| Timeshares are a popular way of "owning" vacation | | | | The alternative to these timeshare drawbacks is a |
| condominium properties. Many people love and enjoy | | | | little-known concept called "private resort vacation |
| them and really feel that they are getting their money's | | | | memberships. You can get a lifetime membership in a |
| worth. But ask any timeshare owner - there are some | | | | private resort vacation membership for as little as |
| notable drawbacks. But there is an alternative to | | | | $2,995 and you will be able to participate in these |
| timeshares that offers most of the advantages and | | | | benefits: |
| even more with none of the disadvantages. In this | | | | - You can access 5,000+ 3, 4, and 5 star resorts |
| article, you will discover what that alternative is and | | | | around the world, many normally available only as |
| whether it makes sense to you. | | | | timeshares. This is greater than RCI or Interval |
| Normally owning the cheapest vacation property is | | | | International. |
| going to cost you $100,000 plus (show me where!) and | | | | - No large upfront fee in the tens of thousands of |
| easily well over that amount in desirable locations. | | | | dollars like what you would have to pay for a |
| Timeshares overcome this huge outlay by offering | | | | timeshare. (You can actually get in for the price of a |
| you fractional ownership, usually one week out of a | | | | pretty old used car!) |
| year. And instead of paying in the hundreds of | | | | - No annual maintenance fees. |
| thousands of dollars you are paying in the tens of | | | | - Pay for the weeks you use. There is no "Use it or |
| thousands dollars. This is a lot more affordable for | | | | lose it!' |
| people and also much easier to finance (usually by the | | | | - Weekly resort prices for 8 days, 7 nights starting at |
| timeshare developer). But even with the lower upfront | | | | $298. (No, that wasn't a misprint!) Prices range from |
| cost, tens of thousands of dollars is still out of reach of | | | | $298 a week to $799 a week - basically wholesale |
| many families. | | | | prices! |
| Besides the upfront costs, there are further | | | | - Use it for as many weeks in a year as you like. If |
| drawbacks to timeshares. They include: | | | | one year you want 3 weeks and the next year you |
| - Annual maintenance fees (that go up annually!). | | | | want 6 weeks, no problem. |
| - Set week for week vacation and if you don't use it, | | | | - No blackout periods. |
| you lose it. This can be stressful for those who have | | | | - Includes access to cruises for those who enjoy the |
| work related scheduling problems or any of that for | | | | cruising lifestyle and don't like being tied down to one |
| that matter as things can always change due to the | | | | location during their travels. |
| vagaries of life. | | | | - No extra costs and hassle of trading weeks for |
| - If you trade or exchange your vacation week, you | | | | different locations. The reservation system is |
| are limited to the timeshare registry that your | | | | computerized and online. There is also phone customer |
| timeshare belongs to. | | | | support if you prefer to deal over the phone. |
| - Hassles in arranging timeshare trades within the | | | | - Larger accommodations available for families and |
| registry. | | | | groups. Great for family reunions and those guys and |
| - Blackout periods for prime season weeks in the best | | | | ladies groups getaways. Did I hear say someone say |
| resorts (called Gold Crown resorts in RCI's exchange | | | | "Golf Getaway?" |
| pool and Premier in Interval International's exchange | | | | - Suites with full kitchen facilities for those who like to |
| pool). (RCI and Interval International are the two largest | | | | do their own cooking (and also to keep costs down |
| exchange agencies representing over 4,000 and 2,000 | | | | for families). |
| resort properties respectively.) This is such an issue | | | | Hopefully this article gave you a glimpse of what |
| that there are books written to specifically help you | | | | private resort vacation memberships are all about and |
| deal with this issue, "The Timeshare Exchange Bible". | | | | piqued your interest. They have some really great |
| - You are limited to one week or whatever number | | | | features that may fit well with your family's vacation |
| you have purchased. To get additional weeks on a | | | | plans. I hope you take a closer look. |
| year-by-year basis, you will have to pay more. | | | | |