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New to TS need advise [merged]

thompson4654

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Good morning everyone! I was doing some search for TS and found this wonderful forum!
I have been on many presentationsand was always tempted to buy TS but prices were outrageous especially with this economy, then yesterday I found this forum full of valuable information.
I love travel all over the world, but I am really tired from staying in hotels that has no room no place to make meal, especially in European countries where 4_5** hotels has tiny rooms and double beds, not like here. So, I would like to advise from experts of this forum what should I buy in order to effectevely be able to trade my TS internationally.
Obviously, I would like to get red week and preferably low MF and low/no exchange fees (if possible). I live in GA and love ocean, so something on the beach will be perfect if I decide to spend VA a at home. I probably would love to have lockout unit as well. I read your forum and seems like with that kind of units I can get more out of TS.
Is any valuable high rated and not overpopulated with TS areas close to GA that I need to look in to? I saw someone mentioned Hilton resort or Hilton Head area for resort that is not overcrowded with TS. I also open to Disney or skiing in NC. Please, please advise where and what I should be looking for.
Another question about TS, and correct me if I am wrong, point of having TS is TS basically becomes reserved accomodationwith much better futures then hotels is it right? Please correct me or explain if it different. Like I said, in Europe for just average hotel you pay arm and leg and if I have TS and can exchange it in other country I will have nice resort accommodation. is my understanding correct? Thank you for all your help in advance! I am so lucky I found this forum!
 

DeniseM

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Hi and welcome to TUG!

If you join TUG, you will have access to our extensive ratings and reviews which are organized by region. It's the best place to do your research.

Obviously, I would like to get red week and preferably low MF and low/no exchange fees (if possible).

The kind of timeshare you are looking for is unlikely to have a low MF, and there is always an exchange fee - that's how the exchange companies make their money.

Like I said, in Europe for just average hotel you pay arm and leg and if I have TS and can exchange it in other country I will have nice resort accommodation. is my understanding correct?

Exchanging can be great, but it depends on many factors - there is a lot more to it than just calling up and making a reservation. Supply and demand are big factors, and you need to understand how exchanging works, and have a strong trader, to be successful.

You have come to the right place to do your research!
 

LAX Mom

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If your main goal is to exchange into Europe you will find that inventory is limited there and usually not near the big cities. The timeshares in Europe will not always be as spacious or have an many amenities as those in the US.

Marriott has a few timeshares in Europe. The one in France is actually a 30-45 minute train ride from Paris. It's near DisneyParis but not ideal for exploring Paris.

There are also Marriotts in Spain, mostly on the Costa del Sol. I haven't stayed at these yet, but the reviews say they are very nice.

When I search for locations in Europe, I often find they are studios with no kitchen.

I would suggest you join TUG and read some reviews on timeshares on places you would like to vacation. It would help you decide on what you really need to get the exchanges you want.

Good luck and welcome to TUG!
 

thompson4654

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Multiple TS question

As I am reading forum, I see many TS experts own multiple TimeShares? I have problems on choosing one :) . So what are advantages of owning multiple TSs? Is it better exchange power and rates, more flexibility? Is it better to have TSs within one company like for ex.Hilton or I can mix and match? Can I combine weeks that I own with different resorts and exchange them? Thank you !
 

AwayWeGo

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[triennial - points]
More Vacation Opportunities, Plus Exchange Possibilities.

So what are advantages of owning multiple TSs?
For us, it boils down to owning 1 that we like going to plus another that lets us do advantageous exchanges into other people's timeshares.

One of our USA timeshares is straight weeks & the other is RCI Points.

We have downsized bigtime, however. All we have now is a biennial weeks timeshare (floating 3BR lock-off) & a triennial point timeshare.

Together, those don't even add up to 1 complete annual timeshare. Even so, by using Last Call & Instant Exchange & Extra Vacation Getaways, etc., we get to go on all the timeshare vacations we want.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 

vacationhopeful

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As I am reading forum, I see many TS experts own multiple TimeShares? I have problems on choosing one :) . So what are advantages of owning multiple TSs? Is it better exchange power and rates, more flexibility? Is it better to have TSs within one company like for ex.Hilton or I can mix and match? Can I combine weeks that I own with different resorts and exchange them? Thank you !

