Original Message:
Re: Marriott Vacation Club "Destinations" - What I Like and What I've Done (by Den):
robbinb5 wrote:Dennis Super information on a topic I'm very interested in. I own 6500 trust points and a st kitts week that I always convert to points. I end up spending roughly 5000 pints every summer booking a beach vacation in SC but I'm starting to think the smart move is to buy a traditional week at a favorite property in platinum season on the secondary market...the $/point for this approach looks like a 50% savings or more...any pitfalls you are aware of to this approach?
I own 7 weeks and 2500 points. Two weeks were purchased in the aftermarket. I'm not disappointed that I bought some of the weeks from Marriott early on. However, I'm having my children buy Platinum weeks in the aftermarket at great locations. Great locations are those in high demand, some have a lock-off feature, and look for those that are easy to rent. High demand and easy to rent properties that I know of include anything Hawaii, Newport Coast, and Myrtle Beach. Grand Chateau in Las Vegas has a lock-off feature and is easily traded for two weeks. I'm sure others have additional suggestions.
I think you are on the right track to get the same vacation experience at a substantial discount.
Make sure you join Interval and learn how to us your membership to trade weeks. My most recent great deal was a one week Getaway in early October at Marriott Mountainside in Park City for $275. These are units that accommodate 8 people. Actually, you don't even need to own a timeshare to join Interval and get these deals.