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Re: How do timeshares work? (by Susan W.):

Yes, you bring up good points and counterpoints to my points! Just further reinforces my belief that timesharing is an extremely individual-oriented endeavor. It works really well for some; and not worth the investment/time/energy/expenses for others. Believe me, I DO check rentals and actually have about a bazillion frequent stayer points in 5 different hotel programs; and almost that many in our frequent flier accounts. I am a numbers person and LOVE to travel and LOVE to work the systems.

I actually have a formula that I use before I book a timeshare vs booking a rental or hotel for travel. It includes the base amount I paid for my timeshare(s), including one in Fort Lauderdale that I got dirt cheap in 1988, plus RCI membership fees, plus maintenance fees, etc. DEPENDING on the solution to that mathematical endeavor, I then decide whether to book a timeshare, rental, or hotel. You are right, the VENUE also determines whether timeshare or hotel. I don't need a spacious condo at a beach or in Vegas, for example. All I need is a room with bed, toilet, and shower. BUT, if the condo experience is part of the vacation (think laid-back style) and with whole family, then a spacious unit bigger than a hotel room is what I want.

Guess I've gotten lucky with maintenance fees; they have barely increased over the past 10 years or so. Still, it amazes me when this family we see every year at our home resort acts like paying their maintenance fees is a total surprise every year, and they can't confirm their week until the last minute cuz they haven't paid the fee. Actually our HIlton Head condo complex is small, family-owned and maintenance fees are less than $500. On the beach too. That's barely $40 per month.

Timesharing doesn't force me to take a vacation that I can't afford. You're going to have cost of airfare, car rental, food, etc no matter what kind of accommodation you choose. I never ever take a vacation that I can't afford; and always always have it fully paid up/saved up before I even leave my house for the trip. I could patent the travel-on-a-shoestring-budget philosophy. And in the RCI system, you have 3 years to take your deposited week and use it. Of course, I would never advise someone to take a vacation, with all the associated costs, just to use the timeshare. My point is don't buy a timeshare if you don't intend to use it.

My teen daughters will be upset if we DON'T pass the deeded weeks to them. Our home week first week of June on HIlton Head Island is our holy grail of vacations, like a huge family reunion with all the other timesharers there. My girls love when I surprise them with our latest RCI exchange trip; it's like "Mom, where are we going next?"

Finally, although I am a planner by nature, having a fixed week at a home resort where we know we want to go every year gives me peace of mind that I don't have to deal with reservations on a first-come first-serve basis, trying to get one before they're sold out.

We own 3 fixed week deeded units and:

USE one every year. RENT one out most years (which more than pays maintenance fee) EXCHANGE one; put in RCI pool every year. Starting to strategize about international travel/exchanges.

Timesharing is just part of the wider world of travel when it comes to accommodations. Like anything else, you have to be a very informed consumer and stay on top of your units/weeks/fees etc. To some extent, it is a real estate investment. Not as simple as make one phone call and reserve a room. Nothing wrong with that; I do that too, depending on the purpose of my travel.

Timesharing definitely isn't for everyone. It either works really well or not at all for most people, seems to me.