It is like different brands of cars. You might seriously like Ford's price but inherited a 2 year old Chevy. You might wish for a Mecedes Benz, but like the fuel economy of a Hybrid.

And then there are the Tuggers - many addicts, but gamers who know how to get a great vacation. Some do the same great vacation place every year and others are working thru their bucket list.

We are all different in what we like and then, we discover a new place (many times via the TUGBBS) or a new opportunity, then off we go trading or buying or selling. July 4th in Downtown Chicago was not on any list, til another TUG posted a sighting --- booked it, invited the brother & SIL, and had a very nice time.

Keep reading and learning. There is no one perfect system. I took the youngest nephew to Disney last month and next month, his college attending brother has the option to go on his Spring Break at Daytona Beach (with me).
 

Passepartout

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Welcome. Looking at your criterion, I'd say that no one TS is going to fill your expectations. You are probably looking at 2-or 3 to get all you want. Stick around. Read. Learn. I'd concentrate on the mini systems like Marriott & Hilton for Int'l & their hotel connections, and Wyndham for domestic SE USA.

Good luck and happy planning.

Jim Ricks
 
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dwojo

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For my wife and I it came down to our ability to travel. We have more time to go now and prefer a condo to a hotel room. After researching things we opted for points systems for the flexibility and locations.
 

DeniseM

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As I am reading forum, I see many TS experts own multiple TimeShares? I have problems on choosing one :) . So what are advantages of owning multiple TSs?

There is no advantage, unless you can use multiple weeks of vacation yourself, or plan to share them with friends and family.

Is it better exchange power and rates, more flexibility?

With some timeshares, but not all, you can combine the points for a larger exchange. But then of course you are paying more money up front and in maintenance fees, so sometimes it is a good deal and sometimes it's not.

Rates are not usually better - you usually pay full fees for each week. Some systems might give you a very minor discount.

Definitely more flexibility - if you own one week, you are limited to using that week.

Is it better to have TSs within one company like for ex.Hilton or I can mix and match?

Some people are exclusively with one system, but most people have own different weeks for different purposes. There is no one-size fits all timeshare. Here is an example using my timeshares:

Westin Ka'anapali (Maui) - rent every year for a profit
Kauai Beach Villas - 2 weeks (Kauai) - use ourselves every year
Lodge at Kingsbury Crossing (Tahoe) - rent or exchange w/RCI most years
Sheraton Vistana Resort (Orlando) - rent or trade with II every year
Roark Vacation Resort (Branson) - Trade with HTSE or RCI
Sheraton Desert Oasis (Scottsdale) - Trade with II every year

Can I combine weeks that I own with different resorts and exchange them? Thank you !

If they are both affiliated with RCI, then you can combine the points, but there is a fee of $103(?) for combining, on top of the usual fees.

Or, if they are different resorts in the same system, and that system has points, then you can combine points from different resorts.

Every system has different rules, so it really depends on which system you are talking about.
 

ronparise

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There was a time when I owned a big sedan, a pick up truck, a motorcycle and a sports car. I could make a strong argument that I needed all 4. Now I own just one SUV which works for all my needs

To satisfy many timeshare needs with just one purchase Id look at the systems, One purchase and one maintenance fee but multiple properties to choose from...I like Wyndham for the low purchase price, reasonable fees and large number of very nice resorts
 

DeniseM

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Hi Ron - What are their European locations, and what would be the minimum points you'd need if Europe is your goal?
 

Passepartout

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If you are SERIOUS about Europe as in going often- say twice a year or so, you might look at Hapimag. They aren't cheap, and don't come up frequently as resales, but they DO have properties IN the major European destinations- rather than the fringes like most American TS chains do.

If you are discussing Europe as kind of a 'buck-list fulfiller' kind of deal, I'd stay with the American mini systems outlined above.

Jim
 
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