Timeshares have been very popular for the last several decades. Traditionally the owner invests around $16,000-$17,000 in exchange for spending one or two weeks per year at that property. Additionally the user spends at least $300 per year for annual maintenence fees. This expense can go as high as $900 or more each year. This expense must be paid no matter if it is used or not. The owner’s week can be exchanged for a different week or location as long as a fee is paid to a Timeshare exchange company. Usually the exchange fee is $200 or more.
So just exactly why are Travel Club Memberships in such high demand these days and why has the popularity of Timeshares been decreasing at such an alarming rate? The following should help to answer this:
1. For starters, the initial investment is usually much. much less that with a Timeshare. The purchase price can generally be at least five times cheaper with the Travel Club Membership. Making ownership much easier in the current economic slowdown facing most consumers.
2. Also there are no upkeep fees required because you pay as you go. Costs can be as low as $298 for an entire family for a whole week. If you do not use it you won’t pay anything. And what many people do not realize is if you fail to pay your upkeep fee on your Timeshare, you could have your Timeshare foreclosed on. Even if you failed to use it during that entire year. There are no taxes or check-in fees included in this weekly rate. And most of all, there are no dreaded Timeshare presentations required in order to experience these extremely low rates.
3. As stated above, with a Timeshare you either vacation at the same place every year or you can try to exchange your week for a more desirable location. This can be accomplished through the RCI Timeshare Exchange, which can become expensive as well as time consuming. Or you can go online and take your chances by posting your ad at various places such as Backpage or Craigslist. If you’re very fortunate you can find someone that has what you want and wants what you have. But, with a Travel Club Membership you typically will have dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of special properties to choose from. You’ll have much more variety Plus you’ll have access to some of the best properties in the world.
About the author: Wayne Hinrichs is a travel club membership consultant. Wayne likes helping travelers get access to top timeshare places at the lowest rates possible. He also helps clients receive big discounts with their Hotels, Cruises and Air at some of the nicest destinations.
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