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Basic Guide to Timeshare Presentations

• February 17, 2021
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We have all seen the old Timeshare pitch. Typically it goes something like “earn a discounted stay by learning more about our program over 90 to 120 minutes”. Often there are additional freebies thrown into the mix. This can be complimentary food such as breakfast or lunch, excursion vouchers, or even a visa gift card. As a result, the timeshare promotions seem too good to be true which can lead to skepticism. Is it a Scam or travel strategy? Learn more about this lesser-known topic in the Basic Guide to Timeshare Presentations & using them for travel .

In this Basic Guide

Timeshare properties.

• Checking in
• Say No (or Yes)
• Collecting Compensation

Examples of Timeshare Presentation Promotions

My experience participating in the promotions, where to find a timeshare presentation, timeshare restrictions and pitfalls, list of timeshare companies (and website links), what is a timeshare.

A timeshare is a form of travel that incorporates a shared approach to real estate. The vacation property is purchased and owned by multiple individuals who agree to split the time allocation. Traditionally, timeshares were sold in week increments. However, most companies have transitioned to point systems. Because of this, you can enjoy shorter trips throughout the year instead of using all the points at once. Similar to credit card points, the timeshare points can be used towards nights at a variety of properties within a portfolio.

A timeshare property often comes in the form of a studio equipped with a kitchen. Sometimes timeshares are located within condominiums or apartment complexes. Interestingly, I’ve noticed that some timeshare properties are actually shared by larger-scale hotel chains like Marriott or Hilton.

How does a Timeshare Presentation Work

Step one – signing up.

The first step to participating in a timeshare is signing a contract. Basically, the contract states that you agree to learn more about the property. This “presentation” will be set for a predetermined time. Typically they last for 90-120 minutes. Lastly, will be compensated with “x” for your time.

Step Two – Checking In (Sometimes Required)

The second step of checking-in is typically required when an overnight stay is involved. Usually, the terms will indicate that the guests’ must check-in at a predetermined location the day before the actual presentation. Often this will be at the hotel you are staying at. However, sometimes it can be at a location in close proximity to the hotel. There have been a handful of times that this step wasn’t required with the timeshare promotions I’ve participated in. Typically the staff would confirm the details of the sales pitch such as the date, time, and location. Afterward, I would be on my way for the duration of my stay.

Step Three – Attending the Presentation

One great aspect of actually attending the presentation is the free breakfast or lunch. In my book, this is an additional factor that leads to even greater savings while traveling. At this point, typically the timeshare salesperson assigned to you will introduce themselves and the shmoozing will begin. One rare occasion in Mexico, the salesperson actually joined us for breakfast which made for a long day of being pitched.

Note the Time –

Legally, since you signed a contract to attend the timeshare promotion. Because of this, the time commitment cannot be extended without your consent. I’ve met some other travelers who actually will set an alarm on their phones. Personally, I haven’t taken it to that extreme but noting the time has saved me a few times from unnecessary tours of hotels or additional sales pitches, etc.

The Presentation typically includes a sales pitch on travel in general. I recall one pitch actually selling the point that not traveling was harmful to one’s health due to the epidemic of increased stress levels. Eventually, the presentation will cover how the program works and the general cost of participating. Finally, the agent assigned to you will conclude with a hard pitch based on the income you provide and what he or she thinks you can afford.

Is a Hard Credit Pull Required?

It’s hit or miss if the timeshare presentation requires a credit check. Sometimes it is written in the contract that they need to perform the hard pull in order to provide the correct financing numbers based on your credit score. A hard inquiry won’t destroy a credit score nor will it be a primary determining factor in being eligible for future lines of credit. Ideally, it is not wise to add unnecessary pulls if you don’t have to.

Step Four – Saying No (or Yes?)

Remember your only commitment was to participate in the presentation. Nothing more, nothing less. However, if you are reading this blog, you are most likely already a savvy points and miles traveler . Most likely, you won’t find a benefit from being contractually obligated to a specific timeshare. Now of course, if you find value from what is being offered and it makes sense financially then by all means. In my experience, the financial commitment has never made sense for me. Personally, I don’t like the idea of contractually being obligated to pay into the program long-term for the rest of m life.

Step Five – Collecting what was promised

Finally, sometimes the 90-120 minutes drag on. You literally are counting down the seconds to get back to vacationing. Don’t get so caught up with leaving that you forget about what is promised to you. This can range from vouchers to cash, gift cards, or other random items. Typically the ‘gifts’ are provided upon completion of the presentation. Be sure to collect these before leaving or at least inquiring about how to go about receiving them!

Timeshare Presentation promotions come in all shapes and sizes. Usually, the company starts with a base-level deal. However, they could have a handful of additional perks which can be added by directly asking or being apprehensive. It is also important to note that many of these perks can be added together for a single timeshare promotional experience. For instance, here are examples of promotions I have participated in.

• 2, 3, 4, or 5 night stays for a heavily discounted rate
• Visa, Amex, and Mastercard pre-loaded debit gift cards
• Free shows and buffet vouchers in Vegas
• Excursions and massages in Mexico
• Pre-loaded Debit Cards and lunch vouchers in Hawaii
• Certificate for a future complimentary night stay
• $100 towards dinner at a handful of restaurants in San Francisco and New York City
• Hotel Rewards Points. I’ve seen Wyndham and Hilton offer bonus points for participating in a timeshare presentation. This is a great negotiating point when booking a timeshare presentation.

Overall I’ve had some very good experiences with the timeshare presentation travel strategies. My only regret is not documentation the experiences better. However, we do have a few reviews here on the website. For instance, we took advantage of the Hilton Presentation when I ran the NYC Marathon . In the future, I will continue to add more articles.

• New York City Hilton Timeshare Review
• Small Wyndham Timeshare writeup mixed into this Las Vegas Rewards Trip Review
• Grand Caribbean Vacations Mexico Timeshare Trip Review

Finding timeshare presentations can be completely random. I’ve been solicited for Timeshares in Airports, Casinos, Hotels, and even at the New York Times Travel Show. Periodically I’ll receive targeted emails from Wyndham, Hilton, and Marriott with a new Timeshare Promotion they are running. Additionally, once or twice each year I’ll receive a cold call. Typically, I am most skeptical about these as they often require up-front purchases.

There are a few strategies you can take to be targeted for these sorts of promotions.

• First, make sure you are signed up for the loyalty awards accounts with each hotel chain. Wyndham , Marriott , and Hilton are the ones that seem to send out the majority of the timeshare promotional trips.
• Next, keep your eyes peeled while traveling. Usually, you can find representatives pitching timeshares in high-traffic areas like entrances or exits. Sometimes hotels will have separate desks set up with signage about stopping by for a free gift.
• Lastly, call the general number of a hotel chain. Then inquire about owning a timeshare in the future. The customer service representative will transfer you to the right person.

How do you get the best Timeshare Presentation Promotion

One word: Haggle . I know that the thought of haggling is very polarizing. Some people love to haggle while others avoid it. Just know that the first offer that is presented is most likely not the best one you can get by saying no or being apprehensive.

In Mexico once, the sales representative initially started the hard in-person pitch with one five-night vacation per year for purchasing into the program. An hour later and a whole lot of “No Thank Yous”, he had steadily moved up in one-week increments. Lastly, he offered unlimited. visits. Clearly, there had to be a large catch with the promotion and I was not purchasing to find out.

Ultimately when negotiating the terms of the Timeshare Presentation it doesn’t hurt to ask for more. If they say no and you are still interested in the trip take the current offer. If they say yes, you earned more by taking a minute to ask. It’s a win-win situation.

There are a few restrictions and pitfalls to be aware of when considering a timeshare presentation.

Certain jobs are restricted from participating. I remember reading in one contract that travel-related jobs like working in aviation could disqualify you.

Relationship

Oftentimes, timeshare promotions are only open to couples who are married or at the very least living together. The timeshare representatives will verify that the addresses match your driver’s license.

Most timeshare presentations require the participants to have a certain household income in order to participate.

Room Occupants

If there is a discounted stay at a hotel, there is typically a restriction on who can actually stay in the room. It is usually limited to just the couple who is participating in the presentation. If you are planning on traveling with friends, they may be required to book their own room or participate in their own presentation. Sometimes there are even restrictions on traveling with others in a group and participating in a presentation.

Lying about income (or anything else)

If you are caught fabricating a higher income in order to be “eligible” to participate in a timeshare promotion it is likely that the company will charge you the standard room rate and deny and perks that were included in the contract. Don’t do this!

Be careful about what and how much you choose to drink during the hard-pitch of the timeshare presentation. There are some shady companies that will intentionally feed guests stronger drinks in order to make them more likely to sign a contract.

• Extra Holidays (Wyndham) and Wyndham Trips (Wyndham)
• Hilton Grand Vacation (Hilton)
• Hyatt Residence Club (Hyatt)
• Holiday Inn Vacation Club (IHG)
• Marriott Vacation Club (Marriott)
• Bluegreen Vacations (Choice Hotels)
• Westgate Resorts

Basic Breakdown

In conclusion, I’m a big fan of timeshare presentations and certainly will be looking to book more presentations in the future. The best experience of ALL TIME took place in Oahu Hawaii. At check-in, we received a card that said to bring it down to the concierge for a free gift. This led to an invitation for a $200 Amex Debit Card and two lunch vouchers (valued at $80) for attending the presentation.

There was a short presentation, maybe ten minutes long followed by a sitdown with the sales rep. She asked us why we were there today and I said for the free $200 and lunch vouchers. Then she asked if we had any interest in purchasing a timeshare, Lisa and I both shook our heads no. Five minutes later we had our $200 debit cards and were eating a delicious comped lunch at the hotel restaurant. I’m sure that was a huge fluke but this is what I love about these promotions!

Let us know!

Have you participated in a Timeshare Presentation? How did it go?  

I’d love to hear in the comments below or over in our 8,200+ Member Basic Travel Facebook Group !

More basic reading.

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Timeshare Presentations: How to Get Cheap & Free Vacations

If you’re planning to visit some of the world’s most popular destinations, you can run into some hurdles if award availability is scarce and cash prices are high.

Sure, points can help offset the cost, but that means it will cost you a lot of points. What if I told you there’s a way to save those points and snag an awesome deal on your accommodation?

Well, there is – welcome to the world of timeshare presentation packages.  

What Is a Timeshare?

In a nutshell, a timeshare is a shared ownership program in which you may use a vacation property for a set time period every year.

Timeshare properties can range from resorts to condominiums to campsites. They can be a good option for travellers who have a favourite destination they like to vacation at every year.

With timeshares, these travellers will  have familiar accommodations to return to each time without the hassle of having to manage a fully-owned property while they are away. 

Most of the big hotel brands that we’re familiar with have their own affiliated timeshare division. A few well-known examples include the Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Inn Vacation Club, Hyatt Residence Club, and even Disney has their own Disney Vacation Club.

Generally speaking, there are two types of timeshares: those that are points-based and those that give you deeded weeks.

• In a points-based program, you have a certain number of points each year that can be redeemed against nights at your timeshare.
• In a deeded-week program, every year, you have a “week” of the year that you can use your timeshare.

You do not necessarily need to stick with your timeshare property either. Usually, there is a system or program for owners to swap their property for another destination or property for any given year, building some flexibility into the program.

Despite the perks of timeshares, many people choose not invest in one, as they can be a money drain if you don’t make good use of them.

There are annual maintenance fees for the upkeep of the property that have to be paid, the process of swapping properties can be quite complicated, and it can be a pain to get rid of them or resell them as they don’t hold much value in the reseller’s market.  

What Is a Timeshare Presentation?

Whether you feel like timeshares may be a good fit for your travel patterns or not, you should consider attending a timeshare preview presentation.

The timeshare market is a competitive one, and most timeshare vacation clubs will offer some form of incentive for an opportunity to introduce you to their program in the hopes of enticing you to purchase one. 

