Our first timeshare consisted of 7000 points in the Hilton Grand Vacation Club deeded at the Flamingo Hilton Timeshare in Las Vegas back in 1998.  We were on a vacation to Las Vegas and got trapped into a timeshare sales presentation, which was really okay, because we were curious about timeshares.

We loved everything about the Hilton timeshare:  its location, accommodations, activities and the concept of trading into other locations– but we didn’t like the price.  We came very close to buying, but kept our cool and said we would think about it.  We went home, did our homework, and ended up buying resale.

We still own that timeshare and use the points every year.  It does a number of things for us that none of our other 14 timeshares can do.  For example, if you want to get into Marco, Sanibel or Captiva Island timeshares, about the only way to do it without actually owning there is by owning in the Hilton system.

We have also used it to get into the Hilton timeshares in Hawaii, both on the Big Island as well as Oahu.  Traditionally, they were hard trades to get, although it has recently become easier because more systems have built there. But it has worked well for us.

We have written a couple of articles about our stays in Hilton timeshares that you might find interesting:  Click here to go to our category Hilton Timeshares.

You can also borrow points ahead or bank your points forward.  This gives you greater flexibility in planning your vacations.  Another nice feature is you can turn your points into Hilton Honor Points and then use those points to stay in Hilton hotels where there are no timeshares.  We have done this on a couple of vacations and it worked great.

The system is points-based and is very easy to use and understand.  All of their timeshares are top-of-the-line and include around 20 resorts and 30 affiliated resorts. They have resorts in Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, South Beach, California, Colorado, and Hawaii. The affiliated resorts are located in additional areas in Florida, Mexico, Portugal and Scotland.  The maintenance fees are somewhat high– about $900.00 for our points, per year.  We can usually use the points to get two weeks of vacation time a year, so when you look at it that way, the fees are not really that high.

You can also, like most large timeshare systems, use your points for airline travel, cruise travel, etc.  We have not done any of these and don’t think that is a good use of your points.  HGVC has the usual time table for booking into resorts:  12 months out for your home resort, 9 months for all other Club resorts and a 30-day window where you can stay for points or cash.

We think you should purchase the most points in a unit that you can afford as the maintenance fees in the Hilton system are based on the unit, not on a per point calculation. Thus, for a 3 bedroom in red time (about 9200 points), you would pay the same maintenance fees as for a studio in blue time (about 3600 points).

Hilton Grand Vacation Club is associated with the RCI trading system.  You can move your points into RCI and book some two years out with over 4000 additional resorts available to you.  It is easy to trade into the RCI system using the following Hilton points to trade:  4800 points for red time in a 2 bedroom, 3400 points for red time in a 1 bedroom and 2400 points for a studio.  These points vary if you book in white time, blue time, or do nightly stays.

The current resale price for Hilton Grand Vacation Club is running $1.00 to $1.50 per point.  There are various resale sites on the internet, as well as eBay.  We have heard good things about resales from Seth Nock with http://www.myresortnetwork.com/.

When you buy from the developer, they are running about $4.00 per point, depending on the resort, with some bonus Hilton Honor points thrown in. There seems to be little advantage to warrant buying from the developer.  They do have an elite status that you get if own 1400 points, all bought from the developer, not resale.  You do get a few perks with the elite status, but it’s not worth it in our opinion.

We have enjoyed our Hilton Grand Vacation Club timeshare over the years and look forward to many more great Hilton vacations.  If you have questions, let us know, and we will try to help.

The Diamond Resorts International is a timeshare company based out of Las Vegas, Nevada and they either own or manage more than 200 resorts.  They are located in 25 countries, and own some 70 resorts and 130 affiliated resorts. For a complete list of Diamond resorts you can go to their website.  They have over 400,000 owners, making them one of the biggest timeshare companies– and they are continuing to grow.

We had the pleasure of staying at one of their resorts recently, that being Sedona Summit in Sedona, Arizona– if you are interested, view our post about that resort.  We took time to attend a sales presentation given by Diamond Resorts International and thought we would share some information about the Diamond system in this post.

We also bought a discovery package of some 10,000 Diamond points to use in the next 18 months.  These points will give us a chance to stay at a couple  more Diamond resorts and, more importantly, allow us to book a Maui Diamond resort for our up-and-coming trip to Hawaii.  We have found it very hard to get to Maui with our current timeshare ownerships.  We also plan on using some of those points to stay at a Diamond resort in Avila Beach, California on another future trip.

Diamond Resorts International bought out the Sunterra Corporation, a timeshare company which has had many financial difficulties over the years.  They have since been buying other struggling timeshare companies and bringing those resorts along with their owners under their wing.  These owners have the option of keeping their deeded weeks, or coming over to “The Club” of Diamond Resorts International. 

It might be helpful to look at the differences between ownership in a Trust/Club or the typical deeded week of a timeshare resort or timeshare company.  If you own a deeded week, you have a given week at a resort and typically own a given unit number.  This affords you ability to go to that resort at that time or to trade your week.  A number of resorts or companies have assigned your deed so many points and, again, you can vacation during your week or use your points to trade into their system or into other timeshare trading companies.

Once the resort is sold out, then the Homeowners Association has that responsibility for running and maintaining the resort.  You have a chance to become involved in the resort by running for the board or in voting for board members.  Also, based on the bylaws, you sometimes have to vote on other issues concerning the resort.  One should consider this a real estate purchase with responsibility.  Some resorts or companies are well-managed and keep maintenance fees low.  Others have struggled with high maintenance fees and poor management.

The other approach is the Club/Trust arrangement where the resort is deeded to the developer or to a non-profit Trust that the developer has created. In this case, decisions about fees, upkeep and amenities are made by the developer. Since owners are not real estate owners, the fees are calculated as a part of the upkeep and running of the resort.  This keeps the resort operation in the hands of the developer.  They tend to keep costs under control and maintain nice resorts with good amenities to attract new owners into the Club/Trust. But in the real world, reviews have been mixed: some owners are happy to have less responsibility in the running of the resort, and others are upset about excessive maintenance fees.

Clearly Diamond Resorts International is of the Club/Trust variety and any new purchases in the resort are tied to the Club.  Older owners have the choice to keep their deeds, add new points in the Club, or convert their deeds for a cost into the Club. You do not acquire the Club status if you buy a resale.

If you wish to trade into other Diamond Resorts, you must be in the Club, and the only way to be in the Club is to buy from the developer.  They also say that you can only buy from the developer at the time of your Diamond timeshare presentation. This is their way of locking out re-sale purchases.   This also prevents people from attending Diamond sales presentations over and over again and getting more freebies.  You can buy a “Discovery Package”  (like we did), in which they give you 10,000 points to use within 18 months.  They also lock in the price for that time period.

If you end up buying, you get points in the trust and you can use those points like cash to stay at Diamond resorts or to trade them for other vacations. They are tied into the Interval International timeshare trading company and have made the trading into II much easier by dealing directly with Diamond folks.

Like any timeshare system, they have a number of ideas that you would need to understand if you bought into their system, such as reservation times based on home resorts ownership, discounts in points with last minute reservations, ability to rent rather than use points 21 days out, and usage of points for cruises, rental cars, etc. 

Diamond Resorts International seems like a good system with a number of excellent resorts. They have figured out some of the resale problems, at least from the developer’s standpoint.  But think carefully before buying, and do your research. We have written a number of posts about buying timeshares and suggest you read some of them.  Also the Timeshare User Group (TUG), on their timeshare community forums, has some information about the Diamond system that would be good reading before you buy. We will keep you posted as we stay in two more Diamond Resorts.  If you are an owner,  let us know what you think of the Diamond system.

One thing you can say about the timeshare world is that it never stays the same.  Just when we think we have things figured out, they change the system.  The important thing is to stay in touch with what’s going on, try to learn about the changes, and then make your vacation decisions based on the current information.  As you are aware if you read this site, we try to get the most out of our timeshares with the least costs.

