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What should I buy - Maui, Europe, Napa, Paso & Exotic locations

livininsd

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1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Maui, but any great surf sport will do just as well on Pacific.

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?
Likely Trade at least 50%

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Maui, Anywhere Europe, Wine Country (Napa or Paso Robles) & more unusual locations (Costa Rica, Azores, Eastern Europe, Middle East).

4) How many people do you usually travel with?
2 - 6, depends on if traveling with kids and/or friends.

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

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
Yes, but I don't like to.

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
sometimes, but very easy for me to get away for 4 - 5 days.

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
4+

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
$3k

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?
Depends on what I'm getting

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
Yes, though for vacation I tend to structure about half the trip and leave the other half unplanned.

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 - I also like the idea of usage fees vs. Maintenance fees for this reason.

I should also note that I traveled for pleasure about 9 times in the last 12 months, trip length of 2 - 6 days.
 

Passepartout

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I know of no one system that has a presence in all the places you want to go. If you want 4+ star amenities, you are looking at the hotel-branded properties, like Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Starwood. Those are more expensive- both for buy-in and in annual fees. I don't think your $3k budget is going to get your toe in the door. Shorter stays are more expensive to exchange to than 7 night stays. Timeshare is built around week long vacations. Each 'package' of a week's stay would usually include one cleaning. Shorter stays necessitate more cleaning, so they typically bill $75 to $100 for shorter stays.

In short, I'm not convinced that timeshare as it exists is a good fit for you at this time. Perhaps as your income grows, your 'needs' and 'wants' get more closely aligned, you'll find a 'portfolio' of TS providers that will provide what you want. Maybe start with one, that has multiple locations where you REALLY want to go once a year (rotating among it's offerings), then over time you'll discover other providers that concentrate their offerings in different areas of the world.

If you actually JOIN TUG, $15/yr, you would have access to the reviews of thousands of resorts worldwide. Then you can easily, and in just one place compare different systems. You'd also have access to last minute rentals and distressed properties that become available to members on short notice. Often they are low enough cost that you don't mind leaving a 7 night rental early or arriving late.

Best Wishes

Jim
 

livininsd

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Interesting... so let me clarify a bit.

It seems that people say getting 1 week in Mexico in a 1 BR for $700 or so is very realistic and common. My standard, based on an agreement that I just rescinded with Vidanta, is that I should have access to up to 4 or 5 weeks / year at ~ $700 / week, for well under $10k buy in on a resale.

I figure that spending $100 / night in Mexico, or $200 / night if I have to trade in 2 weeks to get 1 in Maui or Europe, is interesting. And yeah, even at $700 / week if I only use 5 nights, for a 4+ resort, that's still very appealing. But it seems timeshare contracts give most people only access to 1 week at most. That's not enough.

I travel for work quite a bit, mostly Marriott. Currently have Gold status and use points often for 1 -2 night stays.

Maybe the better way to approach this, is what is the best fit and budget I should expect. Where would I focus Timeshare $ vs. one-offs for other areas. I tend to go to Maui at least 1 every 2 years.
 

VacationForever

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I know of no one system that has a presence in all the places you want to go. If you want 4+ star amenities, you are looking at the hotel-branded properties, like Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Starwood. Those are more expensive- both for buy-in and in annual fees. I don't think your $3k budget is going to get your toe in the door. Shorter stays are more expensive to exchange to than 7 night stays. Timeshare is built around week long vacations. Each 'package' of a week's stay would usually include one cleaning. Shorter stays necessitate more cleaning, so they typically bill $75 to $100 for shorter stays.

In short, I'm not convinced that timeshare as it exists is a good fit for you at this time. Perhaps as your income grows, your 'needs' and 'wants' get more closely aligned, you'll find a 'portfolio' of TS providers that will provide what you want. Maybe start with one, that has multiple locations where you REALLY want to go once a year (rotating among it's offerings), then over time you'll discover other providers that concentrate their offerings in different areas of the world.

If you actually JOIN TUG, $15/yr, you would have access to the reviews of thousands of resorts worldwide. Then you can easily, and in just one place compare different systems. You'd also have access to last minute rentals and distressed properties that become available to members on short notice. Often they are low enough cost that you don't mind leaving a 7 night rental early or arriving late.

