What to buy

[justvacationing4thangs]

Hello, I had recently went to a sales presentation and then backed out within my cancellation time. I'm looking forward to vacationing more, but I spoke to a family friend and she sent me here! So, tugbbs, looking for all the good details.

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
I would like to see Hawaii Once.
I would like to go to Disney Once.
I'd like to vacation somewhere drivable at least 1 - 2 times a year.

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?
Well, this all depends on how I will benefit the most for my money. I noticed there are some RCI deals for 200-500 that are pretty affordable. I'm interested in those for midwest locations. I'm also interested in keeping the hawaii costs down as much as possible.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Midwest
Wisconsin Dells
DC (not midwest, I know)
Florida
Hawaii

4) How many people do you usually travel with?
2, +3 children.

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
School schedule for most part.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
For more expensive locations, yes. However, smaller trips are more on-the-spur of moment.

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
Yes

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
3-5

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
2-5k

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?
2-3k.

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Not really.

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.

 

[DeniseM]

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
School schedule for most part.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
For more expensive locations, yes. However, smaller trips are more on-the-spur of moment.

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Not really.

I think these 3 answers preclude you from being a satisfied timeshare owner. Since you are locked into the school schedule, you will be competing for the highest demand reservations - which are seldom available at the last minute. But if you are not detail oriented and organized, you are likely to find that the planning and deadlines are tedious for you.

I recommend that you rent from timeshare owners instead - have you seen our forum where all rentals are $100 per night or less? https://www.tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?forums/timeshare-rentals-offered.45/

I noticed there are some RCI deals for 200-500 that are pretty affordable.

I'm not sure if you got this info from a timeshare sales person (who greatly exaggerate this feature), or have access to RCI yourself, but the cheap getaway inventory is almost all leftovers that RCI is trying to dump - not prime locations during school holidays.

 

[jnsrusty]

It looks like HGVC could be a good match for you. They have plenty of great options in Florida, Hawaii, and DC. For the the Midwest, you would have to trade in using RCI which Hilton includes in your membership fees. Just remember that when you trade into RCI, there is an additional trading fee depending on how many days you are staying. You would most likely need a 2 bedroom for the amount of people you are traveling with. I think if you bought HGVC, you might need to spend a little more than 5K upfront for a platinum 2 bedroom (which is around 7000 points), but you can easily keep your maintenance fees under 2K with HGVC. One important thing to mention is that in order to best utilize any timeshare you own, you really need to be able to be a detailed planner and make plans far in advance. This is true regardless of which timeshare you purchase.

 

[justvacationing4thangs]

Man, such a fast response!

I think for the bigger trips, Hawaii and Disney, I could plan those out well in advance. This is where I was interested in saving the most money.

For most of the midwest travelling, I'd only be able to plan out 1-2 months max in advance, that's why the RCI deals looked like the may be a good deal. I have a feeling it was a bit exaggerated, but I like the ability to select those as we often will travel on short notice. Sometimes with kids, sometimes without.

 

[DeniseM]

The short term deals are inventory that RCI can't get rid of - I certainly wouldn't buy a timeshare to have access to them.

I think the Last Minute Rental forum is a better fit for you.

 

[taterhed]

Not sure where you want your 'home' drivable vacation spot to be....did I miss it?

Also, if you have any affiliation with Military, GOV, first responders etc.... you may qualify for some good memberships that can net you slightly better rates/opportunities than the general population. Not much, but certainly some.

Once you respond, I might make some more suggestions.
Cheers.

 

[RNCollins]

Also, if you have any affiliation with Military, GOV, first responders etc.... you may qualify for some good memberships that can net you slightly better rates/opportunities than the general population. Not much, but certainly some.

Here are some alternatives to RCI:
https://www.afvclub.com/
https://www.heroesvacationclub.com/

This site is available to anyone:
https://www.tripbeat.com/