Which timeshare club would be best for me?

[Nowaker]

My wife and I attended a Hilton presentation in Vegas a month ago. The price was insane so we rejected but we liked the concept and knew there would surely be a reasonable resale market and a quick google search during a presentation made it clear immediately. We loved our stay at the HGV on the Boulevard / Strip - we liked the room, the kitchenette and the resort. Elara rooms looked even better but the pool area wasn't as "vibey". It opened our eyes we could stay at upscale locations with cool resorts at a reasonable cost.

I've analyzed everything about Hilton and it looks pretty good for us. MF-to-what-points-get-me, it's fantastic. But it's somewhat lacking in the locations department. Would love to have a bigger variety. Phoenix, Palm Springs, Panama City, Flagstaff/Sedona, it's this type of location HGVC is missing. So maybe a different network would work better for us? I haven't looked at others as Hilton alone already overwhelmed me. It took so much time and energy to fully understand HGVC that I'm definitely not eager to learning about each of them... Would love to hear from you - what you think the best network (or networks) for our travel style would be.

Thank you!

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

No.

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?

Definitely trade.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations? / 4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?

• Summer, whole family: Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, New Mexico. If it has red rocks or desert, we're game.
• Winter, whole family: Florida.
• Any time, with wife only: party cities like Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego

Worth noting the kids are now of age that we're planning to visit big theme parks: Lego and Disney come to mind.

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

• Wife and I only - Mot locked to any schedule. Time off very flexible, and if not, not a big deal, we've been remote before Covid.
• Whole family - Locked to summer, Christmas, etc. due to school.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

Yes, but prefer 6-9 months in advance.

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?

We prefer to stay at hotels or motels with a reasonable quality-to-value ratio. For us, it's somewhere around $100-$150/night. Hotel brands that come to mind are: La Quinta, Best Western, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Home2, Hampton Inn & Suites.

In the context of a timeshare acquisition, it's not really about what level of accommodations I prefer, but what nightly price I prefer. If 7,000 HGVC points get me 20-30 days at studio apts for $1,400/yr (MF + club dues + booking fees), that's around $50/night. Which is a steal, given the accommodations are upscale, at least in our perception.

So, we can go as high as $100/night for a timeshare. (Where we define the nightly price as: $all_yearly_fees / $number_of_studio_days_the_points_get_me)

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

Up to $7K now. May pick up another timeshare for the same price in 6-12 months if we end up using our points heavily.

Note: I already have a great HGVC offer on the table. $4K + closing for 7k pts Flamingo.

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?

Up to $2,000, provided the points can buy a lot. For example, $700/yr for 1,600 HGVC pts is garbage. $1300/yr for 7,000 pts is great.

Open to revisit the amount after a year of using a timeshare.

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?

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.

 

[kanerf]

For a variety of resorts, Wyndham is very good. Wyndham resales can be had fairly cheaply. HGVC recently bought Diamond Resorts International, so it's portfolio will eventually increase, but no one knows when that will happen. I own in both of these groups. Both of these program will provide you with an RCI account so that you can trade outside of the group.

 

[geist1223]

Take a look at Worldmark resell. This is a pure Point System.

 

[Passepartout]

I think the OP has unreasonable expectations for what they can get through TS ownership. They are clearly price sensitive, and want Hilton quality. Even getting in for a zero cost buy-in (very do-able) the annual MF for a usable stash of points in high season (Summers/family of 6, resort cities for couples) will be prohibitive. Especially when including exchange fees, exchange (RCI/II) membership, and transportation to the TS destination- THATS a cost to be considered too. I can't see average cost per night anywhere as low as their $100/night budget.

So here's my pro-tip recommendation. Get a zero cost resale on eBay. Make sure it's a desirable one. Once transferred into their name, and the exchange membership is set-up and confirmed, give the timeshare away on the TUG Bargain Deals, and keep the exchange membership. Then, with the only cost going forward is the roughly $100/yr to maintain the exchange membership. No MFs, and unlimited Last Call/Getaway weeks for about $300/week + transportation and no cost to unload it- just stop renewing the exchange membership.

They should be able to set this whole scenario up for anything from free to maybe $300 if they have to pay to transfer the TS to someone else.

Jim

 

[bogey21]

Rent. Less hassle, comparable all in cost and you can make decisions closer to your occupancy date...

