[ 2012 ] How much are you paying a Night?

[FractionalTraveler]

I really like this thread! It poses a great question regarding the relative efficiency of getting the most from vacations.

Since I consider vacation costs as the use of disposable income for an investment in my family, it is well worth it to maximize your return.

If you can squeeze 24 days of vacation from a $2K investment, then that definitely sounds attractive.

The bottom line is that people only budget for vactions a limited amount of cash each year based upon their individual circumastances. It definitely pays to maximize.

I do think that a better metric than costs/day is "The total available time per year you actually have to vacation". Then maximizing the cost/day is even sweeter.

 

[Beefnot]

I get four weeks of vacation per year, but will not use it all TSing. Need to find a week to visit my parents. The remaining 3 wks could be used toward TSing.

 

[Ridewithme38]

I get four weeks of vacation per year, but will not use it all TSing. Need to find a week to visit my parents. The remaining 3 wks could be used toward TSing.

I also get 20 days...Luckily i've been able to squeeze a couple vacations around holidays this year...For instance by Feb. trip to Massanutten only used 4 work days because we had a day off for presidents day, my may trip to Hershey will only require me taking a half day off of work because of the days we have off, my July trip to Patriots place(if i go) will only be 4 days since we have the 4th off, my August Trip to Governors Green will only take 4 1/2 days because of Labor Day

So out of 24 days on vacation, i will only be using 13 days actual vacation time...it leaves 7 more days to screw around

Although we did get a memo about 'choosing one holiday'...i think i can get away with it since the memo doesn't mention Presidents day, or Labor Day

 

[heathpack]

Hyatt Combination of studio, 1 and 2BR units
Excluding initial purchase: $54/night
Including initial purchase amortized over 10 years, assuming resale value of zero: $87/night, based on a realistic 30 nights use/yr
Including initial purchase amortized over 10 years, assuming 30% resale value: $77/night, based on a realistic 30 nights use/yr

Disney Studios only
Including initial purchase amortized over 15 years, with resale value of zero: $11/pt for first 15 years, or about $100-$250/studio night
Initial purchase amortized over 15 years, assuming more realistic 50% resale value: $8/pt, or $75-$200/studio night

Starwood One or 2BR units
Unit was free, cost per night $114 without XYZ, about $70/night if XYZs can be fully utilized

H

 

[Beefnot]

Hyatt Combination of studio, 1 and 2BR units
Excluding initial purchase: $54/night
Including initial purchase amortized over 10 years, assuming resale value of zero: $87/night, based on a realistic 30 nights use/yr
Including initial purchase amortized over 10 years, assuming 30% resale value: $77/night, based on a realistic 30 nights use/yr

Disney Studios only
Including initial purchase amortized over 15 years, with resale value of zero: $11/pt for first 15 years, or about $100-$250/studio night
Initial purchase amortized over 15 years, assuming more realistic 50% resale value: $8/pt, or $75-$200/studio night

Starwood One or 2BR units
Unit was free, cost per night $114 without XYZ, about $70/night if XYZs can be fully utilized

H

Just hope those Hyatt MFs don't start skyrocketing...

 

[hypnotiq]

I have a hard time using all my vacation every year (8 weeks), so having more TS time then vacation time is not a problem...yet.

 

[heathpack]

Just hope those Hyatt MFs don't start skyrocketing...

All calculations have been based on an expected 3.5% annual increase in MF.

The Hyatt resort I own is known for a very well-run HOA. It is no longer in active sales and MF are reasonable (under $1000/year).

I worry much more about skyrocketing MF with Starwood than Hyatt or Disney.

However, the factors one cannot control (MF, quality of resort upkeep, future resale value) are the price one pays for inexpensive timeshare usage now. Timesharing is definitely not for the risk-averse.

H

 

[DeniseM]

My all time low for an exchange is $38.90 per night for a RCI Points Lite exchange to Las Vegas.

That includes my MF, 1 yr. RCI membership, and the exchange fee.

Our 2 weeks in Hawaii, ocean front, at our home resort, averages to $156 a night, but it is worth every penny!

 

[Beefnot]

All calculations have been based on an expected 3.5% annual increase in MF.

The Hyatt resort I own is known for a very well-run HOA. It is no longer in active sales and MF are reasonable (under $1000/year).

I worry much more about skyrocketing MF with Starwood than Hyatt or Disney.

However, the factors one cannot control (MF, quality of resort upkeep, future resale value) are the price one pays for inexpensive timeshare usage now. Timesharing is definitely not for the risk-averse.

H

True that. Ask those Point at Poipu owners.

