The next meeting of the National Timeshare Owners Association (NTOA) is scheduled for Sunday, January 31, in Orlando, Florida.

To attend a National Timeshare Owners Association meeting, you must be a member of the NTOA, but timeshare owners agree that the benefits of membership make joining a worthwhile investment. As the National Timeshare Owners Association explains, “You will not be disappointed … Have you been frustrated with not knowing where to turn for the real truth? Have you made one too many mistakes in using your timeshare, because no one informed you? Then, accept this opportunity; join us on Sunday, January 31.”

National Timeshare Owners Association members benefit from:

• Free admission to networking conferences featuring timeshare experts.
• Monthly news and tips from timeshare owners and experts.
• The only comprehensive “bible” on timesharing available exclusively through NTOA.
• Huge discounts on buying timeshare.
• Security and members-only discounts on selling timeshare.
• No membership fees and minimal costs for timeshare exchange.
• Discounted costs and liability protection for renting timeshare.
• Reduced closing costs for direct timeshare transfers.
• Minimal interest fees for financing timeshare or refinancing timeshare.
• Legal help for managing a timeshare in wills, divorces, charitable donations, and more.

For more information about attending this or other NTOA timeshare owners educational events, contact the National Timeshare Owners Association, by emailing [email protected] or calling (410) 719-0064.

Or download an NTOA membership form by clicking the link below:

• Membership Application 2010

Today’s edition of The Timeshare Authority is Part II of a special blog post on some of the Haitian relief efforts within the hospitality, timeshare, and hotel industries; it includes information about ways you can get involved in the relief efforts, too.

Part II of II

Haitian relief efforts from those in the hotel and timeshare industry are taking many forms (See Part I: Hospitality and Timeshare Industry Stepping Up to Help Haiti). One simple, but valued effort is underway from some Florida hotels, where soap is being sanitized for reuse. Hotel Biba in West Palm Beach, Jupiter’s Ritz-Carlton, and the Breakers in Palm Beach, are among hotels collecting hundreds of pounds of used soap to be sanitized and redistributed in Haiti. Through “Clean the World,” an aid group that collects and sanitizes used bars of hotel soap, the Breakers is expected to donate nearly 1,500 pounds of used soap this month alone. Other hotels known to participate include these resorts in the Tampa and St. Petersburg area: Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, Shepard’s Beach Resort, the Holiday Inn Beach Resort & Suites and Sandpearl Resort.

Here’s a look at what other hotels and timeshares are doing to help:

Rosen Hotels & Resorts

Orlando-based Rosen Hotels and Resorts has teamed up with the First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando, the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, Tekontrol, the Consulate of Haiti in Orlando, and the offices of two Florida Senators, to raise $1 million in Haitian relief money. Checks can be made to the Harris Rosen Foundation, memo: Haiti Relief, and mailed to 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819.

Choice Hotels

Members of Choice Hotels loyalty programs can donate to the American Red Cross (as well as two other worthwhile organizations that are not involved in Haiti relief) by clicking here: ChoicePrivileges. 1,000 Choice Hotel points equals $5; 2,000 points equals $10; 3,000 equals $15; 4,000 points equals $20; and 5,000 points equals $25. You can also learn more about donating Choice Hotel points by calling: 888-770-6800.

Choice had recently announced plans to build two hotels in Jacmel, Haiti, becoming the first major hotelier to expand there in many years.

Hilton Hotels and Hilton Timeshare

Hilton HHonors members can donate their points. For every 10,000 points donated, Hilton will send $25 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. You must specify “Haiti Relief Efforts” on your donations. To donate to the General International Federation of Red Cross Fund, mark your donation as “IRFCDR.” To target your donation specifically for Haiti, use the code “RDCRHT.” You can email your request to: [email protected] or go to: Donate Your HHonors Points.

Wyndham Hotels and Wyndham Timeshare

A Wyndham Rewards donation of 5,500 points equals $25; 10,500 points equals $50; and 20,500 points equals $100. Wyndham’s program offers some 100 charities from which to choose for making your donation. The Wyndham Montréal Airport hotel is serving as a staging area for some of the first victims arriving into Canada from Haiti.

Additional Helpful Information about Haitian Relief

• The UN World Tourism Organization has offered its support to revive tourism in the wake of the Haiti earthquake. The Travel Mole blog reports that the UN has said it will, “collaborate in the assessment of the damage caused, especially in the tourism sector.”
• Members of TUG are posting on the Timeshare User Group bulletin board about ways to assist with Haitian relief.
• Danielle, who writes for ExtraordinaryMommy.com, has compiled an excellent list of resources for information about helping the people of Haiti. Her post includes links to The American Red Cross, Unicef, Care and other credible relief efforts.

