2026 Usage - Did you Elect Abound

[DavidnRobin]

This thread motivated me to look back at my Abound elections
I've elected Abound for one of our 2 WKV P+ (2,600 CP) for the last 3 years (2024-26), and also our WKORV OFD (8,325 CP) after the Lahaina fire) for a total of 16,125 CP. Plus, received 400 CP as an Owner Incentive (an at home video call that lasted about 20 mins).
So a total of 16,525 CP that cost around $0.48/CP with the incentive. [Total $7,900 in MF]

For our Abound/MVC reservations over the last 3 years we have 16 separate stays for a total of 62 nights. Our main stays have been at the MVC Vegas Grand Chateau (in studios,1Bds and 2Bd villas), and also have stayed at MVC San Diego and MVC San Francisco. I have Chairman status (from resale M resorts), so I use the <60 Day - 30% CP discount and stay on weekdays. Also, used the 13 month reservation advantage to stay at the MVC on the Big Island for 10 nights in a 1Bd (vs our annual WKORV OFD usage). And still have 2900 CPs (updated) to use until 2027.

Overall, we had great value having these resale M resorts grandfathered into MVC that have a good MF-CP conversion in Abound. But, at this point in time I would rarely recommend buying more from Vistana/MVC to gain Abound usage.

 

[jabberwocky]

I've elected Abound for one of our 2 WKV P+ (2,600 CP) for the last 3 years (2024-26), and also our WKORV OFD (8,325 CP) after the Lahaina fire) for a total of 16,125 CP. Plus, received 400 CP as an Owner Incentive (an at home video call that lasted about 20 mins).
So a total of 16,525 CP that cost around $0.48/CP with the incentive. [Total $7,900 in MF]

…

Overall, we had great value having these resale M resorts grandfathered into MVC that have a MF-CP conversion in Abound. But, at this point in time I would rarely recommend buying more from Vistana/MVC to gain Abound usage.

That’s a pretty good MF/CP ratio. One thing I’ve observed (or maybe it’s just my perception) is that Vistana owners haven’t been as focused on the MF/point (whether that is SO or HomeOptions).

Other TS owners (thinking HGVC, Wyndham etc) do seem to more heavily focus on that aspect. With Abound now I’m thinking about it more closely and even comparing how much it costs to book via SO vs CP.

 

[Ken555]

That’s a pretty good MF/CP ratio. One thing I’ve observed (or maybe it’s just my perception) is that Vistana owners haven’t been as focused on the MF/point (whether that is SO or HomeOptions).

Other TS owners (thinking HGVC, Wyndham etc) do seem to more heavily focus on that aspect. With Abound now I’m thinking about it more closely and even comparing how much it costs to book via SO vs CP.

When you’re working with points systems, especially with multiple ownerships, using points as a consistent metric makes perfect sense. I take a different approach: I calculate my actual dollar cost per night by dividing my annual maintenance fees by the number of nights I can use (whether through SO or full weekly deeds).

Occasionally, I also factor in the amortized acquisition cost—taking what I could sell my week(s) for today and calculating the effective per-night cost over my historical usage per week. I find this gives a more accurate comparison to hotel alternatives, since it captures my true all-in cost (though I don’t include opportunity cost/interest on the original investment, as that gets too theoretical and in some cases unrealistic).

This dollar-based approach works better for my planning since it directly shows what I’m actually spending versus booking hotels or other accommodations.

 

[DavidnRobin]

That’s a pretty good MF/CP ratio. One thing I’ve observed (or maybe it’s just my perception) is that Vistana owners haven’t been as focused on the MF/point (whether that is SO or HomeOptions).

Other TS owners (thinking HGVC, Wyndham etc) do seem to more heavily focus on that aspect. With Abound now I’m thinking about it more closely and even comparing how much it costs to book via SO vs CP.

I like to keep it simple, there are certainly ways to evaluate value as @Ken555 (Hi Ken) writes. One thing for sure is this is a case-by case situation based on life/travel needs.

The Abound conversion of our WKORV OFD was a one time event (for now) due to Lahaina fire, but it does have a very good MVC value from a MF/CP aspect. I understand that WLR has the best. Of course, one could rent whole or part of the OFD like I do with the studio side (side note - rental prices are dropping). This has been great to help offset the high MFs, and reduces our cost per night of our 1Bd side usage. We bought the OFD mainly to use the 1Bd side (one of the best villas in Vistana or MVC for a couple like us), and the studio side to rent, stay or use the 81K SOs. It gives a large amount of CPs in Abound (Spain someday?), and it was nice to stay on the Big Island, but we prefer Maui.

Our two resale WKV P+ (81K SO) has given us great value over the years, and arguably has been one of the best VOIs to own value-wise especially now that they are Abound eligible.
Over the years (prior to MVC/Abound), used them mainly for renting and they have more than paid for their resale price back in 2007/08. Also have gotten excellent SO exchanges into 1Bd WKORV usage (twice surprised&delight into OFD), and have used to stay when Mom lived in AZ (and watch preseason SF Giants) - great resort.

Now that our two resale WKV VOIs are Abound eligible, I have used Abound for one of the WKV weeks for the last 3 years for various stays (as written) and have gotten good usage being at a Chairman MVC level due to the resale ownership of VSN Mandatory VOIs. Also have Titanium Elite status, but don't stay that often at Marriott hotels. Living in Sonoma county now, it is desirable for us to use the local airport (STS) for flights versus SFO/OAK (shuttle is $100pp RT, and 2 hours min). Fortunately for us, STS has increasing flights to 'local' locations that we use, and often relatively inexpensive flights on weekdays. It helps that we like Vegas (poker, shows), and have family with other STS flight destinations.

Over the last few years, our main usage has been Vegas. MVC Grand Chateau has a great location for us, and going to see Wizard of Oz and Phish at the Sphere, and the WSOP in the next few months. (In the past we have seen Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Santana, Billy Strings, etc) Using MVC Chairman status (30% discount <60 days) and Sun-Thur stays - the total nightly cost of a studio is ~$63/nite (WKV in Abound). The total transportation/accommodation costs for a 4-night studio stay is about $600 for the two of us. Heck, the shows cost more. Luckily, the poker has help offset.

Our MVC San Diego stay was great - caught a SF Giants game, and we have family down there. A cousin is a head trainer at Sea World - so we are planning another game this season with a behind the scene tour at SeaWorld. Our MVC San Francisco was fun (Fisherman's Wharf Area) - went for our anniversary. It was great to play tourist in a city where I grew up. Plus, as seniors we can take the SMART Train for free, and then the Larkspur-SF ferry for $7 each! The highlights were taking Waymo everywhere (Dinner in Alamo Sq and Union Sq, and Coit Tower for views and Diego Rivera murals), and going to the Buena Vista for Irish Coffees followed by a Cable Car ride (hadn't done this for decades). Fun!
{before being a Waymo naysayer - try one first }

Regardless, enjoy your usage!

 

[fasha39]

We converted one week WKORV OV 2br for 10 days at Marriott Beach Club Phuket for 2027 13 months out.