DC Purchase and Availability Question

[Travelmore]

We are considering the purchase of DC points to add to our current weeks, and are wondering about DC availability - particularly for the Aruba Surf Club and Maui Ocean Club. If we wanted to book a 1 Bdr (or any size) for 7-10 days between the beginning of Jan and the end of March at either of these resorts at this time, would there be availability? Or would we be looking at scattered weekdays or possibly nothing at all? - I do realize this is late in the booking window.

We use our current weeks at our home resort, but would like the ability to rent points when desired. Our current weeks are post 2010, so we are considering the current enrollment offer from Marriott. We could either enroll 7 weeks, 2 weeks or 1 week. We are also looking at simply purchasing 1000-1500 DC points either through Marriott or Resale. Any thoughts on which would be best?

Thanks

 

[JIMinNC]

If you are talking about Jan-Mar 2016, it is indeed late. I just took a quick look online and there was nothing more than scattered nights at Aruba Surf Club in 1BR units during those months. At Maui Ocean Club, it was the same situation except for one period between Feb 27 and Mar 8 when 1BR Mountain/Garden view was available. But, by the time you close on a new purchase, this could be gone, too.

But back in the winter of 2015 when the 12 month window opened for early 2016, both of these resorts had good availability during the late January through March period. I did some general shopping during that time and was pleased with what I saw. Maui was more open than Aruba with virtually any check-in day in any unit size available. As I recall, Aruba was available, but somewhat more limited.

So for early 2016, your proposed purchase might not help much in getting a reservation, but I would think if you can plan 12-months out, getting something with points in early 2017 should be doable if you choose to buy-in and enroll your week(s).

 

[m61376]

Of course, keep in mind that 1000-1500 points won't get you a week in a 1BR at either of these resorts. If you foresee yourself going to either place regularly, you might want to consider buying a resale week there. A Plat. Aruba week can be had for less $ than that point purchase, and will guarantee you a 2BR there every year for a week. And if you don't use it one year, the rental rates are quite high. And if you want a longer stay, you can lock off and use the 1BR one weeks and the lock-off for another. At least something to consider. For Maui, you can get a good buy on the 1BR in the original section.

 

[Fasttr]

If you decide to go the points route alone, without enrolling any weeks, keep in mind, as a non Legacy owner, a Base Interest (needed to use your points unrestricted) is 1500 points, so purchasing 1000 points would not be wise. At a minimum, you would need to purchase 1500. From there, under the current rules, you can rent whatever additional points you may need.

Anything purchased beyond that (to be able to enroll 1 or more of your post 2010 resales) would likely be a decision balancing how much $$ you want to throw at this and what status tier you are trying to hit (the biggest benefit comes with Executive and above as you can reserve 1+ nights at 13 months out). Do you have any single week, plus the 2500 points that can get you to Executive level? If not, and you want Executive benefits, you may need to enroll 2 (assuming you can get there that way)... and assuming that is worth the extra $$ to you.

Only you can decide how your love for your cash stacks up vs your desire/need to be at a certain status to enjoy its benefits.

Do you ever see yourself actually electing any of your weeks for points....if so, I would look at those weeks first as potential weeks to enroll if you go in that direction.

 

[Travelmore]

If you decide to go the points route alone, without enrolling any weeks, keep in mind, as a non Legacy owner, a Base Interest (needed to use your points unrestricted) is 1500 points, so purchasing 1000 points would not be wise. At a minimum, you would need to purchase 1500. From there, under the current rules, you can rent whatever additional points you may need.

Anything purchased beyond that (to be able to enroll 1 or more of your post 2010 resales) would likely be a decision balancing how much $$ you want to throw at this and what status tier you are trying to hit (the biggest benefit comes with Executive and above as you can reserve 1+ nights at 13 months out). Do you have any single week, plus the 2500 points that can get you to Executive level? If not, and you want Executive benefits, you may need to enroll 2 (assuming you can get there that way)... and assuming that is worth the extra $$ to you.

Only you can decide how your love for your cash stacks up vs your desire/need to be at a certain status to enjoy its benefits.

Do you ever see yourself actually electing any of your weeks for points....if so, I would look at those weeks first as potential weeks to enroll if you go in that direction.

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Jim - Thanks for checking availability. That was somewhat what I was expecting.

Fasttr - I hadn't realized that I would need to purchase 1500points vs 1000 - thanks for pointing that out.

