NSS: using my dad's timeshare for a cheap vacation stay

[avlena]

Say what you will about timeshares, but so far it's been a fantastic thing to have in the family. My parents bought one when I was young, still have it, and now, some 20 years later I can use it and save a bundle on my vacation!

Graf and I are going to South Africa later this year, and by trading my dad's timeshare week, we got a 3 bedroom penthouse at a beautiful resort (http://www.strandpavilion.co.za/) and it will cost us all of $250 for the entire week! To give you an idea, some of the places we were looking at were $300 per day, with the cheapest being $150/day.

YAY!!!!! This way, we'll have more money to spend on a safari and other cool touristy stuff!

[Merlin]

Cool. South Africa is one of those places I'd love to visit. Good wine. Cage diving with the Great Whites. I can't wait to hear your impressions of the place.

[KIISQueen]

They are aewsome to own, My Father in law owns several out in Palm Springs, 2 in Las vegas and Hawaii. We use them when we can =)

[LegendKiller]

Looks like a ton of fun.

[Itsme]

Nice, have a great time.

[Grubbie]

My GF and I did the same thing for a week in Whislter. Got her parents to trade in a week timeshare for us and exchange it for a week of skiing. Nothing can top a free stay at a nice place on vacation.

[eSDee]

Very cool avlena. Is that going to be your honeymoon trip?

[avlena]

Very cool avlena. Is that going to be your honeymoon trip?

well, a very delayed one. When we got married last August, we were supposed to go, but couldn't get enough time off. So, we went to Mexico instead, and delayed our South Africa trip until December. We're going to spend the first week or so with Graf's extended family & friends, and then we'll go to Cape Town to relax and experience the country a bit more.

[ray]

My GF and I did the same thing for a week in Whislter. Got her parents to trade in a week timeshare for us and exchange it for a week of skiing. Nothing can top a free stay at a nice place on vacation.

Whistler is awesome. I would love to own a place up there so I could escape all year round!

Avlena - Have an awesome trip in S. Africa! A co-worker of mine just got back from a 3-week safari in Tanzania and said it was her best trip ever (she's in her late 50s now). If you have time (and money), it sounds like a safari would be an awesome way to spend part of your vacation!

[Sirrich3]

I go to mine in Cancun every summer. Have a great time!!

[kgsilvas]

Good for you! Hope you have a great time.

There is a bit of a SS to timeshares though. My folks bought timeshares in Las Vegas and Hawaii. Now that my mom is a widow, she wants to sell both of them. They are a b!tch to sell. Both are in RED or desirable locations and timeframes, but the resale market is pretty bad.