Questions You Should Ask Before Renting a Timeshare

Renting a timeshare is a top option for travelers wanting to book an affordable vacation that is spacious for the entire family or travel group and provides excellent amenities. As with any other vacation, performing due diligence when booking and planning a timeshare rental trip will ensure the best experience.

Below, we review the top questions a traveler should ask when booking and planning a timeshare vacation trip. We group the discussion into four categories: the cost and taxes for booking the accommodations, implications of needing to change or cancel the trip, meaningful information about the resort, and essential information about the specific accommodations being booked.

Booking Cost, Taxes, and Fees

What is Included in the Rental Price?

It is important to understand what is included in the rental price versus other tax fees that the renter may be responsible for at the resort upon checkout. Many timeshare rentals include all taxes and fees and generally have fewer resort fees and a la carte charges than hotel stays.

What Do I Need to Pay at the Resort That is Not Included?

Some of the fees you should be aware of include but are not limited to daily resort fees, lodging taxes, parking fees, housekeeping fees, energy surcharges, split week fees for specific stays such as Hyatt properties, and other optional charges.

To learn more about these fees, please read our full article on tax fees when renting a timeshare stay: Understanding Taxes, Fees and Charges When Renting a Timeshare Stay.

Changes in Plans

Can I Change the Dates or Cancel My Trip?

You must understand the owner’s cancellation and change policy during the booking process. Many timeshare stays are pre-booked for specific dates and have little flexibility to make changes down the road.  Typically, timeshare rentals have strict cancellation and change policies.  When you rent with us, we can assist in multiple ways if the unthinkable happens and you cannot take your planned vacation.  With sufficient advanced notice, we can relist your stay for rent and provide you with the net rental proceeds from the re-rental of the property. With enough time notice for the resort to process the name change, we may also be able to add another family member or friend to use your accommodations. Last, travel insurance should be considered for peace of mind.

Can I Upgrade My Unit?

Timeshare owners own their properties in specific unit sizes and view categories; some even own a specific fixed unit and time of the year.  The front desk will assign accommodation based on the owner’s property details.  Therefore, it is essential to know that upgrades to larger units and superior view categories will unlikely be granted with a timeshare stay.  Should your plans change and you need to upgrade your stay in advance of travel, please get in touch with us, and we may be able to switch the stay for any applicable cost difference to a larger unit or superior view.

Resort Information

What Are Check-In and Check-Out Times?

Most resorts have a check-in time of 4:00 PM and a checkout time of 10 AM. There are slight variations from these times, where check-in could be as early as 3:00 PM and check-out as late as 11:00 AM or noon. Knowing these times and coordinating your flight arrival and departure will ensure a smooth experience. For example, if you have an early arrival or late departure, resorts will generally store your luggage while you can enjoy the amenities on the property. You can plan accordingly by keeping personal items handy during this time.

What Amenities and Activities Do I Have Access To?

Access to amenities is a very important aspect of vacation planning. Amenities include pools and hot tubs, beach areas with beach chairs and umbrellas, ski locker storage facilities, fitness centers, kids activities clubs, and sometimes waterparks and day spas.  In some situations, timeshare condos share grounds with hotels, and timeshare guests are allowed to use certain hotel facilities but not others.

Is Parking Available?

If you plan on renting a car during your trip, understand if the resort provides parking. Most timeshare resorts offer parking, whether for free or for a daily fee, on the premises and generally allow one car per unit. However, resorts in urban locations or prime spots may have limited parking options. Examples of urban setting resorts that do not offer parking currently are the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse locations in San Francisco and New York City.

Are Pets Allowed?

Generally, resorts do not allow pets. However, several pet-friendly resorts exist that can be the perfect fit for your vacation should you decide to have your furry best friend accompany you. Make sure to research the specific resort’s pet policy and understand important aspects such as limitations on breeds, weight, and the number of pets allowed, as well as associated fees and required advance notices.

Do I Need to Attend a Timeshare Presentation?

You do not have to attend a timeshare presentation at the resort in most situations.  When you rent from an owner or broker, there is no such requirement in most cases.  Unless the rental is booked as a special resort or brand offer, which is rare, there is no obligation to attend. A commitment to attend should be disclosed at the time of booking if it exists.  Otherwise, attendance is entirely optional during your stay.  The resort staff may offer you this option during your stay but do not feel pressured or obliged to do so.

Unit Information

What is the Bedding Configuration?

The bedding configuration is a top concern when traveling with family or friends.  You will want to know the exact bedding for each bedroom, including the size of the bed (king, queen, twin, double) and the type (regular, pull-out sofa, Murphy bed).  Also, understand if some of the bedding (e.g., pull-out sofas) is located in shared spaces such as the living room, and ensure you are comfortable with guests using the shared space sleeping area.  When my kids were small, they loved the pull-out sofas in the living rooms of our one bedroom villa!  Today, they cringe about even sharing a second bedroom of their own!

How Many People Does the Unit Sleep?

Occupancy limits in timeshares refer to the maximum number of guests allowed to stay in a unit. These limits are typically determined by the size and type of the unit, such as a studio, one-bedroom, or multi-bedroom villa. Occupancy limits are important to ensure the right amount of bedding and balance of privacy and provide access to facilities at the resort. Occupancy limits can be very strict, and many resorts are in regions with fire code regulations and other laws where they will strictly enforce maximum capacity.  For more tips on this aspect of your vacation planning, please see our article on occupancy limits here: Understanding Timeshare Occupancy Limits: Planning a Group Getaway with Timeshare Rentals.

What is the View From My Unit?

Choosing the view type can be a critical decision, particularly in the context of a beach or ski vacation.  Units with superior views tend to be pricier to book as they are more desirable.  Views can vary from no specific view identification to garden, city, mountain, ocean view, or oceanfront classifications, among many others.  If the view is critical, make sure to understand the view category booked in advance and what it means in the context of each resort.  For more tips on view selection and consideration, please see our article: Choosing the Perfect View Type for Your Next Timeshare Rental.

Is There a Kitchen, or Are There Other Cooking Amenities?

Having a kitchen or kitchenette can be a big plus for your trip.  Most timeshare travelers will have at least one or two meals in the room and enjoy refreshing cold drinks from the convenience of their kitchen, saving on the cost of meals during the trip.  Many timeshare condos offer some kitchen facilities; even studios often have a partial kitchen setup, also known as a kitchenette, with a small fridge and microwave.  It is also good to know in advance, if you are a coffee drinker, what type of coffee maker is available in the room so you can plan accordingly to bring your favorite coffee pods or ground coffee.

A Final Word for Special Needs Accommodations

Should your vacation plans require special needs accommodations, additional research, and consideration must be given during the selection of the resort and the room.  We have an article dedicated to further understanding this topic here: Accessible Adventures: Timeshare Rentals Tailored for Guests with Special Needs.

If you have any questions or need assistance planning your next getaway, please contact us; our staff would be happy to help! If you’d like to start looking for discounted timeshare rentals, browse our confirmed reservations to find the perfect fit for you and your family.