Marriott Vacation Club has announced a new parking policy change for 2025, introducing new fees at many of its resorts. With this policy, which took effect on January 1st, 2025, those staying at Marriott-managed resorts may wonder how this update will affect their travel budgets. Below, we’ll provide a breakdown of the new parking fees, who they apply to, and the rationale behind the policy.
What Are the New Parking Fees?
Starting in 2025 and beyond, a $25-per-night parking fee will be implemented at most Marriott Vacation Club properties. However, these fees won’t apply to every guest. Here’s how the policy is structured in terms of its reach:
- Rental Guests Using Marriott.com and Third-Party Travel Agents: The parking fee will be charged to guests who book their stays through Marriott.com, other online travel agents, or Bonvoy points.
- Timeshare Owners: Owners who reserve their units using deeded weeks or Abound Club Points will not be charged parking fees, which has always been one of the benefits of ownership.
- Interval International Exchanges: Guests staying at Marriott Vacation Club resorts using Interval International exchanges are exempt from paying the new parking fees.
- Guest Reservations Through Owners: Guests added to an owner’s existing reservation using deeded weeks or points will also not have to pay the parking charges. This is expected to apply to rentals where the owner made the booking using their points or deeded week.
This policy does mark a shift from past practices, as many Marriott Vacation Club resorts did not previously charge for parking. While some properties, especially in high-demand areas such as Hawaii or urban locations, already charged parking fees, this change rolls out the policy on a broader scale across the brand’s resorts.
Also, these policy changes are expected to affect both the Westin Vacation Club and the Sheraton Vacation Club, managed by Marriott Vacations Worldwide.
Why Are These Fees Being Introduced?
Marriott Vacation Club has stated that the primary purpose of introducing parking fees is to offset rising operational costs. Revenue generated from parking charges is expected to reduce the financial burden on timeshare owners by helping maintain lower maintenance fees. By redistributing the costs, Marriott hopes to preserve the quality of the resort experience without directly increasing costs for owners.
Marriott also shared that its market research shows the new policy aligns with broader travel and hospitality industry trends. Parking fees are now commonplace in many popular vacation destinations.
Who Will Be Affected, and How?
The impact of these fees will largely depend on how guests book their stays. Owners could see a huge benefit, while those booking through third-party platforms, such as Marriott.com or other online travel agents, must account for these additional costs.
For rental guests booking via third-party platforms that do not source their inventory directly from timeshare owners, it’s essential to budget accordingly and consider the parking fee part of the overall trip expenses. On the other hand, guests renting through companies that work directly with timeshare owners can still enjoy the same free parking benefits as the owner.
Broader Industry Implications
Marriott Vacation Club’s decision to implement parking fees reflects broader trends within the vacation ownership industry. Marriott’s policies often set a precedent for other timeshare brands, and this move could inspire similar changes across the timeshare industry.
For the timeshare industry, these fees may represent a sustainable way to address rising operational costs, a common concern for resort operators. However, the cost increase could also shape future vacation decisions for renters and other third-party bookers.
Tips for Planning Your Upcoming Stays
If you’re planning a trip to a Marriott Vacation Club resort in 2025, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Check for Parking Fee Details: When booking your stay, verify whether parking fees apply to your reservation.
- Budget Accordingly: If you know you’ll be subject to the fees, factor them into your overall trip budget to avoid unexpected expenses.
- Consider Booking Through an Owner: If possible, coordinate with a company that works directly with timeshare owners to utilize fee-exempt reservations under their timeshare ownership.
- Plan Ahead: Knowing in advance about this additional cost can help you structure your vacation spending more effectively.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of parking fees at Marriott Vacation Club resorts represents a policy shift aimed at managing operational costs and ensuring overall lower costs for owners. While the policy provides financial benefits for timeshare owners by maintaining lower maintenance fees, renters using Marriott.com or third-party travel agents should prepare for its impact on their travel budgets.
Whether you’re a timeshare owner or a rental guest, staying informed can help make your future vacation planning seamless and enjoyable. Be sure to check back on the Premier Timeshare Resale blog for all the latest updates, or subscribe to our free newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox bi-weekly.