Marriott Vacations Worldwide has announced an upcoming feature that will expand the ways Abound by Marriott Vacation Club members can utilize their vacation ownership points. Starting this summer, Abound members will gain the ability to book stays at nearly any Marriott hotel worldwide, directly redeeming their points. With Marriott operating over 9,000 hotels across the globe, this update introduces a significant increase in flexibility for Abound members.
This article will explore this development, its potential implications, and how it aligns with Marriott’s existing points redemption options.
What Was Announced?
During the Q1 2025 earnings call, Marriott Vacations Worldwide CEO John Geller shared that members of the Abound program will soon be able to use vacation ownership points to book stays directly at thousands of Marriott hotels worldwide.
And this summer, we plan to launch the ability for our Marriott branded owners to seamlessly book directly into nearly any of Marriott’s 9,000-plus hotels around the world using their vacation ownership points.
John Geller, CEO of Marriott Vacations WorldwideThis development is expected to deliver added flexibility for members who may be looking to expand their travel choices beyond traditional timeshare properties.
While specific details, such as the exchange rate between Abound Club Points and hotel stays, have not yet been fully released, the announcement has already begun speculation as to how Marriott Vacations Worldwide will implement this new feature.
Existing Hotel Redemption Options for Abound Points
Abound members already have the option to convert their points into Bonvoy points for use within Marriott International’s hotel network. However, the conversion rate for Abound Club points to Bonvoy points is often seen as less favorable compared to other ways of using points, and there are some additional restrictions to be aware of.
| Marriott Vacation Club Points | Bonvoy Points | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 |
Restrictions on Point Conversions
Currently, there are limits on the percentage of points that Abound members are allowed to convert annually. The restrictions depend on the membership level, as follows:
| Membership Level | Percentage of Marriott Vacation Club Points |
|---|---|
| Chairman’s Club | 75% |
| Executive and Presidential | 65% |
| Owners and Select | 50% |
Initial Exchange Minimum
The initial exchange each year must be at least 250 Marriott Vacation Club Points, increments of 5 Marriott Vacation Club Points are allowed thereafter.
Bonvoy Points Exchange Deadlines
Additionally, point conversions must be requested at least nine months before the end of the owner’s use year. You can learn much more about how Use Year works with Marriott points by reading our article: Marriott Vacation Club Use Year: Everything You Need To Know.
These restrictions have limited the flexibility and appeal of using Abound points for hotel stays in the past.
How the New Initiative Could Improve Points Redemption
The soon-to-be-launched ability to book Marriott hotels directly with Abound points not only provides convenience but also presents opportunities for potential improvements in the system. While the specific details are not yet clear, this initiative could address some of the restrictions owners currently have with the existing Bonvoy conversion option.
Possible Changes
- Eased Restrictions
This new feature could eliminate or reduce the percentage cap on the number of points that members are allowed to use for hotel bookings each year, granting greater flexibility. - Improved Exchange Rates
The conversion value of points in the new system may offer a better cost-to-value ratio compared to the Bonvoy point conversion rates, making hotel bookings a more attractive use of points. - Adjusted Deadlines
The new initiative might also introduce more flexible timelines for using points, removing the need for advanced conversion requests and allowing for more spontaneous bookings throughout the year.
Considerations Before Utilizing Abound Club Points for Hotel Reservations
While this development enhances points usability, members should carefully weigh a few factors to make informed decisions.
Exchange Rate Evaluation
Understanding how Abound Club Points will translate into hotel stays is important when deciding whether to utilize this option. It’s important to run a calculation to compare the cost in maintenance fees to the cash price of booking the hotel. Currently, Abound members pay approximately 81.5 cents per point in annual maintenance fees.
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Per Annual Point | $0.78748 / Point | $0.81480 / Point |
| Per Beneficial Interest (BI) | $196.87 / BI | $203.70 / BI |
The number of Abound Club Points it will take to book your desired hotel reservation should be equated to the dollar amount you’ve paid to receive those points to determine the overall value of the transaction. This figure can then be compared to the cost of booking the hotel with cash.
Comparing Alternatives
After calculating the cash cost of booking the hotel reservation in question, owners may find better value booking a highly desirable week, then renting their reservation so they can use the proceeds of the rental to book their hotel reservation. Evaluating different options will help determine the ideal use for their points.
Also, there are already a handful of Marriott timeshare properties that are co-located next to hotels that give owners access to additional hotel-style amenities, check out our article here for more information: Explore These Marriott Timeshare Resorts That Offer Nearby Hotel Amenities.
Closing Thoughts
This update could pave the way for greater versatility in the Abound program, providing a new option for Marriott owners looking to travel to destinations outside of the Marriott Vacation Club resort portfolio.
Be sure to stay tuned to the A Timeshare Broker blog for more details as this story develops, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the latest news and featured listings sent directly to your inbox.
If you’d like to learn more about how the Vacation Club program works, you can read our in-depth article on the subject here: How Marriott Vacation Club Abound Points Work.
Learn More About Marriott Timeshare Resale
Do you have any remaining questions about Marriott Vacation Club points or how to save thousands by buying your Marriott Vacation Club Points on the resale market? Feel free to contact us by filling out a form for more information on how you can take advantage of all the benefits Marriott has to offer for much less!
We’ll have one of our licensed Real Estate agents reach out to you for a free consultation to determine if purchasing Marriott Vacation Club Points on the resale market is right for you.
