What and should I buy?

[Bump]

Visited Sheraton Vistana and they sure do make it enticing explaining it to you. The Sheraton Flex point system seems to make a lot of sense and easy to book anywhere. Maybe I’m wrong and it was all sales, but trying to understand the downside to these. Seems so flexible and can use anywhere in the world. What am I missing and why would these be resold for so cheap? Is there something else I should get/consider or should I stay away?

Is there a way to get the Interval International membership to do the cheap $200-400 bookings without buying these things?

Here the my template answers to the questions listed:

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where? No, would like to go to many places.

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 most likely.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations? Hawaii, Japan, Thailand, Maldives, and somewhere in the US with mountains. I’d like the opportunity to go all over.

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself? 4

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule? At the moment school does play a part in our scheduling.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance? Sometimes, but flexibility to not plan out 12 months ahead would be preferred.

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? 3-4 at least. Usually shoot for 4 but not 5 since that’s usually a major price jump.

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing? Really depends on value. Could invest what’s needed if it makes sense. Seems like anything resold isn’t even close to what they sell during these presentations.

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? Whatever is needed if it’s a good value.

11) Are you a detail oriented planner? I’d say 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, don’t mind being stuck if it’s something great to be stuck with.

 

[claraj]

Is there a way to get the Interval International membership to do the cheap $200-400 bookings without buying these things?

Welcome to TUG!

I believe the answer to this is no, though I've read that you may be able to buy a TS, get II membership then sell the TS and may be able to keep the II membership as long as you keep paying the annual fee.

The $200-$400 bookings are getaways and they can cost more than that, especially for Hawaii resorts. The getaways for more desirable resorts are usually very last minute or for off season weeks but you can still find some real gems if you constantly check. The getaways can appear in inventory at any time.

Good luck!

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Welcome to TUG. Check out each system for locations that suit you.

You won't find timeshares on Maldives and certain locations. It should not take up your entire travel budget but could be a component of it.

Timeshares work best when you have destinations you like to return to such as Hawaii, Colorado or Hilton Head and then want to go elsewhere in the system at times. Suggest you try renting from each system first on Redweek or GoKoala.com before you buy.

 

[HedonisticEpicurean]

I say skip the timeshare based on your comments and answers. For me, the best part of visiting Japan, Thailand, and the Maldives is staying in local hotels. Some of the best high quality 5 star hotels are in those countries. Surprisingly many 4 and 5 star hotels are much more economical than in the US. Even if you aren't staying in 5 star properties you will find delightful accommodations in Asia and that part of the world.

When I go to Thailand and Japan I want to move around and stay in different hotels. Yes, Phuket, Thailand is great for a week or more, but there is so much more to Thailand that deserves your attention. Japan is the same. The Maldives? While I have been to the Maldives I never considered a timeshare there. Others who have gone can probably give you better info. My BIGGEST CONCERN is that of finding a property to trade for the dates you want.

I have RCI and find international choices limiting and hard to exchange. But, that is RCI.

With your travel interest I say skip the timeshare and, in the words of Wayne Dwyer "Be a no limit person." In this case, BE A NO LIMIT TRAVELER and book the places as you go.

I'm curious what others will suggest.

 

[ScoopKona]

You could find something which works for you. But based on the answers, I'd say timeshare is not for you -- at least not yet.

Of the places you listed, only Hawaii and Thailand are easy trades. Hawaii is easy in "if I want to go to the state, sometime in the summer, I can get something." It is not at all easy if "I must be on West Maui for July 4 week." Much flexibility is needed for Hawaii. Plenty in Thailand, if you want to stay at the beach resorts. Not nearly as much in Bangkok. Your other locations have few if any options. There are only a handful of timeshares in Japan, and in 25 years of doing this, I've never seen one available.

The school schedule is the other problem. You are fighting with all the other families (and teachers) who are chained to this schedule. It's still possible. But it's so much easier when you have the entire year wide open.

I wish another question was added to this list: How many days of vacation do you want to get from one maintenance fee? With most of the timeshares, that number will be seven. Some have lock-off units and that number is 14. Some are considerably higher because of the way they're set up.

 

[4TimeAway]

Everyone’s situation and reasons are different, so here’s ours.

We can absorb say $10,000 a year in annual hotel costs. Sometimes it’s more and may years its less.

We bought about $10,000 in TS and will pay probably $4,000 for MF starting in 2024. With this we plan for 1 week in Hawaii and a week in Carlsbad near Legoland in 2 bedrooms with a kitchen or better. Say its $300/night, that seems fair enough to us.

It’s not a perfect solution, but it allows us some flexibility and still have discretionary travel money.

We will feel broke after Christmas and now the timeshare fees, but what’s new there?

It also makes sense to us by forcing us to plan. We get cheaper airfare, rental cars, etc. and we get to “dream” about the vacation longer. It also forces us to go. Sorry work, off to Hawaii. BYE


Seems if you buy right (READ RESALE PRICED RIGHT) and you don’t like it, you’ll lose a couple thousand dollars. Not the end of the world, but if you like it WOW does it open ideas of travel for decades. There's a reason people can sell the idea of TS and it seems like you've sold yourself on the idea, but not the how and when.

You'll figure it out in time, just don't fall for a TS salespresentation and knowingly overpay. You'll make all of us cry!

 

[VacationForever]

Sheraton Flex is given away regularly. Here is one. It is free to you, with no closing cost, for EOY 148,100 Sheraton Flex options.

Timeshare Nation

www.timesharenation.com