Recently I've started looking online to pay for my trip after I've booked it with points.
For example, I'll book a hotel in San Diego for 5 nights and it'll cost me X points and then I'll divide that by my total points and my monthly fee.
Example: Monthly fee is $200. Annual cost is $2400. Cost of room is half my points therefore cost is $1200.00
When I look online, the cost is usually right around $1200.00.
This makes me wonder, why do I have a time share? If it'll cost any Tom, Dick or Harry $1,200.00 and it's costing me $1,200 via points, what's the point?
Anyone else experience this? Do you need to get up to the VIP level to make it worth while?
I would like to address the question "This makes me wonder, why do I have a timeshare?"
Long story, but I'll make it as short as possible. I have been going to Las Vegas for the last 15 years. My buddy and I always go to CES. I would ask him "how long are you staying?" He would say "I haven't decided yet, maybe 5 days, maybe a week". I would then go and try to book my room and found that the prices for the hotels had jumped 150%. A hotel at that time that was $89.00 a night had jumped to $239.00 plus resort fees and taxes. I could only afford to stay 3 nights. I asked my buddy, "where are you staying and how can you afford to stay so long?" He said, "I'm staying at my timeshare"
I took my wife with me to Las Vegas and we stayed at the South Point Hotel. It is on the very south end and quite aways from the strip. It's not a bad place to stay, and has some very nice attributes.
We went to meet up with my buddy and his wife at their timeshare and when we got to their room, his wife was sitting at their dining table playing video games while he was still getting ready in their bedroom. We sat on the couch as she was able to get wine and snacks out of their refrigerator while we waited. There were four adults lounging in their room moving about comfortably without feeling cramped. I looked at my wife and said "We need a timeshare"
This coming year the Super Bowl is going to be played in Las Vegas. Because I own a timeshare and am booked for a 4 bedroom presidential for the week of the Super Bowl. My wife and kids will be able to experience the fanfare and excitement of the week that is always so hyped up. We are going to stay for a week when otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford to stay for more than 2-3 days at the price they will be asking for a hotel room during that same time.
I now go to Las Vegas 3-4 times a year. I am also going to Kauai, and Cabo San Lucas this year, and I will be staying in my timeshares. I would only be able to afford one of those trips if I had to pay for a hotel.
That's why I have a timeshare. I know they are not for everyone, but they really have enhanced my vacation experience.