• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 31 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 31st Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $23,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $23 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    Tens of thousands of subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

G.D.Fein

newbie
Joined
Nov 20, 2016
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Thanks in advance for those taking the time to comment.

1) Where do you want your home resort to be?

Myrtle, Hilton, FL or Hawaii. Generally not sure as we are just getting to point in lives/careers where annual vacations are possible and we haven't fallen in love with a specific destination yet. Interested in a robust trading program I think.

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?

Trade more than half the time.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Beach and golf locations, Hawaii, Cali/Pebble, FL, Carolinas, Disney.

4) How many people do you usually travel with?

Three-Four, interested in a two BR.

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?

School schedule preferred.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

Generally, yes.

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?

5 star preferred, but will consider 4.

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?

$5k+, would prefer to get a deal on a resale from foreclosure, divorce, etc.

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?

$1k-ish.

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?

Yes.

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

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
58,478
Reaction score
10,284
Location
Northern, CA
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim) NEW: 2 Lawa'i Beach Resort!
Only the hotel affiliated systems are consistently 4/5 Star: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Vistana (Sheraton/Westin.)

However, a $1K maintenance fee is too low for a 2 bedroom 4/5 Star resort. It would be closer to $2K per year - higher in Hawaii.
 

taterhed

TUG Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2011
Messages
4,536
Reaction score
1,903
Location
Virginia
Resorts Owned
Westin WKORV OFD
Marriott's Grande Vista
Worldmark x2
SVV Bella 81k
As Denise said: If you can bump the annual MF to about $1500-1700 (maybe a bit less), you're a great candidate for Marriott or HGVC. Marriott has far more locations and Marriott preference in Interval for trades, but HGVC has more flexibility with the points reservation than legacy Marriott weeks. Legacy Marriott weeks offer more value when trading thru Interval Intl (II), but have less flexibility (must use whole week or lock-off into two weeks) and less ability to book early without trading. Marriott has II for trading (the best IMHO) and HGVC has RCI--good for Hilton and good for more trade opportunities, but most RCI properties will be of lower quality than HGVC.

Marriott points (MVC) can be purchased on the resale market at discount ($7 per point, approx. with all fees) but are still quite pricey compared to legacy weeks. Points can be used to book any property (available property) and stays of less than 7 days are possible.
Lots of choices.

Many buy an EOY (every other year) property to start and get opposite year or opposite resort system if needed. Many options.

Cheers.
 
Top