The Offer

I just received the following offer from IHG and Holiday Inn Club Vacations via my e-mail.  It appears that this is a general offer for anyone to accept as it brings me to a standard webpage below. 

4 days and 3 nights of family memories in Orlando or Myrtle Beach can be yours for only $199. Whether you’re looking to give the kids thrills at world-famous theme parks, or miles of coastal adventure––it’s your choice with this member-exclusive opportunity. 

You’ll earn 10,000 IHG® Rewards Club points and an extra 10,000 points when you book by June 11, 2018. This special offer only lasts until June 28, 2018. 

Myrtle Beach or Orlando—find your family’s new favorite spot. Call (888) 392-9135 to request your reservation today.

Income Qualifications

In another thread, there was some inquiries on the income qualifications to attend to these timeshare offers.  According to the fine print of this offer, you must be 23 years old, have income of at least $50,000 and be credit worthy.  Here are the full details:

Thoughts on this Offer

If you read the specific details of the offer, they are offering you 3 nights in either a Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Florida or the Holiday Inn at Surfside in Myrtle Beach. 

However, they want to sell you a timeshare at Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort. 

I have discussed these Holiday Inn offers before but I absolutely despise it when these offers come out and they want to sell you on a specific property but do not even allow you to spend a few days on the property that they want to sell you on to get a feel for the property.  If you are actually considering a timeshare purchase at a specific resort, I think that you should at least be able to stay at the property that they are attempting to sell you on.

Prices

Buried deep in the terms and conditions are the potential range of prices.  The prices of these timeshares range from $4,995 to $151,390.  

That is quite the range so I would be interested to see the difference between the $5,000 and the $150,000 timeshare. 

IHG Points

In connection with this offer, they are also giving you 10,000 IHG Rewards Club Points.  As I have stated many times before, I am a huge fan of points (hotels, airlines, credit cards, etc) and think that they are a great way to travel for significantly less than the retail cost and work extremely well in connection with timeshares.  

10,000 IHG Reward Club Points will not get you very far.  They do have some properties that can be reserved for as little as 10,000 IHG points per night so this could be an additional free night but the quality of these hotels is not the best. 

For the higher tier properties such as the Kimpton brand and Intercontinental, expect to need 60,000 to 90,000 IHG Reward Club Points PER NIGHT. 

According to The Points Guy, these points are worth approximately .6 cents per point meaning that the 10,000 points is worth about $60.  I think that this is a good ball park figure as a free night in the lowest quality hotels is probably worth about $60.

Conclusion

I have not spent a lot of time reviewing or looking into the Holiday Inn Club Vacation program.  It is something that I need to do but hasn't been high on my radar.  While the IHG hotel program as some very fine hotels, Holiday Inn resorts are generally not top tier properties.  I have eyed visiting a couple of their resorts but have not done so as I tend want to exchange into the highest quality timeshares possible in order to maximize my timeshare ownership.  

For this particular offer, it really upsets me that they cannot even offer to put you up at the timeshare that they are attempting to sell.  It is not that enticing to me to put me up in a Holiday Inn property and have to shuttle me over to the property to review it.  The 10,000 IHG Reward Club Points, while nice, are not that valuable and you need to have a lot more available to you to really get some fantastic value and experience some top tier hotels. 

However, with all that being said, $199 for a 3 night vacation in Orlando or Myrtle Beach is definitely a deal especially during the summer months.  If you do not have something already planned, this could be a good option for a cheap long weekend trip. 

What are your thoughts on this offer?  Is is worth it for 2 hours of your time? 
  

Navigating a timeshare purchase on the resale market can be tricky.  Prices are not very transparent and there are plenty of timeshare sellers but there are definitely some that you should stay away from due to potential scams or lower quality expertise that may leave you with a purchase or bills that you didn't expect. 

I keep promising a full timeshare resale guide and it is in the works but time has been difficult to obtain for the past few weeks but it will be here soon. 

If you have read this blog before, you know that I recently purchased a second Hyatt Residence Club timeshare week. 

I purchased a resale week since I predominately use my Hyatt Residence Club points for transferring to Interval International.  I went through the various ins and outs of my purchase but a reader sent me a question inquiring about the potential restrictions on resale purchases. 

