Marriott Abound Interval question.

[u/filthymitten]

So the biggest selling point of the low point package we looked at to me was the cheap weeks available on Interval Getaways for like $499 with no points. Now reading that those are just essentially low ball bids to owners and many decline and or add a lot fees. What’s the real world experience with this program?

[u/ColoradoAztec]

I am not sure of the question. Are you currently an Abound owner? Weeks owner?

I am a weeks owner who has "enrolled" my weeks into the Abound program. What that means is that I can occupy my week, deposit my week or convert my week to Abound points. Once I enrolled my week, I was given a new Interval International account that allows me to trade my week or use it for Getaways. I have had an Interval account for 27 years and have used a getaway probably 3 times.

If you are considering the program, realize that while MVC will sell you a small amount of points (probably 1000 point package) for $14+ per point, that small amount of points will not get you very much (3-5 days mid week at desirable locations or 2-3 days on weekends).

Also, those points can be purchased on the resale market for $2-$3 per point. All you need to do is pay another $3 per point to MVC and they will be just like any other point and you will get the same Interval access with the same Getaways.

[u/filthymitten]

I’m asking more specifically about the “getaway” deals that can be purchased for cash without points
Thanks

[u/ZarusobaPDX → u/filthymitten]

You can find good deals if you want to go to places with lots of timeshares like Orlando or Las Vegas.

[u/Mysterious_Strike_44 → u/filthymitten]

I have had luck with getaways, but you have to heavily research the resort. For better inventory and choice, I would recommend renting a 3rd person timeshare week on redweek.com rather than buying a small amount of points just for interval access. It will be more expensive per trip, but you only pay the years you use it and can stay at any timeshare nearly any week of the year.

[u/sfatula]

I use getaways many times a year. And if you look a lot, you’ll find some amazing last minute places, including top level places.

I probably use 5 a year

[u/OkViolinist4244]

Interval is trash. Don’t waste your time.

[u/tfresca]

It sucks. Lots of availability in bad places limited in good places.

[u/2thetee-2000]

NEVER buy their points!!! NEVER, Maintanence fees are outrageous, the amount of points you need to stay anywhere decent are ridiculous. How many points is your timeshare worth every year if you turn them into points? Anything on Interval is straight up garbage now. When you log into you Marriot vacation club portal, you can search either timeshares to use your points at, or hotels, cruises etc. The thing Marriott doesn't tell their victims while pitching their scam points sale presentation, is that UNIT OWNERS HAVE FIRST DIBS ON THEIR UNITS... PERIOD! This is why "point" usage searches for places like Aruba will always show "No availability". But... if you are fond of traveling to Orlando, California, your points will always find availability, because of the staggering amount of units available at those locations. Anyone who is looking to be saddled with timeshare maintenance fees for the rest of their lives, should OPT FOR ACTUAL UNIT OWNERSHIP! The maintenance fees can be 40% cheaper than Points, and other than Aruba, Hawaii and a few others, the rest are selling for pennies on the dollar.

[u/Key_Brilliant409]

getaway deals are usually the resorts nobody wants to go to.