For enrolled weeks, what is the window to elect points?

[iftravel]

You get a lot more value out of exchanging a week on II- especially if you lock off and get 2 trips for one maintenance fee.
But points can be more convenient since you can book various days and views.
But there is also the problem of that flexibility making it harder to find full weeks with a shorter lead time, if you don’t plan a year ahead.
It really just depends on what you want and need and how much you want to pay to get it.

Also, when you were speaking about trading power in post 22- a silver week pulling a last minute 2BR HI- exchanging is often more about supply than trading power. All the trading power in the world can’t get you a unit that isn’t available. Best technique is to request 13/12 months with the highest TDI you can get.

Not to side track this thread, but the deal I am about to complete from Spain is buying a 2BDM Silver Week in Marbella for $10,600, which enrolls with 2225 MVC points, along with 1100 bonus points for use in 2026 and 2027. Maintenance fees appear to translate into .75 USD per point. The price per point is around $4.75. While we liked our recent stay in Marbella, we don't envision us going back unless through a Getaway or Accomodation Certificate trade in during shoulder season. We needed 1200 points to reach Executive Level and have been trying to get there but the resale market hasn't been working for us. If I pushed harder in hindsight, I think I could have negotiated more bonus points but we're generally pleased with this and the Marbella salesman was a straight-shooter.

yeah there are even better strategies but it's not such a bad idea to have an enrolled week so you can play with both worlds - considerating your effective cost is only 6-7k. I wish someone gets similar deals in US. For best results, I would go in with a strong resale week, and negociate for a retro deal along with your purchase.

 

[Norcal5]

Oh, cool, this is very intereting to know that you could elect points 2-3 years in advance. Do you have to prepay maintenance fees for doing that? Also for the Abound points you elected in 2025 for 2027 use year, can it be used immediately like in 2025, or have to be used in 2027 booking?

No prepayment is required. You can't book 2025 dates with them, but by Jan. 2, 2025 you are already able to book 2026 dates, which is what I do.

 

[chris5]

yeah there are even better strategies but it's not such a bad idea to have an enrolled week so you can play with both worlds - considerating your effective cost is only 6-7k. I wish someone gets similar deals in US. For best results, I would go in with a strong resale week, and negociate for a retro deal along with your purchase.

I didn't need a strong resale week since I seldom trade in II with our current week (or lock off) we have prior to obtaining this silver week). We've been using points almost exclusively the last 10 years though we've had an enrolled legacy week since Marriott first offered the points program. We value the added flexibility with points. But I must say, having seen the recent sighting here with a Grand Ocean July 4th, 2025 week available, it might change my strategy -- if we had deposited my lock-off legacy week I could have easily pulled that Grand Ocean but then again we already have vacation plans for that week.