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Re: Marriott Vacation Club point system (by Steve F.):

I expect with $2,500 destinations points maint fees we will now have, reaching executive level and having near terms stays (discounted at this level, and sometimes off season depending on where) within the US as we generally do (very flexible), we'll get 5 weeks out of those points. Total yearly fees and maint costs should be around 4k (just under) for points + ownership. Add another $100 for property tax. For the 4k, we should get 5 weeks as noted above + 1 week at Desert Springs for the 1 BR, + 1 week for exchange. So, 7 weeks (except for special years where we decide for an expensive trip as we did this year). 7 weeks for 4k is not bad, <$600/wk. Yes, sometimes you can get getaways for good prices too, and where possible, we will do that too since I retire at year end. Would never use any points or trade where getaway is a better deal of course.

Airfares, I generally plan such that I will have free tickets when overseas. So, the plan for Europe next year, I signed up for the MileagePlus explorer card, I will get the 55,000 free miles, plus we are going solar charing that makes 75,000 points total, plus charge stuff over the next 10 months or so, whatever is left, we will stuff by trading Marriott rewards points for the needed United miles since United miles have the cheapest cost. Probably will need 50,000 miles so we get 2 free roundtrip tickets, and therefore, 112,000 Marriott rewards points. Of course, they will offer us a presentation, so, probably get 25k back immediately making the net cost 87,000 Marriott rewards points for 2 roundtrip tickets worth possibly over $1,000 each. But by the time we go to Europe next year, we'll also have another free 25K in rewards points for the Desert Springs presentation, making our net rewards points cost 62,000! Since we don't plan on expensive flights every year, can probably keep up the gaming to always have free flights for foreign, longer trips. We've never got more than 2 presentations per year, with 7 trips, will be interesting to see how many they might offer us. I always say "we had just had one x months ago), but they still want me to go, fine, I'll take the points.

So, I still think given the right set of circumstances, it can be worth it. I can definitely see how it can be not worth it too!