Marriott Vacation Club "Destinations" - What I Like and What I've Done

We loved Ford's Colony. We did have to drive in to Williamsburg, but since we had our car it really didn't matter to us. We are also golfers and they have a beautiful course there which we played several time. Plus we also drove to Yorktown and Jamestown.

Kathy

Orlando Cypress Harbour - using Dest Pts

Two of our sons and their families are just finishing up a week at Marriott Cypress Harbour under two one-week reservations. One of the weeks cost 1,725 Dest Pts and the other was a trade thru Interval for a deposited week. Considering that a typical deposited week under Destinations yields about 3,000 plus points, I would have done better using Dest Pts for both weeks. I weigh the alternatives each time I make a reservation (just like spending cash) but I missed the better option on this reservation.

Dennis

I'm sorry, Dennis. I must have written to you in error. I see that all of your postings are very much right on. I apologize. Jean

Jean - Thank you but no apology was necessary.

Enrolling weeks in Destinations - mid-June price increase in enrollment fee

Recently, I wrote on the Rip-off entitled forum that it may not make sense to join Destinations if you only owned 1 week. I've thought a bit about this since and I think I was wrong.

The point - A couple of postings back on this forum I wrote about acquiring a week at Cypress Harbour using 1,725 Dest pts and about how this was a better deal than trading thru Interval - a week for week exchange. I think that the better answer might be that enrolling even 1 week in Destinations will potentially "double your vacation use" for certain properties or less than peak season requests. For example, I deposit an average week and get 3,000+ Dest Pts and then acquire two 7 day periods at 1,725 pts each using Dest Pts. Of course, the other advantages of Destinations include a fixed annual fee for Interval use and being able to use days rather than an entire week. I especially like using 5 nights (Sunday thru Thursday nights) at a huge discount.

Please let me know if you think I'm missing something.

Incidentally, our sons and their families are just finishing up at Cypress Harbour and DisneyWorld. To these families, this has been the best vacation ever.

dennish144 wrote:

Jean - Thank you but no apology was necessary.

Enrolling weeks in Destinations - mid-June price increase in enrollment fee

Recently, I wrote on the Rip-off entitled forum that it may not make sense to join Destinations if you only owned 1 week. I've thought a bit about this since and I think I was wrong.

The point - A couple of postings back on this forum I wrote about acquiring a week at Cypress Harbour using 1,725 Dest pts and about how this was a better deal than trading thru Interval - a week for week exchange. I think that the better answer might be that enrolling even 1 week in Destinations will potentially "double your vacation use" for certain properties or less than peak season requests. For example, I deposit an average week and get 3,000+ Dest Pts and then acquire two 7 day periods at 1,725 pts each using Dest Pts. Of course, the other advantages of Destinations include a fixed annual fee for Interval use and being able to use days rather than an entire week. I especially like using 5 nights (Sunday thru Thursday nights) at a huge discount.

Please let me know if you think I'm missing something.

Incidentally, our sons and their families are just finishing up at Cypress Harbour and DisneyWorld. To these families, this has been the best vacation ever.

Dennis,

I have posted on this in the past as well on TUG. The point you are making is valid about the Destination Club (DC) being good for one week owners. The Sun-Thurs point requirements particularly during off season times can be great deals. The only caveat I would add to it is that it's most beneficial to those who have one week and get a substantial amount of points for it to really bring value to the owner of one week. For example if you own a week that will net you 4000 or more points then you will have more opportunities in off peak season. Plus with the renting of points even if you have a lower value week, being in the DC can allow you to still get into higher valued resorts when you would like without upping your maintenance fees every year.

Hey Dennis,

We joined the Destinations program when it first came out, but we didn't buy any points; simply because it made far more sense to pay $199/year for membership to it AND to Interval. Considering that we traded week for week through Interval many times, that meant $89 for the Interval membership per year and $109 (at that time) for Marriott to Marriott trade ... or $198. We would trade several units a year ... that's $89 each trade! There were also the "guest" fee of $49 or the "lock off fee" of $75 and the $29 "cancellation" fee if need be ... We figured we were ahead of the game just getting rid of all of those fees. We had spent that $695 initiation fee or darned near that, each year in fees! In all honesty, we haven't turned any of our units into the DP's yet. We may ... but we haven't found the need yet. We are Platinum members with Interval, which is pretty neat too. They offer us "short stay" trades. This can be between one to six nights stay somewhere, and as long as you say "short stay" ... you can use your one week as two "short stays" for between one to UP TO SIX NIGHTS ... Yes, you read that right. We can make 2 6-night stays out of one week. It looks like the places that are included in that are limited, but ... worth looking at, we figure. Our little bronze week in Myrtle is only worth 575 DP's. That doesn't get you much. But, we have traded through II and gone to Sedona Summit (nice) TWICE in a two bedroom unit each time, with that week, Vegas, the Dominican Republic (sent daughter & her husband for their anniversary), and Cypress Harbor twice. (Love Cypress Harbor, feels like "old" Florida). That little bugger trades very well with Interval. Our silver week in Myrtle is only worth 1600 DP's. We go the first week of Silver which is right after Labor Day... the ocean is warm, the weather is great, kids are in school, the summer crowds are gone ... it's fantastic! 1600 seems a little cheap for trading in that kind of a vacation and we've gotten to Aruba in February trading that little silver week. I have checked out a theoretical DP trip once, using our Myrtle properties and Vegas property, and found we could do a very nice 3 week+ trip through California, staying at MVCI properties and using our Marriott Rewards points at hotels. I think you were wise to join the DP program. As you said, if you can go off peak, and do those Sun - Thur trips, you can really capitalize on them!