If you have been to a timeshare presentation before, the salespeople tend to avoid any questions concerning resale and attempt to change the topic when these items come up.  The price discrepancy between buying from the developer and buying resale is massive with potential savings of greater than 90% off developer pricing when buying resale. 

Timeshare developers know this so they do a couple of things to persuade people to avoid purchasing resale. 

Unknown Bills

When you purchase a resale timeshare, there could be past due maintenance fees, a loan associated with the week or pending special assessments. If you do know adequately inquire with the timeshare developer or main timeshare program, you could get stuck purchasing a week with a hefty amount of debt.  This is why you NEED to obtain an estoppel certificate.  You can read about it here. 

Restrictions 

The other major item that timeshare developers due to resale owners is create additional restrictions on the use of the timeshare.  Vistana (Starwood brands) has some of the worst timeshare resale restrictions.  If you purchase resale on the vast majority of their timeshare properties, you CANNOT trade internally with other Vistana timeshares.  There are a few timeshares properties that DO come with this ability but this is a significant restriction that you need to be aware of before purchasing a Vistana timeshare on the resale market.  Here is an overview of that program which details some of these items. 

Hyatt Resale Restrictions

To finally get to the point of this post, I wanted to explain the resale restrictions that the Hyatt Residence Club implements to encourage you to purchase directly from the developer.  For owners who purchase directly from the Hyatt Residence Club, you can exchange your week into World of Hyatt points where you can use those World of Hyatt points at various hotel properties throughout the world.  Here are some details on how that aspect of the program works. 

If you purchase resale, YOU DO NOT GET THAT ABILITY.  The Hyatt Residence Club blocks resale owners from participating in that program and you cannot exchange your Hyatt Residence Club week or points into World of Hyatt points.   You can only use your points to exchange internally to other Hyatt Residence Club properties or exchange through Interval International.

Additional Resale Restrictions on the Hyatt Residence Club

The inability to exchange into World of Hyatt points was the single restriction that the Hyatt Residence Club implemented for resale purchase for a long time.  Resale owners still had the ability to exchange into other Hyatt properties at the same rates as developer sold weeks and had the same reservation Windows as developer sold weeks.  Essentially, the only difference between a resale owner and a developer owner was the inability to exchange into World of Hyatt points.  All other aspects of the program worked exactly the same. 

The New Hyatt Portfolio Program

As you may know, Hyatt has recently rolled out a new program called the Hyatt Portfolio program.  The program is different in that instead of owning a week which has a set amount of points allocated to that week, you purchase points.  The more points you purchase equates into various different levels of ownership which provides better reservation windows or points banking capabilities.  The details of the new program are here. 

The issue with the new program is that the points, while being able to be resold, are subject to a right of first refusal (like the legacy weeks).  However, I have been told but I have not confirmed this, that the points are subject to a set repurchase amount by Hyatt.  In that case, Hyatt would be able to repurchase these points at a set price (likely a tremendous discount to the original purchase price) which would prevent the ability for a secondary market to develop since Hyatt would likely just scoop up the cheap points and resell them for top dollars. 

Conclusion

In a long winded answer, the only restriction on purchasing a legacy Hyatt Residence Club timeshare week on the resale market is the inability to exchange into World of Hyatt points.  Thats it!  Everything else is exactly the same.  

In my opinion, saving thousands of dollars makes this restriction completely bearable and in all honesty, the exchange rate for converting into World of Hyatt points is generally poor where even if I could exchange my weeks into World of Hyatt points, I WOULD NEVER DO SO. 

The issue with many timeshares is that the rules change and evolve so there is always the risk that new restrictions can be implemented on resale purchases.  All timeshares track this item so they will always know where you purchased it and how much you paid.  

Existing timeshare owners are the easiest demographic to market the purchase of additional timeshare weeks or points so the big timeshare companies generally do not want to impose harsh restrictions on resale owners but they do want to impose some meaningful restrictions which can allow them to market owners the ability to purchase additional weeks directly from the developer and remarkably remove these "restriction". 

