The most greedy travel pirates I often give myself a skeptical look when I say the words “timeshare presentation» to get discounted hotel stays and tons of points to use for future travel.
The deal is pretty simple: Get a deeply discounted stay at a hotel or resort and other perks in exchange for participating in a timeshare presentation, better known as a sales pitch.
The last email offer I received was in March 2023 from Hilton Grand Vacations. He promised her a three-night stay in Las Vegas plus 50,000 Hilton Honors points in exchange for $149 and participation in a 90-minute conference.
Having attended four timeshare presentations in the past decade, I find the discounted hotel stay and added perks—like discounted hotel points and spa treatments or theme park tickets—to be worth my time. Just attend the presentation and say “no” (sometimes multiple times) if timeshare isn’t for you.
Here's how to get a nearly free vacation with timeshare presentations.
I've successfully negotiated the terms of a timeshare presentation in the past, so I called Hilton to see if they could sweeten the deal with upgrades like more travel rewards points or food and beverage credits.
After reviewing the terms of my promotion — and after some very polite exchanges — I requested an increase to 100,000 points and a waiver on the extra points. accommodation costs $34 per night. After a long wait, the sales rep's supervisor approved the transaction if I accepted it on the spot, which I did.
According to NerdWallet reviewHilton points are generally is worth about 0.5 cents eachwhich makes the 100,000 points worth approximately $500. The nightly room rate for my travel dates was $249, plus $34 per night in resort fees. That makes this deal worth over $1,300 in exchange for 90 minutes of my time and the $149 I paid for the package.
Understanding Restrictions and Limitations
Some hotels require you to attend the presentation with a spouse, while others may have specific income requirements. Ask about blackout dates, package expiration dates, and any other hidden fees (like those pesky resort fees).
For Hilton, I had to verbally confirm that my income exceeded a certain threshold and attest that I had not attended another Hilton-based timeshare presentation in the past six months.
Once I purchased the package, Hilton gave me 12 months to use it. Once I booked in Las Vegas, Hilton gave me a set date and time to show up for the timeshare. If you miss it, the company can charge you the full cash rate for the stay and revoke all the benefits offered.
Also be aware that you will not earn hotel points or elite night credits with the host brand for the promotional stay.
Know what to expect during the sales pitch
The pitch typically begins with an introduction to your salesperson and a general video or presentation about the company’s timeshare program. You’ll then be taken to an office, where the salesperson will ask you questions about your finances and travel habits. You’ll be introduced to a cost breakdown for staying at different levels of properties — costs that can fluctuate seasonally or during peak demand periods.
Many timeshare companies, even Disneyhave moved to a points-based system, where you buy points that are used to make reservations once you become an “owner,” but be aware that these points are independent of the chain’s loyalty program.
Once the seller estimates the cost needed to live your best timeshare life, they will show you a model property. You will then return to the office and be introduced to the “closer” – the person who has crunched the numbers and is trying to pressure you into signing.
Sales professionals will play on your emotions with ambitious travel dreams while making you feel like family. Remember, they are motivated by commissions to get you to buy a timeshare by signing a contract that can last the rest of your life.
🤓Nerdy tip
Timing the pitch using my phone allowed me to politely inform the salesperson that their time was up once the duration required under the promotion had passed (usually 90-120 minutes).
Be in the “no”
Timeshares are big business, with $10.6 billion in domestic sales in 2023, according to a 2024 study by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), a trade association for the timeshare industry. For comparison, that’s similar to Major League Baseball’s annual revenue in 2023.
Hotel businesses would not offer these lucrative promotions unless enough people buy what they are selling.
Jason Gamel, president and CEO of ARDA, says about 2 in 10 people decide to buy after a sales presentation. And that purchase, of course, comes with a financial commitment. The average purchase transaction was $24,170 in 2023, according to the ARDA study, with average annual interest rates close to 15%.
This amount covers the initial cost of joining the timeshare and financing the balance, but does not include ongoing costs such as dues, maintenance fees or other expenses necessary to operate the resort.
If you're not in the market for a timeshare, no sales pitch should convince you to get one. Before the pitch, think about (or discuss) the process of saying “no,” and if you have a spouse who will be there, include them in the conversation.
Later, if you change your mind and decide to sign a contract, a state's termination laws might allow the contract to be canceled within a certain period of time after signing, usually between five and 10 business days.
“I think it's important because it helps people evaluate whether they're making the right decision for them, and it gives them a very easy way to say no once everything is said and done,” Gamel says.
Just pack your bags and go
Despite the skepticism of my fellow travel enthusiasts, timeshare deals allow me to save money on my travels now and earn rewards that I can use toward free travel in the future. The process won’t work for everyone, but if you’re willing to sacrifice a few hours and know the power of saying “no,” it could do the same for you.
