What’s a standout travel moment that left a lasting impression on you? 

In 2024, we flashpacked [traveled light and fast] Southeast Asia and while in Thailand my dental crown popped off. Luckily, the concierge [at Marriott Vacation Club^® at The Empire Place ^©, Bangkok] was able to book me an appointment with a dentist at a nearby tourist hospital. That’s how I see a good travel story: it’s not the big, epic things; it’s the little, more intimate things that matter most. The concierge in Bangkok also provided us with 30-minute Thai lessons during which they explained to us how the language works so we can say things like little greetings. When we later watched The White Lotus [Season Three], I was able to understand some of the things they were saying. It was a very nice surprise.   

Any tips or tricks to maximize membership?

The big thing for me is staying informed and making sure I know the exchange rules. We don’t book so far in advance. Given the way we travel, we tend to book closer to what’s available within 30 days.

Which destination has become a favorite for repeat trips, and why? 

I have a child that lives in Washington, D.C., and at one point another one of my sons lived there, too, so we’ve been able to visit them while doing some sightseeing. I remember a time the concierge booked us a couple of the Smithsonian trips that we ordinarily couldn’t get into like the National Air and Space Museum or the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The nice thing about the Mayflower [Marriott Vacation Club^® at The Mayflower, Washington, D.C.] is we didn’t have to take the Metro because it’s in the middle of everything, so during our last trip we just got to hang out there.