If you’re asking, ‘how many Marriott Vacation Club points to buy,’ the answer starts with understanding your travel aspirations, your lifestyle, and your budget. Our no-nonsense guide educates you about every factor to consider, such as travel frequency, preferred resorts, and desired membership benefits – that directly impact your points purchase.
Get ready to demystify your decision-making criteria, and gain clarity on the amount of Marriott Vacation Cub points (also known as Abound Club Points) you’ll need to enable your vacation goals. By becoming as educated as possible, we believe you’ll embark on a truly enjoyable Marriott Vacation Club journey, so read on if you’d like to gain an expert mental model for deciding how many Marriott Vacation Club points you’ll need.
- Marriott Vacation Club Points are a highly flexible timeshare option allowing for diverse vacation experiences including resort stays, cruises, tours, and hotel exchanges, with the ability to bank or borrow points for different travel needs.
- Purchasing the perfect number of Marriott Vacation Club points requires education and careful consideration, taking into account travel frequency, seasonality, and resort preferences which influence the number of points needed for bookings.
- Marriott Vacation Club offers various membership levels that offer additional benefits for owners with a larger number of annual points.
- Ultimately, the number of points you purchase will be determined by your budget, so understanding the costs of purchasing Marriott Vacation Club points, including the initial purchase price (which can be 50% less on the resale market) and annual maintenance fees is an important factor for selecting the right number of points for you.
- Reviewing the Marriott Vacation Club points charts can give prospective buyers insight for how many points they will need to purchase to book their desired vacations each year.
Table of Contents
Marriott Vacation Club Points, also known as Abound Club Points, are the heart of one of the most flexible timeshare programs available today. With over 80 luxurious resort options across the globe, Marriott Vacation Club points are your ticket to diverse vacation opportunities. As a Marriott Vacation Club owner, you receive an annual allotment of points that can be redeemed for various vacation experiences including:
- resort stays
- cruises
- tours
- exchanges with other timeshare resorts
This flexibility is further enhanced by the Abound Program which allows Club Points to be the vacation currency, broadening the possibilities within the Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton resort portfolios.
How Points Work
The initial purchase price for Marriott Vacation Club ownership includes an allotment of annual Abound Club Points which can be redeemed at the Marriott Vacation Club resorts and Vistana Signature Experience (Westin and Sheraton) resorts. Each year, these points are replenished at the beginning of your Use Year, providing members with a new set of points to use for vacation planning each year.
Not planning to travel this year? You have the flexibility to bank unused Abound Club Points for the following year, allowing for extended vacation options or reservation in more sought-after properties in upcoming cycles.
Need more points for a larger vacation? You can also borrow points from the subsequent year’s allocation to enhance your current year’s vacation planning.
With the flexibility that banking and borrowing affords owners, you won’t have to worry if your demand for points adjusts throughout your years of ownership.
Abound Club Points vs. Bonvoy Points
While Marriott Vacation Club Points are purchased as part of an annual contract and can be redeemed at many different Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton timeshare properties, Marriott Bonvoy points can be earned and redeemed at Marriott hotels. As a Marriott Vacation Club member, you have the option to convert a percentage of your Vacation Club Points to Marriott Bonvoy Points annually, with the percentage varying by membership level. This offers additional flexibility and access to a wider selection of vacation options.
Whether you’re an executive-level member who can convert up to 65% of your Vacation Club Points into Marriott Bonvoy points each year, or a top-tier member who can trade 75% of their points for Marriott Bonvoy Points annually, the possibilities are vast and varied.
Learn Everything There is to Know About Marriott Vacation Club Points
If you’d like to dive deeper, and learn more about how Marriott Abound Club Points work, how to use them, & what unique benefits are offered by this flexible points-based ownership check out our in-depth guide here: How Marriott Vacation Club Abound Points Work: A Comprehensive Guide.
Every traveler is unique, and so are their vacation needs and preferences. When considering Marriott Vacation Club membership, it’s important to reflect on your travel preferences, such as the desire for unique experiences or specific Marriott Vacation Club destinations. If you’re someone who likes to experience a different resort each year, and don’t want to be restricted to traveling during a specific time of the year, Marriott Vacation Club could be a great fit for you.
