Converting your unused vacation points into a high-seas getaway sounds like a dream. Many owners look to programs like Club Wyndham Travel’s PlusPoints as a convenient way to trade their points directly for select cruises. On paper, it looks highly flexible: shorter Caribbean cruises typically start around 30,000 to 60,000 points per person, and the program allows you to combine your points with cash to make the booking feel more affordable.
Each cruise listing outlines a maximum point threshold you can apply (ranging from 30,000 up to 195,000 points per person), and PlusPoints pricing is available for up to two travelers per cruise reservation, subject to a $69 reservation fee.
However, when you closely examine the math behind converting timeshare points, something becomes clear: the conversion to Club Wyndham Travel’s PlusPoints program drastically undervalues your ownership.
Case Study: The 4-Night Bahamas Cruise Matchup
To see exactly how much value disappears during a developer exchange, let’s look at a real-world example using a popular Royal Caribbean International itinerary.
Ship: Utopia of the Seas
Length: 4 Nights
Departure Port: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida
Itinerary: * Day 1: Orlando (Port Canaveral), FL
Day 2: Nassau, Bahamas
Day 3: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: Return to Orlando
For a September 18–21, 2026 itinerary, the cheapest retail cash price for two people booking an interior cabin ("We Choose Your Room" / cruise assigned) is $826, plus $212 in port fees and taxes, totaling $1,038.
If you convert your points for this exact cruise, an interior cabin will cost you between 258,000 and 458,000 points. Opting for the lowest tier (258,000 points), you are still required to pay the $212 in port taxes out of pocket, alongside the $69 booking fee.
Because your 258,000 points only cover the base retail room rate of $826, the developer is valuating your points at a measley rate of just $3.20 per 1,000 points.
The Smarter Strategy: Rent Timeshare Points for Cash
As experts in vacation ownership maximization, Resort Travel Management advises owners to look past the illusion of Club Wyndham Travel convenience. Instead of accepting a low-value conversion rate, a growing number of savvy owners are turning to a much more lucrative alternative: timeshare point rental.
When you choose to rent timeshare points through a trusted third-party agency rather than exchanging them with Club Wyndham Travel, the financial return changes entirely.
Their Valuation: 258,000 points = $826 in cruise value ($3.20 per 1,000 points)
Resort Travel Management Valuation: Our owners receive up to $8.00 per 1,000 points.
By renting out those exact same 258,000 points through Resort Travel Management, you can secure up to $2,064 in cash.
The Bottom Line
When you compare $2,064 in pure cash value against the developer’s $826 credit, the reality is undeniable: your points are worth well over twice as much when rented. By leveraging a strategic timeshare point rental, you can pay for your Royal Caribbean cruise completely in cash, cover your port taxes and booking fees, and still have over $1,000 left over to spend on drink packages, onboard specialty dining, or shore excursions.
Before you lock yourself into an unfavorable point exchange, protect your investment. Contact Resort Travel Management today to learn how easily you can maximize your points.