At the beginning of 2011, RCI, Wyndham and others began to implement changes in the trading methods within the RCI system. We wrote a post a couple of weeks ago about the changes using RCI weeks.  If you have weeks that you deposit into RCI, you should read that post to help you better understand what’s going on.

In this post we would like to cover how Wyndham has implemented a new system for trading into RCI, and how these changes are affecting Wyndham owners.  We have written a number of posts about the Wyndham system and you might find it helpful to read those articles.  We are going to put a note on each of those posts linking back to this post, because we feel this is the latest information.  We want to help people use the Wyndham system to the fullest, and not mislead folks with old information that is no longer correct.

The Old System for Trading into RCI: In the past you could call and ask what vacations were available in the area you wanted to go and at the time of the year you needed. They would look at their data base and tell you what they had that would fit your needs. You would then decide if that would work for you and book your vacation.  RCI would subtract the number of points and charge you an exchange fee to book that vacation.

Things moved forward, and they developed the on-line system in which you could look at what was possible using the Internet.  You were also able to deposit Wyndham points in small amounts in the hopes of booking a nice resort in a larger unit than what you were depositing.  We have written about how we would deposit 28,000 Wyndham points into RCI and then look for vacations.  We were able to book back into Wyndham and would get excellent trades.

For example, last year we booked two weeks into Myrtle Beach Ocean Blvd. in a three bedroom ocean front unit for this spring using two 28,000 point deposits. We also have booked into Hawaii at the Kona Hawaiian Village Resort on several occasions using 28,000 point deposits. It takes 230,000 Wyndham points to book that resort in a 2 bedroom using the Wyndham system.

So, yes, we paid the RCI exchange fee and got great trades and great vacations!  We have talked to people who own a small number of Wyndham points, say around 90,000, and they broke them down into three 28,000 deposits and got three great vacations a year. You can NOT do that anymore under the changes Wyndham and RCI have made. A lot of people are not happy, including us.

The New Trading System-At the beginning of 2011 Wyndham began rolling out the new trading system in RCI and it has caused much confusion.  It has made the Wyndham owners rethink how best to use their Wyndham points.  You can no longer use 28,000 Wyndham point deposits to book back into a Wyndham. On the other hand, you can use your Wyndham points to book into other RCI resorts that we could not pull under the old system.

A summary of the changes:

1.  You can no longer make a 28,000 deposit; the minimum is 74,000 Wyndham points.

2.  You do not go through the RCI site; you must use the Wyndham site and go to the RCI exchange area. You can also use the phone, but the exchange fee is higher.

3. You do not need to make a deposit to search. You can look at the available resorts in RCI and it will tell you how many Wyndham points you need to book your vacation. You can book the resort, and they will reduce your points accordingly.

The following chart shows you generally how many Wyndham points you will need to make your RCI exchange.

As we have worked with the new system, we are not pleased with what we can get for our points through RCI. In addition, you need to pay the high cost of the exchange fee.  We have found that you would be further ahead to book your vacations using your Wyndham points directly, because you do not have to pay the exchange fee and the points seem to be less than booking with RCI.  You also can cut a day or two off the reservation and save more points. If you are at the higher point level in Wyndham, (VIP) you get a reduction if you book close to your travel dates and you might get an upgrade in unit size.  Both of these depend on availability, so obviously you can’t do this with resorts that are in high demand.

It should be clear that if you are trying to go to a non-Wyndham Resort, or to an area that has no Wyndham resort, you have little choice but to book using this new system.

There are 2 areas we are not clear about, and will try to find  answers as we work with the system.  First, is there a reduction in the points needed if there has been space banking and a lot of units are sitting out there? It seems there is no change in the points needed based on supply and demand, not at all like the old system.

Secondly, is there a reduction as we get closer to a date? In the old system, they reduced the number of points if the units were not booked and the time was getting short.  Right now, it seems there is no reduction.

We also have been reading the Wyndham Forum Site online. If interested, you can link to that Forum and read more.  You do need to register on the site, but there is no cost. We will continue to work with the system and keep you posted.  If you have additional information or experiences using the system, please leave a comment.

Weeks 2 and 3 of our winter getaway were spent on Marco and Sanibel Islands, respectively.  The weather was fantastic, in the 70’s and 80’s, and we had an all-around great time!  You can see some of our posts about previous stays on these islands that detail the timeshares that we stayed in, and the things to do in and around  Sanibel Island and Marco Island.  Since we have now stayed at 3 of the 5 Hilton-owned or affiliated timeshares on Marco Island, we thought it might be helpful to talk about some of the differences in the accommodations.

Let us begin by saying that it is extremely difficult to trade into these resorts, because most owners use their weeks.  We used our Hilton points, and even then, we felt very lucky to get the trades.

Surf Club

We have exchanged twice into the Surf Club, using Hilton points the first time, and RCI points the second time.  The rooms are nicely decorated, and the lobby area, which includes a fitness room, is attractive.   The building itself is light pink in color, and consists of 8 ie 9 floors with most of them facing the ocean.  Unfortunately, rooms ending in 9 have a partial ocean view, and rooms ending in 11 have a city view.

The pool area is well-maintained, but does not have a lot of trees or vegetation.  There is also a hot tub, shuffleboard, and tennis court.  There are not a lot of activities, but there is a welcome breakfast/orientation and an owners’ breakfast.  Sometime mid-week, there is a potluck hors d’oeuvre party, with the resort providing alcoholic and non-alcoholic punch.

The Surf Club offers one nice feature that we have never seen at any other timeshare resort.  Close to the elevator, in the lobby, is a large whiteboard with all the unit numbers on it.  Those who wish write their names and where they are from next to their assigned unit. During social events, this makes it easier to connect with people.

There is very little to not like about this resort, other than the fact that the laundry rooms are on the floors, not in the units.  Also, you have to pay for the machines, which we don’t think you should have to do at a Gold Crown Resort.

Charter Club of Marco

When we called to reserve this resort, we were told that our room would be on the second floor.  Since view is very important to us, we almost didn’t take it, but the counselor assured us that we would be able to see the ocean.  He was correct, and we’re so glad we followed his advice.

The unit was showing a little wear, but overall was spacious and well-suited to our needs.  There are 2 towers, sort of in a staggered L shape, and so some of the rooms in the back tower would not have a great ocean view.  However, we did befriend some other guests who invited us into their unit in the back tower, and we were surprised at how nice the view was.  (Always find out the unit number and ask questions before you accept it!)

The lobby of the resort is in a separate building, which seemed to be a disadvantage—not much socializing or commingling there.  They have a welcome/orientation breakfast, which was very crowded, but after that one event, we almost never went back to the lobby.

The resort also puts on a very nice luncheon mid-week, with sub sandwiches and wine punch.  They host a fashion show from Kay’s, a local clothing store, using guests as models.   All of the women are given discount coupons to use at the store, which, of course, I did.  The luncheon is held in the pool area, which is beautifully landscaped and very large.

One of the really nice things about this resort is that it offers free water sport paraphernalia to its guests. Sailboats, windsurfers, kayaks, etc. are available whenever it is safe to be out in the water.  Our week went so fast, we never had the opportunity to take advantage of this, but we will if we ever get back there!

The Eagles’ Nest

Of the three very nice resorts that we visited on Marco Island, this one had the best “family feel” to us.  The resort consists of 2 large towers set back a bit from the ocean, with some lower “villas” set kitty-corner in front on the sides.  The area in front of the towers is made up of a courtyard featuring lush vegetation, pool area, hot tubs, and grills, with a great view of the ocean.  At night, the lights from this area were beautiful to behold from our deck.

The lobby is in the tower buildings and houses many of the amenities—ping pong, pool table, gift shop, exercise room, etc.  The lounge area is inviting, and great for playing cards and board games. Since we stayed in the tower section on the 4^th floor, this area was very accessible, and probably added to the comfortable feeling that we developed toward the resort.

