Residence Clubs and Timeshare?

If you are attracted to the idea of timeshare or joining a residence club, this post about residence clubs and timeshare should clarify a few misconceptions about the differences and similarities between residence clubs and timeshare.

The first thing to understand about residence clubs is that they are, in fact, a form of timeshare. Timeshare means owning a share of time at a vacation resort or access to some other leisure product. Many people think residence clubs and timeshare are separate entities because for years timeshare referred commonly to buying week intervals. However, in general terms, timeshare simply refers to owning access to a leisure product for a certain amount of time, whether that be a week or a month or membership at a residence club.

In practice, residence clubs tend to function differently than the tradition week timeshare model. Residence clubs generally offer members a points program whereby intervals are translated into points rather than definite weeks. These points allow for greater flexibility and the opportunity to be able to use the residence club points for other products, such as all inclusive plans and spa treatments during your stay at the residence club.

Residence clubs and timeshare fixed week products also demonstrate differences in the way that intervals are divided. As most residence clubs use a points system, you can stay at residence club resorts for shorter periods than one week, like a weekend, and also extend your stay to the exact length that you wish, 9 days, 11 days and so on. Fixed week timeshares trade only in 7 day intervals.

Generally speaking, residence clubs and timeshare differ in that residence clubs tend to represent the luxury market. The focus is on investing in a luxury vacation brand rather than gaining a cheap vacation home. Residence clubs tend to attract more exclusive clientele looking for something special as well as value for money rather than cheap accommodation.

via http://ift.tt/1n4V1ZZ