What timeshare should I buy if I want to travel to a different place in the world each year?

[yoneko]

Hello, what timeshare should I buy if I want to travel to a different place in the world each year? Is it Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, etc.? I just realized that owning a Massanutten timeshare will not be the ideal if you want to travel the world. Does anyone own at a Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott who can help me with this? How many points do I need from these type of timeshares?

 

[dioxide45]

It depends on what you mean by traveling the world. Europe has timeshares, but they aren't in places that most Americans and tourists usually want to visit. European timeshares are in places that Europeans want to travel. Not necessarily in big cities like Rome, London, Paris, Prague, etc. Timeshare should really only be one cog in the wheel of your overall travel plans. You may have to go outside of timeshare for certain types of vacations.

 

[yoneko]

It depends on what you mean by traveling the world. Europe has timeshares, but they aren't in places that most Americans and tourists usually want to visit. European timeshares are in places that Europeans want to travel. Not necessarily in big cities like Rome, London, Paris, Prague, etc. Timeshare should really only be one cog in the wheel of your overall travel plans. You may have to go outside of timeshare for certain types of vacations.

So any timeshare company (Massanutten, Wyndham, Marriott, Hilton) will give you the same equivalent points to go to places in the Caribbean for instance. Or do some of these brands have better representation around the world? Also, are the points from Massanutten and Wyndham equivalent? I have a family of 4 (my husband and I and two boys 7 and 10).

 

[tschwa2]

Wyndham has resorts in Puerto Rico and St Thomas (2). One in St Thomas is a normal vacation club property and the other two are Margaritaville properties and have different booking rules and availability if you don't specifically own in that part of the club. RCI points and Wyndham points are not the same. Most 1 BR high season would require at least 105,000 wyndham points. For larger units it isn't uncommon for it to be 300,000+ points.

Marriott has a resort in St Thomas, Costa Rica, Aruba, St Kitts, 3 in Coastal Spain and a 3 in Thailand. MF's for enough points for multiple vacations in those locations would be several thousand and the resale buy in would also be in the $20,000-50,000 range. You could buy fewer points to start but even the minimum points to buy in to use the system resale would be $8000+ and you would then need to rent several thousand points per year.

Hilton has a resort in Italy and a couple on Scotland and some affiliates in Mexico.

There just isn't any ideal timeshare system for going to a variety of places internationally.

 

[bizaro86]

Hello, what timeshare should I buy if I want to travel to a different place in the world each year? Is it Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, etc.? I just realized that owning a Massanutten timeshare will not be the ideal if you want to travel the world. Does anyone own at a Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott who can help me with this? How many points do I need from these type of timeshares?

You need to define "travel the world". If you want to go to Rome one year then Dubai the next then Shanghai then Auckland then timesharing will be a poor fit. If you want to spread out your costs buy $200 in Airbnb gift cards every month. Timeshares only work places that have timeshares.

 

[yoneko]

Thank you all for the responses. They have been helpful. And yes @ bizarro86. That is how I intended to use it and what the salesperson at Massanutten sold me on. I signed on the dotted line but thanks to TUB I was able to rescind once I found out I overpaid. Now I am finding out they misrepresented how I would use my timeshare. I was very explicit about traveling the world. Thanks everyone!

 

[OLRi2010]

I have a different take on it. I am using my timeshares to "see the world". I own several timeshares, 3 in US plus 1 in Ireland and 1 in Spain. Earlier this year I took a 3 week vacation starting in Ireland, then Scotland, then England, I did all that using my timeshare access which is more than just using the ones I own. I traded through RCI and added on short stays through RCI Extra Vacations at very reasonable rates. This fall, I am planning a trip to Austria for 2 weeks including one in a Vienna timeshare. Early next year I'm going to Italy and Switzerland - all timeshares.

I feel more comfortable traveling with timeshares than AirBnB because it's like being a part of a very extensive club not the random one off place that ends up being rented out through vacation rental services.