The Eagles’ Nest provides more activities than the other Marco resorts, especially for children.  There is a welcome/orientation breakfast on Saturday, and the Activities Director was present and seemed most helpful.  There is also a family party late in the week, with wine, soft drinks and munchies.  A lunch special is offered every day by the pool for a small fee.

The unit itself was nice, maybe a bit worn.  The greatest thing about the unit was that the entire wall facing the ocean opened up onto a screened porch.  Our son opted for the sofa bed over the guest room, because he could fall asleep listening to the ocean waves.  The full kitchen and washer and dryer made this an easy place to live.

Club Regency

Since we have not stayed at this resort, it would be unfair to review it.  However, we have observed that only a small number of the units face the ocean, and it appears to be only 2 stories high, with no elevators.  But it IS a Gold Crown Hilton affiliate, so we would certainly give it the benefit of the doubt.  We’ve been told by people that have stayed here that all the guests gather on the main outdoor deck to watch the sunset together—a very nice custom.  Also, the guests here can participate in activities at the Eagles’ Nest.

Sunset Cove

We have not stayed at this resort, nor have we talked to anyone that has.  The main advantage seems to be that all the units are 3-bedrooms, although some online reviews indicate that the 3^rd bedroom is closet-size.  The main disadvantage is that this resort is not on the ocean. However, if you don’t mind the lack of ocean, this might be a good place for you as it is on a waterway and you have canal and boat access.  There is also a complimentary beach shuttle.

Most people would probably be happy with any of these resorts, because, after all, they are on Marco Island! Our favorite is the Eagles’ Nest, followed closely by the Charter Club.  If you can trade into any of them, consider yourself amazingly lucky, and have a wonderful time!

We love timesharing.  We own 15 weeks, we travel a lot, and we are having the greatest time of our lives.  We would like to share with you what we think are the ten best secrets of successful timesharing. On this site, we have tried to give help and information to all our readers.  We meet new people all the time, both from this site as well as in our timeshare travels, and they are full of questions.  We thought we should write an in-depth post to share some of the basic principles about getting the most out of your timeshare.

We also meet a lot of people who are interested in how we have been so successful at using and enjoying our timeshares, and would like to share some ideas about that.  Lastly, we hear from all kinds of people who are frustrated in their timeshare experiences and just want to get rid of them.  We challenge those folks to read the ideas in this post, as well as on our entire site, and try to rejuvenate their timeshare experiences. We invite you to read, think, share and apply these ideas as you use your timeshare over the coming years.

You might want to bookmark this post and continue to come back and reread these basic concepts. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to leave comments or e-mail us directly so we can help you. If you have ideas that might help us or others, feel free to share, because then we can all learn together.

THE TEN SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL TIMESHARING: (Note, you can click on any topic and you will go directly to that secret.)
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Let’s get into the first secret.

TIMESHARE SECRET #1: NEVER BUY FROM THE DEVELOPER

The title says it all.  Never, ever, under any circumstances, no matter how enticing the offer may sound, buy from the developer.  To rephrase:  Do not buy from the developer 99% of the time. Okay, 99% is not “ never.”  So what we’re really saying is, there is a very miniscule (1%) chance that you MIGHT want to buy from the developer—and we’ll discuss that in this post.  But for now, the mind set is “NEVER!”

The very first time we ever got “hooked” for a timeshare presentation was in Las Vegas, which was also the first time that we visited there.  We were staying at Bally’s, which is owned by Hilton, so naturally, in returning to the hotel one day, we walked right into it. We were kind of curious, and they offered us some free buffets, so we decided to find out what this timeshare stuff was all about. Of course, we had no idea what timeshares cost, and no intention of buying.

Well, the price for a 2-bedroom in red time at the HGVC in Florida (Las Vegas was just about sold out at the time—they later built more) was around $18,000 plus tax. We sat through 3 1/2 hours of hard-sell tactics and came very close to buying.  Luckily when the salesman walked away to “give us a minute,” we came to our senses.  “What will the kids say if we do this?  This is not like us at all, to do something so impulsive.  Let’s go home and research this online.”

Of course, the salesman brought in his supervisor, who also tried to convince us to buy, but we stood firm.  They weren’t very happy with us and became almost rude, which we later learned (after enduring other presentations) is normal.  But we learned a lot about timeshares that day, and proceeded to learn even more when we did our research.

We eventually found a reputable realtor who re-sold Hilton timeshares and ended up buying the same basic point package at the Flamingo Hilton timeshare in Las Vegas for about $10,500. With what we see on eBay today, that equivalent package could probably be purchased for the same, or slightly less.

Speaking of eBay, you can easily acquire a timeshare education by browsing that website. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, the prices are astoundingly low compared to developer prices—unfortunately so for the seller.  However, if you buy a resale timeshare, you will pay so much less for it that if you do decide to sell eventually, you will not take such a great loss. You might even manage to break even.

Some people have qualms about eBay, and are afraid of getting ripped off.  Obviously, you need to check the seller’s feedback rating and read some of the comments. If red flags go up, then you need to check things out further, or go elsewhere.  If you buy through a realtor, you may pay a bit more than you would pay using eBay, but you may feel better about your experience.  Regardless of which route you go, we always call the resort to check on the property before we buy.  Make sure that all fees are paid and everything is in good standing.

There are other ways to purchase a resale timeshare, such as buying from a friend, buying from a resort that has been sold out for a long time, answering a classified ad, etc.  Our purpose here is not really to elaborate on those options, but if you are interested you can check out these earlier posts of ours:  click on ” category”  from our site on “ Buying Timeshares” with 26 posts.

So when does the 1% time come into play? Well, that’s a bit tricky, and it requires some judgment on your part.  If the developer is offering some perks that you truly think are worth the extra money, then maybe it’s worth it.  The key word here is ‘MAYBE.’ And personally, we wouldn’t bite the first time around, but we’d research the cost of the perks and then do a later presentation if we were really interested.

For example, to achieve Wyndham’s “Gold VIP” status, you need 500,000 points. The perks you get with this status are as follows:  free USA Today delivered to your door, a mid-week “Clean & Tidy,” a 35% point reduction within 60 days of check-in vs. 25% for regular VIPs, unit size upgrades 45 days out instead of 30 for regular VIP, and the ability to reserve specific units.  The last three are subject to availability.  There are a few others, which we determined we would never use.  If we were to attach a monetary value to these perks, no way would they come close to the thousands of extra dollars we’d have to spend to achieve Gold level.

So our last Wyndham timeshare, which was purchased on the re-sale market, put us at 525,000 points.  We were issued Gold cards, which they later revoked, because at that point Wyndham had made the decision that only points purchased from the developer would count toward any VIP status.  (They had previously grandfathered earlier purchases, so our 420,000 initial resale points counted toward regular VIP status.)  So we’re sad every time we fork over a buck for USA Today, but we know we’re saving a lot of money in the long run.

To summarize:

Always do your research before you buy a timeshare.

Never buy impulsively from the developer.

Never buy from the developer unless you have thoroughly researched all the options and perks and have determined that the extra cost is worth it to you.

TIMESHARE SECRET #2:  ALWAYS BUY IN AN AREA THAT YOU LOVE TO GO TO

Some people say that “ points are points,” “it makes no difference where you own,” or “I just bought this timeshare to trade it.”  In a lot of cases this is true, but we feel that you should buy a resort and a location that you would be happy going to every year.

One thing that is true in the timeshare world is that times and rules change. We have seen that in certain timeshare systems, it DOES make a difference as to where you own.  Some resorts or locations have a higher trading value, and if you want to go somewhere that is difficult to trade into, or go at a high demand time of the year, you’d better have a strong trader. In some cases you might not be able to get the trade you want, or you have little choice but to go to the resort you own for your vacation.  Also, if you and your family have your hearts set on going somewhere warm every spring break, you should probably buy at a resort and a location where you will have priority when making reservations.

