Points vs deeded? Where to begin?

[Travelsaurus]

Hi all! I’m so happy to have found this forum! My husband and I were so VERY close to buying an HGVC timeshare on our trip to Myrtle beach last week. After being pressured to buy at the presentation, I told them it was an absolute no without having time to think and they offered to give us until the end of the day. So, while we contemplated, my husband found this forum and I’ve been reading like crazy and if we do get something, it’ll be resale!. I do have some very basic questions to figure out if we should even get a timeshare, and I’m not sure exactly how they work so we can’t figure out if it’ll work for us.

So, at a very high level, what is the difference between deeded and RTU through WorldMark (or any others that have deeds vs points)? We’d like to be able to visit outside the US, but we do have some in the states we’d like to visit. Properties in the WorldMark portfolio (and HGVC) are definitely places we’d like to go, we just don’t understand the concept of a deeded property and points only so I don’t know if it would fit how we travel.

Any help would be wonderful! As it is now, I’m just so relieved we didn’t buy anything last week when we were a signature away.

 

[curitiba_tapley]

At a high-level and in general (there are lots of exceptions to these general rules). In the Timeshare world, you can either purchase a DEEDED WEEK or POINTS.

DEEDED WEEKS

• You purchase a specific unit (view) at a specific resort for a specific week of the year
  • In your example, a DEEDED week would ONLY be for the HGVC in Myrtle Beach
• Many DEEDED weeks you can buy that are considered "FLOATING" meaning you can reserve your week within a specific season (or time frame). The seasons are usually listed like Platinum, Gold, Silver, or High, Medium, Low (think Summer, Fall, Winter at Beach locations)
• DEEDED weeks will have Maintenance Fees (MFs) associated with the costs of that RESORT
• DEEDED weeks, depending on the program, can be traded or exchanged for you to stay at other within the Network (e.g, HGVC) resorts (restrictions apply based on what and how you buy)
• DEEDED weeks can be purchased RESALE and are sold here at TUG, Redweek, ebay and other online locations
• Many Timeshare owners like DEEDED weeks when they enjoy going to the same location every single year; or they use the DEEDED week as a TRADER on the Exchanges (RCI or Interval International) to trade into a resort they would like to visit

POINTS

• Most Timeshares only sell POINTS; the POINTS can be used to RESERVE the RESORTS within its NETWORK (e.g., HGVC, Marriot, Club Wyndham)
• Trying to compare the POINT value between Vacation Clubs (HGVC, MVC, Worldmark) isn't easy - each one has a different valuation
• The POINT cost to make a reservation depends on the Location, Unit Size, View, and Season (the bigger the unit, better view, location, and high season = more POINTS)
• POINTS are "created" or are a combination multiple properties, and therefore often POINTS will have higher MFs than DEEDED week (but again, it depends on location)
• POINTS can be used on the Exchanges (RCI or Interval International) to trade into other locations (again, this is very high level)
• POINTS can also be purchased RESALE (again terms and conditions will apply and are different Vacation Club to Vacation Club)
• Timeshare owners like POINTS because it gives flexibility to visit lots of different Resort within the Vacation Club, on a schedule that they like
• The drawback is that the amount of POINTS required to get into RESORTs can be high, first time buyers often don't have enough points to do what they desire.

Good luck as you learn more.

 

[Travelsaurus]

Hi all! I’m so happy to have found this forum! My husband and I were so VERY close to buying an HGVC timeshare on our trip to Myrtle beach last week. After being pressured to buy at the presentation, I told them it was an absolute no without having time to think and they offered to give us until the end of the day. So, while we contemplated, my husband found this forum and I’ve been reading like crazy and if we do get something, it’ll be resale!. I do have some very basic questions to figure out if we should even get a timeshare, and I’m not sure exactly how they work so we can’t figure out if it’ll work for us.

So, at a very high level, what is the difference between deeded and RTU through WorldMark (or any others that have deeds vs points)? We’d like to be able to visit outside the US, but we do have some in the states we’d like to visit. Properties in the WorldMark portfolio (and HGVC) are definitely places we’d like to go, we just don’t understand the concept of a deeded property and points only so I don’t know if it would fit how we travel.

