Marriott Vacation Club members have various strategies at their disposal to optimize the use of their points. Two key techniques are banking and borrowing, which offer flexibility in managing your points. This article will explain how to combine three years’ worth of Abound Club Points to book a single, extended stay. By understanding the rules and processes involved, you can plan an unforgettable vacation without the need for additional point purchases.
Banking and Borrowing Basics
What is Banking?
Banking allows Marriott Vacation Club members to move their current Use Year’s points into the following Use Year, giving the owner more time to use their Abound Club Points.
Rules for Banking:
- Points can only be banked anywhere from 6 to 2 months prior to the end of the current Use Year.
- Banked points cannot be banked again. Once points are banked, they will expire at the end of the following Use Year (or 1.5 use years for Presidential and 2 use years for Chairman’s Club), if not used to make a reservation.
| 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 | |||
What is Borrowing?
Borrowing enables members to utilize points from the upcoming Use Year for a current reservation.
Rules for Borrowing:
- Points can only be borrowed to complete a reservation that exceeds the points available in the current Use Year.
- Borrowing points is a final and irreversible transaction. If a reservation that uses borrowed points is cancelled 61 or more days prior to check-in, the borrowed points are returned to the owners account, but will retain the current use year. You’ll want to be certain you can use borrowed points within the current use year before pulling them from the following use year.
Combining Three Years of Points
Combining points from three different years involves a strategic approach to banking and borrowing. Here’s a step-by-step guide to illustrate how you can achieve this:
Scenario
You own 3,000 Marriott Vacation Club points annually with a June Use Year. You’re looking to plan a vacation at Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club, in a 2-Bedroom Oceanfront unit. During the time you wish to travel, that unit type requires 8,025 Abound Club Points, so we’ll need to do some planning ahead to accomplish this.
Steps to Combine Points:
- Bank Current Points: Bank your 3,000 points from the current Use Year into the next Use Year. At your membership level, you’ll need to bank your points by December.
- Borrow Future Points: Borrow 2,025 points from the following Use Year.
- Book with Combined Points: Use the 3,000 banked points, 3,000 points from the current Use Year, and 2,025 borrowed points to make your reservation.
Important Considerations
Finality of Transactions
Both banking and borrowing are irreversible. Ensure that your plans are firm before committing to these actions.
Booking Windows
Keep in mind that the 12-month booking window applies to reservations.
Conclusion
By effectively using banking and borrowing, Marriott Vacation Club members can pool points from three different years to create an extended and memorable vacation. Understanding the rules and strategically planning your reservations can unlock numerous possibilities for your travel plans. For more insights and tips on maximizing your Abound Club Points, continue to follow the A Timeshare Broker blog, or sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles delivered to your inbox. Happy vacation planning!
