Timeshare Exchanges
Fancy Vacationing Somewhere Different This Year?
Timeshares may get a lot of bad press for being associated with scams, but in reality the majority of timeshares are genuine (read our blog article ‘Ten Signs it’s a Timeshare Scam’ for advice on how to spot a scam), and make for a fantastic addition to your property portfolio. Timeshares in getaway beach destinations such as Florida, Colorado, and Mexico provide buyers with a relaxing holiday each year without having to worry about the cost of accommodation. A common reason people are put off time shares is the idea of having to vacation in the same place each year, but this needn’t be the case. As a timeshare owner you have the option of arranging a timeshare exchange. Not sure what a timeshare exchange is? Remember the film The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet? Well, in the film Diaz swaps her luxury LA home with Winslet’s cottage in the English countryside for two weeks over Christmas. This is basically what a timeshare exchange is, except that you will only be exchanging holiday homes; not your actual home.
Finding a Timeshare Exchange
The best thing about a timeshare exchange is that you can arrange one with anyone, anywhere across the world; you are not required to stick to a single country. So if you fancy two weeks in the French Alps, or three on the Spanish coast, there is nothing to stop you from having the holiday of your dreams. The only problem is actually finding a timeshare in your desired destination, and arranging for the swap; this is where it can get slightly tricky. If your timeshare resort is owned by a company which also owns several other resorts across the world, it is possible they may provide an open exchange system. Speak to the resort company to find out where their other resorts are, and whether it is possible for you to participate in a timeshare swap. Another option is to go through an exchange company. These companies facilitate the exchanging of time shares, matching peoples’ requirement to what other timeshare owners have to offer. All you have to do is sign up for the exchange company and indicate potential places and dates for your holiday.
Permanent Swaps
What can you do if you’ve gotten all you can get from your current timeshare but don’t feel like selling just yet? Go in for a permanent timeshare swap. Permanent timeshare swaps can be used if you want to retain a timeshare holiday home but in an alternative destination, and they work in a similar way to a regular timeshare exchange. There are various online platforms available where you can advertise your own timeshare unit, and browse other units you may be interested in. Though it would be possible to arrange an international permanent timeshare swap, it would be easier, and likely more beneficial in the long run, to swap within the country.
Alternative Ways to Use Your Timeshare
Many people are driven to increasing their mortgages to pay debt off; a process called ‘debt consolidation’. The thinking is that as interest rates on mortgages are low, it is the best way to pay off debts quickly without accumulating loads of interest. This thinking is not entirely correct, as there are lots of potential pitfalls to consider. In short, consolidating your debts in this way is only recommended as a last resort. If you are a timeshare owner, you may wish to consider using your timeshare as a way to boost your financial situation. Renting out your timeshare when you are not using it is a potential route to go down. In this scenario you have the flexibility to dictate your cost and terms of rental, but you will need to check you are abiding by the terms of your contract with the resort company. Alternatively you could sell your timeshare to release the funds as a short-term solution to financial difficulty. Take a look at the ‘Sell Your Timeshare’ section on our website for more information on how to successfully sell.
This blog was written by our guest blogger, Evie Pearce.
If you are interested in writing a guest blog, please send an email to : webmaster@timesharebrokersales.com for consideration
About the author
Evie Pearce is a freelance writer and mother of two. After giving up her career in the hospitality and tourism industry to become a mother, she turned to writing about it instead. A keen traveler, she likes to have her dogs take her for a walk most evenings before pretending her husband is a good cook.
Share a Lifetime of Memories with Vacation Ownership
Travel the Globe with a Timeshare (Video)
Food Tourism with Timeshares
Food Tourism is quickly becoming one of the newest trends (dare we say obsessions?) in both the travel and culinary circles. People have always made sure to stop by the “best BBQ in town” on their family trip to Houston, but they haven’t necessarily always traveled there for the food.
These days, as evidenced by prime-time television shows like Around the World in 80 Plates, dining on local cuisine is the vacation experience. And with the culinary world’s growing focus on local, farm-to-table dining, the natural landscapes of each locale serve to beautifully complement the dining experience.
Timeshare owners, in particular, have begun developing an interest in this type of tourism, due in part to time shares’ flexibility. Owners simply exchange their property through RCI or Interval International (the two largest timeshare exchange companies) to visit virtually anywhere their taste-buds take them. Not sure where to start? We’ve compiled a short list of our food-tourism dreams (both stateside and abroad) maybe one will spark your interest!
