Other timeshares

[DisneyBeach2]

hi
I currently own 135 poly resale points. I was thinking of getting another timeshare non Disney for when I take my daughter on other vacations that aren't to Disney. If you own any others which company? I was looking into Wyndham because I like how it's a point system like Disney. If anyone could give me some advice or tell me about their experiences. Not sure if it would matter where we would be vacationing. Some info about me, it would most likely be just me and my daughter who is currently 3 years old, we might in the future bring some close friends and their kids with us. I would need to be able to use it to go to Hawaii. Hawaii is my favorite vacation place but haven't been to Aulani yet. Would also like to use it out west in the winter to go snowboarding. Thanks in advance for any info

 

[Dean]

hi
I currently own 135 poly resale points. I was thinking of getting another timeshare non Disney for when I take my daughter on other vacations that aren't to Disney. If you own any others which company? I was looking into Wyndham because I like how it's a point system like Disney. If anyone could give me some advice or tell me about their experiences. Not sure if it would matter where we would be vacationing. Some info about me, it would most likely be just me and my daughter who is currently 3 years old, we might in the future bring some close friends and their kids with us. I would need to be able to use it to go to Hawaii. Hawaii is my favorite vacation place but haven't been to Aulani yet. Would also like to use it out west in the winter to go snowboarding. Thanks in advance for any info

IMO one needs a minimum volume and/or frequency to justify owning most timeshares. I'm not sure you'll get there with the situation you've described. You could always rent privately and that may indeed be the best option for a week a year with 2 people. In the past when I've looked at it I judged that one needed a minimum of a 2 BR a year (or equivalent) to justify playing. I like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Bluegreen and Wyndham (inc Worldmark) and there are others I don't know as well. They are all different though. From a value standpoint I like as Bluegreen probably the best for a points system because of it's price and lack of home resort locking but it definitely penalizes the smaller owner and rewards the larger one and they only have one HI option internally but access to a few others indirectly. Wyndham is likely better for HI for a points system, Hilton is worth considering as well. Overall I like Marriott the best due to quality and location but I think they're weeks system is the better choice for most, esp if a full week is what one is looking at. They're trust points are expensive and there isn't much inventory at older resorts.

The reality is that like DVC, getting peak locations during peak times is difficult. So getting prime ski weeks or prime weeks in HI by exchange or on points is going to be tough. When I say tough, think AKV value or VGF studios. While more expensive, it might be better to own something that works for your plans then at least part of the time you don't have to worry about it as much. Maint fees for HI are HIGH so one would need to use Marriott at least EOY to justify the cost, same for a prime ski week. An every other year Ski week and an EOY HI week might be ideal (though expensive) but putting that together might be tough. One likely needs to be willing to buy every year options and rent them out on off years to go with Marriott or other weeks options. Or to find the best compromise for a points system and be willing to rent the highest demand options if/when things don't work out. The good news for Marriott is that other than one of the Kauai resorts which only has 2 BR villas, they do have smaller villa options.

I'd put together a list of places one truly plans to visit the next 10 years or so and the villa size needed then look at the system and see how they match up. Then one can narrow down to 1 or 2 and run some numbers to see how feasible it would be.

 

[Cyberc1978]

I Would look into Hilton also. Hilton has a lot of options for HI. You could buy Hilton in vegas and use the points in HI.

You could buy enough points in the Hilton system to go every year or an EOY contract. Depending of the time of year you wishes to go to HI it might be a though to get the reservation - I'm thinking Christmas and NYE. Other times should be doable if you look at the 9 months mark.

Hilton also has a lot of other options in Orlando, Miami, NYC etc.

Btw I'm an Hilton owner also.

 

[tgropp]

IMO one needs a minimum volume and/or frequency to justify owning most timeshares. I'm not sure you'll get there with the situation you've described. You could always rent privately and that may indeed be the best option for a week a year with 2 people. In the past when I've looked at it I judged that one needed a minimum of a 2 BR a year (or equivalent) to justify playing. I like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Bluegreen and Wyndham (inc Worldmark) and there are others I don't know as well. They are all different though. From a value standpoint I like as Bluegreen probably the best for a points system because of it's price and lack of home resort locking but it definitely penalizes the smaller owner and rewards the larger one and they only have one HI option internally but access to a few others indirectly. Wyndham is likely better for HI for a points system, Hilton is worth considering as well. Overall I like Marriott the best due to quality and location but I think they're weeks system is the better choice for most, esp if a full week is what one is looking at. They're trust points are expensive and there isn't much inventory at older resorts.

