12500 points or $125 Experience Dollars
 

Staying at the Marriott in St. Thomas. They offer 12500 marriott points or $125 at local restaurants and shops for a 90 minute timeshare presentation. New member to Marriott rewards. What would you all choose?

Personally, I'd take the points, but if you're going to spend the money anyway, the money might be a decent way to go. I remember once before, someone said that they consider 1 point to be roughly equal to 1 cent, and it's certainly a good deal compared to some of the merchandise offers that require far more than 1 point for 1 cent of value.

I would go with the points, Unless you were planning on buying things at those stores listed anyway or eating at the places listed.

Had the same choices at a Hil TS and knew that I could do much better price wise for the things I wanted at places that werent listed as where I could use the Credit.

The points are enough for a Cat2 free night alone, that may or may not be worth more then $125

If you can use it, probably should take the restaurant and shop scrip, unless you are accumulating points for a travel package; generally the only reward that can arguably be considered worth more than $.01 per point.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think we would easily use it at local restaurants over our stay. I think we will go for the bucks.

go for the points...then you're like 1/8th of the way to another free 6 nights....

Neither.

They need to be paying you a heckuva lot more than that for a 90 minute timeshare tour. I've done one for 20,000 points and one for $225 in Marriott Cheques.

Wait until you get there to commit. See if they up the ante. If you are already there, ask 'em if there are other options - can they do better?

Worst case - if they won't up the ante and you actually want to look at Marriott's timeshares, take a close look at the $125 certificate. Make sure it's 100% no-bull "cash" to use at places you really want to go. In general, I wouldn't buy Marriott points for a penny apiece - I value them at about that, when I redeem them, but I wouldn't buy them at that, as it sounds like you might have a choice to do. It would all depend on the fine print on the $125.