Timeshare Lifetime Maintenance Fees Are Unethical
The Issue
END_LIFETIME_MAINTENANCE_FEES
Support pending legislation that would provide US citizens with adequate information to make an informed decision as to whether a timeshare is right for their family. The Timeshare Transparency Acts S 3502 and H.R. 9255 support our goals for greater transparency and disclosure.
One of the bill's provisions is to disclose modifiable fees. This would include maintenance fees. One Diamond Resorts owner was quoted $1,000 per contract to GIVE points back. However, Hilton Grand Vacations adopted Bluegreen's policy of 18 months of fees. Hilton is now asking this owner to pay $30,200 to GIVE points back. Marriott Harborside has more than doubled fees to $5,500 a year for a 2 BR. One owner with debilitating medical issues defaulted on 2026 Harborside fees of over $17,000.
Another provision is to provide clear, documented options to exit at purchase. At present, Marriott allows no responsible exit for Harborside owners. Marriott has retained Blackwell Recovery to demand payment for past-due maintenance fees. Club Exploria does not allow most existing owners a responsible exit. Corky, a 22-year Army veteran, suffers from a terminal medical condition. Wyndham has refused to allow him to return his points. This is in contrast to what the timeshare industry has quoted:
"Contrary to what many exit companies want owners to believe, timeshare exit doesn't have to be expensive, difficult, or time-consuming." - Jason Gamel, President & CEO of ARDA
A life-long obligation to pay maintenance fees, and even further to transfer these fee obligations to survivors after the death of a timeshare participant, violates natural business laws, practices, and traditions. While any heir can disclaim an inheritance through the probate court, within a period of time after the date of death, placing this burden on heirs is unprecedented and unwarranted. What other product is there that you can’t often sell or give away that requires payment for life?
A case in point is health club life memberships that were sold in the 1980’s. Legislation was enacted in Pennsylvania to forbid health clubs and gyms from selling life memberships. This Act was called the “Health Club Act” and was signed into law on December 21st, 1989. Similarly, timeshare owners in Quebec changed the law to define a timeshare contract as a “service agreement” like a gym club, with liberal ways to cancel.
“Providing for the regulation of health club contracts; and providing for further duties of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Attorney General and district attorneys. The purpose of this act is to safeguard the public interest against fraud, deceit and financial hardship and to foster and encourage competition, fair dealing and prosperity in the field of health club services by prohibiting false and misleading advertising and dishonest, deceptive and unscrupulous practices by which the public has been injured in connection with contracts for health club services.
Section 4. Duration of contract. (a) Term.--The maximum term of a health club contract shall be 36 months. (b) Renewal.--No health club contract may contain an automatic renewal clause, unless the contract provides for a renewal option for continued membership which must be affirmatively accepted by the buyer at the expiration of each contract term.”
While there are some timeshare resorts and developers that offer a responsible exit, far too many hold buyers hostage for life. This is clearly unfair and unconscionable. These are wrongful policies and practices contrary to the legal and natural rights of consumers.
House renters, if they desire to move to a different location, or homeowners who wish to sell their home, may sell anytime they desire. It is reasonable to declare and legislate that all sales and business contracts with service providers be cancelable at any time. Timeshare businesses should not be excessively restrictive, unreasonable, undemocratic, and frankly ludicrous!
The solution to this problem is simple. If a timeshare participant wants to terminate his membership, it should be an easy and simple process, as it is for all other contracts and business practices. I am urging our members of Congress to cosponsor the “Timeshare Transparency Act” and thank our 11 members of Congress who have listened, understood and agreed to sponsor or cosponsoring this legislation. Other provisions in the bill would help set free many American citizens who have reported being deceived, defrauded, and victimized by timeshare marketing, sales, and lending practices across the United States.
