Which TS to buy for trading purposes

[Cityfishing]

Hi. We are a retired couple on the East Coast. Never considered a timeshare but have heard of people using timeshares for travel hacking. Looking to do some research to see if a timeshare will work for our travel plans. Looking for a cheap timeshare with reasonable MF that has good trading power. I found one in Florida that fits the bill and is popular with people with similar plans. Looking to see if other resorts may also work.

My plans are to use Interval Intl to exchange and use their getaways/bonus weeks/accomodation certificates. Hoping to parlay a TS into multiple cheap weeks (<800 week) thoughout the year. Looked into RCI but was not impressed with some of the resorts I saw on the website. Heard some properties in Vegas or Smoky Mtns may fit my requirements. Looking at a studio to keep MF low and will upgrade to bigger units when needed. Will also consider EOY or even every 3rd year timeshares.

I prefer a deeded week over points. Resort that I'm looking to buy doesn't have to be a named one like Hyatt or Marriott. Low maintenance fee and good trading power is key. I'm a travel hacker and anything with a high MF won't work for us as the value wouldn't be there. Don't mind last minute travel or traveling during shoulder/low season. What properties should I be looking at? Are my plans realistic?


1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
We like cities and national parks. US, Canada, Europe, Asia

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?
Primarily want to use timeshare to trade

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
European cities, Hawaii, Asia, west coast of US, Arizona

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
2

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

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
yes but can also do last minute travel

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?
4-5 stars

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
$3000

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?
around $500

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

 

[Passepartout]

@Cityfishing I don't think timeshare (as I understand it) will fulfill your dreams. I'll list my feelings per your answers

1) No timeshares in Nat'l parks. The only cities with substantial numbers are Las Vegas, Orlando, Then there are smaller, resorty places like Carolina's beaches, Hawaii, or Sedona, AZ. TSs in Europe/Asia are generally out in the countryside if they exist at all.

2) Trading can double the annual cost of deeded ownership- when you figure in exchange fees, housekeeping & resort fees & transportation to/from distant properties. We ALL would LOVE no extra cost exchanging, but it just doesn't exist.

3) See #1

6) What makes TS work is near 100% occupancy rates. That means few 'last minute' vacancies to fill- unless you rent from an owner. (See TUG Last Minute Rental Forum.

8) There is no such thing as a 5* timeshare. Most are 3* with a smattering of 4* hotel branded TSs, and they seldom have vacancies- and have astronomical annual fees.

10) Not gonna happen. Triple or quadruple your budget.

So, in short, and I think others will chime in, I think your expectations are far beyond your budget.

Good Luck, and happy hunting (and fishing).

Jim

 

[jp10558]

I'll agree with

Passepartout​

that 5* doesn't exist in TSs, and 4* are going to be much more expensive than you're looking for. At least double with HGVC and a 1BR at a very low MF/pt ratio. What you might consider is the one Agustdav touts, Magic Tree in Orlando area. I think it's what I'd consider solidly 2.5-3* hotel conversion, but Agustdav claims it trades well. MFs on a 2BR there are currently an astonishingly low $650. That extra BR "should" give you more chances to trade into a 1BR from a lower fee resort, but I don't know for sure. Of course, that doesn't cover the exchange company membership fee, the exchange fee (currently up to $300), or any parking, resort fees etc.

You can certainly travel hack TSs but not to that kind of price yearly. I've been averaging $787 a week this year on 10 weeks (but these are 2BR mostly), with a mix of low season points and RCI extra vacation, last call and II getaway deals. I've included my II membership, RCI was part of dues for my chain timeshare. I also included some of the common II discounts on getaways that I booked.

My straight owned TSs ran more like $1,500 a week, but the added weeks via the cash deals brought it down.

That all said - Cities are expensive - in HGVC it's bHC (expensive expensive in points and short booking windows) for NYC, DC, Charleston (I think). Similar for Marriott Pulse etc. That said, you could do the smaller and cheaper Studios I think.

National Parks is similarly a bit of finagling and only at a few. Weston would get you Everglades more or less (~40 minute drive). There's one or two near Acadia. Worldmark has something by Yosemite. There's a few in the SW but IDK if it's close to a national park or not. Massanutten is kind of near Shenandoah, there are others. There are some near parks in Tennessee and MO and the mid west.

