Pandemic profiteering accusations rock timeshare operators

British timeshare owners furious as resorts increase profits during the pandemic by charging full fees, despite complexes standing empty.

Pandemic travel

While the holiday and travel business in general behaved responsibly towards consumers who booked but (due to the pandemic) were unable to use flights and hotel stays, the timeshare industry has attracted widespread criticism for charging full fees while resorts are closed to guests.

British timeshare owners constitute the majority of owners at Spanish resorts and 2022 is shaping up to be the third year in a row that many of them will be paying between £500 and £2000 in fees, without getting a holiday in return.

Timeshare fees

Contrary to popular belief, annual timeshare fees do not contractually include a holiday. The fees are actually for upkeep and maintenance of the resort.

Whether the member is able to use their apartment or not, they always have a legal obligation to pay maintenance.

Members are pointing out that with nobody staying in a resort, the costs to maintain it should be significantly less than when it is occupied.

"There is no justification for charging full fees," explains Andrew Cooper, CEO of European Consumer Claims (ECC). "An empty resort uses minimal electricity and water; it has no wear and tear on the facilities. They only need a skeleton staff without guests to attend. There are endless costs that decrease with an empty resort compared to one operating at full capacity. You don’t need to be an economist to understand that.”

Fat profits while others struggle

While most travel related businesses have taken a financial hit during the pandemic, timeshare companies profits have risen. Their income has remained constant as fees remain unchanged, but the services they are required to provide has dropped.

Even resort staff have been furloughed and paid by the government meaning the money from membership fees which used to pay their wages, is now kept as profit by the resorts.

“Hotels and airlines value the goodwill of their customers,” explains Cooper. “They can’t afford to alienate people who might spend money with them in the future. These types of businesses are making sure they are seen to behave fairly to consumers.

“Timeshare resorts don’t have the same obligation to keep their customers happy. Members are contracted to pay fees every year, whether they want to or not. The resorts have the choice of whether to be fair, or to maximise profits.

They choose profits.”

Exodus

Timeshare owners are rebelling en mass. “They are looking for ways to escape, either by cancelling their contract, or by claiming compensation and exiting the membership that way,” says Andrew Cooper. “They know that they can now book the same complexes via online booking portals such as booking.com for around the same cost as their annual fees or even less.

“Timeshare owners are fed up with the dated idea that they should be committed to paying for something they don’t use. They want the same freedom as regular holidaymakers to come and go as they please, and only pay for what they need.”

“These people are getting their freedom back and, in many cases, also their money back, thanks to timeshare claims firms like ECC.”

For a free, no obligation chat about claiming compensation for mis-sold timeshare, or relinquishing your contract, contact our team Monday to Friday during business hours.