Hi everyone, just joined the wonderful forum and I always wondered whether I should buy a timeshare. I have copied the standard questions below.
One thing I will note before I start is I am based in Australia.
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Venice, I am not sure we will want to go there every year given how far it is from Australia, but that's the place I been to so far that I would want to go back regularly.
2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Would look to trade more.
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Venice, Maldives, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dubai
4) How many people do you usually travel with?
Just me and my wife.
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Can travel at any time, prefer to avoid peak seasons to avoid the crowds.
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes, I have booked trips 9 months ahead and it worked out.
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes, although I would prefer not spending a full week in a single city, as it would get quite boring.
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
4-5 stars, when I travel I prefer staying in Marriott and Hilton hotels.
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
10k? Could spend more, as long as it is worthwhile.
10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
not sure what's reasonable, maybe 1k?
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes, I love planning and working around obscure rule to maximize value of each dollar spent. To give you an example I bought Starwood hotel points when they are on discount so I can transfer them to Marriott to redeem for the 7 night travel package, I ended up getting more than triple the value of the money I spent on it. (I hope I haven't confused anyone yet).
12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes
I hope I didn't miss anything, for me the key thing is value for money. I churn a lot of credit cards and uses those points for business class flights and 5 star luxury hotels, so I am happy to work around obscure rules (there are lots of rules in the frequent flyer programme and hotel programme) in order to get the best bang for buck on my travels. I know there are lots of obscure rules in Timeshare, but am I the type of traveler that would be suited to a timeshare programme?
One thing I will note before I start is I am based in Australia.
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Venice, I am not sure we will want to go there every year given how far it is from Australia, but that's the place I been to so far that I would want to go back regularly.
2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Would look to trade more.
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Venice, Maldives, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dubai
4) How many people do you usually travel with?
Just me and my wife.
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
Can travel at any time, prefer to avoid peak seasons to avoid the crowds.
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes, I have booked trips 9 months ahead and it worked out.
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes, although I would prefer not spending a full week in a single city, as it would get quite boring.
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
4-5 stars, when I travel I prefer staying in Marriott and Hilton hotels.
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
10k? Could spend more, as long as it is worthwhile.
10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
not sure what's reasonable, maybe 1k?
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes, I love planning and working around obscure rule to maximize value of each dollar spent. To give you an example I bought Starwood hotel points when they are on discount so I can transfer them to Marriott to redeem for the 7 night travel package, I ended up getting more than triple the value of the money I spent on it. (I hope I haven't confused anyone yet).
12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
Yes
I hope I didn't miss anything, for me the key thing is value for money. I churn a lot of credit cards and uses those points for business class flights and 5 star luxury hotels, so I am happy to work around obscure rules (there are lots of rules in the frequent flyer programme and hotel programme) in order to get the best bang for buck on my travels. I know there are lots of obscure rules in Timeshare, but am I the type of traveler that would be suited to a timeshare programme?
