Expert: Andreas Rossler - 11/21/2007

Question
I currently own a 2br lockout at the Galleon in Key West, Fl.  I am considering selling it & buying into Club Navigo because the point system seems to fit my travel plans better.  The points system allows for daily, weekends as well as full weeks.  I'm concerned about the exchange program with them.  Which exchange company are they associated with?  I've sat through the sales presentation & it sounds like there would be no problem exchanging anywhere, but I called the Galleon & was told that non owners could only exchange every 4 years.  I have also read some of the comments from disgruntled owners & am having second thoughts.  Any suggestions or comments?

Answer
Bill,

Thanks for the question.  There are two primary exchanges, RCI (Resort Condominiums International - www.rci.com) and II (Interval International - www.intervalworld.com).  If a timeshare is affiliated with one or both of the exchanges, you have the option to be a member of those exchanges every year.

For example, I own Worldmark, the Club.  Worldmark is affiliated with both RCI and II.  Therefore, every year I could be a member of RCI or II, or both, or neither.

In the case of Club Navigo and the Galleon - they are affiliated with both exchanges (sometimes developers are more friendly with one exchange or another and may not inform you of this fact).  Also, in some cases, as an added benefit, the resort automatically enrolls you into an exchange system each year (so you may not be aware that there is a membership fee every year and that membership is optional).

It is true - some resorts have that "four year rule", where non-owners can exchange into the resort only once every four years.  It is best to call the resort AND the exchange companies to make sure on that particular item.

Now, as for which one to choose.  This is really a personal decision, but allow me to give you my opinion.  It seems that Points Based systems are best - by far.  I own a Points Based system myself and am reasonably happy with it.

I haven't heard anything bad about either resort, but I do like the number of home resorts in the Navigo system.  The only thing I can suggest is to speak with an owner at one of the resorts - get an unbiased opinion and most importantly - DO NOT BUY RETAIL, buy a resale.  Scour the Internet and find a resale Navigo.

Other than that - don't be too concerned about finding the "best" deal.  It's you and your family on vacation and if you are really using the timeshare, it's money well spent.

Try going to www.tripadvisor.com and looking up some Navigo properties - I've found those reviews to be reasonable most of the time.  Visit the home resort where you intend to purchase - see if you like it.

As for exchanges - be careful.  Exchanging is tough.  You need to exchange well in advance (at least a year) and you usually need to put in more than one request.

I hope some of this helped!