Timeshare Complaints Show the Real Cost Behind the Sales Pitch
Consumer stories reveal misleading sales, hidden fees, booking issues, and long-term regret in the timeshare world.
For many, buying a timeshare feels like a smart travel investment. However, for a growing number of consumers, that promise quickly turns into an emotional and financial burden. From hidden fees to poor service and rigid contracts, the reality often doesn’t match the promise.
One reviewer reports losing $1800 trying to cancel their membership with El Cid Vacations Club. They share:
“I never contacted El Cid or the second person, so he had to have gotten my information from his cohorts within El Cid. [...] Crooked company collaborates with scammers to bilk people out of money.”
Another consumer, reflecting on a Holiday Inn Club Vacations purchase, admits:
“Now paying money to get out of it. Don’t do it. Bad mistake.”
Recurring timeshare complaints across various brands point to similar issues. Consumers describe aggressive sales tactics, limited booking availability, rising maintenance fees, and unhelpful customer service. Some say they were misled into signing while on vacation. Others feel trapped in expensive contracts they no longer want or can afford.
“When we first got into this, we were sold on the idea that only Bluegreen owners could use their resorts. It felt exclusive and secure. [...] Turns out, non-owners can book too, which makes us feel like we were lied to in order to make a sale.”
A reviewer of Krystal Hotels called their experience “a well-planned scam.” They explain:
“They promised me a 1-bedroom condo for 25 years and the opportunity to rent out my vacation weeks through Global Travel. They promised that the revenue from these rentals is GUARANTEED. [...] I paid $5,959 upfront in good faith. [...] However, NOTHING has happened as promised!”
Even longtime owners are feeling the change. One 91-year-old Marriott Vacation Club member who had owned properties since the 1990s shares how her loyalty turned into frustration after she began the foreclosure process and had her Bonvoy points frozen without warning. “The calls went full circle,” she writes, after speaking with eight different reps. “The company isn’t what it used to be.”
At the core of many complaints is a disconnect between what consumers are sold and what they actually receive. Vacation properties that seemed exclusive are now open to the public. Fees that were never clearly explained now outweigh the benefits. And getting out of a contract is often harder than signing one.
One Holiday Inn Club Vacations reviewer writes:
“We feel the inability to contact anyone after we changed our minds about the purchase was deliberate. [...] We do not want to leave this to our children and then to our grandchildren.”
It raises a common consumer question: are timeshares scams, or just badly managed? For many reviewers, the lack of transparency and slow support feel like red flags.
✅ Smart Consumer Tips for Dealing with Timeshares
Research the company thoroughly.
Look up reviews, complaints, and regulatory actions. Search for the company on independent review sites like PissedConsumer.com to get real stories from real people.Demand everything in writing.
Don’t rely on verbal promises. If the salesperson says you'll be able to rent your timeshare or that your fees are fixed, get it in writing.Understand the cancellation period.
This is your only chance to change your mind without penalty. It’s often just 3–5 days. Know the deadline and how to submit a cancellation properly, ideally in writing and via certified mail.Review the long-term costs.
Ask for a breakdown of maintenance fees, taxes, and any other recurring charges. Multiply them by 20+ years to understand the true financial commitment.Avoid signing under pressure.
Never agree to buy during the initial presentation. High-pressure tactics are a red flag. Go home, think it over, and read the full contract.
More consumers are now comparing the true cost of timeshares to alternatives like Airbnb, Vrbo, or simply saving for a vacation each year. As one Bluegreen reviewer puts it,
“There are plenty of ways to have an awesome vacation without the long-term financial commitment or headaches.”
Buying a timeshare can work for some. Yet, based on consumer experiences, it requires full transparency, honest math, and a lot more caution than the sales teams would like you to believe.