Compare Vacation Clubs Before You Buy
Points-based vacation clubs explained, and six things to compare in writing.
Get Free Trip QuotesVacation clubs sit at the timeshare end of the travel club spectrum. Instead of owning a fixed week in one place, members usually buy points or credits that can be used across a collection of resorts. It is a flexible idea, and it comes with long-term costs that deserve a careful look before you compare vacation clubs on their brochures.
How Points-Based Vacation Clubs Work
- Buying in. An initial purchase price, often presented at a sales meeting.
- Points. The FTC explains that the points you need depend on the property, location, length of stay and time of year, so peak weeks cost more points.
- Ongoing fees. Annual maintenance or club fees usually continue whether or not you travel. Ask whether there is a cap on increases.
- Exchanges. Many clubs let you trade into other resorts through an exchange network, sometimes for an extra fee.
- Exit. Ask whether the club has an exit or surrender program and what it requires.
Compare Vacation Clubs on Six Points
| Compare | What to ask for in writing |
|---|---|
| Total cost | Purchase price, financing charges, yearly fees and how fees have changed in recent years |
| Resort collection | The actual list of properties, and which are owned or merely affiliated |
| Availability | How far ahead members must book peak dates, and how often they get them |
| Points rules | Expiry, carry-over, borrowing and what points buy in high and low season |
| Exchange costs | Any fees to trade into other resorts or upgrade |
| Getting out | Rescission period, exit program, resale rules and costs |
Resale and Exit Offers
Owners who want out are a target in their own right. The FTC warns that resale advertisements promising quick sales or big returns are a red flag, that anyone who guarantees a sale is a scammer, and that exit companies which demand large upfront fees or tell you to stop paying your fees deserve suspicion. Its advice is to contact your resort company or developer first, since some offer their own exit programs. The full guidance is on the FTC’s page Timeshares, Vacation Clubs, and Related Scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a vacation club the same as a timeshare?
Not always, but some are very close. The FTC says some vacation clubs work like a timeshare: you pay an initial fee, choose from a set of resorts and pay each time you stay. Others are closer to discount programs. Ask which model you are buying.
Do vacation club points expire?
They can. The FTC notes that some points expire each year, so unused points may not carry over. Get the rules for using, saving and borrowing points in writing.
Is a vacation club a good investment?
The FTC is clear that a timeshare’s value lies in its use as a vacation, not as an investment. Judge any vacation club the same way: by the trips it will realistically give you.
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