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

Thanks Dennis...glad it worked out for you - based on your feedback and feedback from others we decided to move ahead with the insurance product...very reasonable....as this is our first trip since joining Destinations, we wanted to ensure everything would work out well...as a new Destinations member, we were able to book 3 rooms in Aruba for us and our two grown children in October...we were also presented a St.Tomas option so we're happy...it was also nice not to have to pay 3 booking fees, like we would have elsewhere...all in our fee...although our Hilton website is superior to Marriott's, our advisor (Kristie) has been awesome...so far, so good with our new Destinations membership...just wish there was more Boston availability based on your posts!! Hope you will soon be able to travel again...enjoy your insightful posts!! Regards, Ed

CSA very fair - I received a call last evening from CSA insurance regarding my travel insurance claim. The claim is settled and they have been very fair. The ticket reimbursement issue raised in my earlier comment was not an issue. I am glad we had this insurance and will certainly continue this coverage.

This insurance is sold thru Marriott Owner Services and you can inquire about it as you make vacation reservations.

dennish144 wrote:

CSA Travel Insurance Claims Experience - I am hearing that if you have a non-refundable airline ticket and the airline gives you a credit, you are not reimbursed for the ticket until the credit expires - could be a year. I would like to have CSA take the credit and cash me out. Of course, the final answer will come as my claim is processed. Anybody had any experience with this specific issue in a CSA claim?

Dennis-- So glad this worked out for you! I guess we just put our faith in the Lord and hope to God we will still be alive in the next 13 months as we have never purchased the insurance--but it's good to know they stand behind you.

I just had to walk away from that Ripoff forum. It was getting so negative and down right nasty! Imagine saying we work for Marriott and are plants!

Now to update everyone. First, I presume that everyone knows by now that the Marriott Resorts in Spain and Mallorca on on line with the Destinations Program--as is France (though you still need to trade for a whole week in this one--the other you can do a less number of days in the week). Great news! We just got back from the Grande Vista with the grandkids and had a wonderful time--even though we did hit Tropical Storm Debby for 3 days! The other 4 days were great. Fortunately Marriott has activities for the kids so they did still stay entertained.

As for our trade for Ko'Olina. At first all they had was a two bedroom and a studio--which we booked--but they told us to keep calling back to see if a 3 bedroom Mountain View plus a studio open would open up--and sure enough they did! So next July our son and daughter and families (plus the two of us) will enjoy a week together--then Lee and I will have a second week to ourselves in the studio. Those reps are just so incredibly helpful, so we now have another wonderful vacation to look forward to next summer!

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying other great vacations!

kathrynm139 wrote:

Dennis-- So glad this worked out for you! I guess we just put our faith in the Lord and hope to God we will still be alive in the next 13 months as we have never purchased the insurance--but it's good to know they stand behind you.

I just had to walk away from that Ripoff forum. It was getting so negative and down right nasty! Imagine saying we work for Marriott and are plants!

Now to update everyone. First, I presume that everyone knows by now that the Marriott Resorts in Spain and Mallorca on on line with the Destinations Program--as is France (though you still need to trade for a whole week in this one--the other you can do a less number of days in the week). Great news! We just got back from the Grande Vista with the grandkids and had a wonderful time--even though we did hit Tropical Storm Debby for 3 days! The other 4 days were great. Fortunately Marriott has activities for the kids so they did still stay entertained.

As for our trade for Ko'Olina. At first all they had was a two bedroom and a studio--which we booked--but they told us to keep calling back to see if a 3 bedroom Mountain View plus a studio open would open up--and sure enough they did! So next July our son and daughter and families (plus the two of us) will enjoy a week together--then Lee and I will have a second week to ourselves in the studio. Those reps are just so incredibly helpful, so we now have another wonderful vacation to look forward to next summer!

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying other great vacations!

Hello Kathryn,

Have you ever been to Ko Olina? It is FANTASTIC! I will be curious to hear whether or not the new Disney resort that was built down toward the JW Marriott hotel is having an effect on the beaches ... more crowded, or not.

