The problem with timeshare availability: owners unable to book peak-season weeks

With the summer holidays nearly here, many timeshare owners find themselves competing for very limited resort availability—especially during peak weeks.

Guaranteed… but at a cost

Years ago, many timeshare owners expected a straightforward promise: the same apartment, at the same time of year, as long as they kept paying a substantial annual fee.

When “flexible” bookings don’t feel flexible

Over time, members wanted more choice—holidays at different times of year, and the option to use different resorts. To meet that demand, the industry introduced floating weeks and points-based schemes.

The problem is that, for many owners, the systems just don't work in practice—particularly when they try to book the dates they actually want.

Peak-season weeks get snapped up first

Floating time and points memberships promised freedom over when and where you travel.

But the reality is predictable: most people want the same high-demand weeks. Once those peak-season dates are taken, other members are left with whatever is still available.

High-cost upgrades, familiar availability problems

It quickly became clear you could have either certainty or flexibility with timeshare—rarely both. Points and floating time were often sold as expensive upgrades, on the premise they would deliver the best of both worlds: a realistic chance of booking peak season, or the ability to swap to another time of year.

Paying for two holidays, getting one

The issue many members face is simple: when they try to book the resort in high season, they’re told it’s already full.

That leaves owners with an awkward choice: take a holiday at a time that doesn’t suit, or pay for a separate trip elsewhere. Either way, they still carry the cost of the timeshare’s annual fee—effectively paying for two holidays but only enjoying one.

Booking window frustrations

Owners who complain to their resorts are often told they have up to two years to book. In reality, few people can commit to a specific week that far ahead.

Even those who try to book the moment the booking window opens can be told they’re already too late.

Exclusive… until it isn’t

With new member sales drying up across Europe, some timeshare companies have looked for other income streams. One route has been renting accommodation to non-members via sites such as Expedia and booking.com.

Many owners feel this undermines what they were sold—memberships marketed as exclusive—yet flexible schemes can make it easier for resorts to release weeks to third-party platforms.

Why owners feel short-changed

We regularly speak to timeshare owners who say they cannot book the weeks they want using their membership—yet they find lots of availability when they search on Booking.com.

For members who have already paid, it feels unfair to see the same accommodation marketed to the public.

Full costs during the pandemic

When the COVID pandemic struck in 2020, many resorts closed. Industry critics spoke out in support of timeshare owners as some timeshare companies failed to reduce annual fees, even when guests could not travel.

Andrew Cooper, CEO of ECC, states that "clearly timeshare resorts' overheads were reduced to almost nothing. There was no electricity or water to pay, no staff wages (they were furloughed) and a large number of other expenses were minimised.

Focus on profits

"Resorts basically made a significant profit during the pandemic because they charged the same fees with significantly less outgoings", Mr Cooper continues.

There were no full or even partial refunds. Instead, members were told they would receive double accommodation the following year.

For many, that immediately raised a practical question: where would the extra inventory come from?

Inventory pressure in the years after

The inventory issue worsened in 2021 when many resorts continued to remain closed. Once again, members paid full maintenance and were promised they could use their weeks in 2022.

That meant resorts would effectively have to provide three times the number of holidays in 2022. If peak weeks were already difficult to secure before the pandemic, the outlook for availability was always going to be challenging.

Modern holidaymakers need real flexibility

The problem with the timeshare model is that it is outdated and out of touch.

Today, many holidaymakers want to choose their destination closer to the time. They also want the flexibility to try somewhere new—or even stay at home. Circumstances change, but timeshare owners remain committed to paying rising annual fees regardless.

Get a helping hand

Many timeshare owners assume they are stuck and cannot get out of the contract, but this is not usually the case.

If you want to escape from your timeshare, the best solution is to contact an experienced claims firm for their advice.

Start by getting a free and confidential consultation and find out whether you can also claim compensation Timeshare Advice centre.