Well, the rat race of trying to book a spring week at Canyon Villas is well underway. Last year we used our points to book our week - to avoid having to be on our computer at 9 AM - and risk not getting in to the week we want. We pretty much broke even - had an extra few left. However, this year we were reminded that even though we bought Platinum - not all Platinum is equal under the points system. Even though we own Platinum, we would have to fork over an extra 1200 points - almost half again our points - to stay during one of the March or early April weeks. So, that is a no go - not going to use all the extra points to stay in the season I already bought. I understand there is a bit of a mark up when you use points - but this is a huge mark up. Tried to get on first thing this AM to book our week but got tied up at work and was a few minutes late - everything is already gone for all of February, March, and early April - and January is tougher to do for us. Ho - hum - what to do now.............
I know other Marriott properties have split the original seasons for the points program - but are any of them that big of a difference - half again the points to stay a different week in the same season? I know they would argue you shouldn't use your points to stay in your season - but, at properties that book up instantly, that may be your only choice. Very frustrating to say the least - as I am not one that waits until the last minute to book. I just have other things going on in my life - like work - that sometimes prevents me from being on the computer and/or phone at 9 AM on the dot.
I know other Marriott properties have split the original seasons for the points program - but are any of them that big of a difference - half again the points to stay a different week in the same season? I know they would argue you shouldn't use your points to stay in your season - but, at properties that book up instantly, that may be your only choice. Very frustrating to say the least - as I am not one that waits until the last minute to book. I just have other things going on in my life - like work - that sometimes prevents me from being on the computer and/or phone at 9 AM on the dot.