Giving a definitive answer to what is best when it comes to timeshare models is very subjective. While the points system is newer and generally considered much more flexible, the jury is still out on whether points are better for all timeshare owners and potential buyers. Like any big investment, it depends on the individual and their unique vacation patterns.
Timeshare Point
The timeshare points system received a lot of praise from both new buyers and pre-existing timeshare owners thanks to the ease with which you could then swap your timeshare unit for other destinations and even split your weeks. Essentially, what the timeshare points model offers buyers and owners is the possibility of turning their unit into a kind of currency which makes it easier for exchanges.
Advantages of Timeshare Points
When you have bought timeshare points or transferred your fixed week into points through a vacation club or timeshare initiative, the value of your timeshare week is converted into a quota of points which you can use each year. These points can be used as you wish and often mean you can split your week and stay in two different places within the same calendar year. The other advantage is that you can save or bank you points to use the following year, which is great if you want to visit a destination that requires more points or you wish to use a larger or more luxurious unit.
Timeshare Blocked Weeks
The original timeshare model was to buy a timeshare blocked week, whose options were divided into further categories such as fixed weeks, rotating weeks and floating weeks. The idea is simple to grasp; you buy a week in a property and have access to that timeshare during the dates specified in your contract.
Advantages of Blocked Weeks
The advantage of blocked weeks is they can sometimes work out cheaper if you have no intention of exchanging your unit. Timeshare owners who want to return to the same destination each year could well find that a blocked week timeshare is more economical. However, blocked weeks in the cheaper units can sometimes be difficult to swap. Perhaps the best advantage of a blocked week timeshare is when you have fixed weeks during major holidays. You are guaranteed excellent home from home accommodation during the times when it is hard to make a reservation and difficult to find quality hotel rooms at a reasonable price. They are also easy to rent if you can’t get to use your unit for some reason.
Therefore, the honest answer to the question of what is best, points or blocks weeks, is that it depends on what you need from your vacation accommodation. If you want to be able to exchange for destinations around the world, it is easier to invest in the points scheme, while if you want to visit the same place each year, a fixed or floating week could be the perfect option.
