Curious about Marriott Vacation Club cost? In this article, we’ll detail the initial purchase price, annual fees, and ways to manage your expenses. Discover if it’s worth the investment.
- Marriott Vacation Club offers a flexible points-based system, allowing members to tailor their vacations and access over 90 premium resorts worldwide.
- Initial costs for joining can range significantly, with direct purchases starting around $24,000, while resale market options can save buyers up to 50%.
- Ongoing expenses like maintenance and club fees are essential to budget for, as they help maintain the quality of the resorts and provide owners with valuable benefits.
Understanding Marriott Vacation Club Ownership
Marriott Vacation Club offers members personalized, memorable vacations through a flexible points-based system and deeded weeks. With over 90 premium resorts in 55 global destinations, including beach, urban, and mountain settings, the possibilities for Marriott Vacation Club work are virtually endless, making it an ideal choice for Marriott vacations.
Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club
Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas
Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club
Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club
Marriott’s Grand Chateau
Marriott’s Playa Andaluza
At the heart of Marriott Vacation Club is its points-based system, providing unmatched flexibility. Members receive annual Vacation Club points usable at numerous properties without time or location restrictions. This system enables various vacation experiences, from short getaways to extended stays, easily tailoring your vacations to your preferences.
Marriott Vacation Club’s membership levels enhance the experience, providing various privileges and benefits depending on the number of points owned. From the basic Owner level to the prestigious Chairman’s Club, each tier offers greater flexibility and access to exclusive events and services.
Points-Based System
The points-based system is the heart of Marriott Vacation Club. Members receive annual Vacation Club points that can be used worldwide, offering a wide range of vacation options. These marriott points offer remarkable flexibility; unused points can be banked for future trips, or you can borrow points from next year’s allocation for a specific vacation. With 2,000 points, you could book a stay at Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas or a resort in Cabo.
Saving points for longer or more luxurious vacations is another excellent feature of the points-based system. Unused points can be rolled over into the next year, allowing for greater flexibility in planning. This guarantees you can always plan the ideal vacation, whether spontaneous or meticulously planned.
| Benefit Level | Annual Vacation Club Points |
|---|---|
| Owner | Up to 3,999 |
| Select | 4,000 to 6,999 |
| Executive | 7,000 to 9,999 |
| Presidential | 10,000 to 14,999 |
| Chairman’s Club | 15,000 or more |
Marriott Vacation Club offers a tiered membership system that enhances the value of ownership. The different levels range from Owner to Chairman’s Club, each providing unique privileges and benefits. As you accumulate more points, you move up the tiers, gaining access to exclusive events and services that enrich your vacation experiences.
Higher membership levels offer more flexibility and perks like priority reservations, rental rate discounts, and special event invitations. Chairman’s Club members, owning 15,000 or more points, enjoy top-tier benefits, including exclusive property access and personalized vacation planning services.
Marriott Vacation Club Points Cost of Ownership
Initial Purchase Price
The initial investment to join Marriott Vacation Club varies, depending on whether points are purchased directly from Marriott or through the resale market. Direct purchases from Marriott typically start around $24,000 for about 1,500 Vacation Club Points, equating to approximately $16.50 per point. This option often includes incentives and benefits that can enhance your vacation experience.
Alternatively, purchasing points on the resale market can lead to significant savings. The same 1,500 points may be available for as little as $3,000 to $3,500, plus transfer costs. Though the resale market may lack some perks of direct purchases, the cost savings can make it an attractive option for many buyers.
- Annual allotment of vacation club points (how many vacation points you’ll get each year)
- How many points are available currently (if any)
- Number of points that are banked (if any)
- Number of points that are borrowed (if any)
- Use Year
If you’d like to browse currently available Marriott Vacation Club Club point packages, you can view our Marriott points listings for up-to-date pricing.
Transfer / Closing Costs
When purchasing Marriott Vacation Club points on the resale market, there are a handful of fees that are required to be paid by the buyer in order to transfer a points-based Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Club timeshare into their name. There are four main fees to be aware of:
- Transfer Fee: $750 per beneficial interest (per 250 Vacation Points) with a minimum of $3,000
- Owner Education Fee: $300 (not charged if buyer has existing points ownership)
- Right of First Refusal (ROFR) Waiver Fee: $95 (per contract purchased)
As with any real estate transaction, there are going to be additional costs that are associated with the transfer of your new Destination Club membership, so it’s important to know what to expect early in your research process.
Annual Maintenance Fees
Annual maintenance fees are another important factor to consider. For 2024, these fees are approximately $0.78748 per point, which can accumulate based on the number of points owned. These ongoing costs are necessary to maintain the high standards of Marriott’s resorts and should be factored into your budget.
Currently, Marriott Vacation Club owners pay 78.7 cents per annual point in maintenance fees each year.
Annual Club Fee
There is also an all-inclusive annual club fee that is paid to cover all expenses for access to the Interval International exchange company, housekeeping fees, banking and borrowing fees, fees for converting to Bonvoy Points, reservations cancellation fees, guest certificate fees, and more. Many other vacation clubs choose to charge lower club fees, but nickel and dime you with charges for many of the common actions that owners use from year to year. With Marriott points, your annual club fee covers all of these fees and allows owners to have a consistent fee each year, even when they are using each and every feature of their timeshare.
| Membership Level | 2024 Club Fee |
|---|---|
| Owners and Select Members | $240.00 |
| Executive and Presidential Members | $280.00 |
| Chairmans’ Club Members | $295.00 |
Maximizing Value from Your Ownership
To maximize the value of your Marriott Vacation Club ownership, understand how to best use your points and take advantage of the various benefits. You can bank unused points for future use or borrow points from future allocations to enhance your current vacation options. This flexibility ensures you can always plan the perfect vacation, regardless of your current points balance.