George

 

[bogey21]

So here's my pro-tip recommendation. Get a zero cost resale on eBay. Make sure it's a desirable one. Once transferred into their name, and the exchange membership is set-up and confirmed, give the timeshare away on the TUG Bargain Deals, and keep the exchange membership. Then, with the only cost going forward is the roughly $100/yr to maintain the exchange membership. No MFs, and unlimited Last Call/Getaway weeks for about $300/week + transportation and no cost to unload it- just stop renewing the exchange membership.

A very reasonable alternative...

George

 

[rickandcindy23]

You cannot afford DVC for $7,000. That is not going to work. $100+ per point, takes at least 8 per night for a studio for even low season (I think it's 10 for OKW). I should look at the point charts sometime. Rarely do I look at that. Maybe it's 10 as a starting point.

Wyndham is worth what you pay for it ($0). It's a useful ownership for using yourself and with family members. People talk up Wyndham, and I sort of understand why, after all it is free or nearly free. One has to wonder exactly why it's free. People felt cheated, seek ways out of their contracts, but if you take a resale, then you are getting it cheap (or free). It seems to me more unhappy people come to TUG after buying Wyndham and want out than most anything else. Mexico is maybe a tie for first place in unhappy owners.

You ought to stick to one system, so if it's Hilton, maybe buy more Hilton. Great system.

I would personally say to buy resale Marriott in platinum season. Check Sightings/ Distressed for the best traders. The traders that work tend to be shared a lot.

Or maybe you would like Sheraton Desert Oasis, those 2 bedrooms lock-off and float weeks 1-52, two trades for one maintenance fees + two exchange fees. Or maybe Sheraton Broadway Plantation in high season, weeks 9-43 and 47. Sheraton is Vistana. I have advised most of our friends to get Sheraton, mostly SBP. It works great for trading purposes. SDO might be better. I usually see the same inventory with both.

 

[Ty1on]

In any system, $100 per night is fairly unreasonable. Not impossible, mind you, but the nicer resorts are going to run you more than that on a maintenance fee basis. Figure more along the lines of $150-$200 per night, but getting much more than your $150 hotel room got you.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Worldmark is likely you best bet for some parts of the west.

Although Wyndham might work in a pinch. There is an opportunity now to get some points resale that VIP owners are getting rid of because of recent Wyndham changes. Those changes will not really impact a resale owner, but only a VIP owner who was getting VIP perks on those points that they are no longer getting.

Hilton is too limited a choice, and frankly too high a quality for your price point.

Although renting is always an option.

 

[Nowaker]

In any system, $100 per night is fairly unreasonable.

Hilton is (...) frankly too high a quality for your price point.

@Sandy VDH @Ty1on I calculated Hilton in non-prime locations costs me less than that per night. Did I do any of my calculations wrong?

$1,142.14 - Flamingo 7k MF
$192 - Club dues 2022
$177 - 3 bookings $59 each
= $,1511.14/year

And 7k points buy me 3 gold weeks or 4 platinum weeks in studio room. That's $75 or $54/night, respectively. Or can mix and match for some more quality vacations in 2BR, if done cleverly (Mon-Thu):

1. 2000 pts - Orlando Tuskany - with kids, 2 BR - week 22 or 23, 4 nights: Mon-Thu
2. 2800 pts - Carlsbad Marbrisa, with kids, 2 BR - any week, 4 nights: Mon-Thu
3. 2x 800 pts - Las Vegas Flamingo / Blvd / Elara - studio - 3 nights: Thu-Sun
4. 600 pts leftover for something small in non-prime location

What am I missing? These locations are easily bookable, especially in advance. The great @alwysonvac looked up a ton of dates at various properties and my plans could be easily realized with proper planning.

and transportation to the TS destination- THATS a cost to be considered too. I can't see average cost per night anywhere as low as their $100/night budget.

@Passepartout Let's stick to comparing apples to apples. The question was about timeshare budget, not whole vacation budget. Both timeshare and hotels require transportation and alike, and they're the same for both, so they're out of the equation here.

Then, with the only cost going forward is the roughly $100/yr to maintain the exchange membership. No MFs, and unlimited Last Call/Getaway weeks for about $300/week + transportation and no cost to unload it- just stop renewing the exchange membership.

@Passepartout Interesting! So you get to keep your RCI membership even when you're no longer a timeshare owner? Cool. Good to know. $300/week for a last call vacation, that sounds appealing. I guess $300/week is a studio in non-prime location like Vegas or Orlando? How much does a last call deal cost for 2 BR in a non-prime location? I'll be very thankful if you share some example last call offers for Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, and Phoenix/Scottsdale you're seeing in the exchange system right now.

