Originally Posted by toomanybooks

First of all, hello from a fellow DVC owner. Most people on FT slam timeshares, but it has worked out beautifully for us. You do have to know what you are doing.

Also, SPG points are easily worth way more than Marriott points. Matter of opinion of course, but I'd say maybe 100% more.

You sound like a prime candidate for a Marriott Travel Package. 270K Marriott points gets you 120K airline miles/points and a week in a Marriott cat. 5 or lower. Add 30K for each step to cat. 6, 7, and 8.

If you do that, consider using Southwest as the airline. WN points are worth 1.67 cents each, flat, toward their economy fares (so $2000 for the 120K), but you'd get as a bonus a Companion Pass so that every time you flew WN for up to 2 years (transfer today, good through 12/31/14), you could take a specific person free, unlimited. Best deal in the air, IMO, potentially worth thousands.