posted 04-11-2005 05:19               

For occupancy only. No exchanges or renting allowed. The invitation was a letter, not e-mail.

The fees vary by resort and, for a week at any specific resort, are slightly higher than annual maintenance fees at such resort.

posted 04-11-2005 05:39               

That would make sense and fits with our earlier speculation here as to what might constitute a "best customer".

posted 04-11-2005 05:46               

Brian

quote:

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Originally posted by Dave M:
...The invitation was a letter, not e-mail.

).

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posted 04-11-2005 08:00               

quote:

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Originally posted by Dave M:
Although I'm not sure, it would appear that referrals - not just ownership - play at least some part in whatever formula Marriott is using to determine who gets these invitations.

That would make sense and fits with our earlier speculation here as to what might constitute a "best customer".

Now I'm wishing that I had been more diligent in providing such referrals!

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posted 04-11-2005 15:31               

Marriott first indicated earlier this year that they would likely be offering week 53s to MVCI's "best customers", with that term undefined. Then recently, a TUGger got a letter indicating that Marriott was considering allocating week 53s based on a lottery system.

posted 04-11-2005 15:39               

quote:

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Originally posted by Dave M:
What it takes to get that invitation is unknown.

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Give them more money is my guess. Either yours or someone else's.

posted 04-11-2005 18:46               

quote:

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Originally posted by Quilter:
How were they contacted?

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posted 04-11-2005 18:57               

quote:

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Originally posted by GrayFal:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Quilter:
[b]How were they contacted?

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[/B][/QUOTE]

posted 04-11-2005 21:07               

quote:

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Originally posted by GrayFal:
After I read Dave's post, I assumed the TUGger was YOU.....and if you didn't get one then who the heck did!

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It's someone you know very well, Pat! LOL

Nuf said.

posted 04-15-2005 05:27               

Since

• this method of selling week 53s is a new program,
• it's unclear how many of those who are invited to purchase a week 53 will do so and
• there's no immediate urgency to get those weeks sold (week 53 is 8+ months away!)....

posted 04-15-2005 07:14               

It makes no sense to keep the definition of “best customer” a corporate secret – the whole idea is to announce to the world what the heck a “best customer” is – and try to encourage more Marriott owners to not stay a “plain-Jane” but to become a “best customer.

It just sounds screwy to me. Why not announce to the world:

“Marriott owners who own 5+ weeks which were purchased from Marriott AND have gotten 2+ new owners for Marriott (as measured by 2 - 40,000 MRP referrals) are now defined as a Marriott “Best Customer”.

What’s so hard about that?

“Marriott will periodically reward our “Best Customers” with unique opportunities that make becoming a “Best Customer” well worth your while”

Inquire Now! Only the first 500 applicants will be eligible!”

Instead Marriott seems to be fumbling around in the dark without a flashlight.

posted 04-15-2005 07:38               

Accordingly, I think it does make sense to keep it fairly quiet - at least at this point. First, it's something new and untested. Second, it's something that might not work as well or as smoothly as they hope. Thus, third, it might wind up being a "this year only" program. Fourth, for the reasons stated in my post above, I'm guessing they have no idea what level of best customer will ultimately get offered one of these weeks.

posted 04-15-2005 07:57               

It seems to me that Marriott apparently is contacting Marriott owners who already have met the definition of “Best Customer” and Marriott must realize that word will leak out and rumors abound. The Internet and Blog-o-sphere are reshaping current events and the way news is learned. I wonder if Marriott is aware of this and if this won’t come back to bite them in the butt.

I just can’t imagine that the official policy of Marriott is “Let’s see what sticks to the wall and go with that”.

But, maybe this is a new management technique that the MBA’s are being taught now days.

Marriott would be better informed if they convened a focus group made up of active Marriott owners and there are a bunch here on TUG (I’m not this second a Marriott owner). Any Marriott owner been approached?

posted 04-15-2005 08:19               

You could be right, but I have to believe that Marriott has a better handle on how to run its programs than you and I do. It has all of the data, perhaps even the results of focus groups for all we know. We have none of the data with which to make an informed decision as to what Marriott should do.

posted 04-15-2005 08:39               

However, I do know that when a company starts to classify their customers (owners) this becomes quite a big deal to them. FF’s VIP is one such example. Their whole marketing effort is now revolving around the VIP stature and how to achieve it. When we took our multiple FF tours just a few weeks ago VIP was brought up within 5 minutes in the presentations.

If Marriott is beginning to classify their customers I do believe it can have a major impact on Marriott’s reputation and its sales efforts. To introduce a customer classification along with revamping the week 53 policy seems to me to be asking for a mistake that could really hurt them.

With the policy change of Friday call-in days for reservations (many a Marriott owner has expressed frustration) I’m concerned that Marriott may make a similar mistake with both customer classification and week 53 policy change.

But who listens to me? (I know my son doesn’t)

posted 04-15-2005 09:28               

The points is a big benefit to me and that's why I purchased 5 of my 6 weeks direct...but as MF's go sky high the points start to cost too much. However, right now we're packing our bags for a 2 week trip to Italy on Marriott points!

Now they've instituted a 'buy back program' that is apparently only for those who purchased direct, and a ROFR program to gobble up resales priced too low and attempt to protect their direct prices - in most cases their buy-back prices are almost up to the direct prices I paid, a real benefit IMO.

And now there's speculation that their 'best customers' are those who purchased multiple units directly (no - I still don't have my letter).

There may be more advantages to buying direct, but the key here is that Marriott does know their business and is in business to make money for their shareholders...and in most cases their resorts and people are the greatest.

Brian