HGVC recently bought Diamond Resorts International, so it's portfolio will eventually increase, but no one knows when that will happen.

That's interesting. Hilton doesn't have that many choices now but they have enough choices for me for the next couple years. And by the time we have visited most Hilton places we have on our bucket list, which will take us 2-4 years, DRI should incorporated into the network, giving more destinations. Speculation but fairly possible.

@kanerf Are Diamond Resorts of the same quality as Hilton? We've seen two HGV properties in Las Vegas: on the Boulevard/Strip, and the Elara, and loved it. Coupled with what HGVC points buy us, it's a steal and we're at the verge of buying it (we have a $4k 7k pts Flamingo offer on the table).

For a variety of resorts, Wyndham is very good.

Although Wyndham might work in a pinch.

@kanerf @Sandy VDH - I'm amazed by the number of Wyndham locations. Holy guacamole! Some questions about Wyndham:

1. How do accommodations look like at these resorts, in comparison to HGVC I personally had a chance to experience? Last I checked, I thought Wyndham was garbage because it was rated 2.1/5 in Google Maps in Las Vegas on the strip. But I just looked more closely, and it appears to be a location where timeshare presentations happen, not the actual resort.
2. Can you actually book things easily? Not asking about prime locations.

I would personally say to buy resale Marriott in platinum season.

Thank you @rickandcindy23 - I briefly checked them out, and their variety of locations seems better than HGVC. I have a timeshare presentation with MVC scheduled for tomorrow so I'll ask them about some internal things to get an initial grasp of MVC, then learn the reality from TUG.

Or maybe you would like Sheraton Desert Oasis, those 2 bedrooms lock-off and float weeks 1-52, two trades for one maintenance fees + two exchange fees.

@rickandcindy23 Could you explain "[subject property], two trades for one maintenance fees + two exchange fees" for me? I'm lost here.

Take a look at Worldmark resell. This is a pure Point System.

Worldmark is likely you best bet for some parts of the west.

@Sandy VDH @geist1223 Thank you for this recommendation. I just took a look at their resort map. Red dots are Worldmark. Are Worldmark timeshares easily bookable? (Easily = can book most locations if planned several months in advance. Labor day and alike excluded.)

 

[Sandy VDH]

I can only speak from the experience of owning Hilton and Wyndham (and Holiday Inn) so I will only keep my comments mainly focused on that. I will offer some observations on others

I guess I did not think that only taking a midweek vacation for 4 days was on your plan. Some locations that are drivable then maybe, but since you are also TX based like I am, either you are planning on a lot of driving or flying, both which might prove to not be cost effective with X kids for only a 4 day stay. Too much in Flights or too much on the hotel stays to get to where you want to be for only 4 days. So I was thinking that you would be wanting a weeks some place with the kids and then 7000 HGVC is not enough. Hilton does not have enough places in between and conversion to Hiltons Honors is not cost effective.

Wyndham does have a lot more drivable locations, and points to use between. But with Wyndham sticking to the 2 night minimum for now at least, that may also prove to not be cost effective.

Worldmark is allowing back 1 night stays (not sure when or if it is already here), but Worldmark has more West locations,

Hilton, except for some Hawaii properties and SC properties are usually pretty easy to book. Some require planning, most are pretty accessible. Hawaii is GOLD season is not, as a lot of people use that small gold window to stretch their points.

Wyndham at the 10 month mark is usually good everywhere, but there are some dates and locations with higher demand that you have to jump on right away. But advanced planning will work for those. Wyndham if you are flexible is pretty wide open for many locations at many different times of the year. Advanced Reservation Priority might be needed for some Holiday weeks, but most do not require ARP to get what you want.

Worldmark is a free for all, in that there is NO priority for anyone. Everyone gets access to the same place at the same time. So that does make some resorts near impossible to book for large parts of the year. (Yellowstone is like this, I suspect Moab will be when it finally opens, some Oregon resorts are like this, but TX is wide open for nearly most of the year. ) I am looking at purchasing a WM, but have yet to pull the trigger, as I am patiently waiting for a very small package at the right price to mainly have access to bonus times and other discount access).

 

[Sandy VDH]

What are resorts like at Wyndham and Worldmark.

For Wyndham - there are tiers
Presidential level units are comparable to the Bulk of Hilton Inventory.
Some units are just as nice (newer locations), but most are just a step down from Hilton.
Some resorts are older and are not maintained as well. Those are even a step down from most Wyndham. Read the reviews and know what to expect.

