Biggest timeshare mistake I've ever made? Going to Hawaii

[dougp26364]

So a few years back we finally made the long flight to Hawaii after years of flying to Europe instead (because the cost was about the same for flights). I THOUGHT it would be a one time thing. You know, go, say we'd been there and get it out of our system.

Now we'll be making our 4th trip and it will be our third island AND, I'm already thinking about the next potential trip and when we might fit it in around all the other places we enjoy going.

Darn you Hawaii. Now you've got us hooked.

 

[slip]

That story sure sounds familiar. We were doing the other islands but then we
Fell in love with Kauai. So much so that we're finally going to Mauai for the
First time this year. That's the last of the main islands for us. Of course we'll still do a week on Kauai.

We have kept making each trip longer and longer. We're maxed out this
Year, at least until we retire. 24 days will be the longest work will let us go?
286 days to go but whose counting.

 

[DebBrown]

Good story! We took our first trip years ago and treated it like a once in a lifetime trip. 10+ trips later... We were just in Kauai in January and wondering if we should go back next year again.

Deb

 

[vacationhopeful]

I went to Hawaii in March 1991.

My next trip was April 2012. And I remember WHY - coach seats, cramp legs, and no sleep.

Just too far for me from the East Coast --- although Hawaii is very pretty and relaxing.

 

[AKE]

We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon in 1975. In 1995, after much saving, we took our kids there and did everything as we figured that we could never afford to go back. Now 30+ trips later (including a number with our kids) we go whenever the mood strikes (and we see cheap airfares - ). People keep asking us if we are not tired of going back to the same place over and over again and my answer still is NO (now we do stay on different islands but regardlessof which one there is still one recurring theme in that you are on an island so just sit back and relax !)

 

[rhonda]

LOL ... understood. What we find frightening is that having now, finally, made the long trek to South Africa we find ourselves referring to that trip as "our first trip to South Africa." Oh, what travel can to do to you!

 

[DaveNV]

Darn you Hawaii. Now you've got us hooked.

This is so true! I moved to live in Hawaii first in 1968 as a teenager, when my Dad was stationed there in the military. It was great attending high school there, and moving out as a young adult after graduation, and trying to afford to live there. I left the islands when I joined the Navy, and I spent the next twenty years of my own military career visiting again and again as the ships I was stationed on passed through Pearl Harbor. I never got enough of it. Now, long since retired from the service, I travel to Hawaii as often as possible, for as long as possible. Not only do I enjoy seeing new areas, and exploring places I haven't seen before, but I really like visiting places I know well, catching up with old friends, and generally soaking up that rejuvenating spirit of Aloha. I'm still trying to figure out how I can afford to retire there to spend the rest of my life with my toes in the sand.

I hope I never, ever get Hawaii out of my system.

Dave

 

[artringwald]

I don't know if we ever would have thought of going to Hawaii. It's a long way from the east coast where we grew up. However, in 1979 I won a trip through an awards program at work and we also got hooked. The key to going back? On each island make sure there's at least one thing you want to do that you don't get done. We've gone 20 times now, and still have a long "to do" list.

 

[SmithOp]

I made the mistake of falling in love and marrying a woman that was already hooked, we are going next month for our 23rd anniversary.

 

[dougp26364]

I went to Hawaii in March 1991.

My next trip was April 2012. And I remember WHY - coach seats, cramp legs, and no sleep.

Just too far for me from the East Coast --- although Hawaii is very pretty and relaxing.

I agree about the couch seats and cramped travel space. That's why I've paid for the upgrade to the extra leg room section for our last trip and, this trip, used FF miles to get us into first class for four out of six legs, economy plus for 1 leg and since we're in the Barbie Dream Jet (smallish regional jet) for the first leg, I just left that one alone as economy class. Besides, that first leg is under 2 hours. If I could have found a first class seat for the second leg I'd have taken that over paying for the economy plus seating but, it just wasn't available.

 

[akp]

Routing?

I agree about the couch seats and cramped travel space. That's why I've paid for the upgrade to the extra leg room section for our last trip and, this trip, used FF miles to get us into first class for four out of six legs, economy plus for 1 leg and since we're in the Barbie Dream Jet (smallish regional jet) for the first leg, I just left that one alone as economy class. Besides, that first leg is under 2 hours. If I could have found a first class seat for the second leg I'd have taken that over paying for the economy plus seating but, it just wasn't available.

