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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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Would you sit through a two-hour timeshare sales presentation to get three nights at a hotel in Orlando, plus 15,000 Hilton Honors points — all for $199? How about for dinner or a spa voucher at a Marriott hotel in Dubai? Would three nights in Tahoe plus 10,000 IHG points for $249 be worth enduring a long sales pitch?

Companies dangle generous perks to try to sell you a timeshare, with offers ranging from free parking to free hotel nights to deeply discounted hotel stays — provided you sit through a timeshare sales presentation of 90 minutes or more.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering a timeshare sales presentation offer.

How timeshares work

What is a timeshare.

A timeshare is a fractional ownership of a vacation property or vacation property lease — usually at a popular travel destination or resort. It’s a lifetime commitment, although it’s possible to resell it. You’re basically investing in the opportunity to spend a week or more at select properties every year.

Many hotel chains have timeshares, including Hilton , Marriott and IHG .

The question "Is a timeshare a good deal?" is different from the question "Is this timeshare presentation offer a good deal?" Timeshares are often pitched as ways to save money on future vacations. Depending on your travel habits, it’s possible the timeshare pros and cons could tilt in your favor. But in most cases, collecting points and miles redeemable for travel is a better way to save.

But even if you know the timeshare route isn’t for you, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should skip out on the timeshare presentation offer. The perks could be well worth your time.

» Learn more: Are timeshares worth it? Possibly, if you buy smart

Timeshare presentation offers

A timeshare presentation offer is any benefit or discount — like free or reduced hotel stays, bonus points or free spa treatments — that you can receive by agreeing to sit through a timeshare sales presentation. These offers can include things like free parking at a resort where you’re staying, free hotel nights or deeply discounted hotel stays and resort experiences.

To determine whether it’s worth sitting through a presentation, consider the value of the perk being offered. In the case of free parking, you would probably be better off spending $50 to self-park and skip the sales pitch.

Can attending timeshare presentations offer a good deal?

Even still, there are times when sitting through a timeshare presentation can be worth your while. You can find good timeshare deals on offers for discounted stays, free nights and more online — or get offers through phone calls or targeted emails. In some cases, you might decide the savings are worth it.

Tip: Watch out for blackout dates, hidden charges and more

Depending on the hotel chain, your offer could be subject to blackout dates, high-season charges and package expiration dates. Read the terms and conditions carefully.

» Learn more: Find the best hotel credit card for you

Worthwhile timeshare offers, by chain

Here are a few offers from major hotel chains that, depending on how you feel about sitting through a sales pitch, might be worth grabbing.

Hilton has a timeshare presentation offer that gets you a three-night stay in Orlando or Las Vegas, plus 15,000 Hilton points for $199. That’s a pretty decent deal considering that rooms normally cost $175 to $500 per night.

This offer is good at several hotels, including the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista — an official Walt Disney World hotel. This means it gives its guests additional benefits, such as extra magic hours and access to FastPass. (Note that both services are currently on hold).

Other Hilton offers include a five-night stay at a resort in Hawaii for $649 plus taxes. The online offer includes 15,000 points. But a recent phone call to Hilton proved that sales representatives have some leeway to negotiate, in this case switching the offer to 5,000 Hilton points and a $200 Hilton gift certificate.

There are two different Hilton packages available for Hawaii — you can pick either Honolulu or the Big Island. Considering room rates here often hover around $500 per night, you can save a bundle by sitting through a timeshare presentation. For example, five nights in September 2021 at the Ocean Tower at the Hilton Waikoloa Village cost about $1,891.

That’s a big discount, not counting that $200 gift certificate and the value of those points, at a sprawling oceanfront resort featuring a saltwater lagoon.

Marriott Vacation Club has a number of specials for travelers willing to attend a timeshare presentation. In Dubai, for example, you can score two free nights at a number of hotels throughout the Middle East.

You can also participate in timeshare presentation in exchange for a dinner or spa voucher at select Marriott hotels in Dubai.

IHG’s vacation club is extending offers for properties in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; New Orleans; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Lake Tahoe, Nevada; among others.

At the Lake Tahoe resort, you can pay $249 plus tax and get three nights in a one-bedroom villa at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations: Tahoe Ridge Resort, as well as 10,000 IHG points .

Considering three nights at that resort can cost upward of $1,000, the timeshare presentation offer may be well worth it.

Some IHG hotels cost as little as 8,000 points per night, which means you can turn those 10,000 points into another free night.

Who qualifies for timeshare presentation offers?

Not everyone will qualify for these offers. Requirements vary by chain, so check the details of your offer before committing to one of these packages.

In the case of Hilton, you must not have attended a timeshare presentation within the past year at the property where you’ll be staying or within the last six months at any other properties. You’ll also need to meet certain other criteria, though they don’t publish details about what these are.

For Marriott’s Vacation Club offer in Dubai, you must be a married couple 30 to 65 years old with a joint income of over $130,000 who has traveled to Europe at least once in the past three years.

IHG’s Holiday Inn Club, meanwhile, requires that you be older than 25 with a minimum income of $50,000.

If you’re tempted by a timeshare presentation offer

Are all timeshare presentation offers a good deal? No, especially if you’re staying somewhere cheap or they’re just handing out free parking. But if you do some research, you can score serious discounts in truly exciting locations.

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I Suffered Through a Timeshare Sales Presentation for a Cheap Vacation

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

Timeshares: a word that probably elicits a range of emotions depending on your experience with them. My only knowledge about timeshares, however, comes from what I've read and listened to about the topic. None of my close friends or extended family members have bought or owned a timeshare. (Or, at least, they won't admit to it if they did).

That said, as a travel hacker, I'm enticed by stories from friends and TPG readers about scoring hotel discounts or bonus points for sitting through a timeshare presentation. So, when Choice Rewards emailed about getting a "seven-night resort stay" for 80% off plus a $100 gift card and 10,000 bonus Choice points for attending a "sales presentation and tour," I was intrigued.

Booking the Offer

The pre-Black Friday offer was for seven nights at a Bluegreen Vacations property for $499. The offer clearly stated that both me and my spouse would have to attend a two-hour sales presentation in order to get that rate.

After subtracting the $100 MasterCard and 10,000 Choice points (which TPG values at $60), I figured we'd be paying a net of $339 and four hours of time for seven nights at a two-bedroom property. Besides the sales presentation requirement, the other catch was the nights had to be used by May 31.

After reading pages worth of terms and conditions, confirming we met the qualifications -- minimum income of $40,000, at least 25 years of age, minimum credit score of 575, no bankruptcy in seven years -- and agreeing to the restrictions, I purchased the package.

