Just attended Ko Olina presentation regarding points ("Encore Membership Agreement")

We are on day 2 of our Ko Olina trip and just finished our owners presentation.

Before I get to it, we own a Platinum DSV II week and a Silver Willow Ridge week (Branson). On the points system, these would net 2300 and 850, respectively.

Our first presenter had read our profile ahead of time. He saw that we had resale weeks (he referred to them as "non Marriott", if you can believe that). His "presentation" consisted of asking us if we had questions about the new system. In my very first question, I mentioned TUG, and his face went pretty much flat. He became disinterested immediately, and went so far as to tell us that we would probably not benefit from the point system. He then went to get a supervisor that would be able to answer all of our questions (seriously - this was 5 minutes into the meeting).

The supervisor tried moderately to push points. I was adamant that 3150 points would get us nowhere in the Marriott system. We had split and traded our two weeks for three adjacent Hawaii weeks and our trades would have cost over 15,000 points under the system. She agreed, but still said that it would be the "best of both worlds" if we just purchased 3,000 points. We suggested there was no way we were about to drop $28000 after we spent only $7000 between our two resales that together are worth more than 3000 points.

Here were my questions (and Marriott's answers). My comments in brackets:

What happens with week resales going forward? Will they be required to be enrolled in the point program?
Yes. All future week resales will be required to be enrolled in the point system. If a seller sells a week that is already enrolled, the week will be continued to be enrolled at zero cost to the new owner. [enrollment is therefore attached to the WEEK, not to the OWNER.] If a seller sells a "legacy" week, the new owner will be required to enroll the week in the point program at whatever the enrollment fee is.

I currently have an un-enrolled week. If I purchase an unenrolled resale week this year, can I enroll BOTH under the $1999 cost for multiple weeks?
Yes. She said we could enroll our current week(s) along with any weeks we purchase for the combined price. [I have no idea as to the mechanics of this, as I have yet to see any Ebay listing mention any point system enrollment fee].

There is great speculation and concern on the TUG boards that we will not be able to perform searches (or even Flexchange searches) from our "new II" account that we will have for Marriott weeks enrolled under the Point program.
We were told that the II account we will be given will allow us to do exactly the same things our old II account does. We only need to contact our advisor once a year to decide whether to take points for the year or not. If we choose to keep weeks, then the II interface will be identical to the one we currently use.

We have a DSV II week that will nab a reasonable number of points, but also have a worthless Willow Ridge week. If we choose to NOT enroll Willow Ridge, will we then have two II accounts?
NO. The Willow Ridge would be seen in your new II account, but you would not have the option to take points for it.

But I can still keep the Willow Ridge week in a separate II account if I want to, right?
"No.....there is no real reason I see to do that". Why do you want to pay for 2 accounts?

Because I am afraid Marriott will take my ability to do my own searches away from me. The Willow Ridge is great for splitting and doing Flexchanges
"Marriott has no intention of limiting your searches."

Purchasing points means you are "owning" interest in a group of resorts, and not just one. What happens when there is a Special Assessment?
"Points owners only see the benefits of the resort collection - not any liabilities. Therefore, Point owners will never be subject to a Special Assessment.".

But the Weeks owners will be subject to SA now and then. Going forward, what happens when Marriott excercises their ROFR, slowly removing weeks owners from the system? Taking an extreme example, what if a resort eventually only had one Weeks owner, all the rest being Points owners? Along comes a $1M SA. That one owner is on the hook?
"I understand where you are going, and nothing like that would happen at Marriott. That's why there is a reserve that your MF goes toward." [Clearly, she was not following me, or had no good answer. If the reserves covered everything, there would never be an SA.]

We left the discussion with no intention to buy anything.

That is when she pulled out an interesting offer....

