Originally Posted by
jerseyfinn
Yeah, I know what you mean. Initially there's a lot of things thrown at you when one purchases MVC. The learning curve isn't terrible, but it takes a while to see how it's all put together. As you suggest, just when you think you've got it all down, you can always pick up a new insight. I guess that's another strength of the MVC program as owners teach and share with each other.
As you know, there's a lot of opinions on TUG about points. For me, the key to deciding whether to employ a points strategy depends upon what your MF is. There does come a point at which it may be better to purchase points straight off from Marriott. There's no rock hard number, but I myself estimate that if MFs exceed $1100, one might want to think twice before using a points strategy. But note that I only say look closely before deciding as there's no firm line (though one does exist in each owners mind ).
To a MVC owner, the 1.2 cent per MRP is a
relative value . For a MVC owner,
how you utilize the points with the MF it costs you is the real measure of what the points cost. It gets tricky here to produce a real figure until you determine what you do with FF miles and hotel certificate ( I assume redeeming for a travel package).
OTOH, if one needs the points for a very special trip ( like setting the kids up with a honeymoon trip etc.), then trading for the points is not completely a matter logic as much as it is an aesthetic thing, and as we know, there is no arguing over aesthetics. MVC ownership grants you this possibility if you so choose.
You're in an interesting position if you've got an option to acquire MRP with your first two year MF. I can understand your doubt about the cost. Ponder what you might do with the points and see if you feel it's worth it. If not, it costs you nothing to wait for first occupancy ( though given how beautiful the Marco Is resort will be, I bet the time will go too slowly
).
Barry
Thanks Barry,
Thanks for that analysis. It was very helpful and informative for me since, as a re-sale buyer, I have never had to make a point decision. For those who don't know this, or who do not own a Marriott timeshare, Marriott only gives reward points in lieu of weeks at your home resort, for timeshare weeks purchased directly from them. When we go to sales presentations,
and if anyone would like to go on one let me know, they always talk points like they are the end all- be all of their vacation ownership packages. For some folks points work and for others they don't. For me I am just learning. Yes, the time will go by slowly until we get into that new resort.
I've read over on Tug that Marriott points are difficult to use. Have you ever used them to take a vacation? When I get all my incentive points together I will probably have close to 300K Marriott Rewards points. Add them to the vacations I hope they will allow me to take for the two non use years and I will be able to stay two weeks each year in a very nice place. This is all a pipe dream of mine since we don't really know our point total at this point and also because I am not sure I will be able to work them to my advantage like that. There's a guy over on Tug, Powershift, who does remarkably well with his points but he is the first to admit that he works at it. I suppose I work hard at finding the best exchanges so this can be one more exercise for me.
Marriott Rewards Points still remain a mystery to me. I hope someone who has had sucess trading points for vacations will get back to me. Maybe I'll start a new thread if nobody answers me here.
Thanks again,
Marylyn