Europe is kind of it's own thing, I think you're likely looking at Hapimag for cities (i.e. doesn't trade with US timeshares). There are a few in Japan, I think they're countryside though. Same for Taiwan, Asia in general.

I'd take a look at the restort listings in RCI / II, then maybe ask if any are common to trade or get via cash deals on TUG. Maybe this thread.

 

[zentraveler]

For the record, I think FSRC (Four Seasons Residence Club) would have to qualify as 5* but it is clearly not useful for the OP. MF are too high, for what Cityfishing wants (~ $3k), and although we have traded the 1 week gold lock off for 2 weeks in II, they have not been fit *5 but almost all for *4 in Hawaii and some other fabulous places more rarely. It trades so well that we often get one level upgrades in units.

We have done so well with it that we consider the 1* downgrade to 4* (the lowest we go) well worth it. But of no use to Cityfishing and I appreciate others’ feedback to them.

 

[austdav]

Magic Tree in Orlando is floating weeks. Mf's for a 1bd are 550 a 2bd is 625. You can use whatever trading co. you want they don't care. It has traded well for me but that's been in Florida and mainly around Orlando because that's where grandkids are at. I belong to both II and RCI. So the extra weeks through them have been great for us. I don't like to fly so cant say anything myself about getting to most of the places you've listed. Arizona probably easy enough depending where you want to stay. It is a gold crown resort and they will give you a 1bd for free, just call the resort. I own 2bds but they usually cost between 1k-2k. If they have them. they are not always available.
Another resort could be Oakmont resort in pigeon forge TN. It is not gold crown but I know they have cheaper Mf's. We had a good time there this last year on a getaway. Not sure this helps with the places you listed but they are a cheep way into the trading companys.

 

[bnoble]

use their getaways/bonus weeks/accomodation certificates. Hoping to parlay a TS into multiple cheap weeks (<800 week) thoughout the year. Looked into RCI but was not impressed with some of the resorts I saw on the website.

One thing to note: Using bonus weeks/ACs and low-cost getaways can keep your costs quite low. However, those bonus weeks/ACs/low-cost getaways are probably not at the name-brand resorts in the II Directory. For example, many current ACs explicitly exclude all Marriott properties.

I also agree that $500/year is not going to get you there. You are going to need to spend $100/year for the Interval account by itself.

That said, you appear to have the right attitude for this: It is a hobby on which you will spend real time to extract as much value as you can. If you are willing to spend a bit more money each year, and take your lumps as you learn, this could be fun.

 

[WorldT]

Summer week, 4 bedroom EOY at the Colonies at Williamsburg or Vacation Village at Williamsburg comes to about $560 per year (not sure the two bedroom MF). This is money paid to the resort.
Then add membership fee for II and the exchange fee whenever you trade that.
For your unit, you can get decent (3/4 star) studio and 1 bedroom off season easily. 2 bedrooms last minute. For example, lots of studio with a sprinkling of 1 bedroom Westin Lagunamar sitting there right now between June and September. First week of May showed up for a few hours the other day.
1 bedroom Westin Kierland from first week of May, a couple of units at Hilton Head on some Marriott properties including Surf watch, barony and Grande Ocean starting in September and later October for the beach front resorts.
You will get ACs for deposits or membership renewal at the sole discretion of II. You can also buy last minute gateways with Orlando usually having the highest concentration.

 

[Cityfishing]

Just to clarify a few things...
I'm a miles/points travel hacker and have worked in the travel industry. I have free flights in the US and can usually stay at hotels on points or with cheap rates. Looking to add a timeshare to the mix to get some additional cheap weeks.

I have a timeshare in FL in mind. It has an annual MF < 500 and a TDI of 150 for the week I'm interested in with good trading success. With II membership(100) and exchange costs (250), my annual cost for a week would be roughly $800. Add in a getaway or AC week for ~$400, brings my per week cost to $600.

Problem is the FL timeshare is not one I would choose to stay at. That's why I'm looking for other resorts that may work. The ones at the Colonies at Williamsburg mentioned above sound promising. Maybe one in Gatlingburg near the Smokies or Sedona near the Grand Canyon could work too. A EOY TS is attractive as I wouldn't have to work at finding a suitable exchange every year and can still access the getaways in II.

