We are owners with Diamond Resorts, but we were still eligible for a free weekend getaway for 3 days and 2 nights at a nearby Embassy Suites if we attended a 2-hour Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation. We’ve stayed at the San Luis Bay Inn previously and had a great time in Avila Beach. So, we were excited to spend a relaxing weekend there, even if there was a 4-hour drive awaiting us.
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The Deal
When we signed up for the Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation weekend, we had to book pretty far in advance, which was fine with us since we’re always booking several months in advance anyway. They took a $125 deposit to ensure we’d show up. We received a 3 day and 2 night stay at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo. And, we’d receive a $100 Visa gift card at the end. I can certainly so say “No” for 2 hours.
Our Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation was at the San Luis Bay Inn in Avila Beach. It’s a quaint beach town that is a short walk away from the timeshare. There is a park for the kids to play, a few wine and champagne shops for tastings, some souvenir shops, and a few cafes filled with great coffee, tasty treats, and yummy food.
As part of our Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation weekend, we stayed at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo, which is about 10 miles away. The interior was a little dated, but the benefits were nice. There was a bedroom for my wife, son, and me, with a pullout couch for my mother-in-law in the living room area. Each night, there was a “manager’s reception” from 5:30pm until 7:30pm where drinks and snacks were free. And each morning there was a breakfast buffet and made-to-order omelets and french toast.
Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation
During the course of the 2-hour Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation, we viewed the newly renovated rooms, discussed how we liked our ownership, and where we’ve traveled. The updated rooms were much better than before, with granite counters, new cabinets, and all new furniture and bedding. We really enjoy our membership and have visited Paris France and Cabo San Lucas earlier this year using our points.
We have a Silver level membership. The salesperson told us no less than 10 times over the 2-hour Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation that we should plan to achieve (aka buy) enough points to get to Gold level or Platinum level by the time we retire. Broken record.
At the end of the Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation, apparently, the timeframe sped up because he offered for us to buy 15,000 points for $112,500 ($7.50 per point). I almost choked on the Sprite I was drinking. Luckily, we had no intention of buying more points. He was even so generous as to “lock in the pricing for 18 months” should we change our minds. What a guy.
During the Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation he kept telling us that the price per point would continue to increase because Guggenheim Investors invested with Diamond Resorts and wanted to elevate the level of this company to that of Hilton, Marriott, and Disney timeshares. While this is an admirable goal, because those properties do have cachet and are some of the nicest in the industry, until all of the properties in the portfolio are at that level, there’s no way you can charge those prices. Even when they do reach that level, like any business that doesn’t have the same name recognition, you have to consistently deliver quality above and beyond your competition over a period of time before consumers will value your product the same as the household names they know. Even then, I’d have a hard time agreeing to buy a timeshare for $100k!
When we continued to politely decline, he told us that he had to “check on our account” and, miraculously, came back with a better offer of 15,000 points for $40,320 ($2.688 per point) or 7,500 points for $20,670 ($2.756 per point). We again declined.
I believe the down payment would have been either 20% or 30%, with payments over 10 years at 17.99%.
On top of that, the annual maintenance dues are $0.1227 per point… or $1840.50 for 15,000 points, which is about $150 per month.
Overall, like anyone, we’d love to have more points to travel to more of their locations more often, but we’re limited by the amount of vacation we have at work. I have 4 weeks annually, but my wife only gets 2 weeks per year. We’ve even talked about buying more Diamond Resorts points on the secondary market when we’re in a position to travel more, but that’s a long time off for us.
Buying Diamond Resort Points on the Secondary Market
There are plenty of places to buy these points on the second market. I wish I could say that I was smart enough 15 years ago when I bought my timeshares to have ignored the siren song of the timeshare salesperson and bought them resale, but I didn’t. I’ve spent a lot of money, but at least the consolation is that they were much cheaper back then, and we’ve gone on some pretty amazing trips that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise… and this was also before I started earning so many hotel and airline points with all of the research I’ve done the past two years!!!
I totally recommend traveling with timeshares if you like having more space than a typical hotel room and like having a kitchen to cook some meals. It can be difficult to get the places you want to stay if you’re not diligent and don’t plan ahead. My wife and I have already planned out 90% of our vacations for 2014 and have a good idea of some places we’d like to visit in 2015. So, we get most of what we want. Still, you need to be flexible… especially when attempting to combine timeshare availability and availability of frequent flier award seats.
If you were interested in buying Diamond Resorts points, you could look at eBay, RedWeek, or any of the many other results you could find on Google. There are some pretty good deals available for less than $1 per point. Just be careful that you are buying a paid-in-full ownership and are not assuming someone else’s loan!!! Maintenance fees should be the same $0.1227 per point as I mentioned above.
How Can You Get the 3 Days & 2 Nights Promotion?
One of my good friends signed up for the Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation promotion at the same time as me. He’s not an owner with Diamond Resorts, but his family loves traveling to the timeshares with us. They were actually supposed to be there with us at the same time but had a scheduling conflict, so they rescheduled for 2014.
