How Do Westgate Timeshares Work?

How Do Westgate Timeshares Work? A Comprehensive Guide

Westgate Resorts is one of the most popular names in the timeshare business, with properties that reach all over the United States. If a person is considering entering into timeshare ownership with Westgate, there are a variety of options available that are designed to suit many different vacationing styles and living situations.

Understanding how Westgate timeshares work is pertinent for an individual who wants to make an informed decision on either becoming an owner or getting out of their timeshare contract. This guide will walk you through the mechanisms of Westgate timeshares and give you an in-depth look into ownership, use, pricing, and many other features.

How Westgate Timeshare Ownership Works

A Westgate timeshare means you have purchased an ownership interest in a specific unit at a particular resort during some point of each year. In contrast with classic vacation ownership, under which you would possess full ownership to a piece of real estate, timeshare gives you access to a property for a specified amount of time within a given year.

Deeded Ownership: A majority of Westgate timeshares are deeded, meaning that the purchased property is owned just like a piece of real estate or a portion of corporate stock. That ownership can be resold, given as a gift to an heir, or left in a will upon your death.
Right-to-Use: In certain cases, Westgate offers a right-to-use program in which you purchase the privilege of utilizing the property for a set number of years without actually owning the property. This option offers flexibility due to the fact that it is usually on a short-term basis.
Fixed vs. Floating Weeks: Many Westgate timeshares will be purchased on either a fixed or floating week basis. Fixed weeks offer the chance for enjoying property space during the same time every year, while floating weeks offer date flexibility, allowing guests to book any time of the year, subject to availability.

Types of Westgate Timeshare Programs

Westgate Resorts offers various types of timeshare programs, each designed to cater to varying needs and preferences. Knowing these options will help you determine which program will ultimately work best with your vacation goals.

Fixed Week Program: As its name denotes, this program allows you to buy one specific week at a specific resort. This works best for people who are used to taking their vacation on the same week each year.
Floating Week Program: This program offers more flexibility, enabling you to choose your vacation week based on availability. It’s a popular choice for those who prefer varying their travel dates.
Points-Based Program: Westgate’s points-based program offers the most flexibility. Rather than owning a specific week, you purchase points that can be used for accommodations at any of Westgate’s resorts, as well as for other travel expenses like airplane tickets and car rentals.

Understanding Westgate Timeshare Points and Usage

The beauty of Westgate’s points-based system is that it was designed to afford the owner maximum flexibility. Here’s how it works:

Purchasing Points: By buying into the points-based program, you acquire a certain number of points replenished annually. The greater your ownership or the more points you own, the longer your vacations can be, and you can choose from various locations and times of the year.
Using Points: Points may be used for accommodations within the Westgate network of resorts, and depending on the property and time of year, the number of points required will vary. High-demand seasons and larger units typically require more points.
Banking and Borrowing: If you can’t use all your points in a given year, you can often roll them over into the next year. Alternatively, if you need more points for a particular vacation, you may be able to borrow from the following year’s allocation.

Booking Your Stay: How to Use Your Westgate Timeshare

Once you have purchased a Westgate timeshare and are a deed holder, the process of booking your timeshare stay is fairly easy but does take some planning, especially with floating weeks or points.

Booking Procedure: Depending on what type of ownership you have, you would either book your fixed week automatically or select your dates if you have points or a floating week. It is always a good idea to book as far in advance as you can, especially during high season.
Availability and Planning: This can be difficult during popular vacation times. Owners using points, while more flexible, still want to reserve ahead of time for the best availability and location.
Westgate Resort Options: There are resorts available in beach and mountain areas, with many choices of resorts you could visit, using your points or the week you own.

Maintenance Fees and Costs Associated with Westgate Timeshares

One of the most critical subjects as far as timeshare ownership is concerned has to be how ongoing costs should be appreciated and catered for. Westgate timeshares come with annual maintenance fees and other incidental costs that an owner should make provisions for in their budget. If these fees become burdensome, it may be worth exploring options to cancel your Westgate timeshare and relieve yourself of the ongoing financial obligations.

Maintenance Fees: This is a sum that owners are asked to pay every year to cover property upkeep, including landscaping, repairs, utilities, and staff. The rates will vary depending on factors like the size of your unit, the resort location, and other considerations.
Special Assessments: Sometimes, timeshare owners are required to pay special assessments to address major repairs or additions to the property. These are usually one-time charges, but they can be high.
Other Costs: Besides maintenance fees, owners may have other costs such as booking fees for trading or renting their time, taxes, and insurance. Be sure to include those expenses in your overall cost of ownership.

Exchanging Your Westgate Timeshare: How It Works

One advantage of owning a Westgate timeshare is the ability to exchange your stay for another destination, either within the Westgate network or with external exchange companies.

Internal Exchange: Use your week or points at a Westgate property other than your home resort. This option is great for when you want to travel to different destinations while staying within the Westgate network.
External Exchange: Westgate is affiliated with Interval International and other major exchange companies, meaning you can use your week to exchange for thousands of other resorts worldwide.
How it works: Most exchange systems operate by depositing your week or points with an exchange company, and then you can choose from available properties in the system. Keep in mind there may be extra fees associated with exchanges, so factor that in when planning your vacation.

Westgate Timeshares: Pros and Cons

Westgate timeshares have lots of upsides, but there may be some downsides as well. Knowing both sides will help you make a well-informed decision.

Upsides:

Destination Variety: Westgate offers many properties in prime locations across the country.
Flexibility: The points-based system and the exchange program offer a high level of flexibility to the owner.
Family-Friendly: Many Westgate resorts are family-friendly, with activities and amenities to suit almost everyone.

Downsides:

Ongoing Costs: Annual maintenance fees and related expenses can accumulate significantly over the years, raising the overall cost of ownership.
Limited Availability: Popular resorts and weeks, especially for floating week and points-based owners, can be difficult to book during peak seasons.
Resale Challenges: Selling the timeshare can be tough due to depreciation and an oversaturated resale market.

How to Transfer or Sell Your Westgate Timeshare

If you find that owning a Westgate timeshare is not for you after all, then the solution will be transferring or selling. Although this may seem complex, it might require professional help.

Transfer Ownership: You can transfer ownership to someone close through a legal process, but Westgate must first agree to the transfer.
Sell Your Timeshare: Selling your timeshare on the resale market is often challenging, as many timeshares lose value. Getting help from a timeshare resale company or broker might be helpful, but be prepared for lower offers.
Work with a Timeshare Exit Company: Companies like HOW2CXL specialize in helping timeshare owners exit their contracts. This is particularly useful if you’re facing challenges selling or transferring your timeshare and want a hassle-free solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my timeshare week after purchase?

Yes, if you own a floating week or are part of the points-based program, you can choose different dates each year, subject to availability.

Are maintenance fees fixed, or can they increase?

Maintenance fees are not fixed and can increase over time, depending on the costs of maintaining the property and other factors.

What happens if I don’t use my timeshare one year?

If you don’t use your timeshare, you may lose your week unless you’re part of a points-based program where you can bank points for future use.

Can I rent out my timeshare?

Yes, many Westgate owners choose to rent out their timeshare if they cannot use it. This can help offset maintenance fees and other costs.

Is Westgate’s points program better than owning a fixed week?

The best option depends on your travel preferences. The points program offers more flexibility, but a fixed week guarantees the same vacation time each year, which can be appealing to some owners.

How Do Westgate Timeshares Work?