They called it an "Encore Membership Agreement", and it works as follows:
* Purchase a 7-night stay at Ko Olina (1BR or 2BR), good for the next 2 years.
* You will get whatever week you want, as long as you book at least 2 months in advance.
* Purchasing the stay will lock in the Points cost for the next 2 years at the current offer value [no value to me, since I am not interested in buying points]
* Purchasing the stay will lock in the Enrollment cost of my resale weeks for the next two years at the current price [potentially no value to me, since I believe they are not going to raise the enrollment price anytime soon].
* When you arrive for your stay, you will receive a $200 AMEX gift card.
* Once you take the trip your are purchasing, your full purchase price will apply toward any Point purchase OR resale week enrollment

That last one makes it really interesting....Here are the week prices (before any AMEX gift card offset):

1 BR (Mountain View) - $1999
1 BR (Ocean View) - $2299
2 BR (Ocean View) - $2999

Payment options:
* Pay full price now and immediately get a $100 AMEX gift card (you still get $200 when you take your trip)
* Pay $495 now and pay the rest over 10 monthly payments (0% interest) - no $100 AMEX bonus

So let's break this down:
Assuming you are NOT interested in buying points, but ARE interested in enrolling your week(s)...

Cost of trip $2000
AMEX gift card $100 - for buying today
AMEX gidt card $200 - when you take your stay
Enrollment fee $1500 - that you were going to pay anyhow for enrolling your week.
Real cost of trip - $200 for a 1BR Ko Olina Mountain View.

This is not bad, in my opinion. Of course, it assumes we will enroll our week when we return. For those who want to buy points, this is basically a fully free week. Of course, they only tell you about this when you are ready to walk out the door of the presentation, not intending to buy.

A couple of extra things -
* They will "reasonably" extend the 2 year deadline for free if you let them know ahead of time (2 months).
* There is NO refund if you change your mind
* The week is transferrable to a family member if you cannot use it
* You must attend another 90 minute presentation when you return
* You can buy the 1BR now and upgrade with 2 months notice - they actually push this option. Upgrade to an OV for $300, or a 2BR OV for $1000.
* There is NO option for a 2BR Mountain View. They only offer the three choices.
* You will NOT need to pay for parking when you come - you will be considered to be a Marriott Owner.

We took the bait and purchased the $1999 week. I wonder what they would have offered if we turned it down... Be aware that you will be signing a purchase agreement contract (for the week stay - not to purchase any points). So we walked away with a $100 AMEX and a guaranted 1BR in the next 2 years.

We still have no intention of buying points at this time. I am crossing my fingers that Marriott will allow us to keep doing all the things we currently do with our II accounts - in fact, I am now officially betting on it.

We may very well purchase a second resale week in the next two years and enroll our current DSV II week along with the one we purchase - after all, they are claiming we can do both for $2000 and have 2 years to keep that offer. I don't see any reason to ever enroll our Branson week.

If the II situation turns sour before we return, then we purchased a week for essentially $1700 - about what a private rental would cost.

I did not ask how the current offer of 800 bonus points works with the Encore Membership Agreement. My guess is you'd get it if you wavered enough when the time came to enroll...

Any thoughts on this offer? If you think it is a bad deal, please try to make me not feel like too much of a moron.

Thanks for all this info. A couple of things are unclear to me.

brianfox said:

We are on day 2 of our Ko Olina trip and just finished our owners presentation.


Here were my questions (and Marriott's answers). My comments in brackets:

What happens with week resales going forward? Will they be required to be enrolled in the point program?
Yes. All future week resales will be required to be enrolled in the point system. If a seller sells a week that is already enrolled, the week will be continued to be enrolled at zero cost to the new owner. [enrollment is therefore attached to the WEEK, not to the OWNER.] If a seller sells a "legacy" week, the new owner will be required to enroll the week in the point program at whatever the enrollment fee is.

Click to expand...

Were you talking about Marriott resales here? Otherwise it doesn't make sense... Marriott has made it crystal clear that resale weeks purchased after June 20 cannot enroll in points. Enrolled weeks will be unenrolled... what was she talking about here?

brianfox said:

That is when she pulled out an interesting offer....

