Travel Clubs

I have over the last year had several enquiries regarding the legitimacy of Travel “Clubs” particularly in relation to their time-share cousins. (Sorry there really is no relationship).

I recently had the opportunity to take an inside look at one currently being promoted across America.

The club presentation was skillfully created to give the impression that membership which cost between $US 3,000 and $US 10,000 would give you access to a wide range of travel bargains. I suppose I would not have been so disgusted had the presenter not been so critical of RCI's exchange options whilst at the same time boasting that RCI was an affiliate; along with the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

Names like Marriott, Fairfield and Cendant were flashed on the presentation screen. The secret of their access to a wide range of resort inventory, the speaker claimed, was because developers withheld inventory from the exchange companies to sell through travel clubs like the one I was viewing! Thereby depriving timeshare owners of exchange opportunities. Emphasis was placed on the fact that timeshare owners were committed to maintenance fees, exchange fees and annual membership fees, whilst their members were not.

Page after page of available inventory were flashed on the screen; 7 day Alaskan Cruses in a balcony suite were offered for $US 700.00; weeks at 5 star resorts were offered for $US 299.00 for a 7 day stay All-inclusive resorts like Sandals were available to members at 50% discount. London, all-inclusive, air, hotel and sightseeing for $US 700.00.

Membership also offered Hotels around the world for a guaranteed 50% off! I found this particularly amusing as they offered to pay my hotel stay in a local hotel, which was charged to them at the full rack rate.

There is obviously a sucker market out there as U.S. Timeshare Magazines are full of advertisements for podium presenters and sales staff, for these clubs. These teams travel from town to town with what they describe as Road Shows!

I spent a great deal of time online checking out the offers that were presented. I had no problem finding similar offers to all those presented at equal or better rates with no 'membership' requirements.

There is little doubt that if you are computer illiterate or feel more comfortable, having an "agent" taking care of your accommodation and travel arrangements then these clubs could be said to perform a useful service. However their annual membership fee (around $US 179.00) seem to me to be exorbitant not to mention the outrageous join fee of several thousand Dollars. An interesting ploy employed to sell memberships was to offer supposed repositions from people who had bought memberships and suddenly found that they were unable to complete the purchase. If you buy now we will let you have one for the outstanding amount owing - several thousand dollars cheaper than originally proposed.

If you are tempted - be sure to do your due diligence before parting with any money! No legitimate club will object to this.

Peter J Shield.
Las Vegas NV 23/07/06