Originally Posted by
skydelt
Didn't realize how much of the footprint only emerged after acquiring Apple in 2021:
Good distinction in the article too about the difference between a timeshare and a vacation club, with the latter being both more predatory and of lesser value because you truly own absolutely nothing other than basically some glorified Hyatt points in that model
For the most part it isn't even free stays like you'd get with Hyatt points. You may be able to negotiate a few free weeks as part of it, but other than that, it's really just a discount on stays and some additional perks like automatic Preferred Club benefits.
Even if these travel clubs were legit, the biggest issue is still the lock-in. For me, I can do better without the lock-in and finding whichever adults-only, upscale all-inclusive has a good deal going on at the moment. Others who don't care as about finding the best deal still may find a better place they want to go to - someone who bought this 10 years ago to go to an upscale Secrets like Akumal or Maroma when those were some of the best adults-only resorts may find themselves wanting to go to a newer place like Atelier, Xcaret Arte, or Unico but feel locked in to their travel club.