"Plants?" Really? That's just too bad. Obviously they are either new to MVCI or don't understand how to use the system. My husband and I have been owners for 7 years and we have gone to some pretty fabulous places, always got to the places we wanted to go, by trading through Interval. We haven't turned any of our properties into DP's yet, but I am pretty certain that we will get what we want if and when we decide to do that.

Enjoy your trips and your family! I agree with you ... hopefully God will continue to bless us with the ability to see His wonderful world.

Be well, Jean

The new Disney resort is closer to lagoon #1 and it is next door to the Ihilani. I did not find the lagoon 3# near the Marriott time shares to be more crowded. The entire place is so beautiful and nicely kept I always look foreword to my week there.

genes92 wrote:

The new Disney resort is closer to lagoon #1 and it is next door to the Ihilani. I did not find the lagoon 3# near the Marriott time shares to be more crowded. The entire place is so beautiful and nicely kept I always look foreword to my week there.

Thanks, Kathryn! That's great to know! Are you on the west coast? Sounds like you go there regularly. We're on the east coast, and have been there once, but want to go again. Have to save a bunch of airline points. : ) Be well! Jean

Jean-- We live in Denver but have been caregivers for my 96 year old Mother for the past two years. Her home is in the mountains of Western Maryland, so we having been taking her with us to Denver for the winter months and live with her in her home in the summer months. So to answer your question we're half and half! We have been to Hawaii 5 times now--2 times in Kauai and 3 in Oahu. The last time we were in Oahu we were at Ko'Olina and absolutely loved it! This was before the other resorts popped up there, so I can't say for certain how crowded things are getting--but one other contributor said there wasn't much of an impact--a VERY good thing! Kauai is really beautiful, but there is virtually NO nightlife--only what there is in the hotels and resorts. Oahu on the other hand has plenty--thanks to Waikiki and Honolulu--so it's there if you want it, or you can just enjoy the resort.

I opened a new forum entitled "Diamond Resorts International (DRI) Litigation - Allegations and Update." Hopefully, those complaining about DRI can write there without contaminating an entire industry. It will be interesting to see if they take advantage of the new forum.

Dennis-- I don't know if I'll hold my breath...or not! It seems some individuals really enjoy complaining too much...and worst of all, they don't listen to what we have written. They selectively pull out things and overlook the main downsides we have very carefully and thoughtfully pointed out. This program doesn't work well for EVERYONE, but if you are in that group that it doesn't, then it makes no sense to join. You still have options. It made no sense for my husband and me to buy additional Destinations Points as they are WAY too expensive, and we already have 6500 points with the properties we have. I want to thank you for all the time you have taken to explain these issues, as I for one have really learned how to make the most of what we have. So here is a BIG THANK YOU!!! Kathy

kathrynm139 wrote:

Dennis-- I don't know if I'll hold my breath...or not! It seems some individuals really enjoy complaining too much...and worst of all, they don't listen to what we have written. They selectively pull out things and overlook the main downsides we have very carefully and thoughtfully pointed out. This program doesn't work well for EVERYONE, but if you are in that group that it doesn't, then it makes no sense to join. You still have options. It made no sense for my husband and me to buy additional Destinations Points as they are WAY too expensive, and we already have 6500 points with the properties we have. I want to thank you for all the time you have taken to explain these issues, as I for one have really learned how to make the most of what we have. So here is a BIG THANK YOU!!! Kathy

DITTO!

I suspect that most of us are happy or choose to be happy because we see the benefits to our families of what we have acquired thru Marriott. Our family is more united and better because of the experiences we have shared. I'm sure we will continue to learn how to use our interests and to find ways to achieve value despite any changes.

I must also mention that some of the experiences we have had with grandchildren in these vacation settings have been priceless. They look forward to being with their cousins and aunts and uncles for months ahead. We are very fortunate to have found a resource to provide such benefits.

Many thanks for the comments of others in this forum. I only wish we could meet up at one of the many great properties some year. It would be great fun.

