timeshare presentation reviews

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.

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Marriott International, Inc., is a global leading lodging company with more than 4,400 properties in 87 countries and territories. The company operates under 30 brands.

How tough are the Marriott Vacation Club presentations? Also, anyone have a review for the Westin Los Cabos?

I've been getting emails about a four night stay at the Westin Los Cabos for $299, contingent on me going to their timeshare presentation.

I will never sign up for a timeshare.

How tough are the presentations, normally? Do they stick to the 90-120 minutes? Will they bother us about it for the rest of the stay?

Does anyone have any experience using a MVC offer like this before?

Would it be worth it to take this offer? I was thinking of using it for my girlfriend's birthday, saying I'm traveling for myself so she can have a spa day while I'm stuck at the presentation.

What should I expect if I take this offer?

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How Timeshare Presentations Earn Me Cheap Travel

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The most avid travel hackers often shoot me a skeptical glare when I utter the words “ timeshare presentation ” as a way to get discounted hotel stays and piles of points to use toward future travel.

The deal is pretty simple: receive a heavily discounted hotel or resort stay and other perks in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation — better known as a sales pitch.

The last email offer I received was in March 2023 from Hilton Grand Vacations. It dangled a three-night stay in Las Vegas plus 50,000 Hilton Honors points in exchange for $149 and sitting through a 90-minute talk.

Having attended four timeshare presentations over the last decade, I find that the discounted hotel stay and extra perks — like hotel points and discounted spa treatments or amusement park tickets — are worth my time. All you have to do is attend the presentation and say “no” (sometimes several times) if the timeshare is not right for you.

Here’s how to get nearly free vacations with timeshare presentations.

Determine the value of the promotion, then negotiate

I've successfully negotiated the terms of a timeshare presentation in the past, so I called Hilton to see if it could sweeten the deal with upgrades like more travel rewards points or food and beverage credits.

After reviewing the terms of my promotion — and with some very polite back and forth — I requested an increase to 100,000 points and a waiver on the additional resort fees of $34 per night. After a long wait, the sales representative’s supervisor approved the deal if I accepted it on the spot, which I did.

According to NerdWallet’s valuation , Hilton points are generally worth about 0.5 cent each , giving the 100,000 points an approximate value of $500. The nightly room rate over my travel dates was $249, plus $34 per night in resort fees. That gives this deal a value of over $1,300 in exchange for 90-minutes of my time and the $149 I paid for the package.

Understand the restrictions and limitations

Certain hotels require attending the presentation with a spouse, while others may have specific income requirements. Ask about blackout dates, package expiration dates and any other hidden fees (like those pesky resort fees).

For Hilton, I had to verbally confirm my income was above a certain threshold and attest that I hadn’t participated in another Hilton-based timeshare presentation over the past six months.

Once I purchased the package, Hilton gave me 12 months to use it. After my reservation in Las Vegas was booked, Hilton assigned a set date and time for the timeshare presentation. If you miss it, the company can charge the full cash rate for the stay and revoke any perks offered.

Also be aware that you won't earn hotel points or elite night credits with the host brand for the promotional stay.

Know what to expect at the sales pitch

The pitch usually starts with an introduction to your salesperson and a general video or presentation about the company’s timeshare program. You’ll then be whisked away to an office, where the salesperson asks about your finances and travel habits. You’ll be introduced to a rubric of costs to stay at different tiers of properties — costs that may fluctuate seasonally or during periods of high demand.

Many timeshare companies, even Disney , have transitioned to a points-based system, where you buy points used to make reservations after you’re an “owner,” but be aware these points are independent of the chain’s loyalty program.

Once the salesperson estimates the cost required to live your best timeshare life, they’ll take you on a tour of a model property. You’ll then return to the office and be introduced to the “closer” — the person who ran the numbers and tries to pressure you into signing.

The sales professionals will tug at your emotions with aspirational travel fantasies while making you feel like family. Remember, they are incentivized by commissions to make you buy a timeshare through signing a contract that can last the rest of your life.

Timing the pitch using my phone allowed me to politely tell the salesperson their time was up once the required duration under the promotion elapsed (usually 90 to 120 minutes).

Be in the 'no'

Timeshares are big business, with $10.6 billion in domestic sales in 2023, according to a 2024 study by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), a trade association for the timeshare industry. For comparison, that’s similar to the annual revenue of Major League Baseball in 2023.

Hospitality companies wouldn’t offer these lucrative promotions unless enough people were buying what they’re selling.

Jason Gamel, president and CEO of ARDA, says that approximately 2 in 10 people decide to buy after a sales presentation. And that purchase, of course, comes with a financial commitment. The average purchase transaction was $24,170 in 2023, according to the ARDA study, with average annual interest rates near 15%.

This amount covers the initial cost to join the timeshare and the financing of the balance but does not include ongoing costs such as membership dues, maintenance fees or other required resort operation expenses.

If you’re not in the market for a timeshare, no sales pitch should persuade you to get one. Before the pitch, think (or talk) through the process of saying “no,” and if you have a spouse who'll be attending, include them in the conversation.

Later, if you change your mind and decide to sign a contract, a state’s rescission laws could allow the contract to be canceled within a certain window after signing — usually between five and 10 business days.

“I think that’s important because it does help people evaluate whether they’re making the right decision for them, and it gives them a very easy way to say no after everything is said and done," says Gamel.

Simply pack up and go

Despite skepticism from my travel-hacking cohorts, timeshare promotions allow me to save money on travel now and earn rewards to use for free travel in the future. The process won’t be for everyone, but if you’re willing to sacrifice a couple of hours and know the power of saying “no,” it could do the same for you.

How to maximize your rewards

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2% Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

$200 Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

1x-3x Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.

20,000 Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

Travel on Point(s)

• In & Out In 15 Minutes! My Unique Hilton Timeshare Presentation Experience

• October 11, 2023
• Mark Ostermann

Travel on Point(s) is an independent, advertising-supported website. This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites like CreditCards.com and Bankrate.com. This compensation does not impact how or where products appear on this site. Travel on Point(s) has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site. Reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any partner entities.

Travel on Point(s) is an independent, advertising-supported website. This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites like Creditcards.com and Bankrate.com. This compensation does not impact how or where products appear on this site. Travel on Point(s) has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site. Reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any partner entities.

Hilton Timeshare Presentation Experience

Last week I finally had my 150,000 point Hilton timeshare presentation offer meeting in New York City. This is the second time we have done one of these offers with Hilton, but this one was very unique. I doubt many will be able to recreate my Hilton timeshare presentation experience fully, but I think there are things that can be learned from it. Because of that I figured it was worth sharing with all of you.

Table of Contents

Booking The Hilton Timeshare Offer

This amazing offer was available earlier this year. Believe it or not it was actually one of my first articles at ToP. We wanted to take the kids somewhere for their birthday so I let them pick from the destination list. They decided on New York City and I booked it for October (right around both of their birthdays).

The deal was we would need to go to a 2 hour, or less, sales presentation put on by Hilton Grand Vacations . For doing that we would receive a great reduced rate on a three night stay and 150,000 Hilton Honors points upon completion.

We did a similar offer in Orlando back or 2019 and it took about the full two hours to complete. This time around was completely different though.

Sharing My Hilton Timeshare Presentation Experience

There were several things that were a bit different with this Hilton timeshare presentation experience compared to last time around. I'll go through each of them with you.

The Presentation Center Was In The Hotel

The first thing that was different was that the Hilton Grand Vacations offices were in the Hilton Midtown hotel . They had several timeshare presentation offices within the same building. I believe there were three in all where you could be sent. Our meeting area was the one located on the top floor. It was wasn't the easiest to find, it required riding an elevator to the top floor of the hotel and then walking down a hallway to another small elevator up the last level. This was one of those small one floor elevator types.

From what I could tell there was a Hilton Grand Vacations property on the top few floors of the Hilton Midtown hotel. I have to imagine those rooms were better than what we had below, since the hotel was not great.

There Was No Big Rah Rah Room

This could be a change since covid, or it could just be the limited space of New York City, but there was no rah rah room. In Orlando we were grouped together with like 30 other attendees and the head salesperson went through some things with us and got us in the habit of saying yes. Then we broke off with our individual reps for the one on one sales pitches portion at the same time.

This time around our rep promptly met us upon arrival and took us straight back to her desk. I prefer this set up so that there isn't a needless 30 minute pep rally. I think this set up works to our favor as well, but more on that in a bit.

We Were Done In Under 15 Minutes

This is where things got interesting. We sat down with our representative for some small talk, and the normal chit chat. She seemed super nice and from what I could tell we got one of the more straightforward, honest people in the business. I think she really believed in the program for the right person and that showed.

While chatting, how we found out about the presentation offer came up. I informed our rep that I wrote about it for work and then decided to take advantage of it. That is when we got into miles and points and the fact that I would write about my experience during the meeting as well. I also told her were mainly there for the points bonus.

You could tell this threw her for a curve. She immediately understood that I was not a person that this program would mesh with. I told her I pay next to nothing for my trips, thanks to miles and points, and that is when she said hold on for a few minutes. I assume she left to speak to a supervisor and came back to the table about 5 minutes later. That is when she told me we could leave if we wanted to or we could ask any questions we had. She said there was no point in going through the presentation with us etc. I appreciated this bluntness and we were free to leave after around 15 minutes of entering the sales room.

She was very open about the fact that selling these were her job, and time spent pitching me was wasted and wouldn't benefit her much. I totally agreed with this.

Asking Some Timeshare Questions That Had Been Bothering Me

I didn't leave right away because I actually enjoyed her company and I had a few questions I was interested in hearing the response to for timeshare offers / companies. We also talked about miles and points for 5 – 10 minutes. During that time I encouraged her to get into it a bit more for the airfare side of her travel even if she owned some timeshares. I can not stress enough how open she was and willing to discuss anything, which I found super refreshing. Here are some of the things we discussed:

They Offer A No Fee Credit Card – The Hilton Amex

While we were talking about my work, and using credit cards for discounted travel, she brought up that they have one they offer people. She wasn't sure if it was unique to them, but it was mainly for people that want to buy a timeshare but weren't prepared to do so. She said everyone comes in here expecting to say no, and that all they ask is they have an open mind. The reason for the card offer is the 0% APR it has. The card ended up being the no fee Amex Hilton card. I forgot to ask if they get any bonus etc. for card sign ups, but I assume they do.

What Is Her Response To Someone Buying Timeshares On The Secondary Market

I was really intrigued by this question, since I know it is something people say to bring up in your sales pitch meeting. Grizzled timeshare presentation vets say this is a way to give a firm no! Hilton Grand Vacations, and maybe others, figured out a work around for this. They have the right of first refusal if you ever try to sell your timeshare. If the price is too low they will buy it back themselves to keep it off the secondary market. This ensures the public prices stay where they want them to be. If the price is high enough they will pass on buying it back. Pretty smart.

What Happens When You Die And Your Kids Don't Want It?

I was also curious about the stories of people's heirs getting stuck with the maintenance fees after their parents pass away. From what I had heard they need to inform the company they want to forfeit their right to the timeshare, or they get stuck with the monthly dues. She was not 100% sure on this but she said she didn't think they did anything when someone passed away, assuming the no one in the succession line wanted it.

Points Transfer Rates Depend On Where You Buy

One thing I liked about the Hilton Vacations Timeshare program in particular, and maybe others offer it too, is that you can turn your timeshare points into Hilton Honors points if you are unable to use them that year. The rate at which you can transfer (I believe the two options are 16 to 1 or 32 to 1) depends on where you buy. It has something to do with the deeds etc. for those areas. She informed me that where you have your meeting doesn't matter though. She can sell you to any of these. So if you are in Myrtle Beach, but the NYC package works better for you (one of the 32 to 1 options), then they can make that happen. It should be noted that the higher transfer rate is a more expensive package.

She said if you want to just go to the same destination every year then the lower package makes more sense etc. They will tailor your individual package to whatever your travel desires are.

Who Are Timeshares For?

