We recently attended the Marriott Vacation Club owner "update" meeting where the rep again touted the wonderful "Explorer Program" options for usage of VC points (or conversion of weeks to points). We travel extensively and I decided to undertake some comparisons of the actual cost of using VC points vs. direct purchases. As my results below clearly indicate, the "devil is in the details" for the use Marriott VC points vs paying cash for cruises/hotels/and group tours.
For comparison I assumed a maintenance fee (MF) cost of $.50 per MVC point plus annual membership fees at $215, although weeks owners in higher cost locations (e.g. Maui) like us have MF at approximately $.62 per point after conversion.
Cruises:
I'm wondering how many VC owners have enough points (except for saving for 5-10 years while paying maintenance fees) for many MVC cruises. Using 30,000 MVC points as an example, an owner with 5000 points would have to wait six (6) years to take one cruise while paying fees every year.
We are interested in a Mediterranean cruise in September 2016 on a mid to upper level cruise line (not Carnival). I compared the cost of using VC points (all trips are for 2 people) against the actual cost listed on the cruise web "Last Minute Travel.com":
(9/26/2016) Regent Cruises (Seven Seas Navigator ship) 7 night cruise Athens to Venice: Suite (room w window/no balcony): 25,000 VC points ($12,500 MF+yrly membership) vs. cost $3799 x 2=$7598 ($4902 extra).
(9/3/2016) Crystal Cruises (Symphony) 11 night cruise Rome to Istanbul. Balcony room: 30,000 VC points ($15,000 MF+yrly membership) vs. cost $4536x2=$9072 ($5928 extra).
(9/9 or 16/2016) Azamara Club Cruises (Journey) 7 night cruise Venice round-trip. Balcony room: 25,000 VC points + fees ($12,500 MF + yrly membership) vs. $3349 x 2=$6698 ($5802 extra). Oceanview room: 18,000 VC points+fees ($9000 MF + yrly membership) vs. $2849x2=$5698 ($3302 extra).
(9/12/2016) Oceana Cruises (Riveria) 10 day Istanbul round-trip. Balcony or Oceanview room: 30,000 VC points ($15,000 MF + yrly membership) vs. balcony $4999x2=$9998 ($5002 extra) or oceanview $4299x2=$8598 ($6402 extra).
Marriott Hotels ("Unforgettable Hotels & Resorts"):
I chose one (category 7) Marriott Hotel to compare the usage of MVC points to the cost of booking or using Reward points on the hotel site.
San Diego Marriott Marquis Hotel & Marina: summer (6/1-8/31 usage any one night including parking and free internet)-1450 MVC points ($750 MF+annual membership) vs. 35,000 Reward Points+$30 parking (Cost to purchase 35,000 points at $.0125/point=$437.50) (MVC points to Reward points conversion 32:1-1450 MVC points=46,400 Rewards points) (VC points cost $313 extra for one night). If making a paid reservation, most summer week nights cost $359 for a basic room+$30 parking (Rewards status provides free internet). AAA discount available on some week nights at $339. Highest weekend rates are $479. ($411 to $271 extra per night).
Guided Tours ("Land Expeditions"):
These trips are the most difficult to compare. First, MVC provides very limited information including names of hotels and in some cases the name of the tour operator. Comparison should be made for land tours only (not air). We travel overseas 3-4 trips per year and I am confident there are much better values in direct purchase from a reputable tour company. We happen to be regular traveler with Overseas Adventure Travel (www.oattravel.com) which has maximum groups of 16 people. We recently traveled to Machu Picchu as part of a more extensive Amazon/Machu Picchu/Galapagos trip and will use that segment for comparison.
MVC "Adventure Travel" - 8 Day Machu Picchu Guided Tour 9/4/2015 (Land only 2015 prices). Land portion is 7 days. Comfort hotels (class 3-4). Meals: 7 breakfasts/0 lunches/1 dinner. Maximum 16 people. 10,000 MVC points (couple) ($5000 MF+member dues). OAT 6 nights "Cuzco & Machu Picchu" (this is an extension to a longer trip). Air Lima to Cuzco and return Cuzco to Quito. Moderate hotels (class 3-4). Meals: 6 breakfasts/4 lunches/2 dinners. Maximum 16 people. $1595 per person =$3190. (savings $1810+).
