Diamond Club Points and Elite Membership Versus Unit Ownership

My wife and I own two units, totaling potentially 12,000 points if we convert to the points program with Diamond. They offered us the opportunity to buy the additional 3,000 points for $10,170 to get enough for the Elite Benefits with Diamond Points. We are trying to determine if this would be worth it. The sales person, from what I remember, stated:

1. That we would be able to book their 1,400 plus resorts world wide using the points directly online using the points.

2. That with the Elite membership, we could reserve an Ocean View, and pay $99 more to upgrade to a Ocean Front, at any of these resorts.

3. That we could reserve as many days as we wanted, versus only weeks.

4. That with the Elite Membership, we would be able to reserve 13 months out, versus 12 months out, insuring the top units at all resorts at the peak times, if we reserved 13 months out.

5. That with the Elite Membership, we would be able to go Online directly with Interval International and "book" at any of their resorts, versus exchanging, as you need to do without the Elite Membership.

Can anyone confirm these potential benefits? Also,

1. How easy is it to sell your points if you ever wanted to sell these. Do you still own the units? Can you sell all 15,000 points, and do they get a premium? Could I buy the additional points on Redweek and convert my units this way?

2. What if Diamond Resorts is sold or goes bankrupt? What are the benefits and detriments of having units versus points? How solvent is Diamond Resorts?

3. Are there any other issues that we should consider of converting to points, and getting to the Elite level?

Thanks for your help,

Mahalo

First of all don't beleive anything those salesman tell you. GET IT IN WRITING> READ THE FINE PRINT< Before you sign anything,(Best to submit to your attorney before signing.) Second the next best thing you could do, is sell off your diamond resort units or rent out your weeks. We have a deeded floating week and did buy into the points system, it was the biggest mistake we ever made. We found it cheaper in the long run bank our deeded week and go for two weeks every other year. It is better to find a reputable "rental home Company, or a Vacation company, ("such as red week one"). Our personal opinion is that since Diamond took over Kaanapali, their only goal is to extract as much money as possible from the owners, diamond club membership,$ 600+ dollars, Maintenance fees.$1000+ dollars. It's just not worth it anymore..

1. Yes
2. Yes, we've done it twice and saved on points. It's cheaper to book a lesser quality room and pay the $99.00 upgrade. Save your points !
3. Yes
4. Yes. We've NEVER had a problem with reservations if booking 12-13 months out.
5. Yes. There were some computer problems one year but an agent gladly booked our reservation for us.
We've never tried to sell points (we have approx 12,000 one year and 15,000 every other year) We initially bought 1 week Deluxe Ocean View (1998) and then bought an every other year week with Ocean View in order to convert to points. We either use the condo every year and/or bump some of the points to the upcoming year. This year we are able to book 3 Ocean Delux units for one week (taking the entire family) plus 4 additional days for our stay.
Fees have gone up dramtically but we love the area. Hope this helps.
Mahalo :)