For points does it matter where I buy?

Egret1986 said:

Personally, it matters to me where, and the underlying week.

I only have purchased RCI points timeshares that have prime underlying weeks (location/prime red week). The resort has to be well-managed with a history of stability (maintenance, fees, special assessments). I have bought and re-sold a few RCI Points timeshares and the Buyers were more interested each time in the resort/underlying week than the points themselves. Also, the maintenance fee for a prime week at most resorts is the same amount as the maintenance fee for a blue week. More RCI Points are assigned to the prime weeks, which automatically makes for a better maintenance fee-to-points ratio. Speaking of which, I always make sure that the ratio is currently less than a $.01/per point.

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I was just about to respond when I read your post which expresses my sentiments exactly.

In addition should I not be happy with my points in the future I wanted something where if I opted out of points I would be happy with the underlying weeks.( so far got me exactly what I wanted 2 weeks in Aruba for January 2011, and spring break in Florida for family vacation with married kids and grandkids, where I got several units at the same resort)

Since you're considering buying in the Gatlinburg area, consider Tree Tops

tlguinn_2000 said:

I thought about buying in my area (Gatlinburg TN) for that very reason. We do want to be able to go to DVC some. We currently rent points from people and always stay at the BCV very cheaply.

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Gold Crown, low maintenance fees ($465 in 2010), well-managed, great points-to-maintenance fee ratio. There are both fixed weeks (summer/leaf-peeping) and floating weeks at the resort. I prefer fixed prime weeks to floating weeks, and purchased a couple of fixed summer weeks converted to RCI Points at this resort.

which resort

Egret1986 said:

Gold Crown, low maintenance fees ($465 in 2010), well-managed, great points-to-maintenance fee ratio. There are both fixed weeks (summer/leaf-peeping) and floating weeks at the resort. I prefer fixed prime weeks to floating weeks, and purchased a couple of fixed summer weeks converted to RCI Points at this resort.

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Which resort did you buy at in Gatlinburg?

Did you get one that was already converted to points?

Do you use the points for somewhere else or actually stay in Gatlinburg?

What about the Pigeon Forge area?

I am only about 1.5 hours away.

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Tree Tops

tlguinn_2000 said:

Which resort did you buy at in Gatlinburg?

Did you get one that was already converted to points?

Do you use the points for somewhere else or actually stay in Gatlinburg?

What about the Pigeon Forge area?

I am only about 1.5 hours away.

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I've used my points in the past, but am planning to visit the resort this summer in order to visit the Smoky Mountains. One of the timeshares is a 2BR condo (68000 pts) and the other is a free-standing 2BR cottage with loft (67000 pts). Both were converted to Points when I purchased them. There were some discussions here on TUG that influenced my decision to check into this resort. I had purchased two other resorts in RCI Points previously. I have since sold the other two Points timeshares because the MF (and points-to-maintenance fee ratio) was much better at Tree Tops. Just a suggestion for a resort to consider in your area.

tlquinn wrote:
"Which resort did you buy at in Gatlinburg?
Did you get one that was already converted to points?
Do you use the points for somewhere else or actually stay in Gatlinburg?
What about the Pigeon Forge area?
I am only about 1.5 hours away."

You might also check out Sunrise Ridge Resort over in Pigeon Forge. Amber manages both Tree Tops and Sunrise Ridge. We've found there is a definite focus on controlling maintenance fees, and providing great customer service at both. Unfortunately, you won't find a large number of points converted units being sold on eBay; most owners seem content with using or depositing their weeks.

We've stayed at both and prefer Sunrise Ridge when we want to unwind or need downtime and to get away from things [mostly in the fall]. The sunrise, sunsets and foilage view from that resort are spectacular. During the summer we used to prefer Tree Tops; it's closer to the activity in Gatlenburg. But we are starting to stay away from the crowds more and more, the older we get.

I don't think I'd pay the ~$3K to convert a unit to points myself; just be patient and keep your eyes open on eBay. The 2 BR's are what most people look for (@ ~77K points), but sometimes a 3BR pedistal conversion comes along for (>~110K points).

tlguinn_2000 said:

That is what I plan to do. Does DVC ever come up with the 9000 last minute points? Is that part of the "Sightings/Distressed" section on the BBS? I am a member of TUG so I can see that section.

No I have not seen DVC in the last minute exchanges but have seen some nice Vistana units and other nice Orlando timeshares. Usually I prefer Vistana but never a problem getting something nice in Orlando and it's usually a 2 bedroom too.

I thought about buying in my area (Gatlinburg TN) for that very reason. We do want to be able to go to DVC some. We currently rent points from people and always stay at the BCV very cheaply.

DVC requires quite a bit of points. If you are only going occasionally then if you buy a small points package, you'll have to bank and borrow to have enough points but it's worth it IMO. Don't buy Orlando if you want DVC.


How does that work? Do you give up your week when you use any portion of your points? I assume you could always use your points to "buy back" into your own home resort ?

Yes, I do this sometimes if I can't use my week. I've been lucky enough that I've picked up last minute exchanges in my home resort for 9000 points and they've given me 38,000 points for my week so plenty of change leftover to spend elsewhere. Since I'm an owner, I usually get upgraded to a bigger unit too if I get stuck with a studio of 1 bedroom they move me to a 2 bedroom.
Life has it's privileges. .

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Answered you in Bold.