Exactly - we purchased our first TS (way before AirBnB) with intent to exchange into other fabulous locations using II. They have rarely, rarely disapointed us since we have been fortunate to be 1) flexible and 2) able to plan far in advance. I think without these two, ownership likely would not have worked out for us the way it has over the years.
Most view a points system as more flexible. Flexibility can take many forms but to an extent, I would agree that a points system can be more flexible by removing seasonal restrictions and the limitation of full week stays. That flexibility comes with a cost even without the enrollment realities. My view is that a points system often isn't as flexible as it seems on the surface but it depends on how you use it.
We are chairman benefit level with Marriott and also have a Vacation Villages in the Berkshire week that has a low maintenance fee. I have been using Third Home this past year. I have traded 1 week of Vacation Villages and 1 Marriott week to get 2 weeks of upscale vacation homes. Third Home also gives us a discounted bonus week at another of their homes as soon as they have my deposited week taken. We also get 5 Bonvoy nights a year through credit cards and with Titanium bonuses accumulate a fair amount of Bonvoy Points throughout the year. I just paid about $13000 in total maintenance fees to boost Bonvoy by 6X on the credit card. We also bought another 300,000 Bonvoy Points at their special bonus offer on the Bonvoy credit card, bringing the cost per Bonvoy Point down to about 9/10ths of a penny each. We book Marriott vacation club time in under 60 days to get the 30% discount to stretch our usage, about half the time. Makes our 15000 Vacation Club points yield the equivalent of closer to 18000. We did a Ritz Carlton Yacht cruise in January and used cash for our best trip ever ! Asked and received a cabin upgrade once on board , much to our astonishment since it was far from full in one of their first voyages ! Seriously doubt that will happen ever again . Right place at the right time . Semi retired, so we can travel 6 to 8 weeks a year as a couple / with extended family and friends . Have tried about 45 of the Marriotts / Ritz Residences at least once in 28 years as an Owner. Next year, we strung 4 weeks over 7 locations around a 2 week Asia cruise with Regent. (4 Marriott Bonvoy Hotels, Istanbul/Koh Samui/Tokyo/Arizona , 4 Marriott Vacation Clubs - Bali /Bangkok / Las Vegas / Scottsdale) Gonna need a house sitter LOL
So this is the second reference to ThirdHome. I don't own Marriott, I own HGVC and Wyndham. I looked at the ThirdHome site and it's not clear to me - how do you all trade via these other exchanges when (maybe VV/Marriot is different) the management company only does RCI? I think I can rent the HGVC if I do homeweek, but otherwise not, and I don't exactly have a home week with Wyndham, just a UDI at a specific resort.
Does it cost money to join Third Homa? If so how much? Is there a way to see what's in their database and how many keys before establishing an account?
I think they quote an initiation fee of $2,995 but waive it if you make a deposit when you set up the account. Everyone I know that has had an account set up has had it waived.
Royal sold to Holiday Inn? We’ve rented Royals in the past. I always thought they had the best deal going. Royal was a really classy organization . I hope HI doesn’t ruin it.
I really hope they don’t either. It was announced in May- total surprise. We own fixed weeks in a fixed villa so no changes. There seem to be changes for points owners. I have no desire to go to HI properties.
I also offer the Third Home member that reserves my week, an extra night. This is an opportunity to defray my maintenance fee and $295 Third Home Annual dues. For example, a 1 night prime booking cost me 425 Destination Points and I asked $475 for the night, which is far less than Marriott's retail price at a time the resort is close to selling out. I would 'mark up' a weekend night less, but I find the weekday nights to be a bit of a bargain.
We own Marriott, Vistana, Wyndham VIP, Westgate and RCI points.
How did you rent it? Did you use Redweek?
Im looking into planning an epic trip to Asia as well, using Bonvoy, MVC, and cash. Have to look into what our DRI/HVC gets us. It's at least 2 yrs off, so we have time. Yes, the house is another consideration being gone that long
That sounds amazing ! Regent Seven Seas has an in with the airlines, so we saved a lot of money on Business Class Air. We paid a substantial up charge for layovers in 4 cities, but still ended up saving a lot . We did it in a way that we just have 1 long flight at a time. We didn’t want any 20 hour travel days.Im looking into planning an epic trip to Asia as well, using Bonvoy, MVC, and cash. Have to look into what our DRI/HVC gets us. It's at least 2 yrs off, so we have time. Yes, the house is another consideration being gone that long
Hi. I don't know much about point systems, I just own deeded weeks. Sounds like HGV Paradise has a good point value for HI and NYC? What places in NYC and HI can you get using your Hilton points? How many points is your Hilton worth and how many do you need for HI and NYC? I always heard that MF for points are expensive, how much are your MF? Thank you.
Take a look at the HGVC forum in the threads pinned at the top. People have been posting their current maintenance fees so you can get an idea of what the different properties pay. You are paying for a specific unit size, resort and season, so they will have different points available with the platinum weeks having the largest number of points (and larger units being worth more than smaller). There are units with lower MF than mine (which was $1,339.43 this year).
