Any high-value opportunities for buying resale timeshares to use as flexible points options?

[B4me]

Hi Friends!

I'm more of a travel "hacker" using points and miles to travel, or good flight and cruise deals. I feel like with resale prices so low, there should be some opportunities to leverage the system for it's flexbility, points, II exchange and such to find great values for someone like me that wants to be able to go to various resorts around the world.

Are there any experts out there that can chime in on this?

Perhaps there some resort if you buy X number of resales for <$x amount, they combine for some status, you can transfer or use the points in X system for great value or something?

I've been searching and researching for some time and can't seem to find any really good values or hacks.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jp10558]

This entire website is about timeshare hacks. There's maybe a way to get resale status in HGVC via Scotland affiliate - not really sure. Otherwise, the Status is one of the things you get for buying retail / developer. But it's not worth worrying about in any decent system IMHO. "For great value" really depends on your use cases. I'd suggest doing the "What should I buy post" via the sticky here so people could potentially advise you.

That said, I think something like Wyndham Select at a lower than CWA MF/pt ratio us hard to beat for near free "buy in", middle of the road MFs and lots of value off season and via the included RCI membership extra vacations and last calls (if you can make those work for you). Note that the best deals are usually Fri,Sat, or Sun checkin for 7 days.

 

[byeloe]

not many magical hacks that people are going to share. Some kind of points system and offseason travel

 

[Passepartout]

Perhaps there some resort if you buy X number of resales for <$x amount, they combine for some status, you can transfer or use the points in X system for great value or something?

I've been searching and researching for some time and can't seem to find any really good values or hacks.

Timesharing really doesn't work in the way 'retail' travel does. You just can't buy into a retail resort system and have them 'reward' you with 'X' number of additional points/days/whatever.

You have noticed the low prices of resales. We 'farm' systems that don't penalize resale buyers. Like buying a resale in a place with historically high points or trading power and low annual fees. Then we strive to get preferred time, or larger units, or better views using cheap access. Good case in point, owning in Las Vegas at one well-known resort with low fees, and parlaying that week into a holiday week in a S.Cal or Hawaii beach resort with high floor and ocean front view. Win, win, win.

Many of us have spent years (decades?) buying, selling, trading. Don't expect to pick it up in a couple of weeks perusing TUG. But give it a go. Welcome to TUG!

Jim

 

[travelhacker]

Timeshares have worked out very well for our family. We spend 4-5 weeks in timeshares a year and often book multiple units for family members and friends.

I've probably got 8 different people to buy timeshares since I bought my first resale timeshare 6 years ago. They can be quite complicated.

My recommendation is to wait for a solid deal on a Marriott trader. I'd lean towards Grand Chateau or Grande Vista. I'd get a lock off unit, and trade your unit within interval. You'll also get access to Getaways.

The risk is super low with one of those good traders as you can always sell your week for roughly what you paid for it (minus closing costs), and it's easy to get good value if you follow the basics of trading:

1) Set up an ongoing search.
2) Set up alerts on TUG for the sightings.
3) Be as flexible as you can about locations and travel times.

If it works well for you -- great!

The downside of trading with an exchange company is that you will only be able to book units for a week at at time (technically, you can do short stays, but I've only seen a few instances of where that would make sense for me).

Points systems are good because you get extra flexibility, but a lot of companies (like Marriott) won't give you access to the points system with a resale purchase.

Last thought, you mentioned traveling the world. There aren't many timeshares that I'd want to stay at outside of North America (there are a few though).

 

[4TimeAway]

Last minute deals are probably the best "deal" but have the least availability and flexibility.

I like HGVC buy a couple weeks at places with reasonable maintenance fees and low-ish buyin. Take vacations and enjoy.

Optimizing to me takes too much time. I'd avoid Florida, non-platinum weeks and deeds with MF/point over $0.15, but everyone has different feelings. Also, HGVC has sales (discounts on stays) to help make points go further. I like points so I can book 3+ day stays and different places.

Timeshares are a complicated game and as you use them you change how you vacation, where you vacation and the costs can be more reasonable than hotels or AirBNB. They are not for everyone and the time spent can be thought of more as hobby time. I enjoy planning vacation weeks months out, but... YMMV.

 

[GT75]

I find that TSs are costing me a lot more money because I am traveling much more often to many different locations (some by driving but many by flying), taking many family and friends along, and staying in much better locations. It would be much cheaper to not travel at all and stay home. So, IMO, if you are looking for hacks then this might not be the right place. Don't get me wrong, I love my TSs.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

not many magical hacks that people are going to share. Some kind of points system and offseason travel

Buying deeded Wyndham resale points contracts at low maintenance fee resorts to use at other Wyndham resorts because ARP doesn’t usually matter is probably a “hack.” As someone who does this, I recommend it, Wyndham’s timeshare resorts are great (at least all the ones that I have stayed in).

 

[Passepartout]

I don't think the OP is all that serious about this. They posted and hasn't been back since.

 

[bnoble]

That's okay. It had "please do my homework for me" vibes.

 

[SmithOp]

My best hack has been to take on a free timeshare here on TUG, add it to a new Interval account, make a few exchanges, then give it away. I keep the Interval account active by paying the membership fees, I get several free Accommodation Certificates every year, and use the cash Getaways.

My best AC use was during Covid, I used an AC for $399 at Newport Coast Villas 2br for a staycation.

 

[TolmiePeak]

That's okay. It had "please do my homework for me" vibes.

There are some posters here are more than willing to be a paid tutor.