The bills provisions can be found here, as well as a letter of support from AARP
Decision Makers Senator Ted Cruz (R ) (TX) (Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Committee)
Brett Guthrie (R ) (KY) (Energy and Commerce Committee)
1,996
The Issue
END_LIFETIME_MAINTENANCE_FEES
Support pending legislation that would provide US citizens with adequate information to make an informed decision as to whether a timeshare is right for their family. The Timeshare Transparency Acts S 3502 and H.R. 9255 support our goals for greater transparency and disclosure.
One of the bill's provisions is to disclose modifiable fees. This would include maintenance fees. One Diamond Resorts owner was quoted $1,000 per contract to GIVE points back. However, Hilton Grand Vacations adopted Bluegreen's policy of 18 months of fees. Hilton is now asking this owner to pay $30,200 to GIVE points back. Marriott Harborside has more than doubled fees to $5,500 a year for a 2 BR. One owner with debilitating medical issues defaulted on 2026 Harborside fees of over $17,000.
Another provision is to provide clear, documented options to exit at purchase. At present, Marriott allows no responsible exit for Harborside owners. Marriott has retained Blackwell Recovery to demand payment for past-due maintenance fees. Club Exploria does not allow most existing owners a responsible exit. Corky, a 22-year Army veteran, suffers from a terminal medical condition. Wyndham has refused to allow him to return his points. This is in contrast to what the timeshare industry has quoted:
"Contrary to what many exit companies want owners to believe, timeshare exit doesn't have to be expensive, difficult, or time-consuming." - Jason Gamel, President & CEO of ARDA
A life-long obligation to pay maintenance fees, and even further to transfer these fee obligations to survivors after the death of a timeshare participant, violates natural business laws, practices, and traditions. While any heir can disclaim an inheritance through the probate court, within a period of time after the date of death, placing this burden on heirs is unprecedented and unwarranted. What other product is there that you can’t often sell or give away that requires payment for life?
A case in point is health club life memberships that were sold in the 1980’s. Legislation was enacted in Pennsylvania to forbid health clubs and gyms from selling life memberships. This Act was called the “Health Club Act” and was signed into law on December 21st, 1989. Similarly, timeshare owners in Quebec changed the law to define a timeshare contract as a “service agreement” like a gym club, with liberal ways to cancel.
“Providing for the regulation of health club contracts; and providing for further duties of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Attorney General and district attorneys. The purpose of this act is to safeguard the public interest against fraud, deceit and financial hardship and to foster and encourage competition, fair dealing and prosperity in the field of health club services by prohibiting false and misleading advertising and dishonest, deceptive and unscrupulous practices by which the public has been injured in connection with contracts for health club services.
Section 4. Duration of contract. (a) Term.--The maximum term of a health club contract shall be 36 months. (b) Renewal.--No health club contract may contain an automatic renewal clause, unless the contract provides for a renewal option for continued membership which must be affirmatively accepted by the buyer at the expiration of each contract term.”
While there are some timeshare resorts and developers that offer a responsible exit, far too many hold buyers hostage for life. This is clearly unfair and unconscionable. These are wrongful policies and practices contrary to the legal and natural rights of consumers.
House renters, if they desire to move to a different location, or homeowners who wish to sell their home, may sell anytime they desire. It is reasonable to declare and legislate that all sales and business contracts with service providers be cancelable at any time. Timeshare businesses should not be excessively restrictive, unreasonable, undemocratic, and frankly ludicrous!
The solution to this problem is simple. If a timeshare participant wants to terminate his membership, it should be an easy and simple process, as it is for all other contracts and business practices. I am urging our members of Congress to cosponsor the “Timeshare Transparency Act” and thank our 11 members of Congress who have listened, understood and agreed to sponsor or cosponsoring this legislation. Other provisions in the bill would help set free many American citizens who have reported being deceived, defrauded, and victimized by timeshare marketing, sales, and lending practices across the United States.
The bills provisions can be found here, as well as a letter of support from AARP
Decision Makers Senator Ted Cruz (R ) (TX) (Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Committee)
Brett Guthrie (R ) (KY) (Energy and Commerce Committee)
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Petition created on February 27, 2024