My wife, Katie, charged the $499 purchase to her Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, both to help her meet the card's minimum spending requirement and also to see if the purchase coded as 3x for travel (it did). We earned 1,497 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which TPG values at just under $30.

Reserving Our Stay

It wasn't until a full month after the purchase I received a confirmation that unleashed the emails from Bluegreen Vacations reminding me to book our nights:

Unfortunately, finding availability isn't easy. While Bluegreen Vacations owners can search for openings and reserve online, this package required us to call to find and book dates. When we did, the calendar was far from wide-open. Ultimately, we booked a three-night stay midweek at Bluegreen's signature property in Orlando, The Fountains.

The call to book took 25 minutes, between finding available dates and reviewing the terms and conditions. Again.

We were able to book a two-bedroom condo at The Fountains that sleeps up to six people. The agent reminded us there would a $125 fee for changing our booking within 14 days -- a term in the original purchase terms -- but said that there would be no other charges or fees to worry about.

A few days after booking, I received a call from Bluegreen Vacations to "confirm" my vacation reservation. The agent again went through all the qualification details. But this time, the agent mentioned $32 of "taxes and fees" required at check-in and a $200 no-show fee. The agent falsely claimed these terms were sent to me in an email.

At the time of the call, my grandmother was in hospice. The agent wouldn't say whether my grandmother's passing would be enough for me to avoid a late change or no show fee, merely telling me I'd need to call them at the time to see.

Frustrated by the additional fees and terms, I asked for a manager. After a 15-minute hold, the manager towed the same line, insisting I was made aware of -- and agreed to -- the fees. She quoted specific terms and conditions she said I agreed to at purchase. I forwarded her the purchase confirmation email and my screenshots to refute those specific terms.

Still, all I got out of the nearly hour-long call was an additional $50 for the gift card to counter the extra fees. After the call, I received a "confirmed" email from Bluegreen reflecting the newly-added terms for the first time:

Enduring the Presentation

When we arrived for our stay at The Fountains, we were directed to check in at the Welcome Center after the 4pm check-in time, but before it closed at 9:30pm. No early check-in, late check-out or other benefits of being a Choice elite would be honored by Bluegreen. When we arrived just after 5pm, the grand Welcome Center was empty, before an agent emerged from the back office.

Upon arrival, we were reminded yet again about the terms of the package and had to sign a Guest Registration Form that noted the increased $150 MasterCard gift and 10,000 Choice points. In addition to our names and addresses, we needed to list:

• Homeowner or renter.
• Marital status (married; married but separated; living with significant other; single; divorced; widowed).
• Age of both the primary guest and the spouse or significant other.
• Combined household income.
• Confirmation that either the guest or the spouse or significant other has a credit score of at least 575.
• Whether or not the guest has declared bankruptcy or insolvency in the last seven years.
• Signature to indicate a credit inquiry would be made.
• Signature to indicate I've read the Details of Participation.

At the bottom of the form, the disclosure makes it abundantly clear that, "This advertising material is being used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of timeshare property or interests in timeshare property."

After filling out the form, the agent seemed surprised by my request for a copy of the forms I'd just filled out, but obliged. From the Welcome Center, we were directed to the Clubhouse to check into our expansive and well-stocked room -- which we are reviewing in a separate post.

Despite all previous correspondence indicating that we needed to arrive for the preview at least 15 minutes early, we were required upon arrival to agree to checking in at least 20 minutes before our 11am presentation.

Not wanting to risk violating the terms, we were sure to show up right at 10:40am. We noticed there weren't many people in the sales waiting room. At check-in, we received our $150 MasterCard gift card and a certificate for 10,000 Choice points. Bluegreen listed a $80 "MSRP" -- which typically stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price -- for the Choice points. That's effectively 0.8 cents per point, versus TPG's 0.6 cents per point value of Choice points.

The rest of our 11am presentation group wasn't as punctual, causing a line to form at check-in that lasted through the top of the hour. While we waited, upbeat music played overhead an d a "refresh" bar offered caffeine and sugar fixes.

At 10:55am, cheery salespeople filed into the room to find their assigned couple. Our agent introduced himself and started off with small talk before leading us to the sales center to brief us about Bluegreen Vacations.

Contrary to what we expected, most of the two hours wouldn't be with this agent. Instead, 24 of us who were there for the 11am presentation were gathered into a small auditorium for a group sales pitch. Our presenter for the 1:45 hour session was Chad Elliott, a licensed realtor who's been selling for Bluegreen for more than 15 years.

Elliott surprised us by addressing the elephants in the room, such as joking about how many people "came in to buy" and referencing how couples had surely psyched each other up to say no.

He also landed some stinging jabs, saying we were all too cheap to pay for a full-priced vacation and how romantic this must be for the wives in the room. Elliott also peppered in some interesting stats, like how we were in the largest sales center of all 69 Bluegreen properties.

Referencing Bluegreen's partnerships with Choice Hotels and Bass Pro Shops, Elliott also noted that Bluegreen pays between $500 and $800 — including the gifts we'd already received at check-in — just to get a couple into the sales center for this presentation. And, he noted, one in three couples sitting through his presentation would become owners.

Whether or not these details were true, his forthright nature was very disarming.

He was also fast and loose with the numbers. He clearly stretched the cost of what a typical vacation would cost, using preset filters to make his live-search of hotel costs serve his point.

He made a big deal about how Bluegreen properties were owned by "nonprofit trusts" of which owners were beneficiaries, implying that we'd only be paying actual maintenance fees rather than an exaggerated number to generate a profit.

But for all the numbers he threw around, he wouldn't mention any specific prices for Bluegreen -- whether it was cost of the points or the maintenance fees -- in the nearly two-hour-long presentation. The lack of transparency on pricing indicated that Bluegreen was likely making individualized offers to sales targets based on our profiles.

The presentation left out other relevant information, too. For example, while Chad often pointed to Bluegreen's partnership with Bass Pro Shops, the outdoor recreation retailer was just 12 days away from ending its partnership with Bluegreen, "unless the Company cures certain alleged breaches to Bass Pro's satisfaction."

The presentation also referenced a Consumer Reports feature about timeshares claiming Consumer Reports said, "Your bucket of points will buy as much in 20 years as it does today," and that, "Eight in 10 timeshare owners said they would happily buy their timeshare again."

While those are exact quotes from the article, Consumer Reports didn't conclude that a "timeshare has a distinct advantage over hotel stays" or that "most timeshare owners would do it again."

The first quote is attributed to Michael Brown, the chief operating officer of Hilton Grand Vacations at the time. The second statement references a study commissioned by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

After a 9-minute-long video full of kids having fun, Elliott launched into the specific benefits for signing up today. One of the more appealing was called Bonus Time, which allows "charter" owners the ability to book any available Bluegreen resort for just $59 for a standard room, up to just $89 for a three-bedroom. He also said we'd be able to access over 150,000 condos across the world from just $269 per week through its RCI partnership.

