Best Timeshare Companies
SellMyTimeshareNow4.3(960)- Newton Group Transfers3.7(25)
Westgate Reservations3.2(625)
Best Timeshare Companies
Timeshares offer partial ownership and regular access to a resort, condo or vacation properties. If you’re looking for a dependable and affordable vacation option, use our guide to find the best timeshare company for you. Timeshare units and resort rooms are typically located at popular travel destinations, such as beaches, mountains or theme parks.
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An online marketplace that connects people looking to rent, buy and sell timeshare property. Advertises timeshare properties on a global platform. Helps customers find better deals.
Specializes in legal timeshare exit strategies. Co-founded DC Capital Law to provide individual legal counsel to clients. Wrote “The Consumers Guide to Timeshare Exit” to educate consumers.
Resort timeshares. Shared property ownership. Vacation ownership. Deeded ownership. Access to U.S. and international locations. Flexible exchange privileges. Luxury accommodations. Resort amenities and attractions.
Vida Vacations offers resorts throughout the world. With the Mexican-based company, users can travel up and down the coastline in exotic locations or spend more time visiting Mexico through purchasing timeshares.
Timeshare exit company. Eliminates timeshares and releases you of liabilities. Money-back guarantee. Offers payment plans. Free consultation. Online client portal available. Assigns dedicated servicing team.
TimeShares Only allows users to browse, rent and purchase timeshares through its website. Users can also get up-to-date news about the timeshare industry, including information about pricing and investment trends.
Offers vacation packages in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Missouri. Vacation packages and ownership opportunities available. Rotating seasonal discounts, free stays and exclusive vacation packages.
RCI opened the first vacation exchange program in 1974, and is still in operation today. Users can exchange time at their home resort for time at another member's resort, allowing customers to vacation anywhere in the world.
Blue Bay Club includes 52 hotels in 27 different travel destinations, so customers always have a unique destination to visit. They own four different brands that cater to business travelers as well as families and leisure.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts offers numerous vacation resort timeshares across the United States and in the Caribbean. It currently offers over 900,000 families points-based vacation products that they can use at over 190 locations.
Bluegreen Corporation offers timeshare vacation resorts throughout America, Aruba and the Bahamas. It serves over 175,000 timeshare owners in 60 locations. Users can also exchange timeshares with other in-network resorts.
Vacation Village Resorts has been offering timeshares since 1983. It offers fully furnished vacation homes throughout the United States and allows timeshare members to stay at whichever resort they prefer each time they travel.
WorldMark TravelShare is part of the Wyndham Vacation Ownership community, which is one of the largest timeshare services in the world. There are over 20,000 different Wyndham units scattered throughout North America.
Global Exchange Vacation Club offers first class travel options to customers and uses an RCI points-based system that allows greater flexibility for those who want to travel to multiple unique locations each year.
Royal Holiday Vacation Club sells memberships that allow you to accumulate points to spend on resorts and cruises. You can use points at any of the company’s 180 destinations, located around the world. It was established in 1983.
Westin Vacation Clubs, a part of Vistana Signature Experience, Inc., has several locations in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico. Resort destinations have fitness facilities, spas and restaurants.
Lawrence Welk founded the Welk Resort Group in 1964 after buying a motel and golf course. Today, it offers vacation homes for rent throughout the Southern California area as well as in parts of Mexico.
Shell Vacations Club started in 1978, specializing in the sales and management of various timeshare resorts. They operate 24 resorts throughout North America, and the company has over 100 awards for industry excellence.
Timeshares By Owners includes an extensive database and a timeshare exchange service for potential buyers, sellers and renters. Customers can take advantage of a professional staff committed to selling their timeshares quickly.
BuyATimeShare.com is a timeshare exchange program that connects sellers with renters and buyers. They have over one million unique visitors each year, and their customer service team is available for marketing help or questions.
Lost Valley Lake Resort is a private resort that offers its members access to exclusive amenities throughout the year, including features such as 24-hour security, stables, a boathouse, accommodations and a spa.
The Manhattan Club, which is located in central New York City, combines vacation ownership with an upscale hotel experience. The hotel features spacious suites, fully deeded ownership, pillow top mattresses and more.
Calypso Cay Resorts is a timeshare located in Orlando near Disney World and Universal Studios. Resort amenities include large villas, mini-golf, two pool bars, daily activities and a grocery service.
Timeshares Buyers Guide
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In this guide
Contents
What to consider when choosing a timeshare
Type of ownership
Timeshare companies sell partial ownership of their properties to buyers. There are several types of ownership plans available.
- Timeshare ownerships: Timeshare ownerships allow travelers to purchase one week of access per year. Timeshares are designed so that each unit has about 52 individual owners, each with access to the unit annually.
- Fractional ownerships: Companies that sell fractional ownerships make units available to owners anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks per year. These properties are often more upscale than standard timeshare properties. Owners can choose how much stake they want in a property, whether that's for 1/26 of a property or 1/13.