They called it an "Encore Membership Agreement", and it works as follows:
* Purchase a 7-night stay at Ko Olina (1BR or 2BR), good for the next 2 years.
* You will get whatever week you want, as long as you book at least 2 months in advance.
* Purchasing the stay will lock in the Points cost for the next 2 years at the current offer value [no value to me, since I am not interested in buying points]
* Purchasing the stay will lock in the Enrollment cost of my resale weeks for the next two years at the current price [potentially no value to me, since I believe they are not going to raise the enrollment price anytime soon].
* When you arrive for your stay, you will receive a $200 AMEX gift card.
* Once you take the trip your are purchasing, your full purchase price will apply toward any Point purchase OR resale week enrollment

That last one makes it really interesting....Here are the week prices (before any AMEX gift card offset):

1 BR (Mountain View) - $1999
1 BR (Ocean View) - $2299
2 BR (Ocean View) - $2999

Payment options:
* Pay full price now and immediately get a $100 AMEX gift card (you still get $200 when you take your trip)
* Pay $495 now and pay the rest over 10 monthly payments (0% interest) - no $100 AMEX bonus

So let's break this down:
Assuming you are NOT interested in buying points, but ARE interested in enrolling your week(s)...

Cost of trip $2000
AMEX gift card $100 - for buying today
AMEX gidt card $200 - when you take your stay
Enrollment fee $1500 - that you were going to pay anyhow for enrolling your week.
Real cost of trip - $200 for a 1BR Ko Olina Mountain View.

Click to expand...

I am not sure I follow why this is a good deal. You were going to pay $1500 to enroll and you still plan to do that - so no gain there. Now you pay $2000 for 7 days in a 1BR MV (and get $300 worth in Amex cards). So I see the net cost as $1700. Not sure why you'd deduct the $1500 enrollment as you would pay this whether you took the deal or not. Thay are not paying for your enrollment - just guaranteeing the $1500 cost to enroll one week, right? If so, then it only matters if they raised the price of enrollment. In fact, you yourself said:

Purchasing the stay will lock in the Enrollment cost of my resale weeks for the next two years at the current price [potentially no value to me, since I believe they are not going to raise the enrollment price anytime soon].

Click to expand...

I am also surprised at the NO refund clause. You should read the fine print. I know Starwood has a similar post-presentation package (pay $X, get a week accommodation, get Y hotel points, and sit through another presentation with today's price guaranteed) and they give 3 days to rescind. I assume it's probably required by law (maybe only in certain states) rather than due to their kindness...

Brian,

Interesting update, thanks for the report.

I don't think your purchase is a bad deal, especially if you plan to enroll your resale weeks. Pretty reasonable return vacation at Ko'Olina (one of my favorite resorts!!) and you'll be enrolled in the new points system. What happens if you decide to enroll prior to your return to Ko'Olina?

There are a couple of points you listed that don't agree with other information from Marriott reps:

All future week resales will be required to be enrolled in the point system. If a seller sells a week that is already enrolled, the week will be continued to be enrolled at zero cost to the new owner

Click to expand...

I don't think this is accurate. My understanding is that is will cost $2,000 to enroll resale points and that resale weeks can't be enrolled.

She said we could enroll our current week(s) along with any weeks we purchase for the combined price.

Click to expand...

Again, Marriott reps are telling people that only resale weeks that closed prior to June 21 can be enrolled. A Marriott rep actually told you that they'll allow you to enroll resale weeks you purchase in the future? Unbelievable how poorly they have trained their reps!

I think the answer to your question about special assessments is that they will just raise the MF (of points owners) if a trust property has need for $$. They won't call it an assessment and it will be spread amongst all points owners, but my guess is that they will pay in increased MF.

I also question whether you would have just one Marriott II account for both your Marriott weeks when one has been enrolled and the other not enrolled. I have considered enrolling one week but not both of mine. I assumed I would keep the resale week in my current II account and Marriott wouldn't have any control over that week.

One last thing, the 800 bonus point offer is only good until Dec. 31. So if you return to Ko'Olina after that and enroll at that time the 800 bonus points may not be offered.

I am not sure I follow why this is a good deal. You were going to pay $1500 to enroll and you still plan to do that - so no gain there. Now you pay $2000 for 7 days in a 1BR MV (and get $300 worth in Amex cards). So I see the net cost as $1700. Not sure why you'd deduct the $1500 enrollment as you would pay this whether you took the deal or not. It only matters if they raised the price of enrollment In fact, you yourself said:

Click to expand...

Dan,
I think Brian was told that the price of the package ($1,999) would go towards the enrollment or the purchase of points. In other words, spend $1,999 for a return trip to Ko'Olina and if you purchase points or enroll your resale week when you come back then the $1,999 can be applied to your purchase price or the enrollment fee. If that's the case and he was going to enroll anyway, he gets a Ko'Olina week for $300.

