and we will promptly correct it.

With regards to more Urban properties... We only wish. The reality is simply economics. In major urban cities eg. San Francisco, NY, London etc. the cost are too high and prohibitive to timeshare.

CLICK for more details

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

I wish I saw this post earlier. My II membership expires at the end of the year and I honestly can't stand them. I own a 2 bedroom in the Lakes section with SVN at the Vistana in Orlando. I have a great deeded week 7 (Feb Vacation week) but float 1 - 52. We usually use our week in Orlando but recently began exchanging as the kids have seen enough of Orlando over the years.

Two years ago we exchanged for Aruba and the best they could get us with a deposit 10 months in advance was a 1 bedroom unit at the Renaissance in the last week of May. We loved the resort but really needed 2 bedrooms as their 1 bedroom was REALLY SMALL!!!

Last year we exchanged for a 2 bedroom in Las Vegas at the Marriott Grand Chatteau in FEBRUARY!!! The property was in a good location but was a complete dissapointment to say the least. I expected more from Marriott...

This year we want to trade for Maui or Kauaii in July. We deposited our week 52 back in August. Until the other day I heard absolutely nothing from them. Then this monday they call me and tell me that I cannot do the exchange unless I renew for 2011. So either this is complete b/s and they are trying to get me to renew or I deposited my week in August with absolutely no chance of getting an exchange because I have not paid for 2011 yet...

So Mark, tell me what my options are at SFX because I really don't like II at the moment. I almost feel like I'm stuck with them since 2010 is almost over.

Also, beside Westin and Marriott properties in Kauai & Maui are there any others worth staying at? We'd even consider the big island on the Kona side.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I wish I saw this post earlier. My II membership expires at the end of the year and I honestly can't stand them. I own a 2 bedroom in the Lakes section with SVN at the Vistana in Orlando. I have a great deeded week 7 (Feb Vacation week) but float 1 - 52. We usually use our week in Orlando but recently began exchanging as the kids have seen enough of Orlando over the years.

Two years ago we exchanged for Aruba and the best they could get us with a deposit 10 months in advance was a 1 bedroom unit at the Renaissance in the last week of May. We loved the resort but really needed 2 bedrooms as their 1 bedroom was REALLY SMALL!!!

Last year we exchanged for a 2 bedroom in Las Vegas at the Marriott Grand Chatteau in FEBRUARY!!! The property was in a good location but was a complete dissapointment to say the least. I expected more from Marriott...

This year we want to trade for Maui or Kauaii in July. We deposited our week 52 back in August. Until the other day I heard absolutely nothing from them. Then this monday they call me and tell me that I cannot do the exchange unless I renew for 2011. So either this is complete b/s and they are trying to get me to renew or I deposited my week in August with absolutely no chance of getting an exchange because I have not paid for 2011 yet...

So Mark, tell me what my options are at SFX because I really don't like II at the moment. I almost feel like I'm stuck with them since 2010 is almost over.

Also, beside Westin and Marriott properties in Kauai & Maui are there any others worth staying at? We'd even consider the big island on the Kona side.

Irish Reign - Thank you for your post. Well... (deep sigh), I am sorry to hear of your disappointment. However, if you are asking if we could do a better job for you than your previous experience with I.I., the truthful answer is neither yes or no, as there are so many variables that can impact your customer experience and expecations that are not in the control of an exchange company.

For example... Marriott's are some of the better quality timeshare resorts. Keeping in mind Marriott owner's have first priority at Marriott resorts for internal exchange over non Marriott owners wishing to trade in, receiving a Marriott week for your exchange in a prime location is considered in the industry as a "good exchange", and if you were disappointed with those exchanges with I.I., you would have equally been disappointed with SFX, even though in our minds it was a good exchange match.

Now we all know that even at a good resort, some units are more desirable than others (View, size, location in property etc). Point being... an exchange company can get you a great exchange into a resort... but we have no control over which unit (other than size) you are assigned at the resort. That is controlled by the front-desk. And of course that can influence your experience and opinions of the property, which in turn can reflect your feelings negatively or positively towards the exchange company that booked you, even though the exchange company had no control over the unit you occupied.

The Westin and Marriott properties in Maui and Kauai are probably the highest rated, and the highest demanded. There are other nice properties in the islands but if your expectations are to trade into nothing less than those two properties, unfortunately you may be disappointed. That doesn't mean other properties will present a poor vacation experience, but may not meet your expectations. I don't mean to ramble on, I just want to keep everything in perspective.

With regards to the Big Island... my recommendation would be Hilton Grand Vacations Club, either Kingsland, Bay Club or Waikoloa.

Hope this information helps, and hopefully we will have a chance to be of service to you. If you want to give us a try, Gold Membership is Free, you only pay for an exchange when you are confirmed.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark: As owners of two Marriotts, what I would prefer is being able to browse the available Marriott weeks being offered; then if I see a trade I want, could contact SFX to complete the exchange. Have you heard of Ownertrades.com? They have an interesting online setup dealing strictly with Marriott owners but it is owner to owner. I do like how you can put in your timeshare and week and see if there are matches for where you want to travel.

