Are you thinking about renting a timeshare for your next vacation, but aren't quite sure how to do it?
Renting a timeshare can help you save money, and it offers a more flexible, exclusive vacation experience. But, the process of renting a timeshare isn't always straightforward.
Check out this guide to discover how to rent a timeshare for your next vacation.
1. Understand What a Timeshare Is
Before you dive into the rental process, it's important that you first understand what a timeshare rental actually is. A timeshare is an ownership model in which multiple buyers own usage allotments.
Typically, these time allotments last anywhere from one week to one month. You can find timeshares for resorts, apartments, condominiums, and campgrounds. With a timeshare, you're essentially sharing the cost of a property with others in order to guarantee time for yourself at that property.
Many people opt for timeshares over hotels because it allows them to take a vacation and still get all of the amenities they're used to at home. With a timeshare, you typically get the following amenities:
A full kitchen
Separate bedrooms
A private driveway
A washer and dryer
Potential lake or beachfront access
Timeshares are great for larger groups or families, as they allow you to get a bigger space for your vacation for less money. They also tend to be a lot more affordable than hotels.
2. Shop Around
Finding a timeshare rental is as easy as Googling "Timeshare rentals in X city". However, just because it's easy to book a timeshare doesn't mean you should book the very first one you come across.
To make your search process easier, you should first figure out exactly what you're looking for in your timeshare rental. Here are some things to consider:
What amenities do you want? (laundry room, kitchen, pool, gym, TV, Wifi, backyard space, etc)
What type of property do you want? (cabin, house, apartment, RV, etc)
Do you want a secluded property or one that's in the heart of all the action?
Do they accept pets?
How many people do they allow to stay on their property at once?
Do you have the option to extend your stay?
If the timeshare is in a secluded area, what transportation options are available to get into town?
You should also set your budget before you begin searching and have an idea of when you want to go (although being flexible with your dates can help you score better prices).
3. Be Careful With the Payment Process
While there are a lot of great timeshares out there, there are also a number of different timeshare scams that you need to watch out for. This is why when it comes to the payment process, you shouldn't pay 100 percent of the rental fee upfront.
Instead, offer to pay 50 percent now to secure the reservation and the other 50 percent when you receive confirmation that the reservation has been made in your name.
Also, never pay for a timeshare rental by wire transfer. This is the method that is most often used by scammers. Instead, use a secure payment method such as a credit card.
4. Verify With Resorts
If you're renting a timeshare that's a part of a resort, it's always a good idea to verify the property before you book.
All you need to do is contact the resort directly to make sure that the person advertising actually owns the resort. Additionally, you want to make sure that the unit being advertised is the one that you're actually booking.
Sometimes, timeshare owners will put up pictures of a unit and then use those pictures to advertise all of their units. If your unit says it has a beachfront view, make sure when you call that this is actually the case.
Also, when booking with a resort, you shouldn't take the owner's word for it that your reservation has been made. Instead, personally call the resort to ensure that the reservation is under your name and that the owner won't be able to make any changes to the reservation once it has been finalized.
5. Avoid Peak Travel Times
If you're really looking to save some money on your timeshare rental, avoid booking it during peak travel times. Of course, "peak vacation time" can vary greatly depending on where you live and where you're traveling to.
For example, if you live in the US, you'll want to avoid booking a timeshare over busy weekends like Labor Day, July 4th, and Memorial day. If you're traveling to Mexico, you'll want to avoid booking a timeshare between January and March, as this is when most tourists flock to the country.
All it takes is a quick internet search to learn about the peak travel times of your chosen destination.
6. Book Through a Legitimate Timeshare Rental Website
Last but not least, you also want to make sure you book your vacation through a legitimate timeshare rental website.
Before you book a place, do some research into the website itself to make sure it's legitimate. Make sure the company is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and read reviews online to see what experiences other people have had booking through the site.
While you'll end up paying a little extra booking through a website vs booking directly with an owner, it's well worth it for the added peace of mind. You can check out DVC confirmed reservations to learn more about the perks that come with booking through a legitimate site.
How to Rent a Timeshare: Are You Ready to Book?
Now that you know how to rent a timeshare, it's time to put these tips into action. Before you know it, you'll be relaxing on the beach or exploring a new city.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more vacationing tips and tricks.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