I do have 2 different weeks that I could combine with the 2500 point purchase to get to executive.

I am looking for a bit of flexibility - to travel for maybe 10 days vs 7 or 14. I don't really see us electing points for our week/weeks in the near future. If we did, it would probably be several-many years down the road when we are no longer tied to a school vacation schedule. Although who really knows what the future will bring.....

 

[JIMinNC]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Jim - Thanks for checking availability. That was somewhat what I was expecting.

Fasttr - I hadn't realized that I would need to purchase 1500points vs 1000 - thanks for pointing that out.

I do have 2 different weeks that I could combine with the 2500 point purchase to get to executive.

I am looking for a bit of flexibility - to travel for maybe 10 days vs 7 or 14. I don't really see us electing points for our week/weeks in the near future. If we did, it would probably be several-many years down the road when we are no longer tied to a school vacation schedule. Although who really knows what the future will bring.....

So based on this information, you would be looking at buying 1500 points (probably with no discount, I would guess, so rack rate of $12.92 probably) for a cost of about $20,000 after closing costs. Alternatively, you could buy 2500 points at a cost of about $28,000 or so (with the promotional discount) AND enroll one of your weeks that would get you to Executive status with at least 7000 available points. To me that is a no brainer - go with the 2500 and enrollment. Gives you significantly more flexibility now and in the future for not that much more money relative to the points you get.

 

[Travelmore]

So based on this information, you would be looking at buying 1500 points (probably with no discount, I would guess, so rack rate of $12.92 probably) for a cost of about $20,000 after closing costs. Alternatively, you could buy 2500 points at a cost of about $28,000 or so (with the promotional discount) AND enroll one of your weeks that would get you to Executive status with at least 7000 available points. To me that is a no brainer - go with the 2500 and enrollment. Gives you significantly more flexibility now and in the future for not that much more money relative to the points you get.

However, if we were to purchase the 1500 points resale, does the cost look something like this?

1500 pts @ $4.75/pt: $7 125

plus: $3000 (initiation) + $300 (education) + $95 (ROFR) + $150 (transfer fee) + ~$500 (closing costs) = $11 170


Is this correct? Am I forgetting anything? Anything else to consider?

 

[frank808]

I think it will take at least $5 a point to pass rofr. Would some of the more dc points knowledgeable guys agree??

 

[Fasttr]

I think it will take at least $5 a point to pass rofr. Would some of the more dc points knowledgeable guys agree??

GregT's got snatched at $4.50 a point, so something in that $4.75 to $5 range is likely the crossover point.

 

[JIMinNC]

GregT's got snatched at $4.50 a point, so something in that $4.75 to $5 range is likely the crossover point.

I'm pretty sure I recall someone else reporting theirs got taken by ROFR at $4.70 or $4.80 per point. Have not read on here about any attempted purchases above that amount, so the $5/point threshold is just speculation at this point, I think.

The only downside to resale is that you would not have enough points to qualify for one of the higher status levels. If say, Executive level is of value to you, then the current promotion would be an attractive way to get there. Let's say you have a week worth 5000 points and add the 2500 points to get to 7500 and Executive, the $28K incremental cost would be only $3.73/point. A 4500 point value week plus the 2500 purchased would yield a cost of $4/point. Otherwise, if Executive doesn't matter to you and you intend to rent any extra points you need, then resale points are much cheaper than any of the Marriott alternatives.

 

[x.david.you]

GregT's got snatched at $4.50 a point, so something in that $4.75 to $5 range is likely the crossover point.

Can anyone give me the information where I can purchase resale DC points @$5 or less as a new MVC member? Thanks!


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[Seaport104]

Can anyone give me the information where I can purchase resale DC points @$5 or less as a new MVC member? Thanks!


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Samuel Rodriguez
Licensed Agent
Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood Specialist
Selling Timeshares Inc.
Office: 917-463-0015
Fax: 212-898-1344
www.sellingtimeshares.net

 

[taterhed]

I second the vote for Samuel

Sent from my cell...

 

[Travelmore]

Regarding a resale point purchase......do banked DC points transfer to the new owner upon sale? Also, is the time required to close a resale DC point purchase roughly the same as a resale week?

 

[kds4]

Regarding a resale point purchase......do banked DC points transfer to the new owner upon sale? Also, is the time required to close a resale DC point purchase roughly the same as a resale week?

I would think so. Our resale points purchase took 60-90 days to close.