We've been to a number of timeshare presentations over the past few years, and we will be buying several of these (not from the developer, of course ). Why? Well, even the timeshare sales folks have it right- hotel prices are rising fairly steadily. While I don't necessarily agree with all the figures they present (it is a sales pitch, after all) we have seen the increases ourselves. Similarly, the hotel affinity points programs have seen increases as well.

As travel costs, in general, increase, it's not unreasonable (even though it may be unpleasant) to suspect that the fees for awards on such (in terms of the points, miles, or even dollars) will go up as well. These are not static exchange rates.

Timeshares allow a pretty good lock on lodging costs. Maintenance fees go up, but in a much more limited fashion, for the most part. Airlines have very few similar "lock" options (the lifetime AAirpass for about $3 Mil was one of those, sort of).

It's just the cost of travel these days, and it's not likely to change very soon.

Cheers.