Best Wishes

Jim
Timeshare Version 2.0 is now centered around points as opposed to weeks. Most of the large timeshare systems are now selling points, whether it is Marriott, Vistana, Hyatt, Wyndham, DRI etc. Point systems solve 2 problems associated with weeks system. The main issue is that maintenance fees cost the same for a week regardless of seasons as it takes the same amount of cleaning and maintenance. By selling points, the requirement for points can be lower for off season and higher for high season. The second problem of abandonment of the low season weeks can be simply rolled into the points program and not need to try to sell them again.

With points system, it also offers the flexibility in staying for shorter or longer than a week.
 

VacationForever

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Interesting... so let me clarify a bit.

It seems that people say getting 1 week in Mexico in a 1 BR for $700 or so is very realistic and common. My standard, based on an agreement that I just rescinded with Vidanta, is that I should have access to up to 4 or 5 weeks / year at ~ $700 / week, for well under $10k buy in on a resale.

I figure that spending $100 / night in Mexico, or $200 / night if I have to trade in 2 weeks to get 1 in Maui or Europe, is interesting. And yeah, even at $700 / week if I only use 5 nights, for a 4+ resort, that's still very appealing. But it seems timeshare contracts give most people only access to 1 week at most. That's not enough.

I travel for work quite a bit, mostly Marriott. Currently have Gold status and use points often for 1 -2 night stays.

Maybe the better way to approach this, is what is the best fit and budget I should expect. Where would I focus Timeshare $ vs. one-offs for other areas. I tend to go to Maui at least 1 every 2 years.

For a 4+ star resort, MF is going to be closer to $1.5K to $2K+ for a 2BR for 1 week. If you are looking at points system, the equivalence in MF is going to be even higher.

If you look at Marriott resale points system, to get a 1 week 2BR stay, you are looking at a purchase cost of $30-40K. I think it is best you study the various systems. Marriott is probably the most expensive. Vistana resale mandatory weeks like Sheraton Vistana Villages can be picked up for cheap and you can trade within the internal booking system using Staroptions which is its points currency. MF is about $1.4K or so for a 2BR week, including club dues. Anything that is outside of Vistana will need to be exchanged through Interval Internation, an external exchange company.

You can look through the various sub-forums to get an idea of the resorts within each system, acquisition cost and maintenance fees.
 

TravelTime

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EOY Marriott Ko Olina 2 bedroom Lock off Mountain View might fit your needs and you could get 2 weeks out of it EOY or deposit the studio portion in II and get 2 extra weeks out of the studio with accommodation certificates. The upfront fee is just a couple thousand dollars for Mountain View and the annual fee is $1100. It is a beautiful resort too. Also you can then purchase very low cost II Getaways all over the world to supplement your owner week without any upfront investment. Some of the Getaways let you book 6 months to a year in advance. A MKO studio trades into Vidanta too if you want to go back.
 

DaveNV

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My suggestion, since it's a known fact that it is much easier to get INTO a timeshare than it is to get OUT of one, is for you to buy nothing right now. Renting from an owner, when and where you want it, is the smarter plan for now. That way you can learn whether your 4-Star expectations are realistic, or if you could be equally happy with 3-star, considering you'd be staying in a condo, vs. a hotel room. You can learn the different systems, and experience the level of quality they might offer. With timesharing, you'll rarely get daily maid service and such, an expectation that may give you a false sense of value in a higher-end system. As you gain experience with the different systems, you can get a feel for what works for you, and what doesn't, in addition with what level of accommodations you insist on, vs. what is nice to have. (e.g. Do you NEED granite counters in the kitchen, or would laminate or tile work? Seriously, it can come down to that minor of a difference between "lesser" and "greater," and the difference in maintenance fees you'd be paying. Fancier generally means it costs more in annual fees.)

Part of the issue with not making plans ahead of time, is that the better timeshares are usually booked at the earliest possible date, which may be 12 or 13 months in advance. You may decide you want to go somewhere, and there is no availability to book anything. By renting, you can get the time you want, when you want it, from someone who has already made that reservation. And you are not on the hook for any long-term fees - just the one time rental costs.

After you know what you want, don't want, like and don't like, then you can make an informed decision about what you should buy. And you'll know whether timeshares even exist in those exotic places you'd like to go.