What is offered as part of the package varies by the club and even the property, and it can be anywhere from tickets to a theme park or a show, to accommodations at one of their properties for several days at a huge discount, plus maybe even some bonus points for their respective hotel award programs.

If it’s the accommodation you’re after, keep in mind that usually the package will cover a “standard” room; however, there is a possibility for upgrading, as we’ll discuss later.

What’s the Catch with Timeshare Presentations? 

To take advantage of these fantastic offers, you (and your spouse, if you’re married) need to attend a 1.5- to two-hour sales pitch about the timeshare program while you’re vacationing on your timeshare package.

During that time, they’ll introduce you to their program, how easy it is to use the timeshare, the flexibility it provides, the years of enjoyment you will get out of it, and even give you a tour of a potential timeshare unit. 

Easy enough, right? Most of the time, yes.

Some sales representatives can be pushy and will pull out all the stops to get you to sign on, because that’s how they earn their commission. You may feel pressured to buy, and they may spend a lot of time negotiating a better offer for you.

Most sales reps, however, are quite reasonable. If you’ve put in your time and made it clear you’re not ready to buy, they’ll send you along your merry way. And if you do happen to cave under the pressure and buy the timeshare, it’s not the end of the world (more on this later).

During the pandemic, some timeshares like the Marriott Vacation Club opted to do virtual sales presentations, and in lieu of a vacation deal, you’d earn Bonvoy points instead.

There have been recent offers of up to 20,000–25,000 Bonvoy points; however, you have to be a US resident to take advantage. For the in-person presentation packages, there are no US residency requirements. 

How to Book a Timeshare Presentation

Now that you might be considering taking advantage of a timeshare presentation, let’s go over how you find these offers and sign up for them.

The easiest way is through each respective club’s website. Usually, there is a phone number or online form to complete for additional information. 

Hyatt even allows you to book the package online if you reside in the USA.

Once you purchase the package, there is quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to booking. Although the terms specifically say that the timeshare has to be booked within 12 months of purchase, it is not uncommon for them to extend this deadline. I have done this on a couple of occasions myself, even prior to the pandemic.

Once you book your package, you can still change the dates, although some programs will charge a change fee. During the pandemic, there was even more leniency (I rescheduled a Marriott preview package no less than four times), although this may tighten up a bit as travel opens up.

Unfortunately, once you purchase a preview package, they are generally considered non-refundable. There have been scattered reports of people receiving refunds if they no longer fulfill the eligibility for the package, but as always, your mileage may vary and this should not be the expectation.

My Experiences with Hilton Grand Vacations

Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) has over 50 properties spread across the United States. Their properties differ from the regular Hilton-branded hotels in that they generally offer accommodations with more space, larger and a greater number of bedrooms, and ensuite kitchen and laundry amenities.

Note that not all HGV properties are bookable through timeshare presentations, and some properties are only made available at certain times. 

Thus far, I’ve done a couple of packages with Hilton Grand Vacations in Orlando , and another in Honolulu . Here’s a recap of my experiences so far with HGV. 

Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacations

View on the Hilton Grand Vacations website.

2017 Package Deal: Three nights / four days for US$199 and a US$200 “Stay a Night On Us” rebate voucher; upgraded to a two-bedroom suite for an additional US$50

A few years back, I had to call Hilton reservations to change an existing hotel booking I had. At the end of the call, they thanked me for being a loyal Hilton Honors member and asked if I would be interested in hearing about a “great offer” they currently had. I accepted, and so began my journey down the rabbit hole of timeshare packages. 

I was forwarded to another agent, who offered me the above timeshare package. I was considering a trip to Disney for my son’s fifth birthday anyway, and this would definitely help bring down the trip’s cost, so I bought the package.

When we decided on our dates, I called back, and they confirmed availability and booked our accommodation and the timeshare presentation to be done during our stay – and that was it! 

At the time of booking, my youngest was only a few months old and wasn’t the greatest sleeper, and so extra space to accommodate her sleeping situation was desirable. When I inquired whether our one-bedroom suite could be upgraded to a two-bedroom suite, the agent advised that we could do that for an additional US$50, which seemed more than reasonable to me, bringing our grand total to US$249 plus tax. 

We stayed at the HGV Parc Soleil, which is a 15-minute drive into Disney. Other than being a bit further out from Disney, it was a fantastic accommodation option for families.

It had two beautiful outdoor pools, one that was zero-entry with a water slide and another for adults only. They had a kids activity centre and some organized activities throughout the day. There was also a basketball court, tennis court, and outdoor playground for the kids.

The suite itself was spacious, modern and clean with a full kitchen and an in-suite washer and dryer. There was also a paid shuttle service ($10 round trip per person) to the surrounding amusement parks, but times were rather limited. 

We attended the timeshare presentation on the second day. It was located at the Parc Soleil, which made it convenient.

At check-in, they ask for your ID and credit card, then invite you to enjoy snacks and non-alcoholic drinks while you wait for your sales representative. You can also drop off your kids at a small, supervised children’s room (with toys, colouring, and a TV) while you attend the presentation. 

Since it was our first timeshare presentation experience, we did not know what to expect. We were also genuinely interested in learning more about timeshares, which didn’t work in our favour.

They started off with some general questions about our travel habits and destinations we wanted to visit, and then went onto discuss how HGV could make it all happen at a fraction of the cost. 

Once the sales representative realized we actually had some interest, he turned the pressure on. He would show us how he had booked various destinations at fantastic rates and began negotiating on the amount of initial investment required to purchase, while offering additional Hilton Honors points to sweeten the deal.

Each time we declined, he would go back to his manager and come back with a better deal.

This went on for a bit until he finally came back with what seemed to be a decent offer at the time, and we actually signed the papers and walked out with a timeshare after the two and half hours.

The agent offered to refund our US$199 package cost, probably as a kind gesture given that we had just bought a timeshare with him, and then sent us to the front desk to obtain our US$200 “Stay a Night On Us” rebate voucher.

Suffice to say, purchasing a time share was not our initial game plan. Luckily for us, there is a cooling-off period built into the contracts, whereby you have 10 days to rescind a timeshare purchase agreement.

With some time and space to actually think about our impulsive decision, we decided it really wasn’t for us and the next day, we rescinded.

The staff were very kind about it and it was an easy enough process, but lesson learned: do not show any interest in a timeshare if you are in it only for the cheap accommodations.

Hilton Grand Vacations at Tuscany Village

2019 Package Deal: Four nights / five days in a one bedroom suite for US$299, refunded after presentation, one $200 “Stay A Night On Us” rebate voucher OR 10,000 Hilton Honors points

A year later, my husband had a conference in Chicago at the Hilton. HGV had set up a booth in the lobby, where they offered everyone 1,000 Hilton Honors points just for listening to what they had to offer.

Jon took them up on the offer, and this time he was offered packages to either New York City, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, or Orlando. They were two- to four-night packages ranging from US$199 to US$399.

Now, you might be wondering: how often you can purchase a timeshare presentation package? As per HGV’s terms, as long as you have not attended another presentation in the last 12 months, you are eligible to purchase another. 

We were just over a year since our first package, so we bought another, back to Orlando. This time around, the offer was four nights for US$299 plus tax, so we were a little hesitant as our previous offer was better.

The sales agent, sensing the hesitancy, sweetened the package by offering either a US$200 “Stay a Night On Us” rebate voucher or 10,000 Hilton Honors points, and to refund the US$299 after the presentation. That sealed the deal for us. 

This time, we chose to stay at the Tuscany Village, located about 15 minutes from Disney once again. The décor was a bit more dated, but it still had an outdoor playground and a few pools that would satisfy most young kids.

There were also complimentary DVD rentals and a children’s activity centre, albeit a bit smaller than the one at Parc Soleil.

I enjoyed the fact that it was right beside the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, which meant some retail therapy for me between theme park days. They also had a paid shuttle going to the amusement parks, but once again, the times were limited. 

Our presentation was back at the Parc Soleil. This time, my husband and I had a different game plan: we would tell them that we weren’t ready to buy a timeshare and to let them know early on.

This was working well for us initially, and at the one-hour mark the agent was pretty much finishing up. As we were just about to leave, he advised us that his manager had one last offer for us, which got us our third package… 

The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations

The manager came out and offered us a trial membership to the HGV program. Now this was different.

There was no set destination for the package; instead, for $1,599 (USD), we would be given enough points to redeem for seven nights in up to a two-bedroom suite at any of the HGV properties in North America, including Hawaii.

We did the math and worked out that it would be less than $230 (USD) a night. If it were any other destination, we would have left it. After looking at the current rates for Hawaii for a Hilton property in Honolulu for March Break, we came to see that it was a great deal.

Keep in mind that these are rates for two adults and two children. If you have more than four in your family, like myself, either you’re paying more, or you’ll find that most hotels won’t even be able to accommodate. The fact that we could book a two-bedroom suite was a big selling point for us.

HGV has quite a few properties in Hawaii, with the Grand Islander by HGV being one of the newer ones. We booked at the Grand Islander for four nights in Honolulu over March Break . 

That leaves us with three nights remaining, which we could have used to extend reservation to seven nights… 

…or book three nights at their New York property, West 57th Street by Hilton Club at the south end of Central Park, another otherwise pricey accommodation option. 

Either way, you can see that our $230 (USD) per night beats the above rates by a long shot. 

An Even Better Offer…

Sticking with Hawaii as our theme destination, HGV currently has an offer on their website for five nights in Honolulu or Waikoloa for $799 (USD) in a standard room, which brings the nightly rate to $160 (USD) – an incredible deal for a night in Hawaii.

Granted, it’s for a standard room, but I’m pretty sure you can request an upgrade offer to a bigger suite at a decent cost when you call in. 

My Experience with Marriott Vacation Club

We originally purchased our Marriott Vacation Club Preview Package back in 2019. This package offered a five nights at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club for $799 (USD).

After numerous delays and postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we finally enjoyed our stay in March 2022 . 

We rescheduled our timeshare presentation after our arrival, and there were no issues with moving it to a different day. When it came time for the actual presentation, it took place in a cubicle in their outdoor Sales Centre.

We wound up going over the 90-minute allotment, and spent closer to two hours there. I was genuinely interested in the program, so it was more my fault than theirs.

Marriott Vacation Club uses a points-based system. Our sales agent offered us the base-level 1,500 points at $15.84 (USD) per point, totalling $23,760 (USD).

As a signup bonus, they were willing to throw in another 3,000 points for the first year.

To put things into perspective, a one-bedroom villa in Maui at peak season could cost up to 4,500 points per week.

We didn’t show much interest in this, and they tried to sweeten the deal with some more offers, but we kindly declined. As we had an exit interview, another sales agent came in to offer us yet another timeshare presentation package.

The first offer, which was good for the next two years, was five nights at the same property for $1,295 (USD). We weren’t sure when we would be back to Maui again, so, again, we declined.  

They approached us with one last offer: $995 (USD) for four nights at any of their North American properties, including another property in Hawaii for a $300 (USD) add-on fee.

Our family wanted to visit Kauai in the near future, and after a quick check for a four-night stay in the winter revealed prices at around $2,600 (USD) for four nights, we accepted this last offer.

It goes to show that sticking around for more offers can result in some pretty great rates!

If you’re not familiar with timeshare presentation packages, now’s the time to take a look at them as a means to very cheap accommodations in many popular vacation spots.

Timeshare presentations are a great option in areas where points redemptions are either not worth it (e.g., Orlando, where hotels are generally quite cheap to begin with), or in places where redemptions are difficult to make (e.g., Hawaii where the cost of redemptions are high).

It does require a small time commitment and perhaps a bit of finesse in talking down a sales representative, but in my mind, the savings are definitely worth it. 