* Once you take the trip your are purchasing, your full purchase price will apply toward any Point purchase OR resale week enrollment

Click to expand...

Cost of trip $2000
AMEX gift card $100 - for buying today
AMEX gidt card $200 - when you take your stay
Enrollment fee $1500 - that you were going to pay anyhow for enrolling your week.
Real cost of trip - $200 for a 1BR Ko Olina Mountain View.

Click to expand...

I currently have an un-enrolled week. If I purchase an unenrolled resale week this year, can I enroll BOTH under the $1999 cost for multiple weeks?
Yes. She said we could enroll our current week(s) along with any weeks we purchase for the combined price. [I have no idea as to the mechanics of this, as I have yet to see any Ebay listing mention any point system enrollment fee].

Click to expand...

We may very well purchase a second resale week in the next two years and enroll our current DSV II week along with the one we purchase - after all, they are claiming we can do both for $2000 and have 2 years to keep that offer. I don't see any reason to ever enroll our Branson week.

Click to expand...

I was a moron too! Hate to tell you but they lied to you. You can't enroll any resale weeks if it was purchased after June 20. If what they said was true, why would anybody pay $9.20 per point when they can just buy a resale week for pennies on the dollar and convert it to points? I went through a presentaion at Ko Olina too and I actually bought additional points but I rescinded. I'm so glad I did because of what we know now are facts, there were so many outright lies by the sales reps that I will never trust what Marriott "says" again unless it's written and legally binding. I believe they have become "used car salesmen" - at least at Ko Olina.

Yeah, I am boggled too about the resale comments (resales "required" to be enrolled? allowing future resales in at all???), and also the statement that enrollment is attached to the week, and that they would let you see an unenrolled week in the Marriott corp account...

Sounds like they were just full of random stuff that is contrary to Marriott's docs!

As for your deal, you've got an excuse to go back to HI

Pardon the spelling, but I am now on my phone.

Regarding resales, my question to the rep was specific, and as I posed it. She specifically told me that going forward all week resales MUST be enrolled in the point system - there was no option. You are telling me that they are to be excluded...

regarding the stay offer, the deal is that the $2000 is applied toward the enrollment cost. I am not saying the enrollment cost is on top of the stay. I think my post was pretty clear. I itemized it.

If you can please post the exact wording from Marriott that says resales are excluded from points going forward, I will ask her directly tomorrow.

Interesting post Brian, thank you. Seems like the sales person should read TUG more to get the Marriott program down, instead of frowning about TUG and not being able to answer any questions!!:hysterical:

I love it when the sales guy gets upset when I mention TUG. Makes my time spent with them that much more enjoyable. Usually though, it is not the sales person, but it is their supervisor (the turn over guy/apparent closer) that gets really pissed when I call them on their B.S. and tell them I got the info from TUG. Ahhh, I can't wait for my next trip to take more of their $$$ and educate one of their sales people on how their system really works.:rofl:

It really bothers me that over a month from the official release of this new points program Marriott has reps that giving false information. This claim that resale weeks purchased in the future can be enrolled is not correct! Also enrolled weeks do not transfer to a new buyer as an enrolled week.

I can't believe that the Marriott reps are making these claims. They have not been trained to sale or explain this new points system. Marriott should shut down everything for a week and get all their people up to speed on all these issues.

LAX Mom said:

Dan,
I think Brian was told that the price of the package ($1,999) would go towards the enrollment or the purchase of points. In other words, spend $1,999 for a return trip to Ko'Olina and if you purchase points or enroll your resale week when you come back then the $1,999 can be applied to your purchase price or the enrollment fee. If that's the case and he was going to enroll anyway, he gets a Ko'Olina week for $300.

Click to expand...

brianfox said:

regarding the stay offer, the deal is that the $2000 is applied toward the enrollment cost. I am not saying the enrollment cost is on top of the stay. I think my post was pretty clear. I itemized it.

Click to expand...

Yes, you were clear - I missed that part... my bad.

Now it makes sense. I agree it appears to be a very good deal if you were thinking of enrolling anyway. Just check the fine print that you get a credit for $1500. For example, when you buy points and enroll your weeks, they only give credit for the $595 they charge retail week buyers.

brianfox said:

Pardon the spelling, but I am now on my phone.