Above all, do not rush. Timeshares are available for purchase every day of the week in huge supply. If you don't get the perfect deal today, wait and another one will be along shortly. They're like city buses.

Good luck!

Dave
 

livininsd

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thanks traveltime... now we're getting somewhere. Ok, so for $1100 EOY, you're effectively paying $2,200 / week for a 2br / 2ba mountain view, but you're saying you can trade in the studio, drop to a 1 BR / 1 BA for 1 week, and have 2 more weeks with the Studio, effectively dropping the weekly cost to $2,200 / 3 = $766 / week to be in HI and/or have some inventory to trade. Correct?

I guess the one bummer is doesn't Vindanta hit traders with a $30 PP / PD fee? Which effectively makes the Vidanta studio cost $766 / week + $420 (7 x $660) = $1,186 for a studio in this example???
 

Passepartout

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If you are using your Vidanta experience as a yardstick to compare other TSs to, it's an apples to oranges comparison. With Vidanta, they OWN everything and only 'sell' the Right To Use it. with legitimate TSs, YOU are the owner. YOU have the deed. You also have the responsibility to keep the place up or your 'investment' deteriorates.

Yes, if you own a 2 bedroom EOY lock-off, you can split it up and use part one year and the balance the next. Or you can deposit the whole shebang and exchange for another 2 bedroom somewhere else within the network (for a price). And this new Vidanta $30pp/pd robbery is relatively new and apparently only Vidanta owners like it.

I'm with Dave NW. Rent.

Jim
 

LAX Mom

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thanks traveltime... now we're getting somewhere. Ok, so for $1100 EOY, you're effectively paying $2,200 / week for a 2br / 2ba mountain view, but you're saying you can trade in the studio, drop to a 1 BR / 1 BA for 1 week, and have 2 more weeks with the Studio, effectively dropping the weekly cost to $2,200 / 3 = $766 / week to be in HI and/or have some inventory to trade. Correct?

I guess the one bummer is doesn't Vindanta hit traders with a $30 PP / PD fee? Which effectively makes the Vidanta studio cost $766 / week + $420 (7 x $660) = $1,186 for a studio in this example???
You could split a Ko'Olina 2 bedroom EOY into a 1 bedroom & a studio. If you stayed in the 1 bedroom followed by a week in the studio, you would have 2 weeks in Hawaii. However, the 3rd week mentioned was using an accommodation certificate (AC). It would be extremely difficult to find a 4* Hawaii week using an AC. It could happen, but most likely very last minute. Also, the AC isn't free. The cost to exchange into an extra week with an AC can range from $199 to $399, plus tax.
 

TravelTime

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The OP does not only want to go to Hawaii so that is why I suggested an EOY 2 br lockoff Marriott Ko Olina. She can use one bedroom in Hawaii and the studio to get 2 weeks in Hawaii. Or she can deposit the studio in II and get a possible trade up to a 1 - 2 bedroom somewhere else by paying the upgrade fee. And/or get an accommodation certificate plus the studio trade (for 2 total weeks vacation out of the studio portion). And she could fill in her other years and travels with Getaways. I have seen Getaways to great places and brands like Hyatt and Marriott for same or less than the annual MF. With buying a cheap EOY Ko Olina week, the OP can get access to II Getaways to travel as often as she wants, and at the last minute since she mentioned she doesn’t like to plan ahead. The other good thing about Ko Olina is if you want to change the dates, it is fairly easy. You don’t need to book right at 12 months. I booked my Ko Olina week for July last November. Then I had to change it so I changed it in March for September. There is a fee to change but Ko Olina is not like Maui where everyone is competing for the same dates at 12-13 months out. At least not now. This strategy would make the OPs average cost per week $700 or less since Getways are usually $199-$399 on average and the OP mentions she travels a lot.

Asking price for EOY 2 br lockoff Mountain View is $2900. Personally I bought ocean view for $5500 since maintenance fees are the same but if the OP ever wants to rent, she can get more rent for ocean view. But Mountain View’s at Ko Olina are very nice and under $3000 (OPs target budget).

https://www.redweek.com/resort/P4793-marriotts-ko-olina-beach-club/timeshare-resales?type=resales

Many people do not recommend buying Mexico bc they are hard to unload and most are all inclusives. There are some exceptions but not sure if they are in the OPs budget. You could look into Westin Lagomar but that is not hard to trade into and I have seen them on Getaways. Right now, there are a bunch of studios and 1 bedrooms at Westin Lagumar for $500-less than $800 for the week through end of year check-in. I see no reason to buy at Westin Lagumar because it is always on the Getways list.