New Orleans, Louisiana – New Orleans is famous for its Louisiana Creole and Cajun cuisines. New Orleans distinct flavor profiles have developed from centuries of amalgamation of the local Creole, haute Creole, and New Orleans French culinary traditions. French, Spanish, Italian, African, Native American, Cajun, Chinese, and a hint of Cuban traditions combine to produce a truly unique and easily recognizable Louisiana flavor. From fluffy beignets to spicy gumbo, we’re ready to sample some New Orleans specialties. Stay at: The Quarter House Resort (RCI)
Napa Valley, California – In Napa, we’re counting on wine, wine, and food-that-goes-well-with-wine. Bring on the farm-fresh cheeses, plump local fruits, organic-grass fed beef and light, refreshing sauces. You’ll also find myriad Tuscany influences and references in both the architecture and cuisine. Stay at: RiverPointe Napa Valley (II)
New York City, New York – If we could only visit one place on our culinary tour, it might just be New York City. With so many distinct cultures in New York, you can find delicious, authentic cuisine from almost any country. From traditional Arabic cafes to high-end Japanese specialties, New York City is, perhaps, the culinary epicenter of the world. Stay at: West 57th Street by Hilton Grand Vacations Club (RCI)
Barcelona, Spain – Fresh-caught seafood, tiny gourmet restaurants, traditional Mediterranean specialties and breathtaking open-air markets are just a few reasons we’re dying to dine in Barcelona. The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (known simply as “la Boqueria” by locals) is regarded as one of the finest outdoor markets in Barcelona. Home to fishmongers, butchers, cheese-makers, veggie markets and dozens of small charcuterie shops specializing in Spanish hams and cured meats, la Boqueria is the perfect place to stop for lunch… every day. Stay at: Citadines Barcelona Ramblas (II)
Provence, France – We couldn’t make a foodie-travel wish-list without including this historic region in the South of France. The cuisine of Provence is the result of the warm, dry Mediterranean climate and abundant seafood on from the coast. The area is virtually brimming with culinary artisans who specialize in creating foie gras, honey, fresh lavender, wines and cheeses, fruit preserves and fragrant spices, most of which are used in local restaurants. Stay at: Club Le Bristol (RCI)
Guilin, China – We’re enchanted by the never-ending landscape of terraced rice paddies and the uniquely traditional foods of nearby Longji. Guilin cuisine is a combination of Cantonese and Hunanese styles. Characterized by its sweet, delicately spicy taste, the food of Guilin is unlike any “Chinese food” you’ve ever eaten. Among the area’s Three [culinary] Treasures: Guilin pickled tofu, Guilin chili sauce (made of fresh chili, garlic, and fermented soybeans) and Guilin Sanhua Jiu (a variety of rice liquor). Stay at: Guilin Royal Fortune Golf Club & Resort
Honestly, we could go on and on. Where would you go, if you could dine for a week anywhere in the world? Will you be exchanging your timeshare for a food-tourism trip anytime soon?
Club Interval Gold
We’ve gotten a few requests for more information about Interval International’s newest product, Club Interval Gold.
Club Interval Gold is a points-based exchange service for owners of fixed or floating-week timeshares. The progressive program combines all the membership benefits of Interval International and Interval Gold®, offering their most flexible vacation exchange experience yet.
So what exactly is Club Interval Gold, and how does it work? Interval’s chief operating officer Jeanette Marbert explains:
“Since 1994, Interval has offered members with points-based interests the ability to trade points for traditional weeks. More recently, Gold members have also been able to take advantage of ShortStay Exchange for as many vacations as their points allow,” said Marbert. “Now, Club Interval Gold offers week-owners the flexibility to convert theivr vacation time into points. They can use points to access resorts in our worldwide network, or redeem them to travel as they choose, from a weekend golf getaway to a weeklong family cruise.”
So there you have it, straight from the source. Club Interval Gold members can utilize their points to enhance their vacation exchange experiences in the following ways:
- Exchange throughout Interval’s worldwide network of approximately 2,600 resorts.
- Choose ShortStay ExchangeSM to take as many quick trips (from two to six nights each) as points allow.
- Select Interval Options® to apply points toward the purchase of a cruise, spa, or golf vacation.
- Combine deposits to increase the points balance and trade up to larger units and/or higher-season vacations.
Additional Club Interval Gold ownership benefits may include:
- Interval Travel® for rates often unavailable to the general public on cruises, hotel stays, rental cars and airline tickets.
- Attraction & Dining Discounts – Access to more than 75,000 premium discounts from Entertainment® at IntervalWorld.com.
- Getaway Discounts – $25 off the prices of all Getaway vacation rentals.
- VIP ConciergeSM – 24/7 personal concierge service.
- Hertz #1 Club Gold® – Complimentary membership that provides expedited car rentals at more than 1,000 locations in 23 countries.
“Club Interval Gold represents the ultimate in transaction flexibility and is a valuable sales tool that makes the vacation ownership product even more desirable to new purchasers and existing owners,” said David Gilbert, Interval’s executive vice president of resort sales and marketing.
SOURCES:
Interval International adds Portugal Resort
Interval International has added another coveted property to its ever expanding inventory of timeshare resorts available for exchange. Nestled in a 22 acre valley of olive trees on the southern tip of Portugal and overlooking the Monchique mountains , Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort and Spa in Algarve is a seaside oasis that is sure to be a hit with owners looking for a unique timeshare exchange.
Set against a backdrop of beautiful beaches and rocky coastline, sunny Algarve is renowned for its golf, nightlife and natural beauty. This European timeshare offers two outdoor swimming pools, a health club with a heated indoor pool, sauna and Jacuzzi as well as outdoor swimming pools and a gymnasium. The onsite spa offers a wide range of beauty treatments and massage. If you’re looking to spice up your annual vacation, exchange your Interval International affiliated timeshare week for a week at Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort and Spa.
