I'm getting WestWestgate timeshare for free. Should I get it?

[sam332]

I've been offered a Westgate Vacation Villa timeshare in Kissimmee, FL (2 bed, 2 bath, annual usage) as a gift from a friend. It has floating weeks and is affiliated with RCI, Interval International, and Westgate. The only cost would be an annual maintenance fee of $1000.80. I like the idea of using RCI to trade for stays at other hotels, and I travel once or twice a year, so it seems like it could be worth it.

Are there any extra fees or hidden costs I should watch out for? Is this a good deal if I’m only responsible for the maintenance fee, or could it turn out to be more of a hassle than it's worth?

 

[Passepartout]

Wastegate strips all the perks from resales. No internal exchanges (you HAVE to use RCI), reservations at the home resort only available in the 45- or 60 days before check-in are a couple that people have reported here. They treat resale buyers as worse than second-class, and constantly tack on extra charges- parking fees, resort fees, extra cost for wi-fi, etc. And then you have to pay someone to take it off your hands like your 'friend' is trying with you.

Personal feeling is that you couldn't run fast enough to shove the title to one of these in my pocket.

Just for fun, look on eBay at completed auctions for 2 BR units at this resort.

Jim

 

[jeanf]

I own westgate vacation villas, fixed annual week, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Phase 2, U building. I'm not sure where they got that maintenance fee amount from. My fees for 2025 are 1,224 maintenance, plus 127 tax, total 1,351 U.S. dollars.
With Westgate if you pay before Nov 1st, you save 4% on maintenance fee amount only.
I've always been with RCI and will continue to do so. I get at least 2-4 weeks per year at other rci locations from the tpu I get from banking my westgate week with rci. But I am retired, and can travel at non peak times, and when there's a great rci deal. I never stay at my home resort or other westgate properties.
Never use the Westgate exchange system, especially on a resale, complete rip off and devaluation of your ownership. Plus why would you limit yourself to only being able to exchange into Westgate timeshares?
There's so many other brands you can exchange into with rci, II has other great brands, most are different from rci.
So if you want a free timeshare to access a 'paid by you' in most cases membership into rci or II there's tons available for free, with lower annual maintenance fees than Westgate.

 

[sam332]

Wastegate strips all the perks from resales. No internal exchanges (you HAVE to use RCI), reservations at the home resort only available in the 45- or 60 days before check-in are a couple that people have reported here. They treat resale buyers as worse than second-class, and constantly tack on extra charges- parking fees, resort fees, extra cost for wi-fi, etc. And then you have to pay someone to take it off your hands like your 'friend' is trying with you.

Personal feeling is that you couldn't run fast enough to shove the title to one of these in my pocket.

Just for fun, look on eBay at completed auctions for 2 BR units at this resort.

Jim

Thank you for your input, are you a timeshare owner? I looked up on ebay and there are many other timeshares I can get for a dollar, would you recommend something similar? I'm just looking to see if I can get a week or two in a condo somewhere since I do travel twice a year. What do you recommend? Thanks in advance

 

[sam332]

I own westgate vacation villas, fixed annual week, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Phase 2, U building. I'm not sure where they got that maintenance fee amount from. My fees for 2025 are 1,224 maintenance, plus 127 tax, total 1,351 U.S. dollars.
With Westgate if you pay before Nov 1st, you save 4% on maintenance fee amount only.
I've always been with RCI and will continue to do so. I get at least 2-4 weeks per year at other rci locations from the tpu I get from banking my westgate week with rci. But I am retired, and can travel at non peak times, and when there's a great rci deal. I never stay at my home resort or other westgate properties.
Never use the Westgate exchange system, especially on a resale, complete rip off and devaluation of your ownership. Plus why would you limit yourself to only being able to exchange into Westgate timeshares?
There's so many other brands you can exchange into with rci, II has other great brands, most are different from rci.
So if you want a free timeshare to access a 'paid by you' in most cases membership into rci or II there's tons available for free, with lower annual maintenance fees than Westgate.