For Worldmark - again there are tiers
There are some presidentials they would also be comparable.
Some of the newer resorts are very nice and would be comparable, and I would also say many are just a step down from Hilton,
Some of the older resorts are a little more rustic in their decor and feel. So again read resort reviews.

If you previous stay in La Q or Hampton Suites, most of the units will be better quality than that.

 

[Nowaker]

@kanerf @Sandy VDH Can you guys share a word on Holiday Inn? I have a weekend getaway package with them in Phoenix/Scottsdale in two weeks, so I'll get to experience them directly, but the properties is one thing, and the experience with the system / points is another.

Some locations that are drivable then maybe, but since you are also TX based like I am, either you are planning on a lot of driving or flying, both which might prove to not be cost effective with X kids for only a 4 day stay.

Oh, I see where you're coming from. We're avid road trippers. Texas to Florida or Nevada? No biggie! To make the best use of our points and vacations, we'd plan several activities. 4 days 2BR Tuskany for 2,000 pts / 2BR Marbrisa for 2,800 pts, then do what we do usually, which is jumping from location to location, as we are drive through tourists.

Thank you @Sandy VDH for sharing the info on Wyndham and Worldmark.

 

[Passepartout]

@Passepartout Interesting! So you get to keep your RCI membership even when you're no longer a timeshare owner? Cool. Good to know. $300/week for a last call vacation, that sounds appealing. I guess $300/week is a studio in non-prime location like Vegas or Orlando? How much does a last call deal cost for 2 BR in a non-prime location? I'll be very thankful if you share some example last call offers for Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, and Phoenix/Scottsdale you're seeing in the exchange system right now.

Let's be clear, you don't GET to keep your RCI membership, you just don't tell 'em you sold it. As long as your membership is paid up, you have it. Now, Last calls are leftovers. They are rentals- or exchanges that would be empty if not rented through Last Calls. They may be any size, from studios to 2 bedrooms. Most often they are in shoulder or off season- think beach resorts in winter, or ski resorts in 'mud season'. Or they can be less desirable units at a resort. Think 'dumpster or parking lot' view, or possibly the resort releases these to generate bodies for the sales staff to try to get to buy.

A few quick look-sees-
Kissimmee, FL
VA Beach, VA
Atlantic City, NJ
Garden City, UT (Bear Lake)
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Puerto Vallarta, MX
Park City, UT
3 Wyndham resorts in Las Vegas
Williamsburg, VA
SeviervilleTN

I cherry-picked these from the first 70 of 498 resorts with move-ins inside 45 days. All were rated either RCI Gold or At least 3.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor. The price for 7 nights was $289 to $319, and some were on sale for $199.

I would stay in ANY of the resorts I picked, and really only looked at 7 pages out of almost 50 pages of 10.

Jim

 

[kanerf]

@kanerf @Sandy VDH Can you guys share a word on Holiday Inn? I have a weekend getaway package with them in Phoenix/Scottsdale in two weeks, so I'll get to experience them directly, but the properties is one thing, and the experience with the system / points is another.



Oh, I see where you're coming from. We're avid road trippers. Texas to Florida or Nevada? No biggie! To make the best use of our points and vacations, we'd plan several activities. 4 days 2BR Tuskany for 2,000 pts / 2BR Marbrisa for 2,800 pts, then do what we do usually, which is jumping from location to location, as we are drive through tourists.

Thank you @Sandy VDH for sharing the info on Wyndham and Worldmark.

I did trade into the Orange Lake monster in Orlando a few times. They were nice as I recall. Their sales people are very pushy, but that tends to be the same at most timeshares. For some reason, Wyndham ignores me now and I am never asked to attend a meeting.

 

[Nowaker]

Let's be clear, you don't GET to keep your RCI membership, you just don't tell 'em you sold it. As long as your membership is paid up, you have it.

Gotcha! Clever! As long as money adds up for them, they don't care.

I would stay in ANY of the resorts I picked, and really only looked at 7 pages out of almost 50 pages of 10.

Awesome. Thank you for that! Very cool. Very good deals indeed. Do any resort or parking fees apply to the said $199 / $289-$319? Wondering what the total cost is, including any potential taxes, resort fees or whatnot

They may be any size, from studios to 2 bedrooms. Most often they are in shoulder or off season- think beach resorts in winter, or ski resorts in 'mud season'. Or they can be less desirable units at a resort. Think 'dumpster or parking lot' view

None of that would bother us, especially given the price. Moreover, we do enjoy beach resorts in winter! Florida is great, whether it's Miami, Panama City Beach or Destin. South Padre Island in Texas is awesome too - we spent our Christmas there two times.