• Earn 80,000 MR points upon spending $15,000 in the first three months
• Plus, earn  40,000 MR points  upon making a purchase in months 14–17 as a cardholder
• And, earn 1.25x MR points on all purchases
• Also, receive a $200 annual travel credit
• Transfer MR points to Aeroplan and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights
• Unlimited airport lounge access for you and one guest at Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion, and other lounges
• Credits and rebates for business expenses throughout the year with Amex Offers
• Bonus MR points for referring family and friends
• Qualify for the card as a sole proprietor
• Annual fee: $799

30 Comments

Amy, please clarify — you said “no” to buying the timeshare BUT they offered you another timeshare presentation elsewhere?

That’s correct!

Thanks for the great information!! Do any of them ask for income verification?

No, they didn’t.

Thank you VERY much, not even the fancier ones like Wyndham or Marriott presentations?

As a previous owner of timeshares and an attendee at multiple presentations I’ll add some comments which may be helpful: -if you buy, it is difficult to recover your purchase price because of the heavy marketing costs built into the price -I have sold my timeshares and currently have some fractional ownership properties to which I have title, which may not be subject to the same haircut on sale -my trading options (including my Hyatt property) are through Interval International which has a network of thousands of properties around the world -Resorts Condominiums International is another trading network, so you are not stuck with a specific hotel program -if you go to a place like Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, you are swarmed at the airport, sometimes car rental places or Walmart, by sellers of these packages -I have a friend who used to fill her PV trips with different presentations, and she was often able to negotiate improved perks for the presentations themselves; she did this for a fair number of years, without buying, before they caught on to her -If you decide to buy, wait, wait, wait; I’ve seen people buy in the initial large presentation with cheers and champagne, only to see deals offered that were a fraction of the cost in later iterations -often you have to see multiple people before you escape, the deals keep getting better, but the original 90 minutes is substantially exceeded -the last one I went to took about 4 hours and I finally walked away abandoning my promised perks

Thanks for the article Amy. I was attempting to book an Orlando offer in my Hilton App yesterday but they only permit USA addresses. When I went to the International website the offers weren’t as good. Do you know of a way to get the same offers advertised on the App?

I’m not sure but you can try calling in and requesting.

Amy, do they ask to see both adult’s ID or license? We are common law marriage different last names. Can we just show 1 ID card?

When you sign up for the package they will usually ask if you are married, etc. If so, they will ask for your partners name. It doesn’t matter if the last names are different. At Hilton, they checked both ID’s but Marriott only checked my husbands (not sure if that was intentional though).

Hi Amy, thanks for the article (and love the family-geared content!). When I click through the link for the current HGV Hawaii offer and put in my zip code, I get a message basically telling me this offer is not available to me. Any idea why?

Hmm that’s interesting. I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps certain states have different offers/restrictions.

My family has an Embarc timeshare bought maybe 20 years ago… from our experience… currently there is not enough money and points in the world to suffer the presentation. Long story but about 8 years ago, had to lawyer up to deal with them.

I have reached on Marriott Vacation Club for further information and was told there is no timeshare deal for canadian résidents at the moment but if I visit à proporty I can ask over there… not really convenient

Hi Amy, great article and tips! Just a question: is there a limitation on the number of times you can book (the rules seem to say once per year but is this per individual or per family (so a family of 2 adults could do this twice per year))? Thank you!

Hi Amy, Thank you for the great information. You mentioned you were given a trial membership of HGV. Is the $1599 USD a yearly fee? Are there any other fees associated with owning HGV timeshare? Do you plan on continuing with the HGV membership or will you likely cancel. Thanks!

It was $1599 one time fee for 7 nights. Once you use up the 7 nights, the trial is done.

I have used this strategy successfully. As a family of four, we will only stay in a one bedroom or two bedroom if it’s for any stretch of time. Having a kitchen to cook your own meals is a cost savings and easier than having to coordinate eating out all the time. In November 2019 we stayed in a one-bedroom at Maui Ocean Club Napili for only 450,000 bonvoy points. My wife and I attended a 1.5 hour timeshare presentation and received 40,000 bonvoy. The retail value of the room was $7,500 USD. Unfortunately, any type of room at Maui Ocean Club is very difficult to book on points.

I will likely have to cancel due to Australia’s continued strict lockdown, but I booked two 2 bedroom suites at the Surfers Paradise Marriot Vacation Club this December for seven days and 292,000 points each (total 584,000 points). The retail value was 14,500 Australian Dollars. You have to really hunt but can find some gems occasionally.

Thanks for the info Amy! Is there a website for all the Hilton offers available? I was able to find Orlando/Las Vegas by searching on their site, but could only find the Hawaii deal by using the link in your article. And similarly for Marriott, do they have a webpage that describes their offers? I was recently invited by a Marriott CSR to call a 1-800 number to get a similar deal, but would much rather check it out first on a website rather than have it described over the phone by a salesperson.

Unfortunately there’s no central page where all the offers are located for HGV. If you click on the various destinations they have you may see a banner at the top with an offer for whichever destination you selected. If you can’t find a particular destination offer, best to call or email them. Same applies for Marriott.

While staying at an Hilton in Washington DC 3 years ago, we were offred a timeshare presentation and visit for 10k HHONORS points. I said I wasn’t interested unless it was for 30k points which they agreed. The visit went smoothly and interesting, when we sat down to discussed the prices at one point I said it wouldn’t work out since I’m earning lots of miles and points from business travels. And that was it a total of 90 minutes of our time.

Hi Amy, how can you book the Grand Islanders by HGV in Maui? It is opening in September but I cannot find it is available to book yet. I’m looking 5 day accommodation in Maui next year. I really hope we can have the Honolulu’s deal in Maui.

I apologize, we have Grand Islander booked for Honolulu and Marriott booked for Maui. You are correct, the new HGV property opening in Maui is not bookable yet.

Hi Amy, how can you access the HGV in Honolulu? I entered my information and the site says I’m not eligible for the Hawaii deal and instead directed me to Orlando and Las Vegas only.

I would try calling in and requesting. Sometimes they do have eligibility restrictions based on where you’re located or your income. Actually, for my current one with Marriott in Maui, i had to go through a couple of agents before they gave me the offer I was looking for.

Hi Amy – Great article and timely as we’re looking to book a family trip to Hawaii this coming year. What offer did you end up getting for the Marriott presentation?

Hey Mark! $799 usd for 5 nights 🙂

Which property? Offers for me were between $799 and $999 for 5 nights depending on which island.

It’s at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club 🙂

Nice score! Thanks

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Timeshare Presentation In Maui: How To Get In The Door For Freebies

On Maui, glorious weather and spectacular views are often all the freebies you need. But sometimes, you can get a little something extra for almost no extra work. 

The timeshare freebie is often enough to convince even those with no interest in a timeshare investment to shuffle into the boardroom and attend a talk.

So, what is a timeshare presentation freebie, and how can you get in the door to earn your reward?

What’s The Deal With Timeshare Freebies?

Table of Contents

If you’ve ever sat through a particularly long and boring meeting, you’ve probably felt as though you deserve a reward for making it to the end.

Timeshare presentations obviously understand that mindset. They know the best way to get you through the door is to promise something at the other side of it.

For sitting through a timeshare presentation, you can get some decent freebies: vouchers are common, but some presentations will even reward you with a check. 

It all sounds pretty sweet, right? The downside is that a timeshare presentation can be long, and while you’re stuck, incredible Maui is waiting for you.

What Kind Of Freebies Can You Expect From A Timeshare Presentation?

The freebies for attending a timeshare presentation are variable. Some places will give vouchers for days out and trips, occasionally totaling as much as $200. Vouchers for snorkeling trips, tours, and boat trips are all common incentives for attending a timeshare presentation.

In some circumstances, attending a timeshare presentation might be rewarded with a check. Although these amounts are likely to be less than the value of a voucher, there’s more flexibility for use.

Large resorts might offer credits in return for attending a presentation. For example, touring the Hyatt could get you money to spend at the spa.

The best presentations will give you a range of freebies to decide between, so you have to consider what you’ll actually use. $250 to spend at a spa might seem like the best deal, but if you’re more likely to enjoy a $150 boat tour, then the decision isn’t quite so simple.

If you seem interested in investing, you may also be a discount for a hotel in return for attending another presentation. These can be pretty good deals, but the offer will still be an expensive holiday.

However, not all the freebies will be worth it. Valuable rewards aren’t a guarantee. Instead, you might find yourself leaving the presentation with nothing but a small outing as payment for your time.

Is It Worth Going To Timeshare Presentations For Freebies?

A freebie for attending a presentation can seem like a pretty sweet deal. All you have to do is sit and listen to someone talk for 60 minutes, maybe take a tour of a property, and you walk away with a $100 gift card, or an exciting trip away. 

Unfortunately, those 60 minutes can easily slide into 90, and then 120, or maybe even 150 minutes. The next thing you know, half the day is gone, and you still don’t have your freebie.

A freebie is a fantastic treat, but sometimes the sacrifice just isn’t worth it. No one wants to be missing out on glorious Maui just to watch a presentation for a timeshare they have no intention of investing in.

Also, some presenters can be pretty aggressive with their sales technique. They’re unwilling to take “no” for an answer, and it can be difficult to get away—especially if you want the chance to pick up your freebie.

How To Get In The Door Of A Timeshare Presentation

Finding a timeshare presentation on Maui is rarely a difficult task. Many of the big resorts offer a timeshare option, and salespeople are eager to talk to anyone they think might invest.

First, you need to find the places that actually do timeshares on Maui. Hyatt, Westin, Marriott, and Hilton are all brands known for running timeshares, and they all have properties on Maui.

Head to the hotel lobby, and inquire about timeshares. Asking at the front desk may not be necessary. Many of these resorts will have a booth set-up, ready to explain timeshares to anyone who shows interest.

Local malls are also a great place to learn about prospective timeshare presentations. Look for booths, which will often lure you in with the freebies.

Alternatively, give these places a call, and ask if there are any timeshare presentations coming up.

Tips For Getting Into a Timeshare Presentation

Next, be aware that you may need to bend the truth about your salary. Timeshares are expensive, particularly in somewhere as lovely as Maui.

The hotels don’t want to waste their time describing the deals to someone who can’t afford to invest. Don’t worry, they’ll rarely need to see exact figures. 

Finally, be prepared to get your foot back out the door. Timeshare presentations aren’t always the aggressive sales techniques they’re made out to be, but it can still be hard to get away. 

What About Timeshare Presentations Before You Go?

At the end of a timeshare presentation, you’ll often find yourself offered a deal in the future if you agree to attend another presentation.

Although this is still going to be an expensive vacation, it’s money off what you would have paid. Of course, at this point you’re already on vacation, and might not be thinking ahead. 

Attending a timeshare presentation when you’re in the holiday planning stage can be a way to get a bargain for your upcoming vacation. Call the hotel in advance to inquire about presentations, and see what you can get.

But a word of warning. For the best deals, you sometimes have to pay to attend the presentation. 

Review: The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas – Timeshare Edition (Maui, Hawaii)

As you may have read in a previous post , I had an amazing time at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas   courtesy of a  great offer from Westin Vacations and American Express .

As I mentioned in that post, the concierge made me an [additional] offer I couldn’t refuse: 7,000 SPG Starpoints for sitting through their timeshare presentation.

So what did I do? I took the offer (of course)! I sit through timeshare presentations so you don’t have to!

I was expecting to be pitched on one of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas (north or south), but instead I was surprised to learn that I would be shown properties at the brand-new Westin Nanea Ocean Villas , just north of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.

The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas pool (with Molokai in the background)

The Official Promotional Video (video courtesy of Vistana.com)

The Timeshare Presentation

We met with the Westin Vacations Timeshare representative at the concierge desk of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas South. Officially, I believe he was an employee of Vistana .

He walked us back to a staging room with Starbucks Coffee and warm chocolate chip cookies, and then spent some time building rapport by exchanging niceties and making small talk about the island of Maui. He then asked if we were ready to begin.

He walked us over to an impressive set of back-lit SPG panels showcasing stellar properties, exotic locations, and properties in the [pre-Marriott merger] SPG footprint. Next, we were led over to a huge globe of planet earth with every SPG property lit up. I actually was impressed.