The last thing we discussed is who she thought timeshares were for. She admitted that they are not for everyone. The ideal person is a middle class couple or family that struggles to use their vacation time. Owning a timeshare forces them to make time for a trip. If you paid for it already then you are more likely to use it.

Being able to pass it down to kids is something many people like as well. Once the upfront cost is paid they look at the monthly dues as a reduced cost vacation. That may be more space than they would have gotten for the same price or a discounted rate in an expensive destination like Hawaii.

She admitted that miles and points people did not fit into this box. Really wealthy people didn't either, because they can pay for wherever they want to go. In her view, this program makes more places accessible to the middle class. I can see where she is coming from.

Hilton Timeshare Presentation Experience Main Takeaways

While my experience was unique I still think there are lessons to be learned.

Individual Pitches Are Our Friend

I think getting straight to the sit down with a sales rep portion is helpful to us. That makes me think they keep pulling from the constant flow of people and they don't want to waste time with a lemon such as us. With the old set up they likely didn't have a new pool to pull from until the next pep rally happened. They were stuck with who they got for the duration. I am not so sure that is the case with this set up.

Be Upfront About Your Travels

I think explaining that you travel A LOT, and most of it is for pennies on the dollar, helps you to a quick exit. I tried to do this in Orlando as well, but in a more roundabout way. They didn't really pick up on that though and when I asked questions for work purposes they mistook that for interest. This time I was as upfront and blunt as I could be. If you do the same maybe they will see you are a lost cause and quickly discard you. Tell them you did it for the discounted room and bonus points.

The Points Posted Really Quickly

They said it could take a few days, but the points were in my account within a few hours. This was a huge improvement compared to my last Hilton timeshare presentation experience years ago. Previously, it ended up taking a few weeks and some follow up to get.

It wasn't special blogger treatment either, since multiple people in the ToP Facebook Group said theirs posted within minutes of their meeting. I was really happy to hear that.

ToP Thoughts

Overall, our Hilton timeshare presentation experience was surprisingly pleasant and refreshing. They were okay dropping a losing hand and our rep was very open and up front about everything. I enjoyed speaking with her and it was interesting to get some more color on the program. It was cool to hear about her experience as a salesperson too.

I don't know if this is unique to her, the New York office or if it is a testament to the entire Hilton Vacation Club company, but I was pleasantly surprised. It almost made me feel bad about not buying something, almost.

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Marriott Timeshare Presentation: What to Expect, Plus My Experience in Vegas

Timeshare presentations are a great way to book a free or cheap vacation. One of the reasons why they give away these cheap trips is because there’s a requirement that you must attend the presentation, usually for at least 90-120 minutes. I booked a Marriott Vacation Club stay with a timeshare presentation requirement. I stayed in Las Vegas for three nights and sat down with a Marriott timeshare salesman for 90 minutes. Check out the details below, and learn what to expect from these timeshare offers from my Marriott timeshare experience.

What is a Timeshare?

A timeshare is a property with a divided form of ownership or use rights. These properties are typically resort condominium units, in which multiple parties hold rights to use the property, and each owner of the same accommodation is allotted their period of time. You might be assigned a specific week, or you purchase a number of points which you get to use annually at any eligible properties that are part of the program. 

Marriott Vacation Club for example has more than 10,000 vacation options in the most desirable travel destinations worldwide, including villas, and hotels.

Pricing varies widely. The average cost of a timeshare is $22,942 per interval, based on data from the American Resort Development Association. Then there are maintenance fees, which again will vary, but will be on average around $1,000 per year. Additional recurring fees could apply as well. These fees often keep going up every year, unless your contract specifically notes that it is a fixed price.

This article is mainly focused on timeshare presentations and how to leverage them into getting a free or cheap vacation. But if you are really considering buying a timeshare, then your best option should be the secondary market. You will get a big discount on the purchase price from people looking to sell their timeshares, but you will keep paying the same maintenance and recurring charges annually.

Marriot Vacation Club

Marriott Vacation Club is one of the options if you are looking for timeshares, or for timeshare presentation offers. When you become a Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Owner, you receive an annual allotment of Vacation Club Points. These are the “currency” you use to book your vacations.

As I mentioned above, Marriott Vacation Club has more than 10,000 properties around the world and experiences that you can book with these points. These include:

• Marriott Vacation Club Resorts
• Vacation Homes
• Marriott Bonvoy Hotels
• Marriott Vacation Club Pulse
• Hotels and Luxury Residences
• Interval International Partners
• Adventure Travel
• Guided Tours
• Specialty packages

You can see all the options for each points allotment here . To have access to every single property and experience, you need 15,000 Vacation Club Points. With the minimum range of 1,500 points that is shown on the slider, you get access to about 2,400 properties. The minimum amount of points that you can buy is 1,000. So you have access to even fewer properties at the entry level, and most likely you can’t book any of the villas and hotels shown to you throughout the presentation.

During my timeshare presentation I asked about the pricing for the minimum amount of points. Here’s how much you would have to pay for 1,000 Vacation Club Points (minimum purchase):

• $15,600 Purchase Price ($15.60 per points).
• $620 Annual Maintenance ($0.62) per point.
• $260 Fixed Annual Fee.

For 2,000 Vacation Club Points it would be $31,200 to purchase, and then an annual maintenance fee of $1,240 and a fixed annual fee of $260. You can either pay upfront or finance with an interest rate on 15.99%.

I was told that Vacation Club Points do not devalue, the price is fixed for life. I was also told that the annual maintenance fee will not go up ever. But the fixed fees might change.

During the presentation we asked about the resale value of our timeshare. We were told that Marriott Vacation Club will buy it back anytime, but at a fraction of the cost.

Marriott Timeshare Experience

I did one of these offers recently on a trip to Las Vegas. The offer was for three nights in Orlando, Myrtle Beach or Vegas. I chose the latter since I had a trip planned. This wasn’t one of the best offers I have received, but the weekend I was traveling, pricing were sky high. So $199 for a three night stay was decent compared to going hotel prices. I called in and was actually able to get an even better offer, $149 for three nights. But there was no points bonus.

I made the payment over the phone and the received an email confirmation. I received a call from Marriott Vacation Club a few days before my stay. They were just checking in to see how many people were traveling with me and to confirm the dates of the stay and the time and place for the presentation. The same information was again confirmed upon check-in. 

I stayed at Marriott’s Grand Chateau , located on Harmon Ave, less than a block off Las Vegas Strip. The property was a bit outdated. The owner’s suites that you could get once you purchased a timeshare, looked better. There were two pools, one on the fifth floor and another on the top floor with a small rooftop bar.

The timeshare presentation is usually done on the day before you check out. Ours was at 11AM and we were required to attend for at least 90 minutes.

The 90 Minute Presentation

We walked in at 11AM and sat in the waiting area for about five minutes. We were offered coffee or refreshments. Then a sales representative came by, introduced herself and then we went directly to her office. There was no group presentation involved.

For about 30 or 45 minutes, we just chatted away about what countries each one of us had visited. She told us where she grew up, how she ended up working for Marriott etc… She asked about dream vacations, whet we look for in a destination or a hotel stay and other details about our travel habits. It was just a pleasant conversation and not pushy at all up to that point. I explained that I don’t really look for much in a hotel room. I usually look at the location, I expect decent service, a clean room and a good bed.

Then she started asking about the cost of our travels. I explained that I have minimal costs when traveling because of credit card miles and points. As for costs, I said that meals and activities were probably the largest out of pocket expense. She countered that you need a lot of points to stay for free and asked about my points balances. She was impressed 🙂

The sales rep went into a short pitch that I have to spend money to get those points, and instead it would be better to invest them in a timeshare that I could later leave to my kids. I didn’t really get into my spending habits for earning credit cards, but I countered with signup bonuses that get you large amounts of points at once.

We then went into one of the owners’ suite in the hotel so we could see the luxury we could buy with a Marriott Vacation Club timeshare. It was huge and decent, but not really luxurious. We then got back to her office and she asked what would be our ideal price. I said that I wouldn’t pay more than one or two thousand, and even for free I would still have to think if the annual fees make sense for me.

She didn’t push much after that, and she didn’t call in her manager either to show me more incentives (which she told me would happen at the beginning). After that I met with another rep for a quick survey about the experience. There they offered me a Hawaii stay for 5 nights for $999. The cost would be deducted from the timeshare price if I decided to buy. That was a quick no, and we were on our way to enjoy Las Vegas. We actually ended up staying about 10 more minutes past the 90 minute requirement.

Attending a Timeshare Presentation: What You Should Know

Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering on of these offers:

• It’s not fun to attend a timeshare presentation during your vacation.
• Always ask for a better deal when booking. Ask for more points or a lower price. For Hilton presentation for example we have seen bonuses as high as 150K points .
• If you are married or cohabitating and combining income, the couple is most likely required to visit and attend the presentation together.
• Most of these timeshare offers have an income qualification such as $50K, $75K, or even $100K per household.
• If you fail to attend the presentation, or fail to meet any of the other requirements, you not only miss out on the bonus points, but will have to pay the full price for your stay.
• They will show you some of the most amazing properties they have. But when it comes to pricing, they show you the cheapest packages that don’t get you anywhere close to those fancy properties.
• Do you really need a three bedroom villa? If you travel alone or as a couple, most like not.
• Take your time and do the math if you are really considering buying a timeshare. Do your research ahead of time. Check out the secondary market or even eBay where you can buy them for as little as $1.
• You don’t have to purchase a timeshare. The only requirement is to attend a timeshare presentation.
• You only need to stay for 90 or 120 minutes usually. After that, you can leave.
• Prepare some counterpoints, on why timeshares don’t work for you. (You don’t need a mansion for two people. You stay for free with points and free night certs. You just wanted to check out a timeshare presentation, but are not interested in buying, etc.)

Marriott Timeshare Experience: Guru’s Wrap-up

If you’re seriously considering a timeshare, take your time. The secondary market is probably your best option. But normally, timeshares are not the great deal that sales reps make them to be.

On the other hand, a timeshare presentation offer can be a great deal if you know what to expect. You can get a cheap stay at popular destinations like Las Vegas, Hawaii, Orlando, Myrtle Beach and more. Plus these offers usually come with bonus points such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors or Wyndham Rewards. My deal was not one of the best. I often write about much better offers here on the site. But I needed a cheap stay in Vegas on a weekend when everything was overpriced.

As for my Marriot Timeshare Presentation experience, I expected it to be much worse. But it was actually painless. That clearly varies between programs and sales reps. But if you have a plan on how to counter the offers, it should make everything easier. Hopefully you can learn from my experiences with Marriott Vacation Club.

Please feel free to share your Marriott timeshare experience, or other timeshare packages (good or bad).

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10 responses to “marriott timeshare presentation: what to expect, plus my experience in vegas”.

I do these presentations just for the perks and freebies. I have done a bunch and have gotten everything from a free room to heavily discounted rates. It’s a nice travel hack when I go to Vegas. You just have to have a strong will and not be afraid to say no. The sales tactics in these presentations are definitely high pressure. Don’t fall for the various “deals” or the pressure from the multiple closers.

I recently attended a presentation in Fort Lauderdale….we have owned 3 timeshares for over 20 years..they told us that since we hadn’t attended a sales presentation for over 20 years that we should become educated.. And I honestly had questions about the new programs and what my investment was worth…but the session was, frankly, an insult to our intelligence…when we asked any reasonable questions such as “ can we have a day to at least read and review the contract?”….the answer was “it is not in our business model”. …..Marriott could care less about long time owners….they are only interested in selling us more of their product… This became a very high pressure sales pitch…we were pushed into a Yes or no answer on the spot..and when we said that the answer was no, nobody even thanked us for coming in….

That sounds painful and definitely a turn off for those who are actually considering buying.

When they find out that I’m attending the presentation alone, will they disqualify me?

If you are married, you and your spouse must both attend the presentation. If not, they will not give you the points, or they can charge you full price for the stay. Exact details might vary depending on the offer, so check the fine print.

The latest Hilton timeshare offer that I posted a few days ago, has the following language “If you are married or cohabitating and combining income, the couple is required to visit and attend the Personal Preview together, except where prohibited by law.”