Dennis

PS - The Marriott properties and locations are great and so are the people we meet there. The Marriott family should be very proud of the environments they have created with the help of great personnel.

To us a large part of our memories revolve around the people we meet while at the resorts. We meet alot of very nice folks when we play golf--and end up either playing golf with them again or going out to dinner. And I agree! We have never had a negative experience with any of the people who work for Marriott. What we especially love about Marriott is that there are no nasty surprises! All of the accommodations have always been A-1--including all of the Marriott Hotels we've travelled to in Europe--from 8 star down to 4 star.

Kathryn & Dennis,

You're absolutely correct! My husband and I have met some fabulous people at each and every property we've stayed. Some have become friends that we try to hook up with at other destinations. Some tell us about places or restaurants or experiences that they have had, that we just have to try. There is nothing about any of our MVCI vacations that we haven't thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe we're lucky??? But I really don't think so. I do think Marriott has got it down pat. We've also met other folks that were able to trade into Aruba Surf (for instance) with their Sheraton property. The remarks from one man was, "Marriott really knows how to do things right." He was amazed at the layout of the resort, the amenities, the staff, and the quality of everything. That was interesting for us to hear his comparisons.

We're off to Hilton Head for a week and then Myrtle for a week in Sept. Then we're off to Ocean Pointe (W Palm, FL) and then Cypress Harbour (Orlando)for a week each in December. We had already made our reservations for Ocean Pointe and while at Canyon Villas (Phoenix) last year, when we met several couples that own there and they couldn't be more excited for us and let us know all kinds of things to make certain we did. We did them and we liked the place so much, we're going again this year. Yessirree, great people everywhere we go.

Yes, we are all blessed, lucky, fortunate, whatever word you want to give it to be able to do these wonderful things. Just another reason my license plate says, "THANKFUL." : )

As the others have said, thanks for your inputs and suggestions, Dennis.

Be well, all. Jean

Destinations Program, two years in -- I am curious to know how others have used Dest. Pts.

We own 2,500 pts and enrolled 5 eligible timeshare weeks. I usually trade one high value week for points every year so we have about 7,500 pts available. These pts are generally used to add low pt value week days to existing timeshare reservations or to acquire week-long periods. The good news is that I can usually get reservations quite easily by using points. I also like the annual lump sum Interval fee.

I'm sure others have found better value or ways to use the points than we have.

If anyone has suggestions of great Vacation Clubs that we have not yet visited we would add them to our 2014 plans. This October we are goint to home base in Playa with the kids for a week.

Kevin,

Check out Marriott's Ocean Watch in SC. It is wonderful. If you have kids, there are a lot of activities for them and a great kids pool area; lots of activities for every age in fact. Great beach, great pools. We love it there. We go off season in September because the weather is still fantastic, the beach is not crowded, and the ocean is still in the 80's. Win-win. We also found a little gem in NJ at Fairway villas. The resort is OK, the units are great! It's tucked into the woods with a big golf course surrounding it. The proximity to the Jersey shore is fantastic! You can be in Atlantic City in 15 minutes! Gambling, shows, whatever! We took day trips and saw the whole shore and it is wonderful! We'd go again! Ocean Pointe in W Palm Beach, FL is great too! A sprawling resort with lots of places to sit in the sun or the shade and lots of activities for all ages once more. If you want a smaller resort that is newer, Oceana Palms is about 2 miles up the beach from here. The resort is gorgeous, but on a smaller piece of property; so it goes UP instead out OUT. We have not stayed here, but visited. We also loved the Canyon Villas in Phoenix. Beautiful resort! Great pools. Again on a very nice golf course. The JW Marriott is across the street and you have access to their amenities including a lazy river and great restaurants. Happy hour at Roy's has great deals on appetizers and drinks. Lakeshore Reserve in Orlando is beautiful and it has access to the JW and the Ritz Carlton's amenities next door to it, too.

OK ... that's a few places for you to check out, Kevin.

