Best Ways to Maximize Timeshare Points Usage [10 Tips]

Looking for the best ways to maximize timeshare points usage? Whether you’re a current owner looking to get more value for your points, or a prospective owner wondering if points-based ownership is all it’s cracked up to be, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we’ll outline the differences between points- and week-based ownership, and offer expert tips to help you get maximum value out of your points. Because while many owners assume one annual vacation is all their ownership can provide, the truth is that smart points usage can be incredibly flexible, letting you enjoy multiple trips, upgraded accommodations, and even extended stays. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Timeshare Points vs. Timeshare Weeks

When most people hear the word “timeshare,” they think of the fixed-week model. With this type of vacation ownership, you own the same week at the same resort, with usage rights every year (annual) or every other year (biennial). It’s great if you want to create a vacation tradition and enjoy the peace of mind of a guaranteed vacation in your favorite destination. It’s not so great if what you value is flexibility.

Today, however, most timeshare brands have adopted a points-based approach to vacation ownership. Points-based timeshares work differently. Think of timeshare points as vacation currency. Each year (or second year), you get an allotment of vacation club points you can use to book vacations at your choice of resorts within your brand’s network.

How many points you spend depends on things like:

The number of points required for a given stay are listed in a program points chart. A penthouse stay, for example, costs more points than a standard room. Holiday stays cost more than stays during shoulder season. Simple, right? Well, it can get more complicated, especially when it comes to the ways in which location and season interact. For instance, a summer beach stay usually costs more than a fall beach stay. However, a fall stay in leaf-peeping country usually costs more than a summer stay in the same location.

This flexibility is why many owners prefer points-based timeshare ownership. One year you can go skiing in Breckenridge, Colorado; the next year you can go snorkeling in Waikiki Beach. But the flexibility doesn’t end at the size, season, and location of your stay.

1. Why Early Planning Matters (The 12–13 Month Rule)

There are many ways to maximize timeshare points usage. In fact, it can be hard to keep them straight. The most important strategy, however, easy to remember: book early.

With most vacation clubs, reservations at your home resort open 12–13 months in advance. The higher the demand — think holiday weeks, peak ski weeks, or peak leaf-peeping weeks — the faster their inventory disappears. Most experienced owners book immediately after they receive their annual allotment of points. Thus, if you wait until six months before your desired week to book it, your chances of securing your vacation go down drastically.

Early booking, on the other hand, ensures:

The earlier you start vacation planning, the more (and better) choices you’ll have. Need to change your plans down the line? Don’t sweat it! Later in this blog post, we’ll tell you how to put your unused points to good use!

2. Know Your Points Chart and Point Value

Every vacation club has a points chart that determines the point value of a given stay. Understanding how to read this chart is one of the most overlooked ways to maximize timeshare points usage.

Example:
A 2-bedroom beach stay in July may cost four times as many points as the same unit in late September.

3. Travel During Shoulder and Off-Peak Seasons

Traveling during peak seasons is the fastest way to burn through your annual allotment of points. That’s why experienced timeshare owners prefer to travel in shoulder season.

The benefits of shoulder-season travel include:

This is one of the simplest methods of taking advantage of the system.

4. Use Short Stays and Midweek Nights to Maximize Timesahre Points Usage

Another major advantage of a points-based system is flexibility in trip length. Unlike traditional timeshare ownership, points owners are not required to book a full week.

Thus, instead of one annual trip, owners can book multiple stays in the same year using the same allotment of points. Here’s how that could look:

Keep in mind that midweek stays (Sunday–Thursday) usually require significantly fewer points than weekend nights.

5. Banking and Borrowing Points to Maximize Timeshare Points Usage

Most vacation clubs allow borrowing points from the next use year and banking unused points for the following year.

Strategic ways to use banking and borrowing include:

Unused balances can often be combined. This allows owners with smaller contracts to accumulate enough points for larger trips.

6. Lockout Units and Trading Power

Do you own a lockout unit at your home resort? You may be able to split it into two reservations — for example, a studio and a one-bedroom.

Points owners with a lockout unit often:

This dramatically improves the efficient use of your vacation club ownership and is one of the most powerful tools available.

7. External Exchange: One of the Best Ways to Maximize Timeshare Points Usage

Most major vacation clubs are affiliated with an external vacation exchange company like RCI or Interval International. These networks allow members to access thousands of resorts worldwide outside of their brand’s network, as well as discounted cruises, hotel rooms, excursions, flights, and more.

Exchanging lets you:

You can also deposit your week up to two years in advance in some systems, increasing trading power.

8. Taking Advantage of Amenities as a Way to Maximize Your Vacation Club Points Usage

Many timeshares are located in full-service resorts with top-notch amenities. These can range from relaxing amenities like spas to active amenities like tennis courts, from adults-only pools to kids’ clubs to activities the entire family will love. Other examples include:

Planning activities in advance and using your resort amenities adds to the overall vacation experience without subtracting from your budget.

9. Buying More Points (The Smart Way)

Want to add points to your existing ownership? Purchasing additional vacation club points on the resale market or secondary market often provides the same usage at a much lower cost compared to buying them directly from your developer. Many experienced owners expand their travel flexibility in this way.

Buying additional points on the resale market can help you:

10. Why Organization Is Essential

Staying organized is one of the best ways to maximize timeshare points usage. Here are a few ducks you should be sure to keep in a row:

Missed deadlines are one of the most common reasons owners feel their timeshare lacks value.

Maximize Your Timeshare Points Usage with Fidelity Real Estate

Whether you’re a first-time buyer in the market for timeshare points or you’re looking to add to your current ownership, the resale market is a great place to start. Our resale marketplace features listings from the world’s top vacation clubs, in the world’s most sought-after locations. Browse by brand to find Marriott Vacation Club points, Club Wyndham points, Disney Vacation Club points, and more, or search by location to find points for sale in bucket-list destinations like Orlando, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Oranjestad, Aruba, and beyond! Need help setting up your search? Call or email us today to get in touch with one of our friendly licensed agents.

Sell Your Timeshare Points with Fidelity

Already own a points-based timeshare? Not using it as often as you’d hoped? We can help! The resale market is a safe and convenient way to offload your unwanted points. At Fidelity Real Estate, we specialize in helping connect owners like you with interested buyers from around the world. As a full-service real estate brokerage, we can guide you through every step of your sale. And as a dedicated member of ARDA with over 25 years of experience and an A+ rating from the BBB, we’re a resale solution you can trust. Fill out the form below to get started!