 

[kkan]

Wow. People are posting impressive numbers.

Recently, I did a cost calculation of all the weeks that I used, exchanged, got as bonus weeks, or obtained by renting (only from the actual TS owner). The total was close to 100 weeks. I included opportunity cost, writing off the purchase price to $0, MFs, exchange fees, RCI & II membership costs, and any other taxes/fees paid directly to the resorts. I bought resale a while back ago when you actually had to pay to own a timeshare (big discount over developer pricing). With everything included, my average cost per night was around $140/nt.

Almost all the units were nice 2br during peak or red season. I rarely traveled during the off-season. I was hard pressed to rent for my average cost per night - paying up to 30% more than my average cost/night. I still thought I was doing well since the typical branded rental sites were asking for 2-3 times my average nightly cost.

My average MF per week is about $550. For exchanges, the exchange fee and partial allocation of the annual membership fee already increases the nightly cost close to $110/night. Even for the few off-season exchanges, I had to give up a good week since I would ask for the best resort in the area.

My estimate is that no matter how long I average the costs over, my nightly cost will never fall below $125/nt.

I am willing to bet that most TS owners that purchased from the developer or have $1000+ MF have a nightly cost of $300/night or more if they calculate correctly.

 

[heathpack]

My calculations include purchase price, exchange company memberships, exchange fees, every misc fee associated with making and managing reservations. I run numbers typically assuming zero resale value, even though for the Hyatt and Disney that is unnecessarily pessimistic. I also only include the actual number of nights we stay in the timeshare- sometimes we book a full week but only stay 3 nights. The only thing that you included that I do not is opportunity cost. The main reason I do not include opportunity cost is that the timeshare purchases came out of the vacation budget and would have been spent within 5-6 years anyway. It would have been cash sitting in a bank account earning 2% interest these days at best. The opportunity cost is actually not a tremendous amount in our scenario.

I don't think that there is really a "correct" way to run these numbers. There are simply too many unknown variables. There is also the real consideration as to how you'd be traveling if you didn't have the TS. Would you be traveling to Hawaii and staying at $300/night hotels? Or would you be camping at the state park 3 hours from home? Everyone should run their numbers honestly for their own sake, but not necessarily in a manner that someone else thinks is "correct."

H

Wow. People are posting impressive numbers.

Recently, I did a cost calculation of all the weeks that I used, exchanged, got as bonus weeks, or obtained by renting (only from the actual TS owner). The total was close to 100 weeks. I included opportunity cost, writing off the purchase price to $0, MFs, exchange fees, RCI & II membership costs, and any other taxes/fees paid directly to the resorts. I bought resale a while back ago when you actually had to pay to own a timeshare (big discount over developer pricing). With everything included, my average cost per night was around $140/nt.

Almost all the units were nice 2br during peak or red season. I rarely traveled during the off-season. I was hard pressed to rent for my average cost per night - paying up to 30% more than my average cost/night. I still thought I was doing well since the typical branded rental sites were asking for 2-3 times my average nightly cost.

My average MF per week is about $550. For exchanges, the exchange fee and partial allocation of the annual membership fee already increases the nightly cost close to $110/night. Even for the few off-season exchanges, I had to give up a good week since I would ask for the best resort in the area.

My estimate is that no matter how long I average the costs over, my nightly cost will never fall below $125/nt.

I am willing to bet that most TS owners that purchased from the developer or have $1000+ MF have a nightly cost of $300/night or more if they calculate correctly.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Interesting continued discussion on the calculation and where we might be staying otherwise.

I know for us, if it weren't for TS ownership, I doubt we would have ever felt we could afford Hawaii vacations. Ironically, in the past (pre-RCI Lite) some of the best exchanges we made were using the 1BR side of the Kingsgate lockoff into 2BR units at some nice places on the Big Island . . . several of them in fact. Those exchanges actually work out to around $65-70/night because of the low MF share for the 1BR side.

 

[Doogie]

Since I am with II, I will be at about $71 per night using the XYZ 2-for1 benefit. I am also in the process of closing on two more timeshares which, if i XYZed both of those, would take my cost per night down to about $51 per night. Actually, since the MFs are alread paid for the next three years, my physical out of pocket for the next three years would work out to be around $41 per night. Not too shabby. Unfortunately I won't be able to take all that vacation, so I will be either accumulating banked weeks or giving away weeks to friends and family at exchange cost.

I am with Interval and am not familar with the XYZ 2 for 1 benefit you are mentioning. I have searched their website and can't seem to find out anything about it. Can you explain what this is for me?

Thanks

 

[antjmar]

You seem to have forgotten opportunity costs...the $ you could have been earning from investing (instead) the $ you spent on purchasing your vacation ownerships.