As for quality of accomodations, I put down 4 and 5 star but will stay at 3 stars too. I'm worried that some of the TS that I've researched are very dated and need renovations. Villa Roma and Hyatt Desert Oasis comes to mind. I'm hoping most of the TS available to me are better than those 2 resorts.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

$500 per year is very low. I have heard Grandview in Las Vegas might be a good trader and they have triennials. There are TUGers here who own this and can could tell you more. I cannot since I do not own there.

Also for the record: There are Ritz Carltons, some mexican resorts and certain NYC HGVC by Hilton Club timeshares which would also be considered 4.5 to 5-star.

 

[sue1947]

How about this one? Yellowstone Aug week. For sale on tug by a well known tugger.
The MF are double what you want, but what you want isn't realistic. An Aug week near Yellowstone has a TDI of 150 so a good trader, but also would rent for a bunch over MF if you choose not to trade. Or you can use the week yourself without any trading fees/uncertainties. I believe this place has recently remodeled so ignore the old and outdated photos on the II website.
Worldmark has quite a few national park locations that are close or within an hour or two from a NP. However, it's a point system with lots and lots of demand for those weeks. Owners book them up as soon as the booking window opens so they can rent them out and it is very difficult to get those weeks, especially for school vacation times or even good weather. You have to work the system and the waitlist and hope for the best. Trading in is also difficult, especially for weeks when the parks are open (especially Yellowstone with its short open season). Having a set week, as you indicated, and especially an August one as at the Timbers one above, is an ideal situation.

 

[noreenkate]

@Cityfishing just something to consider-
Studios contracts aren’t that easily obtained- I looked for quite a bit because I mainly travel by myself and occasionally with a plus 1… Found that lock-off 2 bedroom units for trading worked better for my needs. That will change your budget though.
While I enjoy my units I have had less luck with the “bonus” certificates in II and far better using RCI, same goes for the getaways.
Getaways & bonus certificates/weeks definitely require an open mind - what I have found is the places available and the times they are available make it a little harder to travel if we need to fly.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Best value are 2 bdrm lockoffs so you can get 2 weeks. There are also good values in HGVC for high end accomodations but well beyond your budget.

 

[ScoopKona]

I have a timeshare in FL in mind. It has an annual MF < 500 and a TDI of 150 for the week I'm interested in with good trading success. With II membership(100) and exchange costs (250), my annual cost for a week would be roughly $800. Add in a getaway or AC week for ~$400, brings my per week cost to $600.

Problem is the FL timeshare is not one I would choose to stay at.

1) If you're using it as a trader, why does it matter if you'd stay there? I own one I've never, ever stayed at. More than 20 years and no interest at all in actually staying there. I trade it for anywhere between two and six weeks elsewhere.

2) I don't trust a $500 maintenance fee in Florida. Something is rotten in the Gunshine State. That's too good to be true. Either it trades like a slug, it has massive reserve issues about to happen, or similar. Just lay the resort details on us. It's not like anyone wants to poach your week. Most of us wouldn't take another one if it was free. If there are issues with the resort in question, this is the best place to learn about that.

 

[gravityrules]

Check out Tree Tops in Gatlinburg, think it is managed by the same group as Oakmont.

 

[austdav]

Check out Tree Tops in Gatlinburg, think it is managed by the same group as Oakmont.

I believe tree tops is only RCI points. where Oakmont still has some fixed weeks out there. Not positive though. I'm sure tree tops is newer and nicer at this point. Interesting story, while we were staying at Oakmont they brought a welcome packet around and the lady was asking how we liked the unit & we swapped timeshare story's. She mentioned tree tops and it wasn't until after she left that I realized she was probably sizing me up to see if I would be a candidate to view their other units. We were never offered a preview. But had to think and give credit to them if what I thought was true. Look at the expense saved by them. Slow thinker here.

 

[rickandcindy23]

You dream big for little $$$. I think timeshare is not a good idea for you.

WorldMark has Yellowstone and has Estes Park, two very difficult resort areas.

Europe is scarce for timeshares, except maybe Marriott with France and Spain locales. You aren't going to get anything Marriott with a $500-$800 MF trader, plus the exchange and membership fees for II. Exchanges are $229, membership fees are $100 per year with discounts for multiple years.