Doug, what is your best routing out of Wichita? I assume you short hop into a major hub rather than MCI?

 

[dougp26364]

Doug, what is your best routing out of Wichita? I assume you short hop into a major hub rather than MCI?

It's possible to one stop through one of the major hubs but there's not many options for one stop anymore. Most of the airlines out of Wichita will fly through one hub, then to either LA or San Fran and then on to Hawaii. That's fine by us as we like to be able to break up the trip and stretch our legs in the airport plus, if the layover's long enough, get something decent to eat relative to what the airlines offer.

Generally speaking, each time I've booked the routing with only one layover, the airlines have changed it to two layovers for us long before we travel, which happened to our return trip routing on this trip. They even changed one of our flights from a 737 with first class seating to a prop plane (Q400) with the tinyest seats imaginable for flying. I promptly got on the phone and had that leg changed back to the 737 with first class seating as was orignally booked. You REALLY have to watch the airlines these days with all the changes they make.

 

[Kauai Kid]

Hawaii Honeymoon

Our "Honeymoon" happened years after the marriage because we didn't have the money to fly to Hawaii when we were "kids".

We stayed at the Royal Hawaiian for a few days and then on to Kauai where we stumbled onto Alii Kai resale--low key presentation, no gifts, and we didn't need to buy now. Got home. thought it over, called Jim Wyndham and bought over 25 years ago.

The return flight is the worst as it takes several days because of jet lag issues to reset the internal clock.

Our favorite island is Kauai with Maui running a very close second.


Sterling

 

[SmithOp]

You REALLY have to watch the airlines these days with all the changes they make.

Amen to that, I booked San Jose this year because 1st was cheaper than Sac coach on Hawaiian. They switched the origination city to Oakland when the routing changed, so I'm supposed to take a cab SJ to OAK parking to get my car on the return? Sheesh!

 

[BocaBum99]

I made the mistake of falling in love and marrying a woman that was already hooked, we are going next month for our 23rd anniversary.

I married a local girl. I was hooked the first time I came to visit in 1984.

 

[vacationcrazy]

My dream was always to go to Hawaii. For our 25th anniversary in 1998 we were finally able to make it happen. All three of our children came with us to celebrate. What a wonderful trip. We fell in love with it. We returned for the next nine years visiting different islands with our children and their various girlfriends and friends.Then we began exploring the Carribean as we live on the East Coast as it is much closer. We have been to many wonderful islands, but we still long to go back to Hawaii. This year is our 40th anniversary and we will not be going back to Hawaii but hopefully planning to return next year. We would love to retire there but it is a touch decision on which island is best for us. We love Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. The biggest problem is cost. Oh well, maybe we will hit the lotto:hysterical:

 

[Sandy VDH]

I too love Hawaii. Been to the big island 4 times (maybe 5). Oahu 3 times, Maui 2, Kauai 1, Day visits to Molokai, Lanai. I got married on the Big Island.

I am about to embark on a even longer flight to get to another set of islands long on my wish list.

Many of you know I got divorced within the last year, so my post-divorce, dream vacation has popped up out of nowhere, but came together like it was meant to be. Too bad but I am going solo.

My dream location is a trip to French Polynesia.

Hurdle 1, get a cabin on Tradewinds. Trip started because I got a Tradewinds (Members only) cabin when I got lucky and someone canceled. This is a special members only yacht that is planning a 7 year trip around the world, with the first leg for 6 months in French Poly. I missed the day they announced the availability to book this location, and the inventory went immediately, so I have been waiting for a cancelation. I got lucky and one found me.

Hurdle 2, Airfare to Tahiti. With this trip just over 90 days away I was surprised I was able to find Biz class seats using AA FF award. So I got to the islands great, and for only $83 cash.

hurdle 3, hotel and air in country. Since I got extra days both before and after my yacht trip, I starting planning islands and air hops. Turns out being a travel agent pays off, I am signed up for the Tahiti specialist training program and get my hotels at about $128 a night, with a free upgrade to the best available room, and 50% Food, Beverage and Transportation. BONUS and significant saving. Some of these rooms go for $500 to $1000 a night, so I am hoping for a nice upgrade. I also got my interisland hops for 50% off as well because of the tahiti specialist program. My last 2 nights of stay are in high season, so I can't yet confirm the Pearl stay until May 1st, but as a back up I got the Hilton Bora Bora on points. Amazingly enough, at regular room points not suite points. But I am hoping to cancel and just take the room at the Pearl.

