Vacation Clubs: Are They Worth It or Are They Just Another Scam?

Most people love to travel. You may probably have a colleague at work who is saving up for that dream vacation to Boracay, Palawan or even abroad for some much-needed R&R – and you probably do too!

You may also have experienced doing an itinerary research and encountered offers in the internet especially from vacation clubs promising discounts at hotels and resorts. At first glance it looks questionable, maybe even a scam, but have you fully weighed the pros and cons? Should vacation clubs be frowned upon as fraudulent? Should vacationers even consider it in the first place? Let’s find out!

SO, WHAT IS A VACATION CLUB?

Let us start with the vacation club’s origins. In the 1960s, four families in Europe decided to jointly purchase a vacation cottage and share its ownership between them over the course of the year. Later, intrepid minds in the United Kingdom had an “Aha!” moment and decided that “timesharing”, as they call it, can be good business. Thus, the timeshare industry was born. After a decade, the concept boomed and found its way to the United States and eventually flourished into a billion-dollar industry.

Vacation Clubs are a modern take at timeshare ownership. These include perks for members like discounts, extra vacations, and special access to amenities not available to regular guests. These privileges vary per club but all have one goal in mind: to provide people with a better vacation experience.

ARE VACATION CLUBS A SCAM?

Anything that involves making an investment is sure to make even the most financially capable do a double check on a vacation club’s membership inclusions. To avoid being scammed by fraud, read details carefully when you join a club outright. No approach is foolproof, so doing your homework and asking the agent the right questions is the key in figuring out if the company is, indeed, no more than a vacation club scam or timeshare fraud.

If you are still unsure, here are a few questions you should ask yourself first:

● What will I get from this?
● How much will this cost me?
● What is included in the package?
● What are my obligations to this club?
● Will I be able to really travel that often?
● Can I transfer my privileges to friends or family?
● Have I read or watched the vacation club’s member testimonials?
● Is there anyone in my network who is a vacation club member and says it is legitimate?

ARE VACATION CLUBS A SCAM?

If you were able to find the answers from the questions above and the answers were all positive, then a vacation club investment is worth it for you. Why, you ask? It is because like any other club, joining requires a commitment – a commitment to see the world and get the most out of your hotel stay. Don’t be afraid, finding the right vacation club like AVLCI, which is the most trusted SEC-accredited vacation club in the Philippines, is just a few keystrokes away! And if you are a frequent traveler, you will find how wonderful and convenient these clubs are for your ever-growing travel goals!

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