Starting July 16, 2009, the Marriott Vacation Club timeshare program will change its timeshare points system by integrating Marriott Vacation Club properties into Marriott Rewards Categories.

The good news for Marriott timeshare owners is that as part of this change, their timeshare stays will now be eligible for Marriott’s Fifth Night Free program, which Marriott describes as follows, “Guests must reserve a stay for a minimum of 5 redemption nights at one hotel to receive the fifth night for free. The fifth night free will be automatically applied when guests reserve for a minimum 5-night redemption stay.”

Marriott Vacation Club Timeshare Assigned New Rankings

According to Marriott Vacation Club, the strategy behind the change involves assigning hotel category levels to the Marriott Vacation Club timeshare resorts. Most timeshare properties will be ranked as a category 5, 6, or 7, in the Marriott Rewards system. This means that a one-night stay will require 25,000 points; 30,000; or 35,000 points respectively, based upon a deluxe guestroom, and depending upon whether the resort is a category 5, 6, or 7 property.

Upgrading from a deluxe guestroom to a one-bedroom timeshare will require an additional 5,000 points per night; a two-bedroom timeshare will call for 10,000 more timeshare points; and a three-bedroom timeshare will be 15,000 more points per night, all above the base points requirement for that resort.

One simple way to look at this is that at a category 5 resort, the cost in points will be 210,000 points for 7 nights in a two-bedroom timeshare. That rate increases to 240,000 points for the same number of nights, and the same size timeshare unit at a category 6 resort, and 270,000 points at a category 7 resort. These numbers include the benefit of using your one free night that is available to you when booking five or more consecutive nights.

Receiving Your Marriott Rewards Credit for Marriott Timeshare Stays

Remember that in order for a Marriott Vacation Club International owner to ensure receiving Marriott Rewards credit for Marriott Vacation Club International nights, he or she should present his Marriott Rewards member ID at either the time of check-in or check-out. The option for Marriott timeshare owners to count timeshare nights towards qualifying for the next level of Marriott Rewards Elite status, went into effect last June 30 (2008) but still comes as a surprise to many Marriott timeshare owners.

The new timeshare points system applies to reservations booked on or after the July 16 effective date. If you have already scheduled to use your timeshare points after the effective date the timeshare rates at the time of booking will prevail.

You may wish to also visit Marriott Vacation Club Rewards FAQs, if you have additional questions.

Bloomberg News (and other sources) have reported that Arizona-based ILX Resorts has filed for bankruptcy protection. In a story that is becoming all too familiar, ILX Resorts timeshares cites the tight credit market and the growing economic recession as causes.

But here is an important fact to remember: ILX Resorts timeshares are open for business and will continue to operate. Many people learning of the situation at ILX Resorts timeshare will walk away remembering only the word “bankruptcy,” but ILX has filed chapter 11, an important distinction, which is designed to protect a company from its creditors for during a period of restructuring. ILX Resorts has not filed chapter 13 bankruptcy, which is liquidation bankruptcy.

Southwest US and Mexico Timeshares

ILX timeshares owns eleven timeshare resorts, most of which are located in the southwestern US. They also own one Mexico timeshare in San Carlos. In the US, ILX timeshares can be found in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and South Bend, Indiana.

Premiere Vacation Club is owned and operated by ILX Resorts Incorporated and is a vacation ownership program offering the flexibility of staying as few as two nights or as long as multiple weeks in your ILX timeshare. Affiliated with Interval International timeshare exchange, Premiere Vacation Club timeshare can be exchanged internally through the ILX Resort system or through Interval International.

I don’t know how many cities Santa Claus covered on Christmas Eve and in the wee hours of Christmas Day, but he’s about the only one who can take in more territory than you can as a timeshare owner with great timeshare exchange privileges.

Timeshare exchange is designed to give you flexibility in vacation destinations, dates, and accommodations. Resort Condominiums International (RCI) and Interval International, (II) are the two largest timeshare exchange companies, but there are dozens of other companies, many of which specialize in regional or other targeted types of travel. You will find the cost to join a timeshare company varies, as will the types of services they offer.