Any help would be wonderful! As it is now, I’m just so relieved we didn’t buy anything last week when we were a signature away.

I’d like to also mention, I do like to stay in 4* hotels or highe

At a high-level and in general (there are lots of exceptions to these general rules). In the Timeshare world, you can either purchase a DEEDED WEEK or POINTS.

DEEDED WEEKS

• You purchase a specific unit (view) at a specific resort for a specific week of the year
  • In your example, a DEEDED week would ONLY be for the HGVC in Myrtle Beach
• Many DEEDED weeks you can buy that are considered "FLOATING" meaning you can reserve your week within a specific season (or time frame). The seasons are usually listed like Platinum, Gold, Silver, or High, Medium, Low (think Summer, Fall, Winter at Beach locations)
• DEEDED weeks will have Maintenance Fees (MFs) associated with the costs of that RESORT
• DEEDED weeks, depending on the program, can be traded or exchanged for you to stay at other within the Network (e.g, HGVC) resorts (restrictions apply based on what and how you buy)
• DEEDED weeks can be purchased RESALE and are sold here at TUG, Redweek, ebay and other online locations
• Many Timeshare owners like DEEDED weeks when they enjoy going to the same location every single year; or they use the DEEDED week as a TRADER on the Exchanges (RCI or Interval International) to trade into a resort they would like to visit

POINTS

• Most Timeshares only sell POINTS; the POINTS can be used to RESERVE the RESORTS within its NETWORK (e.g., HGVC, Marriot, Club Wyndham)
• Trying to compare the POINT value between Vacation Clubs (HGVC, MVC, Worldmark) isn't easy - each one has a different valuation
• The POINT cost to make a reservation depends on the Location, Unit Size, View, and Season (the bigger the unit, better view, location, and high season = more POINTS)
• POINTS are "created" or are a combination multiple properties, and therefore often POINTS will have higher MFs than DEEDED week (but again, it depends on location)
• POINTS can be used on the Exchanges (RCI or Interval International) to trade into other locations (again, this is very high level)
• POINTS can also be purchased RESALE (again terms and conditions will apply and are different Vacation Club to Vacation Club)
• Timeshare owners like POINTS because it gives flexibility to visit lots of different Resort within the Vacation Club, on a schedule that they like
• The drawback is that the amount of POINTS required to get into RESORTs can be high, first time buyers often don't have enough points to do what they desire.

Good luck as you learn more.

Wonderful! Thank you for the reply. From what I'm learning, I'm thinking that renting will be our best way to dip our toes in while I continue to learn.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

what is the difference between deeded and RTU

are you confusing Points to be RTU? I think not, but maybe just terminology, or maybe idk

 

[WaikikiFirst]

strange thing I see is people trying to resale their points without giving a clear statement of what those points will get one. I see it over and over. I even see it when I replied to someone about buying their points. There are a few people who are great at laying it out (same people who are generally great about succinctly getting to "the point") but the vast majority of people seem to assume all the potential buyers have access to the full price list at the system in which they own + access to RCI &/or II. Strange.

 

[jp10558]

HGVC (real legacy HGVC, not HVC / DRI or Bluegreen or Embarc) is often ?always? a deeded week, that they just default to giving you points for. But you can always in the home week booking period of (mostly) 1 year to 276 days from checkout trade in all the points from the week for your home week at the resort and in the unit type you own. Many locations are available to book with points in the club booking window at 276 days though, so many HGVC owners buy the cheapest points and book club booking window only. You basically only need a home week if it's a very in demand location or like NYC because of the "HC" locations having much shorter club booking windows.

Pure points as far as I know don't have a home week you're "basically" guaranteed to be able to book at 1 year or 13 months out (depending on systems, the booking timeframe is different).