Comparing the Offers

Elliott wrapped up the presentation around 12:45pm. At this point, Katie and I pushed our salesperson on terms of the benefits: Specifically, how availability worked for the Bonus Time and RCI partnerships.

When we finally got a chance to look at live availability, the Bonus Time perk did seem legitimate, with dozens of properties showing availability. While Elliott said there were no taxes or fees for owners on points stays, that's not the case on Bonus Time properties. Still, there were plenty of one-bedroom options available at $69 per night that increased to under $80 per night all-in.

It wasn't until 2.5 hours into the process that we finally got our first look at the cost of becoming an owner. In Elliott's presentation, he'd listed a variety of point purchase levels starting at 10,000 points per year. So, we asked to see what the purchase price would be for the bottom three packages: 10,000 per year; 15,000 per year; and 20,000 per year.

Our salesperson returned with just one offer at the 20,000 points per year level. The top line price: $48,800. That equates to 2.44 dollars per point, per year, compared to what the salesperson said is the standard price of 3.75 dollars per point, per year. This offer added another $570 of closing costs to finance the purchase and required 20% down. The interest rate for the example was 17.99%.

We said the price was too high and asked about the 10,000 points package. The salesman returned with a more-detailed offer for 10,000 points every other year for $14,520 -- equating to 2.9 dollars per point, per year. This offer listed the maintenance fees as $806 per year.

Looking for another data point, we asked for another offer. He returned with an offer for 7,000 points every other year for $9,910 -- equating to 2.83 dollars per point per year -- with $714 in annual maintenance.

As we prepared to leave, the salesperson added a seven-night cruise for two if we purchased the package.

Overall Impression

I figured the sales presentation would be insufferable, but that it'd be just those two hours we'd have to give up for a cheap vacation. I didn't factor in the hours I'd have to spend on the phone searching for availability, booking, confirming and then reconfirming the stay -- with terms being changed or added along the way.

That said, the sales presentation wasn't as bad as we expected. Elliott was entertaining, and spending most of the time in a group presentation was better than we expected.

We went into the presentation sure that this would be a ripoff and there couldn't possibly be value. But we left the presentation interested in some of the ways we could benefit from the system, whether by staying at properties from Monday through Friday for the cheap points rates or by utilizing the Bonus Time benefit.

However, the purchase price and terms weren't anywhere close to reasonable enough or us to seriously consider buying a package.

Overall, the preview was an enlightening experience about how Bluegreen Vacations timeshares work. And, for those that don't mind spending a bit of time chasing down availability and holding Bluegreen to its terms, a preview package like this could be a way of getting a cheap vacation.

While I don't personally regret doing it, this isn't something for which I'd give a blanket recommendation.

Timeshare News and Information for Owners, Sellers, Buyers and Renters

Capital vacations® adds 32 new resorts to its vacation club portfolio.

Author : Staff Contributor | Topics: capital vacations , capital vacations club

With the goal of offering more vacation options to its members, Capital Vacations® has expanded its portfolio to more than 80 Club destinations around the United States and the Caribbean with 32 new Club resort additions.

Capital Vacations’ Chief Operation Officer Travis Bary stated:

“Our members join Capital Vacations Club℠ for the variety of quality vacation experiences available to them. We are excited to announce 32 new Club resorts across 15 states for our members. The addition of these resorts represents a significant milestone for Capital Vacations as we further expand into popular destinations on the west coast including Hawaii, California, and Arizona. Our recent acquisition of VRI Americas enabled us to introduce new services to these resorts and to expand locations for our Club members to enjoy. We’re excited about our continued growth and look forward to sharing these destinations with our members.”

The new resort offerings include:

• Villas of Cave Creek — Cave Creek
• Sedona Springs Resort — Sedona
• Villas at Poco Diablo — Sedona
• Villas of Sedona — Sedona
• Desert Vacation Villas — Palm Springs
• Mountain Retreat Resort — Arnold
• Sunburst Condominiums — Steamboat Springs
• Discovery Beach Resort — Cocoa Beach
• The Resort on Cocoa Beach — Cocoa Beach
• Bay Club at Sandestin — Destin
• Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort — Ft. Lauderdale
• Sand Dunes Shores Resort — Palm Beach Shores
• Landmark Holiday Beach Resort — Panama City
• Petit Crest — Marble Hill
• Kahana Falls — Lahaina, Maui
• The Timbers at Island Park — Island Park

Massachusetts

• Edgewater Beach Resort — Cape Cod
• Riverview Resort on Cape Cod — Cape Cod
• Sea Mist — Cape Cod
• Club Ocean Villas II — Ocean City

New Hampshire

• Village of Loon — Lincoln
• Las Brisas de Santa Fe — Santa Fe

North Carolina

• A Place at the Beach III — Atlantic Beach
• Fox Run Association — Lake Lure
• Mountain Loft Resort — Lake Lure

South Carolina

• Ocean Villas Beach & Racquet Club — Myrtle Beach
• Royale Beach & Tennis Club — South Padre Island
• Shores at Lake Travis — Lago Vista
• Sweetwater at Lake Conroe — Montgomery
• Powder Ridge Village — Eden
• Skiers Lodge — Park City
• Park Hotel Condominium Association — Park City

For more information on Capital Vacations and these Club resort additions, please visit their official website .

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Full List of Timeshare Promotions and Offers (2024)

Here’s the list of Timeshare promotions and offers for which you can purchase a getaway, then attend a presentation, and receive bonus points, gift cards, or stay discounts in return.

This post is not about advising you whether you should or should not buy a timeshare at the end of the presentation. It is about earning additional hotel reward points after you complete a sales presentation. Therefore, If you don’t mind the pressured sales pitch and can say no at the end of the timeshare presentation, have fun attending the presentation and rack up more hotel points.

Meanwhile, feel free to bookmark this page or  subscribe to our blog posts below  for upcoming Timeshare Presentation promotions and offers. 

Table of Contents

Bluegreen Vacations

Bluegreen Vacations is part of the Choice Privileges rewards program. Therefore, you can earn bonus Choice points after attending the timeshare presentation.

Earn 30,000 Choice Privileges Points with a 3-Night Timeshare Hotel Stay

• The gateway package costs $229.
• You also must attend and complete a two-hour Bluegreen Vacation Club sales presentation and tour.
• You receive a $100 MasterCard gift card.
• In addition, you receive 30,000 Choice Privileges Points.
• Direct Link to the Offer

Club Wyndham

Club Wyndham is one of the most extensive timeshare programs, and it is part of the Wyndham Rewards program.