The reality is that like DVC, getting peak locations during peak times is difficult. So getting prime ski weeks or prime weeks in HI by exchange or on points is going to be tough. When I say tough, think AKV value or VGF studios. While more expensive, it might be better to own something that works for your plans then at least part of the time you don't have to worry about it as much. Maint fees for HI are HIGH so one would need to use Marriott at least EOY to justify the cost, same for a prime ski week. An every other year Ski week and an EOY HI week might be ideal (though expensive) but putting that together might be tough. One likely needs to be willing to buy every year options and rent them out on off years to go with Marriott or other weeks options. Or to find the best compromise for a points system and be willing to rent the highest demand options if/when things don't work out. The good news for Marriott is that other than one of the Kauai resorts which only has 2 BR villas, they do have smaller villa options.

I'd put together a list of places one truly plans to visit the next 10 years or so and the villa size needed then look at the system and see how they match up. Then one can narrow down to 1 or 2 and run some numbers to see how feasible it would be.

IMO one needs a minimum volume and/or frequency to justify owning most timeshares. I'm not sure you'll get there with the situation you've described. You could always rent privately and that may indeed be the best option for a week a year with 2 people. In the past when I've looked at it I judged that one needed a minimum of a 2 BR a year (or equivalent) to justify playing. I like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Bluegreen and Wyndham (inc Worldmark) and there are others I don't know as well. They are all different though. From a value standpoint I like as Bluegreen probably the best for a points system because of it's price and lack of home resort locking but it definitely penalizes the smaller owner and rewards the larger one and they only have one HI option internally but access to a few others indirectly. Wyndham is likely better for HI for a points system, Hilton is worth considering as well. Overall I like Marriott the best due to quality and location but I think they're weeks system is the better choice for most, esp if a full week is what one is looking at. They're trust points are expensive and there isn't much inventory at older resorts.

The reality is that like DVC, getting peak locations during peak times is difficult. So getting prime ski weeks or prime weeks in HI by exchange or on points is going to be tough. When I say tough, think AKV value or VGF studios. While more expensive, it might be better to own something that works for your plans then at least part of the time you don't have to worry about it as much. Maint fees for HI are HIGH so one would need to use Marriott at least EOY to justify the cost, same for a prime ski week. An every other year Ski week and an EOY HI week might be ideal (though expensive) but putting that together might be tough. One likely needs to be willing to buy every year options and rent them out on off years to go with Marriott or other weeks options. Or to find the best compromise for a points system and be willing to rent the highest demand options if/when things don't work out. The good news for Marriott is that other than one of the Kauai resorts which only has 2 BR villas, they do have smaller villa options.

I'd put together a list of places one truly plans to visit the next 10 years or so and the villa size needed then look at the system and see how they match up. Then one can narrow down to 1 or 2 and run some numbers to see how feasible it would be.

Dean, you always give such wise advice. I remember asking you for advice before I purchased a Marriott TS. Your advice is always appreciated!

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm a very happy Wyndham owner, but...

Would also like to use it out west in the winter to go snowboarding.

If you are thinking of mostly west coast trips for the lower 48, World Mark might be a better fit. Typically a bit higher to buy in than Wyndham, but lower annual costs for comparably-sized rooms. Wyndham's mountain inventory has gotten better with Steamboat Springs, but WorldMark might have more options.

 

[Dean]

Dean, you always give such wise advice. I remember asking you for advice before I purchased a Marriott TS. Your advice is always appreciated!

Thank you for the kind words, it's helping each other than makes timesharing special IMO.