 

[yoneko]

I have a different take on it. I am using my timeshares to "see the world". I own several timeshares, 3 in US plus 1 in Ireland and 1 in Spain. Earlier this year I took a 3 week vacation starting in Ireland, then Scotland, then England, I did all that using my timeshare access which is more than just using the ones I own. I traded through RCI and added on short stays through RCI Extra Vacations at very reasonable rates. This fall, I am planning a trip to Austria for 2 weeks including one in a Vienna timeshare. Early next year I'm going to Italy and Switzerland - all timeshares.

I feel more comfortable traveling with timeshares than AirBnB because it's like being a part of a very extensive club not the random one off place that ends up being rented out through vacation rental services.

I see. So you have to buy timeshare in Europe to have access to good European destinations. So is RCI the trading company for those as well or is that another company?

 

[tschwa2]

It is possible to do it with rci but not if you are restricted to the school calendar and are not willing to be a little more off the beaten track.

Let's say you have 4-5 weeks of vacation a year. I would think you could plan on getting enough points for 2 per year in a timeshare and maybe use one or both in the US or use one in Mexico or somewhere else. If you put in ongoing searches with a 2 year range for the places you are looking for every 3-4 years you might get lucky with those foreign destinations, even more often if you can travel in the off season. For your other 2-3 weeks of vacation, don't rely on your timeshare. Vacation how you normally would have.

 

[OLRi2010]

I see. So you have to buy timeshare in Europe to have access to good European destinations. So is RCI the trading company for those as well or is that another company?

Hello - no I just happen to have timeshares in Europe but through RCI, I can trade into European, Asian, South American etc etc timeshares using my USA timeshares.

I'm not a part of any of the major timeshare points clubs like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt etc so I can't speak to using those as many others here can. I chose to own individual timeshares in places I think I'd like to go occasionally but I also consider how "valuable" they are for trading points in RCI. I use my Florida timeshare for our annual family trip. The others, I use by banking and trading through RCI. I bought my timeshares via resale using Redweek, TUG marketplace etc. with minimal upfront cost. I plan my trips 12 to 24 months out and then add on side trips as those become available through RCI.

Timesharing has been a very positive part of my and my family's life. My grandchildren think of Florida as their second home and look forward to visiting every year.

 

[Passepartout]

I see. So you have to buy timeshare in Europe to have access to good European destinations. So is RCI the trading company for those as well or is that another company?

The reality is that there are just NOT the timeshares outside of N. America that Americans find attractive. For instance in Europe, People LIVE in the cities. They don't want to vacation in them, so the majority of TSs are out in the countryside. Same w/S. America. There are some TSs along the Brazilian coast. Same with Australia- most TSs are rural outfits on secluded coasts. Yes, there are TSs in Fiji & coastal Thailand, but just between us, one beach has about as much appeal as another beach. The timeshare 'world' is pretty concentrated in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean. Timeshare is simply NOT the way to see the world as you seem to desire.

Jim

 

[yoneko]

Hello - no I just happen to have timeshares in Europe but through RCI, I can trade into European, Asian, South American etc etc timeshares using my USA timeshares.

I'm not a part of any of the major timeshare points clubs like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt etc so I can't speak to using those as many others here can. I chose to own individual timeshares in places I think I'd like to go occasionally but I also consider how "valuable" they are for trading points in RCI. I use my Florida timeshare for our annual family trip. The others, I use by banking and trading through RCI. I bought my timeshares via resale using Redweek, TUG marketplace etc. with minimal upfront cost. I plan my trips 12 to 24 months out and then add on side trips as those become available through RCI.

Timesharing has been a very positive part of my and my family's life. My grandchildren think of Florida as their second home and look forward to visiting every year.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[Limace]

In Europe, I’d stick with Airbnb. We just did 10 days in Italy in March-really lovely two bedroom apartments in the center of Florence and Siena for a an average, all fees included, of $170 a night. With our kids especially, if we are traveling to a new country we want to be where we can easily see and experience the sights and food, walk around, catch a train, etc.