Regarding resales, my question to the rep was specific, and as I posed it. She specifically told me that going forward all week resales MUST be enrolled in the point system - there was no option. You are telling me that they are to be excluded...

regarding the stay offer, the deal is that the $2000 is applied toward the enrollment cost. I am not saying the enrollment cost is on top of the stay. I think my post was pretty clear. I itemized it.

If you can please post the exact wording from Marriott that says resales are excluded from points going forward, I will ask her directly tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Brian,

I'm not sure where the link is, but I'm sure the official info from Marriott states that only resale weeks which closed prior to June 21 can be enrolled. Anything after that is barred from the new points program. Enrolled weeks do not pass as an enrolled week to a new (resale) buyer.

Ask to speak to a supervisor and let us know what they tell you.

brianfox said:

If you can please post the exact wording from Marriott that says resales are excluded from points going forward, I will ask her directly tomorrow.

Click to expand...

I do not have the exact wording handy, but just ask them to show you the contract. It is very clear - weeks purchased outside of Marriott after June 20th, 2010 are not eligible to enroll in the points program. Check DaveM's sticky post at the top of the Marriott section and it outlines what we know for sure to date - and that has been clear since day 1.

What is not 100% clear is if resale owners, who have a closed deed prior to June 20, will be able to enroll after December 31st. Some reps say yes, some say no - looks like yours said yes - but can you trust him/her after all the other misinformation they gave you?

brianfox said:

Pardon the spelling, but I am now on my phone.

Regarding resales, my question to the rep was specific, and as I posed it. She specifically told me that going forward all week resales MUST be enrolled in the point system - there was no option. You are telling me that they are to be excluded...

regarding the stay offer, the deal is that the $2000 is applied toward the enrollment cost. I am not saying the enrollment cost is on top of the stay. I think my post was pretty clear. I itemized it.

If you can please post the exact wording from Marriott that says resales are excluded from points going forward, I will ask her directly tomorrow.

Click to expand...

See this link (login required) 3rd Paragraph of the Enrollment Notice

Weeks purchased externally before June 20, 2010 may be enrolled for $1,495 for the first week or $1,995 for one and a half or more weeks. Weeks purchased externally, with a deed recording date after June 20, 2010 are not eligible for the program.

Click to expand...

Also, the whole thing about being able to see non-enrolled weeks in II - I believe that is false as well. All the posts I have seen on this state that you will need your own II account for weeks that are not enrolled in the points exchange program. Double check that with a supervisor as well.

Brian,

This language is on the enrollment section of the vacation club site:

Weeks purchased externally before June 20, 2010 may be enrolled for $1,495 for the first week or $1,995 for one and a half or more weeks. Weeks purchased externally, with a deed recording date after June 20, 2010 are not eligible for the program.

Click to expand...

Your sales rep was clearly wrong about the enrollment of resale weeks in the future.

5infam said:

IWhat is not 100% clear is if resale owners, who have a closed deed prior to June 20, will be able to enroll after December 31st. Some reps say yes, some say no - looks like yours said yes - but can you trust him/her after all the other misinformation they gave you?

Click to expand...

This is not clear because the working is ambiguous (on purpose?)

This is from the FAQs:

Q:I originally purchased my Marriott Vacation Club week(s) as an external sale through the secondary market. Would the benefits of enrolling be different for me?

A: If your external purchase closed prior to June 20, 2010, it is eligible to be enrolled with the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program. The enrollment fee for one externally purchased week will initially be $1,495, and enrolling multiple externally purchased weeks will initially total $1,995. This offer is expected to be available only through December 31, 2010. Once you enroll your week(s), you will gain the annual option to elect Vacation Club Points, and you may also add the option of trading your week(s) for Marriott Rewards points if the week(s) you purchased externally are eligible for Marriott Rewards trade. You also will gain the benefit and convenience of the annual single-use fee (Club Dues).

Click to expand...

It is not clear if "This Offer" in the highlighted statement refers to the "offer to enroll" in general or "offer to enroll" at the stated prices...

Based on Brian's rep, it is the latter. But based on what she said I'd also be rushing to buy resale weks and enroll them in points...

brianfox said:

Pardon the spelling, but I am now on my phone.