- Variety of ownership plans: Some companies have properties that sell both timeshares and fractional ownerships and thus attract a broader base of clientele with different wants and needs.
Flexibility of schedule
The flexibility of a timeshare owner's schedule depends on the timeshare deal they purchase.
- Fixed schedule: Fixed schedule timeshares allow owners to access their unit at a specific, fixed time each year; this means that for the length of their purchase, timeshare owners will return to their timeshare on the same dates annually.
- Floating schedule: Timeshares with a floating schedule designate an amount of time a timeshare owner can access their timeshare each year, and they can choose the dates they want. This is a good choice for consumers who may be changing jobs or school situations and will want to vacation at a different time depending on the year.
- Combinable time: Some timeshare companies allow customers to skip timeshare weeks, and then make up their vacation time during another year or at a later date. While these are less common, they do allow for travelers to skip a short vacation one year to then go on a much longer one the next year.
Number of locations
Timeshare companies can have one resort or vacation destination, or they can have multiple destinations around the world.
- One destination timeshare: A company with one destination for timeshares has only one location for owners to vacation.
- Multi-destination timeshare: Some resort timeshare companies have a number of properties where owners can choose to vacation.
- Points-based timeshares: Points-based timeshares have multiple locations that are each worth a certain level of points. Timeshare owners only have access to high-level properties after accumulating points from buying into properties or purchasing points from the company.
Flexibility of use
Timeshare companies have a variety of restrictions about who can use the timeshare property.
- Owner-only timeshares: Owner-only timeshares only allow the actual owner to spend time there, prohibiting family and friends.
- Timeshares that are friends and family-friendly: Some timeshares allow owners to give their friends and family access to their unit if the owner isn’t able to use it within the allotted time frame.
- Rentable timeshares: Some timeshare companies allow owners to rent out their unit if they're unable to use their vacation time.
Fees
Timeshare companies can charge owners fees, in addition to the cost of buying into the timeshare.
- Annual fees: Some timeshare companies charge timeshare owners annual fees to maintain ownership of their timeshare; these fees start at a fixed rate and often increase through the years of ownership.
- Fee-free: Timeshare companies that are fee-free charge owners nothing more than the cost of buying into the timeshare. This means that once the timeshare owner has purchased their right to use the property, they never have to pay the timeshare company again.
- Maintenance fees: Timeshare owners often pay additional maintenance fees that increase every year to cover things like damage done by weather or natural disasters.
Presence of owners' association
Timeshare companies can have owners' associations who preside over the group of owners of the units.
- Timeshares with owners' associations: Timeshare companies with owners' associations have a group of owners presiding over timeshare units. This association gives the property owners a voice by advocating for things that timeshare owners want and need from the timeshare company, like maintenance fees, concerns about the property or beliefs about fees and rates.
- No owners' organization: A unit with no owners' organization is completely run and presided over by the company that owns the resort timeshare.
Owners' club for sales: Some timeshares have an owners' club that can help individuals interested in selling their timeshare unit. These owners' clubs often advertise available units to friends and family, as they have a vested interested in ensuring the timeshare property is filled with people they enjoy vacationing around.
Types of timeshare companies
Specified time-block or week companies
Fixed and floating week companies give owners the right to a certain amount of weeks in a certain timeshare unit each year. These timeshare companies split units between multiple owners who occupy the unit throughout the year.
Timeshare exchange companies
Some companies are solely devoted to helping timeshare owners swap their weeks with other owners. These companies make it easy to find a resort timeshare that is appealing for an owner if they can't or don't want to use their traditional timeshare week.
Timeshare companies with points programs
Timeshare programs with points programs allow owners to accumulate points by buying into properties or purchasing points. Access to destinations varies based on the number of points accumulated.
Right-to-use companies
Right-to-use timeshare companies give customers the right to use a certain timeshare unit for a certain portion of the year. This means timeshare owners never technically own the property, but rather have a right to use their unit.
Why use a timeshare?
Large families
Timeshares can be great for large, extended families who want to vacation together every year. Timeshares designate a fixed time during which family members from all over will convene in one place for a vacation.
People who want a luxury vacation property
People who want to vacation at a luxury property may choose a timeshare because it is more affordable than purchasing one outright. Resort timeshares allow users to pay only for the time they use the vacation property and not the time that the property will sit vacantly.
Travelers with a favorite vacation destination
People who love one particular vacation destination should consider a timeshare. A timeshare allows travelers to consistently visit that place each year, often for less than it would cost to book a hotel every time.
Young professionals with some disposable income
Young, healthy professionals may want to consider a timeshare because they offer a vacation destination that is dependable and affordable. They are a good choice for someone who has some excess income, but not enough to invest in buying a property.
Timeshares FAQ
Are timeshares really worth it?
