Marriott going to points system?

There is much discussion and many rumors about Marriott converting from deeded-weeks to a points system. Marriott sales people are now discussing this openly during sales presentations. As a current MVCI owner, I am more than a little concerned. I've read many horror stories about points-based timeshare programs, and I specifically purchased a Marriott deeded-week to avoid such problems. What can you tell me about Marriott's plans? Will this be a good or bad thing for existing owners?

-Greg

As expected, Marriott sent out information today about their new points program. I am concerned and have many questions. Your advice and comments please on how this will impact existing owners.

The former Embassy Suites Vacation Club did a similar conversion to a points system, and the resulting horror stories are endless - including a number of nasty lawsuits. One concern ... if a majority of existing owners opt to convert their deeded weeks, then Marriott will take control of the board of directors and owners will lose any control over decision-making.

Text from Marriott appears below ...

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Introducing the next evolution in vacationing - Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program - a new usage option that is a flexible, easy-to-use, and points-based approach to vacationing.

And because it is an option, once you enroll, each year you can choose to use your ownership as you have in the past or elect to receive Vacation Club Points.

Enroll in the Exchange Program and Enjoy These New Benefits: Enhanced flexibility at Marriott Vacation Club resorts - check in any day of the week, during any season, in any accommodation size, for as long as you want.* More vacation choices like access to the Explorer Collection for adventure travel, cruises, safaris & guided tours to global landmarks, and urban hotel experience packages.** A simplified fee structure, so you don't have to pay separate fees such as Interval International membership or for exchanges to other Marriott Vacation Club resorts.***

Special Introductory Enrollment Offer

Enroll for a one-time, low introductory enrollment fee structure, starting at $595 and if you enroll by December 31, 2010, you will receive a bonus of 800 Vacation Club PlusPoints - good for two to five additional nights at any Marriott Vacation Club resort depending on the resort, room type and season.

Learn More During Your Upcoming Stay

You are encouraged to meet with a Sales Executive during your upcoming stay. You will be contacted prior to your arrival to schedule a time that works for you.

You can also call 866-363-8214 to speak with a Sales Executive, 1-800-845-4226 to speak with Owner Services, or visit My-VacationClub.com for more details or to enroll online.

It sucks. We are an Every Other Year owner and the new program doesn't allow for this. Plus our Canyon Villas EOY only converts to 1,825 points EOY which doesn't allow us to purchase much. And the only upgrade (adding points) option is to buy a minimum of 1,000 points for $9,200, which our sales lady said was a screaming hot deal :)

We feel betrayed and don't think we'll enjoy our Marriott investment like we have in the past. Time will tell...

Is enrolling in the Exchange Program for $595 Mandatory? We don't exchange. We either stay at our home resort or Rent it on our own. Have taken the 100,000 points in couple of times if we did not stay or rent. Don't even belong to Interval anymore. We weren't using it.

Franks161, no there is no requirement to join the program, we did since we like the additional options, and no more separate fees for exchanges, Marriott Reward points, Interval membership and the like. All those are rolled into one fee per year. We also basically stay at our home resort every year with our platinum week, but exchange our Bronze week for elsewhere or points everyyear so it looked interesting to us. We have a unique situation in 2011 and wanted a way to combine our summer and winter weeks to get a summer elsewhere for 5 days and this new program did it for us. We have a 5day vacation during platinum via the points exchange and another villa pending. So the program is meant to be a new option, not a requirement for all owners to join, We still own our deeded weeks...

I converted to the new points system and wish I had not. The customer service is bad. I was assigned a new vacation advisor but can never reach her. Calling the C/S number requires a long long wait on hold. Then you either speak to whomever answers (and it's never the same person twice) or you ask for a specific extension. The person at that extension never answers and takes several days to return the call - if ever. Emails are never answered. The one time I did speak to our assigned gal, she told me I should be grateful for the current situation (in which she returned my call almost a week later) because it was so much better than it had been. Excuse me? I should be grateful to be hold for fifteen minutes to leave a message that's returned several days later? I tried leaving her emails and never got a reply. Never. I've been a "Marriott person" for decades but now I'm disppointed and angry.

I see no upside to this. If the units can now be used like a hotel, this increases wear and tear, which we owners will pay for in increased maintenance fees. It will take units out of the pool available for owners, particularly those weeks which may now be only partially booked. MVCI is also restricting the number of units available for 13 mos advance booking. We own 2 weeks in the same season which we always try to book for concurrent weeks , allowing our children and grandchildren to be there at the same time. It now will be more difficult to book. Also don't like the ability to purchase points in this new system, which allows someone to buy a vacation they don't qualify for at present, which will put additional pressure on weeks available to owners. We have turned down other point systems and will continue to do so.

The pool available for owners should stay the same. The Marriott sales rep told us that the pool available for "destination points" will come from owners who have deposited their weeks for points, and unsold inventory - not that I believe that. When we purchased at the Surf Club pre-constructions, they also told us that there wouldn't be anymore construction of timeshares on the island!

I agree. I joined the points system (as an option, I didn't convert my deed) and wish I had not. I joined on Dec 30th 2010. It cost the standard $595 + $199 annual fee. Guess what, the annual fee was only good for one day. Marriott billed me $199 two weeks later for the 2011 year !! I have always had the same problem dealing with customer service; very long hold times (typically 10 minutes talk time for every 60 minutes of hold time); never getting your own c/s person; and days (if ever) getting return calls. I have been waiting for 3 days to get a return call from Amy Parsons a Customer Service Supervisor. Allegedly, she can correct the inappropriate billing. Dealing with Marriott customer service has been infuriating. Dealing with Marriott in general has definitely NOT been a win-win situation. Maintenance fees have increased 30% and Rewards points have remained static but continue to buy less-and-less. I regret buying my timeshares and I definitely regret buying the Destinations Points option.