Timeshare Resorts - What Is The Most Affordable Choice for Luxury Vacations?

Timeshare Resorts - What Is The Most Affordable Choice for Luxury Vacations?

by Philip McCollum

The most obvious way to vacation using timeshare resorts for the location and date that you prefer is to buy the timeshare directly. This would entail paying the full retail price. Given that for some locations and dates the price may be in excess of $20,000 this option is only available to individuals with the financial strength to allocate a large up-front expense towards a vacation purchase, along with accepting ongoing expense in the form of maintenance fees, special assessments for repairs, and any other miscellaneous expenses associated with timeshare property ownership.

The second technique is to purchase timeshare ownership in a less desirable location and join an exchange program. This would reduce the up-front expense somewhat, although the price could still easily exceed $10,000. It would also require paying fees to join the exchange program as well as monthly dues. Other expenses associated with timeshare ownership, the maintenance fees and so forth that are due whether you actually use the timeshare or not, are still necessary. Entering an exchange program does not guarantee that you will be able to get your desired location in exchange. Popular locations and dates will be in high demand and limited supply, assuring that most people will not be able to get what they want.

The third option is to use travel services such as Expedia, Orbitz, etc. or calling the resort directly to book your desired week at the timeshare of your choice. Resorts are sometimes available, although again there is no guarantee. This option is straightforward since it does not require any timeshare purchase and does not obligate the vacationer with any of the timeshare fees. On the other hand, it does require paying the established seasonal rate for the resort. Since these prices are available to anyone, they essentially represent the full retail price for the accommodations.

The fourth option is to join a travel club that has contracted with resorts to offer members access to the resorts at discount prices. The travel club concept has been around for awhile as an alternative to timeshare purchase, but formerly the price was steep, approaching the cost of timeshare purchase. In today's travel environment, with a strong movement towards internet sales, the travel club option has clearly become the most cost-effective option available due to recent dramatic price reductions for travel club membership. The membership avoids the large up-front expense of timeshare purchase, and also avoids the burdensome fees. For a one-time membership fee and a discounted pay-per-use fee, it is possible to have full flexibility of potentially booking accommodations at thousands of locations at any time of the year. A full-service travel agency backs up the travel club, in some cases pre-purchasing weeks at the resorts to obtain the favorable rates, and also able to make advance or last-minute bookings for negotiated low rates.

Timeshare resorts offer the best value to travelers, with their spacious accommodations suitable for families and groups, with kitchens and many amenities such as spas, pools, fitness equipment, to name a few. The best usage of timeshare resorts, which appears to be association with a travel club, thus appears to be the best way to enjoy luxury accommodations on a budget.