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I saw this post on Miles to Memories about people doing a virtual timeshare presentation for 50k Marriott Bonvoy points. I would do almost anything for points, but I won’t do that. (RIP Meatloaf…)
Attending Timeshare Presentations for Rewards
My husband and I have attended three timeshare presentations since we’ve been together. The first one was in East Texas, and the reward they offered was worth the drive. For attending, we received flights to Orlando as well as a few nights at a hotel. We were young and broke at the time, so that was a great deal for us. The hotel was a dump, but he proposed to me in front of Cinderella’s castle on that trip. Worth it!
The second timeshare presentation we attended was local. Again, we didn’t have as much money at the time, and the reward was simply a restaurant gift card. Date night!
The third timeshare presentation we attended was on Disney Cruise Line for DVC. That was my favorite one since there was no pressure. However, the only reward was a drawing for on-board credit, and we didn’t win.
Don’t get me wrong, 50k Marriott Bonvoy points is nothing to scoff at. Even if you have no use for Marriott points, you can still transfer the points to many airlines at a 3:1 ratio.
However, at this current moment, sitting through the presentation with my husband just isn’t worth our time. If you haven’t been to a timeshare presentation, they are high pressure. And, they always take longer than they advertise. Our first experience was 3 hours of saying no!
Now if this offer was for Hyatt points, I might quickly change my mind. Ha!
Are you willing to sit through a timeshare presentation for 50k Marriott points? What would the offer have to be to entice you?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Pam says
Mike is spot on! Of course, I actually OWN at Nanea, but the idea is if you can go in more knowledgeable than the presenter it can actually be an enjoyable exchange of info about the travel industry. If you know your stuff/objections going in you can get the time actually spent to under 2 hrs, rack up the goodies (always always negotiate higher points & perks!), & get back to the beach.
Mike Saint says
I HATE timeshare presentations but there is one that I would do every year. At the Westin Nanea Villas in Kaanapali, Maui – Hawaii it’s simple. I’ve done it about 4 times. They give you 100,000 Bonvoy points plus they allow you to pay about $2,500 for 5 nights in a big 2 bedroom apartment with pull out sofa bed in the living room. It’s like a big apartment. Those rooms the week we go are about $1,500 per night.
We always say no and it doesn’t take more than 1 hour. It’s very low pressure and at the end of it, they always offer for us to come back the following year with the same deal. You pay $100 and then the charge $200 per month and you just have to have it paid off by the time you come if it’s less than the year. They give you 2 years to do it.
That’s a pretty good deal.
Nancy says
@Mike That doesn’t sound too bad. I could do one hour if it was low pressure. But, I’d rather not listen to that on vacation.
Mike Saint says
No doubt Nancy. Yes, we dread them too and haven’t done them anywhere else. Actually, this was the first year that we opted not to do it next year. Mostly because it was a major pain in the ass with COVID to book our 5 night stay. I saw some reports of people doing virtual meetings for 50k Bonvoy points. I’d probably do that.
I already own a bunch of properties so in the meeting, I just came across as knowledgable with real estate. I go through the numbers and then just tell them ultimately this isn’t for me compared to owning outright.
It’s the truth so they can’t argue and don’t true arguing. Plus now you can use the “COVID excuse” that the future is unknown and they don’t argue with that either. I try to get it no longer than 1 hour. Vistana is really low pressure.
Most people out there don’t make that per hour. So in terms of $ per hour it’s worth it for most people.
Clyn6 says
Yeah, the few I have been to tell you 90 minutes or 120 minutes but it has been closer to 3 to 4 hours for us. They are highly talented at twisting your emptions of guilt, love, shame, remorse, anticipation, etc. They make it very hard to say no. It needs to be a super good offer to be worth it now that we are not quite a s poor as were used to be.
Nancy says
@Clyn6 Yes, they are so good at putting emotions into it. What bothers me is the math, though. Every one I’ve been to they add up the cost of a regular vacation with flights, food, entertainment etc. but then compare that price to just the timeshare price without including flights, food etc. It’s always an apples to oranges comparison.
Tammie says
I’d consider doing it if I didn’t have to convince my husband to do it with me lol that’s way too much of a hassle
We’ve done one timeshare presentation. It was with Hilton. We got 2 free nights in Manhattan (which we needed to use coming back from Europe anyway) and a bunch of Hilton points. I think it took an hour or two. I’d say it was medium pressure. I’m hard pressed to do another though. It would have to be a really amazing deal to do it again!
Nancy says
@Tammie Convincing my husband would be a battle, too. I’m glad your last one didn’t have too much pressure.
projectx says
We sat through one presentation many years ago in Vegas. Two free buffet credits and two show tickets. Worst decision ever. It was a miserable 2.5 hours only to be ridiculed at the end for not buying in and then being pressured by two more higher ups.
To go through that again it would have to be a SWEET deal, but I just don’t see it happening. And 50k Marriott points? LOL
Nancy says
@projectx Ugh, sounds like a bad experience. They really do put the pressure on. I remember going to one in Florida with my parents when I was a kid. And they did it for a clock gift!
Jennifer says
On our one-year anniversary trip, we signed up to attend one in Pagosa Springs, CO for a gift card for a nice dinner. It only took a few min though. Our income wasn’t high enough so they just said here’s your gift card, you can go. 😂. We have never done one again. I don’t want the high pressure sales pitch, especially if I’m on a vacation when they offer the pitch.
Nancy says
@Jennifer you’re lucky it only took a few minutes! These presentations can be brutal. Worse than a car dealership, in my opinion.