Earn 30,000 Wyndham Rewards Points with 4 Days and 3 Nights Vacation Getaway

• The gateway package costs $199.
• Package is available for destinations from Las Vegas and Myrtle Beach to Florida beach destinations, for example.
• You receive a certificate redeemable for 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points in exchange for attending a 120-minute timeshare sales presentation.
• Moreover, points must be claimed within 90 days of the activation date.

Enjoy a 3-Day/2-Night Getaway for $99

• This deal does not contain the 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points.
• However, the getaway price is just $99 for a 3-day/2-night vacation.
• Also, attendance at a 120-minute CLUB WYNDHAM timeshare sales presentation is required. 

Hilton Grand Vacations

Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare deal offers up to 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points. However, the offer is not permanent and can vary throughout the year from 50k, 75k, to 100k Hilton points. You can if you want to wait around to do the deal when the offer is higher than the 15k points.

Earn 15,000 Hilton Honors Points with 4 Days/3 Nights Timeshare Getaway

• A getaway costs $249 per stay.
• You can purchase and travel within the next 12 months.
• Must attend a one to two-hour timeshare presentation.
• You then receive 15,000 Hilton Honors points at the end of the presentation.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations

IHG has a timeshare program known as the Holiday Inn Club Vacations .

Earn 10,000 IHG One Rewards Points with a 3-Night Timeshare Vacation

• Choose from a Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort ($249 plus tax) or a partner hotel ($199 plus tax) vacation package.
• Purchase a vacation package for destinations such as Orlando, Gatlinburg, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Branson, Cocoa Beach, Galveston, and Williamsburg.
• You also must attend a one to two-hour timeshare presentation.

Related Post:

• My Unpleasant Booking Experience With Holiday Inn Club Vacations Timeshare Deal – A Trip to Myrtle Beach

Hyatt Vacation Club

The World of Hyatt program also has a timeshare program called Hyatt Vacation Club . The Hyatt’s timeshare vacation package deal typically offers 5,000 World of Hyatt points, a gift card, or a resort certificate.

Earn Up to 15,000 World of Hyatt Points OR Up to a $150 Gift Card with Virtual Timeshare Presentation

• Join a virtual 90-minute timeshare sales presentation of the Hyatt Vacation Club Platinum Program.
• After joining, you can choose between a $150 gift card or 15,000 World of Hyatt points.

Earn 5,000 World of Hyatt Points with Hyatt Timeshare Vacation Packages

• Hyatt Vacation Club has a few Timeshare Vacation Packages from 3 to 5 nights.
• The package starts at $349.
• Attendance at a 120-minute timeshare sales presentation of the Hyatt Vacation Club Portfolio Program is required.
• Also, depending on the timeshare vacation package you purchase, you can receive 5,000 World of Hyatt points and a $50 gift card or 5,000 Hyatt points and a $50 resort certificate.

Marriott Vacation Club

Marriott Vacation Club is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program. What set the Marriott timeshare presentation aside from all of the above is their virtual sales presentation.

Earn Up to 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points with Virtual Timeshare Presentation

• Receive up to 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you join a 90-minute Marriott Vacation Club Destinations virtual sales presentation. 
• Points earnings are based on each eligible party’s request and time slot.
• You can read all about the participating details and terms via the offer’s link below.
• However, you must call to inquire and sign up for the offer.

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How to get a deal by attending a timeshare presentation

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Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our  Hot Deals  for the latest offers.

Booking hotels with points earned from the best hotel credit cards is a great way to save your hard-earned cash.  But did you know there’s another way you could score a great deal?

Many of the major hotel chains offer timeshare properties under a different brand, and they often have huge incentives to get you in the door to listen to their sales pitch!  These incentives could include certificates for free hotel stays, gift cards, bonus points, and more!

Getting your hands on these incentives just for sitting through a timeshare presentation might sound too good to be true.  In many cases though, there’s not much more to it than just that.  Hotels build the “giveaway” of these incentives into the cost of doing business.  They know that these sales pitches are a numbers game, so they wouldn’t be doing it if wasn’t profitable for them in the long run!

In many ways, it’s a win-win for everyone. They spread the word on their timeshares, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn about whether it might be a good fit for you. Check out team member Meghan’s experience with a Hyatt timeshare sales pitch in Arizona , and another timeshare presentation in Belize .

If you’re curious about whether timeshare ownership might be worth it, we’ll go through how you can get invited to one of these presentations, what to expect, and which major hotel brands offer timeshares. Worst-case scenario, you’ll find that timeshare ownership is not for you, and you’ll still walk away with a gift card, bonus points, or some other incentive.

How to save money by attending a timeshare presentation

Hotels often give folks lucrative incentives to get you in the door to their timeshare presentations.  You’ll know what the incentive is before you attend, of course, and they’ll usually offer things like certificates for free hotel stays, bonus points, and gift cards.

Sometimes, you might even be able to negotiate a better deal! I was able to find reports online that stated different people were given different incentives for attending the same timeshare presentation.  So the lesson here is that if you’re speaking with one of their representatives and the incentive isn’t enticing enough, ask if they can offer something better!

You usually won’t have to pay anything to attend one of these timeshare presentations, so your only “cost” will be the several hours it takes to sit through their presentation. And even if there is a fee for attending, the value of the incentive oftentimes outweighs the initial fee. 

For instance, I found a report from Stephen at Frequent Miler who stated he paid $150 to attend a timeshare presentation, and in return was awarded 45,000 Wyndham points (enough for 3 nights at any Wyndham hotel) and a 7-night stay at a timeshare resort. I’d say those incentives were well worth the $150 fee!

How to get invited to a timeshare presentation

Many of the major hotel chains, like Hyatt, Hilton, and IHG, offer some sort of timeshare brand.  If you’ve ever stayed at these hotels, you could be targeted either by phone or mail.  Being a member of the hotel’s loyalty program could also get you targeted at some point.

If you end up staying at one of their timeshare brands on a trip, you may also see some promotional materials around the hotel, so keep your eyes open!  For instance, team member Meghan took advantage of this on a trip to Arizona .  When she was checking in at the Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Pinon Pointe, she saw a sign in the lobby that mentioned something about a $100 gift card in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation!

The most direct way of getting an invitation though is to simply call the general number of the hotel chain you’re interested in, and asking about timeshare ownership.  They’ll transfer you to the right department at which point you can ask if they have any presentations available in your area, or if there are any promotions you might be eligible for.

What to expect out of a timeshare presentation

Before you attend a timeshare presentation, be aware that they can be VERY aggressive in their tactics!  I’ve been on the receiving end of a very high-pressure sales pitch and realize how difficult it can be to say no, even when I know it’s not something I want to sign-up for!  The best thing to remember though is that you can always say no, very firmly, but politely.