 

[MrInfinity]

hi
I currently own 135 poly resale points. I was thinking of getting another timeshare non Disney for when I take my daughter on other vacations that aren't to Disney. If you own any others which company? I was looking into Wyndham because I like how it's a point system like Disney. If anyone could give me some advice or tell me about their experiences. Not sure if it would matter where we would be vacationing. Some info about me, it would most likely be just me and my daughter who is currently 3 years old, we might in the future bring some close friends and their kids with us. I would need to be able to use it to go to Hawaii. Hawaii is my favorite vacation place but haven't been to Aulani yet. Would also like to use it out west in the winter to go snowboarding. Thanks in advance for any info

I'm thinking no way. You don't even know where you want to go and you're thinking about buying timeshares to go there more often? Timeshares offer a decent long-term savings by being repetitive and predictable - not flexible and accommodating. Since you don't know where or how often you'll want to go to any specific place, I would wait 5-10 years and revisit. Travel first. If you find something you love so much that you want to repeat it regularly, consider a timeshare.

 

[LAX]

Not trying to derail the topic of this thread, but can someone provide info on where I can find brokers/rental agencies that handle rentals of other timeshares (kind of like David's for DVC)? I think I will be okay with DVC for a while although I do like vacationing at other places besides WDW, DLR, & AUL. Thanks.

LAX

 

[Dean]

Not trying to derail the topic of this thread, but can someone provide info on where I can find brokers/rental agencies that handle rentals of other timeshares (kind of like David's for DVC)? I think I will be okay with DVC for a while although I do like vacationing at other places besides WDW, DLR, & AUL. Thanks.

LAX

I'm not aware of one that's as formal as David's for other timeshares. There's ebay, redweeks, TUG, craigslist. There are a ton of email lists and groups that allow or who's purpose is to post rentals/sales. There's VRBO & airbnb. RCI, II and other smaller exchange companies also rent at times. Each company has their own rental options (Bluegreen, Marriott, Wyndham, etc). There are vacation rental companies that rent condo's, homes and sometimes do timeshares. I've rented mine through a couple for non DVC though it was because they responded to my ad. Timesharing today has ads. I'm sure there are others as well.

Personally I get a much better value from non non DVC timeshares than my DVC. I'm of the opinion that for those looking at any real volume of both type options, owning non DVC timeshares and paying cash for DVC when necessary is the better deal if only owning one or the other makes sense. That's definitely true if looking at DVC to exchange out.

 

[bwvBound]

hi
I currently own 135 poly resale points. I was thinking of getting another timeshare non Disney for when I take my daughter on other vacations that aren't to Disney. If you own any others which company? I was looking into Wyndham because I like how it's a point system like Disney. If anyone could give me some advice or tell me about their experiences. Not sure if it would matter where we would be vacationing. Some info about me, it would most likely be just me and my daughter who is currently 3 years old, we might in the future bring some close friends and their kids with us. I would need to be able to use it to go to Hawaii. Hawaii is my favorite vacation place but haven't been to Aulani yet. Would also like to use it out west in the winter to go snowboarding. Thanks in advance for any info

We've owned Worldmark (WM), mentioned by Brian, above, for almost 17 years and DVC for almost 13 years. We love our WM!

Similar to DVC, WM offers many property locations (more than 70?); the ability to freely choose between different unit types (studio through 4BR Presidential units at some properties); the ability to check-in on any day of the week; and points per stay vary based on season and unit size.

Some of the notable differences between the two products, off the top of my head:

• No "home resort." Thus no "home resort advantage" booking window; annual dues are based on a composite of the entire resort system.
• Annual Dues are priced in "tiers" rather than a flat rate per point. Everyone within a given tier pays the same flat rate.
• WM requires minimum of 7-night reservation when booking "high season" stays beyond 10 months out. Inside 10 months, you may book single night stays except for a 2-night rule for certain weekend reservations.
• WM trades with both RCI and II -- at the owner's choice and owner's cost. (WM uses individual exchange company memberships rather than a single, corporate membership.)
• I think WM's rooms are generally larger than most DVC units. WM also offers a greater variety of unit types including Penthouse and Presidential unit types; 4BR units; Chalets; and 'hotel' units depending on the specific property.
• I find WM's banking and borrowing policies to be easier to use than DVC's.
• Many of WM's locations charge TOT (occupancy taxes; similar to Aulani's tax).
• Housekeeping is not fully included with the WM dues. This is tricky to understand -- but assume that every WM stay is subject to a Housekeeping charge. WM owners receive a number of "free housekeeping" tokens each year; the exact number of tokens received is based on the number of WM points owned. Each reservation you book will consume a single housekeeping token. If/when you run out of tokens, you will pay a charge based on the size of the unit.
• WM offers many ways to book reservations. Sure, you can book using your points ... or pay cash rates that are close to dues: Bonus Time (the lowest cash rate but only for near-term reservations; cash rate includes Housekeeping); Inventory Specials (1-3 months out; cash rate includes housekeeping); Weekly advertised specials (booked up to 11 months out; cash rate includes housekeeping); etc.