In their book, How to Benefit from Your Timeshare, authors Susan Johnson and Janice Taylor describe the benefits of timeshare exchange like this:

“An Exchange Club is an organization that lists thousands of travel destinations for use by its members. … An Exchange Club take points/weeks that you do not want to use in the current year and allows you to use and select from their huge inventory of locations worldwide. You should receive a directory from the Exchange Club listing all properties available to you within their network.”

Currently there are 4,775 RCI affiliated timeshare resorts and 2,400 resorts affiliated with Interval International.

Follow this link to learn more about the opportunities of timeshare exchange. And to help you get started in planning your vacations, here is a handy timeshare calendar or, you may wish to visit the website for Timeshare Calendar.

In the small island fishing village of Favignana is the Sicilian timeshare resort, Villaggio Cala La Luna. Travelers love the area for its old world charm and clear blue waters, where local fishermen catch bluefin tuna, lobster, and octopus.

This week, the resort announced their affiliation as part of the Interval International timeshare exchange. According to Timeshare Perspective, Darren Ettridge, Interval International’s vice president resort sales and service (Europe), says, “Good quality resorts such as this are popular with our members and we are delighted to welcome this resort to our network. This is our fourth affiliation in Italy since July 2007 and it is continued evidence of Interval’s success in the region.”

New Timeshare Resort Destinations Growing in Popularity

Villaggio Cala La Luna timeshare resort is within walking distance of the harbor and offers a pool, restaurant, and live entertainment. Popularly accessible by hydrofoil from the mainland, the island is a favorite destination for deep sea fishing and diving. Many people are familiar with it as the host site of the 2008 America’s Cup. Less than one year old, this timeshare resort includes 58 timeshares within its 70 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

While we are all familiar with well-known favorite timeshare vacation destinations, including Florida timeshare, Las Vegas timeshare, Aruba timeshare, and Hawaii timeshare, it is exciting to see new venues in the timeshare marketplace. And by joining the Interval International timeshare exchange system, this small Sicilian timeshare resort is becoming part of an exchange network that includes over 2,400 timeshare resorts in 75 countries around the world.

Who knows, someday tiny Sicily might be on the list of top-demand timeshare vacation destinations.

South Africa’s Southern Sun Hotel Interests Limited “Southern Sun” has signed an affiliation agreement with Interval International timeshare exchange company.

Included in the agreement are Southern Sun’s six existing Lifestyle Resorts, (timeshares) which represent one of the largest South African vacation ownership programs. Any Southern Sun Hotel properties added during the term of the contract between Southern Sun and Interval International will also fall under the affiliation agreement.

Interval International will provide the Southern Sun South Africa timeshares with a comprehensive package of customized services, including back-office points based reservation services and program-design support and enabling Southern Sun hotels and timeshares to offer both deeded and points based timeshares.

South Africa Timeshare is a Destination on the Rise

South Africa timeshare offers vacation options that range from big game to beautiful beaches to great golf and safari explorations. For US travelers (and vacationers from many other parts of the world), a South Africa timeshare vacation includes an added perk … a beneficial currency exchange rate. Currently the US dollar still exchanges at approximately 1 US dollar = 10.2005427 South African rand. This means that your money will go a long way paying for food, restaurant dining, entertainment and travel within the country, making your South Africa timeshare resale a truly excellent vacation opportunity.

More Opportunities in South Africa Timeshare from Sell My Timeshare

• Bushman’s Nek Berg and Trout Resort Timeshare Resale
• Chakas Rock Chalets Timeshare Resale
• St. Michaels Sands Timeshare Resale

According to news in the Orlando Sentinel and other sources, the Disney Vacation Club has signed a multi-year contract with Group RCI, a timeshare exchange company.

Effective, January 1, 2009, RCI will be the exclusive exchange provider for Disney Vacation Club timeshare members. Under the terms of the new agreement, timeshare owners at Disney Vacation Club will be able to use their Disney Vacation Club timeshare points to book timeshare at RCI resorts all over the world.

Exchanging Disney timeshare points through RCI will enable Disney owners to book timeshare at non-Disney resorts. At the same time, the more than 3.6 million members of RCI timeshare exchange will now be able to exchange other timeshare for stays at the Disney Vacation Club.

A spokesperson for Disney timeshare, which is based in Celebration, Florida, says the decision to switch Disney’s exchange affiliation from Interval International to RCI exchange will provide Disney timeshare members with “‘a significantly broader range of resort experiences,’ including access to destinations across six continents and 25 countries.”