There have been plenty of timeshare presentations where I have been given the opportunity to remove my resale designation IF I purchase another week directly from the developer.  I have not been persuaded to do so as the inability to convert to World of Hyatt points is not significant enough for me to want to spend tens of thousands of more dollars for a developer week. 

What do you think of this restriction?  Would this prevent you from buying a timeshare on the resale market? 

Message from The Timeshare Guru:  Harper Reid has graciously agreed to write this post on Samoa's best spas.  In case you are wondering where Samoa is, it is a small group of islands in the South Pacific.  I have not had the pleasure to visit these islands but they look spectacular.  I have said this before but I cannot be an expert on everything so if anyone has some knowledge that they would like to share, please reach out to me and I would be glad to post it!  Thank you again to Harper Reid for this information. Please make sure to check out her webpage here:

If you’re planning a trip to Samoa– and if you really want to make the most of that white-sand, no-distractions beach holiday – then it’s a sure bet that you’ll want to be clued up on the spa experiences that the country’s islands have to offer. Luckily for you, Samoa’s ever-increasing repute as the leading tourist hotspot in the South Pacific has sparked a proliferation of high-quality spa resorts and hotels, meaning that you’ll suffer no shortage of indulgent relaxation options during your time in the region. Whether you’re after a classic massage, a hydrating facial, a polished manicure, or any other treatment for mind and body, we’ve compiled a list of the spas that will best cater to your needs.
 
Le Lagoto Resort and Spa

On Samoa’s biggest island, Savai'i, you’ll find the Le Lagoto Resort & Spa. A veritable paradise for those wanting a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life, Le Lagoto is located on the edge of the water, offering only a small number of bungalows to its lucky customers. When you’re not chilling out by the seaside or in your secluded room, you’ll be keen to stroll over to the Sunset Spa, an open-walled bungalow where you can book in anything from an hour-long massage to a soothing sunburn treatment (perfect for if you’ve spent a little too long under the scorching Pacific sun). With an excellent customer reputation, Le Lagoto has certainly earned its status as one of the best spas in Samoa.
 
Taumeasina Island Resort

Staying in Apia, Samoa’s vibrant capital? Then Taumeasina Island Resort will be your first port-of-call for the best of Samoan beauty and spa treatments. Boasting accommodation, dining, and fitness facilities alongside its spa services, the Taumeasina extends a holistic relaxation experience to all of its clients. Better yet, the Fofo Spa and Sauna uses locally-sourced Samoan cosmetics brand, Thalgo, and lists a competitively-priced selection of day spa options to get you glowing from the inside out.
 
Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort

Just five minutes’ drive from the international Faleolo Airport on Upolu, the Sheraton requires little introduction. Another waters-edge resort, the Sheraton’s serene island spahas a long history of excellence, and with its picturesque views, multiple pools, and the best spa therapy with which to tempt worn-out parents, it’s especially worth staying at if you’ve got younger children. Take the family and spend an extended vacation at the Sheraton – we know you won’t regret it.
 
Return to Paradise Resort and Spa

Samoan-owned boutique resort Return to Paradise rarely receives anything but sterling reviews from its innumerable happy customers. Many say it’s worth visiting just for the view, but luckily Return to Paradise has the spa and beauty expertise to match. Their SPAradise day spa offering is, by some reports, the best massage in the South Pacific. Based on the fofo techniques ancient to Samoa, Return to Paradise’s masseuses know what they’re doing, and manage to soothe even the tensest bodies and minds.
 
Sinalai Reef Resort

Last but by no means least, the Sinalai Reef Resort is so named for its beachside location in Si’umu. The Sinalai’s water-front spa is truly the stuff of dreams, with leafy palm trees and clear waters forming a blissful frame to your spa experience. Their large selection of natural oils is sure to make your massage a fragrant and relaxing one. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the Sinalai’s clients to fall asleep mid-treatment. Listen to the waves lap underneath you as all of your tensions are dispelled by experienced spa and beauty workers – you won’t regret it.
 
If you’re after a luxury tropical getaway to Samoa but spa treatments aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of great accommodation near central Apia to choose from. Most include swimming pools, fitness centres, and their own restaurants serving both Samoan delicacies and international favourites. 
 
