The time purchased also can be expressed in terms of "points," a currency that is used to establish value for seasons, unit sizes, and resort locations. The vacation ownership interest often will include a deeded interest in real estate.

Accommodations are priced according to the size of the unit, resort amenities, location, and season of use. In addition, owners pay an annual maintenance fee to help maintain the property, as well as the quality and future value of the resort.

The vacation ownership industry offers a multitude of products from an array of hospitality branded and independent developers, who have an interest in providing consumers with optimum value. Today, there are more than 5,000 vacation ownership resorts in nearly 100 countries around the world.* More than 4 million households in the United States own some form of timeshare, with an owner satisfaction level of 85%.*

The American Resort Development Association (www.ARDA.org) is the professional organization that represents the vacation ownership and resort development industries.
Member resorts are required to abide by its Code of Standards and Ethics.

SOURCE/S: *American Resort Development Association???

When you buy an interest in vacation ownership, you lock in the purchase price of the accommodations, helping to assure your future vacations at today's prices. It's a fun and flexible way to enjoy home-like accommodations, premium amenities, and favorite locations across the country and around the world.???

If you're accustomed to renting a hotel room when you vacation, you're bound to be impressed when you see what's waiting for you at a typical vacation ownership resort: spacious floor plans that may include studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units with fully-equipped kitchen and dining areas, washer and dryer, stereo, TV, DVD players, and more.

Many resorts also offer on-site swimming pools, tennis courts, hot tubs, saunas, and spa and fitness facilities. They may enjoy close proximity to golf, skiing, boating, water sports, amusement and theme parks, and other opportunities for family activities.

Take a moment to review -- on one side of the vacation divide is the standard hotel room that you have been renting while on vacation. That room usually includes one or two beds, a TV and desk, and a small bathroom. You don't own it and the cost to stay there might increase every year.

The other side is where you find vacation ownership -- multiple rooms, living space, fully-furnished accommodations that make you feel like you're in a spacious private home. And, unlike a hotel where you're paying to rent a room year after year, you actually own your own vacation experience at a set price that does not increase (although annual maintenance fees are subject to change).

Here's more. When you purchase an interest in vacation ownership, you may enjoy access to hundreds of properties around the world through vacation exchange programs. From ski slopes to beaches, exchange offers a variety of vacation experiences. In fact, the choices grow day by day, and vary by developer.

Vacation ownership is flexible, too. Many resort developers offer points-based programs that allow owners to purchase points based on their estimated vacation needs. Points can be redeemed for all types of accommodations, resort locations, amenities, number of days used, and sometimes other travel services.

To discover what some of these vacation ownership resorts have to offer, click VacationSource.com Destinations.

SOURCES: American Resort Development Association (www.ARDA.org); About.com (www.goflorida.about.com)

Owners may trade their resort time for other comparable experiences made available through an exchange system.

From the ski slopes to beaches, downtown to desert, county to country to continent, there are literally hundreds of vacation options from which to choose. Exchange is great for a change of pace, and offers members the ultimate in flexibility.

EXCHANGE: It's good to change!

Ready to preview? Browse our Preview Packages ???
(Preview Packages are discounted vacation getaways to vacation ownership resorts, each of which participates in vacation exchange.)