We were then picked up by an extended golf-cart shuttle and whisked away to the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas .

The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas Property Tour

As we arrived, we were taken through the lobby through to the courtyard of the Nanea. The representative explained to us the Nanea was different from the other Westin Ocean Villas in that the designers teamed up with indigenous Hawaiian designers to create an environment that invokes the spirit of the Hawaiian people.

Courtyard of the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas

“Nanea” means “tranquility”. The nanea of this property is said to be enhanced by the “gentle wind” unique to Ka’anapali.

The Ocean View  

Take a closer look and you’ll notice the rich Hawaiian accents of the the Nanea. Here, you can see the native Hawaiian Taro plant [among others] planted for cultivation.

Taro being grown for harvest

Initially, we were led to the “no-view” 1-bedroom model unit. We peeked inside, but it was jam-packed. There must have been 3 other tours going on in that unit at the same time.

Our representative said, “no problem, I’ll take you to see a prime unit with a view”.

The 3 Bedroom Unit

We headed upstairs into the kitchen and living room area of the 3 bedroom unit. I could see right away, units at the Nanea were styled radically different from the other Westin Ocean Villas. They were more modern, warm, and “homey” than their Ocean Villa neighbors.

The Official 3 Bedroom Promotional Video  (video courtesy of SPG Hawaii)

The Kitchen

The Kitchen was large and outfitted with stainless steel appliances

The kitchen adjoined with living room and the dining balcony beyond that

One major notable upgrade was the increased shelf and pantry space, which in my opinion remedied a “fatal flaw” with the other Ocean Villas.

The washer and dryer combo

The Master Bedroom

The Master Bath

The rain shower and waterfall tub

Guest Bedroom

The View From The Room

Yes, this view is incredible!

The Balcony Dining Table

That’s the island of Molokai just offshore

The Time Share Pitch:

After the tour of the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, we were returned back to the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas South and led to what I’ll call the “hard-sell room”. This room was austere compared to everything else, consisting of a desk and a large dry-erase white board. There was also notably no door to the room.

The first phase was the recap – a rundown of everything we just saw, the Vistana point system, and the benefits of the Vistana Villa Resort Collection timeshare program. It was explained that the timeshare purchase consisted only of “time” in the form of currency in an exclusive Vistana point system (valid only at the Villa Resort Collection ) – not physical property.

The complete Villa Resort Collection listings

In my opinion, the Vistana Villa Resort Collection  was somewhat limited – having locations only in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, Mexico, The Bahamas and Virgin Islands.

It was further explained these Vistana points could alternatively be converted into currency in another world timeshare program or SPG points for expanded options, although it occurred to me at first glance that doing so may somewhat dilute the value of the Vistana points.

Editor’s Note: In the interest of providing unbiased reporting neutral to both buyer and seller, I’m not going to go into the specific details of pricing, terms, etc., as these items may vary significantly based on factors such as prospective buyer’s credit, seller incentives, and/or market prices. As with any significant purchase, I recommend you always do your thorough research and consult your financial advisors to ensure a deal like this is right for you and your budget.

Next, the representative brought in his “closer” and she sat down for the hard-sell. She explained we were buying “ownership” and “equity” and that after “X” amount of payments of “$X” amount, we would “own” the timeshare [points] free and clear, and that we could even pass it on to our children or family members. The one caveat with ownership is that we would still be responsible for a significant annual maintenance fee as long as we held the property.

She then drew up some hard numbers that included the purchase price, the 10% down payment, closing costs, maintenance fees and interest rate. She did note that we were eligible to go through our own bank if we could get a better interest rate.

Then came the fun part: the “sweeteners”. She said, “if you buy right now, today only, I can throw in the following special offers,” and she began rattling offers off a list. The first was SPG Gold Status and 180,000 Starpoints (impressive). The second was a promo for 90,000 Starpoints (which could be received up to 4 times) with every payment – for a total of 360,000 Starpoints (most impressive).

I responded, “so let me get this straight, if I buy today and make 4 payments, I’ll receive 540,000 Starpoints?”. “Correct,” she responded. “Let me ask you this, if I pay for my timeshare with my American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card, will I get the bonus points for SPG purchases?”.  Her response was, “Absolutely, that’s what we all do with our own timeshares”.

She then did the hard-sell, “are we going to be buying today?”, to which I responded, “no, but thank you for your presentation”. She was all business and no-nonsense and immediately got up and said, “time-shares aren’t for everybody, thank you,” she shook our hands and told us to wait for a colleague of hers to do an exit interview, and then walked out the door.

Her colleague immediately walked into the room and asked us a couple questions on why we chose not to buy at this time. She then said, “I see you are here on a great promotion , would you be interested in coming back next year on another great deal?” I said, “sure, what kind of deal?”, she then performed one final sell on what is called the “Explorer Package”.

The Explorer Package

The Explorer Package included a stay at one of the villas in the Vistana Collection, an additional 9,000 Starpoints, and the option for use the purchase price of the package toward the 10% down payment on a future timeshare purchase  (within 1 year). I politely declined.

The Bottom-line Review: The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas – Timeshare Edition (Maui, Hawaii)

Overall, the timeshare presentation was very informative and professional and the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas was a very impressive property. I’m glad I got to see it up close, and I’m glad I did the timeshare tour (totally worth 7,000 Starpoints!). Even the mandatory “hard-sell” wasn’t even that hard, it was professional and no-nonsense. The sweeteners were very, very interesting.

In the end, this timeshare just wasn’t for me – but then again, none of them are. That’s just me. If you really want to stay at the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, this property is bookable on Marriott.com . Is it cheaper booking it for a week than buying it through a timeshare? I’ll let you be the judge of that one.

Now that Marriott has assumed control of SPG and Starpoints, I’m curious to see what new offers and timeshare presentations they will have, maybe I’ll be back one day to see.

Flying High On Points

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[…] to double down anyway and take on a timeshare presentation while there for some bonus points and wrote a review on the experience. Be sure to check out both […]

Thanks for the review. Did you get 7,000 starpoints = 21,000 marriott points?

Comments are closed.

Singer Island

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Save up to 70% off a Hawaii Vacation!

Starting at only

Regular Price up to $2,750

Enjoy 6 Days and 5 Nights

in a guestroom or 1-bedroom suite at a Marriott Vacation Club ® resort or a Marriott Vacation Club approved property** — PLUS receive a $50 Marriott Vacation Club Gift Card. Please see details of participation below for retail values of these offers.

**Accommodations in a guestroom at Marriott's Kauai Beach Club, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club or Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club. Accommodations in a 1-bedroom suite at Marriott's Waikoloa Ocean Club.

Hawaii attracts vacationers from around the world with its warm aloha spirit and breathtaking beauty. The Garden Isle of Kauai is rich with scenic valleys and lush rainforests. Maui offers soft sand beaches and dramatic volcanic craters. Big Island is home to black sand beaches and active volcanoes. And Oahu provides the perfect setting for romantic Hawaiian sunsets.

As part of your memorable stay on the Hawaiian island of your choice, you will be required to attend a friendly and informative 90-minute timeshare sales presentation of the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations ™ Ownership Program to personally introduce you to a world of infinite vacation possibilities. There will also be a nonrefundable $199 deposit required.

This dream Hawaii vacation offer expires December 31, 2017.

To take advantage of this special offer, submit the form to the right or call 800-263-6824 .

Your Preferred Reservation Number: CO59*1-AI14OP

Please see details of participation

Details of Participation Sponsor: Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. d/b/a Marriott Vacation Club International

Eligibility: This package offer is only available to residents of the District of Columbia and the fifty United States of America, for couples or individuals with an annual income of $100,000 or more. One offer per family/household, no groups. Employees of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation and its affiliated and subsidiary companies, and their immediate families, and current Owners of Marriott Vacation Club interests or properties are not eligible for this offer. Guests are limited to purchasing 3 packages within a lifetime. Guests may not purchase this package if having attended another Marriott Vacation Club sales presentation tour within the last year. Guests may only return to Hawaii with a package if 2 or more years have passed since the last Hawaii preview date. Guests may not have more than one active package at a time.

Presentation: Attendance at a timeshare sales presentation of Marriott Vacation Club Destinations™ Ownership Program lasting approximately 90 minutes is required. Failure to attend sales presentation can result in the charge of the full retail value of the accommodations.

If married or living together, couples must attend the sales presentation together to receive this offer; individuals may purchase separately. Your sales presentation will take place at the Waikoloa Ocean Club Sales Gallery , 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii 96738; Waiohai Beach Club Sales Gallery , 2249 Poipu Road, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii 96756; Maui Ocean Club Sales Gallery , 100 Nohea Kai Drive, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761; or Ko Olina Beach Club Sales Gallery , 92-161 Waipahe Place, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707.

Offer: This advance purchase offer is subject to availability and expires on December 31, 2017. Travel must be completed within 12 months from the package purchase date. The purchase price is not refundable . Package purchase must be made with a major credit card. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion. Package offer is nontransferable. Offer subject to change without notice. Airfare, transportation, gratuities, additional expenses and applicable taxes, if any, are not included with this offer . At Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club, retail value of the offer is up to $2,695, and retail value of the accommodations is up to $529 per night. At Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, retail value of the offer is up to $2,545, and retail value of the accommodations is up to $499 per night. At Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, retail value of the offer is up to $2,595, and retail value of the accommodations is up to $509 per night. At Marriott’s Waikoloa Ocean Club, retail value of the offer is up to $2,120, and retail value of the accommodations is up to $414 per night. Actual retail value is determined by the resort’s rack rate for the period of occupancy. There will also be a nonrefundable $199 deposit required at time of purchase .

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Is Attending a Timeshare Presentation Worth It for Families?

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

We've probably all received an invitation to a timeshare presentation where we'd spend a few hours but get a free or inexpensive vacation out of the deal. Most of the time we say "no" because of the horror stories we've heard from people who have attended a similar event with aggressive sales tactics or with people that didn't respect their time. Today's parents have limited time to spend with their children while balancing work and household duties. Is attending a two-hour timeshare presentation to save a few bucks worth sacrificing time with the family -- especially when you're on vacation?

But some of these timeshare properties, many of which can also be booked with points, are pretty appealing. We'll talk about the timeshare pitch and perks in a minute but let's first look at some timeshare properties families may want to visit.

Top Timeshare Properties for Families

Here are a few examples of popular family-friendly timeshares, many of which are bookable on traditional hotel points. Elite members might receive an upgrade to a larger room when making a hotel reservation. And, another bonus of booking a timeshare-stye property usually ensures that you'll get a one-, two- or even three-bedroom unit that will easily fit your family (and with washing machines!).

• Kidani Village, a Disney Vacation Club property at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (Orlando, Florida): There are four savannas with more than 200 hoofed animals and birds roaming the resort. Although not part of a hotel loyalty program, points from Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard (not currently available to new applicants) can pay for your room. I found nightly rates in the $300s before tax. You can even "rent" Disney timeshare points from owners. Personally, I want to book a room here for my family just for the unique experiences with the animals.

• The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas* (Lahaina, Hawaii): Beautiful weather year-round and tropical landscapes make Hawaii a favorite for family travel. Cash prices start in the $500s, but rooms are only 50,000 Marriott points per night.

• Marriott's Grande Vista* (Orlando, Florida): My family stayed here before and loved the pools and game rooms. My son really liked the towers and water cannons at the Plaza del Sol pool. Cash rates start at $183 per night or 35,000 Marriott points.

