How to Use a Timeshare

When timeshares first emerged in the 1960s, owning one meant you stayed for a certain week at a certain resort, year after year. But these days you can use a timeshare to stay at different resorts all over the world--or to make some rental income. Here's how to make the best use of your timeshare.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Use your timeshare the old-fashioned way. This means that when you bought your timeshare, you purchased a specific week at a specific property--so do exactly that. Stay at the property you made the agreement at during the week you signed up for. This is a nice way to make a tradition out of your family vacation.
2. Exchange your timeshare internally in your resort group. If the timeshare you bought is owned by a company that owns other resorts, it will be easiest to swap weeks with someone at a sister property. Exchange fees might apply.
3. Exchange your timeshare outside of your resort company. So if you own an RCI timeshare but want to stay at a Marriott timeshare, you will be swapping weeks. You do face fees for this change.
4. Give your timeshare week as a gift. If your nephew and his fiancee can't afford a honeymoon, allowing them to use your timeshare is a wonderful wedding gift. You can also give out your timeshare as a perk to your employees or clients.
5. Donate your timeshare week to a charity auction or raffle. People attending one of these affairs will bid money on it or pay for raffle tickets, and this income goes to a good cause. In exchange, they'll win use of your timeshare.

Tips & Warnings

• Some resorts prohibit renting out timeshares.