What do Wyndham timeshare owners really think? Reviews, complaints and cancellation rights

Wyndham is the world’s largest timeshare brand and reported $5.2 billion in sales in 2022. But a look through online review platforms suggests many owners and customers are unhappy with their experience.

Wyndham timeshare reputation: what owners say in reviews

Rather than matching the image of an “ideal dream holiday” provider, Wyndham Vacations’ online reputation is frequently criticised in reviews for alleged high-pressure sales, misleading sales practices and a lack of availability at preferred resorts.

Timeshare is widely viewed as an expensive and complicated way to book holidays compared with using standard travel websites, yet tens of thousands of people still attend sales presentations every year.

Wyndham timeshare representatives are often described as highly skilled. Reviews and accounts suggest they sell the idea of guaranteed annual breaks at resorts around the world, using well-practised tactics to wear down resistance – and many people end up signing.

Below, we focus on the story told in owner feedback and review sites: three recurring Wyndham timeshare complaints, plus what to consider if you want to leave an unwanted contract.

1. Wyndham “won’t let you cancel”

Many countries have recognised the risk of high-pressure timeshare selling and introduced laws that give buyers a Rescission Period (Cooling Off Period). This is a set time after purchase when you can cancel without explanation and without being questioned.

Mandatory rescission periods range from a few days in some US states to two full weeks in Europe.

North Dakota doesn’t provide any specific timeshare cancellation rights at all.

In Europe, it is illegal for a resort to take any payment during the rescission period. As a result, new timeshare sales in Europe have largely died out. Many people see this as evidence that timeshare is not a product most consumers would buy without the intense sales pressure associated with large operators such as Wyndham.

Owners also report that a promised ‘one-hour’ presentation can stretch into several hours. Some say they signed just to get out, relying on the rescission period to cancel later (in writing, delivered in person or via a recorded delivery service) without losing money.

One Wyndham owner claimed he tried to cancel his contract on the same day he signed it. He says Wyndham refused the cancellation and later denied he had attempted to cancel. According to him, the company is now trying to damage his credit score.

Despite legal protections, timeshare companies including Wyndham have been accused of pressuring prospects to waive cancellation rights, or disputing whether written notice was received. If you are dealing with Wyndham or any timeshare provider, protect yourself by keeping a clear record and timeline of every interaction.

2. The sales pressure doesn’t end once you’re an owner

So you’ve made it through the hours-long presentation and signed up. You’re now a member, and the sales push is behind you – right?

Wrong.

According to owner reviews, that isn’t how it works. People claim that every time they visit a resort, in-house sales teams target them with invitations to a “free breakfast” and an owner update. In practice, owners say the “update” can turn into another multi-hour sales presentation aimed at persuading them to upgrade, buy more points, or add another product – with the message that their current membership isn’t enough.

Reviewers say this can happen on every holiday they take with Wyndham. Sometimes it is not even a timeshare product: some owners report being signed up for credit cards at Wyndham resorts.

A Wyndham member on Consumer Affairs describes being invited to an owner update and promised a $100 gift card. Three hours later, they say they had been pressured into buying a Club Wyndham pass they didn’t need. They also describe attempts to sell them $23,000 worth of extra points, including $17,000 to be financed over 10 years at 13% interest. The repayments on a $17,000 loan at those terms would have totalled $30,459.39, on top of a $6,000 deposit.

Wyndham may also target your friends if they come with you as guests. One TripAdvisor reviewer recounts staying at a Wyndham resort in Tennessee with an owner friend, and being encouraged to attend a presentation in return for free gifts.

After a gruelling experience where multiple attempts were made to sell her a membership, she declined.

Wyndham then allegedly refused to provide the promised gifts.

3. You can’t book the holiday you want – but you still pay annual fees

A major theme in Wyndham timeshare reviews is concern about rising maintenance fees. The average annual maintenance fee in 2022 was $1,200 – more for larger units or more points. These fees can increase over time, and you must pay whether you travel or not. During the pandemic, for example, owners report being obligated to pay in full even when they could not visit resorts.

In return for ongoing fees, many owners assume they’ll be able to reserve their preferred holiday each year.

However, a recurring complaint across online review sites is availability: people say they cannot book where and when they want in the same way they can through Booking.com or similar platforms.

One Better Business Bureau complaint describes a woman repeatedly trying to book through Wyndham’s online portal for two months without success. She says she contacted Wyndham multiple times, and only after posting publicly on the BBB page did Wyndham get in touch to help.

A different owner complained about being told she would need to book more than 12 months ahead – or buy more points. In her view, once she factored in rising maintenance fees and other costs, she and her husband “could have travelled the world for a year.”

Wyndham may also encourage owners to join the exchange system RCI" href="../tag/rci" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="3">RCI (which Wyndham also owns). But if you are already struggling to get the holidays you want directly through Wyndham, reports suggest RCI’s availability is not much better.

I’m an unhappy Wyndham owner. How do I get out?

“Firstly, do not Google ‘how to exit a timeshare’.” advises Andrew Cooper, CEO of European Consumer Claims. “Most of the results will be for dubious, disreputable firms who will take your money but then either disappear or file for bankruptcy.”

It can be possible to exit a timeshare, but many people need expert, trustworthy help.

Look for a company that has been operating for several years, has strong online feedback, provides video testimonials (not only written reviews), and has physical offices you can visit either in person or by video call. Ensure you have the option to pay by credit card, rather than being pushed towards bank transfers only.

Companies covered positively by reputable media are generally more trustworthy because those outlets carry out their own checks.

If you want to discuss your timeshare situation, get in touch with our experts at the Timeshare Advice Centre.

We can help.