Have you ever found yourself dreaming of a luxurious vacation, a place where you can relax in a spacious villa, cook your own meals, and feel truly at home, all while enjoying the impeccable service of a world-renowned brand like Marriott? The idea of owning a piece of that dream through Marriott Vacation Club (MVC) points can be incredibly appealing. But then a question pops into your head: How much does it actually cost to buy Marriott Vacation Club points?
You're not alone. This is one of the most common and important questions for anyone considering timeshare ownership. The answer isn't a simple dollar amount, as the cost is comprised of several key components and can vary dramatically depending on how you choose to buy. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the initial purchase price to the ongoing fees, so you can make a well-informed decision. Let's break down the costs and the process.
Step 1: Understand the Two Primary Ways to Buy MVC Points
Before we can talk about numbers, you must first understand the two distinct paths to ownership. The cost difference between these two routes is a central theme of this entire guide.
Buying Directly from Marriott Vacation Club: This is the developer-direct route. You attend a sales presentation, work with a Marriott Vacation Specialist, and purchase points directly from the company. This method often comes with more perks, such as access to the full suite of Abound by Marriott Vacations™ benefits, which can include the ability to convert points to Marriott Bonvoy points. However, this is also the most expensive way to acquire points.
Buying on the Resale Market: The resale market consists of existing owners who want to sell their timeshare interest. You can find these listings on specialized timeshare resale websites. This method is almost always significantly cheaper than buying developer-direct. However, there are some important limitations to be aware of, which we'll cover in the next steps.
Step 2: Breaking Down the Initial Upfront Cost
The sticker price is the first thing that catches your eye, but it's only part of the story. The initial cost to buy MVC points is a combination of the per-point price and a few other fees.
Sub-heading: Developer-Direct Pricing (The Sticker Price)
Marriott Vacation Club's pricing is not publicly listed and can fluctuate based on the market, promotions, and the package you're buying. However, sources and reports from owners who have gone through the process indicate that the developer-direct price is often in the range of $13 to $16 per point.
Keep in mind that there is typically a minimum purchase amount. As of late 2024, the minimum ownership starts at approximately $27,000, which suggests you'd be looking at a significant number of points to begin with. This cost may also be financed, but be aware that timeshare financing often comes with higher interest rates, sometimes in the 17.9% to 20% APR range.
Sub-heading: Resale Market Pricing (The Steep Discount)
This is where you'll find the most dramatic savings. The timeshare resale market is a buyer's market, and points are often sold at a steep discount compared to the developer's price. Listings on sites like RedWeek or other timeshare resale brokers show Marriott Vacation Club points for sale for as little as $1 to $3 per point.
For example, you might see a listing for 1,000 annual points for a purchase price of $2,000, which works out to just $2.00 per point. This is a massive savings compared to buying the same number of points from Marriott directly.
However, there are a few extra costs and restrictions to consider when buying resale.
Marriott's Right of First Refusal (ROFR): When you make an offer on a resale listing, Marriott Vacation Club has the right to step in and buy the contract from the seller at the same price you offered. This can delay the process and, in some cases, prevent the sale from going through.
Transfer Fees: Marriott charges a fee to transfer the ownership from the seller to the buyer. This includes a fee of around $3 per point and often a new member education fee, which can be a few hundred dollars. These fees are typically paid by the buyer and must be factored into your total cost.
Step 3: Don't Forget the Ongoing Annual Fees
The initial purchase price is a one-time cost, but the annual fees are a recurring expense that you'll pay for as long as you own the points. These fees are crucial to a complete understanding of the total cost of ownership.
Sub-heading: Annual Maintenance Fees
These fees are used to cover the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the resorts. This includes things like landscaping, pool upkeep, cleaning services, and general repairs. The maintenance fee is calculated on a per-point basis.
In 2025, the approximate maintenance fee for a beneficial interest in the MVC Destinations program was around $0.8148 per point.
Sub-heading: Annual Club Dues
In addition to the maintenance fee, there's also an annual club fee that covers the administrative costs of the program. This fee gives you access to the points system, the ability to bank or borrow points, and other ownership perks. This fee is a flat rate that depends on your ownership level.
For Owners and Select members (up to 6,999 points), the annual club fee in 2025 was approximately $250.
For Executive and Presidential members, it was around $290, and for Chairman's Club members, it was around $305.
