Well, points also allow you to use Destination Escapes that a lockoff unit doesn’t. 6000 DC points can get you more than 4 1/2 weeks in a 2 bedroom, and 7 weeks in a one bedroom and 3 1/2 weeks in a 3 bedroom. Your lockoff unit won’t do that for you. If you have flexibility, you can take advantage of the program at a different level with points. Also with the bonus discounts at Presidential and Chaiman’s level, you are also able to get more mileage out of your points. This CANNOT be understated. I state this as a 3 week enrolled lockoff owner. There are definitely times when I will use my owner advantage at the resorts I own, but I specifically paid for the flexibility of being able to elect points. I bought the weeks specifically to save on maintenance fees.
Somebody like the OP looking to buy one week plus a trader week has little aspirations and initially zero opportunity to reach
Presidential or Chairman level, per their stated entry level dilemma.
I am Chairman level and know well of the bonus discounts, etc., but was addressing the OP.
(Plus the OP is not interested in purchasing 6000 points.)
As for me personally with my lockoff, getting 4.5 weeks in 2BR from 6000 points, of course it's possible,
but that would mean severe off-season weeks, same for 7 weeks in 1BR, etc., etc. I personally have no interest in doing that......
I bought for best season, best resorts, and we don't "settle" to just maximize the number of trips.
And as a professional (I'm a dentist in private practice) my schedule is not so flexible. I could easily make it very flexible,
but it is not how things are done. We stay booked well in advance.
Our lockoff trades get high season at high resorts, no compromises. Quality time means more than
quantity here, both for me and for my family, and that is what we've been enjoying for 20 years.
Lastly I use my single lockoff week (our 10th Marriott timeshare week) for specific "extra" needs, totally in addition
to our fantastic portfolio which we primarily use for our family vacations, etc. The lockoff accomplishes extra "in-between" trips,
like October getaways at Custom House for my wife and me, gifts to my children for trips with their families and/or friends,
gifts to friends to whom I like to return favors, or gifts to my office staff, just because. Cheaper than giving them full weeks outright,
or using DC points which are too expensive to give away, imho.
Having 16 timeshare weeks in all, the lockoff is simply a play-toy. But I have gained superb value from it which has
benefitted me and others.
In this thread I am extolling its use as a cheap way for an entry-level buyer to gain extra value, too, and encouraging them
as to what they can still get with trades, rather than saying they are worthless as many do, which is far from the truth.