Harper Reid is a freelance writer from Auckland, New Zealand who is passionate about travel and adventure. When she's not writing, she spends her weekend on the beach with friends or going on impromptu road trips. Find more of her work here.
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After much rumor and speculation, the deal terms are official.  I discussed the potential rumor many months ago here and apparently got it partially right and partially wrong. 

Instead of ILG acquiring Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott Vacation Club will be acquiring ILG.   As the the title states, the total acquisition price is $4.7 Billion with a capital B. 

It constantly amazes me that the timeshare industry is a gigantic as it is with the vast majority of the population thinking that timeshares are either a scam, ripoff or some type of pyramid scheme. 

I say it over and over that the timeshare industry and systems have many negatives but once you learn the systems, implement various strategies and learn how to maximize ownership, timeshare ownership can be extremely economical and open up tons of destinations that are simply unattainable for most people, even those with hotel points.

Apparently, I am not the only one that feels like this as the industry is truly massive.  Most owners actually love their timeshares despite the negative perception of timeshares.  

This acquisition is not necessary a complete surprise as the rumors have been swirling for months but it is obviously very significant for the industry. 

Now, under one company, the timeshare brands of Marriott Vacation Club, Hyatt Residence Club, and Vistana Signature Experiences (Westin and Sheraton timeshares) will all reside along with the major timeshare exchange company Interval International and its smaller brand, Ashton.

According to the press release, the combined company will have 100 resort properties and 650,000 owners.  

What Does this Mean for Owners?  

The acquisition does transform the timeshare landscape and theoretically lessens the competition.  The biggest compensation now is Wyndham who owns RCI, the other largest vacation exchange company, and Club Wyndham, the largest timeshare company.

I truthfully have no idea whether there will be any practical effects to this acquisition. It has the potentially to complete transform the market.  However, previous large acquisitions have shown that not much will change. 

Interval Leisure Group, the parent of ILG, has acquired many timeshare brands over the years.  They have acquired the Hyatt Residence Club as well of the Vistana Signature Experiences.  Both of these brands still operate completely independently of one another.  They are sold separately, have separate systems and from the outside point of view, are completely unrelated to one another despite being owned by the same company. 

Marriott Vacation Club may have other ideas up its sleeve but it is entirely possible that all of these timeshare brands will continue to operate independently with no difference to the end consumer.  If you want to purchase a Marriott timeshare, you purchase with Marriott whereas if you want to purchase a Hyatt timeshare, you purchase with Hyatt.  The fact that they are now owned by the same company will likely be immaterial. 

What I Would Love to See!

As I stated before, I generally prefer Interval International over RCI solely due to the quality of resorts that are available through Interval as opposed to RCI.  RCI does have some very nice resorts but they do not have access to Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton or Westin, some of the nicest timeshare properties. 

Now, with all of these high quality resorts under one company, I would love to see them offer a combined timeshare program that offers all of these brands.  Instead of owners having to choose what brand to purchase and learn the various systems, I would love to see an Interval International product that offers some type of points systems that gives you access to all of these resorts AND gives you the ability to convert those points into World of Hyatt points or the newly announced Marriott Rewards Program. 

Unfortunately, I do not view my ideal program as becoming a reality but rather view all of these programs continuing to operate independently with cost savings coming from reduced administrative items from both companies and lower financing costs for new projects due to the large size of the combined company. 

However, I sure hope to be wrong. 

Conclusion

The timeshare industry continues to evolve and for better or worse, continues to change.  This acquisition definitely has the potential to change the entire landscape of timeshare offerings and has the potential to create a truly revolutionary product that could potentially erase the negative perceptions of timeshares.  

While there is that potential, the timeshare industry continues to make tons of money through its existing sales tactics and despite being consumer unfriendly, still seems to work.  As long as it continues to work, change will happen slowly.  Once the system becomes officially broken, change happens quickly. 

As I stated before, my goal is to provide a fantastic educational resource for timeshare owners and to-be owners.  The timeshare system has its issues and timeshare ownership is NOT for everyone but as the industry continues to evolve, it becomes more mainstream which has the potential to be available to more and more people.  

This acquisition is interesting but it remains seen if this will change anything in the industry or whether this is simply a behinds the seen acquisition that will fade away with the existing brands remaining in the forefront of the consumers.