Thank you! I'm considering using RCI and the idea of exchanging a week for more than two weeks appeals to me. Is there a way to view RCI exchange points to compare the benefits before becoming an owner, just to see if it's suitable for me? Additionally, could you recommend a timeshare that offers the most points for use in RCI without incurring substantial annual fees?

 

[WorldT]

Thank you! I'm considering using RCI and the idea of exchanging a week for more than two weeks appeals to me. Is there a way to view RCI exchange points to compare the benefits before becoming an owner, just to see if it's suitable for me? Additionally, could you recommend a timeshare that offers the most points for use in RCI without incurring substantial annual fees?

RCI has points and weeks account. The value of you unit in a weeks account is assigned a TPU. The TPU varies depending on how quickly you deposit you week once available where as a points account is fixed as you are automatically assigned the number of points based on the week number you own. Google RCI points chart. The chart shows how many points is needed to stay in a particular size unit during a particular week. That is also the value of the points you have if you owned that specific week at that specific resort.
RCI usually offers exchange at reduced points compared to what is on that chart and also you can just pay cash for some resorts especially within 60 days to check-in. All subject to availability.
I am familiar with the points system and Grandview Las Vegas and some other vacation village properties in Virginia offers one of the Best points/MF ratio.

Keep in mind the differences between RCI and Internal International (II). If you want a greater selection of higher tier properties such as Marriott, Hyatt , Sheraton and Westin, then you will need II. If you want a higher number of resorts, even though they may be lower tier, then RCI is your place. Or you can have both if you select a resort that allows you to deposit it in either one.There is more to learn but the knowledge is worth it in my opinion.

 

[Passepartout]

Thank you for your input, are you a timeshare owner? I looked up on ebay and there are many other timeshares I can get for a dollar, would you recommend something similar? I'm just looking to see if I can get a week or two in a condo somewhere since I do travel twice a year. What do you recommend? Thanks in advance

Yes. I am an owner. I am down to just one that exchanges via RCI Points and I have used those points all over the world, and Mexico and Europe. You're right, there are hundreds of TSs available for free or a dollar.

There is a questionnaire here https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/w...0.1344957311.1730381414-2044929790.1730381414 Answer the questions and post it. You'll get no end of suggestions and testimonials on how TS has improved owners' lives and travels.

Welcome to TUG!

Jim

 

[dioxide45]

reservations at the home resort only available in the 45- or 60 days before check-in are a couple that people have reported here.

It seems that these restrictions were instituted for new deeds on or around 2008. So if the original deed was sold prior to then, this restriction doesn't apply. With Westgate it is important to know the original deed sold date as well as look at the CC&R documents and all the amendments to them as this restriction was added to many of the resorts via an amendment to the CC&Rs.

That said, I would never recommend buying Westgate resale. Even if you can get it for free. There are too many other systems out there that you can get for the same amount of money (free) that don't have the punitive restrictions that Westgate imposes.

 

[sam332]

It seems that these restrictions were instituted for new deeds on or around 2008. So if the original deed was sold prior to then, this restriction doesn't apply. With Westgate it is important to know the original deed sold date as well as look at the CC&R documents and all the amendments to them as this restriction was added to many of the resorts via an amendment to the CC&Rs.

That said, I would never recommend buying Westgate resale. Even if you can get it for free. There are too many other systems out there that you can get for the same amount of money (free) that don't have the punitive restrictions that Westgate imposes.

Thank you! From your experience which other system you would recommend? I don't plan a year ahead, mostly within a month depending on how busy work is.

 

[sue1947]

I don't plan a year ahead, mostly within a month depending on how busy work is.

Then timeshares aren't for you; any of them. Timeshares work best when you can plan a year +_ in advance. 6 mo give or take is a maybe, but under 1 month is a deal breaker. At that point, the vast majority of units have been taken and your options will be just the leftovers, if any. You will likely end up paying maintenance fees for a vacation that won't happen. For that short of a time frame, stick to renting or VRBO, motels etc.

 

[pedro47]

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