If the locations are "right up your alley" -- WM is a good system. Similar to DVC, own it to use!

 

[Brian Noble]

can someone provide info on where I can find brokers/rental agencies that handle rentals of other timeshares

There are some for Wyndham owners, but they will generally only work with Platinum VIP owners who can get reservations at a discount w/in 60 days. But, to get to Platinum VIP, you have to spend way too much money buying direct vs. resale, and that money will not be repaid in rental revenue.

 

[carlbarry]

You can get Wyndham timeshares for very little, or even nothing. Just be aware that Wyndham does not work like Disney, because Wyndham will nickel and dime you to death:
1. Every time you make a reservation, or change a reservation, it is a "transaction." Once you exceed the number of free ones you get based on your points ownership, they charge. For example, if you make a reservation, that's one transaction. Call two days later to modify it, another transaction. Call two days later to make another reservation, another transaction.
2. They have housekeeping points, which are issued based on how many points you have. You are charged for a week's points whether you stay one week or one day. So if you take 3 separate 3 night vacations, you will be charged 3 weeks housekeeping points. How many points charged are also based on the size of the unit--studio, one bedroom, etc.
3. You must bank your points BEFORE they are issued. So for example, my points are issued January 1. I must bank before January 1. And there is a fee of $35. Up side is, you get an additional two years.
4. Due to the increase in points required, and huge fee, I find RCI trades to be uneconomical. I was also just told by a friend who routinely puts his points into RCI that he was "charged" 45 points also. I don't know if that is accurate. Upside of RCI is that they often have sales; so for $250 you can get a 7 night stay in some real nice places.
5. Besides the maintenance fee, there is an additional annual charge of $125 (I believe is the amount) no matter how many points you own. (Dean pointed this out to me on a different thread.)

 

[LAX]

There are some for Wyndham owners, but they will generally only work with Platinum VIP owners who can get reservations at a discount w/in 60 days. But, to get to Platinum VIP, you have to spend way too much money buying direct vs. resale, and that money will not be repaid in rental revenue.

I am looking to rent timeshares in other systems on vacation destinations not served by DVC.

LAX

 

[Dean]

I am looking to rent timeshares in other systems on vacation destinations not served by DVC.

LAX

I wouldn't limit to one option but find a few you are comfortable with. The best long term option is to find someone who you are comfortable with that can serve many of your needs. Just realize that you'll need to plan more and further ahead than for Disney/DVC. There are Wyndham and Bluegreen email lists where short notice rentals are a great deal, I'm sure there are many others I am unaware of. In general I'd decide what/where you want then see what's in the area. If there are top timeshare such as Marriott, then I'd concentrate on those but look at VRBO to compare.

 

[Brian Noble]

ust be aware that Wyndham does not work like Disney, because Wyndham will nickel and dime you to death:

With even modest planning, it is possible to avoid nearly all of these. About the only one I routinely pay is the banking fee.

 

[Dean]

With even modest planning, it is possible to avoid nearly all of these. About the only one I routinely pay is the banking fee.

And DVC charges for all of those things, it's just rolled into the total. Once you get to a 2 BR a year the others are cheaper than DVC yearly and they are all cheaper to much cheaper up front.

 

[carlbarry]

With even modest planning, it is possible to avoid nearly all of these. About the only one I routinely pay is the banking fee.

True. But I have very few points--49,000. So if I take 2 vacations a year, I'm hit with paying for housekeeping points when I want to bank my points, because I borrowed housekeeping from my next year. And they won't let you bank your regular points without the concomitant housekeeping points!
When I bought in, Wyndham allowed owners to transfer housekeeping points to other owners for free. They eliminated that, as well as regular point transfers.