Step 4: Comparing Total Costs: A Practical Example
Let's put all of this together with a simple example to show the dramatic difference in cost between buying direct and buying resale.
Scenario: You want to buy 3,000 Marriott Vacation Club points.
Direct from Marriott:
Initial Purchase: Let's assume a conservative price of $14 per point.
3,000 points * $14/point = $42,000
Annual Fees:
Maintenance Fee: 3,000 points * $0.8148/point = $2,444.40
Club Fee: $250
Total Annual Fees: $2,694.40
Resale Market:
Initial Purchase: Let's assume a price of $2 per point.
3,000 points * $2/point = $6,000
Transfer Fees:
Marriott Transfer Fee: 3,000 points * $3/point = $9,000
Closing Costs: ~$1,000
Total Upfront Cost: $6,000 + $9,000 + $1,000 = $16,000
Annual Fees:
Maintenance Fee: 3,000 points * $0.8148/point = $2,444.40
Club Fee: $250
Total Annual Fees: $2,694.40
In this example, the initial cost for the same number of points is $42,000 when buying direct, compared to $16,000 when buying on the resale market. While the annual fees remain the same, the upfront savings are substantial.
Step 5: Final Considerations and a Warning
It's clear that the resale market offers significant savings. However, there is a very important distinction to be aware of: Resale points may not have the same full benefits as points purchased directly from Marriott.
The most common restriction on resale points is the inability to convert them to Marriott Bonvoy points. For some, this is a deal-breaker, as they value the flexibility of using their points for hotel stays. For others who are only interested in staying at Marriott Vacation Club resorts, this may not matter at all.
It is absolutely essential to do your homework and understand all the terms and conditions of a resale contract before you sign anything. Work with a reputable timeshare resale broker to ensure a smooth and transparent transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find Marriott Vacation Club points for sale on the resale market?
You can find Marriott Vacation Club points for sale on specialized timeshare resale websites like RedWeek, Fidelity Real Estate, or Timeshares Only. These sites allow you to browse listings and make an offer directly to the owner or through a broker.
How to calculate the per-point cost of a resale listing?
To calculate the per-point cost, you simply divide the listing's purchase price by the number of points being offered. For example, if a listing is for $5,000 and has 1,500 points, the cost is $3.33 per point.
How to budget for the annual maintenance fees?
The annual maintenance fees are a non-negotiable part of ownership. To budget, you should plan on paying the per-point maintenance fee multiplied by your total number of points, plus the flat annual club fee. These fees typically increase each year, so it's wise to factor in a 3-5% annual increase for future planning.
How to know if a resale listing is a good deal?
A good deal on a resale listing is generally one that has a low per-point cost and manageable annual fees. You should compare the listing price to other similar listings on the same platform to get a sense of the market value.
How to avoid scams when buying on the resale market?
To avoid scams, only use established and reputable timeshare resale brokers and websites. Never pay a seller directly outside of a secure escrow process, and be wary of any deal that seems too good to be true.
How to understand Marriott's Right of First Refusal (ROFR)?
Marriott's ROFR means they can legally purchase a resale contract at the same price and terms you've agreed upon. This is a common practice to help them control the resale market. A reputable broker will be familiar with this process and can guide you on making an offer that is less likely to be exercised by Marriott.
How to determine the right number of points for me?
The number of points you need depends entirely on your vacation habits. Consider where and when you like to travel, the size of the villas you prefer, and the length of your trips. Marriott provides point charts that can help you understand how many points a specific vacation would cost.
How to know if I'll have the same benefits with resale points?
Generally, resale points do not carry the same full benefits as those bought directly from the developer. The most common exclusion is the ability to convert your points to Marriott Bonvoy points for hotel stays. Always verify the specific terms and restrictions of the points you are considering purchasing.
How to finance a timeshare purchase?
While timeshare financing is available, it often comes with a high interest rate. Many people choose to pay in cash or take out a personal loan or home equity loan with a lower interest rate to fund their purchase.
How to understand the different ownership levels?
Marriott Vacation Club has different ownership levels based on the number of points you own. These levels (Owner, Select, Executive, Presidential, Chairman's Club) come with varying perks, such as different reservation windows and point-trading options. The more points you have, the higher your ownership level and the more flexibility you get.
