How Does Marriott Timeshare Work: Everything You Need to Know

Marriott Timeshares are available as part of the Marriott Vacation Club and are a flexible vacation ownership that allows members to enjoy stays at Marriott locations around the world, year after year. Instead of owning a fixed week at a particular resort, Marriott Vacation Club members purchase points that can be used to book accommodations at a wide range of destinations, room sizes, and travel dates. Each year, owners receive a set number of points based on their ownership. These points allow you to book vacations that fit your schedule, whether that is a beach getaway, a city escape, or a family vacation. Marriott designs its timeshares to deliver reliable, high-quality hospitality and give you access to a global network of resorts, making vacation planning easy and enjoyable. So, if you have been wondering “how does Marriott timeshare work,” continue reading to discover everything you need to know.

Marriott Vacation Club Points: Points-Based Ownership

Since Marriott Vacation Club operates on a points-based system, it is designed to give owners maximum flexibility in how they travel. Owners receive a set number of points each year and can use them at any time. You can also use your points for whichever combination of length of stay and accommodation you’d like. For example, you could spend more time in a studio accommodation since studios require fewer points. Or, for more points, you could opt to stay in a large villa that fits the whole family. Just keep in mind the points needed for each style accommodation, and the rest is up to you! Owners can also spread their points across multiple shorter trips or one extended vacation.

With all of that being said, the flexibility of selecting your dates and accommodation comes with the need for planning. Points-based timeshare ownership requires advance reservations, making it very different from traditional timeshare ownership. With a traditional timeshare, you know exactly where and when you will be vacationing. With an annual vacation on the same week in the same place, there is no need to plan. However, many people prefer points-based for the opportunity to switch up their vacations every year as their family and vacation needs shift. Marriott Vacation Club has phased out the sale of traditional fixed and floating weeks and now offers only points-based ownership. With Marriott timeshare points, you can take a trip to the mountains one year, and the city the next.

How Do Marriott Timeshare Maintenance Fees Work: Keeping the Resorts Beautiful

Within the timeshare industry, “maintenance fees” is a commonly used term to describe the annual fees associated with owning a timeshare. For Marriott Vacation Club owners, annual maintenance fees help keep the resort looking its best year after year. It is important to note that annual maintenance fees and club dues are required for Marriott timeshare ownership, regardless of how much the owner travels in a given year.

The fees cover essential upkeep, such as landscaping, housekeeping, refurbishments, and utilities for the properties. You can think of these fees as you would if you owned a vacation home. With a vacation home, you would be responsible for regular maintenance, like repairs needed to preserve the property’s comfort and value. However, with a timeshare, you are not responsible for any of the hands-on upkeep of your vacation ownership. Instead, the resort handles everything for you; all you need to do is show up and enjoy your vacation. Paying annual maintenance fees ensures a consistent, high-quality experience without stress. As a Marriott Vacation Club owner, you enjoy resort-style amenities and well-maintained accommodations, knowing the property is well cared for. That said, maintenance fees are an essential part of how Marriott timeshares work.

How Marriott Timeshares Work: Choosing a Home Resort

You may be wondering why you need to buy a timeshare at a specific “home resort” when you can use your points at any Marriott Vacation Club resort. Choosing a home resort is vital to how Marriott Timeshares work because it is the property you technically own. There are also certain benefits and advantages to being an owner at a specific home resort. These advantages include priority booking windows (13 months out) for your home resort. With that in mind, selecting a home resort where you see yourself vacationing often is very important. With priority booking, you can lock in your vacation at your preferred resort before other MVC owners or the public can. Beyond that, Marriott Vacation Club offers a flexible booking system that allows owners to reserve stays at any available property in their network.

Marriott Vacation Club offers over 90 properties worldwide, including villa resorts and urban destinations. With plenty of resorts to choose from, there are endless opportunities for incredible vacation memories. Marriott Vacation Club properties are located in the U.S., Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. These Marriott Vacation Club properties include standard rooms, studios, and villas with multiple bedrooms and kitchen amenities. For city lovers, The City Collection includes urban properties within the Marriott Vacation Club network.

Unlock a World of Options with Interval International

Marriott Vacation Club offers exchange programs, including Interval International, to access a vast global network of resorts. While Marriott already offers an impressive global portfolio of resorts, Interval International allows owners to exchange their vacation time for stays at thousands of affiliated resorts worldwide. Owners can opt into Interval International for an additional fee, allowing them to visit destinations beyond the Marriott network. With this exchange option, virtually no destination feels out of reach. This reflects how Marriott timeshares are designed to give owners freedom and choices in their membership. With Marriott Vacation Club and Interval International, your vacation possibilities are endless.

More Flexibility for Timeshare Owners

It is important to understand the other exchange programs that Marriott offers when learning about how Marriott timeshares work. Owners can exchange points for travel options, including hotel stays within the Marriott Bonvoy program and cruises. Owners can trade their vacation club weeks for Bonvoy points and redeem those points across an extensive portfolio of resorts. As of 2025, owners can use Club Points to book stays at over 8,000 Marriott hotels worldwide through a new booking platform. Or, you can use them to book other experiences, including cruises, guided tours, and luxury homes, through the Abound program. The Abound exchange program provides access to over 15,000 vacation options, including Marriott, Sheraton Vacation Club, and Westin Vacation Club resorts. To utilize the Abound program, owners will convert their timeshare points into flexible “club points” through the owner portal.

How Does Marriott Timeshare Work: FAQs

Buying a Marriott Vacation Club Timeshare on the Resale Market

Marriott timeshare owners can buy points on the resale market, which can be significantly cheaper than buying directly from Marriott. With resales, you are buying from an owner who is selling their ownership, rather than paying developer pricing. The ownership includes the same resort accommodations, amenities, usage benefits, and more, just at a much lower initial price. Keep in mind you will still be responsible for the annual maintenance fees for your timeshare. If you are wondering how much Marriott Vacation Club memberships cost on the resale market, they can vary significantly based on demand and location. Check out our resale marketplace to see the current listings for Marriott Vacation Club timeshares.

When purchasing a timeshare off the resale market, it is essential to work with a reputable resale brokerage, like Fidelity Real Estate. With over 25 years of experience and an A+ rating from the BBB, we are experts in guiding buyers through every step of the timeshare resale purchase. For buyers looking to get the best value on a Marriott Vacation Club Ownership, purchasing a timeshare with Fidelity Real Estate offers an affordable, straightforward path to vacation ownership.

How to Sell Your Marriott Vacation Club Timeshare

Sometimes, plans change and you may no longer find yourself getting use out of your timeshare, and that is okay! If you are ready to let your timeshare go, Fidelity Real Estate is ready to help you find a new owner for your timeshare. Fill out the form below to get started on selling your timeshare.