Lockoff units are great and exchange well. We own Sheraton Desert Oasis and Sheraton Broadway Resort with decent MF's and can get two exchanges for one MF. The fees are still way higher than you want to pay.

I personally wouldn't join RCI as a newbie. I try not to talk down about RCI, but my feelings always show through, so I will say it's not my favorite, and I am stuck with it as a Wyndham owner. $300 exchange fees, insurance that doesn't cover the exchange fee, and resorts that are mostly so-so. There are some gems, but I have already visited those gems and get tired of the same old places.

 

[jp10558]

I personally wouldn't join RCI as a newbie. I try not to talk down about RCI, but my feelings always show through, so I will say it's not my favorite, and I am stuck with it as a Wyndham owner. $300 exchange fees, insurance that doesn't cover the exchange fee, and resorts that are mostly so-so. There are some gems, but I have already visited those gems and get tired of the same old places.

Well, IDK about RCI membership for and independent, but I wouldn't join II as a newbie at all - at least IME it's completely like a slot machine - no one know what would pull what sort of exchanges, it varies, the TDI is "informational" or whatever and you just struggle to put in a ongoing search and hope it matches I guess. At least through Wyndham or HGVC, RCI is straightforward - you just need XX points and it'll match as far as I can tell. They tell you the points values.

II Getaways pale in utility so far to RCI Extra Vacations + Last Calls for me. II has way way less in getaways - to the extent it's again mostly a watching game (for some reason you can only set up an alert on the phone app). Also - RCIs site isn't amazing, but II makes it look about 20 years more modern, and much more usable. II you can't even do filters for things like room size, and you can't just see a list of all getaways in a time period - no you have to either know a resort code or click through to a region. II is also always try at least 2 times to get a payment for a getaway to go through. IDK why.

The "nicer resorts" in II is more like *if* you can get a Marriott apparently. My worst stay ever was Villa Roma - an II getaway. I enjoyed Sheraton Vistana Villages on a getaway, but the unit stunk of mildew. Both places I've had "smell based issues" were the 2 II I've stayed at. At least in my usage (probably 20 RCI cash stays and 2 II cash stays) I'd way more blindly pick an RCI getaway. II is teaching me I have to do bunches of research (though TBH, somehow Villa Roma got a higher rating than Ocean Enclave in TUG reviews and Tripadvisor was similar).

I think II is much different if you're using it in place of paying for Abound with Marriott to Marriott, and you only stay at other Marriotts. If my Fox Run doesn't pull anything usable for 2026 / a Marriott... I'm probably going to be looking to dump II and the II timeshares. This is my feelings as of Dec 2024 - I'm sure it can change, but if you're looking to buy an independent for cheap trades, I don't think you'll get what you want in II, ESPECIALLY as a newbie.

 

[Passepartout]

@Cityfishing (interesting username) In short, MANY TUGgers use timesharing as a hobby. When we make a 'SCORE', or a 'score', we tend to crow about it. It's cool to exchange a mom 'n' pop independent TS for a 2 bedroom ocean view, hotel branded stay. And we tend to make like that's the norm. Not true. Much more often to trade into a place last minute and find a great view of the dumpsters out back or the mildewy smell or the crowds around the nearby elevators just when your kids or guests want to sleep.

Most TUGgers became timesharers by accident. We attended a presentation while on vacation somewhere to get some cheap attraction tickets, and didn't rescind in time, and kept it rather than take a credit hit.

YOU, on the other hand seem to want to go into these things with both eyes open. OK. Let us know, when the dust settles, how it works out.

You have been armed with the facts.

Jim

And if you're interested, I have a great, well managed, RCI Points 2 BR deeded unit in Arizona, that I've exchanged all over the globe and frankly, I'm aging out.

 

[noreenkate]

In short, MANY TUGgers use timesharing as a hobby. When we make a 'SCORE', or a 'score', we tend to crow about it. It's cool to exchange a mom 'n' pop independent

That’s a very valid point. I did pick up units strictly for trading but with the understanding that at any time for whatever reason they may not trade as well or worse switch alliances with trading companies. All of my traders were selected because if we had to stay there we could. My little mom & pop does well right now but if that changes we are ok with it.