So for my air to Tahiti, 1 night Mauava Resort, air to Tikehau, 3 nights at the Pearl Resort, air back to Raiatea (via 2 island hop), Tradewinds Yacht for a week, air to Bora Bora, 2 hotel nights, air back to Tahiti and then air home to US. So for about $2500 I have 2 weeks of air, hotel, yacht and food and drink for 1 week already prepaid. I only have to cover my food and activites for 6 nights. Bargin for a dream location vacation. Like I said too bad I am going solo to such a romatic location. But I will really enjoy it.

So I will one day venture back to Hawaii. But maybe I can start fresh in FP.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Oh, Doug, I know what you mean. We were on the Big Island for our first timeshare exchange, Paniolo Greens, in 2000, to celebrate our son's graduation from School of Mines. There were seven of us. We stayed at Point at Poipu the second week, and I was smitten. We thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Then in 2004, Rick and I went by ourselves and stayed at Wyndham Bali Hai. Loved it, bought a week there (never stayed in that week, always rented it for income and bought several more for the same purpose).

We have been back every year since 2004, two weeks at a time every trip, sometimes more than 2 weeks.

 

[vacationhopeful]

I too love Hawaii. Been to the big island 4 times (maybe 5). Oahu 3 times, Maui 2, Kauai 1, Day visits to Molokai, Lanai. I got married on the Big Island.

I am about to embark on a even longer flight to get to another set of islands long on my wish list.

Many of you know I got divorced within the last year, so my post-divorce, dream vacation has popped up out of nowhere, but came together like it was meant to be. Too bad but I am going solo.

My dream location is a trip to French Polynesia.

Hurdle 1, get a cabin on Tradewinds. Trip started because I got a Tradewinds (Members only) cabin when I got lucky and someone canceled. This is a special members only yacht that is planning a 7 year trip around the world, with the first leg for 6 months in French Poly. I missed the day they announced the availability to book this location, and the inventory went immediately, so I have been waiting for a cancelation. I got lucky and one found me.

Hurdle 2, Airfare to Tahiti. With this trip just over 90 days away I was surprised I was able to find Biz class seats using AA FF award. So I got to the islands great, and for only $83 cash.

hurdle 3, hotel and air in country. Since I got extra days both before and after my yacht trip, I starting planning islands and air hops. Turns out being a travel agent pays off, I am signed up for the Tahiti specialist training program and get my hotels at about $128 a night, with a free upgrade to the best available room, and 50% Food, Beverage and Transportation. BONUS and significant saving. Some of these rooms go for $500 to $1000 a night, so I am hoping for a nice upgrade. I also got my interisland hops for 50% off as well because of the tahiti specialist program. My last 2 nights of stay are in high season, so I can't yet confirm the Pearl stay until May 1st, but as a back up I got the Hilton Bora Bora on points. Amazingly enough, at regular room points not suite points. But I am hoping to cancel and just take the room at the Pearl.

So for my air to Tahiti, 1 night Mauava Resort, air to Tikehau, 3 nights at the Pearl Resort, air back to Raiatea (via 2 island hop), Tradewinds Yacht for a week, air to Bora Bora, 2 hotel nights, air back to Tahiti and then air home to US. So for about $2500 I have 2 weeks of air, hotel, yacht and food and drink for 1 week already prepaid. I only have to cover my food and activites for 6 nights. Bargin for a dream location vacation. Like I said too bad I am going solo to such a romatic location. But I will really enjoy it.

So I will one day venture back to Hawaii. But maybe I can start fresh in FP.

Sandy,
What a great trip you have planned. You will love not having to consult with a travel partner who YOU have not travelled with before -- you can just go with the flow of opportunities. Have a great time!

 

[Sandy VDH]

Sandy,
What a great trip you have planned. You will love not having to consult with a travel partner who YOU have not travelled with before -- you can just go with the flow of opportunities. Have a great time!

I was not suggesting I was looking for a travel partner, geez I think I need a date first. I was however just lamenting that in my dream when planning this trip, I guess I was not newly single.

