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Cancelling a Travel Club Membership

Cooling-off periods are short and state laws vary. Here is how to check your rights and cancel in writing.

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If you signed up for a travel club or vacation club and are having second thoughts, act quickly. Cancellation windows can be short, and the clock usually starts when you sign, not when you get home and read the paperwork.

Your Possible Cancellation Rights

There is no single nationwide rule for every travel club, and state laws vary. In general, three things may apply:

The contract itself. Most memberships state a cancellation or refund period. This is the first place to look.
State law. The FTC notes that a cooling-off period or right of rescission may let you cancel after signing, with the length set by state law or your contract. Timeshare and vacation club laws are often specific to the state where the property is located.
The FTC Cooling-Off Rule. It gives three days to cancel certain sales made away from the seller’s regular place of business, including temporary locations such as hotel rooms and convention centers. It has exclusions and minimum amounts; read the FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule page to see whether it fits your purchase.

This is general information, not legal advice. For a large contract, a consumer attorney or your state attorney general’s consumer office can tell you exactly where you stand.

How to Cancel in Writing

Find the cancellation section and note the deadline and the address it names.
Write a short, dated letter stating that you are cancelling, with your name, the contract number and the date you signed.
Send it the way the FTC suggests: certified mail with a return receipt requested, so you have proof of when it arrived.
Keep copies of everything: the contract, your letter, the mailing receipt and any replies.
If you paid by card, keep your card company informed in case you need to dispute the charge.

Hand with a pen over a document — A dated letter sent by certified mail creates a clear record.

If Something Goes Wrong

If a company will not honor a cancellation you believe is valid, or you think you were misled, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general. Be wary of anyone who calls offering to get you out of a club or timeshare for an upfront fee: the FTC warns that exit scams often start exactly that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to cancel a travel club membership?

It depends on your contract and on the law that applies. The FTC says a cooling-off period, also called a right of rescission, may let you cancel after signing, and that state law or your contract sets how long it lasts. Read the cancellation section of your contract today.

Does the FTC Cooling-Off Rule cover sales at a hotel presentation?

The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule gives three days to cancel certain sales made at a seller’s temporary location, such as a hotel or motel room, convention center, fairground or restaurant, with exceptions. Real estate and online, mail and phone sales are among the exclusions. Check the FTC page and your contract for your situation.

Can a company refuse to let me cancel?

Contracts differ, so get advice on yours. If you believe a company is ignoring a legal right to cancel or misled you, report it to the FTC and your state attorney general.

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