Hi there Cathy... I must apologize. I have been doing a lot of traveling and have missed a number of these posts, and in re-reading some threads noticed some posts I would like to respond to.

I totally understand your sentiment about wanting to see what other Marriott weeks are sitting around, prior to you depositing your week. As with all exchange companies, unfortunately the reality is, if it is a very desirable week in a high demand season, in a very high demand location... as a rule it simply will not be sitting there for you or others to come along and book.

Those kind of weeks always have a huge queue of Members who have placed a request with an ongoing search. The moment a week like that is deposited, it is matched and booked out of the system to the member who has matched the unit. The rule is, "Demand always exceeds Supply" for such inventory. Weeks you do see just sitting around online with the other companies is space they have no requests for from their members. That doesn't mean it's a bad week.... it's typically the lower seasons where supply exceeds demand.

Just think, if almost everyone said "I will not deposit my week unless I see what I want first"... nobody would ever get an exchange because there wouldn't be any weeks to exchange into.

Exchange companies would simply collapse if that was the general trend (members only banking their weeks if they see something they want to book) as exchange companies do not create space. Space is created as a result of members Depositing their time first. Until a resort is sold out, there is also bulk bank deposits from the developer into the exchange pool but that is temporary, and ultimately exchanges depend upon member deposits.

I am familiar with OwnerTrades.com, and if you can make that work for you, that is great. However in the big picture, one on one direct owner trades tend to be too restrictive and sparse for most people, especially if they wish to travel in the higher seasons. I am sure it would work well if your preference was the lower season.

Was good to hear from you and hope all is well.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

Hi...I'm waaaay behind here, but I just deposited my DSVII (Marriott Desert Springs), and then I read this old thread. I'm comfortable depositing with SFX, though I haven't for awhile. We've been using our weeks, rather than exchanging.
We used "A Gift of Time" to get week 52 at our resort this year, so I exchanged our week.
It would certainly be more of an incentive to deposit with SFX if there were some extra perks. Icing on the cake, so to speak.

I bought a week at Kauai Beach Villas on Ebay, a 2 BR beachfront. Do you accept those weeks, Mark? I've been waiting for it to close since last July. If I ever get the deed and get a week for the MF I paid for this year, I'll have to deposit it. Jean

[cathyb Member Find all posts View Profile Close cathyb]

Hi there Cathy... I must apologize. I have been doing a lot of traveling and have missed a number of these posts, and in re-reading some threads noticed some posts I would like to respond to.

I totally understand your sentiment about wanting to see what other Marriott weeks are sitting around, prior to you depositing your week. As with all exchange companies, unfortunately the reality is, if it is a very desirable week in a high demand season, in a very high demand location... as a rule it simply will not be sitting there for you or others to come along and book.

Those kind of weeks always have a huge queue of Members who have placed a request with an ongoing search. The moment a week like that is deposited, it is matched and booked out of the system to the member who has matched the unit. The rule is, "Demand always exceeds Supply" for such inventory. Weeks you do see just sitting around online with the other companies is space they have no requests for from their members. That doesn't mean it's a bad week.... it's typically the lower seasons where supply exceeds demand.

Just think, if almost everyone said "I will not deposit my week unless I see what I want first"... nobody would ever get an exchange because there wouldn't be any weeks to exchange into.

Exchange companies would simply collapse if that was the general trend (members only banking their weeks if they see something they want to book) as exchange companies do not create space. Space is created as a result of members Depositing their time first. Until a resort is sold out, there is also bulk bank deposits from the developer into the exchange pool but that is temporary, and ultimately exchanges depend upon member deposits.

I am familiar with OwnerTrades.com, and if you can make that work for you, that is great. However in the big picture, one on one direct owner trades tend to be too restrictive and sparse for most people, especially if they wish to travel in the higher seasons. I am sure it would work well if your preference was the lower season.

Was good to hear from you and hope all is well.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

Mark: Actually good bright red trades ARE met in OwnerTrades. We achieved February in Thailand, late summer in Marbella, September in Boston and others.

That said, we would definitely be interested in your January rollout (still January?) on a new program. We own at Marriott Newport Coast and Palm Desert besides Westin and Maui Whaler in July.

In closing, I do want to express some disappointment in your other SFX company that pushes cruises, etc. They have bombarded us with phone calls and emails when we have requested them not to a number of times -- to a point of feeling invaded. Is there some way where we could receive emails from the timeshare side of SFX and not the 'cruise company' side?

Have a happy holiday! Say hi to Mel for us.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark: Actually good bright red trades ARE met in OwnerTrades. We achieved February in Thailand, late summer in Marbella, September in Boston and others.

That said, we would definitely be interested in your January rollout (still January?) on a new program. We own at Marriott Newport Coast and Palm Desert besides Westin and Maui Whaler in July.