Our friends came on a "free" week with us to Aruba in 2009, and they ended up buying there. (guilty) We still joke about it. They didn't think they needed to join the DP program, because they thought they'd be very happy just going to Aruba each year, and they have been. BUT ... they have gone with us on a few trips elsewhere, and I was explaining to them that locking off is free with the DP program; they could stay in Aruba one week, and turn the other half in to Interval, and that often times Interval will give them an accommodation week on top of that ... making 3 weeks out of 1. They just joined DP too. One week owners. And, as you are seeing, you can make two weeks with the points at other locations. We have really enjoyed our MVCI experiences, and look forward to doing more of them.

Where is it that you own?

Jean - We are in So California, a long distance from many of the Marriott properties. We own Newport Coast Villas (1 Gold, 3 Plat, and 1 Plat Fixed, 4th of July) and Grand Chateau (1 Plat), Custom House in Boston (1 Plat), and 2,500 Dest Pts. Two of the Newport Plat weeks were acquired privately as the price was so reasonable. This may sound like a lot, but we have 5 married children and 13 grandchildren. Newport Coast weeks were acquired so that we could have family reunions together. Custom House in Boston is my favorite.

I think that legacy owners are the winners with the Dest Pts program as we can generate lots of points depending, of course, on what we own. For example, the Newport Coast 4th of July week yields 5,300 pts every year so we routinely trade it for Dest Pts. I discourage our children from buying Dest Pts as I think they are too expensive in relation to weeks you can buy privately.

This has become a bit of a game in trying to see how much we can do with what we have and we've done some neat things for our families. Two of our son's families (incl 4 grandchildren under 8) return from Cypress Harbour and DisneyWorld tomorrow.

Wow, Dennis!

All I can say is "FANTASTIC!" 5300 points is awesome to turn into DP's! And you'd still have all those other options. Fabulous!

I think you may be correct; legacy owners (as we are as well) may be better off ... but, I believe we SHOULD be ... we are the ones that got MVCI to this point. I never believed a good man like Bill Marriott would do anything bad to the people that were integral to making this product as good as it is.

God bless you and your wonderful family! Happy vacationing!

Jean

Hey Dennis, One more thing ... we are anxious to do a West Coast trip (we are in NH) and are thinking of starting the whole thing at Newport Coast. Is it wonderful? Jean

jeanl102 wrote:

Hey Dennis, One more thing ... we are anxious to do a West Coast trip (we are in NH) and are thinking of starting the whole thing at Newport Coast. Is it wonderful? Jean

We love Newport Coast Villas. We have no problem enjoying the area for a week at a time as there is much to do on and near the property. I suggest that you look up the resort on the internet and then call the concierge for a list of activities/events/nearby community events, etc. There is much to do in the areas from San Diego on the south to Santa Barbara on the north. One caution, I would not recommend using the property as a hub for visiting a large area due to the driving distances and traffic. The weather is great year round in Southern California coastal areas - July and August are best for the beaches. 'Hope this helps.

dennish144 wrote:

jeanl102 wrote:

Hey Dennis, One more thing ... we are anxious to do a West Coast trip (we are in NH) and are thinking of starting the whole thing at Newport Coast. Is it wonderful? Jean

We love Newport Coast Villas. We have no problem enjoying the area for a week at a time as there is much to do on and near the property. I suggest that you look up the resort on the internet and then call the concierge for a list of activities/events/nearby community events, etc. There is much to do in the areas from San Diego on the south to Santa Barbara on the north. One caution, I would not recommend using the property as a hub for visiting a large area due to the driving distances and traffic. The weather is great year round in Southern California coastal areas - July and August are best for the beaches. 'Hope this helps.

Hi Jean -- Just logged in and noticed your message. I agree with Dennis that NB is a great area with lots to do. As this is CA, most of it, as noted, will require a car. You can go to Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Catalina Island, Los Angeles, other beach towns, the wine country, etc in day trips. I don't really agree with him on July being a great beach month. The coast tends to get socked in with the marine layer and the sun may make only a brief appearance. August is better and September is a great month for beachgoing. They are our hottest months. Even the first part of October can be good. I am an inveterate beach lover and would be really bummed if the sun wasn't shining after all that travel. Don't know about the water temperature where you live, but be warned, the Paficic Ocean here is not warm. Sixty eight to seventy one degrees is about it. Have fun on your trip.

