Thanks for saving me $26k!

[nashvillain]

I almost bought a Marriott timeshare (signed the $26k contract for 2k points then rescinded) on my last ski trip because:

1. We've been traveling on timeshare trips for a few years now (one of my college besties families has one that we've used for Breckenridge, Tahoe, Park City Summit Watch and Mountainside) and the Marriott locations are phenomenal. We don't get access to the timeshare as much now that his siblings figured it out and take turns
2. We supplemented those trips with marketing packages - between the two of us we used 5 marketing pitch stays (all in Park City)
3. It sounded like a good offer - $1400 off because I stayed at a Marriott the previous weekend, other incentives, etc. I could see how it'd eventually pay for itself.
4. The promise of being able to use points on Bonvoy hotels at $2 per point seemed like an easy way to get more value than the maintenance fees.
5. The getaway weeks were very cheap.

But I ultimately rescinded because I realized that planning ski trips would be challenging because of limited inventory, not enough points for certain locales, needing to book a week far in advance, etc. Ski trips are expensive, and being slope side is such a huge perk as I get older - and those hotels are not cheap (I always book 5 nights with points and get the fifth night free).

I think timeshares can have value for me in this particular use case because ski trips are not cheap, and they're where most of my vacations / travel spending happens. Being slope side is a huge perk, and those hotels are pricey (even when paying with hotel points). So I am still open to buying a fixed week (I don't think points are worth it) in a ski town to give myself that option, but I'm not sure that's worth it given the ever increasing maintenance fees?

I'm 41, make $300k+ a year (from base, bonus, and stock) but live in a HCOL area (SF), am planning on a kid in 2026, so I think I'll just keep an eye on redweek until the right week comes up at the right price.

This forum kept me from purchasing the first two times, and helped me see the light the third time around when I almost made a mistake.

PS - rescinding by email was painless and within two weeks my deposit was refunded!

 

[vacationtime1]

Well done.

You may wish to consider a resale week in Park City (either Summit Watch or Mountainside as you prefer); weeks are much cheaper than Abound points, both upfront cost and MF's. With the Sundance Festival leaving PC, there may be many units offered for sale in the near future. Take your time; resale prices are going down generally, and I think they will drop considerably in PC.

 

[davidvel]

I almost bought a Marriott timeshare (signed the $26k contract for 2k points then rescinded) on my last ski trip because:

1. We've been traveling on timeshare trips for a few years now (one of my college besties families has one that we've used for Breckenridge, Tahoe, Park City Summit Watch and Mountainside) and the Marriott locations are phenomenal. We don't get access to the timeshare as much now that his siblings figured it out and take turns
2. We supplemented those trips with marketing packages - between the two of us we used 5 marketing pitch stays (all in Park City)
3. It sounded like a good offer - $1400 off because I stayed at a Marriott the previous weekend, other incentives, etc. I could see how it'd eventually pay for itself.
4. The promise of being able to use points on Bonvoy hotels at $2 per point seemed like an easy way to get more value than the maintenance fees.
5. The getaway weeks were very cheap.

But I ultimately rescinded because I realized that planning ski trips would be challenging because of limited inventory, not enough points for certain locales, needing to book a week far in advance, etc. Ski trips are expensive, and being slope side is such a huge perk as I get older - and those hotels are not cheap (I always book 5 nights with points and get the fifth night free).

I think timeshares can have value for me in this particular use case because ski trips are not cheap, and they're where most of my vacations / travel spending happens. Being slope side is a huge perk, and those hotels are pricey (even when paying with hotel points). So I am still open to buying a fixed week (I don't think points are worth it) in a ski town to give myself that option, but I'm not sure that's worth it given the ever increasing maintenance fees?

I'm 41, make $300k+ a year (from base, bonus, and stock) but live in a HCOL area (SF), am planning on a kid in 2026, so I think I'll just keep an eye on redweek until the right week comes up at the right price.

This forum kept me from purchasing the first two times, and helped me see the light the third time around when I almost made a mistake.

PS - rescinding by email was painless and within two weeks my deposit was refunded!

They told you you could get a credit on hotel stays at $2 per Abound point? They didn't even go that far in our pitch a few weeks ago at Mountainside (MOU). How could they offer that when MF/pt are "only" 83 cents?

Congrats on rescinding. I'd look at a Marriott week either at MOU or a good trader. We trade into Tahoe and MOU almost every year for 1st week of Jan and spring break, using a mid level Marriott trader. They are ideal to trade into through II as there are no view designations.