• Hilton Grand Vacations on the Las Vegas Strip* (Las Vegas, Nevada): While gambling is for adults, the shows and attractions are for visitors of all ages. Las Vegas is a popular family destination for food, fun, and shopping. Room rates are as low as 54,000 Hilton Honors points or $124 plus tax. The Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card is a great way to earn points with a 125,000 welcome bonus after spending $2,000 in three months, and 6x points at US Restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations.
• Hyatt Residence Club Maui, Ka'anapali Beach: This property is right next to the Hyatt Regency Maui. The stretch of beach here is fantastic and the pool complexes are exactly what your family dreams about when thinking "Hawaiian vacation." Use 30,000 World of Hyatt points. Cash prices for the one-, two- and three-bedroom units varies depending on the season but are clocking in just shy of $1,000 per night for a two bedroom and $1,089 for a three bedroom this summer. The World of Hyatt Credit Card can help boost your Hyatt points balance.

• Westin Princeville Ocean Villas: The North Shore of Kauai is light on points hotels, but the Westin Princeville is an option on hotel points or for timeshare owners. Standard rooms are 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night and paid rates start at about $300+ per night. Larger suites are bookable for higher prices. Guests here get to enjoy the nearby beach at the Princeville Resort that is the perfect place to watch Hawaiian sunsets.

*For both Marriott and Hilton, loyalty members can redeem points and receive the fifth night free to increase their savings.

The Timeshare Offer

Spending points, however, isn't the only way you can stay at these villa-style properties. Most of them canvas travelers to find some that will exchange their time to attend a presentation for a free or heavily discounted stay, cash or a combination of the two. In most cases, you'll need to set aside at least two hours for the presentation.

The offer will vary based on which company's presentation you attend. If you are actually interested in buying into a timeshare, do your research beforehand to understand the pros and cons of ownership and get a firm handle on pricing. The timeshare resell market can be a great way to save money if you do decide that ownership is right for you.

No matter what the offer is to attend a presentation may be, always negotiate when speaking with the representative. Remember that you'll be giving up valuable vacation time with your family to sit through the timeshare presentation. He or she may have something extra to offer to close the deal.

Here is a timeshare offer we've seen recently:

Holiday Inn Vacations Club

While checking on my IHG Rewards Club account, the telephone agent discussed a Holiday Inn Vacations Club timeshare offer. For $199, my family and I would receive a four-day, three-night vacation in our choice of one of 14 destinations. The options included Orlando, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, the Great Smoky Mountains and other destinations.

Once we attended the presentation, we would receive the $199 back in cash plus a $100 discount certificate for a future Holiday Inn stay. I love a great deal, so I signed up to attend.

Some offers are a bit pricier, such as the $798 offer some receive to spend 5-nights at the Westin Princeville in Kauai, though that offer does include an Avis car rental. Or, at the Disney Aulani in Hawaii attending the sales presentation scores you two luau tickets (normally $139 each).

Our Stay in Gatlinburg

We booked our stay for Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains. We came to find out that the city is a great family destination filled with fun tourist attractions, delicious food and amazing nature hikes. (And don't miss Dollywood , which is nearby.)

Cash Versus Points

If you'd like to stay at the timeshare resort, you can book rooms for less than $200 a night or 35,000 IHG Rewards Club points. The IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card is a great way to earn IHG Rewards points to pay for your stay.

The Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown is located immediately next door and shares many of the benefits of the timeshare, including the indoor waterpark and pool. On many of the dates I checked, the rooms were very inexpensive when paying cash. You could book a room for 30,000 IHG points, but when the cash price is so low, I would opt for the cash rate or book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal .

Attending the Timeshare Presentation

When you attend a timeshare presentation, remember that you're sitting with trained sales professionals. Their job is to weave a story to create an emotional connection and get you to believe that timeshare ownership is better than staying in a hotel where you want, when you want and paying how you want (cash or points).

Most timeshare presentations say that you need to attend for 90 to 120 minutes. If you let them, they'll keep you there as long as they can. If they've done their job correctly, they'll try to find the emotional trigger that will get you to buy one of their packages before you leave.

Do Both Spouses Need to Attend the Presentation?

Timeshare purchases are a big commitment, so the salesperson wants to ensure that both spouses are there to sign off on the contract. If one spouse is not there, it is an easy excuse to say that "I need to speak with my spouse about this" to get out of the potentially high-pressure sales pitch.

Before I got married, many timeshare companies I spoke with would not book an appointment with me. Their sales presentation is designed around families and the memories you create while traveling.

Can Children Attend With You?

Timeshare companies know the children can be a distraction or an excuse to leave early during the sales presentation. Because of this, your children may not always be allowed to attend the timeshare presentation with you, though there are exceptions to this. For example, the Disney Vacation Club does a great job providing colors and such for kids to stay busy during the presentation. We have heard of children attending with other brands, too, such as Hyatt.

When we travel with our children, they usually go to the kids club while we speak with the sales representative. In most kids clubs there will be toys and video games for them to play with, drinks and snacks to enjoy, and television to watch.

With many vacations jam-packed with activities, the kids club can be a welcome breather for kids to relax and enjoy some free-style play.

The Presentation

After signing in at the front desk, you'll watch a video with the other guests while your sales rep waits in another room. The video is designed to make you think about how you can travel with your family using the timeshare and what fond memories you will create. Timeshare members will talk about the places they travel with their ownership and how they love that the timeshare can be passed down to their children.

Once the video is finished, you'll go to the sales rep's table where he will ask questions about how you like to travel, where you want to go and how much you spend on vacation.

It always amazes them when we talk about how much we travel and how little we spend. Most of the sales reps that we've talked to do not understand the value of miles and points.

The Sales Pitch

The answers you provide help the sales rep craft the presentation and approach to get you to buy. The simple math works like this: You say that you travel a certain number of days each year and spend so much each night. They multiply this number by 40 years and compare your expected spend against the purchase of a timeshare.

The sales rep will tell you that it is better to buy a timeshare than rent hotel rooms. But what they often neglect to mention is that the timeshare locations aren't always in the places you like to travel, popular resorts book up quickly, maintenance dues go up each year and you'll pay the dues even when you don't travel. Additionally, if you go through a phase where you need to tighten up on discretionary spending (such as travel), you can't do that as easily if you owe set dues each year.

After you've listened patiently and politely declined their offer, a manager will come to the table. The manager will ask if the sale rep treated you well and take some notes.

At that point, he or she will probably offer you a trial package or maybe a discounted offer to return. A trial will let you try out the timeshare membership for one to two years by paying $1,000 to $3,000 to have a select group of properties to stay at. This package may lock in today's prices in case you decide to buy in the future.

For many people, the trial or sampler package can be a good deal compared to cash prices for the same properties -- points are sometimes even thrown into the deal.

At our Holiday Inn Vacations Club presentation, they offered us a future eight-day, seven-night stay for $1,499. We would be in a two-bedroom, two-bath unit similar to the one we toured earlier in the day. Although the rooms were attractive and the offer was tempting, we couldn't see our family wanting to visit any of their locations for eight days.

Should You Say Yes?

Although my family owns a couple of timeshares that I bought in my 20s, I generally recommend against buying one today. With so many vacation options using hotel points, discount travel sites like Groupon and timeshare rental websites, it usually doesn't make sense to lock yourself into a timeshare.

Related: Why Timeshares Aren't Always a Scam

If you do decide that buying a timeshare is right for your family, understand that you can buy them significantly cheaper on the secondary market. Websites like eBay, Redweek and Tug2.net offer thousands of listings of people trying to sell timeshare memberships that they no longer use or cannot afford.

Alternatives to Buying a Timeshare

Of course, we're all familiar with using hotel points when we travel. But did you know that you can rent timeshare units as well?

Many timeshare properties are available using hotel points. Others are available for rent on eBay and Endless Vacation Rentals .

Mommy Points recently rented Disney Vacation Club points from David's Vacation Club Rentals for an awesome Walt Disney World getaway. Going this route allows you to enjoy all of the benefits of a timeshare vacation for a given trip without the upfront cost or responsibility of annual maintenance dues.

Booking a Cheap Spring Break Vacation

For example, if you wanted to travel to Orlando for 2020 Spring Break and stay at a timeshare property, you have many options. A one-bedroom villa at the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando is available from Endless Vacation Rentals for $161 per night (total of $1,125 for the week).

The same room is available directly from Marriott for $170 per night (total $1,190).

Marriott Bonvoy members can book a week in this room for 300,000 points. The nightly rate is 50,000 points per night, but the fifth night is free as a member benefit.

In my experience, the closer you get to the travel dates, the lower the prices will be on Endless Vacation Rentals because they need to sell the package before the dates pass. Of course, specific dates can sell out.

Is It Worth Your Time?

For our family, giving up two hours of our vacation to earn a big discount on travel expenses is a good trade-off. My wife and I have the strength to decline their best offers to buy, no matter how appealing they may sound in the moment. In our experience, when you attend a timeshare presentation with a well-known name, once you say "no," they will (eventually) respect your decision.

Our family enjoyed a great four-day, three-night vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains for a net cost of $0 after attending the timeshare presentation. Plus, we now have a $100 certificate toward a future Holiday Inn hotel stay. Yes, we spent two hours of our time listening to a timeshare presentation, but it was worth it to have a free family vacation.

Have you attended a timeshare presentation to save money on a vacation? Was it worth it for the perks or will you never do it again?

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Marriott’s Latest Hawaii Timeshare Presentation Offer – Discounted Stay & Airline Miles

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Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Timeshare Presentation Offer

Reader Kevin, the timeshare magnet , has a new offer he shared with me.  The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa timeshare presentation offer is not as good as some other Hawaii offers we have seen but it does discount the room quite a bit.  It also comes with some Hawaiian Airlines miles as well. This are not a very sought after mile currency but they could be useful for some island hopping flights etc.  Let’s take a look at the details.

Offer Details

Here are the terms of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa timeshare presentation offer:

• 5 day / 4 night stay at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
• 10,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles
• $799 per booking
• Must attend a 90 minute presentation
• You have 12 months to travel

Breakdown Of The Value

The landing page for the offer touts it as a package worth $1629.  I was a bit skeptical of that amount but I did some dummy bookings and a 4 night stay often came out to $1550-$1650 when including taxes and fees.  So I would look at this like getting half off your hotel stay for going to a timeshare presentation.  When you are talking about an expensive place like Hawaii then that may be worth it for some.

I wouldn’t put much value on the airline miles myself.  They have somewhat limited uses but they should be worth $100-$150 if you wanted to value them.

This doesn’t include any of the unexpected perks of timeshare offers .

Link To Offer

Final Thoughts

If you were planning on a trip to the Big Island in Hawaii and were going to pay cash anyway then this might be a good deal for you. I don’t think it is quite juicy enough for me to plan travel around, but if I already had plans, I would jump on it for sure.

You of course have to worry about Hawaii’s covid protocols if you wanted to go sometime soon .  All of the islands don’t seem to want to agree on things either .  But this does allow you to book 12 months out, hopefully things have calmed down some by the end of that time frame.

If you end up booking it let us know in the comments.  Remember to never take the first offer ! Ask for a longer booking, reduced rate, upgraded room or more miles etc.

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Hilton Has New Timeshare Offer for Orlando and Las Vegas

Earn 15k bonus points with hyatt virtual timeshare presentation, holiday inn club timeshare offer for 8 destinations, starting from $199 with 50k points bonus, new hilton timeshare offer, 3 nights and 50k points starting from $149.

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Combining Travel Fitness and Running

I Attended a Timeshare Sales Presentation at the Maui Hyatt Residence Club

March 9, 2019 By Will Run For Miles 49 Comments

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency at Ka’anapali Beach in Maui this past February (report to follow).

Next door to the hotel is the Hyatt Residence Club . It is not a hotel, but a vacation ownership property, where you can purchase ownership or the right to visit the property for a given amount of time each year.

It is essentially a timeshare ownership but I was quickly and vehemently told that the Hyatt Residence Club form of ownership was better than a timeshare (as I’ll discuss later).

First, let me say this: Everywhere I went around the Hyatt Regency there were desks and kiosks devoted to advertising the Hyatt Residence Club. I sat down at one such desk near the hotel lobby and signed up for a tour. Here was the offer: attend a 90 minute vacation ownership sales presentation and receive your choice of the following: a $150 check, a $250 spa credit, 2 Luau tickets, 2 sunset cruise tickets or 15,000 World of Hyatt points. I chose the points (no surprise there).