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[OLRi2010]

The reality is that there are just NOT the timeshares outside of N. America that Americans find attractive. For instance in Europe, People LIVE in the cities. They don't want to vacation in them, so the majority of TSs are out in the countryside. Same w/S. America. There are some TSs along the Brazilian coast. Same with Australia- most TSs are rural outfits on secluded coasts. Yes, there are TSs in Fiji & coastal Thailand, but just between us, one beach has about as much appeal as another beach. The timeshare 'world' is pretty concentrated in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean. Timeshare is simply NOT the way to see the world as you seem to desire.

I'm an American and I do find timeshares outside of N. America that are attractive to me but not to the "veterans" here who have spoken and it's a resounding no to timesharing for you Yoneko. Best of luck in whatever you choose to do.

 

[tschwa2]

I'm an American and I do find timeshares outside of N. America that are attractive to me but not to the "veterans" here who have spoken and it's a resounding no to timesharing for you Yoneko. Best of luck in whatever you choose to do.

I agree with what you are saying but if you had a 7 and 10 year old in school, and would be traveling as a family of 4, do you think you could find places enough interesting places for the family during times when school is not in session and is worth the expense of flights and transportation for 4 to those locations.

I think if you are adventurous and independent and retired or have a very flexible job then it absolutely could work for 10+ years of very interesting vacations out of the country. My youngest turned 16 this year and for the most part would rather stay home with his 21 year old brother so my husband and I can start travelling further from home even when school is in session. My husband likes to use 3 out of his 5 weeks vacation in the summer, just to get away from the heat and humidity but that still gives us 2 weeks that we can play with.

 

[kanerf]

The larger companies, Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott all have trading portals through one of the exchange companies either RCI or II. It is these exchange companies that will give you international resorts along with the fee they will charge for the exchange. You should look in this portals for the places you might want to stay and then find an ownership that will give you access to them.

 

[Passepartout]

I'm an American and I do find timeshares outside of N. America that are attractive to me but not to the "veterans" here who have spoken and it's a resounding no to timesharing for you Yoneko. Best of luck in whatever you choose to do.

Apologies if I painted your TS travels with a too broad brush. We have used RCI Points for several good vacations in Europe, but have noticed that they tend to be in more rural areas. Still enjoyable and enlightening, but with few exceptions, MANY Americans want to see museums, cathedrals, theaters, cultural stuff. While enjoyable, golf courses and beaches are things we stay close to home for.

My takeaway from @yoneko was that the TS salesweasel all but promised that their TS purchase would offer low cost access to a plethora of TSs worldwide. As long as one recognizes the limitations, all's good, but NO single exchange company can offer every available choice.

Jim

 

[bnoble]

Timesharing is a poor fit for "I want to go here, then there, then this other place," unless you are buying in a system that has resorts here, there, and the other place. One system with all of those destinations. (Marriott might be that system for you, but it will not be cheap. Diamond might also, but you can only join their full club with a developer purchase, so very much not cheap.)

Timesharing can be a great way to do something else though: If you are willing to go where the wind takes you, you can probably find some really enjoyable places to visit, and not all of them have to be in Mexico/N. America/the Caribbean.

 

[OLRi2010]

Apologies if I painted your TS travels with a too broad brush. We have used RCI Points for several good vacations in Europe, but have noticed that they tend to be in more rural areas. Still enjoyable and enlightening, but with few exceptions, MANY Americans want to see museums, cathedrals, theaters, cultural stuff. While enjoyable, golf courses and beaches are things we stay close to home for.

My takeaway from @yoneko was that the TS salesweasel all but promised that their TS purchase would offer low cost access to a plethora of TSs worldwide. As long as one recognizes the limitations, all's good, but NO single exchange company can offer every available choice.