Thanks. I’m neither married nor cohabitating, so I just want to be sure.

You should be fine then. Which offer you’re going for?

What property in Vegas did Marriott put you up at during your stay… You mentioned it was a little dated?

Marriott’s Grand Chateau. Forgot to add it to the article.

The location worked for me since friends were staying at Waldorf across the street.

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Points Programs

Hotel programs, best credit cards, back to guides, timeshare presentations: how to get cheap & free vacations.

If you’re not familiar with timeshare presentations, now’s the time to take a look at them as a means to very cheap stays in many popular vacation spots.

Written by Amy Tung

On July 25, 2022

Read time 22 mins

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. 

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The Awkward Traveller

5 Ways to Scam a Timeshare Presentation for Travel Deals and Freebies

I am a participant in affiliate programs, so basically I earn a small commission if you use any of the affiliate links on this post - at no extra cost to you! Dope right?

Who doesn’t love a travel deal? EVERYONE. Well, unless you’re one of those people who like paying EXTRA to prove a point or something (couldn’t be me). Regardless, I’m sure you’ve heard about attending a timeshare presentation or promotion in exchange for a literal FREE VACATION.

Like. What?

How can a hotel offer 3 nights accommodation plus water park tickets and a $100 restaurant gift card for $129?

How can watching a short video reward you with a free flight and lodging for a weekend across the country?

Well. That’s because these promotions are from timeshare companies looking to introduce their resort, and timeshare ownership, to new people. Remember what Andrew Lewis said, if you’re not paying for a product, YOU are the product.

Little do these timeshare presentations and companies know – I’m a very fickle product.

And by fickle, I mean I want all of the reward without any of input. But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. First, we should probably break down timeshare presentations.

Table of Contents

So What ARE Timeshares?

Timeshare sales are big business! Like, REALLY big. In 2019, there was $10.2 billion (yes billions!) in timeshare purchases in America. That’s almost twice as much as Sephora’s sales. The global timeshare market is expected to reach $40 billion in 2023. And yah, that accounts for the whole COVID pandemic. I mean, it might have even increased it.

But, as with any industry, in order to grow their business, timeshare companies need to pivot and begin selling timeshares to younger generations – aka Millennials (specifically young/cusp Millennials) and Gen Z. Yanno. ME.

And maybe you too. I don’t know your age. But I’m assuming you might not have had a timeshare property before, so I’ll just lump you into the target audience as well.

So what IS a timeshare? Timeshares are partial vacation ownerships of condo-like units in resort developments. They are owned, operated, and maintained by independent resorts, small chains, and large timeshare companies like Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Club Wyndham, Marriott Vacation Club, and Disney.

I mean, you might have stayed in a timeshare rental before without realizing it. I know I did in Napa, California, and it turned out to be one of the most affordable options in the area! And it was REAL NICE TOO.

Okay…So What are Timeshare Presentations?

Just like car sales, timeshare selling is most effective IN PERSON. But companies can’t just stand outside of grocery stores like Girl Scouts selling cookies and try to guilt trip you into buying something.

So timeshare companies hold timeshare presentations, or pitches. Basically they invite you (or a group of people) to the presentation, give you ALL the pros, explain through any of the cons, and really try to sell you on the idea of having a timeshare property.

And to really sweeten the deal, they throw in some awesome perks for just ATTENDING the timeshare presentation! Usually a free weekend stay at a hotel or resort, flights, food and drink credit, activities, the works. So I mean…if you really want to get flewed out for the absolute minimum amount of work, attending a timeshare presentation can be a pretty sweet deal!

What’s the Catch?

I mean….

What’s your time worth to you?

Two hours of your time can “fund” vacations to resorts across the country. You can score unbelievable travel deals by attending these timeshare presentations, but it’s important to educate yourself so you don’t get pressured into buying an unwanted or overpriced timeshare.

Is it possible to still reap the benefits of attending a timeshare presentation without…yanno, ACTUALLY buying a timeshare property? How do you talk you way out of a sales pitch?

I’ve personally only been to one timeshare presentation (and snagged a free trip out of it!), so honestly I’m not the BEST to help guide you to making these companies spend their coin on you. That’s why I’ve enlisted the help of my buddy Monica, who has actually been a timeshare owner for fifteen years. Trust me, know one knows more than her about squeezing all that you can out of those promotional presentations. She will be dropping her five best tips for making out like a bandit without spending a dime! Monica, take it away.

Double Check that You Meet Their Qualifications

These deals can be an amazing way to travel on the cheap, but you have to meet the qualifications outlined in the Terms and Conditions. 

There’s always a barrier. But no worries, they’re not TOO out of left field. Remember, by making this type of promotional reservation, you are confirming that you meet their requirements and promise to attend a timeshare presentation. Here’s a variety of conditions found in the fine print to give you a sense:

Example of Timeshare Presentation Requirements

• Couples living in the same household with combined income of $50,000; Must have the same address on their ID; Must attend the presentation together
• Single people 30 years of age and older with annual income of 45K or more may qualify
• Must be currently employed
• Must be creditworthy (no bankruptcies, foreclosures or liens in the past two years)
• Cannot be in the process of home loan modifications/refinance
• Must pay 13% room tax and $20.00 daily resort fee due at check-in
• Must have a credit card that is not connected to a debit account
• Only for the U.S. Residents that reside in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KT, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY.

That said, when I attended my first timeshare presentation, the only thing they checked was my ID and which state I lived in. They didn’t even check if my partner and I had the same address (we didn’t), so. Just putting that out there. They might though, but if you’re already in the door, they usually want to at least try to keep you there.

The Sales Presentation is Required. Seriously

By booking your reservation, if you get an offer where you travel to the resort FIRST, then attend a presentation there, you agree to go to the sales meeting and cannot skip it.

Point. Blank.

The reason they are offering room accommodations for free, or close to it, is to get people to attend their sales pitches. A majority of timeshare purchases are made during these presentations, so timeshare companies know the more people who attend, the more sales they can make.

Listen, they are not playing around with this requirement. If you do not go, your credit card will be charged the full retail price of the accommodations, or a flat fee around $300, depending on the resort. Usually, it’s whatever is more expensive. You have to hold up your side of this travel deal and can’t get out of it. 

On the flip side, if you get an offer where you have to attend a timeshare presentation first, THEN they’ll fly you out, you don’t have too much to lose if you don’t show up. Well, except your potential getaway.

Set Your Phone Timer

You agreed to attend their meeting to get this offer, but only for the amount of time listed in the promo fine print – and not one second longer .

You’re on a vacation after all, don’t waste half a day in a hotel conference room.  If the promo you booked says “a 90 minute sales presentation,” start your phone timer the minute the presentation starts. Once you’ve given your time, your obligation is fulfilled. Period. 

Do not let them tell you otherwise, make you feel bad, or talk you into spending any more time with them. It’s unnecessary. Something as simple as, “Thanks for sharing this information with me. The required 90 minutes is up. Take care :)”

Get out of your seat and go back to enjoying your vacation. Badda bing badda boom.

However, if you attend a timeshare presentation that does not state a time limit (usually the ones that give you the trip AFTER), you really just have to muscle through their multiple sales tactics. If you are uninterested in buying, be stern and make that clear. Any sort of wishy-washy “mayyybeeee”s will just make them keep you longer.

Keep Your ID and Credit Card in Your Own Hand

Yes, you are required to “present” an ID and/or Credit card, but present it in your own hand. Do not let them keep it or take it anywhere .

If I was at a car dealership shopping for a car I’d do the exact same thing.  If they give you a hard time, play their fine print language back to them, and stay friendly. “I’m presenting you my ID. I only give my ID to customs at the airport. Or when a police officer pulls me over for speeding.” Laugh, and smile! A little light heartedness goes a long way!   

This piece is critical because if they have your ID or credit card, it will be very hard to get it back once your phone timer goes off. If you have all of your items in your wallet, you can leave once your part of the deal is done.  If they have your stuff, you’re kinda a hostage. Stay ready and you won’t have to get ready.

Arm Yourself with a Resale Listing

Are there some bad apples in a barrel? Yes.

Are there some timeshare sales people who are aggressive? Yes.

If you find yourself in a very uncomfortable position, especially if you are usually a more quiet or shy person (or just a people pleaser), getting out of a strong sales pitch can be difficult. I am one of those people.

To have some backing power, show them a print out of a resale listing for their exact resort and ask them if they can match the price. 

Spoiler: They can’t. You’ll be at the pool before you know it. 

Hold up hold up hold upppp. Wait a minute….but what exactly is that?

What Is a Timeshare Resale Listing?

Did you know there is a resale market for timeshares where existing owners sell their unwanted timeshare to other people?

Yup, just like a car or house, people resell their timeshares too! It’s not like you’d have a “new” timeshare anyway since you’re just buying a specific time to use the property.

You can save 75%-99% of resort sales price by buying a timeshare in the resale market. Timeshare Users Group (TUG), the oldest and largest timeshare owners group and advocacy organization, hits it right on the head when they say, “Why would anyone buy from a resort if they could get the exact same “used condo” week, at the exact same resort property, for pennies on the dollar from an existing owner?”

Where Can You Find Timeshare Resale Listings?

If you ARE interested in buying a timeshare property rental, there are a few places you can go that will be hands down cheaper than getting it at a timeshare presentation.

One of the best places to find timeshare resale listings is TUG’s owner-to-owner marketplace .  It is one of the largest and most visited timeshare classified ad sites on the internet with $30 million in timeshare sales, $18 million in owner-direct timeshare rentals, and one-week vacation exchanges between timeshare owners. If you can’t find the resort you are visiting there, check out Redweek.com , the largest online marketplace for timeshare sales and rentals.

Plus, both sites are fantastic reliable resources to arm yourself with information during a timeshare presentation.

If you’re curious about buying a timeshare for up to 99% off and want to read about “Best Buys” check out Monica’s article: Timeshare Purchases 2021: How to Get The Most Bang for Your Buck. 

Getting the Most out of a Timeshare Presentation: Conclusion

If you love to travel and are trying to find ways to afford it, timeshare presentation promotion deals are certainly an opportunity. Also, if a company is going to treat you like a product, at least make them pay you for it!! I’m not saying go out and ROB them –

-but definitely take advantage of the opportunity! Follow these five tips and you’ll feel confident, and empowered, to attend a timeshare presentation, say NO to buying, AND walk out with a free getaway. Now go on and get yo goodies!!

Have you ever attended a timeshare presentation? How did it go? Let me know in the comments below! And, if you want to know more tricks about working perks in your favor, check out my post about soft-core scamming your loved ones into payin g for your travels . I promise no family memebers or friends will be hurt in the process 🙂

I want to give a special shoutout to Monica for writing up and providing all of her expert knowledge on timeshare rentals. Basically, she’s the Timeshare Fairy Godmother you never knew you needed. Seriously, if you ever want to know about timeshare vacation tricks and tips (or even what to do around the NYC Metro Area) SHE’S YOUR GAL. Check out more of her stuff over at PlannerAtHeart.com !

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There are a lot of great tips here, and to be honest I had heard of timeshares but didn’t know the details about them, so thanks for sharing all of the helpful information!

Yayyy!! I’m so glad you found it helpful!

Really useful post lady!

I do value my time, so I am not desperate to spend 90 mins listening to a presentation for a timeshare I don’t want to buy…but it is a pretty amazing deal! I guess I could daydream my way through it.

We were actually approached by some timeshare sellers in Whistler last year. They offered us 4 nights for $200 (normally it is closer to $200 per night, so we were VERY tempted.) The problem was they wanted the money up front before we could choose our dates, so we didn’t want to commit. I do regret it a bit as it would be nice to stay up there for multiple nights!

Awww man, I get that!! If I wasn’t sure about my availability, I’d be super hesitant to commit as well! But now that my entire calendar year is free….hahah

Ok I was SO excited about this free travel hack until I saw that it’s only available to American citizens, haha. I always wondered why I didn’t hear about timeshares here in Canada, I guess it’s just an American thing!