What do you think of this acquisition?  In an ideal world, what would you like to see occur with this combined company? Make sure to leave your comments below!

My wife and I are currently in Peru and are thoroughly enjoying the sites, culture and food.  The photo above was taken by me at Macchu Picchu.  Macchu Picchu was absolutely spectacular. More details to follow on this trip!

It should be obvious but we love traveling and do as much as we can.  The language barrier can be difficult at times but we always manage to get by.  Google Translate has been around for a while and it has always helped with translating from various languages back to English.  It generally has helped with translating various words or phrases and is a remarkable tool. 

I may be late to the game but I just discovered an absolutely amazing feature of Google Translate that I had to share with everyone. 

Most travelers who end up traveling in places where their native language is not spoken can generally get by but the one area that can be a challenge is ordering food.  When you receive a menu in a foreign language, you try to make out bits and pieces of it in order to decide what to order. 

We stayed in Aqua Calientes which is the town at the base of Macchu Picchu.  Here is the menu of a restaurant that we ate at. 

My Spanish is not great and while I can understand bits and pieces, there are always words or phrases that I can not decipher. 

I noticed that Google Translate has a camera icon and when I pressed it, it went to the camera section of my phone.  When I pointed my camera at the menu above, here is what appeared. 

UNBELIEVABLE!!

Google Translate can literally translate signage, menus or other text from almost any language back into English INSTANTANEOUSLY.  When I pointed my camera at the menu, it translated the menu instantaneously. No loading or waiting or anything.  The words literally changed in my camera view. 

I thought that this was absolutely incredible as it immediately translating the text on the page into English. 

As you can see, the interpretation is a bit fuzzy and it is not entirely correct but it is very close or at least close enough to understand the menu item. 

This is an incredible tool that should definitely be on your phone!  It is completely free and has the ability to make your travels extremely easy when you are in foreign country where you do not speak their language. 

Although incredibly cool, I have to say that I was a little disappointed in finding this tool as struggling with the language is a challenge that I tend to enjoy.  However, knowing that I can decipher any language in a blink of an eye is very reassuring to make traveling as easy as possible.

Do you use Google Translate?  Did you know about this incredible functionality?  Leave your comments below!

When you go to book various RCI resorts, there is a clickable link for some resorts reading "Urgent Information". 
​

You should ALWAYS click that link before you book.  Many times, there will be important information concerning the resort such as mandatory inclusive fees, additional fees for various services or policy restrictions such as the "1 in 4 rule". 

For example, in my previous post, I explained how I stayed at the Breeze Residence Club in Guanacaste Costa Rica. 

This particular resort abides by the 1 in 4 rule and has additional information that you need to review before you book.  When you click on "Urgent Information", this is what shows up. 

As you can see, in addition to the fee, there is a mandatory beach club fee of $70 per person as well as a charge for the Gym.  This is not insignificant. 

What is the 1 in 4 rule? 

In addition to other important information, the Urgent Information disclosed whether the resort restricts members from trading or purchasing getaways.  1 in 4 rule is stating that a member may only book that particular resort one time in four years.  You cannot reserve the particular resort more often than that.  

I personally have not tried to reserve resorts that have this 1 in 4 rule more often than once every four years but the stated position is that they can cancel your reservation if you do not abide by this restriction. 

Conclusion:

Timeshares can be tricky and there can be tons of additional fees added to the cost of reserving a week.  You NEED to review the "Urgent Information" before you book so that you can understand these fees and determine if it is still economically feasible.  

Many times, it does not make sense to book all inclusive timeshares through RCI or Interval International since the added fees are extremely expensive.  It can actually make more economic sense to book directly with these resorts. 

The 1 in 4 rule is an important rule to review.  The last thing that you want to happen is that RCI unilaterally cancels your reservation after flights or other plans are made that may not be changeable. 

I personally dislike the 1 in 4 rule a lot.  Interval International does not have a similar restriction.  If they did, my view on timeshares could actually change.  It is hard enough to find great resorts to trade into and with the 1 in 4 policy, it becomes even harder to obtain quality resorts year after year.  