In closing, I do want to express some disappointment in your other SFX company that pushes cruises, etc. They have bombarded us with phone calls and emails when we have requested them not to a number of times -- to a point of feeling invaded. Is there some way where we could receive emails from the timeshare side of SFX and not the 'cruise company' side?

Have a happy holiday! Say hi to Mel for us.

Hi Cathy - Hopefully January. We have had the technology for the last couple of years, and our 60 day inventory has been available and bookable online for low cost rentals for about the last 6 months. The latest update notification went out about a week ago, and needless to say the best weeks are booked.

I am sorry about our marketing department's constant calling. I checked and saw they entered you into the Do Not Call list at the end of May this year. If by chance you are still accidentally receiving those calls, please send me a private message and I will intervene.

Merry Christmas and Holiday Season,

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I might deposit a week but not my Marriott. I know you put a lot of "value" into your bonus weeks but when I compare it to a Marriott AC I get II, I don't arrive at the same level of value.

- It's essentially a 1BR bonus week for $399. II ACs cost me a $249 for a 1BR.
- Yes, the SFX bonus week theoretically can be used most anywhere but you have to pay $299 upgrade fees for specific locations such as Hawaii and then an additional size upgrade fee if I want larger than a 1BR. With an II AC, I'm restricted to a grid but I can go a number of places and if I can see a larger unit, I can book it with only a $50 increase.
- Additionally, during flexchange, I can get an even broader variety of resorts and locations, typically Marriotts because the priority period still comes into play during the flexchange period and the grid no longer applies. Don't have that with SFX.

Yes, there will likely be less II inventory and more uncertainty but for me, it still has more value for my Marriott than this promo. Sorry Mark, but there's gotta be more for me.

djyamyam... With I.I.'s AC's, are you restricted to only weeks that are 60 days or less?? And you can only book what's sitting around in their inventory?

With an SFX Bonus Week... you can request "what you want" up to one year in advance (just like an exchange week). And not be stuck with leftovers.

If I am correct, then that is a HUGE difference in the value of the week we give you! The closer the inventory/week is to the check in date, the lower the value, and vice-versa.

We too have weeks between $99 to typically $499 60 days or less. The key to the big-deal is what can you get for a great price that's further in advance, 60 to 365 days in advance, and to request what you want, rather than whatever is laying around.

Last time I checked, I.I. weeks more than 60 days were in the $500 to $1,500 price range! what kind of a deal is that?

On the other hand... if your interest is primarily to use Marriott units for exchange or whatever units are available for AC's 60 days or less, then needless to say because of your Marriott priority, that obviously is your best course.

Merry Christmas and Holiday Season,

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I signed up with them yesterday. I like the idea of doing a direct exchange but mainly with people, who are regulars on the timeshare forum boards, so I know that I can feel comfortable with them.

Exchanging is such a crap shoot unless you can do it on the spur of the moment and get confirmed immediately. JMHO. I am glad that we bought for use but I was hoping to lock off our Marriott on Maui and make one week last for two whole weeks. II did a pretty good job for us last year but will it continue?

It's going to be interesting what SFX can come up with what may be better than II from hereon.

Hi iconnections - I think the reality is that better or not will be subjective. In addition to some new features we will be adding, the ultimate difference is with SFX you have access to the higher quality resorts that are both listed in RCI and I.I. Otherwise you are "restricted" to the resorts that are in just one or the other!

Our overall fees are Less! And you can request Bonus Weeks up to a year in advance (like an exchange week), and not be restricted to leftovers 60 days or less! I personally think this is the core Value-Proposition to the Member, regardless of any improvements we make.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season,

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

SFX Announcement Forthcoming

Mark,

I remember reading in this thread that SFX was going to make an announcement in Jan that might be of interest to us Marriott owners who remain in the weeks program. I just got notice from II that they want my week now and will give me a bonus week if I deposit my summer Marriott week before Jan 16 (or 14).

Any chance if SFX is making an announcement that would be interesting to the Marriott weeks owner that it will be forthcoming before the deadline posed by II?

Just thought I would check back in and see if there is anything new to report now that it is January.

Thanxxx so much for your support of the forum.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark,

I remember reading in this thread that SFX was going to make an announcement in Jan that might be of interest to us Marriott owners who remain in the weeks program. I just got notice from II that they want my week now and will give me a bonus week if I deposit my summer Marriott week before Jan 16 (or 14).

Any chance if SFX is making an announcement that would be interesting to the Marriott weeks owner that it will be forthcoming before the deadline posed by II?

Just thought I would check back in and see if there is anything new to report now that it is January.

Thanxxx so much for your support of the forum.

Jimbo - Thank you for your post. Sometime tomorrow, I will post what the new Special Offer is from SFX.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

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

Jimbo - Thank you for your post. Sometime tomorrow, I will post what the new Special Offer is from SFX.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

Can't wait to see what you have for us. Will definitely be looking for it.

Jim