We have known people who own a resort they love, and they go every year at the same time, never trading it. We think you should consider this when you buy.  We own several weeks at a resort only 250 miles from our home, that sits on Lake Michigan. We go numerous times during the year and always have a great time.  We have taken some of the weeks and traded them, but the bottom line is we love the resort and location, and would be happy going all the time for all of our weeks.

We also own a number of timeshares in point systems.  We have deeded property at these resorts and we have always been careful to buy a resort and location we love.  We can trade into other resorts in the system, as well as into RCI, but the bottom line is we would be happy going where we bought.

Usually, you get a higher priority when booking into your home resort, and the booking fees are free or much lower. We have been upset by the high, rising costs of trading through RCI. Lately, we are more apt to go to resorts we own and love rather than trade into a similar resort or location, because we can save the exchange fee. So again, if push came to shove, we would be very happy going to our home resort.

TIMESHARE SECRET #3:  BUY AT A RESORT WHERE THE MAINTENANCE FEES ARE REASONABLE

As we have mentioned often in past posts, maintenance fees are a necessary, but painful part of owning a timeshare. We all know that when you own a piece of a resort, you can’t expect it to automatically be gorgeous and have everything work properly any more than you could expect that of your own home.  However, there are some things that you can do to insure that reasonable maintenance fees are the norm, not the exception.

photo credit: MoneyBlogNewz

First of all, if you practice Timeshare Secret #1, “never buy from the developer,” you will automatically have a “heads up” in keeping your maintenance fees reasonable. The reason for this is that if you do not buy impulsively from the developer, you will have time to research the maintenance fees. Again, use eBay as a teaching tool:  virtually all of the timeshare listings for sale state the annual or monthly maintenance fees.  You can compare and contrast these, taking into account these factors:

–what is the time increment?  Is it a week, two weeks, or a fractional ownership?

–where is it located?  Timeshares that are on the ocean may have higher fees because they need hurricane insurance.

–Does the season in which you buy make a difference?  We stayed at a ski resort, and the maintenance fees were lower for owners who had spring, summer and fall weeks.

–Does the maintenance fee include taxes?  Florida is one state that taxes separately.

An important fact to consider when looking at maintenance fees is that you are not always comparing apples to apples.  For example:  we own a 2-bedroom flex week, in red time at a small resort in Northern Michigan, and a 2-bedroom in red time in Las Vegas in the HGVC system. The HGVC resort is in points, and so we can manipulate to get smaller units in the off-season and actually vacation for 2 weeks instead of one.  Also, Hilton has several affiliate resorts on Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva, which are almost impossible to get in the winter (red) season through an RCI trade.  As Hilton owners, it is still difficult to reserve those resorts, but it is possible, and we have done it many times.

We love the Michigan resort, and almost always use our summer week there.  We can also trade it through RCI, but the other options we just discussed are not possible using this week.  The maintenance fee at the Michigan resort is $468.  The HGVC is $920.  Are we crazy to own HGVC and pay twice as much as the Michigan resort fee? Maybe.  But we feel that the HGVC timeshare offers us great flexibility, more vacation nights, and access to the Florida resorts that we would not otherwise have.

Should you eventually decide to buy from the developer, if you’ve done your maintenance fee research, then you’ll know what you’re getting into.  The same applies to purchasing a resale.  It’s always good to ask your questions before buying. (You may not always get answers, but at least you tried!)

Another reason to be wary of a developer sale is because often the salesman will “gloss over” the annual maintenance fee while talking about the fantastic resort and all the special amenities and perks you will receive if you buy TODAY! The purchase price itself is probably enough to bring on a coronary, so he for sure doesn’t want to overly inform you about the hefty annual maintenance fee you’ll be paying for the rest of your life.

Perhaps you already own a timeshare and you feel that the maintenance fees are unreasonable.  If that is the case, you always have the option to sell (good luck!), but before you do, try getting involved. Contact the governing body or board of directors and express your concerns. Find out exactly what those fees are being used for.  Speak with the resort manager, and possibly some other owners to gauge their level of satisfaction. A lady once approached me at our Gatlinburg timeshare and complained about the maintenance fees going up.  She felt that they were too high, until I told her what we were paying at another timeshare we owned.  She had no other frame of reference before our chat, but afterward she seemed somewhat more content.

Maintenance fees will always be there, unfortunately.  The important thing to remember is:  before you buy, do your research. To find out more about how those maintenance fees are used, see our other posts:  ”Those Malicious Maintenance Fees”  and “Timeshares Maintenance Fees”

TIMESHARE SECRET #4:  LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT THE TIMESHARE YOU OWN AS WELL AS THE SYSTEM IN WHICH YOU OWN

It seems that a majority of people who bought timeshares bought from the developer. They made the decision during a high pressure sales presentation and usually have no idea what they bought.  They don’t have a clue about how to use it to get great vacations or to turn their one week of timeshare into additional weeks.  They were often told things by the salesperson that are untrue, or don’t play out the way that they were quickly explained in the presentation.

photo credit: Dennis Goedegebuure

We suggest you read everything you get from the developer several times.  The bylaws of the resort will give you a picture of what you can do with the purchase you have just made.  You also need to search the internet to better understand how to best use the timeshare.  We suggest a number of web sites that give excellent information from folks that have been at the game of timesharing for a long time.  Look  at “Sites We Recommend” in the sidebar.  Most are willing to answer questions and share how they have used the timeshares they own.

Also, you need to talk to other guests when you go to your timeshare. Ask them how they use it to maximize their vacation experiences.  They often can give you tips or better explain the rules of the game.

If you purchased a resale, hopefully you did a great deal of research beforehand. Even if you did, many systems are complicated, and there is still a lot to learn.  After 13 years of timesharing, we are still learning new things and new ways to use our purchases effectively.  The Wyndham system is particularly complicated, but it also allows you to do many unique things that other systems do not.

We have written numerous posts about how to use the timeshare you bought to your best advantage.  We have covered some general rules, as well as information about several different systems such as Wyndham, Hilton, Disney, etc. We suggest you go back and read these posts to gain a better understanding of the timeshare world.   This info can be found in the category on “Timeshare Systems”

There are several boards on the internet that deal with each of these systems that you can join if you own in them.  We have listed those under ”Sites we Recommend” in the sidebar. You can pose questions that you might have, or just follow the discussion of topics that you are interested in.

Research is the key ingredient to this secret. It takes time, but it will be time well spent because you will enjoy more and better timeshare vacations.

TIMESHARE SECRET #5:  MAKE USE OF THE ACCOMMODATIONS OF YOUR TIMESHARE

Most of us realize that vacationing in a timeshare unit is much more homelike than staying in a motel or hotel. In fact, probably one of the reasons that you purchased the timeshare is because you were sold on the roominess of the units and the fact that most of them had all the conveniences of home.  And yet, as we travel, it always amazes us that people often do not take advantage of their deluxe accommodations.

Most timeshares, with the exception of studio units, have at least 500 square feet of space.  Most have a great deal more than that, and many that we have stayed in have more square footage than our entire house (2400).  Along with this, there are usually anywhere from 1 to 4 bedrooms that sleep anywhere from 4 to 12 people! Most timeshares include a sleeper sofa, and sometimes a sleeper chair in their accommodations.  So, unless you always desire to vacation alone, why not invite some of the relatives or friends to join you? It would certainly be acceptable to charge them a nominal fee for the accommodations, and as long as everyone has a minimal (or maximum) amount of privacy, you have the makings of a great reunion or family get-together.

An area that many timesharing folks ignore is their kitchen. Most units have a full, or at least a partial kitchen that is well-stocked, complete with refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, blender, toaster, etc., etc.  We have even stayed in timeshares that have a rice cooker! This can be a gold mine, especially if you are feeding a large family or several guests.  We have numerous posts on Timeshare Cooking that give you ideas for recipes that are quick, easy and tasty.

Even if there are only 2 of you, you can fix simple breakfasts and lunches, thereby saving lots of money so that you can go out to dinner!  Use your kitchen to create a simple picnic lunch that you can take along while you explore new areas.  Somehow, ham sandwiches or p,b & j taste so much better when you’re sitting on a rock looking and listening to a mountain stream!

