What is Marriott's right of first refusal and how does it affect a sale?

Marriott can exercise a right of first refusal on any resale, meaning it has the option to buy the week back itself before the sale to a private buyer completes. This process runs 15 to 30 days depending on the resort, so sellers should allow for that window before a sale is final.

How long does a transfer typically take after a sale is agreed?

Owners report that a full ownership transfer through Marriott Vacation Club typically takes three to four months from agreement to completion, so it's not an instant handover.

How does listing my SurfWatch week for sale or rent on BidMyTimeshare.com work?

You create a listing, set your own asking price, and interested buyers or renters contact you directly through the platform. BidMyTimeshare.com charges a one-time listing fee and takes 0% commission on the final sale or rental amount.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States

Marriott's SurfWatch

Q: Does a resale buyer get the same benefits as someone who buys direct from Marriott?

Not entirely. Resale points don't count toward Marriott's Reserve or Pinnacle membership tiers, and resale legacy weeks can't be enrolled in Abound or converted to Marriott Bonvoy points, so buyers should know this before purchasing a resale week.

Marriott's SurfWatch sits close to the beach on Hilton Head Island, in South Carolina's Beaufort County, with indoor, outdoor and saltwater pools and a Google rating of 4.8 from over 1,500 reviews. Whether you're thinking about selling a week you no longer use or renting it out for a season, here's what you need to know about the resort and how a private resale actually works.

Interval International

★4.8 (1,501 reviews)

Marriott Vacation Club

Selling or renting out a week at Marriott's SurfWatch: what owners need to know

Facts with sources, checked September 2026. Prices are asking prices published on BidMyTimeshare.com — not valuations.

Resale transfer at Marriott Vacation Club

Transfer fee: Points: $750 per 250 points (min. $3,000) + fees; US legacy weeks: $25 + $95 ROFR fee
Right of first refusal: Yes, 15–30 days depending on the resort
Resale restrictions: Resale points don't count toward Reserve or Pinnacle tiers; resale weeks can't join Abound or convert to Bonvoy points
Typical transfer time: Owners report 3–4 months

According to a licensed resale broker, Marriott charges resale buyers of points $750 per 250 points (minimum $3,000), plus a $300 education fee for first-time owners and a $95 fee when it waives its right of first refusal.
For legacy weeks in the US, RedWeek lists a $25 transfer fee plus a $95 right-of-first-refusal fee.
Marriott's right of first refusal runs 15–30 days depending on the resort.
Only points bought from Marriott count toward the Reserve and Pinnacle membership tiers, and resale legacy weeks cannot enrol in Abound or convert to Marriott Bonvoy points.
Marriott does not publish these fees on an open page; the owner portal requires a login.

Sources: aTimeshare – Marriott resale vs retail (Apr 2025) · aTimeshare – Marriott right of first refusal (Jun 2025) · aTimeshare – Abound membership level changes (May 2026) · RedWeek – selling a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare (undated) · TUG forum – buying Marriott resale (Aug 2025) — all brands compared

Interval International exchange membership: Interval International requires resale buyers to confirm that they are the owner of record before applying for membership. source

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The resort and its setting

Marriott's SurfWatch is a Marriott Vacation Club property at 10 Surf Watch Way, right on Hilton Head Island. Google's listing summary describes it as a "laid-back hotel with dining & a private beach area, plus indoor, outdoor & saltwater pools" — and the 4.8/5 score from more than 1,500 reviewers backs that up. It's part of the Marriott Vacation Club points and legacy-week system, built for the kind of unhurried, beach-town stay Hilton Head is known for.

The area and things to do

Hilton Head Island has been a Lowcountry beach destination for decades, known for its wide stretch of Atlantic coastline, bike paths, golf courses and marshland scenery. SurfWatch's location puts owners and guests within easy reach of the island's beaches, shopping at Coligny Plaza and the marinas at Shelter Cove and Harbour Town, where you'll find restaurants, boat tours and the island's well-known lighthouse. Beaufort County more broadly offers historic towns, salt marsh views and quieter beaches for day trips away from the resort itself.

Selling or renting a week here

If you own a week or points at SurfWatch and no longer use them, you can list it for sale or rent on BidMyTimeshare.com as a private, owner-to-owner transaction. You set your own asking price, buyers or renters contact you directly through the platform, and BidMyTimeshare.com charges a one-time listing fee with 0% commission on the sale — unlike a broker, we don't take a cut of what you agree with the buyer.

Before you list, it's worth understanding Marriott Vacation Club's own transfer rules, since these affect what a buyer is actually getting. According to Marriott, resale buyers of points pay $750 per 250 points (minimum $3,000), plus fees, while US legacy weeks carry a $25 transfer fee plus a $95 right-of-first-refusal fee. Marriott also holds a right of first refusal on resales, running 15 to 30 days depending on the resort, so any sale is technically subject to Marriott choosing not to buy the week back first. Owners report that a full transfer typically takes three to four months to complete, so build that into your timeline if you're selling.

Buyers should also know that resale points purchased secondhand don't count toward Marriott's Reserve or Pinnacle membership tiers, and resale legacy weeks can't be enrolled in Abound or converted to Marriott Bonvoy points. SurfWatch owners do have access to Interval International for exchanges, which is a draw for buyers who want flexibility to trade into other destinations rather than using the week at Hilton Head every year.

Practical notes

Marriott doesn't publish these resale fees on an open page — they sit behind the owner portal login — so it's worth confirming current figures directly with Marriott Vacation Club before you agree on a price with a buyer or seller. Renters, meanwhile, are typically looking for confirmed dates, resort amenities (the saltwater pool and private beach area are notable here) and a straightforward way to contact the owner, all of which a BidMyTimeshare.com listing is built to provide.

Nearby Attractions

📍Coligny Plaza

📍Shelter Cove Harbour

📍Harbour Town Lighthouse

📍Sea Pines Forest Preserve

📍Beaufort Historic District

Travel Tips

Hilton Head's beaches and bike paths are busiest in the summer shoulder season, so book golf tee times and dinner reservations ahead if you're visiting then. Bring a bike or rent one locally, as the island's flat paved trails make it easy to get around without a car. Pack for humidity and sudden coastal showers, and check tide times if a beach walk is part of the plan.