Also, be aware that attending these timeshare presentations can take several hours out of your day, so you’ll have to decide if it’s worth it, especially if you’re on vacation!

Tips for getting out of timeshare presentations quickly

You’ve got an appointment.

This is probably the oldest trick in the book. But if you’re looking to get out of a timeshare pitch, set a deadline for yourself by telling the salesperson that you’re meeting someone for plans (drinks, dinner, etc.) at a certain time. 

Don’t show any interest — at any price

This trick is only good for those who aren’t easily swayed. But if you can, try not to engage in the pitch. Be firm in your decision and let the salesperson know that the deal doesn’t make sense for you and your family.

Just be aware that they’ll try to push you on the price. There are reports from some readers that salespeople can sometimes lower the price by as much as 75% less than the initial offer. Again, they’re trying to make the sale. And these are tactics used to make it appear as though you’re getting a good deal.

Mention that you prefer using travel rewards

This is another trick that’ll be pretty hard for the salesperson to argue with. Simply tell them that buying a timeshare doesn’t make sense for you because you prefer to use miles & points for your travel . Why would you pay for lodging when you could stay at a hotel for free? There’s really no counterargument to that point!

Bring your children along

We all know how well kids behave when it comes to sitting still for long periods of time (HA!). And there’s arguably no better excuse to getting out of something than when you have a cranky child to attend to. So bring your kid(s) along to the presentation and make your escape when their patience has run out.

Hotel Chains With Timeshares

Hilton .

Hilton’s timeshare operates under the name Hilton Grand Vacations.  To give you an idea of the size of their timeshare operations, if you decide to join as a Club Member, you’ll be joining over 300,000 other members worldwide, and have access to vacation exchange options across over 4,300 resorts globally.

Most of their timeshares are located in the US, although they do have 3 international locations as well:

• South Carolina

Hyatt’s timeshare goes by the name Hyatt Residence Club.  Although they don’t offer nearly as many locations as Hilton, they do advertise and market luxurious stays at 16 locations in the US.

One of the neat things Hyatt offers right on their website is a section for “ Featured Vacation Offers. ”  Some people online have reported getting even better deals by calling in and referencing these offers, stating that they’re interested in timeshare ownership but want to get more information.

• Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Pinon Pointe

California:

• Hyatt Residence Club Carmel, Highlands Inn
• Hyatt Residence Club Lake Tahoe, Northstar Lodge
• Hyatt Residence Club Grand Aspen
• Hyatt Residence Club Beaver Creek, Mountain Lodge
• Hyatt Residence Club at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
• Hyatt Residence Club Breckenridge, Main Street Station
• Hyatt Residence Club Bonita Springs, Coconut Plantation
• Hyatt Residence Club Key West, Beach House
• Hyatt Residence Club Key West, Sunset Harbor
• Hyatt Residence Club Key West, Windward Pointe
• Hyatt Residence Club Sarasota, Siesta Key Beach
• Hyatt Residence Club Maui, Ka’anapali Beach
• Hyatt Residence Club Lake Tahoe, High Sierra Lodge

Puerto Rico:

• Hyatt Residence Club Dorado, Hacienda Del Mar
• Hyatt Residence Club San Antonio, Wild Oak Ranch

IHG calls their timeshare brand Holiday Inn Club Vacations.   Similar to Hyatt, they also have a section on their website for “ Special Timeshare Offers, ” so if you call in asking about timeshare ownership or their special offers, you might be able to land an even sweeter deal and possibly an invite to a timeshare presentation with more incentives!

IHG has timeshare locations within the US in several different states.  They also have a number of locations designated as part of their “ Signature Collection ” for an even more luxurious stay.

You can find a full listing of their timeshare locations here , and you’ll see they’re located in quite a few different states:

• Massachusetts

Marriott’s timeshare brand goes by Marriott Vacation Club.   According to their website, they offer over 50 resorts, 4,000+ Marriott hotels, and 3,000+ affiliated resorts.

You receive an annual allotment of Vacation Club Points when you join this program, which you can then use to book a stay at one of their locations worldwide .

Choice Hotels

Back in 2013, Choice Hotels ventured into the timeshare ownership segment by partnering with Bluegreen Vacations as their preferred vacation ownership provider.

You’ll be able to book a stay at any of their 60+ resorts in over 40 unique destinations .  The vast majority of them are located in the US, although they do have 2 international locations as well.

• North Carolina
• New Hampshire

Wyndham’s timeshare brand operates under the name Club Wyndham.   You’ll have the flexibility of vacationing in different areas each year through their Club Wyndham Plus program, where your ownership is translated into points deposited annually into your account.  Depending on where you want to stay, accommodations are assigned different point values and you can redeem them throughout the year.

Wyndham has a number of timeshare resorts available both within the US and internationally :

• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island

International Locations:

• New Zealand

You have other (better) options for saving big on hotel stays!

If you’re nervous about sitting through a high-pressure sales pitch, keep in mind it’s not the only way you can save big on traveling!  There are still many amazing hotel credit cards that can get you free nights at your favorite hotels.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Most valuable welcome bonus for hotel stays: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Best hotel credit card for value and comfort:  World of Hyatt Credit Card
• Best hotel credit card for big spenders: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• Best hotel credit card for elite status:  Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Best hotel credit card for road warriors: IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

The information for the Hilton Aspire card , and the Hilton Surpass has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For instance, with the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you could earn enough points for as many as 10 nights in category 1 Hyatt hotels!  The card is currently offering a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 bonus points – earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more bonus points with 2 bonus points per $1 spent on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point up to $15,000 in the first 6 months of account opening.

Or if you apply for a card that earns flexible points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards points , you can also transfer the points to a hotel partner for free nights as well.

Bottom line

Attending timeshare presentations can be a lucrative way to save a lot of money on your trips.  That’s because many hotels offer incentives like certificates for free hotel stays, bonus points, and gift cards, to motivate you to attend one of their timeshare presentations.

Many of the major hotel chains have some sort of timeshare brand.  If you haven’t been cold-called or targeted for a specific timeshare offer, you can always call the general number for the hotel and ask about timeshare ownership.

If you do attend a timeshare ownership presentation, be prepared for a very high-pressure sales pitch, and don’t be afraid to say no.

If you’re not sure if you can make it through their tactics, remember that you can always focus on earning miles and points from the best hotel credit cards to redeem for free hotel stays instead.

What are your thoughts on timeshare ownership, and have you sat through a timeshare presentation before?

Contributor

Andrew Wan is a contributor for Million Mile Secrets where he covers points, miles, credit cards, airlines and hotels. His work has also appeared in The Simple Dollar.