Not only did he get the 3 days and 2 nights promotion, they actually threw in an extra night! So, for a $149 deposit, he’s getting a 4 day and 3-night stay at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo. When he completes the 2-hour presentation, he’ll receive a $100 Visa gift card. The great mini-vacation will only cost him $49 plus gas… and he’ll get 3 nights of complimentary happy hour at the Embassy Suites and 3 mornings of free breakfast.
If you’d like to take advantage of this deal, please email me using the contact form below, and I will refer you for this promotion. Have a great time!
There are some qualifications to be eligible for the presentation:
- If you’re married, both of you have to attend
- One of you needs to be over 25 years of age
- No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last 2 years
- Minimum combined household income of $50,000 or greater
- Must bring valid ID and a bank issued credit card (that isn’t a debit card)
- Other criteria may apply… the phone agent will discuss this with you
If Avila Beach isn’t your thing, you can also choose from Orlando, Williamsburg, Branson, South Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Sedona, or Scottsdale. You may also upgrade to 5 days and 4 nights in Maui, for an additional fee.
For the latest Diamond Resorts timeshare presentation promotions, click here to complete our referral form to have someone from Diamond Resorts contact you.
I have a scheduled time to visit diamond for presentation next week, and definitely looking for ways to save on travel, any help is appreciated!
Hi Dan, congrats on your upcoming vacation! Which location are you traveling to? My favorite Diamond Resorts timeshares so far have been Avila Beach (near San Luis Obispo), Cabo Azul (Cabo, Mexico), and Royal Regency (Paris).
Timeshares are a fantastic way to travel, especially if you have a family. They are also great if you travel with friends and want to share a common space, while still retaining some privacy with everyone having their own bedroom.
Overall, before you go, I would research what the Diamond points cost on the secondary/resale market so you have a good comparison of what it would cost buying resale (ie: eBay) vs. buying retail (at the timeshare presentation). Just remember, you can always buy later. The price may go up a little bit over time, but don’t fall for “this is a one-time offer”… every time I go to a timeshare presentation, no matter which company, they are always willing to sell you timeshare points.
Oh… and, if you do decide to buy, make sure that you negotiate for as many extras as you can get! My buddy just bought some points retail and got them to double his points the first year and they threw in 2 extra vacations.
I’d love to hear how your presentation goes and what you think.
I would love to go to a Diamond presentation. I am actually traveling to Carlsbad to visit Marbrisa and view their timeshare. I thought it would be nice to compare another resort and have been trying to research resorts around Avila Beach. How do I sign up?
sincerely,
Kathy
Hi Kathy, I will get a direct phone number for you to call. Look for the email from me this week. Happy Travels!
Looking for vacations deals through timeshare presentations
I’ll be glad to refer you Claude. Please complete the Free Travel Advice form, and I will be sure to put you in touch with the right people.
Looking for vacation deals through timeshare presentations in CA, along the coast (ie. San Luis Obispo, Monterey, etc.). Can you forward contact info?
In order for me to refer you, I need your full name and phone number. Please email me at Lee@BaldThoughts.com. Thanks!
Hi Lee. The link is broken. Do you have a new one?
They must have left the affiliate program. If you fill out this form, I can refer you to Diamond since I’m an owner. http://baldthoughts.boardingarea.com/best-timeshare-deals/
I was recruited for a presentation at Polo Suites Las Vegas. The sales person promised a stay for 4 nights anywhere and a cruise trip for $400. However, when I went ahead to book, I was told Orlando is the only city where they can put 6 people. I gave in to that. However, when booking I found out they were putting us in Comfort Suites in Orlando. I reluctantly took that. But when I reached there, it was a room for max 4 people. When we went for the presentation, the sales people clearly said that was wrong and made me write a letter promising me my money back. Today when I called the Diamond resorts number that was given to me, the person just kept repeating that the package was only for 2-4 people. When I asked why did Diamond Resorts then accept my request to book six people and asked for my money back, I was rudely told I will not get any money back.
While at the presentation, the sales people accepted this marketing tactic is being wrongly used. While we were at the resort several clients mentioned many promises that are not fulfilled referring to the thick set of policies they will give you only when you are sitting with the pen to sign. STAY AWAY FROM THIS TIMESHARE SCHEME OR ITS PRESENTATION.
As an owner with Diamond Resorts, I am disgusted with your situation. Timeshare sales have a bad reputation and these type of tactics make the public’s opinion of timeshares even worse. I’m sorry that you had such a bad experience. Hopefully, someone will make it right for you.
I will say that many timeshare companies don’t actually let you stay at their properties when there for a sales presentation. From personal experience, Worldmark by Wyndham, IHG, and Diamond all operate this way. Hilton Grand Vacations Club is the only major name brand that I’ve stayed at recently where you actually stay in one of their units instead of a local (discount) hotel.