Maybe!! I wonder…why….

I have always heard of the timeshare rewards, but never thought of making it a way to get free trips and more! So thank you, thank you, thank you! I am going to have to try this sometime and didn’t even know I could look up “events” for it.

Let me know how it goes!! Thanks for reading!

Great article!! This past weekend, I went on a vacation to Las Vegas and was approached to attend a presentation and would receive a free mini vacation, $50 visa gift card, and $100 slot play. Their presentation was not about timeshares, but was trying to sell you their website that allows you to have access to cheap deals for hotels, flights, etc. I came with the mindset that I am NOT buying any of it, but my boyfriend was falling into their trap. However, I got him together and we took the free things and left. I’ve been obsessed with trying to find more presentations like this!!!! I went to the websites that you posted in this article, but having trouble seeing what deals are offered with their timeshare.

AHHH!!!! Thank you so much Kylie!! That literally means the WORLD to me haha. ALSO YAAAAAS getting those deals!!! So the websites I posted are not directories for timeshare presentations – they’re just a directory for timeshares resells (by the owner). Kinda like a timeshare zillow/redfin. But that’s a great idea, I should put together a post of where to find the presentations themselves – thanks for the idea!

Kylie! I would love to see what you have assembled for places like this!

How do I sign up to receive promotions to stay at hotels for timeshar presentations?

The most direct way would be to call the timeshare company and ask if they have any promotions/presentations going on. The website VacationPeople dot com is another resource to browse!

do you happen to have a list of these timeshare companies?

I’m considering this website. Is it legit?

I’m headed to St.Petes beach on a timeshare presentation that i bought 3 nights for $160. I’m prepared to go to the presentation and set my timer for 2hrs. The more pressure people put on me the more i back away. I’m ready, but your article gave some great pointers.. thanks!!

My pleasure!! Thank you so much for reading 🙂

Your information about the secondary market is not COMPLETE. You can buy points but you receive non of the benefits of ownership. And the timeshare company has right to recession meaning they have the right to buy it first. Also all you are buying is the maintenance fees that go up 4% per year. And additionally. Just say no it’s classless to bring up the secondary market in a presentation.

So the point of this article isn’t actually to buy anything at all, secondary market or not. It is a leveraging tactic to get out of buying anything. The bottom line (regardless of pros/cons of the secondary market) is that the price cannot be matched, and is an easier way to pivot out of an aggressive sales tactics for those who may find it harder to “just say no.” In my humble opinion, judging others on their social confidence and navigating aggressive sales pitches is more “classless,” but maybe that’s just me.

It’s also classless to correct someone so publicly.

I’ve been on about a dozen time share presentations in my lifetime. I currently have 3 vacations in my coffers to cash in on during the next year. I enjoy making the salesmen work and work and work to try to force me to take their offer. Just remember that you have all the power, until you sign the contract to purchase….so I never purchase and I retain my power over them.

Have you taken advantage of their free vacation and is it legitimate? I attended a presentation and got a voucher for Orlando trip but I need to send a money order for $100 that’s refundable and then 60 per person for taxes. Is that correct?

I personallyyy wouldn’t pay out of pocket for any offer that’s supposed to be free.

I’ve used this opportunity many times! Once I had a sales man yell at me because he thought I was truly interested in buying. I guess I have a good poker face! Haha!

cant believe people like you think they’re actually getting somewhere in life. absolute loser. I’ve owned 3 programs for 15 years and NEVER have spent my valuable vaca time with my wife and kids on another presentation. if you already own one and are doing presentation you are an imbecile wasting your most valuable resource, your TIME

Ahhh interesting, but you DO use your valuable time to comment on something irrelevant to you? Lol Okayyyy Nick

I signed uip for a 3 day 3 nite timeshare “promotion” in Las Vegas – there were many things offered for attending the sales presentation – and they wanted $399 down for the ‘package deal’. However, when I got there, I wasn’t allowed to attend the sales presentation (they said I was 15 min. late). When I tried to reschedule and told them I was willing to pay for an extra nite at the hotel in order to attend a rescheduled time/date – they offered me a second chance 2 days later. But when I tried to go to that, they cancelled on me. I felt “scammed” as I got the hotel – but had to pay for the last nite there in addition to the $399 plus all the resort fees plus hotel taxes. This was a real “Bait and Switch” on the travel company’s end. Who do I complain to? Undoubtedly they are doing this to a lot of people coming to Las Vegas.

Mmmmmm yeah, this was a good example of the timeshares turning the scam on the guest – and unfortunately they usually write it into their fine print that they are allowed to do it since you were late (I would not be surprised if you were even a minute or two late and they just exaggerated your lateness). You could try complaining to the timeshare company, but in truth since you decided to stay and didn’t get it in writing that you would get reimbursed for the extra hotel nights then…they probably won’t do anything for you. In this situation, the best thing to do would to NOT pay out of pocket for extra nights at the hotel and just head home and consider it a $399 vacation deal.

I had my eye on the Las Vegas timeshare promotion but I was hesitant about it. I’m sorry that happened Ellen, try filling a dispute claim with your bank.

Hey There! Leaving Sunday for a 4 night vacation. I was promised a bunch of gift cards but when I see reviews it says that if you say NO than they refuse to give you your promotional items! How do you get yours? Suggestions?? Thanks so much!

Mm so you can think of this in two ways. The first and potentially the “best/easiest” is that either way, you’re getting a 4 night vacation, which is pretty sweet in itself. So even if they don’t give you the promotional items, hey at least you got something. The second way to approach this would be to get everything in writing. And specifically ask if it is still valid with no purchase required. Then you have more ground to stand on if they do not give you your promised promotional items…which they still might not.

I am going to a vacation presentation that is 120 minutes. When does the 120 start? Is it the time of the appointment or when you first meet with the salesperson. I would like to know so I can set my alarm. Thanks.

That is correct!

Hi ! I recently came to a Orlando trip and was approach with a timeshare sales rep unknowing after already agreed to attend presentation due to promotion. I was very hesitant about the deal as she only inform I have to show up to a grand hotel tour and they will discuss about “vacation packaging they offer” and a view of the hotel. Also they said and I quote “marketing strategies “ because in return I will attend the presentation and just share word to mouth about my experience. She stated if anytime I would want to cancel it would be fine and no fee will be charged. I was pursued to attend an appointment during my stay but a few minutes later as they gave me my flyer with information of the hotel . It stated information about timeshare which I was never informed until they actually gave me the form. After I notice and was very upset. I asked to cancel and they didn’t want to give me a confirmation of cancellation. I put a deposit of 100$ just “confirm my seat” they also put my income information incorrect. They didn’t fly me out or stated they will give me the promotion after I attend and obtain my certification. I’m really concerned about them not being honest with the cancellation and returning my deposit. If by any chance they keep the deposit and charge me for not attending can I dispute with my credit card?. I have prove of the paper of appointment and them writing canceled but they didn’t want to put there signature it was a very frustrating situation. Please give me some advice or tip would help thanks !

Yeah I would dispute that with your credit card if they do keep the deposit. You have the agreement in writing AND you reached out to them, so its more than likely your card won’t even question further and wipe the charge (if needed)

We did this with Marriott in Cabo. We attended the presentation and they kept telling us it is NOT a timeshare. So we signed up. When we got home we did research and realized it IS a timeshare! The cool thing is, we live in Colorado, and they have a law that says if you cancel within 3 days you can get out of (any) contract for real estate. So we canceled. We have had no issues whatsoever AND we enjoyed a lovely vacation for four days in Cabo for $300. Plus we probably made the sales guy feel awesome because he got us to sign up for everything. Hehe.

EYYYYY!!! Now that’s a GREAT trick!!! 🙂

I’ve done several of these. Vegas, Orlando, Myrtle Beach. Usually when I book at a property like Hilton, once they know you have a credit card they ask would you like to hear about special offers, say YES. That’s when they switch you to the department that SELLs you a Great Deal for a special price. Most of these are NOT FREE. But, more like $199. For three or four nights at a luxury property. You MUST attend the Timeshare Tour and You MUST be on Time with The Spouse, if you told them that you have one. They will have snacks. Take a tote bag. The tour gives you a chance to see their top of the line suites. Act nice, go back to the “boiler room “ and say NO to everything. They might get a little nasty, or they might be glad to get rid of you and get on to the next customer. Don’t take it personal. It’s their job to make you feel like crap because you didn’t buy their product There will always be ONE LAST Person when you think you are getting away. The vouchers for future stays are worthless because you have to pay first at someplace that costs three times the voucher. In Vegas we got dinners and show tickets that were worth it. Count the wasted time as part of your trip. In places like the Caribbean you are more likely to get breakfast or lunch. Your not in the states so be careful. They might pick you up, but not take you back to your resort and you end up with an expensive Uber or taxi bill. Finally: if you get a random call: make sure the trip is to somewhere you want to stay. There are people offering some real dumps.

Great tips!

Thank you for the resale sites And all the other helpful info especially the timer.. You’re brilliant!.

Thank you so much for reading!!

our friends think we are nuts but who can beat 6 days 5 nights at an all inclusive resort on the beach in Puerto vallarta for $549.00 For 2 adults and 4 kids! Plus we got a free vegas trip and a free excursion while there. I’m really good at saying no to the sales ppl and think it’s kinda fun to get all these good deals!

I have done a few timeshare presentations in my life and found it was worth my time to save $$, however, I have just hit a new stumbling block. I booked a 5 night vacation in Cancun for 399 with presentation, I then paid another 280 for taxes, fees, and “white glove service “, still not bad for all inclusive. I then purchased our non-refundable flights. I was the contacted by the resort and told they have a max age restriction of 68 for the presentation, my wife turns 69 2 days before we get there. Waiting to hear back from booksi now to see if they can bypass this. I don’t have a good feeling.

Good luck!!

How can I get my payment back for a vacation that didn’t happen yet, from a time share Market place? I just found out about the 90 min presentation after the fact. I tried to cancel, but I was told it’s no -refundable. Our reservation is on Aug this year. I really wanted to cancel that vacation. I paid $2500 for 7 nights and 6 days Cancun vacation for 5 persons. I bet there will be additional surprise charges I am dreading about. Do I have a case getting my money back?

You could try going through your credit card to cancel.

I was scammed into buying a so-called hotel package that I later found out had a timeshare presentation requirement. By the time someone pointed it out to me it was past the timeframe to cancel and get my money back. So I’m now stuck with this package. On top of that when I called Booksi/Monster Reservations they revealed that it’s also a requirement to make at least $60k. They never asked me that question when I bought the package! They gladly took my money to get this hotel package, but didn’t bother asking me about my income or tell me about the requirements. Is there a recourse for this?? What if I only make say $20k? It’s their fault that they let me purchase the package anyway, without asking me what I make beforehand. Wouldn’t that be reason for them to have to cancel and give me my money back?? Also every time I call in and speak with someone I get told something different. A few people told me that if I didn’t want to deal with the presentation that I could just choose a variety of other hotels other than than the one I purchased the package on, that don’t require you to attend a presentation. But then today a couple reps said it doesn’t matter which hotel I choose I will have to attend a presentation no matter what. Plus it’s only May 1st and they conveniently have nothing available until July. I’m so frustrated and angry that they are in for quite a “treat” for when I arrive for this presentation. Definitely not getting one more cent from me and I’m not going to feel one bit sorry for any of them. I don’t even care if they start crying. In fact them crying just might make me feel a little bit better about all this. I want them to feel how I feel and how I have been crying over this huge headache of a situation. That’s how upset I am! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Kay.

It seems like you’re on the right track. Sometimes you get roped into a presentation that is so ridiculous that the only thing to do is attend…but you don’t have to be excited about it! I’d recommend leaving immediately after whatever the required time is up, then go enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Hi there, This webpage is terrific! Really great information! My question is how can I find these Promotions? I searched all over the internet and I couldnt find any places offering a Promotion to sit through a Timeshare Presentation.

Ideally we would like to go to an “all inclusive” resort for 5 nights to the Carribean or Costa Rica. Do you have any suggestions as to where I can find some options? Also, do any of these promotions ever include credit for airfare?