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• Capital Vacations
• Thread starter DABMoore
• Start date Feb 20, 2020

• Feb 20, 2020

As a long-time owner in Stormy Pont Village, I was totally unimpressed with the presentation Capital Vacations made to my family in an effort to get us to pony up a few more thousand dollars to convert to/join their points system. And I am very interested in hearing what other owners think about this new group.  

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

I am an owner. I hate it. I liked it until May of 2019. At that time Capital, after being acquired by Apollo (parent company of Diamond) completely gutted the program. Made all kinds of changes that they called enhancements but were really a shell of the former benefits. The only program that still can benefit owners is a 50% reduction of points required for interval exchanges within flex period. They only reason that benefit remains is because it was a negotiated benefit with interval. If Capital could cancel it to save a buck or two they certainly would have. There is no level of ownership that I feel is worth the MF let alone any buy in cost. As soon as I use up as many points as I can this year, I will be initiating a deed back which I will be paying over a thousand to do so just to get the heck out.  

• Feb 23, 2020

Also an owner at Stormy Point but refused to convert. Thanks for your note makes me feel good that I did.  

• Feb 24, 2020

I too am a no longer happy Capital owner and echo what tschwa2 says. It was great until they did away with the discounts for travel within 60 days. Run away.  

Buckeyesalwayswin

• Jul 21, 2020

Our resort in Branson is also in process of being bought out by Capital. We own at the Grand Crowne and have for nearly 20 years. To get a parking pass at the Grand Crowne we had to meet with someone offering to provide updated information on the resort for a gift card. We attended the presentation that was to last only 1 hour that lasted well over three hours. We were offered the opportunity to buy into Capital. We were told that they would take our Grand Crowne deeded timeshare and give us a credit for it upon purchase. We did not take the deal. Seemed too good to be true. Pay about $15k one time and no maintenance fees ever again and get to vacation at nice places in the mean time. Would get about 200,000 points in exchange on a yearly basis. Can use points for airline tickets, cruises, hotel rooms and condo exchanges. We turned it down. Just not buying the no mf and they would take our deed. Capital did provide the gift as promised. Am I understanding this deal correctly? I just can't believe that no MF. I can imagine that they would come back at us requesting additional money to upgrade our membership in the future.  

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Can someone please name the resorts under Capital ownership? Are Capital resorts in Diamond (DRI)The Club? Thanks for your assistance.  

Apollo bought Capital. They may eventually merge with new purchases but I don't think that has happened yet. They also bought Defender resorts so I think they are trying to get money to convert everyone to Capital and then they can get money converting everyone to Diamond after they are already in Capital. https://capitalvacations.com/destinations.php  

tschwa2 said: Apollo bought Capital. They may eventually merge with new purchases but I don't think that has happened yet. They also bought Defender resorts so I think they are trying to get money to convert everyone to Capital and then they can get money converting everyone to Diamond after they are already in Capital. https://capitalvacations.com/destinations.php Click to expand...

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Westgate Resorts

Timeshare vacations.

Westgate Vacations

All vacations are not created equal! If you’re tired of the same old vacations and small, cramped hotel rooms, maybe it’s time to experience the difference at Westgate Resorts. With luxurious properties in premiere destinations across the U.S., we put you in the heart of the excitement. You can enjoy an amazing lakefront resort in Orlando just minutes from Disney World®. You can experience the thrills of casino gaming with our resort just a block off the Vegas Strip! You can have spectacular views on the doorstep to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg. You can enjoy ski-in/ski-out accommodations in Park City or find fun and adventure in other popular spots like Branson, Williamsburg or Myrtle Beach.

Why Stay at Westgate Resorts

When you choose Westgate Resorts, you’ll enjoy much more than exquisite accommodations. Our 5-star resorts give you luxury and amenities designed to create fabulous family vacation memories. Enjoy a large, luxurious suite or villa with all the comforts of home.

Fully Equipped Kitchen – Save money on vacation dining. You can fix a quick snack or a full meal.

Private Balcony or Patio – In addition to separate eating, living and sleeping areas, you’ll enjoy the view from your own balcony.

Private Bedrooms – Our resorts offer 1-BR, 2-BR, 3-BR, even 4-BR villas so everyone has their own privacy.

From Orlando, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada, Westgate Resorts has a wide range of vacation packages, promotions and offers to help you create magical vacation memories. See how our deals can help you experience the benefits of a resort vacation today!

Fun On-Site Activities

Westgate properties are conveniently located near the most popular theme parks and attractions, or offer easy access to skiing, hiking and beaches. Yet our resorts are also designed to provide enough entertainment that you never have to leave the property! Enjoy tropical, heated swimming pools, kiddie pools and hot tubs, onsite water parks, poolside bars, 18-hole miniature golf, state-of-the-art fitness centers, tennis, volleyball, biking, kayaks and paddle boats, Kid’s Clubs, scheduled activities and much more.

Additional Perks

At Westgate, our perks are designed to create magical memories while making your vacation as stress free as possible. You can save money and time by avoiding the theme park lines with our onsite attraction tickets desk. You can save time and skip the hassle of driving by taking advantage of complimentary theme park transportation to Disney World® and other theme parks. No need to search for a place to eat when you can walk over to one of our award-winning, on-site restaurants. And why leave your precious pets at home when you can bring them along thanks to our pet-friendly hotels and resorts.

Discount Attraction Tickets

Complimentary Theme Park Transportation

On-site Restaurants

High-speed WiFi (fees apply)

Pet Friendly Resorts (fees/policies apply)

24-Hour Fitness Center

In addition to our amazing portfolio of existing resorts, Westgate is constantly expanding. Interested in becoming a Westgate Resorts Owner and enjoying a lifetime of amazing vacations? Reach out to us at 800-414-1712 or Request a Resort Discovery Preview today!

Looking for more Timeshare Ownership Information? Try these topics...

Timeshare Promotions

Timeshare Presentation Tours

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Terms & Conditions

This 4 day/3 night vacation offer is provided by Capital Resorts Group, LLC d/b/a Capital Vacations (“ Capital Vacations ”) in order to introduce qualified participants to vacation ownership, or to update and offer enhancements to existing Capital Vacations Club members, and is subject to these Terms and Conditions.

Reservations are based upon availability.

Book your stay by calling us at (417) 891-4619 .

Hours of Operation: Mon-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST CLOSED Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays.