I think he got his TS for free or almost free!

 

[Ridewithme38]

I think he got his TS for free or almost free!

My Wyndham Week i got for $1, seller paid closing and all fees & it included that years stay free....My Sheraton i paid closing and all fees, but it was completely free other then that

 

[chriskre]

I figure about $81 when all is said and done for roughly 9-12 weeks of vacation a year. That's including all MF's. reservation fees, club fees and exchange company memberships and fees. I mostly stay in 2 bedrooms so I consider that a great value for my "investment".

Some weeks are more and some less but the average is about $80 a night. I own from DVC/HGVC level down to my old coverted motel at the beach so there is room to tweak my portfolio up or down depending on my future ecomomic scenario. Hopefully my fun will continue.

 

[hypnotiq]

Jesus 9-12 weeks? I thought I had it good with 8. What the hell do you do?

 

[DeniseM]

I am with Interval and am not familar with the XYZ 2 for 1 benefit you are mentioning. I have searched their website and can't seem to find out anything about it. Can you explain what this is for me?

Thanks

It's not on the II website - put this in your google search box and search TUG for it - there is a ton of info. - "xyz"site:tugbbs.com

 

[Beefnot]

I am with Interval and am not familar with the XYZ 2 for 1 benefit you are mentioning. I have searched their website and can't seem to find out anything about it. Can you explain what this is for me?

Thanks

It is not advertised at all publicly. The following links should help you understand the basics of how it works.

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=Lovin

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152788

 

[MichaelColey]

Our timeshare stays have range from about $30 per night to $150 per night, with an average of about $70. That includes upfront costs amortized over 5-10 years, maintenance fees, housekeeping fees, annoyance fees (DVC), annual dues, exchange fees, combine fees, etc. Considering our mix of stays includes a LOT of DVC and Hawaii, I'm VERY satisfied.

 

[K2Quick]

Mine for 2011 (I haven't finalized 2012 plans yet):

Timeshare stays:
7 nights Four Seasons Aviara 2 BR
5 nights Worldmark West Yellowstone 1 BR
7 nights Westin Ka'anapali 2 BR

Costs:
Starwood Maintenance Fee $908
Worldmark Credit Costs $366
II Membership Fee $45
II Exchange Fees $253
TOT Taxes $87
Opp. Cost on Invested Value $71
Total Cost $1,730 ($91/night)

Hotel Stays (incl. taxes, fees):
2 nights Westin Westminster Priceline $133
1 night Renaissance Las Vegas Priceline $63
1 night Courtyard Flagstaff Priceline $65
1 night Courtyard Page Free (points)
2 nights Sheraton Waikiki (cash+points) $247
Total Cost $508 ($73/night)

Blended Total (Timeshares and Hotels) = $2,238 ($86/night)

 

[Beefnot]

Mine for 2011 (I haven't finalized 2012 plans yet):

Timeshare stays:
7 nights Four Seasons Aviara 2 BR
5 nights Worldmark West Yellowstone 1 BR
7 nights Westin Ka'anapali 2 BR

Costs:
Starwood Maintenance Fee $908
Worldmark Credit Costs $366
II Membership Fee $45
II Exchange Fees $253
TOT Taxes $87
Opp. Cost on Invested Value $71
Total Cost $1,730 ($91/night)

Hotel Stays (incl. taxes, fees):
2 nights Westin Westminster Priceline $133
1 night Renaissance Las Vegas Priceline $63
1 night Courtyard Flagstaff Priceline $65
1 night Courtyard Page Free (points)
2 nights Sheraton Waikiki (cash+points) $247
Total Cost $508 ($73/night)

Blended Total (Timeshares and Hotels) = $2,238 ($86/night)

So you locked off your Starwood TS and got a 2BR Aviara and 2BR Ka'anapali? Wow, did you pull that off during flexchange?

 

[DeniseM]

So you locked off your Starwood TS and got a 2BR Aviara and 2BR Ka'anapali? Wow, did you pull that off during flexchange?

With Starwood to Starwood trades there is a 30 day priority period, so you often don't have to wait until flex-change to trade up.

 

[Ridewithme38]

With Starwood to Starwood trades there is a 30 day priority period, so you often don't have to wait until flex-change to trade up.

Thats the kinds of trades i could get if i deposited my SBP?

 

[Ken555]

Thats the kinds of trades i could get if i deposited my SBP?

You should be able to get WKORV, WKORVN, or WPV somewhat easily. Aviara is a hard to get property at anytime of year (note it's not SVN, but Four Seasons).