Regarding resales, my question to the rep was specific, and as I posed it. She specifically told me that going forward all week resales MUST be enrolled in the point system - there was no option. You are telling me that they are to be excluded...

regarding the stay offer, the deal is that the $2000 is applied toward the enrollment cost. I am not saying the enrollment cost is on top of the stay. I think my post was pretty clear. I itemized it.

If you can please post the exact wording from Marriott that says resales are excluded from points going forward, I will ask her directly tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Hi Brian,

Thanks for your post! I've highlighted something that just makes no sense to me regarding what the rep. told you. IMHO, How can she/anyone say that going forward all week resales MUST be enrolled in a "voluntary" (my word) system??? How would they enforce this, where is this in any documents?? Obviously, if one buys points, which is all Marriott is now selling, you join the DC.

A big part of this program (and decision) for weeks owners is that it is an optional "enhancement." Noone is being forced to join the Destination Club. The only thing I can think the rep MIGHT have been talking about was buying a resale through an "authorized" Marriott reseller. I suppose that could then be "forced" into points somehow, although that is a new twist that noone else has mentioned. But at this time, no TUGGER has been able to find out much of ANY information regarding who is authorized to sell or how to go about buying an approved resale week through Marriott. That seems to be one of those fuzzy areas that gets mentioned briefly in the documents, but that Marriott doesn't have available at the current time. They are only actively selling points.

My only other thought for you is that it seems that the largest number of lies/misrepresentations/etc. often seem to come from salesreps at Ko'Olina. This is just something I've noticed from the TUG posts I've read (and I've pretty much read everything that has to do with this subject since before the actual roll-out ). That is my observation only, but I'd personally be very wary about anything said at that particular resort, and would doublecheck the written agreements!! As pointed out by several other posters above me, there seem to be a number of statements and claims made by your rep that are in direct conflict with information gathered over the last couple months by multiple TUG members.

I hope that she has given you the correct facts re: the exporer package and enrollment, because based on what you've told us it is reasonable (actually it is a bargain!!), but I have my doubts as to whether you'll get the full $1500 enrollment fee refunded. I don't doubt you that you are sure that is what you were told, but it doesn't make sense. (to me) Otherwise, I'd say that everyone with resale weeks should go out and get the Explorer package and wait to enroll!!
I do know that people who buy points are getting the $595 fee waived as DanCali said, but they are paying a large amount of $$ for those additional points compared to the waived fee!!

Good luck, and I'm glad you can go and address these issues before you leave the resort! Let us know how it goes, (because I'd bet a lot of people who are thinking of enrolling their resale weeks would like a week at Ko'Olina for $300 as an additional incentive! )

brianfox said:

regarding the stay offer, the deal is that the $2000 is applied toward the enrollment cost. I am not saying the enrollment cost is on top of the stay. I think my post was pretty clear. I itemized it.

Click to expand...

brianfox said:

* Once you take the trip your are purchasing, your full purchase price will apply toward any Point purchase OR resale week enrollment

Click to expand...

I think this needs to be verified in the documents that Brian signed for the encore package. The documents will specify what the $1999 purchase price can be applied to. It is possible that they lied about it being able to be applied to the enrollment fee, imagine that...

It is also possible that it would only apply up to $595 or $695 of the enrollment fee. This is what Marriott has been waiving for resale owners with relation to the enrollment fee when they buy more points. I haven't seen yet where Marriott offered to waive the entire $1495/$1995 fee for resale owners on new point purchases.

Just remember- if it isn't in writing, consider it as not being so. Don't "trust them" as to the implied meaning of anything. If what they tell you isn't explicitly written, then insist that they add it into the contract or you'd be wise to rescind.

Boy, what is it with the Ko 'Olina sales staff? They were the most consistently wrong with all the speculation prior to the rollout and it looks like they're continuing. What a mess! I'm with Lisa - there's no reason for a sales meeting at this late date to contain all these errors.

Another Ko Olina story

We just finished a presentation at Ko Olina, too..

