Timeshare Points vs. Timeshare Weeks: Pros and Cons

Deciding between timeshare points or timeshare weeks can be a difficult decision. So which way to go?

Well, the best thing to do is take a look at your lifestyle.

If you want to return to your home resort each year at the same time for a full week or just travel in weekly increments … or, if you like hot, private romantic getaways just for two (and you like having the excuse of you only have a limited amount of space), then it is easier to follow the weeks system and explain to your friends or in-laws that there is no time available. However, if you need or want to include other people in your timeshare from time to time, you should probably consider the point system. Flexibility is the main advantage of the point system. Any unit size can be chosen if you have enough points in your account and the unit is available. On the week system, you are restricted to the unit the same size as your local resort unit, or smaller, when traveling. Let’s say that once only you and your partner travel; then a study would be perfect. Another time it’s you two and you decide to bring the kids and you need a two bedroom, and another time it’s you and the kids and your parents or friends, or a group of friends, and you need a four bedroom. . Or, let’s say, you just want to have a more or less luxurious space depending on your mood or needs for that trip … With timeshare points, you have the flexibility to adapt your wishes to your needs at that moment.

Take a look at these two scenarios:

Scenario A: Timeshare Points

Let’s say you own a three-room timeshare point system, for example. You may have enough points to take two weeks or more in one or two rooms, or take many mini-vacations in smaller units. You are not limited to the size or length of stay as in the one-week timeshare system. With timeshare points, if you find that your plans change or life events affect your trip, or if you just want the option to travel whenever you want, you can plan a getaway at any time as long as you have the points and the units. They’re available. This part is the same in the week system, but if you want to travel only a few days, you will have to change the whole week and lose the remaining days.

Scenario B: Timeshare Weeks

If you like knowing that you will have the same length of vacation each year, then the one-week timeshare model would be best for you. The good thing about this model is that it ‘forces’ you to take a vacation. So if you have a workaholic personality, this may be the best for you!

If you like to have your vacation at the same time each year and you expect it to always be at that time each year, timeshare weeks are a great solution. Note that with the week system, you are typically restricted to your week occurring during the same time of year. You can also trade your weeks for other time periods, just know that there is some planning and a bit of detail involved in the process.

Conclution:

With the timeshare point system, you are not restricted to that seven day usage period. If you don’t feel like wearing all week each year, you can wear just a few nights, or more than seven days, depending on how many points you have. The way most week systems are set up requires you to use the entire week each year whether you want it to or not. So with timeshare points, you have more freedom. If you own a week and your needs require you to change your weeks for another period of time, sometimes you have to wait for the results of your week in progress. With timeshare points, you can book the unit of your choice at any time and know instantly that you have a place to stay. Don’t you like planning? No problem. With the point system, you can reserve any size unit when available for a minimum number of points by making reservations 45 days or less from check-in. If you own a timeshare week, you should also realize that you are limited to the other resorts that are in the week system. You do not have access to the resorts that are on a point system. It is estimated that more than 50% of the timeshare week resorts have made the switch to the new point system. Also, know that you will pay membership and exchange fees to the exchange company annually, regardless of whether you own points or weeks.

On the week system, your annual maintenance fee is typically equal to the value of a week’s vacation. In the timeshare point system, you still have to pay the annual maintenance fee, but you can stretch your points to allow for more vacations each year and borrow points from the next year’s allowance or rent additional points if necessary. Point members have found that they end up paying less per night of stay, in some cases between 25% and 45%, depending on the different rates.

So you have to do some simple math and soul searching to find out which style is right for you; weeks of timeshare or timeshare points.