Thank you for your help!

Been in two presentations. I keep my shades on and don’t say nothing. I don’t engage in any small talk. A no from the start and I shut down. No information about me or my family. I make it uncomfortable. They might as well be talking to themselves.

There ya go!!!!

our tips on staying firm, setting time limits, and staying focused on your travel goals are invaluable for travelers who might encounter these presentations. The personal anecdotes and real-life examples you’ve shared add a relatable touch, making the reader feel well-prepared and empowered to handle such scenarios. Thanks for shedding light on a topic that many travelers may find awkward, and providing them with the tools they need to make the most of their travel experiences. Your thoughtful guidance will undoubtedly help fellow travelers navigate timeshare presentations with confidence.

We are going to Myrtle beach next week and we were called by the crown reef we booked our hotel through for a presentation. For a free 5 night stay at any crown reef resort at various cities they have. I was skeptical and asked the proper questions. The only thing I had to do was answer questions and go to this presentation for a fee for reserving my seats for fifty dollars. They said I get it back in a visa gift card and a free 5 day stay. He ended up upping the stay to 8 days. So what signed up. They said I was only obligated for two hours of my time. They also said if I don’t show up I would be out the fifty because it would give others the opportunity that I passed on if I didn’t show. So further reading after i agreed, that is a form of saving money on resorts and such and it’s basically a time share. We are nervous to attend because we have kids but there’s a specific area for them to play and you can see them while the presentation is going . Okay fine. I agreed. Even though this presentation hasn’t happened yet, I agreed to the most two hours which they stated. I agreed to the fifty charge on my cc on a recorded line. We figure get a free stay at a resort is worth the two hours but we aren’t buying anything. The question I have is, they stated if I don’t show they keep the fifty. That’s fair. But I also read some other time shares they can charge you credit card for more if you don’t stay the whole time or meet the requirements. I also met the pre requirements on the phone but I’m not staying anywhere free for this presentation. I bought my hotel for the week stay and they called me so I’m asking is if I bail I should only be out the fifty?

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Why You Should Attend a Timeshare Presentation (Hint: Free Stuff!)

Timeshare presentations can be worth your time — if you’re ready to negotiate for great incentives.

This article was subjected to a comprehensive fact-checking process. Our professional fact-checkers verify article information against primary sources, reputable publishers, and experts in the field.

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies .

Those who know me well already know I’m obsessed with earning points and miles. My wife and I have traveled far and wide — and gotten some pretty sweet rewards from the best travel rewards credit cards .

In addition to making the most of our  credit card points and miles, my wife and I like to seek out and attend timeshare presentations as a way to maximize our travel experiences (and get free stuff). The presentations are not as bad as they may seem to sit through — we’ve come away with some pretty sweet things.

In fact, a lot of major hotel chains have timeshare properties, and it’s pretty normal for these chains to offer incentives to people like you and me to attend presentations and listen to sales pitches.

Intrigued? Let’s take a look at what timeshares are and how they work, what you can earn by attending a timeshare presentation, how to get invited to a timeshare presentation, and how to make the experience worth it.

What is a timeshare, and how do they work?

What happens at a timeshare presentation, gifts you can earn from attending a timeshare presentation, how to get invited to a timeshare presentation, hotels that offer timeshares, how to decide if a timeshare is right for you, why a timeshare may not be right for you, bottom line.

A timeshare is shared ownership of vacation real estate. For example, multiple people might own 1-week increments of a vacation condo near Disney World in Orlando. Some timeshare programs allow you to lease the property for a period (usually several years) without actually owning it.

A timeshare can be located in a resort, condo, apartment building, or campground, just to name a few. Owning a timeshare guarantees you that amount of time each year in the property you own.

Many timeshare programs work on a point system, which allows you more flexibility to choose when and where you go, rather than being locked into one property for a specific week of the year. For example, instead of going to that condo in Orlando for a week, you could use the points for a week in an apartment in Las Vegas.

At a timeshare presentation, it will typically start with a check-in to confirm you attended. There will likely be refreshments, and the sales pitch will start with a video. 

After that, you'll sit down with a sales rep who will do a timeshare sales pitch that includes information about the property, location, and amenities. If you’re buying into a company that allows you to use your allotment for multiple properties, you’ll learn more about the types of properties the company owns.

And, of course, they'll sell you on the idea that timeshare ownership will save you money over booking hotels. Keep in mind that these are timeshare sales professionals who know sales tactics in and out. You might find the sales presentation more compelling than you expected. If you walked in not wanting to buy, it's likely best to walk away. 

The company will likely offer an incentive or discount if you sign up for the timeshare on the spot. That doesn’t mean you should. You could negotiate for a better offer or simply walk away, especially if they're doing a high-pressure sales pitch. If the main reason you’re attending is to get the incentive for attending, then you’ve fulfilled your obligations by attending.

If you find yourself interested, keep in mind that you don’t need to decide right then and there. If you don’t already have a spending plan in mind, walk away and take more time to crunch the numbers and make sure the timeshare fits into your budget and your vacation plans for years to come.

Even if you don’t sign up for a timeshare (I never have), the incentives offered can totally be worth your while. These can include cash, points for hotel loyalty programs, free passes (like Disney), and free or heavily discounted rates on hotel stays, which can essentially amount to a free vacation. What’s more, you may be able to combine incentives — think points plus a discount for a hotel stay to attend one presentation.

Here are a few examples of the perks you get:

• Stay in a villa studio in Hawaii, receive points for the hotel’s rewards program, and even get to do free activities on site. This could include dining credits, sightseeing tours (yes, it could be on a sailboat), a car rental voucher, and luau tickets.
• Head to Orlando and not only will you get discounts on resorts or special accommodation packages, you could get Disney FastPass+ and even free tickets to Disney World itself.
• Some timeshare presentations in Las Vegas offer discounted hotel stays, vacation certificates, resort credits, and even free concert or show tickets.

I don’t know about you, but all of these incentives sound pretty good to me — that is, if you’re willing to sit through a hard sales pitch. If you are, let’s move onto how you can get invited to one.

You may have already been invited to a timeshare presentation — maybe you received a phone call or a promotional offer in the mail. In some cases, you’ll get an offer in your email inbox just because you’re a member of a hotel’s loyalty program.

But if you’re impatient like me and hate waiting, here are a few ways to get yourself invited to a timeshare presentation.

Approach timeshare reps when you reach your destination

Also known as taking advantage of an on-site offer, approaching timeshare reps is a great way to get an invite. What salesperson wouldn’t want a potential customer walking up to them without any effort on their part?

Don’t worry. Once you arrive at your timeshare destination, there should be no shortage of reps, especially if it’s a touristy destination. All you need to do is approach a rep and express an interest in attending a timeshare offer.

This is important, though: Confirm what the incentive to attend will be before you agree to go to the presentation — some of the best points offers or other desirable perks are earned by going this route.

Reach out to the timeshare department ahead of time

If you want to make sure you’re guaranteed a timeshare presentation with incentives, you can call ahead — ask to be put through to the timeshare department. Again, this just makes getting you in as a potential customer easier for reps, so they’re going to take you up on it.

Of course, just because you commit to attending a presentation doesn’t mean you have to buy anything. It’s OK to earn your incentive and walk away.

Get referred by a timeshare owner

Do you happen to know anyone who owns a timeshare? If so, ask that person to refer you. It doesn’t have to be the timeshare they bought into — it could be somewhere else within the company’s timeshare portfolio. For example, if your friend is a timeshare owner at Club Wyndham’s Shawnee Village, they could refer you to a presentation at any Wyndham timeshare property.

Making timeshare presentations worth it

We polled members of the  FBZ Elite Travel and Points Facebook group on whether they would sit through a four-hour presentation to get 45,000 Wyndham points. Most people said no, that their time was more valuable.

One commenter, Elana S., said it best:

I need to work for 1.7 weeks in order to earn my PTO (paid time off) for 4 hrs that turn into 5-6. On the other hand, I need to work 0.2-0.4 week to cover the cost of the future nights this presentation gives me. Mathematically, it doesn't make much sense. My PTOs are hard earned and I have to jump through hoops to secure my vacation due to the nature of my job. My time is more valuable than money.

That’s totally fair. And, yes, time is more valuable than money. However, there are ways to make these presentations worth it — or else I wouldn’t have attended a few of these in the first place.

If you do attend one, do your research. Typically the big players — most major hotel chains — offer the best incentives and are the least likely to be scams. When getting an offer, don’t be afraid to negotiate your incentive or gift. Seriously.

Think about it: As Elana said, you’re trading your precious time to attend a sales pitch (that you may want to nap through). So don’t feel nervous about asking for a bigger incentive that will make it work for you, like asking for a Visa gift card instead of rewards points.

Whatever you’re negotiating for, make sure you’re getting the most value out of your commitment.

• Choice’s timeshare partner is Bluegreen Vacations , and it has 71 resorts in many destinations, including Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 
• Hilton Grand Vacations is Hilton’s timeshare brand, and there are resorts in a variety destinations, including Hawaii, the Smoky Mountains, and on the Las Vegas Strip.
• Hyatt’s timeshare brand is called Hyatt Residence Club , and it has resorts in many different destinations, including Puerto Rico, Lake Tahoe, and Key West, Florida. 
• IHG’s timeshare brand is Holiday Inn Club Vacations , with resorts at domestic and international destinations, including Orlando; Cancun, Mexico; and Sheridan, Illinois. 
• Marriott Vacation Club is Marriott’s timeshare brand, and it offers more than 1,000 resort locations, including Maui, Hawaii; Bali, Indonesia; and Aruba. 
• Club Wyndham is Wyndham’s timeshare partner and has over 45 destinations in myriad resort locations, including Taos, New Mexico; Branson, Missouri; and San Antonio, Texas. 
• Disney Vacation Club offers stays at Disney-branded resorts around the world, including those near Disney theme parks. 

If you’re tempted by a timeshare company's presentation, here’s how to decide if it’s right for you:

• Consider your travel habits . If you tend to visit the same place every year, or if the timeshare offers flexibility that makes sense for you, a timeshare purchase might be a good investment.
• Look at the costs . Make sure you understand all of the fees associated with owning a timeshare, including annual maintenance fees and property taxes.
• Think about your long-term plans . If you’re not sure where you’ll be in 5 or 10 years, it might not make sense to invest in a timeshare.
• Research the company and the property . Make sure you’re comfortable with the company’s reputation and the location of the property.
• Talk to other owners . Ask other timeshare owners about their experiences to get an idea of what owning a timeshare is really like.
• Consider the resale market . If you're really interested, you might find a better price on the resale market rather than buying directly from the timeshare salesperson. 

A timeshare definitely isn’t a good fit for everyone, so it may be best to walk away from the presentation. Here are a few reasons why.

• High upfront costs . Timeshares can be expensive to purchase, and many require a large down payment.
• Ongoing fees . In addition to the initial purchase price, timeshare owners are typically responsible for ongoing maintenance fees and property taxes.
• Limited flexibility . Timeshares are often located in specific destinations and may only be available during certain weeks of the year.
• Difficulty reselling . It can be difficult to sell a timeshare if you decide you no longer want it.

Attending timeshare presentations isn’t for everyone. But if you’re interested in discounted (or even free) trips and incentives like free points and cash, showing up could be worth it.

Make sure you have a game plan before you attend — will you be open-minded to the sales pitch, or are you dead set on saying no? Whatever you do, don’t feel pressured to make a purchase you’re not ready for — it’s OK to take their incentives and walk away. If you decide the timeshare approach isn't for you, you can still get free perks and rewards by using one of the best travel credit cards to book your trips. 

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Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare Presentation Review

by Brett Holzhauer | Sep 17, 2018 | hilton , hotel reviews | 33 comments

As a Hilton Honors Member, you will at one point hear on the phone something resembling “Would you like to earn 500 Hilton Honors points for hearing our promotional offer today?” Of course, it is hard to say no to easy points like that. I was suckered in and decided to hear what they had to say. The “catch” was I had to sit in a 2-hour Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare Presentation. Being a young college grad, I couldn’t even afford a timeshare even if I wanted it. So I figured it was going to be an easy “no”.

The offer was actually pretty great! Spend 4 days & 3 nights in a Hilton Grand Vacations property in either Las Vegas or Orlando for $199 + tax. To add, they added a $200 mail-in rebate to select Hilton brands. I was able to use my mail-in rebate at the Hilton Woodland Hills on a King Suite the night before my wedding. Keep in mind that $200 is only for the base rate of the room. That does not cover taxes or room charges.

I used my Hilton Ascend American Express to get 12x per dollar on the $199, which got me back about $15 in points value. And with the mail-in rebate for my next Hilton stay, the whole deal was basically free!

The Terms of the offer

While this seems like a “slam dunk” offer, there are of course stipulations and rules to follow…

• You may purchase the offer on the phone. From that time, you have (I believe) 45 days to actually book your trip. From that point, you must complete your travel in 1 calendar year.
• You may not complete your timeshare presentation on the day you check in or the day you leave. I was in Vegas Thursday-Sunday so I chose Saturday.
• If you are married, your spouse must attend the presentation. (My wife and I were not married at the time. However, I would have just said I was single regardless.)
• If you do not complete the timeshare presentation, you will be charged full retail value of the room.

The Hotel & Room

I had a few options in Las Vegas to stay at. We could have stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at The Flamingo , HGVC at Trump Towers ,  HGVC on Paradise , HGVC on the Boulevard , or The Elara .

My wife and I decided to stay at The Elara ironically because there was no casino in the hotel, it is part of the Million Mile Shops, it is very close to the strip, and the rooms were very luxurious.

Image courtesy of hilton.com

We checked in just as a normal hotel and confirmed my time for the presentation. I picked first thing in the morning so I could simply get it over with. Hilton Honors members are given 2 free water bottles upon check-in. This is definitely appreciated when it is 100 degrees outside!

We were assigned to a high floor One Bedroom King Suite. It had an incredible view of the Las Vegas airport, so I got to watch airplanes land and take off for hours!

While I don’t have any pictures, this video is very close to what we had. A little bit of different decor, but all the same amenities. I loved this hotel room because of the “condo” style feel to it. Most hotel rooms don’t have full kitchens or separate living room areas. Even though there was only 2 of us, we had plenty of room!

For a similar time period (Thurs-Sun), this room after taxes and resort fees is $1,395 !

So if you value your time at an hourly rate, saving $600/hour for two hours of your time is absolutely worth it! However, what does this timeshare presentation actually look like?

The Timeshare Presentation

The Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare Presentation really wasn’t all that bad. Here is the breakdown of mine.

The presentation was at The Elara, so I left about 5 minutes early from my room. Check in at your time you have reserved. For me, it was 9:00am.

9am-9:15am – Meet with your sales rep. My sales rep was actually pretty friendly.

9:15am-10:00am – Cheesy presentations showing you all of their properties. This is a great way to find new travel destinations that you want to see.

10am-10:15am – You sit down with your sales rep to explain the “points” system. Most timeshare companies sell you points which you can redeem for rooms. These points are different than regular Hilton Honors points.

10:15am-11am – Crunch the costs and how you can finance your new timeshare. This is where your “no” skills have to come into play. They will try every single way to convince you that timeshares are a great deal, when in fact they aren’t . I gave them the no around 10:30ish and they took their sweet time to get me out the door.

Small reminder – Keep your eye on your watch, aka your phone. If they are pushing towards the two-hour mark, say you need to leave as they are intruding on your vacation. They should respect your time.

Check out – At check out, they gave me my $200 Hilton mail in rebate and I was on my way to the pool!

Is it worth it?

100% yes! If you don’t mind sparing two hours of your vacation, it is absolutely worth it. But go into it with a strong will that you will not buy. They may be a little rude to you, but just remember that you are getting essentially a free vacation. Walk out of there with a smirk on your face, and enjoy!

And the best part, is that you are eligible for this every 6 months! I just received another Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare Presentation promotional email for Las Vegas or New York City.

Have you ever sat in a Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare Presentation? Or any other brand? What was your experience like?

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More from points with a crew, 33 comments.

We did this last year in Orlando. My wife had a business conference there and we did the presentation time for the period she would be there. We got the $200 voucher and used it at a Hilton later on. I enjoyed my time there and we said NO alot since we never stay anywhere for 7 days unless it is a cruise and travel the rest of the time for free. They understood and quickly got us out of there. They were very nice about this and thanked us for being loyal Hilton members. Very different than those we went through when really young.

That’s awesome Byron! Being polite can go a long way.

Hey Dan did they provide you with a list of blackout dates before you booked?

I can answer any questions regarding this. Are you referring to blackout dates for the timeshare stay? They actually don’t have blackouts, however, they do have raised prices during high traffic. I remember them raising the price to $299 during New Years in Vegas, which is still a deal!

Similar experience for my wife and I, but we bought! We have had our timeshare about 10 years now and absolutely love it. We did upgrade about seven years ago so that we could vacation more. Hilton may not be for everyone but it does work for us. My wife and I will retire early in about a year and will use our Hilton timeshare as much as possible. It is possible we may upgrade one more time.

That’s awesome that HGVC is working for you!

Never buy through HGVC…I’ve bought mine through resales and have saved tens of thousands of dollars! The prices these shark salesp quote during your timeshare presentation is criminal!!! NEVER EVER BUY THROUGH HGVC!!! I currently own 24,000 HGVC points annually. I bought my points through a timeshare broker by the name of John Raymond based in Carlsbad, CA. He is honest, legit and a really nice guy. Google his name…you’ll be glad you did.

What if you want to extend your stay? How is that billed? Thanks.

I received a similar deal a year ago that I took advantage in Orlando. I would never do a HGV timeshare presentation again. The guy we had was terrible. He assumed we were going to buy when we said no. My husband actually began to consider it at the end, and that made it more difficult. He ended up signing up for a second chance offer for a vacation. I promptly cancelled the whole thing when we got home. Never again.

Why did you cancel your husband’s dream?? Allow him to travel and support his decision for you and your family!!

Oh wow, I’m sorry you had that experience.

Owner here. We bought in Orlando back in 2009 when points were $4 each. We’ve loved it because it forced us to take family vacations almost every year and my kids have been to Disney a bunch, San Diego, Hawaii twice, Mexico twice and Hilton Head next year. And in 2 bedroom condos all but a couple times. I’m a penny pincher and there is no way we would have had these great experiences without the timeshare. That said they are not worth it now. The pricess are crazy. Buy on the resale market for a fraction. As for these 4 night 3 day presentations they are great. Whenever we want to go to Vegas we book one of these, upgrade to 2 bedroom at the Elara if you can can get it and go to the presentation as soon as possible. I tell them right away if they can find me something at $4 a point and lower maintenance fee I’m in, if not no deal. Usually a pretty short meeting. Important note, Hilton has no timeshare properties in Mexico or the Caribbean so if that is a priority for you you have to transfer your points to RCI which has mostly been ok but the properties are not as great.

it sounds like we may have made a pretty good deal if you would buy again at $4 a point. just picked up a deal in Waikoloa, Hi for 3.23 a point. hotel rooms in the ocean tower were going for 5k more than what we got. we started with a 1 bedroom plus. Ive been reviewing some BBB reviews and looking up some things and im getting closer to the 7 day window to cancel my deal. but I think this will work for us. we’ve travelled without it already but hopefully this helps us do better.

We are going to a Westin presentation in Cabo San Lucas in January. January 2016, we did the Westin one in Cancun. $299 for 4 nights in both cases.

I purchased the Wyndham package for Alexandria, hoping to book for April 2019. I have to wait until October for the calendar to open.

The Hilton deals have not been as good as Westin. I just got a mailer to get 500,000 points with a time share purchase.

Hubby and I are in our 60’s. We’ve gone to these pitches for years. Over the last 20 years, the perks have gotten much better. It used to be a free dinner voucher.

That’s awesome to know that the incentives have only gotten better! Thanks for reading!

We have HGVC and love it. The first year we received 20,000 extra points as a signing bonus so we used it a lot. We love all of the rooms we have stayed in and often stay in Park City, UT in a 3BR unit that is like having a full house for the holidays. I also travel often for work and use a combination of Hilton points and HGVC points for areas like Phoenix that don’t have a resort. It has worked out well for us.

Ah, thats awesome! Park City is a beautiful area, I live about 30 minutes away in Salt Lake City.

I’m glad these programs are working in your favor!

We did our first HGVC presentation in 2002 and purchased. We have enjoyed it for 16 years with our family, ourselves, and Friends!

These stays are always in a class by themselves and in magnificent resorts! I’ve never regretted our purchase. It has opened at the world to us, made us vacation, and allowed us to spend quality family time with our children and grandchildren!

The promotion packages are well worth the time spent. We have done numerous presentations with a variety of companies over the years. No one has ever been as polite and consistently professional as Hilton Representatives!

if anyone is interested in a recommendation, I would love the privilege to recommend you!!

Thank you so much Mara for reading! I am thrilled that you have gotten real value from HGVC. From the comments, I’m concluding that timeshares do work for some people, and not for others.

I just heard the phone sales pitch, and have committed to an Orlando presentation, but haven’t picked dates yet. I’m looking forward to seeing how the sales pitch goes compared to the Disney Vacation Club, which I’ve been a member of for almost 5 years now. I can’t imagine anyone can beat Disney’s program, but I’m willing to give it a chance. Plus it will give us an opportunity to visit Universal, and possibly Legoland, instead of Disney for a change 🙂

That is so awesome, I’d love to hear how similar my experience is to yours.

Did this article inspire you to try this out?

I found this article right after I booked it, by googling for reviews. I’m happy to see that it was a positive experience for most people!

Are you in the market for timeshares? Or are you simply going to give them the “hard no” like I did?

I was already on the phone, booking an upcoming stay, when they got me to listen to the pitch. I doubt I will buy into it since I have Disney Vacation Club already. I will most likely add points to my DVC membership, when the new resort becomes available, sometime in 2019 🙂

Has anyone used it in NYC? Wondering where the hotels they’d put us in are.

I got suckered into listening to the promotion and purchasing a 3 day/2 night for NY for $285 total. Nothing was mentioned about the having to attend a timeshare presentation until i logged onto the HGVC! Now, to avoid the additional $50 charge if I book 14days after the day I paid, I had to book my NY hotel stay but because I want to travel in early June 2019, the hotel is not guaranteed until sometime after January 2019! I’m not looking to purchase any timeshare but I guess now I’m stuck having to sit through the presentation in order to complete the package deal.

Ah that is a bit unfortunate. But I’m sure your stay in NY will be awesome!

Did they tell you what hotel? Location?

Purchased a Vegas HGVC weekend package and I’m so excited! My sister just recently became an owner & I’m hoping it works at for me as well! I’m planning to travel in May, anyone have insight as to when to give them a call & book the room or does it matter?

That’s awesome!

I always suggest sooner rather than later. Especially if you are planning on traveling around Memorial Day.

What promotional offer did you get?!

Brett, we get it you work for this scam

I’m not sure what you mean by this.

I just attended an HGVC presentation this weekend. I’m staying at the property on the Boulevard, though in hindsight, I should’ve booked The Elara as I’m here for my 30th! Oh well. They put me in a king studio room on the 24th floor in tower 1. It’s a nice room, but I learned the hard way I had to pay $20 per day if I wanted my room clean because I wasn’t staying for five nights. They gladly replenished my towels when requested, so that was fine. The presentation was what I expected. My salesperson was nice, but there were three people total who tried their damndest to sell me the ownership. I held my ground and declined. The last guy was a bit rude when I said no, but whatever. It didn’t work for me because I couldn’t justify it as a single guy. Just because I traveled a lot this year and want to travel a lot next year doesn’t mean I’m going to. Besides, I don’t even own a house yet! I may consider it down the road when it makes more sense financially and logistically, but I’d like to talk to actual HGVC owners first before doing anything. Great post!

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Get a Cheap 3-Night Stay and Earn 10,000 IHG Points for a Timeshare Presentation

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Many hotel brands operate timeshares in addition to normal hotel rooms. These timeshare properties tend to be in popular cities and offer the ability to get a larger 1- or 2-bedroom villa for a fixed week during the year.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations is out with a new promotion that allows you to get a 3-night stay for about $250 — in addition to 10,000 IHG On Rewards points when you listen to a timeshare presentation.

This IHG stay and points offer provides a 3-night stay in either:

• Branson, Missouri
• Cocoa Beach, Florida
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Galveston, Texas
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Orlando, Florida
• Williamsburg, Virginia

You can choose from a $249 + tax offer to stay at a Holiday Inn Club Vacations  resort in any of these cities or a cheaper $199 offer when you stay at a partner hotel. In all cases, you can also earn 10,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points by attending a timeshare tour.

These are obviously very cheap rates for these cities, and you can really have a getaway trip for very little money with this offer. The catch is that you need to sit through a timeshare presentation to be able to take advantage of the rate and bonus points.

Generally, you get to choose the time of your presentation while you’re there, and the rest of the time, you can do whatever you’d like in the area. During the presentation, you’re usually required to stay for a specific amount of time , such as an hour, but you’re not under any obligation to purchase the timeshare. You can walk away at the end of the presentation without any guilt.

When you sign up for the IHG stay and points offer , you’ll be prompted to choose the city you want to visit , and if you don’t know the dates you’d like to travel, you’ll be issued a voucher good for a full year. To keep the low rate and bonus points, you need to attend the timeshare presentation , and if you don’t, the rate will increase substantially and you won’t earn the points.

To participate, you may need to be targeted , and there are additional requirements as well, such as age and employment status. The website will show you what you need to be eligible.

If you’re interested, you must book this offer by August 29, 2024 .

Most timeshare presentations require you to not have sat through the same presentation within a few years, so if you’ve already taken advantage of this offer, you may not be able to do so again.

If you can take advantage of this offer, it does provide a relatively cheap IHG hotel stay and extra bonus points for very little effort. That said, it does require you to listen to a timeshare sales pitch, and these presentations can sometimes feel very uncomfortable depending on the presenter.

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Review: The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas – Timeshare Edition (Maui, Hawaii)

As you may have read in a previous post , I had an amazing time at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas   courtesy of a  great offer from Westin Vacations and American Express .

As I mentioned in that post, the concierge made me an [additional] offer I couldn’t refuse: 7,000 SPG Starpoints for sitting through their timeshare presentation.

So what did I do? I took the offer (of course)! I sit through timeshare presentations so you don’t have to!

I was expecting to be pitched on one of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas (north or south), but instead I was surprised to learn that I would be shown properties at the brand-new Westin Nanea Ocean Villas , just north of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North.

The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas pool (with Molokai in the background)

The Official Promotional Video (video courtesy of Vistana.com)

The Timeshare Presentation

We met with the Westin Vacations Timeshare representative at the concierge desk of the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas South. Officially, I believe he was an employee of Vistana .

He walked us back to a staging room with Starbucks Coffee and warm chocolate chip cookies, and then spent some time building rapport by exchanging niceties and making small talk about the island of Maui. He then asked if we were ready to begin.

He walked us over to an impressive set of back-lit SPG panels showcasing stellar properties, exotic locations, and properties in the [pre-Marriott merger] SPG footprint. Next, we were led over to a huge globe of planet earth with every SPG property lit up. I actually was impressed.

We were then picked up by an extended golf-cart shuttle and whisked away to the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas .

The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas Property Tour

As we arrived, we were taken through the lobby through to the courtyard of the Nanea. The representative explained to us the Nanea was different from the other Westin Ocean Villas in that the designers teamed up with indigenous Hawaiian designers to create an environment that invokes the spirit of the Hawaiian people.

Courtyard of the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas

“Nanea” means “tranquility”. The nanea of this property is said to be enhanced by the “gentle wind” unique to Ka’anapali.

The Ocean View  

Take a closer look and you’ll notice the rich Hawaiian accents of the the Nanea. Here, you can see the native Hawaiian Taro plant [among others] planted for cultivation.

Taro being grown for harvest

Initially, we were led to the “no-view” 1-bedroom model unit. We peeked inside, but it was jam-packed. There must have been 3 other tours going on in that unit at the same time.

Our representative said, “no problem, I’ll take you to see a prime unit with a view”.

The 3 Bedroom Unit

We headed upstairs into the kitchen and living room area of the 3 bedroom unit. I could see right away, units at the Nanea were styled radically different from the other Westin Ocean Villas. They were more modern, warm, and “homey” than their Ocean Villa neighbors.

The Official 3 Bedroom Promotional Video  (video courtesy of SPG Hawaii)

The Kitchen

The Kitchen was large and outfitted with stainless steel appliances

The kitchen adjoined with living room and the dining balcony beyond that

One major notable upgrade was the increased shelf and pantry space, which in my opinion remedied a “fatal flaw” with the other Ocean Villas.

The washer and dryer combo

The Master Bedroom

The Master Bath

The rain shower and waterfall tub

Guest Bedroom

The View From The Room

Yes, this view is incredible!

The Balcony Dining Table

That’s the island of Molokai just offshore

The Time Share Pitch:

After the tour of the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, we were returned back to the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas South and led to what I’ll call the “hard-sell room”. This room was austere compared to everything else, consisting of a desk and a large dry-erase white board. There was also notably no door to the room.

The first phase was the recap – a rundown of everything we just saw, the Vistana point system, and the benefits of the Vistana Villa Resort Collection timeshare program. It was explained that the timeshare purchase consisted only of “time” in the form of currency in an exclusive Vistana point system (valid only at the Villa Resort Collection ) – not physical property.

The complete Villa Resort Collection listings

In my opinion, the Vistana Villa Resort Collection  was somewhat limited – having locations only in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, Mexico, The Bahamas and Virgin Islands.

It was further explained these Vistana points could alternatively be converted into currency in another world timeshare program or SPG points for expanded options, although it occurred to me at first glance that doing so may somewhat dilute the value of the Vistana points.

Editor’s Note: In the interest of providing unbiased reporting neutral to both buyer and seller, I’m not going to go into the specific details of pricing, terms, etc., as these items may vary significantly based on factors such as prospective buyer’s credit, seller incentives, and/or market prices. As with any significant purchase, I recommend you always do your thorough research and consult your financial advisors to ensure a deal like this is right for you and your budget.

Next, the representative brought in his “closer” and she sat down for the hard-sell. She explained we were buying “ownership” and “equity” and that after “X” amount of payments of “$X” amount, we would “own” the timeshare [points] free and clear, and that we could even pass it on to our children or family members. The one caveat with ownership is that we would still be responsible for a significant annual maintenance fee as long as we held the property.

She then drew up some hard numbers that included the purchase price, the 10% down payment, closing costs, maintenance fees and interest rate. She did note that we were eligible to go through our own bank if we could get a better interest rate.

Then came the fun part: the “sweeteners”. She said, “if you buy right now, today only, I can throw in the following special offers,” and she began rattling offers off a list. The first was SPG Gold Status and 180,000 Starpoints (impressive). The second was a promo for 90,000 Starpoints (which could be received up to 4 times) with every payment – for a total of 360,000 Starpoints (most impressive).

I responded, “so let me get this straight, if I buy today and make 4 payments, I’ll receive 540,000 Starpoints?”. “Correct,” she responded. “Let me ask you this, if I pay for my timeshare with my American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card, will I get the bonus points for SPG purchases?”.  Her response was, “Absolutely, that’s what we all do with our own timeshares”.

She then did the hard-sell, “are we going to be buying today?”, to which I responded, “no, but thank you for your presentation”. She was all business and no-nonsense and immediately got up and said, “time-shares aren’t for everybody, thank you,” she shook our hands and told us to wait for a colleague of hers to do an exit interview, and then walked out the door.

Her colleague immediately walked into the room and asked us a couple questions on why we chose not to buy at this time. She then said, “I see you are here on a great promotion , would you be interested in coming back next year on another great deal?” I said, “sure, what kind of deal?”, she then performed one final sell on what is called the “Explorer Package”.

The Explorer Package

The Explorer Package included a stay at one of the villas in the Vistana Collection, an additional 9,000 Starpoints, and the option for use the purchase price of the package toward the 10% down payment on a future timeshare purchase  (within 1 year). I politely declined.

The Bottom-line Review: The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas – Timeshare Edition (Maui, Hawaii)

Overall, the timeshare presentation was very informative and professional and the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas was a very impressive property. I’m glad I got to see it up close, and I’m glad I did the timeshare tour (totally worth 7,000 Starpoints!). Even the mandatory “hard-sell” wasn’t even that hard, it was professional and no-nonsense. The sweeteners were very, very interesting.

In the end, this timeshare just wasn’t for me – but then again, none of them are. That’s just me. If you really want to stay at the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, this property is bookable on Marriott.com . Is it cheaper booking it for a week than buying it through a timeshare? I’ll let you be the judge of that one.

Now that Marriott has assumed control of SPG and Starpoints, I’m curious to see what new offers and timeshare presentations they will have, maybe I’ll be back one day to see.

Flying High On Points

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[…] to double down anyway and take on a timeshare presentation while there for some bonus points and wrote a review on the experience. Be sure to check out both […]

Thanks for the review. Did you get 7,000 starpoints = 21,000 marriott points?

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Timeshare Specialists

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Free consultation, what are timeshare presentations.

• By: John Kushman

A timeshare presentation, also known as a discovery tour, is simply a sales pitch designed to introduce potential buyers to the concept of timeshare ownership. During the presentation, sales representatives showcase the benefits of owning a timeshare, such as the flexibility to vacation in various locations, potential cost savings, and the convenience of having a guaranteed vacation spot each year.

How Do Timeshare Presentations Work?

Timeshare presentations typically follow this format:

• Timeshare presentations begin with a warm welcome from the sales team, who will introduce themselves and the timeshare company. They may offer refreshments and make you feel comfortable.
• The sales representative will provide a general overview of timeshare resorts, explaining the different types of timeshares available and how they work. This often includes a video or slideshow highlighting the amenities, locations, and advantages of timeshare ownership.
• You will be given a tour of the property, where you can see the accommodations, amenities, and facilities firsthand. This part of the presentation is designed to showcase the lifestyle and luxury that timeshare ownership offers.
• After the tour, the sales representative will present detailed information about specific timeshare units for sale, including their locations, prices, and features. They will highlight the benefits of the timeshare, such as access to multiple resorts worldwide, the ability to choose vacation dates, and potential cost savings compared to traditional vacations.
• The presentation concludes with a question-and-answer session, where you can ask about any concerns or details you need clarification on. The sales team will address your questions and attempt to overcome any objections you might have.

How Long Are Timeshare Presentations?

Timeshare presentations usually last 90 to 120 minutes but can sometimes extend for several hours. It’s essential to be aware of this time commitment and plan your day accordingly, especially if you’re on vacation and have other activities scheduled.

What to Expect at a Timeshare Presentation

Incentives for attendance.

Many attend timeshare presentations because of the incentives offered, such as free vacations, discounted stays, or other promotional gifts. Be aware that these incentives are a way to entice you to sit through the presentation, and there’s no obligation to purchase a timeshare.

Sales Tactics

Timeshare presentations often involve high-pressure sales tactics. Sales representatives are trained to be persuasive and may use various strategies to convince you to make a purchase on the spot. It’s important to stay firm and remember that you are not obligated to buy anything during the presentation.

Personalized Offers

The sales team may try to tailor their pitch to your specific needs and preferences. They might ask about your travel habits, family size, and vacation interests to present a package that seems like a perfect fit for you.

Potential Savings

One of the key selling points of timeshares is the potential for long-term savings on vacation costs. The presentation will likely include comparisons between the cost of timeshare ownership and traditional vacation expenses.

Tips for Attending a Timeshare Presentation

Before attending a timeshare presentation, it is important to:

• Research the company and the property. Understand the pros and cons of timeshare ownership and read reviews from other buyers.
• Determine your budget beforehand and stick to it. Don’t be swayed by pressure to purchase a timeshare that exceeds your financial limits.
• Be Prepared to Walk Away. If the offer doesn’t meet your needs or you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to walk away. You are under no obligation to make a purchase.
• Ask Questions. Use the Q&A session to ask detailed questions about the costs, maintenance fees, exchange programs, and any other concerns you have. Getting clear answers will help you make an informed decision.

What To Consider Before Committing to Buying a Timeshare

Before deciding to purchase a timeshare, we recommend taking some time to understand what timeshares are and how timeshares work .

It is also essential to evaluate your long-term vacation plans and family needs and consider whether they fit your travel style. Think about your long-term travel goals and how they might change over the years.

Before committing, also assess if the location and amenities align with your family’s preferences and if the financial commitment is within your budget. Timeshare maintenance fees tend to increase yearly by around 6%.

Understanding Timeshares Are Not a Property Investment

Timeshares are not a traditional property investment. Unlike real estate, timeshares generally lose value over time.

When it comes to selling a timeshare, you may face difficulties recouping your initial investment. The resale market for timeshares is often challenging, and many owners end up selling their timeshares at a loss, sometimes even incurring additional fees to complete the sale.

Attending a timeshare presentation can be an informative and beneficial experience if approached with the right mindset. By understanding what to expect and preparing in advance, you can navigate the process confidently and make a decision that’s best for you and your family’s vacation needs.

For free advice on buying timeshares, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1 800-969-6565.

What To Look For When Signing A Timeshare Rental Agreement & Loopholes

Renting a timeshare can be a great way to enjoy luxurious accommodations without a long-term commitment. This guide walks you through key elements to review in a timeshare rental agreement and common loopholes to avoid.

How To Get Rid Of A Florida Timeshare

Wondered how to get rid of your Florida timeshare? Our comprehensive guide outlines effective strategies, from rescinding purchases and seeking deed-back programs to selling, transferring, and working with exit companies.

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West gate timeshare presentation - Westgate Town Center Resort

• United States    
• Florida (FL)    
• Central Florida    
• Kissimmee    
• Kissimmee Hotels    
• Westgate Town Center Resort

West gate timeshare presentation

The price you found is 17% lower than this hotel's expected rate of $95/night.

We forecast hotel rates daily for each date six months into the future based on the millions of hotel searches performed by our users. The price you just found ($79) is 17% lower than our most recent forecast ($95) for this property for this date.

Galleria Palms Hotel

• Official Site $79
• Trip.com $68
• Agoda.com $71

Wyndham Orlando Resort & Conference Center Celebration Area

Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration

• Booking.com

Grand Hotel Kissimmee at Celebration

• Trip.com $48
• Agoda.com $47

Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW - Celebration Area, an IHG Hotel

• HolidayInn.com $56
• Agoda.com $56
• Trip.com $56

Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South

• Agoda.com $52

Celebration Suites

Palazzo Lakeside Hotel

• Agoda.com $45
• Trip.com $61

Flamingo Waterpark Resort

• Official Hotel
• Agoda.com $59
• Trip.com $79

The price you found is 18% lower than this hotel's expected rate of $38/night.

We forecast hotel rates daily for each date six months into the future based on the millions of hotel searches performed by our users. The price you just found ($31) is 18% lower than our most recent forecast ($38) for this property for this date.

Seralago Hotel & Suites

• Agoda.com $27

Spent a wonderful April 2015 week at Westgate town center again.The only gripe I have this time, is that I am a owner and I request a certain bldg and the top floor every time well in advance (6-5mos), and I never seem to get what I want. I will be staying again in October 2015 and have already booked with my special request, so hopefully I will get my wish this time. All in All I love this place!!!

• Sleep Quality

Thank you for your review. We are always happy to receive feedback from our valued owners. We are thrilled to hear that you experienced another wonderful stay at the Westgate Town Center Resort. It is so gratifying to know we are providing you with what you expect, a relaxing and peaceful vacation. We are sorry to read that you did not receive the unit you requested. You are doing the right thing by requesting it in advance. Please note specific locations and other special requests can be noted on your reservation, however, they are not guaranteed. Rest assured every effort is made to accommodate your request. It is our pleasure to have you visit and we look forward to your return in October. Sincerely, Anja

This is a decent property for the money. Plenty of room and very convenient to restaurants, shopping, and of course Disney World. Units are a bit outdated and could use a facelift but were clean for the most part. The improvements that are happening on the outside of the property will be nice when they are finished. Customer service is another issue. The majority of the staff act as if it is an inconvenience to have to help anyone whether its checking in or any issues that may arise. Last time I checked that is your job. Units are supposed to be available no later than 4P for check in but that was not the case with one of ours. Reserved a 3 bedroom and received half of it but the final section of the room was never opened due to some kind of water damage that they seemed to think they could miraculously fix in a couple hours. This displaced a group of people staying in the unit for almost 48 hours. The night staff, when dealing with this issue, was completely incompetent as absolutely no one seemed to be able to make a decision about anything. We were given keys to already occupied rooms, the wrong room numbers, etc. This went on constantly for 48 hours. As much as I would like to say I would stay there again, it is highly unlikely simply because the customer service was absolutely awful.

• Cleanliness

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We want to ensure that all our owners and guests have an experience that exceeds their expectations at all times; for that it saddens us that yours was not exactly the same. On a positive note we are glad that you took advantage of our comfortable units and the convenience of our location. Also, we do understand that construction is being performed to better assist all our guests and for that we are thankful for your patience and understanding. Furthermore, our staff was trained and prepared accordingly to provide you with excellency at any given situation and we do not tolerate less than that; for that we appreciate you notifying us so we can extend this to our team for further training and development that might be necessary. We would love for you to give us an opportunity to exceed your expectations beyond what you’ve discovered! >M.B

We had a wonderful week escaping from Boston area and all the misery this winter provided. It was terrific for us, starting with food delivery to our one bedroom delux suite for handicapped, to the final checkout a week later. Drafts restaurant was just fine for two of the nights, delicious caesar salads with nice atmosphere. Kiosk in the lobby provided a couple of great lunches after pool time. The Waterpark is coming along great and we were on the second floor overlooking the construction. The noise was not bad and did not start until 10am; I actually enjoyed watching as sidewalk "superintendents". Only suggestion would be to add some benches in the front lobby of the buildings, for those who are waiting to be picked up. The trolley ride staff took us around the resort was especially kind and assisted us in our ventures to the BBQ and the shopping area. Again we needed more benches. We met up with other family members who also own timeshare here, nice visit.

It is fantastic to read your review on the Westgate Town Center and read about so many aspects that made your stay with us a memorable one. It is awesome to hear that you took advantage of our award winning Drafts restaurant and that you also notice the improvements of our water park construction for this summer. Also, it is very rewarding to hear that our staff was courteous enough to assist you with your vacation needs as they are always willing to exceed your expectations. We appreciate the benches suggestion and wish to see you again real soon! >M.B

I was a bit leery of Westgate after reading the reviews; however, I was extremely impressed. We got our reservation directly through them using a timeshare package. The area that the hotel is located in is good but incredibly busy. It’s also in an area that is touristy with a “strip” kind of feel. It is not my favorite location. Getting into the location itself can get very crowded too, as people try to get in the gated (when it was down) location. The lobby was large and a tad confusing. There were what appeared to be 3 or 4 check-in areas. Ours was in a glassed-off area that did help reduce the commotion and chaos. The outer area was loud and busy with a number of couches, TVs, and kids’ play areas. I was upset to find a ticket deal at the check-in counter that had not been offered to me when I reserved my room and tickets. It had expired by our check in date but had been available for new reservations when I reserved. Nothing was done to remedy that. We got into a 1 BR and were quite happy with the accommodation itself. Our building was right next to the reservation center/check in center. The main room was quite large with a full kitchen, dining area and breakfast bar, and living room with an L-shaped pullout couch. The living area also had dimmer lights and surround sound speakers. The bed was awful! My daughter was OK with it, she’s 8, but I could never have slept on it. However, we didn’t complain and I later found out they could have switched the mattress out (who knew??). The bedroom was also large with a King bed (I think), large Jacuzzi tub, dresser, tv and closet. Attached was also the bathroom with a closeted toilet and shower stall. The shower stall was large, tile and had a glass door. That was a downside because if you were in the shower no one else could really use the bathroom. There was another door from the bathroom that led into a small hall where the washer & dryer were (full sized). Overall everything was clean and well stocked. Having the washer/dryer was so helpful in keeping up with laundry and clean towels. Our one issue, non-working Jacuzzi jets, was addressed quickly and sufficiently. On the downside, do NOT plan to use the “shuttle” service to parks unless you don’t mind being there late. This was a service we’d planned to use to keep costs down but it was useless. Shuttles did not even leave the hotel until after the parks opened. So, the deal we got on the room was a tad offset by the daily $15+ cost of parking. Many of the other activities close up early too (mini golf, paddle boats). Since we were at parks most days, we didn't get to use any of them. Also, they do allow pets and we had a dog near us that was on the balcony all the time barking and barking (and barking). I couldn't hear it inside but outside at the pool and lake area we could. If you plan to take part in the timeshare meeting, be prepared. We went in 100% sure we wouldn't buy but it is still tempting. It's high pressure sales, though our person didn't seem to care much as he kept leaving us. We had plans later in the day but saw many people purchasing. Anything that requires you to make that big a commitment with no time to think or rescind is suspect. Just beware. However, it is the cheapest way to experience the hotel.

We appreciate and value your comments on the Westgate Town Center. It's gratifying to read that you enjoyed our large and complete units and notice the cleanliness of our grounds. We are a very large and popular property and we do tend to get very busy considering our size as well; for that our staff is always willing to guide you and assist you with any of your vacation requests and ensure that you feel home. It is unfortunate that you did not mention the bed inconvenience as we would have been able to assist you immediately. We also offer free shuttle to the parks and outlet but always recommend that you reserve your seats in advance to guarantee you can ride; remember this is a limited courtesy but you can find other transportation options in the area to better suit you. As a timeshare property we do invite all our guests to participate in our presentation at their own discretion. We do hope that we will be honored with a visit from you again in the future! > M.B

I had Tiffany Mendez do my check-in. We were early and we had specific room requirements so a room was not ready. Tiffany searched the resort and found what we wanted. She was professional and friendly. The check-in for such a large place was well run, with two lines and someone filing us through quickly. We went to Drafts on-site to wait for our room to be ready and didn't even finish our drink before they called us to say they had one for us. At Drafts we were served by Diana Ramos. She was a very friendly server and chatted with us on and off while she served other people. Later I went to the VIP desk and spoke to Gabrielle Mendez. Again she was someone who was very professional and helpful. She listened to my concerns and offered a form so I could express them to management. My complaints were environmental concerns. Firstly, I did not see any recycling facilities when I took my garbage outside. The other concern was that there were men in the gardens constantly spraying something. I told Gabrielle at the VIP desk that I was worried it was an insecticide or weed killer that might be harmful to animals or humans. I cannot say what was being sprayed but I did write that there were environmental-friendly or natural alternatives to chemicals. Hopefully, this is what was being used or, if not, they will switch to something better for all of us. All in all, it was a beautiful resort. The rooms were extremely lovely. Many of the maintenance/housekeeping staff do not speak much English, but they were friendly and made an effort to respond to us when we spoke to them. For some jobs they contracted to outside agencies so they could speak to guests. For families, they are very close to Disneyworld. They offer shuttle service to Disney, Universal Studios, and Sea World. They also had lots of activities going on daily. It's close to the highways to get back and forth to the Orlando Airport. For us the whole experience was positive. We used many of the amenities. We will definitely come back again.

We want to take the time to let you know how honored we are that you selected us as your vacation destination and plan to come back and visit us. It is very gratifying when we hear that our staff went above and beyond to exceed your vacation expectations; that shows us that the they have been following the standards that we wish to provide at all times. We will bring the environmental concerns to our management team for further discussion. We look forward to having another opportunity to provide you with a relaxing stay!