Our sales rep and the "exit interview" rep both incorrectly told us that buying new points put us in a pool of being able to access both exchange and trust buckets. When I pushed a little on this, he exit guy insisted, nicely, I was wrong, stating this issue had come up before, but we could check with the manager. We did, and the manager told me the correct info -- that using any legacy points we could NOT access trust bucket, as has been confirmed on other posts here. Exit guy apologized.

We also got offered an "encore" package. $2295 for a 1 bedroom, $2695 for a 2 bedroom at Ko Olina, plus $200 in Marriott money, ocean view, use within 24 months, total cost could be applied to a points purchase when we attended the required sales presentation on return. Also, points cost was "capped" for twelve months at $9.65 a point. If points were lower cost, we could purchase at the lower cost.

I'm tempted to purchase the week. If I do, I'm sure I'll be strongly tempted to purchase the points at that later time -- I'm sure the sales pitch will be the low cost of the points since $2300 will have been paid for.

I'm torn. I'm angry at how my two purchased weeks has, in my opinion, been significantly devalued, how the sales reps tried to gloss it over in a used car like way ("but you could use your points for 6 weeks in Palm Desert in the summer!), and the misinformation about test vs. Exchange time. The presentation opened with "this is an enhancement option, nothing is being taken from you" and later being told they expect high end owners such as Ko Olina to convert to points if they are not using their weeks, drying up weeks to trade in the old way. When I pointed out that was something being taken away from me, the rep told me "I see your point."

On the other hand, the reality is that to get into high end properties, the system is changed and the best way to now do this is to become part of the new system.

Resist on principle or reluctantly accept this new higher cost reality? I wish I could just think about the beach.

Weeks purchased externally before June 20, 2010 may be enrolled for $1,495 for the first week or $1,995 for one and a half or more weeks. Weeks purchased externally, with a deed recording date after June 20, 2010 are not eligible for the program.

Click to expand...

Has anyone yet answered the question if a resale week purchased through Marriott or an authorized broker is considered purchased internally or externally?

TrapperDog said:

We also got offered an "encore" package. $2295 for a 1 bedroom, $2695 for a 2 bedroom at Ko Olina, plus $200 in Marriott money, ocean view, use within 24 months, total cost could be applied to a points purchase when we attended the required sales presentation on return. Also, points cost was "capped" for twelve months at $9.65 a point. If points were lower cost, we could purchase at the lower cost.

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No mention of the enrollment fee being waived at the time you return to Ko'Olina? They only offered to apply the encore package price to the purchase of points?

On the other hand, the reality is that to get into high end properties, the system is changed and the best way to now do this is to become part of the new system.

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or try another system (Disney, Starwood, Hyatt, Hilton, Four Seasons, Fairmont.....) and start vacationing at some of these other properties. Marriott isn't the only game in town. I've stayed at some very nice high end properties (II exchanges) that weren't Marriotts. There are other options!

LAX Mom said:

It really bothers me that over a month from the official release of this new points program Marriott has reps that giving false information. This claim that resale weeks purchased in the future can be enrolled is not correct! Also enrolled weeks do not transfer to a new buyer as an enrolled week.

I can't believe that the Marriott reps are making these claims. They have not been trained to sale or explain this new points system. Marriott should shut down everything for a week and get all their people up to speed on all these issues.

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does it surprise you that timeshare salesmen lie or promulgate misinformation? Isn't that standard operating procedure?

Now, they have plausible deniability for lying because Marriott just launched a new program that is very confusing. It gives sales guys perfect air cover for their misrepresentations. Not sure anyone in Marriott really cares except those who are shopped by the real estate commission.

BocaBum99 said:

does it surprise you that timeshare salesmen lie or promulgate misinformation? Isn't that standard operating procedure?

Now, they have plausible deniability for lying because Marriott just launched a new program that is very confusing. It gives sales guys perfect air cover for their misrepresentations. Not sure anyone in Marriott really cares except those who are shopped by the real estate commission.

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No it's not surprising. Unfortunately the lies and misinformation are standard for the timeshare industry. In the past Marriott took pride in having an honest sales presentation, a product that could sell itself without the lies.

I am just amazed at the numerous ways that Marriott has bungled this new points rollout. I think they've lost a lot of respect within the community of timeshare owners who have some knowledge about the different options for owners. Maybe it's a small percentage but TUG members who are Marriott owners know that Marriott has dropped the ball in a huge way.