Moreover, Interval International provides Marriott Vacation Club owners with access to a broad array of non-Marriott resorts. This expands your vacation options, offering unique travel experiences beyond Marriott’s resorts.
Banking and Borrowing Points
| Benefit Level | Annual Vacation Club Points | Banking Deadline* | Use Banked Vacation Club Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Up to 3,999 | 6 months | Within the immediately following Use Year |
| Select | 4,000 to 6,999 | 6 months | |
| Executive | 7,000 to 9,999 | 4 months | |
| Presidential | 10,000 to 14,999 | 4 months | Within the following 1.5 Use Years |
| Chairman’s Club | 15,000 or more | 2 months | Within the following 2 Use Years |
| *Prior to the end of current use year | |||
One of the key benefits of Marriott Vacation Club ownership is the ability to bank and borrow points. If you don’t have enough points for your desired vacation, you can borrow points from the following year’s allocation. This allows you to enjoy more luxurious or extended vacations without being limited by your current points balance.
Conversely, if you have unused points, you can bank them for future use, providing greater flexibility in planning your vacations. This feature is especially useful for those who prefer to take longer or more elaborate trips, as it allows you to accumulate points over time and use them when needed.
If you’d like to learn about Marriott Vaction Club use year, banking deadlines, borrowing or transferring points and more, check out our guide here: Marriott Vacation Club: Banking Deadlines, Borrowing, and Transferring Points.
Utilizing Interval International
Interval International is a vacation exchange network that opens up a world of possibilities for Marriott Vacation Club owners. Joining Interval International allows you to trade your Marriott Vacation Club points for stays at numerous non-Marriott resorts. This significantly expands your vacation options, providing opportunities to explore new destinations and experiences.
Navigate the details of Interval International fees with our guide for timeshare owners. Learn how to manage & optimize costs when trading by reading our article here: Interval International Fees: A Comprehensive Guide For Timeshare Owners.
Is Marriott Vacation Club Worth It?
Determining whether Marriott Vacation Club is worth it depends on your vacation preferences and financial situation. For many, the flexibility and range of options provided by Marriott Vacation Club make it a valuable investment. The ability to use points at various properties worldwide, including hotels, villas, and unique experiences, offers unparalleled vacation flexibility.
Additionally, purchasing points on the resale market can lead to significant savings, making Marriott Vacation Club ownership more accessible. However, it’s essential to weigh these benefits against the ongoing costs, such as maintenance fees and annual club dues, to determine if it aligns with your vacation goals and budget.
Comparing Costs to Traditional Travel
When comparing the costs of Marriott Vacation Club ownership to traditional travel, there are several factors to consider. While owning a timeshare involves initial purchase costs and ongoing maintenance fees, it can offer long-term savings compared to booking hotel stays each year. Maintenance fees for Marriott Vacation Club can adjust over time to fit the financial climate.
Potential owners should carefully evaluate the all-in costs of Marriott Vacation Club ownership, including the variable nature of maintenance fees and how they compare to traditional hotel accommodations. For many, the value lies in the ability to lock in vacation costs and enjoy a consistent, high-quality vacation experience year after year for less than booking traditional hotels.
Owner Experiences
Many Marriott Vacation Club owners express significant satisfaction with their membership, highlighting the flexibility and range of options available to them. Owners frequently share positive experiences about their vacations, praising the quality and amenities of the resorts. The ability to choose from a variety of destinations and vacation types adds to the overall appeal of Marriott Vacation Club ownership.
Ultimately, the key to getting the best value from Marriott Vacation Club ownership is understanding how to leverage your points and benefits effectively. Educating yourself about the various options and resources available can greatly enhance your vacation experiences and ensure you get the most out of your investment.
Summary
In summary, Marriott Vacation Club offers a flexible and diverse vacation ownership experience that can be tailored to fit your unique preferences and budget. The key to maximizing the value of your ownership is to understand how to effectively use your points and take advantage of the various benefits and resources available.
With over 90 premium resorts worldwide and the ability to exchange points through Interval International, Marriott Vacation Club offers endless possibilities for memorable vacations. If you’re ready to embark on a lifetime of incredible travel experiences and are considering becoming a Marriott Vacation Club owner, feel free to contact us today.
We would be more than happy to help you navigate the process of buying points on the secondary timeshare market, and our team of Licensed Real Estate agents can help find the perfect Marriott Vacation Club points package for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the initial purchase costs for Marriott Vacation Club points?
You can expect to pay around $24,000 for 1,500 Vacation Club Points if you buy directly from Marriott, but if you go the resale route, you might snag those points for just $3,000 to $3,500 plus some transfer fees. So, there’s definitely a significant difference in pricing based on where you purchase!
What do annual maintenance fees cover?
Annual maintenance fees cover essential operating expenses like repairs, insurance, and real estate taxes. So, if you’re an owner, it’s important to budget for these costs each year!
How can Marriott Vacation Club owners maximize the value of their points?
To get the most out of your Marriott Vacation Club points, consider learning the finer points of how to use your timeshare. A Timeshare Broker has a vast catalog of educational Marriott articles that are perfect for becoming a Marriott Vacation Club power user.
Are there financing options available for purchasing a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare?
Absolutely, there are financing options available for purchasing a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare, such as Vacation Club Loans that offer flexible terms and manageable payment plans. This makes it easier to invest in your dream vacation experience! Contact us for more details regarding timeshare financing.
Is Marriott Vacation Club worth the investment?
Marriott Vacation Club can be worth it for those who value flexibility in vacation options, but learning how the ownership works, and how to use the timeshare is crucial for long-term satisfaction. Make sure it aligns with your travel goals and budget, and learn all you can about how the system works, so you can be sure to get the best value out of your purchase!
