Do you own a Marriott timeshare? Love it? Hate it? Why?
Have been considering buying a Marriott timeshare for a couple years now. I have a few friends that love it. Anybody out there love or hate their Marriott timeshare? Why? We travel a fair amount and have two little kid under 5 so we like the timeshare idea. Would love to hear your good experiences and bad experiences related to your Marriott timeshare. Thanks.
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Tagged with: experiences • little kid • Marriott • marriott timeshare
Filed under: Buying Timeshare
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I work for Marriott, and Im pretty sure you can trade in your timeshare for points and use the points for a stay at another Marriott hotel if a trade to a different timeshare isnt available.
Im not particularly with the Vacation Club/Timeshare groups, but that has been my experience.
If you want more information, their number is:
800-259-1104
Good luck!
I’m not familiar w/Marriott in particular but I know most people, like my in-laws, who have timeshares, seem to feel that there is not enough flexibility. The biggest complaint is that if they move, or just want to vacation elsewhere, they are at the mercy of availability. There are a lot of timeshares available on ebay or from resale companies for pennies on the dollar so they’re not an investment.
You may want to consider a Thousand Trails membership, although primarily geared for RVers, there are cabins, & access to timeshares around the world for about $250. a week for the stay. Having 2 children you might want to consider an RV, easy way to travel as you’ll always have your bathroom, refrig & bed, handy. Plus then you can use inexpensive State & National parks or the Thousand Trails membership. The TT resorts are great for a family because members have access to all of the things to do, as part of the membership; so you’re not paying to play putt-putt golf or use the pool etc. Plus your’re in a place that requires membership, not just a few bucks to get in, I Iike that security. No, I don’t work for TT.
No, I’m no that stupid! P.S. Timeshares are not good investments.
We own one in LasVegas. We never intended to buy one – we were there, and it was VERY good deal, pre-build. The first year, with the buying bonuses, we went to London for a week, and airfare was included. The second year, we went to Las Vegas – we own a lock-off, and took the entire two apartments, and brought family. With a lock-off (and not all the Marriotts have these) you can use or trade EITHER half (master or guest) or both – so you can get two weeks vacation out of the deal. You can trade with Interval International – over 2500 places worldwide. You also accumulate Marriott points when you use the credit card – we also have a Delta card (that one is going to go, for a card for ALL airlines) and this year we got a free week on POINTS in San Francisco, and got free airfare, and we also have another free week in Hollywood, Fl with free airfare. Traded both halves of our LV for 2 places in Atlantic City in 2 weeks – it was a trade DOWN in luxury, but just worked out convenient for us. You can trade out for another property ANY year, bt can trade in for POINTS every other year – those points can be used for shorter stays at Marriott hotels worldwide, or for stays at Marriott RESORTS (not the same as timeshares).
If you buy resale – you buy a Marriott resort from another owner, or another real estate company other than Marriott – you get some privileges, but cannot trade for POINTS. However, it is MUCH cheaper to buy resale!! IF we decide to get another one, we will got THAT route.
It is pretty darn hard to do what we did twice – get free air and a free week to match up. Got to plan 331 days in advance (airline release date). And while you have to travel according to you kids’ school schedule, might be hard. But what the heck – taking them out of school for a week (what’s critical in kindergarden? And I am a teacher!!!) when YOU want to go will get you FAR better trades and deals.
You also will be eligible for FANTASTIC getaway and unsold-time deals. Once you are in the system of being an owner, they know that you like to travel and have some $$ and good credit. A week in Orlando in a 2-bedroom Marriott place for $199 – for the WEEK??? Now *that’s a good perk!
Each year, you also have a maintenance fee. Ours in Vegas is about $800 right now – and will go up. We feel that it is worth the money because we DO use this program – and will do so even more (retiring soon!), but this is NOT something to do as a financial investment!! Resale value is NOT good for any timeshares – there are so many NEW ones being built. Buy it for your family to use FOREVER – which is what your Marriott deed is – forever.