Out of curiosity, and if you don't mind checking, anything available in South Padre Island in the next 45 days?

Thank you @Passepartout.

 

[Passepartout]

None of that would bother us, especially given the price. Moreover, we do enjoy beach resorts in winter! Florida is great, whether it's Miami, Panama City Beach or Destin. South Padre Island in Texas is awesome too - we spent our Christmas there two times.

Out of curiosity, and if you don't mind checking, anything available in South Padre Island in the next 45 days?

There might be some miscellaneous charges, but without going there and/or calling, it isn't exactly publicized. Like they don't disclose that they hold up your parking pass until you sign up for a presentation. It happens, but if you're paying like $47 bucks a night, is it a deal killer?

Not to be a PITA but you only joined TUG this week (Thanks a bunch for that!) and we're happy to that but. . . . .
Yes. I mind. If/when you buy and register a resort, you can do it yourself. There aren't a lot of resorts on SPI, unlike Vegas/Williamsburg/Branson, so Fall/Winter in SPI would be a tough trade and unlikely at all on a Last Call. Like Hawaii. You aren't gonna get it for $47 a night. FWIW, there were lots in Portugal, Spain, Turkey, even overwater bungalows in Malaysia, but I wasn't interested.

 

[easyrider]

Worldmark would work destination wise. These don't really loose much if any value when they are bought resale. WM trades well with RCI, II and SFX.

Bill

 

[alwysonvac]

I suggest waiting at least a year before making another timeshare purchase.
First, try out HGVC and RCI. Learn what you like and don’t like about them then you’ll have a better idea of your wants/needs for your next purchase. HGVC includes RCI Membership and will give you access to RCI cash rentals (Last Call and Extra Vacations) as well as exchanges (via RCI WEEKS and RCI POINTS),

If you eventually decide to buy another timeshare, I would pick a resort/system that is affiliated with Interval International, the other major exchange company. They also have cash rental rates (aka Getaway Rates) and Bonus Discounted weeks (aka Accommodate Credits).

From the TUG SIGHTINGS FORUM

• https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/r...orlando-reunion-9-27-10-25-12-6-12-13.295332/
• https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/lm-ii-marriott-aruba-aug-sept-getaway-pricing-eplus-anyone.323718/

 

[geist1223]

@Sandy VDH @geist1223 Thank you for this recommendation. I just took a look at their resort map. Red dots are Worldmark. Are Worldmark timeshares easily bookable? (Easily = can book most locations if planned several months in advance. Labor day and alike excluded.)
[/QUOTE]

The advice is if you want to be at a particular Resort, at a particular time, in a certain sized Unit you Book 13 in advance. If you do not really care you can call the VPC and ask what is available in the next couple months. There is always something available some where in Worldmark. That is one reason they have Inventory Specials.

I have gotten into Ocean Walk Daytona in December with only a day's notice and Reunion Orlando in December with a week's notice. I have gotten into Windsor in June with about a month's notice. But I Book Seaside 13 months in advance to the day because we want a 3 Bedroom Ocean Front Penthouse.. missed by a day and had to settle for a 3 Bedroom Non Ocean Front Delux.

We (I) Book 13 months in advance. We want to be in a specific Resort, at a specific time, for a specific length of time, in a certain sized Unit. Also we Book our House/Pet Sitter 12 to 13 months in advance.

Timeshares tend not to work well for people that can not Book 12 to 13 months in advance.

 

[TravelTime]

Is the OP correct that he can get 20-30 nights a year in a studio with 7000 Hilton points and that it’s only a little over $1100 a year for 7000 points?

Many people have told him her won‘t get a night for $50 but I am wondering if his facts are correct?

 

[Sandy VDH]

Is the OP correct that he can get 20-30 nights a year in a studio with 7000 Hilton points and that it’s only a little over $1100 a year for 7000 points?

Many people have told him her won‘t get a night for $50 but I am wondering if his facts are correct?

Well yes, but probably not consecutive nights, I think in order to hit the higher end of those numbers you need mostly midweek stays, and Gold or less in season. A full week in Platinum season in a studio is 2200 as an entry level Studio, at MOST, but not all locations actually have studio unit. So yes in theory but you do have one catch you actually have to find availability and the resort has to have that kind of studio available. Not a Plus or not a higher point resort. Many resorts don't even have studios. Some have studios, but they are more in line with 1 BR units (Ocean Towers).

