All,
Thinking further about my reservations in other systems, here is the cost of making my reservation in other systems. These are the reservations that I target, and represent some of the reasons I find the ownerships useful, in addition to diversity of places to visit.
These amounts based purely on the blended cost of all the maintenance fees I pay for my weeks in that system, and ignore any reservation cost ($59 in HGVC, I think) and the cost of the membership in the system. Like Marriott DClub, which has an annual fee, there are annual fees for HGVC and Starwood.
HGVC
Hilton Hawaiian Village (Lagoon Tower)
2BR Premier (this is 9,600 points, and is ocean-front): $1,600
1BR Plus (this is 6,200 points, and is ocean-view): $989
HGVC Kings Land
2BR Standard (this is 8,400 points in Phase 2, and is golf course view): $1,375
2BR Standard (this is 10,500 points in Phase 1, and is ground floor): $1,675
HGVC Kohala Suites and Bay Club (two different properties)
2BR Standard (this is 7,000 points): $1,117
1BR Standard (this is 4,800 points): $765
Because HGVC is a true point system, with consistent point requirements across all properties, anything you see that requires 4,800/6,200/7,000/8,400/10,500 will conform my blended MF computation.
None of the Big Island properties have an Ocean View, however they have access to the amenities at the hotel, which is terrific in its own right and a major reason we like HGVC and will keep staying there even when Marriott Big Island opens
Starwood (now called Vistana)
Westin Princeville
1BR (this is 81,000 StarOptions): $1,289
2BR (this is 148,100 StarOptions): $2,356
81K and 148K StarOptions are the backbone of the Starwood point system for a 1BR and a 2BR. Some properties deviate modestly from this structure (Westin St. John) or have a premium for ocean-front rooms (Westin Kaanapali) but for the most part, 81K and 148K are the benchmarks.
These points provide access to Kauai (Princeville), Maui, Cancun, soon to be Cabo San Lucas, Nassau and St. John. I've encouraged Marriott owners interested in Maui to consider Starwood and WKORV as an easier to access option than trying to trade into my beloved MOC.
These costs also provide a comparator against the comparable Marriott units on the same island. A 2BR that requires 5,000 Marriott DC points (Waiohai Island View) has a "points-cost" of $2,500, ie you could rent 5,000 points from someone for $0.50 each (or $0.55, whatever you negotiate) and you can book a Marriott Waiohai for $2,500. That's easier than buying a Starwood and constructing the portfolio to then stay at Westin for $2,356. Unless you prefer Princeville.
I should add one more comment regarding Worldmark and Interval International. If you are satisfied with Studio accommodations, then Worldmark is a great option for you because it trades well into most Marriott Studios (except MOC) because most Marriott owners are not looking to match a Studio and let them slide through the 24 day preference. I will routinely deposit a Worldmark week with Interval International that has an MF of $420 and pay the $179 exchange fee and trade for a Marriott Studio, if I need for a couple traveling with us, as an example. For $600, I get a Studio week -- that's cheaper than renting the points and booking the Studio through DClub (but it's also less predictable). I've done this most frequently at Ko Olina, where a Studio is 2,000 points.
I hope this helps!
Best,
Greg