Owning multiple deeded weeks, also known as a legacy week, with Marriott Vacation Club is a popular strategy for securing a lifetime of affordable vacations. One crucial aspect of maximizing your vacation opportunities is understanding the 13-month booking window, which can be a key strategy for securing high-demand inventory well before other owners have a chance to book it.
This article delves into the specifics of the 13-month booking window and provides essential tips for making the most out of your Marriott Vacation Club membership.
Understanding the 13-Month Booking Window
Reserving timeshare weeks 13 months ahead is possible but comes with specific conditions. The 13-month booking window is only applicable when owners are reserving multiple owned weeks, either simultaneously (during the same period) or sequentially (one after the other). This window is not available for single-week reservations.
Owners of multiple legacy weeks can make reservations 13 months in advance if both weeks are booked simultaneously. It is possible to book at two different locations if you own weeks at separate resorts, provided the check-in dates for both reservations are the same. This strategy can be beneficial for securing accommodation up to a month earlier than the typical 12-month booking window, especially when arranging lodging for multiple groups traveling together.
To utilize the 13-month window for sequential weeks, you need to own two separate weeks with overlapping seasons on the calendar. As long as the seasons of your two weeks align correctly and there is availability, legacy week owners can start booking 13 months before their desired check-in date.
For instance, if you own a legacy week at Marriott’s Grande Vista during the Platinum season and another at Marriott’s Harbour Lake also in the Platinum season, both resorts’ Platinum seasons cover weeks 1-17 of the year. This large overlap allows you to book your sequential weeks, but even if your deeded season at one resort ends directly before your deeded season at your second resort begins, you can still book two consecutive weeks.
Making 13 Month Reservations: Important Considerations
While the ability to book as much as 30 days farther out than other owners is a huge benefit, there are a few important limitations to keep in mind when trying to book these types of reservations.
Reservations for the 13-month window cannot be immediately processed online. Instead, owners must call in to owner services to make their reservations. If you’re looking to book an extremely hard-to-get reservation, owners can place their call as soon as the phone lines open at 9 AM Eastern time.
Marriott is permitted to release only 50% or fewer of the available vacation inventory at this 13-month mark. The remaining inventory is released 12 months in advance, creating a staggered release process.
Owners are not required to book multiple weeks at the same resort, during the same season, or even with the same check-in days. It is possible to book a combination of weeks at different resorts. For example, you can book week 21 (Gold Season) at Marriott’s Barony Beach, and week 22 (Platinum Season) at Marriott’s SurfWatch, and even though they are different seasons at different resorts, this will qualify you to use the 13-month booking window.
Additionally, different check-in days can be strategically chosen. This means you can check in to your first reservation at Barony Beach on a Friday, check out the following Friday, then check in to your second reservation on a Sunday at SurfWatch, allowing a gap between the reservations. The reservations must occupy consecutive week numbers, but for these resorts, they offer Friday, Saturday, or Sunday check-in days for each week number throughout the year.
A frequent misunderstanding is that you must wait exactly 13 months prior to check-in to reserve your desired week. This isn’t always the case, as some Marriott Vacation Club resorts may offer availability sooner if new inventory becomes available. You can identify this by using the inventory release calendar specific to your resort.
As we mentioned above, many resorts allow multiple days of the week for the check-in day. If your desired check-in date is on a Sunday, and your resort offers a Friday check-in option, the inventory for your desired week number is loaded into Marriott’s booking system 13 months before the earliest check-in day for that specific week number. It’s a small difference, but learning how to use inventory release calendars can gain you a few days head start on snagging that perfect reservation.
Conclusion
Navigating the 13-month booking window for Marriott Vacation Club can seem complex, but understanding a few key elements and planning accordingly can significantly enhance your vacation booking experience. By recognizing the inventory release schedule, calling in reservations promptly, and utilizing the flexibility of the system, members can maximize their chances of securing even the most desirable and difficult-to-book weeks.
With these tips and tricks, you can make the most out of your Marriott Vacation Club ownership, get access to the largest amount of vacation inventory, and be able to book well before many other owners. Now, all that’s left to do is dream up your next vacation!
