Vacation Travel Clubs – How do they work?
How does a travel club work? It basically works this way. Millions of timeshares, resort properties and luxury hotel rooms go vacant every week. To recoup some of the costs associated with these properties, they will be offering “expected vacancies” at reduced prices. Their way of thinking is that “I’d rather get something than nothing at all.” Of course, they can’t offer these discount prices to the general public or the end consumer (which is you and me) would never pay retail prices again. Therefore, these resort owners offer large “lots” of these condos and villas to other corporations to market to their clients. Many of these properties are sold to the big boys like Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity. They, in turn, mark these properties with “discount” prices to cover their advertising costs and pocket a return on their investment.
How is a Travel Club different? Much of the remaining property is sold on the wholesale market to vacation clubs. Some clubs will also mark these properties before offering them to their clients. But, if you search hard, you can find some that offer these properties to their members at the same price that they purchased them. These are the true gems in the travel club industry. After paying a registration fee, the new member gains access to deeply discounted travel deals. Depending on the size of the club, these discounts can be regional, country-specific or national. Some travel clubs will offer hundreds of options to their members, while some of the larger ones will have thousands of exclusive rentals available.
How do I choose a good travel/vacation club?
Here are some basics to keep in mind when choosing a reputable club.Don’t overpay. A big name travel club shouldn’t charge thousands of dollars to join. A fee of 500-1,000 is quite reasonable.
3. Do you offer a concierge service? A helpful concierge desk is a must when considering a travel club. They can help you book your vacation, offer travel advice, help you plan a wedding or family reunion.
4. Does the travel club have recurring rates? If so, don’t join. A trusted travel club should never charge.
5.Quality. A good travel club will offer its members accommodation in 4 and 5 star resorts. Beware of clubs that simply offer hotel rooms or are age or gender specific.
- Evaluate what they are offering. Does the travel club have resorts around the world or are they specific to a particular state or region?
- Can you talk to someone on the phone? You’d be surprised how many people buy something only to find out there’s no customer support. You should have your questions answered by a real live person
How can I learn more? You can learn more about staying at 4-star resorts at 2-star prices by visiting us online.