You also have to want to stay in a Studio. I generally prefer a full kitchen, not a partial kitchen.

 

[Nowaker]

It happens, but if you're paying like $47 bucks a night, is it a deal killer?

Depends how much gets added on top of these $47/night. If it's another $47/night, this "great deal" is no longer "great", it's "regular". Not much less than booking on hotels.com, sometimes. Gotta be aware of all the costs to know the big picture. Awareness is king.

Many people have told him her won‘t get a night for $50 but I am wondering if his facts are correct?

Yeah, someone please prove me wrong with more than just "you won't get it". I tried my best to calculate both short-term and long-term value of acquiring a HGVC unit. I'm considering it an investment with a ROI - because I spend more upfront to get something more long term. I even included inflation responsible for raising MF and club fee to make it more realistic. I did these calculations for every offer I found or received.

in order to hit the higher end of those numbers you need mostly midweek stays, and Gold or less in season

Bingo. Full week Gold and mid-week Platinum work pretty nicely. Availability for locations I'd like to visit is solid when booked in advance.

call the VPC

Can you explain this abbreviation? Sorry, I couldn't find its meaning anywhere here or in Google.

There is always something available some where in Worldmark. That is one reason they have Inventory Specials. [...] I have gotten into Ocean Walk Daytona in December with only a day's notice and Reunion Orlando in December with a week's notice. I have gotten into Windsor in June with about a month's notice. But I Book Seaside 13 months in advance to the day because we want a 3 Bedroom Ocean Front Penthouse.. missed by a day and had to settle for a 3 Bedroom Non Ocean Front Delux.

Thanks for sharing it. Sounds good to me!

I suggest waiting at least a year before making another timeshare purchase.
First, try out HGVC and RCI. Learn what you like and don’t like about them then you’ll have a better idea of your wants/needs for your next purchase. HGVC includes RCI Membership and will give you access to RCI cash rentals (Last Call and Extra Vacations) as well as exchanges (via RCI WEEKS and RCI POINTS),

Good point. I think I'll do just that. Finalize this HGVC Flamingo deal and taste what HGVC and RCI are really about. Is RCI membership really free of charge with Hilton?

And who knows - maybe I end up loving and valuing the accommodations at Hilton to the point I will no longer look at it solely as from a ROI perspective but also the experience

Still, looking forward to my Marriott presentation tomorrow, as well as my vacation deal with Holiday Inn next month. Curious what they have to offer and how their systems work, without spending long hours on analyzing and understanding it.

 

[Sandy VDH]

@Nowaker I Assume VPC is Vacation Planning Counselor, the people you get when you call on the phone. Often others use the term VC too.

 

[alwysonvac]

Good point. I think I'll do just that. Finalize this HGVC Flamingo deal and taste what HGVC and RCI are really about. Is RCI membership really free of charge with Hilton?

Exchange companies have various fees (membership fees, exchange fees, upgrade fees, etc).
For HGVC, your membership is simply part of our annual club dues. You’ll have access via a corporate RCI account that doesn’t stay with you when you leave HGVC

And who knows - maybe I end up loving and valuing the accommodations at Hilton to the point I will no longer look at it solely as from a ROI perspective but also the experience

Still, looking forward to my Marriott presentation tomorrow, as well as my vacation deal with Holiday Inn next month. Curious what they have to offer and how their systems work, without spending long hours on analyzing and understanding it.

Keep in mind, the folks here are only trying to help. No one wants to see someone over commit. Those who do, only come back to TUG later asking how to get out when no one wants to take it without impacting their credit (link). It’s very easy to buy a timeshare but sometimes very hard to get rid of.

The timeshare sales folks like to use words like savings and investment. Just be very careful and don’t buy anything based on what you hear at a timeshare sales presentation. These folks are known to stretch the truth in order to make the sales. Come back to TUG and do your research before you buy anything (resale or via the developer). Learn FACT vs FICTION and how the systems really works .

In reality, families aren’t told about the competition for high demand weeks or travel periods and how important it is to secure your reservation early with floating weeks (aka non-fixed weeks). They’re simply told that their one-time purchase price will allow them to travel anywhere in the world and pressure folks to act now or miss out. They’re not told the truth about availability, the increasing fees and that folks will end of paying more for the “convenience” of using their timeshare towards other types of travel (cruises, hotel stays, etc.).

Is a Timeshare a good investment?

I'm writing an article for my website and will include a link to this thread. JasmineReedTheAuthor.weebly.com

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