Methodology · Updated May 2026
How we calculate what your points are worth
Every per-point value on this site comes from observable secondary-market data. Here are the sources, the math, and the editorial process in full detail.
We estimate per-point rental value by sampling current secondary-market listings, dividing by point cost, and reporting a range — not a single number.
- Data sources: Airbnb, Vrbo, RedWeek, Koala, Timeshare Rental Pros published deal data, brand-direct point charts, ARDA industry reports.
- Refresh cadence: brand-by-brand per-point ranges reviewed quarterly; calculator math reviewed on every brand-program rule change.
- Editorial: AI-assisted drafting, human-edited, fact-checked against primary sources before publication.
- What we don't do: no fabricated single-point-of-truth values, no inflated estimates to drive referrals, no paid placement.
The data we use
Per-point rental value isn't published by the timeshare developers. It has to be reconstructed from observable secondary-market activity. We sample three categories of source:
1. Public rental marketplaces
Active listings on Airbnb, Vrbo, RedWeek, and Koala for stays at branded timeshare resorts during peak weeks. We divide gross nightly rate (minus platform fees) by the point cost from the brand-direct point chart to get a per-point rental value.
2. Buyer-service deal data
Published payout ranges from cash-for-points services like Timeshare Rental Pros. These represent the floor of per-point value — what an owner can realize in 48 hours with zero work.
3. Brand-direct point charts
The official point chart from each program (Club Wyndham, Marriott Vacation Club, etc.) — the denominator in our per-point calculation. Updated when the brand publishes a new chart, typically annually.
4. Industry context
For aggregate facts (owner counts, average maintenance fees, exit-program participation rates), we cite the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) annual State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report and brand investor disclosures.
How the calculator math works
The calculator takes three inputs (program, point count, optional expiration date) and returns a rental-value range — not a single number — because per-point value varies meaningfully depending on which weeks you can book and which resort you can access.
The formula: points × low_cents_per_point to points × high_cents_per_point.
The cents-per-point ranges per program are stored in src/lib/brands.ts in the open-source repository and are updated based on the source sampling above. Current ranges:
The expiration date input doesn't change the value — it shifts the urgency framing in the result panel. Points within 30 days of expiration get a red "urgent" label; 90+ days gets "no rush".
When we update
- Quarterly
- Per-point rental ranges resampled across all 8 programs. Significant shifts (>15%) trigger calculator updates and content refresh on affected brand pages.
- Event-driven
- When a brand publishes a new point chart, changes their banking/expiration rules, modifies their exit program (e.g. Wyndham Ovation revisions), or merges with another brand (HGV + Diamond), we update the relevant brand profile within 7 days.
- Daily
- New blog content is published daily from a planned editorial pipeline. Each post is fact-checked against the data sources above before going live.
Editorial process
- Topic selection. Topics come from our content pipeline, prioritized by owner search intent (we use Google Search Console, SEMrush, and direct owner email feedback).
- Drafting. AI-assisted draft using Claude (Anthropic). The model is given our editorial guidelines, current data, and primary-source citations.
- Fact-check. Every number, every program rule, every payout claim is verified against the data sources above. Disputed or stale facts get cut or sourced.
- Internal links. Each post cross-links to relevant brand profiles and blog posts so readers can navigate to specifics.
- Publish + monitor. Post goes live with FAQPage / HowTo / Article schema as appropriate. We monitor reader feedback and update if corrections come in.
What we don't do
- – We don't publish a single "this is exactly what your points are worth" number. The range is honest; a single number would be a lie.
- – We don't inflate per-point estimates to drive higher-perceived-value referrals. Inflating numbers benefits no one — owners get disappointing offers, the buyer service gets refund disputes, we lose trust.
- – We don't accept paid placement, sponsored content, or guest posts that link to commercial timeshare services.
- – We don't recommend any service that charges owners upfront. That's the #1 scam pattern in this industry, full stop.
- – We don't claim our calculator replaces a real offer. It's a starting estimate; the actual offer depends on resort, check-in flexibility, and current demand.
Corrections & feedback
Spot a wrong number? Tell us.
If a per-point range is off, a program rule has changed, or a fact we cited turns out wrong — send it via our contact form. We update fast and credit the correction.