Usually timeshare units have a large living room, sometimes with a fireplace or wet bar.  Most also come equipped with large screen TV, DVD player and stereo system.  Often, the room will open up to an outdoor deck or patio area, providing a great place to entertain your guests, or relax by yourselves.

One of the joys of most timeshares is a laundry complete with washer and dryer. Sometimes these appliances are on the small side, but hey– no laundromat trips required.  Usually the resort provides a box or two of soap, but even if you have to buy soap, you will still save money, not to mention the convenience of having this in your own unit.

So the next time you set out on a timeshare vacation, think about how you can better use those great accommodations.  Don’t treat your timeshare like a motel!

TIMESHARE SECRET #6:  PARTICIPATE IN, AND USE, THE ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES OF THE TIMESHARE

One of the nice things that we enjoy about our timeshare vacations is availability of  amenities and activities that many of the resorts provide for their guests.  Not all resorts have every amenity that we might cover, and some resorts offer very limited activities. But the key is:  if they have them, make sure to plan and take advantage of them.

Almost always, the pool and pool area are nicer and larger than hotel or motel accommodations. Both we and the grandkids just love the water, and we plan a lot of time to take advantage of those facilities.  They usually have water slides, hot tubs, kiddie pool and saunas.  Some are even more elaborate with fountains and water sprays that everyone can enjoy.

Many of the resorts also have grills, many being gas grills. We use these frequently to make some simple delicious meals with little work.  There are usually several located around the resort in convenient areas, and the resort takes care of their cleaning and upkeep.  Often the barbecue tools are right there, with picnic tables nearby.

Some resorts have tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits, mini- golf and shuffleboard courts. We have almost never found these kinds of amenities at hotels. We have had great times with family and friends trying our hand at some of these games. Several resorts provide free bicycles for guests to use on the property or in the area. ­­A few resorts have water craft, which gives people the opportunity to try and enjoy new things.

Most resorts have a fitness center, which is a great way to stay in shape while on your vacation.  They also have a game room for kids to enjoy, as well as an activities center. This frequently has games you can borrow, as well as some larger games to enjoy there, like pool, ping pong, video games and hockey.  They also have DVDs you can take back to your room if that interests you.

The majority of resorts that we have been to provide some activities for guests. Not only are these activities a lot of fun, but it also give you a chance to meet other guests. Many of these activities relate to the area and give you a preview of some of the things you might want to do on your vacation.

Most have a welcome party, usually in the morning, with light breakfast snacks, juice and coffee.  Again, they share things about the resort, some of the activities for the week, as well as things to do in the area.  They often provide discounts to many of the area attractions just for timeshare guests.  We always make a point to attend these welcome gatherings and almost always learn some new things about the resort or the area.

Timeshare resorts frequently have activities geared to particular age groups. The offerings for teens might include pool parties, scavenger hunts, and movie nights.  They usually have activities for small kids, such as craft projects, games for that age level, storytimes, etc.  Often these activities are free, but sometimes there is a small cost to cover supplies that are used.

The adults are not left out when it comes to activities.  Many resorts have wine and cheese gatherings, karaoke nights, bingo parties, and many will bring in individuals or small groups to put on a short concert for guests. For a nominal fee, some provide a meal along with some form of entertainment.  These can also be great fun for the entire family, as well as an inexpensive meal for everyone.  One timeshare that we own puts on a potluck dinner, with the resort providing drinks and the main dish. Usually there are prizes and entertainment, as well.

Hopefully, you get a flavor of the kinds of amenities and activities that many of the resorts provide. Make sure you and your family don’t miss out on these great vacation opportunities. They have provided us with some wonderful memories.

TIMESHARE SECRET #7:  BE FLEXIBLE

photo credit: Kyle Lease
Be flexible.  This is a good rule to live by, but we also think it is one of the secrets of successful timesharing. We talk to a lot of folks that don’t seem to be able to bend a little in order to put together a nice timeshare vacation.  Let’s take a look at some of the issues, and see where flexibility can be an asset.

First, you will find greater success in getting your vacation location if you request a range of dates. If you only ask for one date, you will be limiting your chances of getting what you want.  So look closely at your calendar and pick out a range, or at least two other dates, when requesting an exchange.

Along the same lines, you might look at booking weekdays when the demand is usually less. We own a number of point resorts and this works well for us. We use less points by booking, say, Sunday through Thursday, thus avoiding the weekend days which require more points. Again, if you can put something together during the week you might be more successful in getting your request.

The same would be true if you can travel in the off- season, or the “shoulder season.” The points are usually less and the demand is also not as high.  The crowds are reduced and it can make for a very nice vacation.

Also, study your exchange book and in addition to giving them a couple of dates you can travel, also give them several locations that you would be happy to go to for your vacation. We have, on several occasions, found a great resort or a great location by being flexible and willing to try a new area or a new resort. Once, we booked a resort in Las Vegas that was not right down on the strip.  It was a short drive south of the city, and we had a great time.  It was nice not to be in all the hubbub of the activities and people on the strip, and we were able to relax more and enjoyed being out in the suburbs.

Another area that you can exercise flexibility is in the size of the unit. We have occasionally taken a smaller unit so we could get a certain resort or a certain area.  It might be nice to have a two- bedroom, but could you fit into a one- bedroom or could you get by in a studio?  Keep your options open, especially if you need a certain date.

To book a difficult-to-get, high-demand area, you might even consider staying at a resort that might not be quite up to your normal expectations. If you’re willing to forget about Gold and Silver Crown resorts, and do some research, you could possibly book a resort in a very hard-to-get place.  We have done this twice, with acceptable results.  Read this post for further information.

We also have found when putting together a two, three or four week timeshare trip, that you have greater success if you can be flexible in reference to check -in days. Let’s say that you have set up one week with a Friday check-in and check-out.   If you stick to needing a Friday check-in for your next week, you might find it hard to put it together.  But if you are willing to check in on Saturday or Sunday, you will have a better chance of getting your second week. If we have an open day, we use our Hilton Honor Points and stay in a hotel for a night before we head to the next resort for another week.  We call this a “tweener.”

Maybe you are not willing to be flexible in all of these areas, and that is fine.  We all have different needs, wants and tolerance levels. But even being more flexible in one or two of the ways mentioned here can lead to a vacation that might not have come about, otherwise.

So, “hang loose” is the motto, here, and you will find that being a bit flexible now and then will generally ensure a better vacation for you and your family!

TIMESHARE SECRET #8:  PLAN AHEAD

There is no question but that in the timeshare world, you need to plan ahead. One reason that timeshares do not work for some people is that they like to do everything at the last minute, and planning ahead simply does not work for them. If you’re going to use timeshares successfully, in most cases you need to plan at least 3 months out, and even then you may not be able to get what you want.  As a general rule, if your system says that you can book 10 months out, then do it then, if at all possible. For very high demand areas, you should try to book on the first day that you can, preferably at 8:00 a.m. or whenever they open for business. Right now, we have all of 2011 booked through November, and are starting to think about January, 2012.

photo credit: Alaivani

Obviously, being organized and planning ahead can be difficult, especially if you are orchestrating a trip for several family members or friends, and not just you and your spouse or significant other.  The more people that you involve, the more complicated it gets, as you are working around numerous schedules and activities.  There is no magic formula to insure foolproof planning, but here are a few simple tips that might help:

1. Decide who is going, or who you want to invite.  This is important, because it will probably determine the type of vacation you want to have, the size of the unit or units, the location, who will stay with who, types of activities, etc., etc.  If the ages of the people vary greatly, you’ll want to think about that, too.  Recently we took 6 other family members to Orlando for a Disney trip.  Our ages ranged from 3 to 88, and we had a great time, but it took careful planning.
2. Decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and for how long.  We always look carefully at the calendar in January and block off dates that we want to be home such as birthdays, holidays, Mothers’ Day, grandkids vacations, etc.  Then we look at what’s left, and start researching and planning.  Confer with your guests, if you have any, about what times are good, and then get to work!
3. Yes, work.  This is the hard part.  You need to determine the size of the accommodations that you need, based on who and how many are going.  If you are booking at a resort that you own, it might be as simple as a phone call or an online transaction.  Most timeshare systems have a reservation window that might depend on how many points you own.  Or, if you own a fixed week, then you plan to go that week.    If you are trading into RCI, it might also be simple, but probably not.  If you have online deposits, you can check availability, or you can call and do an ongoing search.  Then, of course, you’ll have to pay the exchange fee.  If you need help with this part, see some of our previous posts: “Using your Wyndham Points Wisely“, also “Timeshare Vacations-Using your Wyndham Points in RCI“
4. Once you have a reservation, inform everyone that is planning to go, making sure they all put it on their calendars.  At some point you’ll need to deal with other issues like transportation (making airline reservations, rental cars, who’s driving, etc.)  Frequent reminders wouldn’t hurt, either.  Be up front about the exchange fee if there is one, who’s paying for what, etc.  You’ll have a much smoother vacation if you discuss money early on.
5. Go, and have a great time!