• I/we understand that all reservations are made on first-come, first-served basis and transportation, incidentals, fees and taxes are my/our responsibility
• I/we understand that, and must be booked at least fifteen (15) days in advance of requested arrival date. I/we understand that popular dates and major holidays may require additional upgrade fees ranging from $50-$100 per night.
• I/we understand that a confirmed reservation may be rescheduled once at no additional charge if the request is made at least 14 days prior to confirmed arrival date. A $50 rescheduling fee will be charged for additional rescheduling requests
• Vacationers must meet each of the following eligibility/participation requirements: (i) Married, retired, or cohabitating (with proof of same address) families, with both family members over age 28; (ii) currently employed with a combined annual household income of over $50,000. Age 65 and up (only one guest must be) or fully retired, there is no minimum income requirement; (iii) legal resident of the United States or Canada; (iii) possess and present at hotel registration and tour check-in a valid government issued photo identification (i.e. driver's license, passport (required for Canadian residents), or USCIS Form I-555 alien registration card) and a valid personal major credit card bearing a Visa ® , MasterCard ® , American Express ® , or Discover ® logo; (iv) have not attended a Capital Vacations Club presentation within the preceding six (6) months of tour date (or the preceding ninety (90) days for Capital Resorts Club members); (v) have no active liens, judgments, foreclosure or bankruptcy. Bankruptcy must have been discharged at least one year from travel date; (vi) reside at least 25 miles from your selected Capital Vacations destination (Branson, MO, Orlando, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Myrtle Beach, SC, or Pigeon Forge, TN); (vii) be able to speak and understand English, or have someone that can interpret for you, (vii) attend (no more than two qualified guests/couples traveling together may tour together) an approximately 90-120 minute (or longer depending on your level of interest and questions asked or if you decide to purchase) Capital Vacations Club vacation ownership sales presentation and tour. No purchase is necessary. Maryland residents are encouraged, but not required to attend the sales presentation and tour. Capital Vacations reserves the right to change these qualifications at any time without notice. Presentation and tour time requests are on a space available basis at time of check-in.
• No more than two qualified guests/couples traveling together may tour together.
• Vacationers that fail to attend or complete their Capital Vacations Club vacation ownership presentation and tour, or that fail to meet the other eligibility/participation requirements in these Terms and Conditions, will be charged full retail price, plus applicable taxes, for any accommodations received, less any payments made. The verifiable retail value of accommodations varies by destination and travel dates, and ranges from $79 to $350 per night plus applicable hotel taxes, based on travel dates, season, destination, and vacation offer. Additional charges may apply during weekends, peak periods, special events, and holiday stays. Accommodations are typically a standard hotel room with two beds, and are based on availability. Parking, where available, is for standard, four door automobiles only. Transportation, phone calls, meals, special requests, pet fees (where permitted), etc. are the sole responsibility of the vacationers. All accommodation and promotional item providers, including, but not limited to hotels, shows, attractions, restaurants, and other promotional item providers, are independent contract suppliers, each of which has obligations toward and limitations in respect to liability to the purchaser directly.
• Reservations can be booked by calling (417) 891-4619 . Reservations are made on first-come, first-served basis and transportation, incidentals, fees and taxes are vacationers responsibility. Failure to check-in for scheduled reservation or complete presentation will result in forfeiture of vacation package purchase price. A confirmed reservation may be rescheduled once at no additional charge if the request is made at least 14 days prior to confirmed arrival date. A $50.00 rescheduling fee will be charged for any additional rescheduling requests. A written confirmation letter will be mailed and/or emailed within seven (7) business days after Capital Vacations approves your requested travel dates. Vacation package expires, and travel must be completed, within twelve (12) months from the date of redemption of the vacation offer. Vacationers with reservations who fail to show up on their reservation date will be charged the full verifiable retail value for their accommodations together with an administrative fee of $35.00, which amounts shall be charged to their debit card or credit card (depending on the method of payment used for their package purchase), and will forfeit any prepaid deposits or fees.
• This vacation offer is not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash.
• Capital Resorts Group, LLC d/b/a Capital Vacations 2024 Corporate Centre Drive, Suite 101, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577 is the developer of the Capital Vacations Club, a multi-site timeshare plan registered in Florida and elsewhere. Capital Vacations is a Florida Seller of Travel, license number ST40382. Capital Vacations and its respective officers, members, directors, employees, shareholders, affiliates and agents are not responsible for any printing or typographical errors contained herein, and the aforesaid individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for this promotion. Capital Vacations acts as an agent for accommodation services supplied as part of this vacation package and will not assume any responsibility and shall not be liable for any loss, cancellation costs, delays, irregularities, accidents, injuries, damage to persons or property, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages, arising from, or in connection with, any of these services. Capital Vacations shall not be liable for delays, cancellations or interruptions due to nature, strikes, or Acts of God, acts of war or terrorism, and other acts beyond their control. This promotion is void where prohibited by law and it is not directed to residents of any state in which applicable registration and/or licensing requirements have not been fulfilled. By acceptance of this vacation package you hereby consent to receive calls, including auto-dialed and/or pre-recorded telemarketing calls, SMS messages, texts and/or emails, from or on behalf of Capital Resorts and its affiliates, agents and contractors at the telephone number(s), addresses, and email address(s) provided, for the purpose of soliciting the sale of timeshare interests; however, such consent is not a condition to purchase.

Capital Vacations® Adds Two Resorts to Its Management Portfolio

As the leading provider of management services for independent timeshare resorts, Capital Vacations provides significant resources and professional support staff to its managed resorts.

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Myrtle Beach, SC -- As the leading provider of management services for independent timeshare resorts, Capital Vacations provides significant resources and professional support staff to its managed resorts. Capital Vacations recently entered into management agreements with two East Coast resorts: Laurel Point in Gatlinburg, TN and Nautical Mile in Wells, Maine. The addition of these resorts enhances Capital Vacations’ management portfolio to include more than 200 resorts.

As our management portfolio grows, our Team’s level of service and commitment to our associations, owners and resorts remains priority number one. We’re honored these associations have put their trust in Capital Vacations and are committed to exceeding their expectations."

— Travis Bary, Chief Operating Officer of Capital Vacations

In addition to providing core resort management services, Capital Vacations offers the Capital Advantage℠ suite of services designed to increase revenues and improve the owner experience. These services include guaranteed sales performance, rental guarantee, collections, inventory recovery, resort refurbishment, and Destinality℠ travel services.

Associations engage Capital Vacations to provide solutions that help them achieve long-term financial health. The latest resorts to benefit from Capital Advantage are:

Laurel Point Resort - Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, TN, Laurel Point Resort features 50 two-bedroom suites with private balconies boasting breathtaking mountain views and preferred amenities. Capital Vacations will provide resort management, sales and rental guarantees as part of its agreement with the association’s board of directors.

Nautical Mile – Located one “nautical mile” from Wells Beach, Nautical Mile features one- and two-bedroom suites with private balconies and outdoor recreation amenities. Capital Vacations will provide resort management, sales and rental guarantees as part of its agreement with the association’s board of directors.