​What do you think of the 1 in 4 rule? 

Its not everyday that The Timeshare Guru gets recognized but I was just informed that The Timeshare Guru has been recognized as one of the top 30 timeshare blogs to follow in 2018!

Not only were we recognized, but we were placed in spot number 5!  

According to Feedspot, here is criteria that were used to create these rankings. 

The Best Timeshare Blogs from thousands of Timeshare blogs in our index using search and social metrics. We’ve carefully selected these websites because they are actively working to educate, inspire, and empower their readers with frequent updates and high-quality information.

These blogs are ranked based on following criteria

• Google reputation and Google search ranking
• Influence and popularity on Facebook, twitter and other social media sites
• Quality and consistency of posts.
• Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review

Top 30 Timeshare Blogs Winners

CONGRATULATIONS to every blogger that has made this Top Timeshare Blogs list! This is the most comprehensive list of best Timeshare blogs on the internet and I’m honoured to have you as part of this! I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world.

Note from The Timeshare Guru:

I started The Timeshare Guru because I wanted to try to change people's perception of timeshares.  There are a lot of negative information about timeshares and while many of them are true, there are ways to own timeshares and use timeshares to get tremendous value.  

The timeshare systems are complicated, the rules change and availability is sparse for highly desirable weeks.  However, there are many strategies that you can use to get the highly coveted weeks.  Make sure to read some of my posts so that you can maximize timeshare ownership!

Again, thank you to Feedspot for featuring our site!   I'm glad that people are finding this site useful.  We are growing but definitely need help in getting our site to the masses.  Please make sure to share the site with your friends and subscribe to the website below!

In my previous post, I explained what specific timeshares that I own and disclosed that I recently completed a resale purchase of a second timeshare at Hyatt Beach House in Key West, Florida. 

I now own two weeks at the Hyatt Beach House.  It seems strange to say that considering that I have never been to the Hyatt Beach House, have no tremendous desire to go, and did not actually target the Hyatt Beach House to purchase.  

As explained in my previous post on my personal timeshare strategy, I bought a second timeshare because we travel a lot and I get tremendous value out of my original Hyatt timeshare week.  

Since Hyatt's legacy program (they have switched to an all points systems called the Hyatt Portfolio program) is a hybrid system where you can use your week or exchange into points, I found that using points to exchange through Interval International can provide enormous value.  As a result, I did want another Hyatt week but my only worry was the amount of points associated with that week and the amount of annual maintenance fees.  With the legacy program being phased out, I wanted to get another legacy week before they became scarce.  

The new Hyatt Portfolio Program has some perks but the offered price is extremely expensive.  Since it is now a points system, resales point purchases will likely be very rare to find, especially at discounted prices.  With this is mind, I do think that it is a great time to purchase a legacy Hyatt week. 
​
Out of coincidence, I ended up with another Hyatt Beach House week.  So far, my strategy has panned out and have some great trips already planned for 2019 and even 2020 with a bunch of requests pending. 

While I am working on a complete guide to purchase a resale timeshare (I know that it is way overdue), I thought that I would provide you with the time table of what transpired with my purchase of my Hyatt week.   As discussed, I ended up purchasing this unit through Sumday Vacations who used Greatway Services for their closings.  

Time Table:

8/17/17:  Payment was received
8/24/17:  Title information received
8/31/17:  Documents were signed
9/18/17:  Closing documents for GreatWay sent
9/25/17:  Closing documents for GreatWay signed
10/12/17:   Received Power of Attorney for GreatWay
10/19/17:  Right of First Refusal sent to Hyatt
11/9/17:  Right of First Refusal decision from Hyatt, (ROFR did not apply)
11/22/17   Deed was sent to the County for Recording
12/20/17:  Received recorded deed
12/22/17:  Deed sent to Hyatt for the transfer of ownership.
Mid January:  Access to Hyatt Residence Club website with the ability to make reservations. 

My Thoughts:

As you can see from the times listed above, it took over 4 months for the purchase and transfer to go through.  This was a long time.  I have purchased resale timeshares before and this was longer than normal.  However, in Sumday Vacation's defense, part of this delay was due to me. 

