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Sunterra Points (by Kevin G.):

The Diamond points system, formerly "Sunterra" has flaws but is a better system than many admit. The salespeople are snakes, to be sure, so you must be vigilant, but very careful buyers who prefer shorter exchanges and making relatively late reservations can find value there.

One big advantage, to me, is the use of Diamond points to exchange through Interval International. You can book into top quality resorts at Marriotts, Westins and Sheratons, for less than the actual owners pay in maintenance fees. With Diamond, there is really no reason to own properties for exchange through Interval.

The best way into the Diamond system has been to make a small one-time retail purchase, as little as 3,000 or 5,000 points, and then have resale weeks you've already purchased simultaneously "upgraded" into the point system at no additional charge. That avoids the dreaded conversion fees.

I'm sure others have worked better deals, but back in 2007 I wound up with a 47,000 Diamond point package for a total investment of about $13,500. Retail would have been many times that. Today, I could probably do the same for $10,000 or less.

That is enough points for seven, ten or more quality exchanges through Interval or almost two solid months at Greensprings Plantation during the summer.