Capital Vacations welcomes these resorts to the Capital Vacations family and looks forward to making wonderful vacation memories.

About Capital Vacations®

Capital Vacations is reimagining the travel experience by connecting Independent Resorts with travelers through our technology platform and vacation products. We partner with over 200 Independent Resorts across the U.S. and Caribbean, deploying strategic value-add tools that allow Independent Resorts to increase revenues across multiple channels.

Media Contact Alli Beane Capital Vacations +1 843-315-2985 [email protected]

Visit us on social media: Facebook LinkedIn

CALL TODAY!

702-703-5398

Is Capital Resorts the Worst Timeshare Company?

It’s no secret that most timeshare owners are not happy with their purchase. This is probably because timeshares just aren’t great ways to schedule or use your vacation time. Even if you could get the exact time you want with that perfect ocean view, you’ll also have to contend with constant maintenance fees and assessments , and you probably won’t be able to sell it .

You might be surprised to learn that, although timeshares are usually a pretty bad vacation experience for everybody, there are actually timeshare companies that are worse than others. Companies that are so bad nearly every review submitted about them makes negative comments about their products or their honesty. In a nutshell, these are the worst of the worst.

One company that has been consistently trashed in its reviews is Capital Resorts Group, also known as Capitol Vacations, LLC. With a variety of resorts from Kennebunk, Maine, through Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Branson, Missouri, and all the way down to the Grand Cayman Islands, Capital Resorts maintains a wide variety of resorts around the East Coast.

Though it initially appears to have a very high Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, even a quick perusal of over 100 customer reviews shows a dismal rating of 1.36 out of 5 stars. Even Yelp , which has fewer reviews, posts a similar 1-out-of-5-star rating.

So, what’s the story? If your next vacation is in a unit at a waterside resort, complete with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a hot tub, can it be that bad? We’ve taken a look at various customer reviews and synthesized the top five complaints that Capital Resorts customers seem to have with the company. Take a look at them below and decide for yourself.

Problem #1: Constant and Pushy Sales Presentations

One feature that seems universally shared by all timeshare companies is aggressive and overly long sales presentations . Capital Resorts certainly has its share of these. When Capital Resorts responds to negative reviews and complaints, it’s very quick to point out that no is obligated to buy at these presentations. One wonders why they feel they have to say that.

Complaints about long sales presentations are further met with the explanation that, if a person is thinking about a purchase, the presentation may go longer than 90 minutes. What is not explained by Capital Resorts is how they tell the difference between presentees that are considering and those that are not considering.

There have also been reports of presentations and attempts to get even existing customers to “upgrade” their contracts after check in at a resort. Sometimes, this can even happen when a customer comes in with a complaint.

No matter what the product, if you have a problem, an ethical company will do its best to resolve that problem before anything else. The company should not try to sell you another product, and it certainly should not imply that buying something else may help you get rid of your original problem. In cases like this, you should definitely run the other way.

Problem #2: Misrepresentations Made by Salespeople

Another issue frequently mentioned in connection with Capitol sales presentations is untrue statements made to customers. These include statements about the poor condition of resorts. (In other words,”The resort that I got looked nothing like the one in the brochure!” or “You showed me a much nicer unit when we went on a tour!”)

Exchanges and points are often a problem as well. For example, let’s say that you have a home resort in North Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and you want to spend some time at a resort in Kissimmee, Florida, or the Virgin Islands. You will probably be in for a surprise: The points you have may not even be sufficient for a weekend at one of those other properties.

Another major problem that keeps arising is misrepresentations about the amount of annual maintenance fees. In reviews and complaints, owners have expressed surprise that their fees increased from year to year (often well over $1,000 USD). Many say they weren’t prepared for this possibility by salespeople.

For its part, Capital Resorts has responded by pointing to the timeshare contracts and by arguing that the contracts prevent owners from relying on oral statements made in presentations. While they are correct that the contracts say that and that these sorts of provisions (known as integration clauses ) are common, that is not a reassuring public stance from one’s timeshare company.

Problem #3: You Can’t Schedule Your Vacation

Part of the deal of vacation ownership is supposed to be that you own a piece of your favorite vacation spot. Whether that piece is a week at your favorite resort or a certain number of points that you have come to rely on, you should be able to get what you paid for and schedule your vacation with less hassle and worry than you would otherwise, right?

Unfortunately, many customers of Capital Resorts don’t seem to feel that way. There are reports of frustration among customers who have tried unsuccessfully to schedule their vacations for weeks, or even months. They find themselves unable to use the owners’ website and have constant trouble reaching a live person to speak with at Capital Resorts.

Timeshares are already expensive and difficult to get rid of. If you also have to suffer through a customer service headache every time you want to schedule a vacation, there doesn’t seem to be much advantage to vacation ownership.

Problem #4: Unhelpful/Unprofessional Staff

Another common problem with Capital Resorts is that owners have trouble getting in contact with them — or at least, with a real person that can give them answers. Some owners, unable to make reservations or an exchange for their vacation, have been left to their own resources without talking to an actual person for weeks.

Others, some with serious problems, have finally managed to secure in-person meetings with Capital Resorts staff, only to have them be dismissive, rude, or generally unhelpful.

A notable exception to this rule, however, was noted when there was a possibility that the owner might purchase more timeshare points from the company. It should go without saying, though, that good service should not be contingent upon the fact that you are planning on buying more products from the company that is giving you problems.

Problem #5: Capital Resorts Won’t Let You Use Its “Exit Program”

Eventually, most people regret their timeshare purchases and they want out. All kinds of timeshare companies, from Marriott to Wyndham, understand this and try to offer some halfhearted assurances that unhappy owners can leave. These “exit programs” are famously difficult to use, when owners can even get them to work at all.

And public information about Capital Resorts’ exit program may give you even more cause to be wary. In response to reviews and complaints, Capital Resorts is usually careful to qualify its statements by saying that a successful exit is contingent upon an owner meeting all their financial obligations.

The exact nature of those obligations, though, is vague. And if a timeshare owner is having a conflict with the company about other issues, it is likely there will be a disagreement about whether financial obligations have been met as well.

The Solution: Centerstone Group

All of these problems present excellent reasons to stay away from Capital Resorts. But what if you are unlucky enough to already be an owner? You might feel like hope is lost, but that is not the case. Centerstone Group can help you with even the toughest timeshare exits, including those from Capital Resorts timeshares.

Our proprietary strategies include using receivers, pressure campaigns, and even legal assistance to get you the result you deserve. And unlike Capital Resorts, we are an accredited business with the BBB and have a solid track record, demonstrated by our customer reviews . We have decades of experience that we can put to use for you.

Contact Centerstone Group today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

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