posted 04-12-2005 11:46               

I don't have a lot a bad thing to say about them but when you own at such a HIGH demand location and resort "Maui" why would you think it's a good idea to lessen that by converting to points. The reason most people join a point group is so that they can go the Hawaii.

If you want the flexability of points buy some other inexpensive point group. IMHO I would not give up Hawaii.

Good Luck

posted 04-13-2005 07:14               

If you like to be able to have the flexibility of using your ownership in smaller chunks. For example, I own a 4BR unit in one Sunterra location, but would almost never need that as-is. By using its value in SunOptions instead, I can get several 1BR (or 2BR) weeks there or elsewhere and still have time left over to use or carry forward to next year.

IMHO it CAN make a lot of sense, depending ou your situation both now and int he future (when kids have left home, for example). If you are a Sunterra owner, I think it works out for the best, in most cases.

posted 04-13-2005 07:27            

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill4728:

.... why would you think it's a good idea to lessen that by converting to points. The reason most people join a point group is so that they can go the Hawaii...

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I likewise have no opinion of Sunterra's points program, but disagree with this logic. Sales of RCI Points has soared among Hawaii owners just because it is the place so many people want to go. Because of that, what you get is mucho, mucho points for your unit. Put differently, you can trade elsewhere, often upgrade, and still have points left over to spend on something else.

That having been said, there are two things the original poster ought to be looking at... the overall quality of the Sunterra program (no opinion, but he is doing the right thing by asking) and (in line with the two responses) make sure that Sunterra is giving your unit in particular a (very) high number of points, because this is where others want to go.

posted 04-13-2005 07:34               

Steve

posted 04-14-2005 05:50               

1. It is almost impossible to compare Sunterra to other points-based systems, including RCI. Every program has different rules with its pros and cons.

2. The number of points (SunOPtions) you will get for any week at any resort in the Sunterra system can be found in the annual guide book or on line. Basically, for a given locaion and week, the value if 'fixed' so you know what you are getting ahead of time.

3. The really best deal, long-term, is to find a resale week that represents the most points for the least annual maintenance fee. That might typically be a year-end week at a resort with low M/F, because the fees are the same for all weeks.

posted 04-19-2005 06:55               

The points offer more flexibility and with advance planning we have used our points either through II or Sunterra to get what we want in the season we want it. You can also use your points to pay maintenance fees, airline tickets, or cruises.

I found that we did not always get value for our week to week exchanges. I think that is a key reason to go for points. Sometime we did great with Maui and other times I did not think we got an equal exchange. With the points system that is not a problem

posted 04-19-2005 20:04               

The only thing holding me back right now is the quality and reputation of the other Club Sunterra resorts. Aside from the Embassy Vacation Resorts, the other Club Sunterra resorts really don't appeal to me. I'm leaning towards a Marriott resale, so we can have access to higher quality resorts.

posted 04-20-2005 16:57               

For $3000 you can by several timeshares. I got almost 100,000 RCI points for less than that.

I agree with the poster who said to buy a prime week at the resort, use it when you want and rent it when you don't. Use the cash and the strongest point system on earth to rent what you want for the MF or less in other places.

posted 04-22-2005 18:12               

When you buy a Mar T/S via a Mar Developer, and in some cases, via a resale agent (Marriott or other if seller pays an additional fee)...you can give Marriott your T/S week for a specified group of points. How Many???? That depends on if the Marriott Resort HOA has it written in their condo rules. (Some don't do the points)

Figure if it's worth it......some 2 bed 2 bath Marriotts will bring you 40,000 points for them to take your week. Some will be up to 120,000 points. Now, you must pay the taxes and Maintance on the week you give to Marriott for the 40,000 or 120,000 points (if resort particapates).

Lets take Mar Beach Place for example....Maint fees for a week is just over $1000.00. To give Mar your week, they charge another fee....and of course the famous Florida Club fee....but lets just stick with the $1000 maint for the week.

Marriott will give you 120,000 points for a Plat week or 90,000 for a gold week (all are II Red) {At MBP}. To use your points to obtain another 2 bed 2 bath week at a MAR T/S, it will cost 150,000 for the week. After paying fees and maintance, SOME Mar owners think this is a rip off. Others, who can really 'work the points' think it is great. Just remember, they are Travel Points....the same points you get for staying at a MAR Fairfield or a Ritz Carlton. For 200,000 points they still have the world trip for 2 for a week nearly anywhere in the world (airfare & HOTEL stay). A night at a Fairfield might be about 4,000 points. Lesser time or room needs at a T/S are also less points.

Hope this helps. Joe, and Brian, who post on the MAR BBS are super champs at streatching their point values. Some of us, however, are not as good at it. But as of this time, Marriott is not a point based T/S. Travel points, just like Ramada, Best Western, Hyatt, Hilton (Hotel), Sheraton and the other HOTEL systems.

posted 04-23-2005 10:05               

With SunOptions, are you able to see the Interval Getaway Lists? During September, October, and November, many see Hyatt units in Key West, Marriott units in Palm Beach, (esp in Panama City), and of course Orlando is wide open, even with some DVC weeks. These are not exchanges or trades, but getaways from left over inventory, or inventory that is not expected to trade.

Like for Like may be an issue here. But it has been posted (on trade tests) that many times the like for like may not always hold true. I believe that some Sunterra units are pretty nice...or are being made nice (VRI is still working on the Fort Lauderdale resort, the few units under Sunterra ought to be very nice when completed...I think RCI has upgraded to RID, but not sure how II feels on the resort. (Sunterrs didn't manage this resort very well, if that helps with your decision, however, they were also out of $$$ at the time (filed for Bankrupcy).

I'm pretty sure Dave or Trina (above) can really help with this question. I have read enough here to really believe you can get into good places....but only with a lot of flexibility and not as often as you might like.

The least expensive Marriot sale recently reported here was for under $3000....and Marriott did not do their ROFR. It was a Gold Week at the Seaview Country Clubs Fairway Villas. (At least two went at below $3000.

Current owner reports super trades on the Marriott BBS. A Marriott Plat 2 bed 2 bath Manor Club (old) went for $7000. qualified for an II AC....but not a L/O.

Lowest MBP Plat I know about sold for $10,000...Gold $8000. But I believe now Mar has ROFR on the Plats for approx $12000. Try to search out some good buys, if you can. Both MBP Gold & Plat with L/O in use usually get an AC from II, hence you will be getting 3 weeks for your one week per year. But remember the maint fees are quite high for a lot of Marriott. Believe a Heritage Club non-L/O in HHI is currently on E Bay and saw bid at $800. This unit includes free golf for 2 daily, but maint fees are over $1000. I don't think it was the best of weeks either...and it will probably sell for about $3000 to $4000. (That week might not get an AC from II.)