Post reply

Re: Are they worth it? (by Mary D.):

randyh30 wrote:

How do I go about to buy points and what do they cost? What are the good and the bad side of buying points from different places?

Actually, "from different places" is a problem unless you are planning to buy a lot. You could end up without enough to do much at any one resort group. You have more flexibility if you have more points in one company which has many resorts and lets you use the points in any of them without an exchange fee. Of course, you can always use your ownership to exchange outside of your own resort group and sometimes that is the only way to reach a desired location, but exchange fees on top of maintenace fees can really add up!

Also, most resort groups give special perks to owners at higher levels of point ownership. These VIP privileges can be very worthwhile. We are VIP Platinum with Fairfield/Wyndham which means we don't have to fret over lots of little fees that smaller point owners need to pay. For example, owners have free Housekeeping Credits based on a week in the size unit their points will secure. They can split the week into a few days here and a few there but then there may be an additional cleaning charge since two units are being cleaned, not one. If you have over a certain number of points, however, you have more Housekeeping Credits or even unlimited Credits. Maintenance Fees are calculated as so much per point (or thousand points). Again, the MF per point may be lower at higher ownership levels. There are many many variables from company to company, so be sure to choose a company with resorts and rules you like.

I know you will find many recommendations on this discussion board about buying resale points and these can be a fantastic bargain--if you know what you are getting. People who buy these with no previous timeshare experience often do not understand anything about how to use their purchase, so they end up feeling trapped and baffled. I would recommend you go to timeshare presentation and learn as much as you can about specific resorts and companies which interest you, how their points systems work, and what they cost. You might even make a moderate buy and later add resale points to "average down" your costs.

They are "worth it" if you and your family enjoy the flexible vacation life style. It sure beats Motel 6! But don't buy as a real estate investment or with the thought of making a big profit by renting out your unit. Actually, you may rent it as long as it has not been deposited with an exchange company and sometimes you may come out ahead financially, but don't depend on that.

Why do we like being timeshare point owners? We've been places we would never have gone, done things we never would have done. We have taken our children and grandchildren on wonderful holidays in great locations. And we still have many more Fairfield resorts to sample! MD