 

[claraj]

@nashvillain I use my timeshare for ski trips during the last 2 seasons for all the reasons you've mentioned. I've stayed at Marriott MountainValley Lodge (Breckenridge), Mountainside (Park City), and Westin Riverfront (Beaver Creek-not slopeside but have access to a gondola to the slopes) which are all pretty much slopeside. I've also stayed at Sheraton Mountain Vista (Beaver Creek) and Marriott Streamside (Vail) which are not slopeside. I plan my trips (3 per year) a year in advance. There is value considering how expensive slopeside is during ski season.

 

[goodbadugly]

Well done.

You may wish to consider a resale week in Park City (either Summit Watch or Mountainside as you prefer); weeks are much cheaper than Abound points, both upfront cost and MF's. With the Sundance Festival leaving PC, there may be many units offered for sale in the near future. Take your time; resale prices are going down generally, and I think they will drop considerably in PC.

Very good advice!

 

[nashvillain]

They told you you could get a credit on hotel stays at $2 per Abound point? They didn't even go that far in our pitch a few weeks ago at Mountainside (MOU). How could they offer that when MF/pt are "only" 83 cents?

Congrats on rescinding. I'd look at a Marriott week either at MOU or a good trader. We trade into Tahoe and MOU almost every year for 1st week of Jan and spring break, using a mid level Marriott trader. They are ideal to trade into through II as there are no view designations.

They told me that an Abound point was expected to be worth ~ $2 when used for Marriott hotel, and I interpreted that as the floor for the value. For example, if the Springhill Suites in Truckee was $300 per night it'd probably be 150 Abound points/night.

Of course, they also told me on the first timeshare pitch 3 years ago that points would be able to used for hotels (which is still just a few months away!).

 

[TolmiePeak]

I would also explore buying a resale contract for HGVC Valdoro Mountain Lodge.

 

[dioxide45]

They told me that an Abound point was expected to be worth ~ $2 when used for Marriott hotel, and I interpreted that as the floor for the value. For example, if the Springhill Suites in Truckee was $300 per night it'd probably be 150 Abound points/night.

Of course, they also told me on the first timeshare pitch 3 years ago that points would be able to used for hotels (which is still just a few months away!).

The problem is when such a program doesn't materialize, you are now outside your rescission window and what they verbally told you is meaningless.

 

[Fasttr]

They told me that an Abound point was expected to be worth ~ $2 when used for Marriott hotel, and I interpreted that as the floor for the value. For example, if the Springhill Suites in Truckee was $300 per night it'd probably be 150 Abound points/night.

Of course, they also told me on the first timeshare pitch 3 years ago that points would be able to used for hotels (which is still just a few months away!).

Let’s look at it this way. The conversion from Abound points to Bonvoy points is 1:40. According to The Points Guy’s valuation, 1 Bonvoy is worth $0.007. So 1 Abound = 40 Bonvoy = $0.28. So, if 28 cents is the current value of the conversion to Bonvoy, why would they make the conversion to booking Marriott hotels directly be worth $2 per point.

 

[WorldT]

Let’s look at it this way. The conversion from Abound points to Bonvoy points is 1:40. According to The Points Guy’s valuation, 1 Bonvoy is worth $0.007. So 1 Abound = 40 Bonvoy = $0.28. So, if 28 cents is the current value of the conversion to Bonvoy, why would they make the conversion to booking Marriott hotels directly be worth $2 per point.

They sell it to those who do not know as multiple ways to use your points. Once you want to make a reservation and you compare it to the cash price, the higher price tag of using points will hit you. By then you will be outside your recession period.

 

[vacationtime1]

They told me that an Abound point was expected to be worth ~ $2 when used for Marriott hotel, and I interpreted that as the floor for the value. For example, if the Springhill Suites in Truckee was $300 per night it'd probably be 150 Abound points/night.

Of course, they also told me on the first timeshare pitch 3 years ago that points would be able to used for hotels (which is still just a few months away!).

They lied to you -- twice.

If it's not in writing, it's not part of the contract and you cannot rely on it.

 

[geist1223]

Never ever buy timeshare (either new or additional) based upon some program that will start at a later time. It may never happen or the options/parameters will likely be different than what was described by a Salesperson. Salesperson have nothing to do with starting new programs. They are only in existence to try and figure out a way to separate you from your money. In more than 22 years of being involved with timeshares only ONCE has a salesperson actually admitted that while they had been told there was going to be a rollout of a new program they really had no idea what it options/parameters were going to be.

In fact do not completely trust a Salesperson's description of a current program.