There are a few assumptions here that we haven’t mentioned.  One is that hopefully everyone realizes that everyone wants to go to the same places at the most popular times, therefore the earlier you try to book, the better chance you have of getting what you want.

That’s why we began planning our Hawaii trip about 18 months out.  Likewise, you can easily get into a ski resort in the summertime.

Some areas are overbuilt with timeshares, and so you can usually get a reservation fairly close to your travel time. (Fairly close is about a month before, but occasionally you can pull something even as late as a week ahead.  Once, because of a hurricane, we couldn’t check into our resort and we even got something else the next day.)  A few of the more overbuilt areas include Orlando, Branson and Las Vegas.

We’ve found the RCI “insurance” to be relatively ineffective, and because we travel so many weeks, we don’t bother with it.  Over our 13-year period of timesharing, we have lost a total of 4 weeks/exchange fees because of illness or death in the family.  Had we purchased insurance for all the weeks we travel, we would have spent a great deal more.  This is why Timeshare Secret #4 is so important.  Be aware of what the cancellation penalties are in your timeshare system.

So, planning ahead is not without problems, but the organization and work that you do will ensure you some great timeshare vacations!

TIMESHARE SECRET #9:  IF YOU DECIDE TO SELL, NEVER PAY ANY FEES UPFRONT

Over the years, we have listened to a lot of people talk about selling a timeshare.  They often mention it, and then go on to say that they have no idea how to go about it. We know people who have said this for years, and yet they have never taken action.

photo credit: TheTruthAbout

Probably this is why many fall into some of the timeshare traps and scams.  Often, they are presented as an easy out, and if the timing is right, people fall prey to them.  In truth, selling a timeshare is NOT easy. But before we delve into this subject, let’s look at all the options.

We love timesharing, and firmly believe that before anyone buys one, they need to do these things:

1. Research prices, keeping in mind that you should never buy from the developer.
2. Research the system that you are buying into, and how to use it effectively to meet your needs.
3. Buy something that you can afford.
4. Use your timeshare, so that you get your money’s worth out of it.

However, even if you do all these things, life sometimes gets in the way. Loss of employment, death, illness or re-location may indicate that the best option is to try to sell.  Sometimes, even if you did your research before, you find things that you dislike about timesharing in general, or the particular one that you own.

Case in point:  we already owned several RCI timeshares, when we decided to buy a Marriot timeshare in II. We researched and bought a resale February week in Hilton Head.  We had been to Hilton Head in February and loved the resort, but it was cold, and we knew we really didn’t want to usually go there that week.  However, we were completely frustrated when we tried to trade, as we couldn’t seem to pull anything better, as the seller had told us we would.  The II system worked differently than RCI, and that added to our frustration.  So we sold it, at a slight loss, but at least we dumped the $900+ maintenance fee every year!   And, since we bought it resale, we weren’t talking about a lot of money.

At any rate, if you have to sell, follow this key timeshare secret:  NEVER PAY ANY FEES UPFRONT. We have several posts about selling timeshares that should give you some ideas on how to go about unloading yours if you no longer want it.  We have read many horror stories about people paying thousands of dollars to companies that “take over their timeshares,” only to find that the owners still have to pay the annual maintenance fees!

Generally these companies are referred to as “postcard companies,” because of the numerous postcards they send to frustrated owners to encourage them to come to their presentations. A few of them actually do what they promise, but the fees are exorbitant.  Many of the companies are fly-by-night and seem to disappear quickly when people try to follow up with them.

So is it EVER okay to put out money to sell your timeshare?  The answer to that is yes, if it is to pay for advertising on a legitimate site.  The site, www.bidshares.com offers free classified ads.  Other well-respected sites like Redweek.com, MyResortNetwork.com and TUG Timeshare Marketplace may charge a nominal fee, say, under $40, to run an ad for you.

Another concept, which we made use of when we sold our Marriot, is to go with a company that takes a percentage of what they sell your timeshare for. At the time we did this, we paid no money, and they handled all the eBay fees, ads, and closing costs.  When the sale was final, they took 25% of the selling price. This company only takes timeshares that they feel will sell—there was some question about ours, initially, and we did take a minimal loss, so the company didn’t make out too well, either.  This might not work for everyone, but we were satisfied.  To our knowledge, they are still in business, and we’re willing to refer anyone who is interested. If you choose to use a company like this, always check out their reputation with the Better Business Bureau site, first.

So, if you are really serious about selling your timeshare, put some effort into it and do your research.  There are many excellent sites on the internet (see our “Sites we recommend” in the sidebar) that will strengthen your knowledge, and remember the Cardinal Rule:  NEVER PAY ANY FEES UPFRONT WHEN SELLING YOUR TIMESHARE!

TIMESHARE SECRET #10: CONTINUE TO LEARN

We have covered a lot of ground with the 9 secrets so far, so let’s wrap this up with the final one, which is one of the most important secrets:  continue to learn. We think it is extremely important in life, as well as in the timeshare world, to gain knowledge and information on a regular basis. The more you know and understand about timesharing, the better and more economical your timeshare vacations will be.  These 10 secrets will help you get the most out of your ownership.  If necessary, read these secrets again, or keep coming back to them to continue to grow in your understanding of timesharing.  We think they are the core of our own successful timesharing experiences.

photo credit: Aine D

You cannot stop here as long as you own a timeshare, but must continue to learn, because things are always changing and evolving in the industry.  We would like to list what we feel are some of the best ways to learn:

• Keep reading this timeshare blog and others.  Not only should you read these blogs, you should feel free to leave comments or ask questions.  Many times when you leave a comment, others will respond to it with additional information.  This increases understanding of the concept being discussed.  We always try to the best of our ability to answer all questions that we get from this site.
• There are a number of excellent websites that deal with timesharing in general, as well as a number that deal with particular systems like Wyndham, Hilton, Disney, etc.  See our list of  ”recommended sites” in the sidebar.
• When you go on a timeshare vacation, get out there and talk to people. Go to the welcome party, the wine and cheese social, or just talk to folks at the pool or on the elevator.  Ask them questions, such as “ where do you own,” “ how do you trade or use your timeshare,” “ what was your best timeshare vacation,” “ what do you like about this resort and this location,” “ what restaurants are good,”  “what have you done in the area,” etc.  You should be sharing some of your knowledge with others, because then we can all enjoy our vacations more.
• Go to a couple of timeshare presentations, not with the idea of buying (see Secret # 1) but with the idea of learning.  We have attended several, asked lots of questions, and come away with a better understanding of that resort, that timeshare system, or timesharing in general.
• Read everything you see about timesharing.  If there is an article in the newspaper or a magazine, read it with an open mind to learn more about timesharing, and to acquaint yourself with others’ perceptions about timesharing. Also, read everything you get from the resort, or from your timeshare system.  Many send out newsletters, updates about the resort, yearly financial reports, etc.  These communications can help you to understand the ins and outs of your resort or your timeshare system.