The sales pitch you got at HGVC now is intentionally confusing, and likely included DRI (Diamond) and possibly Bluegreen properties which via their internal exchange called Max you could potentially book, but only at 6 months out, so there's likely much less availability for in demand weeks. DRI and Bluegreen are also less luxurious - if you believe HGV, HGVC is 4*, DRI is 3* and Bluegreen is ~2.5*? So given you want 4* you're not going to like the DRI or Bluegreen properties anyway. I'm not sure if there's an easy way to tell what properties are what, because HGV is intentionally making them confusing.

HGVC and Worldmark are both great systems resale, wheras DRI is not and IDK about Bluegreen. I think HGVC is a bit nicer than Worldmarks, but I've only stayed at one of each so far. Worldmarks are mostly West Coast, and better for National Parks. HGVC is Myrtle Beach, Florida, Vegas, Carlsbad CA, and Hawaii with a couple other locations.

 

[Ida Evans]

The key difference between deeded and points-based timeshares is ownership and flexibility. Deeded timeshares involve purchasing a specific property, giving you a fractional ownership interest that you can use annually or transfer/sell. Points-based systems, like WorldMark or HGVC, offer more flexibility by allowing you to use points to book various properties and dates within a network, including international destinations. Points provide more freedom to choose where and when to travel compared to owning a fixed property. If you value flexibility and visiting different locations, points-based timeshares might better suit your travel style.

 

[LannyPC]

I'm thinking that renting will be our best way to dip our toes in while I continue to learn.

That's definitely a good option and recommendation.

Also, just as a clarification, when making opposite contrasts, the opposite of deeded is right-to-use (or RTU). RTU means you do not actually own a deeded property (curitibe_tapley explained above what deeded property is). RTU usually has an expiry date and is usually nothing more that a membership. RTUs are quite common in Mexico. The opposite of points is fixed. Again, points was explained above but fixed means that you own the same week each year and that week usually has a number.

 

[sue1947]

I’d like to also mention, I do like to stay in 4* hotels or highe

Worldmark isn't 4*. HGVC is and I'd add in Marriotts, et al. WM is mostly 3*: clean and comfortable with usually a pool and maybe a small fitness room but nothing fancy and limited activities. Renting will give you a good idea of how the various systems compare. Once you narrow it down to what fits for you, it will be easier to sort out the specifics. Every timeshare system is different with a different set of currency. It can get very confusing very quickly.

Worldmark is pure points. You buy x number of points and spend them on reservations. The number of points needed depends on the resort, season and unit size. Popular spots/times go quickly, as in minutes when the calendar for that time frame opens. You need to be willing to plan a year + in advance. Even then, some places are very difficult to reserve. Yellowstone, for instance, is very difficult to book for any stay when the roads are open (May-Sept). Every sales center has a photo of Depoe Bay on the wall and it books up quickly even for the lowest of low demand weeks.
The advantage to a fixed week is that you know you can get that week. Or you know you have that week (and what it's trading value is) to trade if you decide to exchange. If you want a school holiday week at a popular spot (ski week Christmas week or summer at the beach, etc) a fixed week is a good option.

 

[TUGBrian]

so very happy you found TUG before buying a Timeshare!

hope you enjoy years of wonderful vacations with the money you just saved!

 

[rickandcindy23]

I agree that WorldMark is not 4 or 5*, but Hilton absolutely is, which is why you loved it and wanted to buy. I am actually worried that our son is going to be disappointed in WorldMark West Yellowstone next summer because he is a 4-5* guy, but I like WorldMark resorts and have stayed in several. WorldMark has resorts in areas no one else has. Maybe buy a little bit of both?

With a clean slate, if only I could get back to that, I would buy Hilton points, probably still some WorldMark, and a couple of Marriott deeded platinum weeks to use in II for exchange. Marriott does have points, and you can get into the points for about half the cost of buying direct (maybe 1/3), but to me, weeks work fine, and there are always Getaways in II.

Where do you want to travel? That is key.

 

[Snazzylass]

I have Deeded Floating. I can book as soon as I pay my MF. I usually get that bill in Nov. Booking early is key as I am not really guaranteed my time.