To Buy Points or Not

[jeffs8269]

Currently in Kauai and attended a presentation. Had not been to one since 2010 so I wanted to get the latest on the points system which I have not enrolled in. I own Aruba(3,075 points if converted) and Panama City (2,250 points if converted).

We have primarily been traders and for the last ten years have gotten almost everything we wanted. There are many things that appeal to me about the points program and I wish I would have joined at launch due to the cost.

Sales guy very honest and professional. He actually told us initially that joining the points program would not benefit us that much because of the success that we have had thus far. But I do like the flexibility and expanded vacation options that it appears to offer.

He then discussed trust points. Proposing a purchase of 2,000 points to get us to to the Executive level. Price about $21,000. Marriott pays for points enrollment fee. No other incentives offered.

I have several options:
1) Do nothing
2) Just enroll in the points program
3) Buy the points

I bought both of my units direct from Marriott. I am aware of the huge resale market for timeshares. I haven't researched it yet but I am assuming that I could buy points on resale?

Thoughts, comments and opinions are welcome. We meet again tomorrow to say yes or no.

Thanks!

 

[Tunadavis]

Currently in Kauai and attended a presentation. Had not been to one since 2010 so I wanted to get the latest on the points system which I have not enrolled in. I own Aruba(3,075 points if converted) and Panama City (2,250 points if converted).

We have primarily been traders and for the last ten years have gotten almost everything we wanted. There are many things that appeal to me about the points program and I wish I would have joined at launch due to the cost.

Sales guy very honest and professional. He actually told us initially that joining the points program would not benefit us that much because of the success that we have had thus far. But I do like the flexibility and expanded vacation options that it appears to offer.

He then discussed trust points. Proposing a purchase of 2,000 points to get us to to the Executive level. Price about $21,000. Marriott pays for points enrollment fee. No other incentives offered.

I have several options:
1) Do nothing
2) Just enroll in the points program
3) Buy the points

I bought both of my units direct from Marriott. I am aware of the huge resale market for timeshares. I haven't researched it yet but I am assuming that I could buy points on resale?

Thoughts, comments and opinions are welcome. We meet again tomorrow to say yes or no.

Thanks!

I've only been a DC points owner, but I like the flexibility it offers. You need to ask yourself if that flexibility is needed/desired- shorter stays, multiple vacations depending on points/ location/length of stay, use of explorer collection, etc.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[aka Julie]

Did they not offer you the "Encore" or "Vacation" package for $1195 which gets you:

1. a 4-night stay at a selected list of resorts (have to do another presentation)
2. free enrollment of your current weeks (including resale if bought prior to June 2010)
3. 50,000 MRP when you attend the 2nd presentation

Plus the $1195 can be paid with $195 initial deposit and $100 per month for 10 months with no interest. Of course we billed it to our Marriott Visa card.

See this thread for a discussion on it:
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238104

 

[dioxide45]

Executive level would give you the ability to reserve 10+ nights at 13 months out. You need to determine how important that benefit is to you. If you won't ever use it, then I would just enroll your current weeks under option 2. I think you currently get 3,000+ PlusPoints when you enroll. Then you can rent whatever points you need if you ever want or need points.

I think points can be beneficial when you own non lock off properties like you do. You can then reserve smaller units and get more time from them. Unfortunately you can't easily do that through II with a dedicated 2BR unit.

 

[mjm1]

I would recommend enrolling your weeks at a minimum. You should get some Plus points that you can use one time, and if you continue to trade through II you won't incur exchange fees, or any other Marriott fees either ( lock off, etc). You can then try the points program, rent additional points, and see how it works for you. You can always buy trust points on the resale market or direct if you decide you have a need.

We enjoy the additional flexibility of the program.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Mike

 

[Fi2]

IF you want to move up in level/status, you could potentially lower both your buy-in and ongoing MF's by purchasing a resale week, direct from Marriott with a required points purchase, also direct from Marriott, to enroll that week into the points program. That's what we did, when we decided to go for Chairman's club status in advance of the new (higher) points requirement.

 

[jme]

IF you want to move up in level/status, you could potentially lower both your buy-in and ongoing MF's by purchasing a resale week, direct from Marriott with a required points purchase, also direct from Marriott, to enroll that week into the points program. That's what we did, when we decided to go for Chairman's club status in advance of the new (higher) points requirement.

best option is to take these steps:

1. Try for Encore Package that waives enrollment fee, and Enroll your weeks.
2. Rent points when you need them, but don't purchase any, ever.
3. Use SAVED CASH to buy 1,2,or 3 resale weeks (for same total price you WOULD HAVE paid)

Imagine your fun thereafter---- occupying, trading, or renting them out....... and getting points only when you really need them. You'll then have the very best of both worlds. "Going to next level" really doesn't help you much----I promise you'll still be able to book what you need at 12 months.



.

 

[JIMinNC]

I'm as big an advocate of the Points program as anyone on TUG, but in your case, I agree with most of the other posts that your best bet is to just enroll the two weeks you have. That would give you 5325 points, which is a solid points total, especially since you will still have your underlying weeks that you can opt to use in any given year in lieu of converting to points that year. Based on what others have reported recently, if you decline to purchase the trust points, you will be offered an Encore package for another resort stay of a few days with another presentation required. If you buy that package, your two weeks will be enrolled for free. That would be your cheapest way to enter the points system and add the points option to your weeks ownership.

The only reason in my opinion to buy trust points to move up to Executive level is for the ability to book shorter 1 to 6 night stays 13 months out instead of 10 months. We book a lot of short stays, and so far in about 18 months of ownership, we have been able to get whatever we want at the 10 month point. But admittedly, we were not searching for prime time. If you think you want to do shorter trips in prime time, being at Executive level might be helpful. But you should be able to buy resale points for $7-8/point (this price includes the cost to the seller plus Marriott's $2/point activation fees) instead of paying Marriott $11 to $12 per point.