First-time Reserving at Maui, my Experience

[csodjd]

I purchased an every-other-year (odd) floating week, oceanfront, 2-bed, Napili/Lahaina tower in Maui last year through Redweek. So, the time to reserve for summer 2019 arrived. I was a bit unsure how it would play out, because there's a lot of info here about having a hard time during prime times getting reservations, etc., and I had to dovetail it with my week in Oahu at the Hilton. My ideal reservation at the Marriott would be Sat-Sat (June 22-29), since that dovetails right into the Hilton's Sat-Sat. But I knew there were three other possibilities: can only get Fri-Fri, can only get Sun-Sun, or can't get the week I wanted. If I was "stuck" with Fri-Fri, it just meant I'd have to add one day to my two weeks in Hawaii and stay somewhere for a night. Not a big deal. Sun-Sun meant I'd lose one day, a bit of a disappointment if that was the outcome.

The release of the June 22, 2019, date was yesterday, Thursday June 21. The evening before I went online to see how it worked, and do a test run so I'd know what I need to do at 6:00am PST the next morning. I noted that there was a reservation still available for Fri-Fri June 14-21. That encouraged me that I'd at least be able to get my Fri-Fri (June 21-28) plan B.

Got up at 5:55am and went the computer. Logged in and chose the Book a Room option. Calendar was up on my screen by 5:58 am, and would quickly refresh. There is a "refresh" link on the calendar page, and it shows the exact time of the refresh. It matched my computer time to the second. So I just refreshed every few sec starting at about 5:59:30. I hit the 6:00:00 on the second -- and instead of refreshing, I got an "unexpected error" message! Uh oh, I thought. I kept hitting refresh, and at about 6:00:08 the calendar popped up, with Sat June 22 check-in (along with Fri-Fri and Sun-Sun) available. I quickly clicked on the 22nd, and in about 10-15 seconds had completed the reservation for Sat-Sat.

That was it. Was able to get what I wanted, 12 mo ahead. Time to start planning 2021. <g>

 

[GregT]

That’s great news - congratulations and enjoy your trip!!!

Best,

Greg

 

[csodjd]

That’s great news - congratulations and enjoy your trip!!!

Best,

Greg

Thanks. Actually heading over there in August for a 5-day stay, paying cash (~$700/nt, 1-bedroom). A chance to check it out. Planned to do that before buying, but, well, couldn't turn down a good price opportunity, so bought sight unseen (but two friends whose judgment I trust both own there, so I wasn't taking a big chance... what really can go wrong with an oceanfront room on the beach in Maui?). Will likely buy the even-year when the recession hits and prices drop. <g>

 

[Fasttr]

Getting the unexpected error message on refresh is what we call the "Pucker Factor"

 

[mjm1]

Congratulations! You will love resort and the location on Maui. Enjoy your upcoming trip too.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[JIMinNC]

That was my same experience trying to book our EOY Odd 2BR OV in the original towers back in February. Nice to hear a positive booking report for OF at Lahaina/Napili. Ideally, we would like to add a second EOY Odd MOC week before the 2021 booking season opens in 2020. Been on the fence on whether to try for an EOY Odd 2BR OF in the Napili tower if one shows up on the resale market, but the horror stories of trying to book the new towers has made me wonder if a smarter move would be to look for a second unit in the original section. Your data point inspires me to maybe shoot for Napili if one comes up at the right price. Seems like 2BR OF EOY in the original section go for around $11K to 12K, but Napili EOY OF are often listed for $14K to $15K. In the scheme of things, not that much more, as long as you can book what you own.

 

[csodjd]

That was my same experience trying to book our EOY Odd 2BR OV in the original towers back in February. Nice to hear a positive booking report for OF at Lahaina/Napili. Ideally, we would like to add a second EOY Odd MOC week before the 2021 booking season opens in 2020. Been on the fence on whether to try for an EOY Odd 2BR OF in the Napili tower if one shows up on the resale market, but the horror stories of trying to book the new towers has made me wonder if a smarter move would be to look for a second unit in the original section. Your data point inspires me to maybe shoot for Napili if one comes up at the right price. Seems like 2BR OF EOY in the original section go for around $11K to 12K, but Napili EOY OF are often listed for $14K to $15K. In the scheme of things, not that much more, as long as you can book what you own.

Yes. I was actually considering buying a "low cost" garden view 1 or 2 bedroom in the original tower to be a 2-week owner to have access to the 13-month window (then either rent it or let the kids use it) if that became necessary.

