posted 05-26-2005 08:44               

Dave...thanks for the thread on lock-offs. Is there one with current prices also, or is that subject to Marriott?

posted 05-26-2005 09:52               

quote:

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Originally posted by peteyp97:
I'm a teacher who will be retiring in 3 years and travel (unfortunately) during Easter, Presidents week, or Christmas or the summer.

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Based on that limitation, assuming it will still apply after you retire, there is no question what I would recommend. Choose a resort that you would be happy visiting at least two out of every three years and that you would be happy making last minute plans to stay at if your requested trade doesn't come through.

With your travel limitations, you will be requesting trades for the peak weeks. Thus, unless you want to spend the bucks for a Platinum week at a top resort, you likely will have some difficulty getting the trades you want on a consistent basis. That's why buying where you want to stay - often - makes the most sense. IMHO.

posted 05-26-2005 10:16               

quote:

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Originally posted by peteyp97:
Also, how will I know going in what purchase bonus/incentives I should get before buying?

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Marriott has zero flexibility on price. The price you are offered is what everyone else is offered, at least at about the same time. The same is generally true with purchase incentives. Although there sometimes seems to be a bit of wiggle room, you'll likely find the incentives tend to vary only between on-site purchases and telesales purchases – and not enough to make the difference worth chasing.

How many Marriott Rewards points will you get for making a purchase? Anywhere from zero to 100,000 points or more depending on what you decide to buy and how much Marriott is pushing to sell weeks in specific seasons at specific resorts.

Thus, ask pertinent questions when talking to your salesperson. How many points with this purchase? Where can I purchase to get the most points? Etc.

posted 05-26-2005 12:42               

And depositing a 2BD Aruba will get you an accomodation certificate which you could use for a long weekend somewhere -even if you don't use the whole week.

I'm PONDERING a second one - cheap one (non-Marriott) for that purpose.

BUT - you're retiring in 3 years! so I'd keep long-term vacation plans in mind. You will be able to travel anytime soon!

posted 05-26-2005 13:13               

My last two purchases were pre-construction right from the day of announcement which netted me more than a half million points EACH which included 2 years of points for non-use while they built the units. To top it off, both those timeshares were less than $19,000 each and had under $700 a year in maintenance charges.

If you buy a resort with about $1000 Maintenance a year, trading for 110,000 points is much less attractive than getting the same number of points for $610 every other year (Manor Club). If points is your personal incentive to buying direct and not private resale, you might find a resort that allows every year trading for points (Monarch, some Orlando ones, Beach Place, etc.) But to play the points game properly, IMO you need at least two lockoff weeks that allow EOY point trading so you alternately trade one of them EY for points and split the other lockoff unit and get your timeshare holiday every year too (or more with a bonus certificate).

Adding 110,000 points every year to your points bank account for a reasonable (?) maint charge is the way to see the world in your retirement. Marriott has 2500 hotels around the world, many of them first class hotels right on the main corridors of world class cities...places that don't have timeshares. But, to get in fast you need that intial bank account on which to build...if you buy two weeks at a time, you'll find the salesman more interested in 'adjusting' the point incentives as that's his only flexibility...or you walk out the door.

My recommendation is Manor Club for you, expecially if you golf. Close by, you don't need to fly or rent a car, and it's been the highest rated Tug-rated domestic Marriott for years. Buy only the lockoff unit in the Sequel section. Or you might consider Canyon Villas in AZ - not as easy to get to but in very high demand for the platinum season.

Have fun...take your time, keep your eyes open for early announcements of brand new resorts with lockoff suites that appeal to you and decent pre-construction prices. Then talk points and play hardball while you hold all the cards.

Brian

(added) I just returned from a two week trip to Italy on Marriott points and flew business class...a huge value in my opinion and a trip of a lifetime. Two years ago we did the same thing with a week in London and in Paris. Two of my adult kids are in London right now and Paris next week (they flew economy!) on Marriott points. An amazing benefit. And playing the point game as outlined above (with my 6 Marriott weeks now) keeps the pot filled with close to a million points available for use.

quote:

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Originally posted by peteyp97:
...I'm going to purchase thru Marriott, because I love using the points. I'd like a place that has great trade value, and a lock-off feature. Any recommendations on what resort, week to buy? [This message has been edited by peteyp97 (edited 05-26-2005).]

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Those who dream most, do most.

posted 05-26-2005 14:46               

It is probably less than $10,000....with the L/O you get 2 maybe 3 weeks a year...and the maint is still kinda low...and as Brian said, free golf (And a good restaurant you can walk to.

Manasquan to Williamsburg is about 6 hours via the Cape May ferry & Bay Bridge Tunnel....avoiding the terrible traffic mess on 95 and 64. Took BIL 7 hours last summer from Alexandria, took cousin 9 hours from Heightstown, NJ. (Don't leave on Sat AM or Fri PM in summer......everyone wants to go to the beach.....but no one wants to use rt 113 S (Need to get first or second ferry at end of GSP for this to work right. Only traffic you will see is a few minutes on rt 1 S until the turn off to rt 24 to 113. Everyone will be going the opposite direction....(take 113 to 13....13 will have traffic (a bit ) to Ocean City, MD.

I believe Manor Club Seq Plat is powerful enought t pull a bonus week from II. You might get 3 weeks from this one. You can drive...need no airfare....within 6 hours...one hour to beach (great naval beach at VB if you are active, reserve, or retired fed gov.) Forgot...it is also pretty nice. I would buy a sequal, but stay in the older non L/O units

I think this is a Marriott Best Value resale. Not via Mar so no points. I don't think the price difference is worth the point turn in value with fees for any MAR Dev purchased T/S...unless they might start giving 250,000 to 500,000 points with the purchase again.

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Ken K
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posted 05-27-2005 08:33               

Brian

quote:

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Originally posted by Dave M:
I agree with everything you have said, Brian, except for the TUG ratings. Of U.S. Marriotts, Grande Ocean ranks #1, followed by Ko Olina, Waiohai and then Manor Club in the 4th spot.

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posted 05-27-2005 14:12               

It sounds to me as if you're looking at the big picture up the road as well as the short-term. I'd simply set out some goals of ownership and work out different ownership scenerios to see which one fits you best.

Keep Dave's comment in mind -- purchase at a resort destination that you will want to personally visit 3 of every 4 years. You can always do trades or go for MR points, but when purchasing your first week, it's important to select a destination that you like and is accessible to you.

Aruba, Myrtle Beach, or Ocean Pointe ( and others ) could be possible candidates since you're on the east coast and they are very much in demand. But be sure to explore the travel costs to get to these places as well as the associated MFs. Your goals will help you ferret out an answer.

You seem to be trade conscious as well. In my opinion, you get what you pay for in TS. In other words, if trades to prime destinations in prime season is a goal, then you probably have to look at Platinum weeks to give yourself a leg up in the trading game. If you're more flexible, then you can also consider Gold weeks at certain resorts.

As Brian suggests, MF's are a barometer for whether or not one wants to own some resorts and trade them for MR points. For example, resorts which have MFs in excess of $1100 and trade for 110K MR points might not make as much sense as a week/resort which has MF of $800-$900 for the same MR points. If used properly, MR points can act as a significant destination travel enhancement.

Likewise, multiple week ownership opens up all sorts of additional opportunities as one can combine usage with trades or deposit for MR points.

I'm sure that as you digest all of our opinions that you will find a solution which fits your individual ownership goals.

Have fun making your decision.

Barry