Frequency of Travel
Another key factor to consider is your vacation frequency. The frequency of travel directly influences the number of Marriott Vacation Club points an owner needs.
So, if your idea of the perfect year includes multiple vacations, be prepared to budget for a higher number of points.
Resort Preferences
Aruba Surf Club
Newport Coast Villas
Waiohai Beach Club
Playa Andaluza
Marriott Vacation Club points, also referred to as Abound Club Points, open doors to a wide variety of property experiences, from family vacations to luxury retreats. Your resort preferences can have a significant impact on the number of points you need. For instance, point requirements may vary among nearby Marriott Vacation Club resorts, providing opportunities to economize on points if travelers are flexible with their exact location.
Villa Type Preferences
Timeshare resorts that offer larger accommodations with additional amenities such as multiple living areas and kitchens can require more points to book. Even the type of view you prefer can influence the number of points used for a stay. Choosing a unit with a more economical view, like a mountain view instead of an oceanfront, can significantly reduce the number of points utilized for a stay.
Seasonal Flexibility
Traveling during off-peak or shoulder seasons can save points. Off-peak travel may offer more value for points used, as demand is lower compared to peak seasons. Booking during the shoulder season, which is the period between peak and off-peak seasons, can result in considerable points savings compared to peak season bookings.
So, if you have the flexibility to travel outside peak seasons, your points could stretch much further.
Marriott Vacation Club Points Charts
Reviewing the Marriott Vacation Club points charts can help prospective owners gain more insight about exactly how many points they will need each year to book their desired vacations. The number of points required for reservations are determined by:
- The travel period (calendar date of travel)
- The resort
- Unit size
- View type
Hence, a detailed look at the points charts can be highly beneficial in planning your Marriott Vacation Club membership.
Marriott Vacation Club membership levels are based on the number of points purchased. Each membership level affords additional member benefits. As Marriott Vacation Club members acquire more points, their member benefits grow, providing greater flexibility and longer booking windows for vacation planning. Understanding how Marriott Vacation Club works can help members make an informed decision about the number of points they wish to purchase, based on the membership benefits that are offered at their chosen number of points.
| Benefit Level | Annual Vacation Club Points |
|---|---|
| Owner | Up to 3,999 |
| Select | 4,000 to 6,999 |
| Executive | 7,000 to 9,999 |
| Presidential | 10,000 to 14,999 |
| Chairman’s Club | 15,000 or more |
Owner
up to 3,999 Vacation Club Points
Select
4,000 – 6,999 Vacation Club Points
Executive
7,000 – 9,999 Vacation Club Points
Presidential
10,000 – 14,999 Vacation Club Points
Chairman’s Club
15,000+ Vacation Club Points
The cost of Marriott Vacation Club ownership can vary based on the vacation budget and the type of ownership acquired, whether resale or retail. The starting cost for acquiring Marriott Vacation Club Points is approximately $25,000 (about $16.50 per point), which covers an initial purchase price when buying directly from Marriott. On average, $25,000 would grant a new owner around 1,500 Vacation Club Points when purchasing directly from Marriott.
However, on the resale market, buyers can purchase the same points, with all the same benefits and usage rights, for over 50% when including all transfer and closing costs.
Initial Purchase Price
The initial purchase price is a crucial factor to consider when becoming a Marriott Vacation Club member. The starting price for a Vacation Club Points package from Marriott Vacation Club is approximately $25,000 when buying retail from Marriott directly, but can start as low as $10,000 on the resale market for the same number of points.
Annual Maintenance Fees and Club Dues
Beyond the initial purchase price, annual maintenance fees are required for all Marriott Vacation Club owners. These fees contribute to the property’s operating costs, landscaping, updates, and a replacement reserve.
For Marriott Vacation Club points owners, the annual maintenance cost is based on a single flat rate per point. As of 2024, the Abound maintenance fees have been set to $0.78748 per annual point. Maintenance fees include a ‘replacement reserve’, which is funding set aside for future resort improvements.
The annual club dues for members pay for services such as:
- Membership to the Interval International exchange company
- Housekeeping
- Banking and borrowing of points
- Fees for additional services like converting to Bonvoy Points.
