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Why timeshare presentations are worth it

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Why timeshare presentations are worth it

FREE STUFF! Hello! We’ve all been offered some sort of deal for a timeshare presentation and thought twice about it.  Most people I know don’t do them because they don’t want to be pressured. Grow some backbone deal seeker – there are free points and discounted stays to be had! Just keep shaking your head no, No, NO and you’ll be done in a flash. Or sit back and learn about the program…it might actually make sense for you. Points, discounted nights, free food, but most importantly THE FREE POINTS are the main reasons why timeshare presentations are worth it.

The Marriott Grande Lakes…a great timeshare near Disney World

a white building with a circular driveway and bushes

Ok, they’re not exactly free because you’re spending your time there, but you don’t have to buy whatever it is that they’re selling.

I’ll say it again – YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUY WHAT THEY’RE SELLING. There are a lot of articles written about being pressured into buying, and they do offer you some pretty sweet deals, and I will warn you that you’ll be tempted to buy, but you absolutely don’t have to splurge.  They aren’t going to lock the door or forbid you from using the bathroom until the dotted line has your John Hancock. They WILL offer you low financing, bonus points, elite status, etc for buying. (This is fodder for another post because I, contrary to a lot of bloggers, think timeshares provide a lot of value and can be worth purchasing. )

Here’s a look at what you’ll see in a Marriott Vacation Club Presentation

Why timeshare presentations are worth it

I’ve been to several presentations myself, my parents go ALL THE TIME, and if you’re firm that you aren’t going to buy…you’re done in a couple hours. What’s even better…you can do them annually. ( or more often – again, another post)

My folks went to one a couple months ago while they were in Phoenix for a wedding. They were in and out in less than 2 hours. They learned some new things about the Marriott Vacation Club program, and netted 25k points. Hot diggity…that’s the equivalent of a Category 5 hotel!

a close-up of a sign

Want to see all the Marriott Category 5 hotels…Go here

Hyatt has offers all the time for their residence club. Sedona is often featured with $99 rates and bonus points. I’ve even had outstanding offers to Hawaii

The worst case scenario is you go to Sedona for a couple nights, stay for a cheap rate, earn some bonus points and stay firm on saying no if you don’t want to buy.

Why timeshare presentations are worth it
An offer I received when the program was still Gold Passport.

I used to receive offers every few months from Hyatt when I carried their Chase credit card. Now…not so often. If you’d like to see the public offers for Hyatt go here. Those 10,000 bonus points would score me two free nights at the Hyatt House Colorado Springs. I just stayed there over the weekend for a BoardingArea blogger conference. Rates were $200 plus.

Everyone values their time differently, but if I can score a good deal on a stay, some bonus points, and information for a couple hours of my time. I’m in. Done Deal.

If you end up purchasing a through Marriott Vacation Club you can use your points to stay at Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve property and the featured image. Read here for more info.

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

11 Comments

  • Jim Starkovich August 9, 2018

    My wife and I bought and used timeshares starting in the 1980’s. We traveled all over the world and had great times. We stayed in some very nice places and some shitty places. We are now 80 years old. Our kids and grandkids are grown and have no interest in timeshare. We don’t have much interest in traveling much anymore.

    We have tried to sell and give away some of our less desirable places but there is little or no market for them. Recently, we told one association that we were going to stop using the timeshare and we were not paying any more maintenance. Further, we told them to do whatever they wanted to do with them. Finally, we deeded them back to the association….no cost to us for the transfer.

    A few months ago we traded into Marriott Royal Palms Resort in Orlando….a very nice place. Soon after making the trade we started getting phone calls and emails “begging ” us to attend a presentation. The offer was $300 for only 75 mins. of our time. We hesitated but they continued to convince us to please come to the presentation.

    No one ever asked us our age. They didn’t ask if we owned timeshares. They did not ask if we had any interest in buying a timeshare. They didn’t ask if we were interested in going on resort vacations. In fact, I don’t think the word timeshare was used by them.

    We were given $300 in AMEX gift cards several days before the presentation.
    On the appointed day, they sent us a shuttle and took us to the sales offices.

    We politely listened but didn’t understand much of what the salesman told us. In the end, we told him that the program just was not for us. Of course, he then brought in the “closer” but we continued to say that we were not interested.

    I’m writing this because I think there are a lot of folks like us who do not have an interest in buying more timeshare. I felt bad for the salesman but Marriott invited and coerced us to attend. We did not ask to see a presentation.

    My final word: If Marriott wants to sell their programs they should pre-qualify the invitees. Had we been asked a few questions relative to our interest and experience, I’m sure they would not have invited us.

    • Miles August 9, 2018

      Thanks for the info Jim, and you shouldn’t feel bad at all, and hopefully you’ve been able to put that $300 to good use! Thanks for reading

  • […] Why timeshare presentations are worth it […]

  • Catherine Owens June 5, 2017

    The salesperson, who got you, is most likely on straght commission, and you just robbed them of their only opportunity to earn their living.. My quality vacation time w people I love is way too precious.
    And, it’s not 2 hours at most…more like 4-5 hrs & emotional discomfort due to all the pressure. No thanx. I use the hel* out of my timeshare:)

  • […] FREE STUFF! Hello! We’ve all been offered some sort of deal for a timeshare presentation and thought twice about it. Most people I know don’t do them because they don’t want to be pressured. Grow some backbone deal seeker – there are free points and discounted stays to be had! Just keep shaking your head no, No, NO and you’ll be done in a flash. Or sit back and learn about the program…it might actually make sense for you. Points, discounted nights, free food, but most importantly THE FREE POINTS are the main reasons why timeshare presentations are worth it. LEARN MORE! […]

  • Tammy Wilson June 4, 2017

    I own 2 time shares and want to sell both of them. These things are a joke it’s a money thing for these people

  • […] Why timeshare presentations are worth it (monkeymiles.boardingarea.com) […]

  • Boraxo June 4, 2017

    Agree 100%. We used to receive offers from Marriott and Starwood like clockwork. $499-599 for 5 nights in a studio in Maui is one of the better deals, as that’s <50% of what you'd pay for a small chain hotel room, and no heinous "resort" or parking fees. Well worth 90 minutes of my time.

    However you ought to add a cautionary note to stick to reputable companies. I get frequent offers from sleazy operators offering airfare and rooms in Vegas, Orlando etc and most are useless due to absurd restrictions.

    • Miles June 4, 2017

      Nice!

    • CHRISTOPHER SINOPLE June 4, 2017

      Get a Life Going on Presentations all the Time My Time on Vacation is Worth More Than the Trinkets They Give If your That Broke Stay Home And Im a Timeshare Owner

    • Andy g June 5, 2017

      Those timeshare salespeople make 100% commission. Stop wasting their time. You want free stuff? Here’s some FREE advice……GET A BETTER JOB AND YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN STUFF.

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