I am in heaven, and am sooooo looking forward to this trip.

 

[nygiants11991]

Amen to that, I booked San Jose this year because 1st was cheaper than Sac coach on Hawaiian. They switched the origination city to Oakland when the routing changed, so I'm supposed to take a cab SJ to OAK parking to get my car on the return? Sheesh!

And they did just the opposite to us, we were scheduled for Oakland, but when they cancelled the direct flight to Kauai and was going to route us back home via Seattle, I asked what other airports fly direct? And San Jose it was so we are flying out and back into San Jose.

 

[akp]

Totally off subject

Oh, Doug, I know what you mean. We were on the Big Island for our first timeshare exchange, Paniolo Greens, in 2000, to celebrate our son's graduation from School of Mines. There were seven of us. We stayed at Point at Poipu the second week, and I was smitten. We thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Then in 2004, Rick and I went by ourselves and stayed at Wyndham Bali Hai. Loved it, bought a week there (never stayed in that week, always rented it for income and bought several more for the same purpose).

We have been back every year since 2004, two weeks at a time every trip, sometimes more than 2 weeks.

Cindy - your son went to School of Mines??? That school is a big topic of conversation in our house this week.

Our son is 13 (14 in a few weeks) and picking high schools now; he has until Monday to decide. We are deciding between 2 college prep schools. One of the things we did as we were deciding between them is look at where kids go to college from the two schools. One listed "School of Mines" and we were all fascinated. I know nothing other than that it is in colorado and the school mascot is some sort of mining creature.

Cool to get two references in one week. Perhaps School of Mines is his destinY?

Anita

 

[akp]

Us, too.

We went to Hawaii in 2010 as a family of five - first trip for all of us. Of course it was intended as the trip of a lifetime and As soon as we came home and became I started thinking "when can we go back?".

I refuse to think of it as a mistake The only mistake was not going sooner.

Hubby's job is in flux; perhaps he needs to start over in a dramatically different time zone

 

[tombo]

I went to Hawaii in March 1991.

My next trip was April 2012. And I remember WHY - coach seats, cramp legs, and no sleep.

Just too far for me from the East Coast --- although Hawaii is very pretty and relaxing.

I agree 100%. I LOVE Hawaii but I HATE the travel time from the east coast. If I lived in California I would go every year.

The last time we flew out of Atlanta. We stayed near the airport the night before the flight so we could get free parking for our 9 day trip. From when we woke up in Atlanta until we put our key in our door at or room on Kauai it was 24 hours. Getting ready, shuttle bus to terminal over 2 hours before check-in, flight changes, layovers, and getting our bags and rental car took a full 24 hour day in real time, not time zone change time. Then when we did get to sleep we woke up at 3 or 4 am Hawaii time (8 or 9 am our time) for the first few days and were worn out before 6pm.

By the third or 4th day we were on Hawaii time and everything was wonderful. It was wonderful until we came home with a 5 hour jet lag having to drive 6 hours home after flying all night. We drank lot's of coffee and swapped driving to keep each other awake. Then we were miserable for 2 days trying to get back in sync with our time zone.

That last Hawaii trip was flown first class but it was still so miserable coming and going that it made me lose the desire to return to Hawaii for a long time (if ever again). I sadly sold my Kauai timeshares (which were oceanfront) that I dearly loved.

I can be most places in the Carribbean in 4 hours from Atlanta or 6 from Mississippi with little or no time zone changes. I love Hawaii but for the foreseeable future it is Aruba, Grand Cayman, St Maarten, Bahamas, etc for our exotic beach vacations. If I ever do goback to Hawaii i will schedule a one night layover in LA to rest on the way to Hawaii and also on the way back. Doing it in one day each way from the east coast is torture.

 

[Eagle7304]

We went to Kauai the first time in 2003. Then in 2005 & 2007. We love Kauai. In 2008 we received an invitation to the Westin in Maui. We fell in love with WKOVR and bought. Have been back every year since to Maui. I start thinking how we can get back, even before we leave. This will be our third year to be with the whales....we leave tomorrow morning....and I'm already thinking of how we can get back.....I treat every trip as though it will be our last. Should we have bought resale??? Yes probably, but we have not regretted our purchase in Maui!!!