How does a travel club work? It basically works this way. Millions of timeshares, resorts and luxury hotel rooms become vacant each week. To recoup some of the costs associated with these properties, they will offer “expected vacancies” at reduced prices. His thinking is that “I’d rather get something than nothing at all.” Of course, they cannot offer the general public these discount prices 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 large companies such as Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity. They in turn mark these properties with “discount” prices to cover their advertising costs and get a return on their investment.
How is a Travel Club different? Much of the remaining properties are 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 carefully, you can find some that offer these properties to their members at the same price they purchased. These are the true gems of the travel club industry. After paying a registration fee, the new member gets 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 consider when choosing a reputable club.Don’t overpay. A reputable travel club shouldn’t charge thousands of dollars to join. A fee of 500-1,000 is quite reasonable.
3. Do you offer concierge service? A helpful concierge service 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 fees? If so, don’t join. A reputable travel club should never charge.
5. Quality. A good travel club will offer its members accommodation in a 4 and 5 star resort. Be wary of clubs that simply offer hotel rooms or are age or gender specific.
- Evaluate what they offer. 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 that there is no customer support. You must have your questions answered by a real person
How can I obtain more information? You can learn more about staying at 4-star resorts at 2-star prices by visiting us online.