Timeshare "Prizes"

[mwatson011]

A couple months ago, we went to a health fair, filled out tons of entries for tons of gifts, and now I get a phone call that I won 4 "free" airline tickets. Lots of inquiring later, and in writing, here goes:

4 transferrable airline tickets on any major carrier to/from any major city good for 2 years, can be used 2 at a time or all 4 together.

The catch...

1 - I have to go to a timeshare property to pick up my vouchers. At the time I pick up my vouchers, I have to take a timeshare tour (Flagship). No further timeshare tour obligation. No purchase required.

2 - When I am ready to use my airline tickets, I have to book at least 45 days in advance through their travel agency (no fee), but have to stay in one of their designated hotels (anything Flagship owned) for a minimum stay of anywhere from 4-12 nights, depending on destination. Blackout dates apply around holidays.

I am by no means a sucker, but this doesn't seem bad to me.

Has anyone ever done this before?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Yes I have had two cruises I paid the taxes and the port fees. I have another one in october. Some people dont believe it. It doesnt matter to me. I've had two cruises barley costing anything I say it was a vacation well worth my time. It may not be for everyone. But that is IMHO

 

[mwatson011]

Ooh, this is good to know. I think the requirements on the tickets are reasonable, so we will probably do it.

Anyone else with experience?

 

[cmjaffe]

How much are the hotels going to cost you?
Are they going to be rack rate (which nobody pays) or not.
Are the blackout dates and dates you can book agreeable to you, meaning do you have flexibility. Also you might get hounded at the property to check out the timeshares. There's usually a catch and I guess it boils down to how much your time is worth to you.

 

[Cotton's Parrot]

Personally, I wouldn't, but that's because I know how I am and I know how I get when I'm pressured to do something. I'm not sure what it would take for me but I don't think 4 airline tickets are it, especially if I have to stay at their places. I can almost guarantee you that although they tell you there is no more obligation for another timeshare presentation after the initial one, they will hound you and hound you at the next place you stay at. And although they tell you no purchase is required, I can again almost guarantee you it's going to be a typical, high pressure timeshare sales presentation. Been there, done that. If that doesn't bother you, go for it! Might be worth it. For me, I can't handle it any more. It really stresses me out. I deal with enough stress from my job, I don't need it on vacation. I've learned my time and my mental peace are worth more than the "freebies." YMMV.

 

[kbheap]

I have done this before. My dh and I and another couple both did this. DH and I were interested in purchasing a timeshare so we were ok with doing this. DH and I purchased timeshare. The other couple did the required presentation for the free trip. This has been 6 years. They have not had other phone calls, emails, mailings, nothing from this timeshare company pressuring them into anything. They told the presentor up front they were in no financial position to purchase a timeshare and that was it. Their tour was over, they walked away, no pressure. Good luck to you.

 

[pixiewings71]

Every time we've tried for the airline tickets we've never been able to use them...not once....they are just too restricted for us. Make sure you will be able to use them before you go. But we do time share presentations for the "free" gifts all the time...it's not a big deal (for us) and we get some great prizes. Last month we got $100 Disney Dollars to spend.

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally Disney tickets are not good timeshare prizes. They cannot be upgraded. Ergo if your Disney vacation is longer, you have to buy new tickets where the timeshare prize usually knocks no more than five dollars per person per day off of your ticket budget compared with not having/using the timeshare tickets.

When I am ready to use my airline tickets, I have to book at least 45 days in advance through their travel agency (no fee), but have to stay in one of their designated hotels (anything Flagship owned) for a minimum stay of anywhere from 4-12 nights, depending on destination. Blackout dates apply around holidays.

Big disadvantages. One further disadvantage might also apply: You have to make a deposit, refundable when you show up at the destination. If you don't show up or need to make a last minute change, then you forfeit both the deposit and the booked tickets.

 

[Purseval]

Generally Disney tickets are not good timeshare prizes. They cannot be upgraded.

We have not bought anything other than a couple of single-day-single park tickets at WDW since they went to the "Magic Your Way" scam, and how many years ago was that? Yet we go just about every year using timeshare tickets. Most years have been totally free but lately they've switched to the 2-day plus water park option for around $130. Either way not being able to upgrade has never been a problem.

 

[mwatson011]

How much are the hotels going to cost you?
Are they going to be rack rate (which nobody pays) or not.
Are the blackout dates and dates you can book agreeable to you, meaning do you have flexibility. Also you might get hounded at the property to check out the timeshares. There's usually a catch and I guess it boils down to how much your time is worth to you.

Yes, we are able to travel any time of the year, so blackout dates are not an issue. The hotels that participate with the airfare vouchers are not timeshare resorts, they are actual hotels including Holdiay Inn, Ramada, Mariott, etc. so there is no chance of getting hounded to do another timeshare while on our vacation.

 

[mwatson011]

Personally, I wouldn't, but that's because I know how I am and I know how I get when I'm pressured to do something. I'm not sure what it would take for me but I don't think 4 airline tickets are it, especially if I have to stay at their places. I can almost guarantee you that although they tell you there is no more obligation for another timeshare presentation after the initial one, they will hound you and hound you at the next place you stay at. And although they tell you no purchase is required, I can again almost guarantee you it's going to be a typical, high pressure timeshare sales presentation. Been there, done that. If that doesn't bother you, go for it! Might be worth it. For me, I can't handle it any more. It really stresses me out. I deal with enough stress from my job, I don't need it on vacation. I've learned my time and my mental peace are worth more than the "freebies." YMMV.

I will not be on vacation when I go to the timeshare presentation. I just made an appointment and will show up for the tour. It is not far from where I live, and we are making a day of it. They can be as high pressure as they want, really, I think it's funny.

DH and I were talking about our first trip to DW and how we rushed up to the DVC kiosk and ASKED for an appointment, we had no clue! We did learn some things, and I don't think DVC is high pressure at all.

On our last vacation, we rented a timeshare week from a private owner, and voluntarily signed up for a tour for $125 AMEX card. We listened to the whole sales pitch, and told the salesman we would LOVE to purchase a timeshare...in a few years when our children are in school and I am back to work. Just said that since now I am a SAHM, we struggle on one income and it doesn't make financial sense to purchase, but again, we would LOVE to purchase a timeshare. After the salesman's face returned to normal color, he escorted us out and wished us well.

 

[tlbwriter]

2 - When I am ready to use my airline tickets, I have to book at least 45 days in advance through their travel agency (no fee), but have to stay in one of their designated hotels (anything Flagship owned) for a minimum stay of anywhere from 4-12 nights, depending on destination. Blackout dates apply around holidays.

This would concern me. Do you have to pay rack rate for the room? Are there a limited number of rooms available at any one time?