The next day, at 11:30 a.m., we checked in at the sales gallery (which actually was within the Hyatt Regency not the Hyatt Residence Club). We went to a waiting area, where we could choose hot or cold beverages (I took a guava soda) (it was delicious).

Joe (or Bob or Bill), from Pittsburgh, got us and brought us down a hallway where he showed us photos of all of the Hyatt Residence Clubs, and a scaled model of the Maui Residence Club. He escorted us outside to a terrace where we sat around a small table. Before talking about the property, he wanted to get a feel for our travel preferences. He quickly caught on to my love for travel as well as Dave’s more reserved approach to travel.

He began by telling us how popular, desirable and valuable Maui is and went on to discuss the Maui Residence Club (but of course wouldn’t touch on the topic of price yet; that was for later). He knew my love for Hyatt hotels so he segued onto the ownership issue. He said Don’t use the term timeshare – If you want that, go next door to the Marriott! He explained that most of the property on Maui is owned by the Hawaiian families and only leased out – but the Hyatt Residence Club was special – it was owned in fee simple. Therefore, he explained that, if you purchased there, you’d become an owner in the real sense, which is much more valuable than just owning a timeshare.

He escorted us around the grounds. The lobby is welcoming and beautifully decorated. Overall, the property has a very sophisticated, elegant feel to it.

The pools are exceptionally nice.

There are one, two and three bedroom units, though the majority are two bedrooms. Knowing my affection for running and working out, Joe first brought us first to see the hotel gym.

and, check out the towels!

We then went to a model two bedroom unit (which we were told looked identical to all other two bedroom units). As expected, it was impressive (though not necessarily my style). Dave and I joked around about the use of the second bedroom – would it be his music studio or my blogging office? Joe liked that.

Time was moving on, and we were now escorted back to the terrace where we began. Now the books came out, and some of the pricing. It is presented in such a way that sounds totally reasonable. Joe said that the units were selling like hotcakes. We were told that Maui is so desired that you could trade one Maui week for multiple weeks at other Hyatt Residence Clubs or at other timeshare properties worldwide at a reasonable fee.

Here are the basics, though I’m sure there are more charges and details. For a two bedroom, for one week per year, the price was about $74,000, and you paid an annual fee for maintenance and other charges (much like an HOA fee) of $2,700.

If I had unlimited money and vacation time, this might be great. I’m the daughter of a CPA, so I started crunching the basic numbers. If the $74,000 price represents one week of a unit, then multiplying that by 52, means that the unit is $3,848,000? I asked myself, as nice as it is, is it worth nearly $4 million? Even if I was okay with that, I’m not sure I wanted to commit to $2,700 annual maintenance fee for one week vacation per year.

Overall, the sales pitch was assertive but not overly aggressive. I said I had to think about it, and of course, someone else, Vida, appeared out of the blue (how does that always happen?) to speak to us. Vida gave us an offer of coming back within two years for a visit at a modest price (no, a hefty price) (which would be applied to the purchase should we choose to purchase) along with a generous helping of World of Hyatt points. She followed up by sending this email the following morning:

Aloha, So great to meet you both today.  Here’s a re-cap of  t he Access package promotion I shared with you.  It’s a one time, no obligation, 2 year trial program without the long term commitment of ownership.  Simply more fun time in Paradise at the Hyatt Residence Club here in beautiful Maui.   Here are the two Access package promotions to choose from;   One 8-Day/7-Night   guaranteed stay in a gorgeous  2-bedroom 2-bath OCEANFRONT  villa at the Maui Hyatt Residence Club.   Travel to be completed within 2 years.   Availability throughout the year except major holidays . plus   100,000 World of Hyatt points  (3-20 free Hyatt Hotel nights, no expiration date).   plus   Price/Incentive freeze  on today’s ownership prices and part or all of the  cost of the Access Program can be credited toward ownership  *There is no obligation to purchase ownership $5045  +  $ 249 processing  =  $5294    Includes taxes, resort fees, etc. Special 0%  interest   financing with  no credit check .  OR   One 5-Day/4-Night  guaranteed stay in a gorgeous  2-bedroom 2-bath OCEANFRONT  villa at the Maui Hyatt Residence Club.  Travel to be completed within 2 years.   Availability throughout the year except major holidays . plus   60 ,000 World of Hyatt points   (2-12 free Hyatt Hotel nights, no expiration date).  plus   Price/Incentive freeze  on today’s ownership prices and part or all of the  cost of the Access Program can be credited toward ownership   *There is no obligation to purchase ownership. $2900  +  $ 249 processing  =  $3149   Includes taxes, resort fees, etc.   Special 0% interest financing with  no credit check .     The Access program allows you to explore, on a one time trial basis, the benefits of the new floating 2-bedroom luxury villa  week  without a  commitment to purchase  ownership .  Its a great opportunity to  use concurrently or consecutively with your existing week or come at a different time of year.   Some owners are using this in place of one of their weeks and exploring their other options, renting, exchanging, etc.   As an additional bonus, if you choose to purchase an ownership during your stay, we can credit up to the price of this package to the down payment (a maximum of 10% of a purchase price)  and  honor price  and   pur chase incentives offered to you on your sales presentation.   All we need to sign you up is  $249  and the balance is  spread out  over  21 months at Zero, 0% interest.

(She also attached a PDF brochure of the property to the email but I don’t know how to attach it here. Let me know if you want me to email it to you).

The following day, I went to a pool on Hyatt Residence Club property. I spoke to a couple from Knoxville, TN who own two weeks there. They like timeshare ownership. They spend two weeks each January at a timeshare in Puerto Rico, then two weeks each February in Maui, then two weeks each March somewhere else (nice life, right?). They were thrilled with their investment and love returning to the Hyatt Residence Club each year.

So, there you have it. As much as I love Hawaii, I live to far to consider purchasing a timeshare there. Maybe someplace closer, who knows.

This week, like many others, I received an email from Hyatt with an exclusive invitation to visit one of the many Hyatt Residence Clubs in the country on very favorable grounds. Mine was for Maui (which I just visited) ( Enjoy a 5-night Hawaiian escape at our oceanfront destination, Hyatt  Residence Club Maui, Kāʻanapali Beach, including a 6-day Avis rental car, all for only $995. Plus, explore new possibilities with 7,000 Bonus Points ). If it had been for Bonita Springs, Siesta Key or Key West, Florida, I may well have accepted the offer.

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March 9, 2019 at 4:17 pm

I have some issues with these “not timeshares”:

The approximately $4 million dollar (annualized) price tag is way beyond steep.

The fact that you could invest that same $74,000 and stay somewhere off what the investment earned on average, while still keeping your base money.

After the $74,000, you’re still stuck with the $2,700 a year. Forever. And I’d bet that the amount will only increase.

Anecdotally, it’s excruciatingly difficult to get out of a timeshare.

March 10, 2019 at 4:06 am

Not so difficult how u think..but u really have to give away your property..dont pay maintanance fees for few years and they wiĺl offer u to give away your timeshare to them.

March 11, 2019 at 9:32 am

That sounds like a great way to nuke your credit and have a lifetime of collections calls ahead of you

March 16, 2019 at 4:54 pm

I own 3 with different companies. They each have their own programs for resell back to them when ready. People who have owned for decades obviously may no longer want or need so companies are addressing. Along with other turnoffs of an early generation ts.

March 9, 2019 at 4:28 pm

Thanks for posting the detailed review! I received a 3 night Bonita Springs offer + 10k bonus points for $240. Not a bad deal but unsure if we’ll do it.

March 9, 2019 at 4:33 pm

Sounds smells and acts like Timeshare ownership to me. The elephants in the room are huge upfront dollars, massive maintenance fees. Are they capped.? What about availability. Was there any conversation about if one wanted to sell it? Way too many unanswered items for me to put 75 large down. In ten years its 100grand. The best part of this is its Hawaii and a great resale market. I just dont like a negative equity vacation ownership hovering over me in perpetuity via maintenance fees.I pass…..

March 16, 2019 at 6:40 pm

I went to this presentation about 3 years ago and the annual fee was around $2500. Now it’s $2700. There probably is no cap. If you do the math and assume a 5% increase each year, the annual fee will be about $4400 per year in 10 years. That’s $628 per night for a 7 night stay PLUS you paid $74,000 for the week. On the other hand, if money is no object, they are nice units and the flexibility to other properties is nice. Love Bonita Springs.

March 9, 2019 at 5:32 pm

You can vacation at any place you want for the $74000 plus $2500 per year for the rest of your life.

March 10, 2019 at 7:09 am

So true , Hawaii 2 bedrooms run about $2-3,000 a week so for the money it’s ridiculously expensive as the maintenance is the same as a rental cost.

March 9, 2019 at 5:40 pm

The word timeshare and investment together is an oxymoron. Go o eBay – people will give you their timeshare for free. The only people that think timeshares are a good deal are ones that can not do simple math.

March 9, 2019 at 5:58 pm

This is a timeshare. If you have one week a year at this resort and only this resort, it’s a timeshare. We are Marriott Vacation Club owners which is not a timeshare like this Hyatt one is or this poster made it sound. Vacation club allots points to use anytime, anywhere. That is a much better deal than timeshare weeks. And ours cost almost half as much as this Hyatt timeshare.

March 9, 2019 at 8:56 pm

Timeshare: 2 categories Weeks or points

March 11, 2019 at 9:09 am

So what happens to your points per year with Marriott once they get devalued like they just did?

March 9, 2019 at 6:37 pm

We own a TS in Orlando. Do to health reasons were got an attorney to get us out when the TS would not talk to us after 5yrs of ownwership and not used once. He took us for $5,000. The TS said we now owed 11,200 instead of the balance of $3000 due to interest and penalties. By calling the BBB they found out the lawyer was in Tenn, we were in Tx. They sent paperwok that we filled out at their request to the State Attorny General’s office and they disbarred the lawyer but we were still in hock, so we cleaned out my husbands 401K because they said we had 24hr to get them the balance in full or they would place a lean on my house.

March 9, 2019 at 6:43 pm

Wife and I went to this last year. Ridiculous examples repeated out of sales book about customers who TREASURED their ownership even buying extra units despite having cancer and whatnot. I just about had to laugh at why other people’s gullibility would motivate us ?!?!

Fantastic property, got in a 1-bedroom couple of nights on points. Would go back again if a 4 or 5 night timeshare deal came along.

But the numbers add up badly. Based on bottomline total, we can go anywhere in the world for that kind of money, and not be tied to so much to a destination (or set of tradeables). Maui’s nice but maybe next year we’d rather go somewhere that HRC partners have no presence.

March 9, 2019 at 6:57 pm

So you had an attitude right from the start (Joe, bill bob). You’re rude. Dont take the gift and dont go on the tour. You knew what you were getting yourself into. I hate reading this stuff.

March 9, 2019 at 10:06 pm

Agreed! Daughter of a CPA sounds like a mooch to me. Clearly accepting the free points for free stays. It takes someone who actually spends money not free nights on hotels to value ownership. I wouldnt buy a luxury product unless i was willing to pay for its usage.

March 9, 2019 at 10:41 pm

I disagree. I went to the meeting with an open mind. And as for your accusations, do you not agree that it is prudent to carefully review the numbers rather than blindly accept them?

March 11, 2019 at 9:37 am

Will, ignore those nonsense comments. I don’t think they understand the idea behind the blog if that’s what they think.

March 10, 2019 at 10:33 am

Rich and Sabrina, you both sound like timeshare sales people, living off the backs of the ill informed and using high pressure sales tactics to relieve them of their hard earned money.

There is nothing wrong with looking and listening to the pitch. The Timeshare companies offer the packages/incentives to bring people in otherwise they would have no customers.

Yes, we own a timeshare. No, we do not use it anymore. We cannot give it away and have tried for years. The timeshare company will provide no assistance to get rid of the unit.

