Original Message:
Looking for an opinion on what type of timeshare to purchase (by Charles S.):
I own both a points and weeks systems. The are different but both have advantages and disadvantages. My points system gives me more flexibility as I use more or less points depending upon the season I am traveling and size of unit and when I make a reservation. I can get multiple vacations with my points if I am conscientious about what I am doing. I can exchange with the points an it easy simple and easy. I can see what is available and can use the points I have for that unit. I can also use points for airfare, hotel stays, cruises and tours if I want. However, these are not the best ways to use points and you don't get the same value by using them that way.
The major difference with points is that you can have split weeks. You use only the amount of points necessary for the length of stay. Thus, the longer your stay the more points you use. However, you can stay longer than a week if you wish as well. This is great when making reservations for airfare as you have more flexibility. I also have noticed that since my children are older I now don't always need a two bedroom all of the time, but a one bedroom. I now use less points and can either save the balance to next year or take multiple vacations. Also, when I have family members or friends join me, I can get additional units. Once I had 3 three bedroom units with family and friends. It was great! I like this a lot.
My weeks system is pretty simple. You make a reservation for the unit and you get to stay in the size unit you bought. If you have a 2 bedroom lock off unit, you can actually stay in one bedroom and exchange the other side with RCI or Interval International exchange companies. When exchanging you exchange like for like and it's very simple. With most weeks systems, you can only trade for a week at a time, although some are starting to let you split the weeks now. It will depend on which company you are dealing with. I like weeks because I love my property there and don't want any issues trying to get into it when I want to be there. I am guaranteed a two bedroom and have preference to that specific property as I have a home resort advantage and thus have the ability to make a reservation 12 months in advance which is important when you want to go during peak seasons.
Maintenance fees between points and weeks systems will depend on the companies you buy from. It is hard to determine if one costs more than the other.
An issue with the points systems for some seems to be availability of units as often there are a certain number of units set aside for points owners and some for weeks owners on the same property. In some systems there may be a bigger pool for weeks systems. This may be because many weeks owners may not have converted to points. Many points system owners complain about this but it seems to depend on what company they own with. Personally, I have not had this problem when using my points.
The big thing about points is that you need to have enough of them to be able to stay in the size units at even the most demanding times of year. If you don't have enough points, then it will be difficult to enjoy the timeshare because you will be handicapped with too few points. For example, you may buy 10,000 points and it may get you a two bedroom in Arizona in August. However, to go to Hawaii it may be 15,000 points for that same 2 bedroom in August. Thus, if you buy a points system, it is important that you have an idea of how many points various locations are in the system so that you can get an adequate amount of points to do what you would like and not be frustrated.
I like both for different reasons.