Are points ... points?

[hotwired Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hotwired]

my BIGGEST confusion is between points and weeks. I understand the basics, but it just occured to me ... aren't points points?? In other words, if I decide to go with points based TS, does it even matter where I buy?? In other words, can't I just buy 100k points which will get me 100k points worht of TS anywhere ? Or does location STILL come into play with points? Also, are there different types of points? I have heard of "Rci" points -- is this the best way to go if I'm going to choose the points system vs. weeks? Thanks!

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Points are like a nation's currency. The value of of each nation's currency in another country is different. Also, you cannot necessary spend your nation's currency in another nation or even exchange it for another country's currency. There are favored nations out there.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Keep in mind that points are only as good as the issuer unless they are awarded for a deeded property.

[EAM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EAM]

my BIGGEST confusion is between points and weeks. I understand the basics, but it just occured to me ... aren't points points?? In other words, if I decide to go with points based TS, does it even matter where I buy?? In other words, can't I just buy 100k points which will get me 100k points worht of TS anywhere ? Or does location STILL come into play with points? Also, are there different types of points? I have heard of "Rci" points -- is this the best way to go if I'm going to choose the points system vs. weeks? Thanks!

There are several points system out there; RCI, Wyndham, Bluegreen, Worldmark, DVC, ....the list goes on. Each has its pros and cons and set of rules. Read about them all.
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[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Great explanation!

Points are like a nation's currency. The value of of each nation's currency in another country is different. Also, you cannot necessary spend your nation's currency in another nation or even exchange it for another country's currency. There are favored nations out there.

I've never heard it put like this before, but I like it! Makes a complicated subject for a newbie a little easier to grasp....

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Points are like a nation's currency. The value of each nation's currency in another country is different. Also, you cannot necessary spend your nation's currency in another nation or even exchange it for another country's currency. There are favored nations out there.

Interesting way of using the nation idea. It works.

To expand on that or modify the verbiage just a small bit, if you have points from the nation of Wyndham, you can use them all over in that nation easily. Same thing for Bluegreen, lots of resorts in lots of states can be booked with those points. However, nation of Wyndham points can not be used in the country of Bluegreen unless you do an exchange with a third party like II, RCI, SFX or other exchange company.

You buy from one company, you may need 100,000 points to get a 2 br unit and from another company may be 10,000 for the same unit. That is why while points are points within the nation or company, different nations have different points. Points are points but not all points are equal.

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

my BIGGEST confusion is between points and weeks. I understand the basics, but it just occurred to me ... aren't points points?? In other words, if I decide to go with points based TS, does it even matter where I buy?? In other words, can't I just buy 100k points which will get me 100k points worth of TS anywhere ? Or does location STILL come into play with points?

The 1st thing come to consideration is which point system you want to own. You get more chance to reserve the units in that systems.

Than within each systems, they all have different rule regarding what can you do and how much you will pay for these point year in year out. A system may not have concept where your point is based on like WM, RHC. A system may give you some special early reservation on the resort your deed is based on, or a area, or a set of resorts. Like Wyndham, RCI point, I believe Bluegreen, HGVC, Diamond, Disney all fall on this group. Generally, those difference does not grand too much considerations. So you can within the same system, treat point as point. Unless you know there is area where you will visit more often, than you need to do some checking to determine if you want to also be the owner of that area.

However, If a system is deed system, MF is tied to that one, which will be different from area to area. Which determine the ratio of real money to point.

Also, if some unfortunately event happen, and the mini-system has to dissolved, or a TS has to stop operation what you own may become important. But I have not see it happen.

Jya-Ning