Disney believes they will be able to attract more people to buy timeshare at the Disney resorts, by being able to offer access to a wider array of timeshare exchange.

Interval International Timeshares Exchange and Kosmas Group International have announced a long-term affiliation agreement in regard to timeshare resort properties in Key West, New Smyrna Beach, and Orlando, Florida.

Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group says, “The Kosmas Group has been one of the leading companies in vacation ownership for more than 30 years. We greatly value this relationship and are pleased to have the opportunity to continue to provide Kosmas’ owners with exchange and leisure services, as well as to offer KGI a variety of programs to enhance their sales initiatives.”

Representatives of the Kosmas Group explained that they made their decision to renew the alliance with Interval International timeshare exchange because of II’s commitment to work collaboratively. “Interval offers us an innovative portfolio of business development products, including value-added membership and trial ownership programs and tour incentive premiums, which complement our own very successful marketing strategy. Perhaps most importantly, Interval is uniquely positioned to offer our current and future owners access to high quality resorts in very desirable destinations.”

Kosmss Group International (KGI) member owners will be enrolled as individual members of Interval International and of Interval Gold (R), Interval International’s upgraded membership program. Their expanded privileges will enable them to exchange timeshare at other luxurious timeshare resorts, or use the value of their timeshare toward the purchase of cruises, spa vacations, and golf. Other benefits include 24-hr. daily concierge service via phone or e-mail, complimentary Hertz rental car Gold membership, and other hotel and dining discounts.

To learn more about the opportunities of timeshare exchange, talk to the timeshare resales and timeshare rental specialists at Sell My Timeshare NOW. 877-815-4227

Yesterday we told you about data compiled by Ypartnership/Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 National Leisure Travel MONITOR (sm) for Interval International. The research was released in a report titled, “Future Timeshare Buyers: 2008 Market Profile” and was presented last week at the 10th Annual Vacation Ownership Investment Conference recently held in Orlando, Florida.

According to the findings of this study, timeshare owners and timeshare buyers want new and different experiences. Peter C. Yesawich, co-author of the annual survey with Yankelovich, Inc, and chairman and chief executive officer of Ypartnership was quoted by Hotels Magazine as describing people interested in buying timeshare as those who want to “live life to the fullest.”

Yesawich sees timeshare buyers as desiring, “personalization and customization … more brands, more types of products, and more consumer choices overall so they can select what best fits their needs.”

Hotels Magazine describes prospective timeshare owners as, “individuals chasing originality, expressed by their pursuit of new experiences. They prefer traveling to places that are more than just entertainment, where they can also get a sense of participation, and spending their money on life-enriching experiences.”

Clearly fifty really is the new thirty. But are timeshare resorts and timeshare developers prepared to keep up with the changing demands of consumers, especially in these days of tight credit and decreased spending?

Timeshare Developers and the Vacation Ownership Industry are Ready

Howard A. Bendell, director of market research and analysis for Interval International, sees the findings of the report as being very important to the timeshare industry and timeshare developers. Bendell says, “timeshare developers are in the perfect position to offer these consumers exactly what they want: personalization, customization, and originality – in the form of vacation experiences that are tailor-made for the individual every year.”

Clearly if you are buying timeshare, viewing you expenditure as one that has value to you over a lifetime, you are concerned that your vacation needs and interests will no doubt change in upcoming years. As Bendell observes, “… families can create a different experience each year through a myriad of resort offerings and by using the ability to exchange their resort time.”

The study also backs up a finding that has been evidenced in the past: timeshare buyers are willing to pay more – as much as 20 percent more – to get what they really want. Buying timeshare that offers products and services customized to your specifications is what Bendell describes as a good value proposition.

With the economy rocking and reeling these days, and even timeshare developers and big hoteliers feeling the effects, it is good to know that overall there is a bright outlook for the industry. According to facts presented by Hotels Magazine, there are now more people in the US who want to buy timeshare than who already own it. This translates to a potential to at least double the number of timeshare owners in the future, if timeshare developers listen to the market and are ready to respond to the call.

