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Marriott Resale VS Points (by G333 S.):

I own both a legacy week and also bought a small points ownership with Marriott last year. I have been a legacy week owner for over 9 years in Orlando and have used it in various ways. Both I purchased from the developer, not on the resale market. Although I could have saved money on my week purchase by doing a resale, I wanted the option to be able to convert my legacy week into Marriott Reward Points every other year for use towards my airfare and staying at any of the Marriott hotels. And since they don't expire, I felt for myself, that it was worth spending a few thousand dollars more to have this benefit for life.

That being said, I have also used my points already and stayed a week at the Maui Ocean Club, and also for a 4 day cruise with a stay at a Resort for two days prior and also two days after the cruise.

So far my opinion is that points are the way to go. It was far easier for me to book through Marriott than dealing with I.I. and my reservation was instant. NO WAITING! I.I deals strictly with exchanging, so you are always hoping that the owner who has what you want will decide to not use it and make it available to I.I. And then you have to hope that you get it instead of one of the 2.5 million I.I. members you compete with.

Another thing I liked is that I could use my points for my cruise (2100 covered everything for me and my husband and we had an ocean view room. Did not even have to pay port charges or taxes!!!) I also liked the fact that I used my points for just a few days at a time. The flexibility is great. No limitations to size, season, location, nada!

The person that recommended that you find and own a place you like to go in a size you want so that worse case, you get that, is saying that because a lot of times, wanting to exchange didn't always work. But with points, you own all the resorts so you are not exchanging, you just make a reservation at whatever resort you choose to stay at. No more hoping that someone makes what you want available.

I know that right now you only want to go to Hawaii, but keep the door open for yourselves. Use the points in Hawaii, but have the option to use them differently in case you ever want to do something different. I'd rather you have the option and never use it, than want to do it, but not be able to.

Don't buy a week, it's too limiting and archaic. Take it from me. I hate dealing with exchanging (although it hasn't always been a failure, I just hate knowing that what I want to do with my vacation time is dependent on another person making it available and then the stress of hoping I get it over someone else. I'm tired of anyone else, I.I or Marriott telling when I can and can't go, what season I'm allowed to use, and what size unit I can get. It's my life and I want to vacation however I want. And after giving a company money just for them to give me restrictions, bothered me for a long time.

So far, with my experience of the points, I'm feeling more freedom like a hotel. I can book when I please, any season, any length of stay, and size, and location, and no exchanging!!! It's my timeshare dream come true.

So now I plan to always convert my legacy weeks into MRP and use them for airfare and/or hotels, while using my points for my accommodations. Now my whole vacations are taken care of, not just my room.

BTW...another food for thought...my husband and I are thinking about taking the Tuscany epic tour in 2013 for our 15th anniversary. It costs 6000 points which we will have if we bank some of our points in 2012. I'm willing to do this because this trip is going to be so big and for a special occasion. It's 10 days, 6 cities (Rome, Florence, Venice......) with meals, activities, museum tickets, and accommodations included for two people. The only thing it doesn't cover is airfare, which we will have covered by our MRP by that time. Just another option you'll have with points that you won't get with a week.

Remember as life changes so might your vacation desires....don't lock yourself in a box. LOL I like to call my legacy week my VCR and my points my Blue Ray...haha. But either case, I LOVE MARRIOTT!

hope this helps.