Points based vacation clubs have been around in the timeshare industry for quite some time now; some of the major players in the industry have built their business model around the flexibility of these programs. Some of the most recognizable names that participate in points based programs are Wyndham Timeshares, Disney Vacation Club, Bluegreen Resorts, and Diamond Resorts. The latest company to join this trend is Ritz Carlton, which recently announced they will now offer a points based program to allow for more flexibility by their owners. Ritz Carlton resorts have long been considered some of the most luxurious vacation spots for both timeshare owners and non owners.

The Orlando Business Journal put together a really nice article outlining the plans for the points based system. The article states:
The new product, which costs from the low $100,000s to $800,000, allows buyers to own an interest in several vacation properties. Instead of giving investors the rights to use a particular property for a certain amount of time, the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club gives them access to Ritz’s properties worldwide.

Personally I have always been a fan of the points based system when the company owns multiple timeshare resorts. The flexibility and freedom these plans offer is a big selling point for many owners and prospective buyers in the market today. There are timeshare exchanges companies which try to offer owners flexibility by allowing them to deposit their week into a pool and allow them to select a week already in the pool. However, many timeshare owners who actively participate in exchanging their weeks may find it difficult and frustrating to find a week they really want or need. The points based system cuts down the number of people that will have access to the available weeks, thus making it easier for owners to find the week they are looking for. Almost every timeshare resort is affiliated with either RCI or Interval International, the two main timeshare exchange companies, virtually giving any timeshare owner eligibility in one of these two programs and allowing them access to the pool of timeshare weeks. With the points based system the number of owners with access to timeshare units in a given network is drastically reduced, making it easier for them to secure a week to fit their needs. On the other hand, there will not be as many resorts for the users of a points based system to choose from, before purchasing a points based timeshare it is important to research the locations available to you.

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