Thanks, Melissa, We live in New England, so our ocean waters seldom go above 66 in mid-summer ... unless you're on Cape Cod or RI. We don't do much travel mid-summer so as to avoid the crowds. We also live in the Lakes Region of NH, so we stay here and enjoy the summer right here at home. We do tend to travel Sept/Oct, so it's good to hear that it's still nice there at that time of year. Thanks for the suggestions. Jean

jeanl102 wrote:

Thanks, Melissa, We live in New England, so our ocean waters seldom go above 66 in mid-summer ... unless you're on Cape Cod or RI. We don't do much travel mid-summer so as to avoid the crowds. We also live in the Lakes Region of NH, so we stay here and enjoy the summer right here at home. We do tend to travel Sept/Oct, so it's good to hear that it's still nice there at that time of year. Thanks for the suggestions. Jean

Jean - Melissa is right about the "beach weather" in So California. In fact, if you are not getting in the water; there isn't a bad season here, only an occasional storm. Please come to So California and we'll welcome you!

Incidentally, we're coming to Custom House in Boston for the 4th of July week and then to Rhode Island. We love the Northeast states. My ancestors started in this country with Roger Williams in Providence.

Dennis

How very cool! Boston for the 4th! You are doing it right, friend! The beaches in RI are wonderful! Do you go there often? Be sure to take the trip to Providence and watch them light fire on the river, and take in the Capital Grille while you are there for a special dinner. That's the original restaurant. Here's the waterfire schedule: http://www.waterfire.org/season-schedule We will get to So. Cal. if not this year ... next, God willing. : ) Thanks for all the help! Be well! Jean

jeanl102 wrote:

How very cool! Boston for the 4th! You are doing it right, friend! The beaches in RI are wonderful! Do you go there often? Be sure to take the trip to Providence and watch them light fire on the river, and take in the Capital Grille while you are there for a special dinner. That's the original restaurant. Here's the waterfire schedule: http://www.waterfire.org/season-schedule We will get to So. Cal. if not this year ... next, God willing. : ) Thanks for all the help! Be well! Jean

We traded into Custom House in 2007 as part of our first visit to Providence, the home of my ancestors (Thomas and William Harris). We bought a week that year and have returned every year as this became our our favorite timeshare week and vacation. After these many visits, we are still having fun exploring Boston and the surrounding areas.

We will be in Boston for the 4th of July week and will then spend 4 days in Providence and the areas around Boston, staying at Marriott properties. We haven't ventured too far, excepting Providence and Newport, and appreciate any suggestions.

Dennis

[For a "funky" fun beach, check out Misquamicut Beach, near Westerly, and you have to go to Paddy's Wigwam, restaurant right on the beach, where there's always something going on. There's also a neat scenic venue called Watch Hill nearby Misquamicut; like 2 miles away. That's the thing about RI ... you can be almost anywhere within an hour! : ) You could also visit Mystic Seaport, CT which is old mariner town, very closeby Misquamicut/Watch Hill. Just taking a coast ride is nice too. Have you ventured to Cape Cod? My husband was born there in Falmouth and there are some wonderful places there to check out; it's actually closer from Providence for a day trip rather than Boston, just FYI. New England is wonderful, full of old colonial history and beautiful venues. Have a blast!

Dennis--

I think you have said that you have purchased a Marriott week on the "aftermarket", so I have a couple of questions that you might be able to answer for me. If you purchase an Odd Year Floating unit are the maintenance fees paid every year or every other year? Do you still go through Marriott to book your week--and if so, do you follow the "Weeks Owners" calendar for booking (but would it be the 12 month out)? Could this week be traded through II--or would it also be available for trade in the Marriott System? I know we can't bring it in with the rest of our Marriott Weeks in the Destinations Program. We are considering one in Hawaii, but wasn't sure if a Marriott Rep would be willing to answer these questions since I would not be purchasing it through them. Any thoughts in general (we would be going through Red Week)?

Many thanks--

Kathy

Kathy - typing on iPhone may not be great

Purch in aftermarket has been fine for us. We purchased two weeks at Newport Villas which we use, rent, trade thru Interval, etc. Same booking weeks are used, book thru same desk at Marriott, book 13 mos out as Prem status, etc. Only diff is no Dest benefits such as deposit for Dest Pts and partial wk use. Maint fees, I believe are paid every year for every other year ownership, but check on this as seller should know. In any case, you pay half of Maint fees - EOY ownership.

With respect to Interval, we maintain two accounts as these wks cannot transact thru Interval Dest account. Interval even has some new deal which allows you to split weeks but not too familiar with this yet. Looks to me like Interval is trying to compete with Dest.

Private purchases have worked fine for us. Also, we could sell these wks for more than we paid for them.

Dennis--

Let me know if I have this right--we would go through the Marriott Desk at II--and not through the Marriott Owners? At since we are Premier Status (with our 6500 Point level), Interval will let us book this new property 13 months out--but we would need to purchase a second II account for this new every other year week? At this point I know we could not bring this new property into our Destinations Program. It would be one week we could count on every other year (ore rent it, or trade it through Interval). If we have to pay maintenance fees that would make this a lot less desirable! Let me know if this correct. And many thanks to you once again! Kathy