Remember that in the timeshare world things are constantly changing, and so you must continue to learn to keep abreast of new developments.  Our goal is to help you and your family and friends have the best timesharing experience by using all available resources, to include these Timeshare Secrets and Timeshare Tidbits.

We get a lot of questions about buying fixed weeks vs. buying into a timeshare system that uses points. We thought it might be helpful to take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

We’ve written several posts about using  points in different timeshare systems that might be helpful for you to read.  There are a couple for the Wyndham system:  Wyndham Points Chart and Using your Wyndham Points Wisely. We have also written posts on the Hilton Grand Vacation Club and the Disney Vacation Club which are both point timeshare systems.

photo credit: evilhayama

First, let’s take a look at buying and using a fixed week timeshare.  When timesharing first began, that was the only way you could purchase a timeshare.  You bought a given week, a particular size unit, and it was the same unit every year.  Some of our timeshares are fixed weeks.  If you wish, you can trade the entire week into RCI for another resort, a different time of the year and a different size unit, that fits your vacation plans.  We do some of both, based on our vacation wishes.

Some of the advantages of a fixed week timeshare:  (1) It makes planning a vacation easy, as you know when and where you are going every year.  (2) You know the area you are going to, and love to go there every year. (3)  Some people have events in the area at that given time of the year that they want to attend every year. (4) If it is in an area that is difficult to get a timeshare unit during prime time, you would be all set. For example, we have a summer unit in Gatlinburg, TN that worked well for us for several years, as that is prime time there, and that’s when we could go. (5)  You are locked into a known unit. This might be important because you know it is a beach front unit, or pool unit, etc. (6) You get to know several other families that also have fixed weeks at the same time, and you enjoy seeing them every year.  Great friendships have developed.

On the flip side is buying and using a point system timeshare. As timeshares evolved, companies began and continue to offer their timeshares in a point system.  You still buy deeded property, but they convert that to so many points based on the size of the unit, time of year, and in some cases, location of the unit.  You then can use your points for less than a week and select the time of year and the size unit you need based on your vacation plans.  This gives you a great deal of flexibility in planning your trips.  Also, most point system timeshares let you choose from any resort in their system, giving you a lot more choices than just your home resort.  You can also use your points in making a deposit into RCI for trading into more resorts.

Hopefully, you can see some of the plusses and minuses of the two approaches in buying, planning and enjoying your timeshare vacations.  You need to make your choices, and make sure you use your timeshares for some great trips.

Our first timeshare was purchased resale and was a Hilton Grand Vacation Club at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. We have had it ever since and have enjoyed many vacations using the points system of our Hilton timeshare.  We have written an earlier post about the Hilton timeshare system that you might like to read if you are interested.

On our first trip to our Hilton Timeshare in Las Vegas over ten years ago, I saw a flyer about getting an American Express card and receiving points in the Hilton Honor System. They would give you some bonus points if you joined and used your card.  We decided to fill out the form and sent it in.  We were sent the American Express card and have been using it ever since.

We have since worked our way up to Gold VIP status because we charge over $20,000.00 a year on our card.   (Barb is great at helping with that part!)  Each level gives you some additional benefits.  The way the card works is that you earn at least 3 Hilton Honor points for every $1 you spend.  You earn 6 points for every $1 you spend at Hilton Family hotels, supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, phone service, cable service and internet service providers.  Each month when you receive your American Express statement, you get your points for the Hilton Honor System.

There is NO annual fee for the card.  Also there is NO limit on points you can earn. The primary way to use the points is for hotel stays with the Hilton family of hotels.  You can use your points for some shopping, dining, car rentals and cruises, but we think the best use is for hotel stays. The hotel stays run from 10,000 to 60,000 points per night, depending on location and hotel. The Hilton Family of Hotels includes:  Hilton, Conrad, Double Tree, Embassy Suites, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Waldorf Astoria, and the Hilton Grand Vacations Club.

We always pay for all of our charges every month, so we do not pay any interest on our purchases;  thus, we feel we are getting our Honor points for doing our regular shopping.  We just make sure we use the card for our purchases and pay the bill every month. We have set up some of our regular bills to be paid monthly on the card.  We normally get an average of 9,000 points a month or about 110,000 points a year.  We usually book hotel stays in the 25,000 points or less a night, so doing the math, this gives 4 or 5 nights a year of hotel stays.  When you book, there are no blackout dates, and other than using your points, there are NO charges at the hotel for anything else, like taxes.

Our primary use of our Hilton Honors Points is for travel with our timeshares.  We use them for longer car trips for a stay en route to our destination and returning home.  We also use them to stay on a trip that does not have any timeshares close to an area that we want to visit. We sometimes use them for shorter stays in an area that we want to see, but do not want to book a full week at a timeshare.

You can convert your Hilton Honors points for timeshare stays with Hilton.  You can also convert your Hilton Grand Vacation Club timeshare points to Hilton Honors points. Again, this gives you additional flexibility in planning your vacations. We have done both and have had no problems.

Yes, we know there are other credit cards out there that give you free airfare, cash back, etc., and we have tried some of them.  But the HGVC/Hilton Honors Points seem to work best for us and give us good value.  They come in handy for making our overall travel experiences great and in getting maximum benefits from our many timeshares. We love our Hilton Honor Points!

NOTE:  Much of the information included in this post is valid, but as of January, 2011, some major changes occurred within the Wyndham system concerning usage of points. To get the most current information, please click on this post.

Previously known as Fairfield Timeshares, the Wyndham system is one of the largest timeshare systems in the world.  They offer quality resorts all over the United States, as well as some affiliate resorts in foreign countries.

When the timeshare idea first began, companies sold fixed weeks.  This meant that you bought a week at a resort in a certain season and unit. There was almost no flexibility as far as trading.  However, over time, exchange companies were born and with the creation of RCI and II came the ability to exchange for different resorts, different seasons, different-sized units.

Wyndham also eventually created a point system for its more recent owners, which offered even more flexibility.  Fixed week owners were given the option to buy into the point system, but didn’t necessarily have to. Those who opted for the points program purchased deeded property, which can be passed on to someone else, just like the properties of the fixed week owners.

There are some major advantages to the Wyndham points system, a notable one being that you can go to any Wyndham resort, not just the one that you own.  Also, you do not have to go for a full week, but can divide your vacation time into smaller blocks of days if you desire.  The system requires you to use more points for weekend nights, so you may want to try to book trips on weekdays, instead.

If you are traveling alone, or with one other person, you might take advantage of a studio, or smaller unit, which requires less points. The season in which you travel also influences the number of points you will need to use.  Within a resort, certain units may require a greater amount of points, such as a Presidential Unit, an oceanfront unit, or a higher floor. Sometimes newer resorts, or resorts in high demand areas, like Hawaii, may require higher point values to stay.

Let’s look at the points chart for Wyndham Royal Vista in Pompano Beach, Florida, located right on the beach.  Let’s say you are planning a week’s trip for 3 adults during prime time, and you have decided that you would like a 2-bedroom villa. According to the chart, that will cost you 203,000 points. You really don’t want to spend quite that many, as you were hoping to save some for another trip.  So, back to the chart.  You decide that probably you could really get by with a 1-bedroom, as it has a king bed and a sleeper sofa.

The beach view would be nice, but since the resort is on the beach, and you’ll be there  for several days, you really don’t care too much about the view from your unit.  This resort offers a “point saver” option, which is basically a unit with an obstructed view, so you decide on that, instead.  And, if you move your trip back a week, it will put you in high time, instead of prime time, thus saving you more points.  Then, instead of booking Sunday to Sunday, you decide to leave on Saturday, which will save you an expensive weekend day.  So now, you’re looking at 90,000  points instead of 203,000 points.  You’ve saved so many points, you could go for almost two weeks!

