Post reply

Re: Marriott Going to Point Syst (by J E.):

I don't understand why some feel they should receive the same number of points as is needed to go to their own property. This is silly. Just make a reservation like you always have and go. If you want as whole week somewhere, then trade for a whole week.

The points program provides flexiblity to do things you could not do before. And as owners make reservations for just a part of a week, common sense suggests that not all the days will be taken. Thus, it makes sense to not give deeded owners the same number of points as it would take to go to their deeded property. Deeded owners need to remember that the new points owner has to purchase all the points needed to go to your location -- if it is available. And their mtce fees for some prime weeks are considerable more then deeded owners are paying. The points program results in prime weeks paying more mtce fees and low demand periods paying less.

Marriott's largest problems with the new plan has been the failure to provide deeded owners timely and accurate information as to how the plan really works and how inventory will be managed. The glossy level is great. The details are both complex and confusing unless you spend more time then you should to try and understand this program.

We need to keep in mind that Marriott and owners will win together or lose together on this new program. A company can not sustain success if they don't satisfy owners and owners can't win if Marriott doesn't manage this transition well. A lot of improvement is needed by Marriott in the category of communicating this program to owners. They need to do more then rely on their sales dept whose goal is to sell -- and in so doing have sometimes provided owners incorrect information. This has to improve and improve quickly.