My first Marriott purchase was MMC direct, with a 'world trip' in points and I think it was $14,900. After one stay there, I was so impressed I put equal amount into MAR stock. Less than a year later I bought MBP for a little more and also put an equal amount into MAR stock...and also got about 350,000 points for that one.
Thus a pattern was set ... for each of my 6 Marriott weeks I bought equal amounts of MAR stock and had a few million points to enjoy incredibly expensive trips.
It was a hedge I guess against the falling value of a TS direct purchase, but the points program offset that in my mind. But it really was that I had the money, manage my own investment and retirement plans, and liked Marriott as a company. My last purchase was 2002 and my last purchase of MAR stock was back then too ... if you do a rough calculation as to dollars invested in MAR stock and the TS properties I am so far ahead that it's laughable.
Buying a TS is an investment in a vacation lifestyle ... not an investment on which you can expect to make money, but sometimes it does happen. Those original buyers in GO and NCV have doubled their money on the resale market prices and also got world trips to enjoy too. Most of my TS are almost back to my direct purchase price on the resale values but that took time...but provided a lot of enjoyment and fun in playing the use & points programs.
The MAR stock is a little down now - depending on the US economy predicitions the hospitality market might suffer a bit on the short term but, if you're patient, as the industry goes so goes Marriott at the top of the heap. Hate em or love em, Marriott is a very well run company.
Brian
