How to Sell Marriott Destinations Points

Wes Kogelman

July 17, 2023

Understanding How to Sell Marriott Destinations Points – Step by Step

Selling your Marriott Destination Points can be a very important decision if you find that you are no longer using them. This guide will provide an explanation of the best practices to do so. It is, however, essential to know that the selling of these points might be subject to certain restrictions according to Marriott's terms and conditions.

Understand the Value of Your Points

The first step in selling your Marriott Destination Points is to understand what they are worth. The value can vary based on factors such as the overall amount of the points you are putting up for sale.

Generally, the more points you have, the more resort and unit options the new owner will have once they own the points. Larger amounts of points may mean a larger overall price tag, but try to price them using a price per point method to allow for comparison with what Marriott is charging.

Research the current market rate to get an idea of how much you can expect to sell them for. A great starting point is by using our free market analysis calculator, which gives you the average asking price for Marriott Destination points from the sellers advertising on our platform.

Ensure You're Permitted to Sell Marriott Points

Marriott does have certain restrictions on the sale of their points. For instance, Destinations points can only be sold as resales if they were originally bought as Destinations points. Owners who converted their Marriott timeshare week into Destinations points cannot sell those points, as the ownership will revert back to the original Marriott week when placed onto the resale market.

A distinction also needs to be made between Destinations points and Rewards points, which are the points earned through the Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program. Marriott Rewards points cannot be sold on the timeshare resale market, so timeshare weeks or Destinations points that are converted into Rewards points must remain Rewards points for the duration of the usage year. The use of the week or Destinations points will be renewed in the next usage year and can then be sold.

Always double-check the current terms and conditions to make sure you're not going against any rules.

Locate a New Owner

After you have an understanding of your points' value and have confirmed you're allowed to sell them, it's time to find someone to take them off your hands. There are several ways to go about this. You might know someone personally who is interested in purchasing your points. Alternatively, you could use online platforms such as social media groups where timeshare owners meet.

However, ask yourself if friends, family or consumers actually use these methods to search for these points. Highly doubtful, which is why using professionals experienced in online search marketing gives you the best chance to sell your Marriott Destinations points.

Use a Reputable Resale Company

Research a reputable company who deals in Marriott Destination Points. These companies are well-versed in the points system, know the market rate, and can ensure a smooth transaction.

Be sure to look for a company that does not charge an upfront fee, since they will usually work on commission and, therefore, give staff an incentive to sell the points rather than just advertise them.

At SellaTimeshare.com, we do not charge upfront fees and sellers can upload their details themselves to put their Destinations points for sale on the resale market. Our automated system builds your ad for you, and you can take advantage of our successful online marketing strategies while licensed agents from our sister company, Timeshare Broker Associates (TBA), also work on your behalf to find a buyer and get the deal done.

Using a reputable company can also protect you from scams. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of anyone who is unwilling to use secure payment methods or who asks for your account information, which is why TBA agents verify all offers and evaluate potential buyers to prove they are legitimate. It's better to be safe and secure when selling your Marriott Destination Points.

Negotiating a Deal

Negotiation is a critical part of selling your Marriott Destination Points, which is why having a professional involved is the best way to handle it. As mentioned earlier, you'll need to set a competitive price to attract buyers, which licensed agents can help you with as well. However, you also need to ensure that you're getting a fair deal, which an agent can determine since they know the market values inside and out.

You may need to be flexible with your pricing based on the current market rates and the value that the points can deliver to the new owner.

Documentation of the Sale

Putting together the sale agreement is another important step in the process of selling your points. This can protect both parties in case of any disagreements or issues down the line. The documentation should detail the number of points being sold, the agreed-upon price, the payment method, process for collecting deposits and the timeline for the transfer and payment.

This is another reason why working with a licensed professional is important, to ensure that the paperwork is correct, and the deal doesn’t potentially falter down the road due to a technicality.

Transparency of the Process

Transparency is a key to a successful transaction. Be open about the number of points you have and their expiration dates. It is also wise to inform consumers of any restrictions that might apply to the points after the transfer. If there are any issues with the points, it's better for them to know upfront rather than discovering it later, which could lead to disputes or a canceled sale.

Customer Service

Engaging with a timeshare resale agent helps you face any challenges in the process. They can help clarify Marriott’s policies, assist with the transfer process, or resolve any other issues. This is especially important due to Marriott’s Right of First Refusal (ROFR) policy.

The ROFR policy allows Marriott to essentially match a deal put together to sell your Destinations points and basically buy them back from you. They can either enact their ROFR rights or allow the sale to proceed, as Marriott reserves the right to approve all resales. This allows Marriott to protect the resale values of their points.

In either case, the seller still sells their points, whether back to Marriott or to the consumer. However, the process can be cumbersome, and the seller must first have a customer contracted to purchase the points for this to proceed. Having an agent help you through the process can make all the difference.

The Transfer Process

Once a sale is agreed to, you'll need to transfer your points. This typically involves using a trusted transfer or closing company to complete the transaction. You should never give out your account information for the new owner to log in and transfer the points themselves.

TBA agents can recommend a trusted closing company and facilitate the process, even if it means working directly with Marriott to streamline the procedure.

Setting Up Payment

There are usually two initial steps: 1) the deposit paid by the buyer and placed into escrow, and 2) the remaining amount of the purchase paid by the buyer just prior to closing.

If working with a broker, they will receive the deposit and place it into the escrow account, then hand the process over to the closing company to complete the deal.  

Once the transfer process is complete, you can then receive payment. Generally, this means the closing company will send you payment in the manner you decide.

Now You Know How to Sell Marriott Destinations Points

Selling your Marriott Destination Points involves several areas including a thorough understanding of their value, finding a new owner, negotiating a good deal, and ensuring a smooth and transparent transaction.

Be sure to stay updated with Marriott's policies regarding the selling or transferring of points. Be mindful of potential scams and always prioritize the safety and security of your account information. All of these steps are reasons to consult with a professional to make sure you are making the best possible decision.

To start the process of selling your Marriott Destinations points, please click here.