Buying Marriott Vacation Club timeshares on the resale market can offer savings of up to 50-60% for Abound Club Points and up to 80% for Legacy Weeks when compared to direct purchases. Purchasing on the resale market provides the convenience of searching thousands of listings from home without attending a timeshare presentation.
The closing process for buying Marriott timeshare points on the resale market with any reputable broker involves a third-party closing company that secures deposits in escrow and facilitates ownership transfer with Marriott.
Resale Market Advantages
The resale market offers significant advantages for those looking to become Marriott Vacation Club members. Purchasers can achieve substantial savings through the resale market, with Marriott points sometimes costing up to 50-60% less than the original price, offering great value even when including transfer and closing costs. Members who buy Marriott Vacation Club Abound Club Points on the resale market receive identical benefits as those buying directly from Marriott, with no loss in membership privileges.
Owners can add to their vacation ownership through the secondary market, which often allows for the acquisition of additional weeks or points at a lower cost than initial purchase prices. The resale market also typically features reduced sales pressure, providing a more relaxed purchasing experience for potential buyers.
Navigating the Resale Process
Navigating the resale process involves a few key steps. First, it’s crucial to select a reputable Marriott Vacation Club timeshare broker when shopping on the resale market to find listings that align with your travel desires.
Making an informed offer includes consulting with a licensed broker for a market analysis to determine a competitive yet fair price for the timeshare resale. Having an experienced broker is crucial, especially to smoothly navigate Marriott’s right of first refusal during the resale process, with a licensed agent overseeing and guiding through each step.
Marriott Vacation Club members have the flexibility to add Vacation Club Points at any time, facilitating adjustments to life’s changing circumstances or the pursuit of higher Owner benefit levels. Whether you’re planning for a growing family, dreaming of more luxurious vacations, or eyeing a higher membership level, adding or adjusting points can make it possible.
Adding Points
Vacation Club Points can be purchased at any time to accommodate an owner’s evolving lifestyle and vacation needs. Adding points can lead to a higher membership level within the Marriott Vacation Club, which offers elevated benefits and additional perks.
Owners can purchase additional Marriott Vacation Club points to increase the amount of points they receive each year. With a larger annual allotment of points, owners gain increased flexibility in choosing different vacation destinations and experiences.
Adjusting For Varying Point Demands Each Year
Marriott Vacation Club offers considerable flexibility through its banking and borrowing system. Owners can:
- Bank unused points for use in the next year, which is especially helpful for planning larger vacations down the road or when travel plans are uncertain.
- Banking rules stipulate that points must be banked 4 to 6 months before the end of the current use year, with Owner-level members having a deadline of 6 months prior to year’s end.
- Banked points must be utilized in the following year and cannot be banked again, borrowed back, or transferred to another owner, encouraging strategic vacation planning.
Owners can also borrow points from the forthcoming year to enhance their current travel plans, enabling them to book more luxurious properties or extended stays.
Summary
We’ve come a long way in understanding Marriott Vacation Club Points and how they can unlock diverse and flexible vacation experiences. From understanding how the points work, assessing personal vacation needs, exploring various membership levels, considering the costs, looking into the resale market, to adding or adjusting points, we’ve covered a lot of ground.
If you have any remaining questions regarding how many Marriott Vacation Club Points you may need for your particular situation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of Licensed Real Estate agents have many years of experience with this particular timeshare product, and are always happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I sell Marriott Vacation Club points for?
You can sell Marriott Vacation Club points for about $2-3 per point on average, which makes it incredibly important for prospective buyers to understand the instant depreciation that comes with purchasing Marriott points from the developer at retail pricing.
Can you buy additional Marriott Vacation Club points in the future?
Yes, you can buy extra Marriott Vacation Club points to expand your vacation portfolio and access elevated Owner benefits.
What is Marriott’s Destinations Club?
Marriott’s Destinations Club was the name for Marriott’s points-based timeshare ownership program prior to the program being integrated with Westin and Sheraton resorts and rebranded to Abound.
How are the benefits in Marriott’s Abound Program determined?
The benefits in Marriott’s Abound Program are determined by the membership level, which is based on the number of annual points purchased. These points dictate the level of benefits and privileges available to the member.