You will rarely if ever see Ko Olina or any of the brand name Hawaii timeshares on Getaways and very rarely will you see then even for exchange. I once sited a Ko Olina studio for exchange when I was searching but it got booked ASAP.

I do not exchange my 2 bedroom LO at Ko Olina but I bought it being aware I would have a strong trader or rental for a low upfront cost and can join II and have access to fabulous low cost Getways. For example, we bought an early ski week through the Getways a few months ago at the base of Squaw Valley in a 1 bedroom for $349 including insurance. I purchased it in March 2018 for the week before Christmas 2018. My point is you can get really desirable Getways for cheap if you check periodically and especially if you travel off season or even slightly off season. I have seen Marriott St Kitts, Marriott St Thomas and many other Marriotts and almost every Hyatt as Getways for less than the MF. I have even seen the highly desirable Hyatt Carmel in Getaways for the same price as its MF.
 
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The main problem with a "legacy week" here is the OP says 4-5 days at a time is easier. Except for that, something like the Ko Olina would fit the bill. I suppose one could trade into II for the shorter stays, but those have a lot of fees. If the OP can handle weeks only, then, the suggestion might be a good fit. Esp with the getaways, and those are very common in those odd destinations!

A sample of some Marriott getaways earlier this year (for a week):

Orlando in May for $300's
Orlando in April for $700, St. Thomas for $662
Spain in March for $372, Thailand for $744
Spain in February for $312
Kauai in December for $1172

Note there are tons of non Marriott getaways. I just had a history of Marriotts only.
 

livininsd

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wow, those look like pretty amazing deals - so apologize for my ignorance, but are getaways trades, or just straight up rentals?

The 1 thing also in the back of my head against purchase is I know rented in Maui Ka'anapali in Jan 2016 for less than $800 for a 1 BR at the pink properties (forget the name). So I know rental deals are out there too.
 
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Steve Fatula

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wow - so apologize for my ignorance, but are getaways trades, or just straight up rentals?

Rentals from II. Often for less, way less, than hotel stays at better places. These make your week(s) much lower effective cost. We’ve done up to 4-5 a year.
 

livininsd

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Gotcha - so you buy into the "group" and level II, and that gives you access to rent at those rates. Very nice. That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for and almost has more value to me than the Timeshare location itself would, because at $300 or even $700 / week for a great place, location, and 1 BR, who cares if you're there 4 or 5 days, effectively daily rental is still $60 - $125 / night.
 

Steve Fatula

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Some places I've been on getaways: Williamsburg VA, Palm Desert CA, Canary Islands, Phoenix, Vail, Hilton Head. Certainly many were shoulder seasons. Many times, the best deals are within 60 days or less, which is great if you do 't want to plan way in advance. Kind of like, gee, I want to go somewhere in 2-4 weeks, where can I go. It's kind of fun!
 

TravelTime

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Our first timeshare purchase was Marriott Ko Olina 2 bedroom lockoff ocean view for $5500. We loved the resort and Ko Olina is a beautiful location. In fact, Atlantis is planning to build the world’s most expensive resort at Ko Olina. Four Seasons is there too as well as Disney’s Aulani. I read that Ko Olina may become the “Palm Springs” of Hawaii. Ko Olina is a great location because it definitely feels like Hawaii but it is only about 20 miles from Honolulu and Waikiki for action.

I think it you purchase an EOY week there, you will get your Hawaii vacation as well as access to II to travel all over the world. IMO, Marriott Ko Olina EOY is the best entry level upscale location into the Marriott program for the lowest entry cost. The MFs are high because it is Hawaii but if you leverage your timeshare well, you can get your effective cost down to $700 per week by splitting the lock off and using II Getaways. Since purchasing Ko Olina, we have purchased many more timeshare weeks as well as Destination Club Points. We are sold on the advantages of timeshares and when we stay in a hotel room, it is no longer the same!
 
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