Happy, safe travels! Jean

Dennis, When you wrote, "they must rely on Legacy owners to provide inventory needed for Destinations" you are referring to the weeks that are available when legacy weeks are turned in for points, correct? This wouldn't be the weeks that are used via Trust Points, which I think are supposed to be a separate pot of weeks. I am still not sure if the selling of Trust Points impacts the inventory for legacy owners to use. I read conflicting things and just don't know what to believe.

Just FYI to anyone interested: My husband and I just got back from a little getaway to Atlanta using Marriott Reward Points. If anyone is interested in understanding the human body in a deeper way than before (if not already knowledgeable by being in a medical field) we really enjoyed "Bodies: The Exhibition." It is also in NYC. We bought a Combo ticket and also saw the artifacts from the Titanic, which was also very interesting. I have enjoyed reading the recommendations of good places to go that people have posted. For several, I have copied and pasted them in a Word document for future reference. So thanks for taking time to do that. Elise

Elise - Legacy owners deposit their weeks for points and these weeks then become available to Destination point holders. Point holders include those who purchased points and/or those who acquire points by depositing enrolled weeks. My view is that Destinations relies heavily on legacy owners for deposit of premium weeks. Vacation weeks placed in the trust at the outset were leftover unsold weeks, good and not so good weeks. I expect that the "first right of refusal" will be used to acquire better weeks for the trust at bargain prices.

In use, I have not seen any difference in my use of points whether purchased or coming from deposit of enrolled weeks. With respect to availability of weeks thru Interval, better weeks are probably going to Destinations because of the point values offered. Destinations has displaced Interval as the trading vehicle for many weeks.

Interval exchanges - Concern has been expressed about Interval's ability to fulfill exchanges since Destinations. I haven't experienced this problem and had two reservations confirmed within the past week thru Interval. Both reservations were for prime weeks at great locations - Marriott Waiohai Beach Club in Hawaii and Marriott Custom House in Boston. Many thanks to the party who deposited these weeks.

Jean Thanks for the information on OceanWatch at Grande Dunes. I have put that into the plan for September 2013. For our follow-on week I am considering Hilton Head but with 8 resorts to choose from I can't decide which! Grande Ocean requires the most points - 4000 for a week - so assume that that is the best one? Kevin

jeanl102 wrote:

If anyone has suggestions of great Vacation Clubs that we have not yet visited we would add them to our 2014 plans. This October we are goint to home base in Playa with the kids for a week.

Kevin,

Check out Marriott's Ocean Watch in SC. It is wonderful. If you have kids, there are a lot of activities for them and a great kids pool area; lots of activities for every age in fact. Great beach, great pools. We love it there. We go off season in September because the weather is still fantastic, the beach is not crowded, and the ocean is still in the 80's. Win-win. We also found a little gem in NJ at Fairway villas. The resort is OK, the units are great! It's tucked into the woods with a big golf course surrounding it. The proximity to the Jersey shore is fantastic! You can be in Atlantic City in 15 minutes! Gambling, shows, whatever! We took day trips and saw the whole shore and it is wonderful! We'd go again! Ocean Pointe in W Palm Beach, FL is great too! A sprawling resort with lots of places to sit in the sun or the shade and lots of activities for all ages once more. If you want a smaller resort that is newer, Oceana Palms is about 2 miles up the beach from here. The resort is gorgeous, but on a smaller piece of property; so it goes UP instead out OUT. We have not stayed here, but visited. We also loved the Canyon Villas in Phoenix. Beautiful resort! Great pools. Again on a very nice golf course. The JW Marriott is across the street and you have access to their amenities including a lazy river and great restaurants. Happy hour at Roy's has great deals on appetizers and drinks. Lakeshore Reserve in Orlando is beautiful and it has access to the JW and the Ritz Carlton's amenities next door to it, too.

OK ... that's a few places for you to check out, Kevin.

Happy, safe travels! Jean

They might not be building because marriott has spun off that side of the company as they have all there ohter businesses, which means it was not a profitable business for them.