Based on experience, I am skeptical of everything TS salespeople say. That's why I joined TUG to get various OPINIONS from other timesharers. I think a free flow of opinions is important even if from newer members as NO single member has all the answers.

 

[geist1223]

We have stayed in timeshares in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Paris France (no not Disney), Normandy France area, Rotarua New Zealand, Paia Bay of Islands New Zealand, Sydney Australia, Coffs Harbour Australia, 7 Mile Beach near Hobart Tasmania Australia, Melbourne Australia, and Fiji.

 

[PamMo]

It's been a l-o-n-g time since our first timeshare presentation, but I still remember being starry-eyed when our salesman showed us photos of 5-Star resorts we could easily trade into all around the world! It sounded too good to be true! Which of course, it was, and we didn't buy until we learned a lot more about timesharing. (Thank you, TUG!)

@yoneko, I'm happy you found TUG in time to rescind your Massanutten purchase. I think you would have been sorely disappointed. There are timeshares outside the US, but do some research to find out if those are the places you'd want to go. Check out the two main exchange companies and see what's there. Know that some of the resorts will almost NEVER be available for exchange, although they look really great in the directories! You can always ask on TUG if an exchange is possible/probable. https://www.intervalworld.com/ and https://www.rci.com/

Know it takes time, planning, some luck, and extra fees to trade your timeshare. I've owned dozens of (resale) timeshares over the years, and usually stay in the resorts we own, or trade for places in the US. I've gotten trades into Phuket (Thailand), Costa de Sol (Spain), Disneyland-Paris, Wales, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean for family vacations, and have been happy with the exchanges. We don't use timeshares for most of our international travel (except Mexico).

 

[yoneko]

The reality is that there are just NOT the timeshares outside of N. America that Americans find attractive. For instance in Europe, People LIVE in the cities. They don't want to vacation in them, so the majority of TSs are out in the countryside. Same w/S. America. There are some TSs along the Brazilian coast. Same with Australia- most TSs are rural outfits on secluded coasts. Yes, there are TSs in Fiji & coastal Thailand, but just between us, one beach has about as much appeal as another beach. The timeshare 'world' is pretty concentrated in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean. Timeshare is simply NOT the way to see the world as you seem to desire.

Jim

I appreciate the advice! I did notice that the major cities like Paris and London were not in the RCI directory. I understand why now.

 

[yoneko]

In Europe, I’d stick with Airbnb. We just did 10 days in Italy in March-really lovely two bedroom apartments in the center of Florence and Siena for a an average, all fees included, of $170 a night. With our kids especially, if we are traveling to a new country we want to be where we can easily see and experience the sights and food, walk around, catch a train, etc.


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This is great advice about the Air BNB. I didn't even think about that. That way I can get to Paris, London, etc. and really explore like I would like.

 

[yoneko]

I'm an American and I do find timeshares outside of N. America that are attractive to me but not to the "veterans" here who have spoken and it's a resounding no to timesharing for you Yoneko. Best of luck in whatever you choose to do.

I appreciate your post. I am learning more and more.

 

[yoneko]

I agree with what you are saying but if you had a 7 and 10 year old in school, and would be traveling as a family of 4, do you think you could find places enough interesting places for the family during times when school is not in session and is worth the expense of flights and transportation for 4 to those locations.

I think if you are adventurous and independent and retired or have a very flexible job then it absolutely could work for 10+ years of very interesting vacations out of the country. My youngest turned 16 this year and for the most part would rather stay home with his 21 year old brother so my husband and I can start travelling further from home even when school is in session. My husband likes to use 3 out of his 5 weeks vacation in the summer, just to get away from the heat and humidity but that still gives us 2 weeks that we can play with.

Thank you for your perspective. Yes, I see where it could work well if I was retired and could just get up and go wherever. But I am not there yet. Vacations are still planned around school which tend to be high travel times, except for mid March when my kids are out of school before public school gets out.