 

[Cityfishing]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm a seasoned traveler and travel hacker. It's easy to accumulate miles and points but the trick is finding the best ways to redeem them for business class flights and nice hotels. I am taking the same approach with timeshares. Learning the tricks of the II exchange to utilize e-Plus, Flexchange and certificates to get the best exchange and to access some cheap weekly stays is my goal.

I have a sales and travel background. Been to ~10 timeshare presentations and have picked up plenty of perks but never had the urge to pull the trigger. I laugh when I see the sales tactics that they try. Their estimate of what it costs per night for a vacation was never close to what I actually pay. Never made any financial sense to pay thousands of dollars for a slice of a property that has no RE tax benefits and have to shell out an annual MF. Also didn't have any interest in vacationing at the same place every year. Exchanging sounded interesting but with the cost of buying from a developer and the ever increasing MF, it made more sense to just pay outright for a vacation without the hassle of trying to find a suitable trade.

However, picking something up on the resale market for pennies on the dollar and with a reasonable MF makes it somewhat attractive. I will look into the other resorts people have recommended in this thread but my current short list is below. Each of these have reasonable fees and come pretty cheap. I have spoken to owners at these 2 properties and they have successfully traded for Marriotts in CA, HI and even Disney resorts. I have an exit strategy for each one in case things change and they don't trade as well in the future or getaways get too expensive. The financial risk to me to try out timeshares with these properties is acceptable as I'm not on the hook for $1000+ MF every year. Being flexible and having the ability to travel at the last minute also helps.

SDO 1BD Floating EOY Annual MF $327
OLR Studio Fixed week Annual MF $322

 

[klpca]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm a seasoned traveler and travel hacker. It's easy to accumulate miles and points but the trick is finding the best ways to redeem them for business class flights and nice hotels. I am taking the same approach with timeshares. Learning the tricks of the II exchange to utilize e-Plus, Flexchange and certificates to get the best exchange and to access some cheap weekly stays is my goal.

I have a sales and travel background. Been to ~10 timeshare presentations and have picked up plenty of perks but never had the urge to pull the trigger. I laugh when I see the sales tactics that they try. Their estimate of what it costs per night for a vacation was never close to what I actually pay. Never made any financial sense to pay thousands of dollars for a slice of a property that has no RE tax benefits and have to shell out an annual MF. Also didn't have any interest in vacationing at the same place every year. Exchanging sounded interesting but with the cost of buying from a developer and the ever increasing MF, it made more sense to just pay outright for a vacation without the hassle of trying to find a suitable trade.

However, picking something up on the resale market for pennies on the dollar and with a reasonable MF makes it somewhat attractive. I will look into the other resorts people have recommended in this thread but my current short list is below. Each of these have reasonable fees and come pretty cheap. I have spoken to owners at these 2 properties and they have successfully traded for Marriotts in CA, HI and even Disney resorts. I have an exit strategy for each one in case things change and they don't trade as well in the future or getaways get too expensive. The financial risk to me to try out timeshares with these properties is acceptable as I'm not on the hook for $1000+ MF every year. Being flexible and having the ability to travel at the last minute also helps.

SDO 1BD Floating EOY Annual MF $327
OLR Studio Fixed week Annual MF $322

Unless you are only using your unit to access the Extra Vacations (RCI)/Getaways (Interval International) inventory, I would suggest a 2 bedroom SDO EOY. Once it is locked off the maintenance fees are roughly $750 per week and it has Vistana preference in II, but also trades in RCI which would allow you to set up an RCI account and access the extra vacation inventory without having to actually deposit the week, and allow you one trade per year in II with access to Westin/Marriott inventory at the discounted exchange fee - maybe $169 currently (I can't remember off the top of my head).

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I agree with @klpca. Owning 2 EOY is more work than 1 EOY 2 bdrm because you are dealing with different rules/systems.

The other alternative is a 1 bdrm annual SDO which has the same effect as a 2 bdrm EOY that is locked off. You can find those for free here on TUG or Facebook (I rehomed from another TUGGER this year on the free board to use as a trader in Vistana and II. When we are done we expect to re-home it again.)

What is OLR? I expect a fixed studio will not trade as well but who knows?

BTW...I was unaware that SDO also trades in RCI. Learn a new thing every day.