15 May Cost Of Owning A Timeshare
What is the cost of owning a timeshare? It includes far more than the purchase price. You’ll face annual maintenance fees, possible special assessments, exchange or booking fees, taxes, and—if you financed—the ongoing cost of interest. This guide explains each part in plain language, shows simple math, and offers practical ways to reduce costs or exit safely when the numbers no longer work.
What is the cost of owning a timeshare?
In short, add your annual fees (and likely increases) to any loan payment and interest, then include other charges like exchange, booking, parking, and resort taxes. If assessments appear, the total goes up quickly. Therefore, the “deal” must beat realistic hotel or rental prices for the same trips you actually take—otherwise the value isn’t there.
For example, many owners ask, “what is the cost of owning a timeshare if I barely travel this year?” In that case, fixed costs keep accruing, which raises your effective cost per trip.
All the costs you should expect
To begin with, review the most common charges below so you see the full picture.
- Purchase price. First, the upfront price—cash or financed—sets your base; upgrades also add to the basis and future dues.
- Loan and interest. Second, financing a timeshare can add thousands over time; therefore, compare the APR to your alternatives.
- Annual maintenance fees. Third, these fund staffing, insurance, taxes, repairs, and reserves; moreover, they often rise yearly.
- Special assessments. Next, extra charges for storms, major repairs, renovations, or low reserves can appear with little notice.
- Exchange / booking fees. Also, network and transaction fees apply when you book different resorts or weeks.
- Club / program dues. In addition, points programs and exchange networks may add annual dues.
- Travel costs. Finally, airfare, parking, resort fees, and food still apply—regardless of ownership.
Additionally, consider opportunity cost: money spent on fees or interest can’t be used elsewhere. Moreover, if you seldom use the product, the true cost of timeshare ownership increases.
Ultimately, when you total everything, ask again: what is the cost of owning a timeshare for you this year?
Timeshare cost example: a simple 5-year picture
For instance, let’s say your maintenance fee is $1,400 this year and rises 5% annually. If you financed $12,000 at 12% APR over 10 years, your monthly payment is roughly $172 (about $2,064 per year). From there, here’s an illustrative five-year snapshot:
| Year | Maintenance (5%↑) | Loan (est.) | Other fees* | Total / Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,400 | $2,064 | $250 | $3,714 |
| 2 | $1,470 | $2,064 | $250 | $3,784 |
| 3 | $1,544 | $2,064 | $250 | $3,858 |
| 4 | $1,621 | $2,064 | $250 | $3,935 |
| 5 | $1,702 | $2,064 | $250 | $4,016 |
*Other fees example includes exchange/booking and program dues. Your amounts vary.
As a result, notice how fees increase even without assessments. Consequently, your total spend over five years exceeds $19,000 in this simplified example, and that does not include travel or food. Thus, this makes the real answer to what is the cost of owning a timeshare clearer and more honest for your situation.
How rising fees change the math
Over time, compounding turns small annual increases into meaningful totals. For perspective, a 5% rise for ten years lifts a $1,400 fee to roughly $2,282. Meanwhile, travel prices can rise too, which means the cash alternative may also change. Therefore, revisit your comparison every season—not just at renewal time.
On the other hand, if your resort freezes rates or improves availability, the value can improve. Nevertheless, make those decisions with numbers, not sales charts.
Calculate your real per-trip cost
To calculate, use this quick method; it works whether you own points or a week.
- Start with fixed costs. Add maintenance fees, program dues, and loan/interest for the year.
- Then add variable items. Include exchange, parking, resort, and housekeeping fees.
- Next, divide by the number of trips you will actually take, not what you hope to take.
- Finally, compare the result to hotel or condo prices for the same dates and location.
If the per-trip total is higher, you have three choices: improve usage, negotiate changes, or consider an exit. Otherwise, keep doing what works and review again next year.
Costs owners often overlook
- Exchange membership upsells. Sometimes, “premium” tiers look helpful but add recurring dues.
- Parking and resort fees. Likewise, daily charges can add hundreds to a week-long stay.
- Housekeeping and linen swaps. Additionally, mid-stay service fees can surprise first-time users.
- Upgrade financing. In practice, upgrades increase dues and interest without guaranteeing better availability.
- Opportunity cost. Finally, money locked in fees can’t earn elsewhere or fund a different trip.
How to lower timeshare ownership costs
- Use your points/weeks fully. First, unused value increases your effective cost per trip.
- Calendar key dates. Then, bank/borrow windows and booking tiers can save fees if you plan ahead.
- Compare exchange options. Also, sometimes a direct reservation beats an exchange fee.
- Watch for add-ons. Moreover, parking, resort fees, and in-unit charges add up—ask before you go.
- Review upgrades critically. Finally, upgrades raise dues; they don’t guarantee cheaper travel.
In short, used consistently, these steps reduce overall timeshare ownership costs without risky add-ons.
When the math doesn’t work (exit options)
However, if what is the cost of owning a timeshare exceeds the value you get back, consider a document-based review before you spend more. Therefore, a reviewer checks what you were told against what you signed and outlines compliant exit routes. Otherwise, you risk paying even more for poor-fit fixes. Avoid anyone who guarantees a result for a large up-front fee.
No obligation. We explain options, timelines, and likely costs before you decide.
FAQs
Does “what is the cost of owning a timeshare” include taxes?
Generally, property taxes are baked into maintenance fees, but some resorts list them separately.
Why do maintenance fees increase?
Because operating costs and reserves rise over time, timeshare expenses tend to increase; boards may also levy assessments for major work.
Will renting out weeks cover my fees?
Often, no. Demand varies, and platform fees reduce proceeds. Instead, focus on planning to use what you own or explore compliant exit routes.
Further reading (trusted sources)
- FTC: Timeshares, Vacation Clubs, and Related Scams
- FTC: Want to get rid of your timeshare? Read this before you hire
- FTC: If you have a timeshare, scammers might target you
Related on TCR:
How maintenance fees really work ·
Timeshare rescission & cancellation basics ·
Wyndham timeshare scams
