What should we get

[chillz911]

We recently rescinded a Hilton vacation club timeshare that we got suckered into 6000 yearly points( which was not enough)..… We loved the idea of being able to have yearly planned vacation options that would force us to do so.since we are a fam of 5 with 3 kids. We need at least 2 bedrooms as a studio hotel room type no longer works for us.we loved the ideas of hgvc max but the resale option seemed limited to the U.S.A
What timeshare companies do you recommend?
Hilton vs wyndham vs Marriott vs others


1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

We live in Canada, we like going to Mexico in all inclusive type vacation every year but would like to visit other countries and also be able to go to new York,Florida maybe Myrtle Beach, a ski location also

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?

Yes I would be fine with half the time

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
Europe, Mediterranean, Florida, new York ???

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

Family of 5

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

School schedule but can go during school year

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
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?
4 or better is fine

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

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?
3k

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
No

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


Looking forward to your feedback

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Welcome to TUG. Given your are a family of 5 and not a detailed oriented planner, I would say that timeshares are not for you. Most successful timeshare hackers plan their vacations 9 months to a year in advance. For me, half the fun is in the planning and anticipation of a great trade. If this is not your cup of tea then don't get a timeshare.

Although there are last minute deals, most are the leftovers and with a family of 5 it will be difficult to secure 2 bdrm or larger accommodations that will make you happy. We hear from many frustrated timeshare owners who complain on these boards that they cannot find anything to book because they expect (or their job schedules require them ) to book only a few months in advance. The best value for timeshares is when you can book a year in advance.

 

[rickandcindy23]

You are apparently impressed with Hilton, and so I would buy Hilton and use it for the locations you want in New York, Florida, and Myrtle Beach. Buy Hilton in Vegas. Fees are lower. Buy Platinum season. Pretty inexpensive lately for a purchase like that.

 

[moonstone]

Do not buy a timeshare to use for All Inclusive vacations as the extra (AI) cost on top of using your week/points, plus the exchange fee will be high. I am also Canadian and the few times I have looked into using some of our points to go to an AI resort in Mexico over the last 20+ years, I can always get a package (Red Flag Deals or other similar site) that also includes airfare from YYZ cheaper than what my total timeshare cost (portion of maintenance fees for points used, exchange fee, AI fee, any resort fee, shuttle to/from airport) would have been, and I also would still have airfare on top of that.

We have 77K RCI points deeded to a July week at a resort in TN that we have never stayed at. Instead, we use those points to take 3-5 vacations, all 7-13 nights long at other areas (mainly FL or the NE USA) at other times of the year.


~Diane

 

[chillz911]

I definitely see us having the ability to plan ahead. I don't think that will be a problem....
I feel like 13k points via Hilton or more is what we would need to get at least 4-5 nights for the whole family. Is it better value to go Wyndham in this case? I feel like Marriot and Hilton are similar...

 

[WaikikiFirst]

feel like 13k points via Hilton or more is what we would need to get at least 4-5 nights for the whole family

Hilton has almost nothing in Mexico nor the Caribbean. I own HGVC, never used it for Mexico. I went to Cabo in Nov, didn't use HGVC. If I go to the Caribbean, almost certain it wouldn't be with HGVC. Heck, more likely to be just Hilton
You should prob go to the Mexico section and ask around for what Mexican contracts enable enough trading to maybe use it outside Mexico 50% of the time. Vidanta? Fiesta? btsom.
Or buy one Mexican contract and then a 2nd for outside Mexico.

 

[silentg]

You might do better to rent timeshares until you decide which is best for you. Check the Marketplace on TUG.
Good Luck!