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We have never seen
our Timeshare!
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A couple of years ago, much to our friends' scorn we
bought a timeshare at Turangi Leisure Lodge - a one bedroom one week timeshare $1500
(incl $300 legal fees). At present our annual maintenance fee is about $340 per annum.
WE HAVE NEVER SEEN OUR TIMESHARE!
For us the magic has been exchanging our week, we have:
- had a skiing holiday staying at a Marriott in Breckinridge
Colorado,
a week in the French Quarter of Nu Awlins (New Orleans),
a week planned in farmhouse cottage in Poitou Charente, France.
had a holiday in Pahia
only missed a week in a Marriott Palm Springs because of disruptions post 11 Sept.
Later this year we are staying 'on the strip' in Vegas.
Once you own a timeshare, if you intend to exchange
you need to deposit/bank/spacebank your week with an Exchange Company. All same jargon
for notifying a timeshare exchange company that you will not be using your week at
Turangi Leisure Lodge).
The main company we deal with is Interval International.
You are supplied with a 600 odd page directory of timeshares around the world - wonderful
browsing. Interval has a New Zealand office in Christchurch and a freephone number
- as with all companies, very delightful staff.
You will have a membership number which you quote when requesting an exchange or
a getaway/bonus week (more about this later).
Other companies I have enjoyed dealing with are Interchange
and Dial an Exchange - both with NZ offices in Taupo, you can and should join these
for free - simply contact and let them know details of your timeshare ownership and
they will give you a membership number.
Interval is very large and particularly strong in
USA. The adminstration charge for an overseas exchange is $150, free in NZ.
Interchange and Dial an Exchange have a larger presence in Oz.
DAE has an excellent range of timeshares in Europe, some are cottages rather than
resorts. I think these two charge around $120- $150 for an overseas exchange.
DAE has rentals too - our daugher-in-love (who has
a timeshare too) has organised a week in London in an apartment with two bedrooms
at Docklands for $1000 NZ per week on a special deal!
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You do not need to exchange timeshare for timeshare ie
you do not need to hope that someone from say Hawaii will want to come to Turangi
- timeshares operate on worldwide databases.
We have been told that you can only expect to exchange
like for like - so that a Turangi timeshare is not exactly top drawer - however we
have still scored some pretty neat exchanges so I am not sure - just have realistic
expectations eg you are probably unlikely to score a timeshare in Paris or
Venice.
We can book 18 months ahead, each timeshare differs,
you can use a year in advance if you like and save a year, so you may have three
weeks for one holiday.
You are best to request earlier rather than later,
by requesting for a number of resorts and several different weeks you enhance your
chances of success - eg request any timeshare in New Orleans (there are about 6) for
April.
You have 24 hours to decide whether or not you accept
the exchange you are offered or would rather wait to see what else comes up. It may
take months or happen immediately - depending on whether someone banks their week.
Bonus/Getaway Weeks
In addition to your week you can have an many bonus
weeks as you like. These are weeks that have been deposited/banked but not requested.
These become available at about two months notice.
You can ring any of the companies to see what is available or look on the web sites
for DAE and interchange
www.dialanexchange.com.au - this can also go through to the UK site for bonus weeks
or
www.interchange-timeshare.com.au
These weeks can also be organised for friends and family - a real boon of timeshare
ownership.
- We have found that there are two ways to maximise
timeshare ownership. Firstly plan your exchanges well ahead to ensure you have the
best chance of getting what you want and
- secondly be flexible and take advantage of Bonus/Getaway
weeks.
PS If you contact Turangi Leisure Lodge and ask of
Liz's deal I am sure it will be make available for you.
Let us know about your timeshare tips and exchange
ideas.
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Timeshare Tips