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Re: How can I rent a timeshare? (by Mary D.):

dereks41 wrote:

jayjay wrote:

If you own the points you don't need a guest certificate from an exchange company. What you're basically doing is reserving a week with your points and renting that week out. The only time a guest certificate is needed is when an exchange company is involved and you're GIVING an exchanged week to friends or relatives.

dereks41 wrote:

The question i have is am i able to rent out any week if it is available to a renter using my points to book the week and purchasing a guest certificate for the renter?

I do own the points , but i am with an exchange company, RCI. I talked to them yesterday and they said that any of their resorts that they are affiliated with need a guest certificate to be purchased if i am not going to be going, does that make sense?

Actually, yes. I think any resort wants to know who is going to be coming even if they do not object to renting. They can't just hand the keys to total strangers who claim they have the right to use the unit you own or have reserved.

Some resort groups do not charge for a Guest Confirmation, but they still require it. Some will send the Confirmation directly to the guest at your request; others send it to you and you are required to get it to the guest (or renter). Some also ask you to give the guest a cover letter confirming your willingness to have them use the unit. (Which probably confirms that you are liable if they damage it!) Fairfield/Wyndom charges for Guest Confirmations after the first free one unless you have reached VIP ownership. Then additional Guest Confirmations are free. It all depends on the rules of the resort or resort group in which you own, regardless of whether it has a points system or what exchange company it uses.

There may be an exception to the above if you own a fixed week in a fixed unit, but even then I'm sure the resort would appreciate your contacting them to confirm that someone other than you will be coming.

MD