Advice for a noob

[Ty1on]

Since there so many independent resort groups and the trading power for each resort within a group is different, it's a lot of footwork study and I don't know if the time taken to know all the different terms and conditions and then the best way to work them to advantage will be worth it.

It could be argued that you can't afford not to know everything about a resort and how best to work ownership to your advantage before taking it on.

 

[aloe_vera]

It could be argued that you can't afford not to know everything about a resort and how best to work ownership to your advantage before taking it on.

Point well taken

I would certainly be doing research on the ones I like so I utilize it well, it is just that having never owned a timeshare, it is a bit overwhelming to understand EVERY system just based on theory and others' experience. As such, I have to figure out everything from acronyms to verbiage that gets thrown at me.

 

[e.bram]

Don't count on buying a prime unit, prime time, with high trading power cheaply!
Easier to find the "Holy Grail". We(TUGers) are all looking for that.

 

[sue1947]

Point well taken

I would certainly be doing research on the ones I like so I utilize it well, it is just that having never owned a timeshare, it is a bit overwhelming to understand EVERY system just based on theory and others' experience. As such, I have to figure out everything from acronyms to verbiage that gets thrown at me.

You are absolutely correct. There are so many different timeshare options, that it can be overwhelming, and essentially impossible, to learn it all. So narrow it down first:

Look at who has what you want. You can always trade into these, but it's easier and cheaper to own where you want to go. Trading comes with exchange fees and membership fees so if you are a bargain hunter, then opt to own vs trade. You won't find a system that has everything, but look for who has the most so you are trading the least.

The best one stop shop for looking at the various resorts are the exchange company websites. RCI (rci.com) and II (intervalworld.com) are the 2 big ones and have pretty much all the timeshares represented in one or the other. Look at the areas you want and see which resorts are there. Look in particular for who has the only resort in a particular area; that will be the hardest to trade into. Then focus on those systems. If you can narrow it down to just a couple, it makes your job of deciding which ones fit much easier.

You mentioned Sedona and Flagstaff: Wyndham has the only (I think) resort in Flagstaff and also has one in Sedona. However, the two cities are close enough that staying in Sedona is close enough. I'd look for an independent resort in Sedona and buy a every other year (EOY) during a school holiday week. That will provide a good local getaway as well as an excellent trader. Having access to the VRI internal exchange would be a real plus.
Worldmark has the most resorts near the national parks in the west so you might look at getting a small account. One of the pluses for WM is the ability to rent credits; i.e. an owner that can't use their credits this year will transfer these credits to your account for one time use. You can see the going rate and recommended resellers at http://wmowners.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=91. You can rent in additional credits as needed for trading or booking without incurring additional maintenance fees.
WM is also a good trader. Look at http://wmowners.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=90 for information on what trades WM owners have gotten. You can deposit first with II and try for a real bargain by depositing a low season week and hope to trade up; but this has gotten much more difficult and risky. OR you can just do a request first and have a very strong chance of getting most anything you want, within reason. By the latter, I mean you won't get a week that isn't deposited or gets out of preference in the home system.

Sue

 

[Passepartout]

Exchanging within the resort system is always free, right? Whether it is WM, VRI or Wyndham/Marriott? You only pay an exchange fee plus the membership fee when you use RCI or II to exchange into other resort systems?

Not always- perhaps 'free exchanges within one system' is more the exception than rule. Iirc, WM is a no extra charge, because there is no deeded 'home' resort per se. I know I may be over- or under stating what I don't understand, but I call those type outfits 'Travel Clubs'. You 'own' a portion of the whole shebang, as opposed to owning a deeded 1/50th or 1/52 of a particular unit. They then value each ownership as a bundle of 'points' that owner/members use as currency. The value of different weeks varies in cost as does each night of a week (Fri/Sat 'cost' more than Tues/Wed/Thur. nights). A 2 bedroom unit takes more points per night than a 1 bedroom unit.

My point is that there is a cost to exchanging. whether it's to an exchange company or to each resort.

I can only speak with some knowledge to VRI, and there IS a charge per exchange. It's around $100 for internal VRIety exchanges, and you can upsize for a small charge- of course based on availability, and that's where that extra month of priority comes in handy.

One other thing bothering me about your queries is that you mention 'traveling light and at last minute.' Timeshares don't work well within that mindset. They work best for obsessive planners. If this truly describes you, save your money, and just watch the 'Last Minute Rentals' Forum. Those are straight-up rentals that for one reason or other become available within 45 days of move-in, and are always priced at less than $100 a night- and usually (but not always) for a week.

I'm sure we've touched most of the points, based on what you said your needs/wants were. Now you can sit down with your spouse and hash it out.

Take care....

Jim

 

[Cheryl20772]

Exchanging within the resort system is always free, right? Whether it is WM, VRI or Wyndham/Marriott? You only pay an exchange fee plus the membership fee when you use RCI or II to exchange into other resort systems?

We've rented a camper once and can't say we liked the experience of finding water hook ups and the black water maintenance on it. Plus, it's not always that we can drive out to a distant national park. We have no where to park it when not using it (which is most of the year) and would have to spend additional money to park it somewhere. Overall in our opinion, the hassle is not worth it. We tend to travel light and quick.

I can only answer for the Wyndham membership. I don't pay a fee to use my points at a Wyndham resort...unless I have used all my reservation transactions or need additional housekeeping credits. My annual fees include the maintenances fees plus a Wyndham program fee and that fee includes the annual RCI fee whether I use RCI or not. Wyndham has a whole directory full of great resorts.

I fully understand what you're saying about using a camper. It's awkward and always more work for Mom. At least you were smart enough to rent a camper and don't have one rotting in your driveway :ignore: