We're members going for 12 days at TTR 2 days else where..cause the addicts have booked the place up...LOL we're paying 3100 however our flight is costing us 1800 we upgraded...LOL and the other thing.. went and checked our same flight has come down 200 so will be asking about that..We're coming from Edmonton Canada.. but should mention.. one of our perks is a free week... so .. I guess some of the perks are ok...
It's different for everyone, but we think the timeshare is worth it. We purchased our time share 3-4 years ago and figured got half our money back already. This trip we are paying $950 for 7 nights at the end of July. Cheapest we can find for the same time is $1,700 at the various online sites. The only perk we like about being members is the pool side service. It's great having the guys come up and constantly asking if you need another drink.
Me & my bf have our timeshare 4 about five years now and upgraded to gold last year and pay only $147 a month. We went to St Maarten 3 years ago and payed only the resort tax of about $110 for the entire 5 days. So I think it's a good deal.
My airfare was free and the wife paid $450 for round trip. If I paid for my airfare that would be $900 for airfare and $950 for timeshare at hotel = $1,850 for the 7 night trip. I did a quick expedia search and it would $2,360 for the same trip. Savings = $500
I think its good and well worth it if you know you can make it to the resort every year at least once...
Ummmmmmmmmm what sort of math is that? And over how many years/trips do you find the "break even" point? I'm pretty good at math, but this particular variety eludes me. But everyone needs to do their own math! If it works for you..............go for it!
....money... like everyone before me has said...you need to stay sober (the first thing they offer you is a strong drink) ...ask lots of questions and decide if it makes sense for your particular case. If we assume everyone can negotiate a similar deal (there is a package for every budget)...the biggest variable is the cost of getting there...and when you are likely to use it. For a long time, the package vacations were just as good or potentially better...but only becuase of the reduced cost of the airline tickets...burried in the price. ...plus you need to facter in the time of year you usually go ..high season, low season etc I have been to the resort via Expedia, alpha rooms, RCI timeshare week swap, buying directly from the hotel, and on a member referral. What I will say is that the experience I enjoyed using the referral was significantly different and felt like a true all inclusive... but ...it all means nothing if the crowd is not compatible. My biggest tip would be to try to get to know a number of compatible couples / singles / whatevers that go similar weeks every year... and then see what makes the best financial sense and best experience. My second biggest tip... ask around for a referral and actually try it as a white bander. It may be what you like...or it may mean nothing to you. (Referrals mean you have to sit through the sales pitch to get the discounted price) You are probably ready to seriously consider the economics...when you find yourself wanting to book your vacation around when the rest of the folks are going....and you only know their first names or board alias's.....and the stupid shit that seems to happen when you are with them. (how's that folks...for a fence sitting answer?!)
When we bought a couple years ago we received 2 "free" AI weeks. We used those and that was really nice. Not sure if it's cheaper or not, just booked 6 nights april 3-9 and our AI price seemed to be more than last time we paid--250/night. Got direct flights from Toronto to cancun for $400 each so was happy about that. So $2,300 for 6 nights and direct flights. Probably can find it cheaper somewhere else, but having poolside service and better liquors is nice. We also use our RCI points for other vacations so that helps offset the cost of paying a little more per night at TTR. We look at it as not a "savings", but a way to pay for vacations over a period of time. We've used RCI points to stay at really nice places in Orlando, myrtle beach, and hilton head SC. Probably not the best investment but neither were the multiple rounds of yeagerbombs I bought last night! Lol