The Timeshare industry is all about making money for the developers and sales people. The government will eventually have to step in and regulate this market and protect the consumer because the industry will not do it themselves.

March 9, 2019 at 7:36 pm

It’s a timeshare regardless of what they tell you !The maintenance dues goes up every year! We own a timeshare and it’s one of the biggest mistakes we ever made

March 9, 2019 at 7:49 pm

Went to the hiton timeshare and the Marriot timeshare presentations. Both are very pricey and said no got our free stay 3nights actually it was 200.00 and left. The problem is its hard to get the weeks you want January -march. Rest of yearnot to bad. Also rember thse properties are not close to liquor and groceries so you pay there fees which are over priced. Rent a condo instead on Vrbo

March 9, 2019 at 8:33 pm

I purchased at time share 20 years ago for $8000 annual Maintenance fee$375 . today the maintenance fee is $1875. Never seems available when I need it. Not the biggestMistake I ever made but certainly in the top 5 Bottom line is stay away from time share sales people.

March 9, 2019 at 8:45 pm

Don’t get into it. It’s hard as hell to get rid of and if you die your kids have a nightmare.

March 9, 2019 at 8:47 pm

The problem with timeshares is not the concept but the costs. We bought our first week in ogunquit Maine in 1986 for $2,000, traded it to Pompano Beach Florida and bought an ocean front week for February school vacation for $9,000 Then it 1987 bought a week in Lincoln NH for $4,000 and then in 1998 bought a week at the Marriott Custom House in Boston for $11,900. The highest maintenance fee was the Marriott at about $1,000 a year. We traded them all over the worked and then sold the Maine week for $1,500 in house. We rented out Florida property out for $1,000 a week when my parents retired to Florida and then sold it in house for $6,600. Finally, we sold the Marriott through them and netted $15,500, which was more than we paid for it. We kept the NH property since 87 and the maintenance is still only about $600 a year. Today’s prices and maintenance fees are rediculous. That is why these companies can spend so much on marketing. The mark up is what pays for the salesperson and other closer’s commissions. It does not cost millions to build 1 room in a building, no matter how nice it looks. Then $70-$80 year to maintain that one room plus taxes? That is why there are so many weeks for sale or rent on the internet now. They are not an investment like a home and cannot be sold like one. We love to travel and have used ours every year and have stayed at great properties for way less than the maintenance costs then. However, if I were in love with a property now, in this day of the internet, I would buy it from the owner and not the developer. Last year I rented a week from an owner at the Banyon in Key West for $700. That is far less than the weekly maintenance fee or resort rental and there were no long term commitments. Sometimes, there is death, divorce, medical and financial reasons that someone cannot use their week. The example given of $74,000 is absurd. My credit union pays 3%. That would be $2220 a year in interest plus the maintenance fee and you have $5000 a year to rent a nice place anywhere for a week. You can also go to a different place every year and not add the annual fee to RCI or II or the trading fee. Today with Airbnb and Homeaway and others options, you can keep the principal and lose the commitment and still travel well.

March 9, 2019 at 9:05 pm

I agree with Rich, you new going in what it was and were paid to be there. Some people love it like my parents, some people cant afford it like all the people commenting negatively. They stay at crappy hotels off groupon. The upper class stay at nice places. If you dont like Timeshare dont take the tours or maybe you need to pay for your vacation this way, either way your pathetic.

March 10, 2019 at 10:31 am

The upper class don’t but timeshares. They either pay for a nice hotel or buy their own vacation home. You can easily stay at a nice hotel for the amount of the maintenance fees mentioned in this article.

March 10, 2019 at 4:38 pm

March 9, 2019 at 9:29 pm

I have time share in FL my fee goes up every other year something it’s hard to exchange to go somewhere else.

Timeshare ….They’re not for everybody but they do work if you take the time to learn how use it ….where you own definitely makes a difference. We’ve owned for over 20 years and have traveled very well with ours. It’s paid for itself many times and we pay about $1000 a year .

March 10, 2019 at 7:47 am

I purchesed one in fortlauderdale about 4 years ago Yea they started a high bid I said no But they did not give in and gave me lower offers It took about 9 no’s before I a time guy came in and said his last bid Just so we could make it back so my mom and I could get on the on the cruise ship I accepted

Its really no different than any mortgages Of course im behind on paying rci

There are ways you can use them or it for your advantage I haven’t even had the”time” to look into it

Anyways God bless youu Have a good holiday

March 9, 2019 at 9:41 pm

The sales guy, while comparing the HRC resort to the Marriott (MOC) up the road, failed to mention that MVC (Marriott Vacation Club) just happens to own HRC along with VSE (Vistana Signature Experience); both purchased along with ILG – parent company of Interval International.

It’s pretty obvious that both Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club and Hyatt’s Ka’anapali Beach club are, IMO, both drastically overpriced timeshares with inflated Maint. fees to boot.

March 10, 2019 at 12:16 am

We stayed a week in poconos with agreement to attend 90 minute timeshare presentation. It cost less than $350. Well worth it. No obligation. Great way to travel cheaply.

March 10, 2019 at 3:03 pm

I used to sell timeshare. It got to the point where I could not stand to look at myself in the mirror. The lies we had to tell honest, hard working people. It weighed heavily on my conscience. If the truth were told, no one would consider timeshare ownership. I am ashamed of that time in my life. The money we made? Six figures were the average. You just had to sell your soul to make it…

March 10, 2019 at 6:26 pm

Got involved with timeshares when they only cost 2,700. That same one costs 4,500 but the maintenance fee now is 450 for 1 week plus a booking fee and dont try selling them cause none wants em. Foolishly I bought into 5. One in myrtle beach, two in Florida and 2 in Tennessee. Yes, I was young and foolish. The maintenance now is 800 in Florida each 450 in Tennessee each and 900 in myrtle beach. Retired 4 yrs ago and wanted to give them away. Nope none wants them. They are paid off. So HELL NO timeshares

March 10, 2019 at 11:36 pm

Contact Timeshare Nation on the internet. They will take it off your hands.

March 10, 2019 at 11:25 pm

There is a company called Timeshare Nation. Timeshares are free. They have over 80. All you have to do is pay the maintenance fee. So apparently you can get out of your timeshare.

March 11, 2019 at 8:58 am

Yeah I purchased the trial package and was told the same thing you were told but apparently any day except holidays doesn’t mean that. I’ve tried a couple of times on random days to use it and finally had to settle for days they told me were available just to be able to use it. Even though there are plenty of rooms available to book if I wanted to pay per night. Ridiculous and I can’t wait to show up to my hour presentation. Just to tell them how much of a joke they are. DONT DO IT!!!

March 11, 2019 at 9:16 am

Thanks Frank. I hope it works out for you. Wow, what an education writing this post has been.

March 11, 2019 at 1:17 pm

My career is helping people out of timeshares. This is 100% a timeshare. Most people I speak with have been scammed multiple times trying to get out of it. NEVER BUY A TIMESHARE. YOU CAN TAKE THE SAME VACATIONS THROUGH OTHER SITES. YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY PAY SUBSTANTIALLY MORE FOR THE SAME VACATIONS ANYONE CAN TAKE.

March 11, 2019 at 7:06 pm

Timeshare is not for everyone. But, it need not be the debacle that most of the posters on this site seem to believe it is. If you take the time to educate yourself on how to effectively use this form of property, you might actually find it to be advantageous. By using several of our weeks and renting the remaining weeks, we stay at $600-700 per night properties for $150-200 per night AND cover all of our maintenance fees.

BTW, look at what’s available on the resale market. That’s where you should look if you are considering buying.

March 16, 2019 at 4:04 pm

The concept of timeshare is simply flawed. No matter how cheap the timeshare is, I still have to pay $$ out of pocket. After all, I travel for FREE (w/ pts and miles), and for an adventure, since I ask for airline vouchers and refund of hotel pts whenever possible. Example last year I went to Hawaii for 10 days and instead of spending pts, I earned 300K pts from hotel compensation. Oh yeah

September 1, 2020 at 3:21 pm

I’ve been a Hyatt owner since 2003, have gotten every dime out of what I paid. I was able to utilize it to provide over 30 fantastic trips

I also own a vacation condo close to the beach in Naples Florida. The maintenance fees, insurance and taxes have gone up faster than the Hyatt. Not to mention the special hurricane and roofing assessments

Most people do not take into account the real costs of a second home, and the worry when you are not there. My luxury brand appliances are less than 10 years old in Naples. A new air conditioner set me back over 6k this year and and then the fridge went.

Renting can be an iffy option but having a kitchen saves time and money . Found a beautiful place in Dublin next to the waste treatment plant. Another oceanfront in Martinique with great reviews that was on a busy road with a bed that was like sleeping on a rock. Hyatt has spoiled me

Hotels are also increasing in price and maintenance fees are always built into anything rented

I can count on Hyatt with their upscale locations to provide the best service and however the perks of ownership with Hyatt are amazing

We check in, the condos are perfect and when I close the door to go home I don’t think about it

Just bought additional points in their new Portfolio program and considering selling condo

Thank you Hyatt for all the awesome luxury vacations and many more to come

November 2, 2022 at 12:26 pm

I find the writer to be a sniveling,broke kunt.I don’t care you’re the daughter of a cpa.Is your worthless husband broke?

And you didn’t mention what they dropped it to? They dont say 74k and let you go dummy..They drop while you’re there.And it’s times 50 stupid,not 52.All properties need 2 weeks,for upgrades and maintenance.

Not only you and your husband are broke idiots.You can’t negotiate ,and you have no character.

I’ve never been in a timeshare presentation, because I would jack off people(sales) that are on 100% commission, when I know I wouldn’t buy.

Yes,I own at a HRC and another in LV. BUT I KNOW HOW TO ACQUIRE WHOLESALE!

You seem like a 2 bit ,know it all hore,that deserves a 300 sq.ft.box.with a mini fridge that charges highway robbery,and no washer/dryer,kitchen etc..

March 5, 2023 at 1:31 pm

Cliff, thank you. The idea of spending a week vacationing near you is reason alone to avoid this.

You must sell timeshares at this location, or else why be so upset?

Cliff, is it wrong to invite you to go swimming alone in the ocean after a few drinks?

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We caved in and bit on a timeshare presentation deal. I did so once before but ignored all calls, some which eventually came at 5:30 AM trying to "catch us" before we left our room, LOL.

Assuming we don't do that again, what should we look out for? (I'm not completely opposed to buying, as we all have our price, but I don't like the pressure to sign immediately.)

Don't have a problem saying NO and you'll be fine. Stay no longer than 90 minutes. I personally would never buy a time share and only if I was independently wealthy. Then, if I was that wealthy I would could buy a condo out right!!

If you got a "deal" and don't show up, they bill you for the full regular price. And they already have your credit card information. It's in the fine print. As fishdiva says, show up, keep to your required minimum time, don't take any of the bait. Explain that you would never dream of saddling your heirs with a financial obligation like that and stand firm.

Thanks for the input. Yes, my wife told me they'll charge if we don't show. We did one in Cancun many years ago. I told the guy up front I'm not buying anything and reiterated that a few times. At the end, when he couldn't get me to commit, he threw his pen down and stormed off all PO'd, appalled by my "surprise" rejection, LOL.

My husband and I did one of these deals in the Berkshires years ago with zero intention of buying anything*, but being willing to spend 90 minutes in exchange for a free hotel night. For 90 minutes, we kept our toddler (now 20), well behaved and safe. After 90 minutes, we stopped worrying about well-behaved. You’d think between that and our obvious lack of interest, the salesman would have been motivated to finish up with us already, but nope.

*Among other reasons, at least at the time and possibly still true, even if we wanted a timeshare, which we didn’t, they were much, much cheaper on the secondary market. Also, suggesting that a lawyer and a CPA sign a contract that they haven’t had a chance to go over with a fine tooth comb is just hilariously stupid.