In sum, I wonder which Marriott VC owners are using the Explorer Program and, if so, what are they thinking?
For comparison I assumed a maintenance fee (MF) cost of $.50 per MVC point plus annual membership fees at $215, although weeks owners in higher cost locations (e.g. Maui) like us have MF at approximately $.62 per point after conversion.
Cruises:
I'm wondering how many VC owners have enough points (except for saving for 5-10 years while paying maintenance fees) for many MVC cruises. Using 30,000 MVC points as an example, an owner with 5000 points would have to wait six (6) years to take one cruise while paying fees every year.
We are interested in a Mediterranean cruise in September 2016 on a mid to upper level cruise line (not Carnival). I compared the cost of using VC points (all trips are for 2 people) against the actual cost listed on the cruise web "Last Minute Travel.com":
(9/26/2016) Regent Cruises (Seven Seas Navigator ship) 7 night cruise Athens to Venice: Suite (room w window/no balcony): 25,000 VC points ($12,500 MF+yrly membership) vs. cost $3799 x 2=$7598 ($4902 extra).
(9/3/2016) Crystal Cruises (Symphony) 11 night cruise Rome to Istanbul. Balcony room: 30,000 VC points ($15,000 MF+yrly membership) vs. cost $4536x2=$9072 ($5928 extra).
(9/9 or 16/2016) Azamara Club Cruises (Journey) 7 night cruise Venice round-trip. Balcony room: 25,000 VC points + fees ($12,500 MF + yrly membership) vs. $3349 x 2=$6698 ($5802 extra). Oceanview room: 18,000 VC points+fees ($9000 MF + yrly membership) vs. $2849x2=$5698 ($3302 extra).
(9/12/2016) Oceana Cruises (Riveria) 10 day Istanbul round-trip. Balcony or Oceanview room: 30,000 VC points ($15,000 MF + yrly membership) vs. balcony $4999x2=$9998 ($5002 extra) or oceanview $4299x2=$8598 ($6402 extra).
Marriott Hotels ("Unforgettable Hotels & Resorts"):
I chose one (category 7) Marriott Hotel to compare the usage of MVC points to the cost of booking or using Reward points on the hotel site.
San Diego Marriott Marquis Hotel & Marina: summer (6/1-8/31 usage any one night including parking and free internet)-1450 MVC points ($750 MF+annual membership) vs. 35,000 Reward Points+$30 parking (Cost to purchase 35,000 points at $.0125/point=$437.50) (MVC points to Reward points conversion 32:1-1450 MVC points=46,400 Rewards points) (VC points cost $313 extra for one night). If making a paid reservation, most summer week nights cost $359 for a basic room+$30 parking (Rewards status provides free internet). AAA discount available on some week nights at $339. Highest weekend rates are $479. ($411 to $271 extra per night).
Guided Tours ("Land Expeditions"):
These trips are the most difficult to compare. First, MVC provides very limited information including names of hotels and in some cases the name of the tour operator. Comparison should be made for land tours only (not air). We travel overseas 3-4 trips per year and I am confident there are much better values in direct purchase from a reputable tour company. We happen to be regular traveler with Overseas Adventure Travel (www.oattravel.com) which has maximum groups of 16 people. We recently traveled to Machu Picchu as part of a more extensive Amazon/Machu Picchu/Galapagos trip and will use that segment for comparison.
MVC "Adventure Travel" - 8 Day Machu Picchu Guided Tour 9/4/2015 (Land only 2015 prices). Land portion is 7 days. Comfort hotels (class 3-4). Meals: 7 breakfasts/0 lunches/1 dinner. Maximum 16 people. 10,000 MVC points (couple) ($5000 MF+member dues). OAT 6 nights "Cuzco & Machu Picchu" (this is an extension to a longer trip). Air Lima to Cuzco and return Cuzco to Quito. Moderate hotels (class 3-4). Meals: 6 breakfasts/4 lunches/2 dinners. Maximum 16 people. $1595 per person =$3190. (savings $1810+).
In sum, I wonder which Marriott VC owners are using the Explorer Program and, if so, what are they thinking?
Marriott VC Explorer Program-Over Priced
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