Important to remember: donations of loyalty points are typically not tax deductible (consult your tax preparer or tax advisor). Also, do not confuse loyalty points with timeshare exchange points or timeshare ownership points. While there is overlap in some programs, typically these are not considered the same by most hotel and timeshare companies. Consult your resort for clarification.

Loyalty programs of many types, from restaurants, to airlines, to your favorite movie theater, frequently allow you to redeem your points in the form of a charitable donation. Contact these programs directly to learn more.

Today’s edition of The Timeshare Authority blog is a special two-part post about Haitian relief efforts mounted by many in the hospitality, timeshare, and hotel industries. You will also find information about ways you can support the relief efforts as well.

Part I of II

Bill Marriott, in his blog, Marriott on the Move, has written about the many Marriott hotel and resort workers who have family in Haiti. He says, “They are struggling with trying to find out what has happened to their families and loved ones… Many of these associates and numerous other Haitians on staff at our hotels around the world have suffered heartbreaking losses, and my heart goes out to each and every one of them.”

The devastation in Haiti has impacted the entire world and every aspect of industry—no one is untouched. Whether you know someone there, have family in Haiti, or you are affected because you are part of the brotherhood of man, it is impossible not to be deeply saddened by this tragedy.

Here is a partial rundown on some of the efforts being made by those in the hotel, hospitality, and timeshare resort industries to help, as well as some unexpected ways you can help, too:

Royal Caribbean International

The cruise ships of Royal Caribbean International have loaded relief supplies onboard the “Independence of the Seas.” Royal Caribbean is one of the few cruise companies to sail into Haiti on a regular basis. The Independence will be taken to Labadee, a private port on Haiti’s northern coast. Supplies will be distributed through Food for the Poor. Additional relief supplies will be sent this week onboard the “Navigator of the Seas” and “Liberty of the Seas.”

Marriott Hotels and Marriott Timeshares

While there are no Marriott hotels or Marriott timeshares in Haiti, Marriott hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are assisting as staging areas for relief work. Also, through The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Marriott is sending $500,000 to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Marriott Rewards members may donate money to the Red Cross using their Marriott Rewards points. 10,000 points given equals a $25 cash donation sent to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 18,000 points equals a $50 donation and 180,000 points equals a $1,000 donation.

Starwood Hotel and Starwood Timeshare

Starwood Preferred Guest members can also donate to the American Red Cross through Starpoints: 4,000 points equals $50; 8,000 points equals $100; 12,000 points equals $150, and 16,000 points equals $200. Starwood is reportedly matching donations made through February 15, 2010. Follow this link to learn more about sharing your Starwood Starpoints.

Haitian relief efforts provided by the hospitality industry are taking many forms. Some hotels are serving as staging areas for shipments of aid, or for relief workers. Others will be reception points for relief workers returning from Haiti.

Read a Special Sunday Edition of The Timeshare Authority tomorrow for more information on help being offered through the hospitality industry and on ways you can get involved.

Important note on donating Loyalty Points: Donations of loyalty points are typically not tax deductible (consult your tax preparer or tax advisor). Also, do not confuse loyalty points with timeshare exchange points or timeshare ownership points. While there is overlap in some programs, typically these are not considered the same by most hotel and timeshare companies. Consult your resort for clarification.

Loyalty programs of many types, from restaurants, to airlines, to your favorite movie theater, frequently allow you to redeem your points in the form of a charitable donation. Contact these programs directly to learn more.

The American Association for Nude Recreation is sending out press releases suggesting nude vacations as a way around the continually rising cost of checked baggage when you fly. United Airlines has now joined Delta and Continental in raising fees for checked bags.

An Orlando Sentinel blog, Tourism Central Florida, quotes Erich Schuttauf, executive director of The American Association for Nude Recreation, saying, “All you’ll need for the week (sunscreen, cap, sunglasses, shoes and toiletries) can fit in a small carry on. If more air travelers take a stand and a Nakation in 2010, it could send a message to the airlines using baggage fees as a way to get more money from their passengers.”

Nude Timeshares?

Back in 2007, there were rumors of a resort property that might be transformed into a timeshare resort for nudists, however a call to Carolyn Hawkins, public affairs director for the AANR, confirms that of their association’s 250 affiliated clubs in the United States and Canada, none are timeshare resorts. Carolyn explained that some clubs sell condo ownership to their members meaning that the individual owners can then use their condos as vacation rentals, however none are true timeshare ownership.

While it is possible that there are some privately owned nude resorts that sell timeshare ownership in their properties, Sell My Timeshare NOW does not have any in its extensive inventory of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals. Probably the next closest thing would be timeshares in resort areas where you will find nearby clothing optional beaches.

Until then you may have to pay to check your luggage for a timeshare vacation.