 

[BocaBoy]

That was my same experience trying to book our EOY Odd 2BR OV in the original towers back in February. Nice to hear a positive booking report for OF at Lahaina/Napili. Ideally, we would like to add a second EOY Odd MOC week before the 2021 booking season opens in 2020. Been on the fence on whether to try for an EOY Odd 2BR OF in the Napili tower if one shows up on the resale market, but the horror stories of trying to book the new towers has made me wonder if a smarter move would be to look for a second unit in the original section. Your data point inspires me to maybe shoot for Napili if one comes up at the right price. Seems like 2BR OF EOY in the original section go for around $11K to 12K, but Napili EOY OF are often listed for $14K to $15K. In the scheme of things, not that much more, as long as you can book what you own.

Without question, I would try to buy a Napili Tower OF, unless you badly want to stay in your same unit for your 2 EOY weeks at the resort. The new towers are definitely harder to book, but it is clear from your posts that you plan ahead very well and would be ready when the booking windows open. Given this, you will be able to get what you want, especially since you will be able to book your two weeks consecutively at 13 months out.

 

[jtp1947]

@csodjd: Since you are now a Marriott owner, did you try using the 7VC corporate code for your August trip? A one bedroom oceanfront is approx. $525 a night with the discount.

 

[csodjd]

@csodjd: Since you are now a Marriott owner, did you try using the 7VC corporate code for your August trip? A one bedroom oceanfront is approx. $525 a night with the discount.

No. Didn't know anything about it. I'll call and see. I just used AAA 10% discount. Is that explained somewhere?

 

[Fasttr]

No. Didn't know anything about it. I'll call and see. I just used AAA 10% discount. Is that explained somewhere?

Info can be found in the Points FAQ Sticky here..... https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/faq-mvc-destinations-points-program.197346/

But here are the guts....
***All discount rates are based on availability. There is no guarantee that any certain inventory or discount component will be available.***

Discounts for cash stays at the MVCI resorts (and very infrequently, at certain of the Marriott hotels/resorts) are capacity-controlled and based on ownership status:
•Presidential and Chairman's Club DC Members - 35% off (code "2VC")
•Executive DC Members - 30% off (code "6VC")
•Select DC Members and Weeks Owners not affiliated with the DC - 25% off (code "7VC")
*MVW has clarified for TUG (see this post) that the Chase Marriott VISA 10% discount component is no longer available: "The Owner’s Discount can no longer be combined with any other discounts or offers."

*When checking availability on marriott.com, enter the appropriate code in the "Corporate/promotional code" box under "Special Rates."

*Owners may also book discount cash stays through the owners.marriottvacationclub.com website. Sign in --> click on "Owner Benefits" under "Partners & Specials" --> click the "Enjoy 25% off ..." link under "Marriott International, Inc. Promotions." Complete all fields and click the "Search" button. (Note the code box is auto-populated with "7VC" and should be changed appropriately.)

*Note the confirmations for stays using these discounts indicate that at check-in the certain eligibility will be verified. If unable to verify eligibility the cost for the stay may revert to rack rates.

 

[csodjd]

THANK YOU. You just saved me a bit over $500! I called Marriott Owner Services, she applied the code, and done.

 

[csodjd]

@csodjd: Since you are now a Marriott owner, did you try using the 7VC corporate code for your August trip? A one bedroom oceanfront is approx. $525 a night with the discount.

So the weekend rate (AAA) was $737. Now $614. The Sunday night was $629. Now. $524.

What can I say? Thanks!

 

[Fasttr]

So the weekend rate (AAA) was $737. Now $614. The Sunday night was $629. Now. $524.

What can I say? Thanks!

More than paid for your TUG membership!!!

 

[silentg]

So nice when we can help another TUG member save $$$.
Have a great time in Maui!
Silentg

 

[csodjd]

More than paid for your TUG membership!!!

I think that was pretty well covered when I learned here all about buying on the secondary market. <big G> This was just bonus money.

 

[davidvel]

THANK YOU. You just saved me a bit over $500! I called Marriott Owner Services, she applied the code, and done.

Someone "owes" jtp1947 a few ice cold beverages!!!

 

[csodjd]

Someone "owes" jtp1947 a few ice cold beverages!!!

That would be me, and to that I say, absolutely. Seems Mai Tai's are appropriate!

 

[jtp1947]

Happy to help.