Timeshares can definitely be worth it, as long as you do your research beforehand and understand all the restrictions, such as when you can travel, and costs, including annual maintenance fees. You shouldn’t purchase a timeshare as a financial investment, as it probably won’t increase in value over time.
How many weeks do you get in a timeshare?
Timeshare buyers typically get one to two weeks per year. These weeks may be fixed on certain dates each year or floating, which gives you more flexibility to choose when you travel.
What is the difference between a timeshare and a vacation club?
A timeshare is not the same as a vacation club.
- With a timeshare, you get a fixed or variable period of time at a vacation property each year.
- In a vacation club, you have points to use toward vacation at a variety of hotels and resorts. Like a timeshare, a vacation club can charge annual fees.
How does a timeshare work?
A timeshare is a shared ownership in a resort property. You pay an upfront cost and get a fixed or floating time each year to use the property. A timeshare may be an ownership interest in real property or be right-to-use, which includes a certain number of years of use before it expires.
What is a timeshare exchange company?
A timeshare exchange company is a membership program that connects timeshare owners looking to vacation elsewhere for a year. Members pay an annual fee and an exchange fee when they swap vacations.
How long do timeshare presentations last?
Most timeshare presentations last 90 minutes to two hours, but some are longer. It’s common to be offered incentives for listening to the sales pitch, whether it’s a discounted hotel stay, meal credit or tickets for events or activities.
Are timeshares a bad investment?
You shouldn’t purchase a timeshare with the idea that it will generate income or grow in value over time. But if you love a particular vacation destination and want the security of a guaranteed stay each year, a timeshare can be worth the cost.
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
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Author reviews for timeshare companies
SellMyTimeShareNow.com is a company that specializes in the reselling of timeshares. The company is based in Exeter, New Hampshire and Orlando, Florida, and they are currently the largest reseller of timeshares in the U.S.
- Large selection: Because SellMyTimeshareNow is the most popular reseller of timeshares, they have a huge selection of timeshares for sale, which means they'll most likely have something to meet the needs of most customers.
- Global exposure: The company operates in more than 218 countries, so people all over the world have access to their properties and services.
- Brand Partners: The site works with well-known and reputable brand partners, like Disney, Hilton, and Marriott, so customers can find properties that are guaranteed to be high quality.
- Professional customer assistance: The company has licensed real estate agents on staff to help customers pick and purchase the right timeshare option.
- CRDA membership: SellMyTimeshareNow.com is an active member of the American Resort Development Association, proving their reputation as an upstanding company.
BuyaTimeshare.com was founded in 2000 and is an exclusively online outlet for timeshare owners to sell, buy and rent vacation ownership. Buyers and renters can search timeshares from around the world, and sellers can reach a large target audience that is dedicated to buying a timeshare.
Welk Resorts is a company that was founded in 1964 by Lawrence Welk. The company is known for providing upscale, luxury resort and hotel accommodations, and it has properties in Escondido, Palm Springs, Cabo San Lucas and Branson.
Timeshares Only is a large timeshare resale company that has been in operation for nearly 20 years. Located in Orlando, the company offers customers the ability to buy or rent timeshare properties, and they also help people resell their properties.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts is one of the world's most popular timeshare companies. The company is a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, and currently works with more than 900,000 owners.
Vacation Village Resorts is a timeshare company that offers timeshare properties at more than 50 resorts. The company was founded in 1975 by James E. Lambert, and they have nearly 500,000 owners across the world.
Vida Vacations is a timeshare company that was founded in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico in 2010. The company offers real estate interests in 15 resorts in Mexico.
RCI is one of the largest brokers of timeshare properties in the world. The company was founded in1974 by Christel DeHaan, and they offer a wide range of timeshare options, from resort stays to partial condo ownership.
Bluegreen is a company that specializes in timeshares and adventure vacations, and it was founded in 1966. The company caters to more than 175,000 owners and is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. The company features a deeded timeshare program with timeshare locations across the United States and Caribbean.
Westgate Resorts is a timeshare company that was founded by David Siegel in 1982. The company offers customers more than 13,500 timeshare villas and access to properties at 28 resorts.
- Numerous outposts: Westgate Resorts' properties are located conveniently throughout the U.S., so they are easy to reach for customers no matter where they live. They also offer a diverse range of landscapes and amenities.
- Resorts with amenities: The company offers timeshare owners a huge selection of amenities at their resorts, including soda shops, pool bars, spas, putting greens and more, so traveling to their timeshare property feels like a real vacation.
- Charitable company: Westgate is also a community-focused company, and the company donates more than 2 million dollars each year through the Westgate Resorts Foundation.
- Convenient online account management: Owners of Westgate properties can access their account online, and they have convenient options to pay fees, change membership options, and more.
- VIP owner events: The company regularly throws VIP events for owners, including parties, shows, and more.