During the purchase transaction, Hurricane Irma came through Florida and almost had a direct hit on Key West, directly where my new potential timeshare was located.  Obviously, I was concerned with going through the purchase if (i) the resort was not going to actually be there and (ii) if the resort got extremely damaged which would result in either a special assessment (one time charge for extraordinary damage) or a significant increase in maintenance fees.  

I was prepared to go through with the purchase ONLY if the previous owner would be responsible for any special assessments that were issued while they still owned the timeshare.  I inquired about this issue and it took some various communications with the parties to determine how this would be handled.  

Essentially, it was agreed that any assessments before January 1, 2018 would be the previous owners responsibility and anything thereafter would be mine.  

I was definitely concerned about this but did reach out to the Hyatt Residence Club directly and the resort.  While the resort did close for a month or so, the damage was fairly minimal and they did not anticipate any major renovations.  With that confirmation, I went forward with the purchase understanding the potential risks. 

Conclusion:

The time table for this particular timeshare resale purchase was longer than normal but I would expect that a typical timeshare resale purchase should take about 60 days.  For Hyatt purchases, they have the Right of First Refusal which takes approximately 30 days and the other documents and processes should only take a few weeks. 

How long have your timeshare purchases taken?

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As I have explained in multiple posts, there are various timeshare strategies that you an implement in order to maximize timeshare ownership. 

One strategy that I implement most often is using my timeshare to exchange through the exchange companies.  The two largest and most well known timeshare exchange companies are RCI and Interval International.  

RCI and Interval International are competitors as they provide similar services.  Most, if not all timeshares, are generally affiliated with either one of these companies as they provide the mechanism for timeshare owners to exchange into other timeshares around the world. 

Before you purchase a timeshare, you NEED to know what exchange company that particular timeshare is affiliated with.  The importance of this is that you will want to know what other timeshare brands you can exchange into and what timeshare brands you will not be able to exchange into. 

For this post, I wanted to show readers the major timeshare brands and their associated affiliation.  

Here are the major timeshare brands and their associated affiliation:

RCI

Hilton Grand Vacation Club
Wyndham Vacation Ownership
Welk Resorts
Disney Vacation Club
Bluegreen Resort Vacations
Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Interval International

Marriott Vacation Club
Vistana Signature Experiences (Starwood Brands)
Four Seasons Residence Club
Shell Vacations Club
Welk Resorts
Diamond Resorts International
Hyatt Residence Club

Welk Resorts:  As you can see, I have listed Welk Resorts as being affiliated with both RCI and Interval International.  Welk Resorts just changed affiliation and is now affiliated with RCI.  However, it appears that Interval International still has some inventory so you can still reserve Welk Resorts with Interval International and RCI at the present time.  In the future, these resorts will likely only be available through RCI. 

Four Seasons:  Four Seasons only has two of of its properties available through Interval International.  The Four Seasons Aviara in North San Diego and the Four Seasons Scottsdale in Arizona.  The other locations are not available through either Interval International or RCI as it is likely that existing owners of Four Seasons generally use their weeks or exchange internally for their exchanges. 

Conclusion

Before you decide to purchase a timeshare, it is critical that you know the exchange company affiliation of the  timeshare or brand of timeshare.  

My personal strategy involves exchanging my timeshare through the exchange companies in order to maximize their value.  However, it is rare for people to own more than one timeshare or multiple timeshares with affiliations with both RCI and Internval International.  

The importance of this is that you need to know the affiliation for the particular exchange company to assess the quality of the potential resorts which you can trade.  Even if you plan on going to the same resort year after year, there will be times when you want to exchange your week or points.  

As shown above, if my timeshare was affiliated with RCI, I could NEVER trade into a Marriott Vacation Club property.  Conversely, if I owned a Interval International affiliated timeshare, I could NEVER trade into a Hilton Grand Vacation property. 

While there are smaller exchange companies out there (SFX Resorts) that allows individual owners to deposit their week with them and gives them the opportunity to exchange into other weeks that have been deposit, irregardless of affiliation, inventory and availability will be much scarcer than the main exchange companies of Interval International and RCI. 

​How important is exchange company affiliation to you?  Did you purchase or do you own a timeshare because of the exchange company affiliation?