Difference between Timeshare and Vacation Clubs

Timeshare is a unique form of ownership or the privilege to use one property for a specific duration. This term also used to explain a type of property also. This type of lodging is mainly seen in the tourism industry, there are some resorts which allow multiple parties to use the same property; where each party uses it at specific times during the year. During this time they own the right to use that property exclusively. On the other hand, vacation clubs also provides the right to use the resort, but here the style is different. Vacation Clubs provide ownership to the parties without any specific time duration. One can stay for one day or they can extend it two or three weeks.

Timeshares

A timeshare can be termed as possession or the privilege to utilize assets, or used to describe such properties. There are typically resort units, in which the ownership is shared by multiple parties in the form of part-time ownership or kind of a lease which offers privileged use of the property. It does not provide ownership of the property. Timeshare ownership has nearly become a thing of the past. Although there are many timeshares available on the market today, they are most likely not offered by the original developer of the timeshare and the owner is taking a bath on the sales price if he can even sell it at all.

 Vacation Clubs

Vacation clubs are fundamentally a deviation on the timeshare theme. In recent years several vacation clubs have come into existence. They offer the same luxury resort condominiums that the timeshare crowd purchased but without the annual expense of maintenance. The club member pays a one-time fee up front for the privilege of tapping into the vacation club’s network and then never pays another fee. You buy into the program for an initial price and once enrolled, you have to choose the resorts where you want to stay and you have to pay every time you occupy it. With a vacation club membership you will be able to explore the unequaled vacation-planning flexibility, unbelievable value and the obligation to quality that you wanted and expected. Sound good? Well yes, if you are not hung-up on owning and paying ownership expenses! A member merely books his vacation online through the club's web site or through the club's concierge. All expenses of ownership of property are paid by others and most resorts on the list are readily available.

The Pros and Cons

In one sense timeshare are economical as it allows you to use the property for a couple of weeks out of the year. A time share proves to be guaranteed vacation. Timeshares are a vacation destination that is guaranteed to be there one week a year. This will help you to plan your vacation.

With a vacation club, you may have no base location or time, irrespective of how long your vacation; Stay options are not restricted. In vacation clubs accommodations are generally larger than individual hotel/resort accommodations, with kitchen facilities; many are in excellent locations. Occupancy costs can be less than that comparable to hotel/resort accommodations. Timeshares can be bad investments. If you invest in a timeshare that is knocked by a gale then of course it will deflate in value. You might be locked into a limiting time share contract

I cannot see why any reasonable person would ever want to pay ownership fees when he could pay less for the same thing and go anywhere he wants; anytime he wants!

The real magic of a vacation club is the offering of nearly unlimited resorts, hotels, cruises, rental cars, limousines, airfare etc. that the timeshare just does not offer!

Compare and Contrast

• Timeshares are method of owning a property in a shared manner.
• Timeshare has high maintenance fees, property fees, title fees, insurance cost.
• Vacation clubs also provide a method of owning a property in flexible manner. There is no specific time duration or restriction on occupancy.
• Timeshares are fixed weeks and cannot be moved.
• No maintenance fees or very small administration fees.
• Timeshares provide a restricted vacation schedule.
• Vacation Clubs ensure complete satisfaction and maintenance.
• Clubs are more suitable for a huge family. Longer periods or multiple vacations and destinations.