Our experience was also that you don’t get the voucher until they’re good and ready to give it to you.

If I were to do it again, at 95 minutes and every 5-10 minutes after that, I’d point out that they said 90 minutes and it’s now been x minutes and ask when will they be done, ask about the secondary market and borrow a small child to bring along, if possible.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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What Not to Do in Hawaii: 20 Things To Avoid During Your Trip

Planning a trip to hawaii find out the top things not to do in hawaii when you are  on a budget  so you’ll have a truly amazing hawaiian vacation.

No matter what you tell yourself, every vacation destination has the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Of course, most places are only going to tell you about the good stuff happening.

If you’re vacationing in Hawaii soon, there are some things that you need to avoid.

To avoid anything crazy happening, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Keep scrolling for the top  things NOT to do on a Hawaii vacation ! From the top Hawaii dangers to safety in Hawaii, here is exactly what to know before going to Hawaii, especially the things NOT to do on the Hawaiian islands.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Hawaii Itineraries complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

What not to do on your hawaiian vacation.

Here are some of the top things on what not to do in Hawaii. When visiting Hawaii, these are some of the things you’ll want to know before you go so you respect the native Hawaiian culture and enjoy your vacation!

AVOID RUSHING

In most parts of the United States, everyone is in a rush. You rush to work, and you rush home. Mostly missing out on the important things in between.

An important lesson that will need to be learned when you’re vacationing in Hawaii is “Island Time.”

You may be wondering what in the world   Island Time  is. Well, you’re about to find out.

This means that the current time doesn’t mean much.

Vacationers take over the island, which means that it really slows others down, which means it slows the whole Hawaiian island down.

You also need to take into consideration which Hawaiian Island you’re staying on.

Life is much more laid back on islands like Lanai  and the  Big Island , where everything takes just a little longer.

Many visitors struggle with island time in the Aloha state but, by the end of your trip, you will learn to never rush again!

TIMESHARE PRESENTATIONS

Unless you are good at saying NO, you are going to want to avoid all of the timeshare presentation offers you’ll get in  Hawaii .

I mean, Hawaii is beautiful; everyone knows that.

However, it doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands of dollars on a timeshare. You will get lots and lots of offers for timeshares in Hawaii.

Do you have the willpower to say no?

You can get a vacation rental on any Hawaiian island for a great price, so timeshares aren’t really needed.

AVOID OVER-SCHEDULING

Are you new to the Hawaii vacationing scene? If so, let me tell you a secret. You do not want to overschedule. 

Sure, there are probably a lot of things that you want to see and do. However, you’re also going to want to experience those things. It’s one of the worst things about Hawaii; you want to do all the things but you don’t want to overschedule.

A busy schedule means you won’t be able to take it all in.

Plus, Hawaii is a very busy place. You do not want to spend your whole day traveling in a vehicle, missing out on everything!

If you can, avoid over-scheduling while you’re in Hawaii!

Instead, check out the following and plan out your schedule so you don’t get too busy and can enjoy the top things to do in each of the areas:

• what should you not miss on Kauai
• what should you not miss on Oahu
• what not to miss on the Big Island of Hawaii
• what not to miss in Maui, Hawaii

SKIP OUT ON THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

If you’ve ever been to Disney World on Spring Break, then you know exactly what I mean.

When you’re scheduling a vacation to Hawaii, school holidays are going to be crazy.

Flights are more expensive, hotels are going to cost more, and the Islands are going to be packed.

While you plan your vacation to Hawaii, consider going during the off-season. The off-season is not between Christmas and New Year.

May and  October  are supposed to be the best months to travel to Hawaii.

AVOID THE EXTRAS

Don’t forget that Hawaii is a tourist spot. They want you to spend money. If you’re not careful, it’s super easy to spend a lot of your cash. It’s one of the tourist traps when visiting Hawaii.

Let’s be honest. You’re here to see the beach. You don’t need to get a helicopter tour, a boat tour, a zip line, or anything in between.

While you’re in Hawaii, take the time to enjoy it!

If you set your heart and mind on avoiding these extra activities before you get there, you will save yourself a lot of time and headaches.

Know what you want to do before you get there.

I’m not saying you cannot do these things.

However, if your goal is to leave with money in your pocket, just know that you don’t need to do ALL the things (expensive things).

But the biggest “What not to miss in Hawaii” is the beautiful beaches. So as long as you do that, you will enjoy your entire trip.

AVOID STAYING AT RESORTS

This is something you shouldn’t do if you want to save money during your trip, but there are plenty of great resorts we love to stay at when you can afford it!

When you have the money to stay at a resort, go for it, but you should know there are other options.

Those who have been to Hawaii many times know that there is always the option of staying at a condo or vacation rental.

There is nothing wrong with staying at an inexpensive hotel rather. Trust me; there are nice hotels and motels in Hawaii.

With the money you save not staying at a resort, you can do extra activities and not break the bank. While it’s not always about saving money, most of the time, it is.

AVOID TRYING TO VISIT ALL THE ISLANDS ON ONE TRIP

Now that you’re in Hawaii, you’re most likely trying to see everything that you possibly can.

If I can give you one piece of advice, it would be to not try and visit all the islands in one stay. Try to pick one or two islands and enjoy those. The other islands can wait. One island is plenty to enjoy during one trip.

There is a lot to do in Hawaii, and if you think you can do it all in one trip, you may learn a hard lesson. Flying to and from the islands can also get costly.

Don’t worry; this is only advice; you get to choose which islands you want to enjoy!

DON’T GET A SUNBURN

It is so important to wear sunscreen while on any of the islands, but not just any type of sunscreen. The only sunscreen allowed is reef-safe sunscreen .

Keep the coral safe and your body by wearing sunscreen during each day of your trip.

DON’T GET DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING

It is so easy to want to look at all the incredible things and beaches along the way while you drive around the island. However, that often means many will crash their rental car.

This is especially important on the Road to Hana . If you want to see all the Road to Hana offers, be sure to go on a Road to Hana tour instead.

DON’T TAKE LAVA ROCKS

Lava rocks cannot be taken off the Hawaiian islands. That is in part because it is believed that Pele’s curse will follow home with you.

If you take a lava rock, you will be cursed. Many tourists still take them and then return them and mail letters saying sorry to Pele for taking a rock.

DON’T TOUCH THE WILDLIFE

It is so tempting when you see the sea turtles to want to get close, but you need to give them space. It is actually illegal to touch the turtles.

This is the same for monk seals and other animals on the islands.

Only pictures around these wildlife animals.

LEAVE THE CORAL REEFS ALONE

Similar to lava rocks, you cannot take the coral reef home with you. However, you don’t want to step on the coral, either.

Many sea creatures live in the reef, and when you step on them, you destroy their homes.

When you go snorkeling in Hawaii, be sure to not touch the coral reefs.

DON’T IGNORE POSTED WARNING SIGNS

You will find many warning signs all over the place. Some are posted at the beaches warning you to not go into the ocean, for a variety of reasons.

Sometimes the waves are too dangerous or there are sharks or jellyfish.

Read all the signs and follow them!

DON’T FORGET TO TRY HAWAIIAN FOOD

Don’t just go to all the food places you know from the Mainland. This is a time to try Hawaiian food ! Many local restaurants offer delicious food you will love, so don’t be afraid to try new things.

Poke is one of our favorite Hawaiian foods to eat each time we go to the Big Island, Oahu, and the other islands too. It’s a staple food you will absolutely love!

Poke is definitely on the “what not to miss in Oahu” list!

Check out our favorite poke places in Oahu

DON’T TRESPASS

There are a lot of places you might have heard of that are considered private property, so don’t trespass. Even if other tourists do, you shouldn’t.

Respect the native Hawaiians and all the private property signs, and don’t go where you know you shouldn’t.

There are plenty of places you can visit, so there is no reason to trespass.

When learning what not to do in Oahu and all the other islands, this should make the top of the list. There is a hefty fine for trespassing, so you have been warned.

DON’T SWIM IN MURKY WATER

After it rains, you might see some beaches have murky or brown water. It is best to not go in that water.

This is mainly because you never know what you’ll find in the water. Sometimes sharks stay in the dirty water or other animals that could hurt you.

Find a beach that has clear water so you can always be safe.

DON’T TURN YOUR BACK ON THE OCEAN

While on the subject of the ocean, don’t turn your back to it. I know it sounds kind of cliche, but you never know when a wave is going to hit. You should always watch so you don’t get hurt.

Most locals swim looking at the ocean so they stay safe and can watch for waves coming their way.

DON’T WEAR SHOES IN SOMEONE ELSE’S HOME

You might have this rule in your own home, but it is a very common thing for Hawaii, so I included it on the list.

It is not polite to wear shoes inside the house, so always take them off. It can bring dirt and other things into the house you don’t want.

DON’T FORGET TO TIP

Tipping is still a big thing in Hawaii. From your tour guide to hotel services and more, you will want to tip for good service.

Learn all about tipping in Hawaii

DON’T EXPECT SUNSHINE ALL THE TIME

Even though it is gorgeous and you will find plenty of sunshine during your Hawaiian trip, don’t expect it to be perfect weather all the time.

It still rains in Hawaii, sometimes the wind blows, and it can get quite cool, especially at night.

That’s why it is a good idea to bring a rain jacket, just in case.

What Are Some Things I SHOULD do in Hawaii?

That may seem like a long list of things to avoid in Hawaii. However, there are some things that you should definitely do.

VISIT THE BEACH

You shouldn’t avoid visiting the beach! Any beach in Hawaii is going to be amazing.

However, you will want to make sure you read up on the beach. Some  beaches in Hawaii are good for swimming, and others are not.

ASK THE LOCALS

While I cannot guarantee that every local will be happy to answer your questions, all you can do is try.

I’m a firm believer that you can read all the reviews, but the locals are going to truly know what the best places to eat and experience are.

DON’T AVOID AN ADVENTURE

There is a difference between a tourist trap and an adventure. I would encourage you to research some of the top activities in Hawaii   and do them!

There are some things you can do in Hawaii that you can’t do anywhere else.

Visiting Pearl Harbor , Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , the Old Lahaina Luau , Waikiki Beach , and so much more are all great activities to enjoy.

LEARN ABOUT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURE

You will definitely want to learn all about the Hawaiian culture while you are here. There are so many fun cultural activities you will love to do!

The Polynesian Cultural Center will teach you about many of the different Polynesian cultures all while having fun!

KEEP YOUR CAR LOCKED

If you leave valuables in your car, make sure to keep it locked. While it is a safe place, there is still theft.

You don’t want your rental cars being broken into so better safe than sorry.

What Can You Not Do in Hawaii FAQs

Absolutely! While it can be expensive to fly to Hawaii, there are tons of ways to save money on your Hawaii vacation. Once you get over there, you won’t regret your vacation choice! Visiting Hawaii is definitely something you’ll want to do!

There are many dangers in Hawaii, but it is not very dangerous for tourists on your Hawaii vacation. Also long as you lock your rental cars, and consider the local culture, you should be fine.

When learning what not to do in Maui or any of the Hawaiian islands, there are a few things that are not okay. Touching green sea turtles is very frowned upon as well as not respecting the aloha spirit.

There are a few things on what not to take from Hawaii that you need to know. You cannot take lava rocks and you shouldn’t take the sand home from the beautiful beaches either.

You can’t bring agricultural things to the Hawaiian islands. You also cannot bring just any sunscreen; you can only bring reef-safe sunscreen .

What Not To Do in Hawaii Wrap-Up

Hopefully, these tips help you with what not to do in hawaii during your vacation..

While you should avoid some things while on vacation in Hawaii, there are some others that you should take advantage of.

Now that you know, enjoy your trip to any of the Hawaiian islands!

Looking for more Hawaii Travel Resources? Find out  Tips for Your First Trip to Hawaii ,  105 Hawaii on a Budget Tips , and  Things You Will Forget on Your Hawaii Packing List !

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