By making some adjustments, you have saved 113,000 points! Of course, you might not want to make all these concessions, but the point is that if you examine the options carefully, you may be able to use less points.

You can also use your Wyndham points for trading into RCI. You call your Wyndham counselor, and deposit a designated number of points into the RCI system. They assign you a resort, unit size, and season for trading purposes and you use this deposit to search RCI’s inventory for your vacation. Often you can “trade up,” getting a larger unit, or a better season.  You can also trade back into Wyndham using fewer points, but you will have to pay the RCI exchange fee.

We have four other posts covering the Wyndham Timeshare System.  You might check these out for additional information:  An Overview of the Wyndham System, a Wyndham RCI system explanation, a Wyndham Wrap-up, and using the Wyndham Points Chart. Overall, the Wyndham points system offers a great deal of flexibility and allows you to plan some great vacations!

NOTE:  Much of the information included in this post is valid, but as of January, 2011, some major changes occurred within the Wyndham system concerning usage of points. To get the most current information, please click on this post.

Are you a Wyndham timeshare points owner? Or are you thinking of buying some Wyndham timeshare points? Do you want to better understand the points system for Wyndham or other timeshares which operate using points?  If you answered yes to any of these questions then this post is for you.  We will try to get you up to speed on using the points system for your greatest benefit.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts. We own 525,000 Wyndham points at four different resorts and use all of our points every year. We also use our points to trade in the RCI system.  The Wyndham timeshare resort company is the largest timeshare company in the world with over 150 resorts and affiliate resorts all over the United States and a few in other countries. All of the resorts we have stayed at are of high quality and provide excellent amenities and activities.  We have written the following posts about the Wyndham Vacation Resorts that you might find helpful to read.  Timeshare Vacations-an Overview of the Wyndham System, Timeshare Vacations-Using Wyndham Points in RCI, and Timeshare Vacations-Wyndham Wrap-up.

Example of point chart for Wyndham Nashville, Nashville, TN:

If you take a look at the point chart above, you can get an idea of how the system works.  You can see the weeks and the seasons along the left side of the chart, and if you look at the points you need, you can see how you can save points by traveling in off- seasons. Resorts have from one to four different levels of seasons.   Look at the above example to see the points needed for quiet, value, high and prime seasons.

Also, you can see the points needed for a Friday or Saturday stay, and the Sun-Thur nights.   Again, more points are needed for weekend days.  If you follow across the top you can see the room size and the point difference for the different sized units.  Some resorts will require different amounts of points based on the view.  You would need more points for an ocean view or for a high floor with an ocean view. In the example above, they have some presidential units which take more points.  You need to study the chart very closely for the resort you wish to travel to, and match what you want and need with the number of points you own or would like to buy.

Many people ask, “ how many points do I need?“  We suggest you start with around 105,000 to 154,000 points.  Use these for a couple of years to get an idea on how you like the system, and go on from there.  This number of points will not get you to some of the new higher points resorts, but it gives you a chance to get some nice timeshare vacations.

If you use the information on the chart, you can get more vacations for your points if you plan accordingly. Select the smallest unit you can for the number of people traveling, try to stay away from the weekends, and see if you can travel in one of the off- seasons.

Points chart using Wyndham points in RCI:

Season Demand Studio 1BR 2BR 3BR or more

RCI Red            Greater              70,000     105,000       154,000           254,000

RCI White        Average           42,000       77,000 128,000           189,000

RCI Blue           Lesser                 28,000      63,000         77,000             154,000

This chart shows how many Wyndham points you need to get an RCI unit to deposit into their system and use it to search for a vacation.

Another option you have with your Wyndham points is to take some points and make a deposit into the RCI System.  If you put them into RCI you can trade to resorts all over the United States and the world.  Also, when you deposit them, they will last for two years which gives  you a longer time to plan your vacation.  You can deposit a smaller amount, let’s say a studio in blue time, which only takes 28,000 points.  You can then search the RCI inventory and often get a 1 or 2 bedroom unit. You will need to pay the RCI exchange fee, but again you can get more vacation days for less Wyndham points. You can use these deposits with RCI to trade back into the Wyndham system, usually with far less points than if you would have booked directly with Wyndham.

RCI Points Chart: The RCI exchange company has developed a point system.  RCI has close to 4000 resorts and is the largest timeshare exchange company in the world.  Most of the resorts, about 78%, are of the week’s type, where you deposit your week and then you can search for another week at a different resort or a different time of the year.

About 22% of the resorts in RCI have decided to become points resorts. RCI has assigned so many points based on each resort, each area of the country, and the size of the unit you own.  You then get those points every year, which you can use in the RCI system.  You can still, if you wish, go to your own resort; you just need to let RCI know at least a year in advance of the week you own.  You can also save points for the following year or go ahead a year in points, giving you more flexibility. You can also use your points for partial weeks, or for things like cruises, rental cars, etc.

The following is a listing of the RCI points needed for a typical reservation: 1Bedroom in a Gold Crown resort runs from around 20,000 RCI points to 60,000 depending on time of year.  A 2-Bedroom is 50,000 to 100,000 points, again depending on the time of year. This varies a lot based on ranking of resort and location, so you must check with RCI for the exact number of points needed for each reservation.

This should give you a good overview of the Wyndham points system.  Keep reading this site as well as the Wyndham User Group site and enjoy many timeshare vacations.

From time to time we highlight different timeshare systems.  This week we are discussing another hotel-based system affiliated with Sheraton. Starwood Vacation Ownership offers a way to have your dream vacation both at home and around the world wherever and whenever your heart desires. Starwood is a resort and hotel development company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The vacation system is comprised of 850 luxury hotels and 2200 fantastic villas in 75 countries.

Basic membership begins with the purchase of a Home Resort Timeshare ranging in price from $6000 to $23,900. A Home Resort unit is for a specific size with a specified season for use on an annual or bi-annual basis for one week at a time. Usage is on a fixed or float week basis with reservations to be made 12 months in advance. Electing to use the float week option offers flexibility to enjoy your home resort during a different season of the year or to exchange your home resort for one in a different location and season.

This is a one-time purchase at a fixed price. Along with the purchase, there is a yearly fee of $99 which is paid to the Home Owners Association in your home resort location. This fee is paid along with your yearly maintenance fee.  This allows you to make internal exchanges  as well as gets you an account with II for additional trades. The goal of the Home Owners Association is to provide a community atmosphere by offering opportunities to get to know your neighbors. And, like all timeshares, there is a yearly maintenance fee.  Starwood’s tend to be on the higher side.

Older resorts were sold as fixed weeks and some are with RCI for trading. All newer resorts are sold as deeded property, but they work under a point- based system called Star Options points.  These points work much the same as other timeshare point systems–higher points for larger units or at the prime times of the year.

Owners also participate in a Starwood Preferred Guest Program and use Star Points. This works the same as most major hotel frequent stay programs.  You can exchange your timeshare points into the preferred guest program and stay at their hotels. Be careful of resale purchases because in some cases you can not participate in the hotel guest program or the Starwood internal exchange program.

Starwood properties in North America are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New York City, South Carolina and Hawaii. Other western hemisphere locations are found in Mexico, The Bahamas and St. John in the Virgin Islands.  Some of the resorts are affiliated with RCI and II, and some only with II.

Your Starwood Vacation Ownership includes membership in the Starwood Vacation Network, which offers countless ways to vacation in countries around the globe. The network is a points-based system that affords you the opportunity to exchange your week using the Star Option Plan. Under this plan, it is possible to visit non-time share locations around the world owned by the Starwood property system. Accommodation is offered on a daily or weekly basis. Points may also be used for airline miles, and car rental.

Starwood offers a user-friendly online directory listing locations and availability dates. Information is also provided regarding the number of units up for resale in a particular location, as well as the number of accommodations available on a daily or weekly basis.

Excellent customer service information is provided online listing telephone numbers, hours available and the name of the person in charge of sales, rental reservations, external exchange, owner services, association management and personal ownership account information.