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Advice on a good Marriott trader

kwb1270

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Hello all,

I have been a frequent lurker on TUG for many years now and finally decided to create an account. I am actually one of the rare younger Millennials who thinks buying a timeshare might be a good fit for me (am I crazy?)

Back story - I grew up traveling on my parents' timeshare exchanges (Los Abrigados in Sedona with Interval trades and Vacation Village Bonaventure with RCI). They always deposit, so for the past 15 or so years, I have been helping them with exchange searches and have traveled to many beautiful places. Throughout this time, I have realized the following things: I like the quantity and quality of Marriott resorts; Overall I have liked the II resorts better than most RCI resorts; and my parents definitely should have purchased Los Abrigados in a lock-off rather than a standard 2br (Vacation Village is a lock-off).

I like the idea of buying a Platinum 2br lock-off Marriott resale, but I would definitely like to exchange at least one of the weeks, if not both. It's just myself and my fiance at the moment, so we don't need the larger units. I am a little concerned with buying at a resort that might sustain hurricane damage frequently (maybe this is misguided?) and am wondering if it would be better to buy something at a lower price/MF JUST to trade, or if we should buy where we would be happy traveling once a year at a higher price. Would be hoping to trade into Hilton Head, ski resorts, other prime locations in high season. Any suggestions for good traders? And is this a stupid idea? Many thanks!
 

CPNY

TUG Member
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Resorts Owned
Harborside Resort at Atlantis
SVV - Key West/Bella
WKV
Regal Vista at Massanutten
Hello all,

I have been a frequent lurker on TUG for many years now and finally decided to create an account. I am actually one of the rare younger Millennials who thinks buying a timeshare might be a good fit for me (am I crazy?)

Back story - I grew up traveling on my parents' timeshare exchanges (Los Abrigados in Sedona with Interval trades and Vacation Village Bonaventure with RCI). They always deposit, so for the past 15 or so years, I have been helping them with exchange searches and have traveled to many beautiful places. Throughout this time, I have realized the following things: I like the quantity and quality of Marriott resorts; Overall I have liked the II resorts better than most RCI resorts; and my parents definitely should have purchased Los Abrigados in a lock-off rather than a standard 2br (Vacation Village is a lock-off).

I like the idea of buying a Platinum 2br lock-off Marriott resale, but I would definitely like to exchange at least one of the weeks, if not both. It's just myself and my fiance at the moment, so we don't need the larger units. I am a little concerned with buying at a resort that might sustain hurricane damage frequently (maybe this is misguided?) and am wondering if it would be better to buy something at a lower price/MF JUST to trade, or if we should buy where we would be happy traveling once a year at a higher price. Would be hoping to trade into Hilton Head, ski resorts, other prime locations in high season. Any suggestions for good traders? And is this a stupid idea? Many thanks!

Im a millennial who purchased my first at 20. I sold and bought resale and now own 4 (3 Vistana and one RCI Points). I unfortunately never bothered learning and just went to my home resort which I loved anyway. I purchased another for more SO on my own but then I found TUG and learned even more. If you want the Marriott legacy week ownership then I think from what I read, most will tell you to go with a MGC 2 or 3 bedroom as that will be a high power trader.

FWIW age means nothing if you know how to get the most out of ownerships. When people hear “Timeshare” they cringe. Meanwhile I go on 4 trips a year at a minimum on my timeshares alone, then they say “when I come back in another life I want to come back as you” or “so where is your next trip?” I also go to many other destinations, not just my timeshares. Good for you getting in the game. Enjoy it!
 

kwb1270

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Im a millennial who purchased my first at 20. I sold and bought resale and now own 4 (3 Vistana and one RCI Points). I unfortunately never bothered learning and just went to my home resort which I loved anyway. I purchased another for more SO on my own but then I found TUG and learned even more. If you want the Marriott legacy week ownership then I think from what I read, most will tell you to go with a MGC 2 or 3 bedroom as that will be a high power trader.

FWIW age means nothing if you know how to get the most out of ownerships. When people hear “Timeshare” they cringe. Meanwhile I go on 4 trips a year at a minimum on my timeshares alone, then they say “when I come back in another life I want to come back as you” or “so where is your next trip?” I also go to many other destinations, not just my timeshares. Good for you getting in the game. Enjoy it!
Thank you!
 

travelhacker

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
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Hello all,

I have been a frequent lurker on TUG for many years now and finally decided to create an account. I am actually one of the rare younger Millennials who thinks buying a timeshare might be a good fit for me (am I crazy?)

Back story - I grew up traveling on my parents' timeshare exchanges (Los Abrigados in Sedona with Interval trades and Vacation Village Bonaventure with RCI). They always deposit, so for the past 15 or so years, I have been helping them with exchange searches and have traveled to many beautiful places. Throughout this time, I have realized the following things: I like the quantity and quality of Marriott resorts; Overall I have liked the II resorts better than most RCI resorts; and my parents definitely should have purchased Los Abrigados in a lock-off rather than a standard 2br (Vacation Village is a lock-off).

I like the idea of buying a Platinum 2br lock-off Marriott resale, but I would definitely like to exchange at least one of the weeks, if not both. It's just myself and my fiance at the moment, so we don't need the larger units. I am a little concerned with buying at a resort that might sustain hurricane damage frequently (maybe this is misguided?) and am wondering if it would be better to buy something at a lower price/MF JUST to trade, or if we should buy where we would be happy traveling once a year at a higher price. Would be hoping to trade into Hilton Head, ski resorts, other prime locations in high season. Any suggestions for good traders? And is this a stupid idea? Many thanks!
I am also a millennial (older millennial, but still solidly in that generation). I own a few Hyatt as well as RCI Points.

My first question to everyone is where do you live? Are there enough good options that you can travel to when things don't quite work out?

For example, I had a couple of GREAT ski exchanges planned with Hyatt points, and the week I was supposed to show up, everything closed due to COVID. However, because there are 4 Hyatt properties in CO, I haven't stresseed about losing those points, since we are perfectly content to book a couple of nights here and there as time allows.

Another question to consider:
How big is your travel group? If you are fine with studios / 1 bedrooms rather than ALWAYS needing 2 bedrooms that may sway the conversation.

To answer your question MGC is probably the gold standard as a trader in the Marriott system (low buy in, fees on the lower end of the scale, broad range of time it can be booked).

Willow Ridge Platinum also seems like a solid trader. I think if you found a good deal on a Grand Chateau week and waited for the right deal at Willow Ridge you would be good to go.

Reach out with other questions and feel free to PM with any specific questions you have.
 

travelhacker

TUG Review Crew
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Just another thought:

I think you can live anywhere and still get solid value out of timeshares if you know the rules of the game. However, the more flexibility you have in terms of locations, time periods of travel, etc make it much easier to capitalize on good deals.

I like having a backup plan if my primary plans don't work out as well as I would like.
 
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