To learn more about the timeshare and vacation ownership report, read yesterday’s post on The Timeshare Authority:

• Timeshare Owners Boring? Not a Chance; They’re Thrill Seekers

Hotels Magazine just published a very interesting article based on a newly release report titled, “Future Timeshare Buyers: 2008 Market Profile“, which includes data collected for the Ypartnership/Yankelovich, Inc. 2008 National Leisure Travel MONITOR (sm).

For so many years, we have been told that the average timeshare buyer is a middle age, middle to upper income, and middle-of-the-road type individual buying timeshare for vacation security. But this study, developed exclusively for Interval International, paints a very different picture of today’s timeshare owner and timeshare buyer.

The study collected data during January and February of 2008, and included a sampling of the population of US adults who are active (current) leisure travelers. All of those participating in the timeshare profile study had taken at least one trip of 75 miles or more from their home that required overnight accommodations, for the purpose of vacation or leisure.

Much to the surprise of even seasoned experts in the timeshare resort industry, the people who expressed an interest in buying timeshare were not your security seeking, ‘take me to the same place every year,’ types. Instead, they show a, “greater zest for life, are more interested in trying new things, and taking risks.”

“What’s perhaps most interesting,” said Howard A. Bendell, director of market research and analysis for Interval International, “is that while the demography of potential timeshare buyers is largely reflective of Boomers, the psychographics are more akin to attributes more often related to Generations X and Y.”

You Already Knew This about Buying Timeshare

If you are a timeshare owner who falls into the Baby Boomer profile, you know that the label, ‘boring’ does not fit you. You didn’t buy timeshare because you wanted to experience the ’same ole thing’ every year; you are likely to have bought it because your life is so busy and so full that you recognize timeshare as a way to ensure your vacation, even during your busiest times. According to Hotels.com, “This group can also be characterized as individuals chasing originality, expressed by their pursuit of new experiences. They prefer traveling to places that are more than just entertainment, where they can also get a sense of participation, and spending their money on life-enriching experiences.”

So all you Boomers, who have shied away from buying timeshare because you feared it was too staid, and just not cool enough for you, there is no reason to hold back any longer. The research is in, and it says that timeshare owners are not sitting back in a rocking chair, but are instead vital, proactive people, who are serious about living their life to the fullest.

Check in on The Timeshare Authority Blog tomorrow, for more facts from the “Future Timeshare Buyers: 2008 Market Profile”.

It’s back to the Sell My Timeshare NOW HOT 100 List today with a look at the timeshare resort that ranks number 70 for the most offers made to buy or rent. With autumn approaching, now is a great time to plan a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia and vacation in a Williamsburg Plantation timeshare resale or Williamsburg Plantation timeshare rental.

You can see the fall leaves in the countryside along the way, get in touch with our nation’s history, ride the thrill rides at Busch Gardens, or just relax in the comforts of the Interval International ranked 5 star, Williamsburg Plantation timeshare resort.

Williamsburg Plantation Timeshare is a Great Family Vacation Destination

Make American History more than a subject in a textbook for your children this school year. Let them walk the battlefields of Yorktown, explore replica battleships of the Godspeed, Susan Constant, and Discovery, or enjoy a taste of the past with period-authentic meals at the King’s Arms Tavern and Christina Campbell’s restaurants.

Williamsburg Plantation timeshare resales and Williamsburg Plantation timeshare rentals offer spacious 2 bedroom timeshare units (to sleep six people) and 4 bedroom timeshare units (to sleep up to 12 people). Each timeshare has a DVD and a VCR player, at least one television, and good selection of cable channels, including HBO and the Disney Channel. Units include either a full or partial kitchen, access to a washer and dryer, and many have jetted bathtubs.

But perhaps the best thing about timeshares at the Williamsburg Plantation is the opportunity to rent or buy timeshare resales there. Sell My Timeshare NOW has over 200 Williamsburg Plantation timeshare units in inventory right now. You can easily shop for the size and the week that suits your vacation needs best, or buy a floating week that allows you even more flexibility in vacation planning.

There’s a reason that Williamsburg Plantation timeshares rank highly among the resorts receiving offers to buy or rent timeshare at Sell My Timeshare NOW, and that reason is very simply, that this resort is a highly desirable, drive-to destination for many vacationers, who like to combine family fun with spacious accommodations.