Military Vacation Options

Vacations Options for Military

February 20th, 2009

Timeshare Advocacy International™ is a timeshare assistance group created by two retired enlisted Navy Chiefs. Our mission is to ensure that any owners who might need assistance are represented. There are many military members, both active and reserve, that own timeshares who have fallen victim to scams and ripoff tactics. Timeshare Advocacy International™ are diligently working to reveal and correct these scams. Additionally, we are attempting to get the word out to military members that other options to vacation exist besides purchasing a timeshare.

Please do not misunderstand, timeshares can be a good thing, but in today’s economy there are better options out there. Especially for those who are lucky enough to have worn the cloth of our nation. MWR, for both Army and Navy are the most under utilized program in the military. Especially when it comes to vacation options. Every base has an MWR office or representative that can assist any military member in finding inexpensive vacation options that can fit every family’s needs. Some of the tings that I have heard from my sailors prior to my retirement and still to this day is that they feel that they are substandard vacation options. This cannot be farther from the truth.

MWR has discounted vacation plans like cruises, cabins and RV parks, and discounted tickets to a variety of theme parks around the world. One of the biggest problems is that our sailors, soldiers, airman, and reservists rarely get the training and mentoring needed to know what their resources are. As a leader of young sailors, I took an active interest in ensuring that we trained quarterly to ensure that they understood what options they had and how to use them. Annually, we would have an MWR representative come and give formal training for everyone in the command. I believe that this is what our brave volunteers need. Nothing worse than spending your time on leave not going anywhere because you could not afford to take a vacation. If only I had known that I had those options when I was a young sailor.

In addition to MWR there are other options like the Armed Forces Vacation Club. this gives any military member, active or reserve, the opportunity to use timeshares in any location worldwide without having to purchase the timeshare. For as little as $329.00 for a week at over 3500 resorts worldwide. What AFV Club does is exchange with a company called RCI (Resorts, Condominiums International) to find the location you desire on a space available basis. There are a few things that anyone using this must be prepared for, but this is a great and inexpensive way to go for a week anywhere and stay in a five star resort. These are condos with one, two, three, or sometimes four bedrooms. Two or three bathrooms, and a full kitchen and living room. All the dishes, pots and pans are provided. The only thing you need is your suitcase, favorite swimsuit, and the groceries.

What the military member needs to be aware of is that the resort will work extremely hard to get you to hear a timeshare presentation. Check out these articles. Most often the sales rep will make them feel that they are under an obligation to do this. This is an absolute falsehood and ensure that you do not fall victim to this. You are there to vacation and spend time with your family, not to listen to a timeshare presentation. The majority of timeshare sales reps out there are not there to ensure you enjoy your vacation, they are there to make a commission. With that being said, all you have to do is not let them in the door. It is that simple. Do not go for the free gift or the plug about free future vacations. Please do not let this scare you. This is an incredible opportunity to live like a king and queen for a week. Use it, you have earned the right.

Lastly, if you feel that you would like more information about vacation options, please visit your local MWR or online at AFV Club. If you have fallen victim and purchased a timeshare, let us help you get out if possible. We charge nothing up front, and only request payment if we succeed. If you feel you want to become a timeshare owner, please contact us so we can give you some much needed advice.

To all who serve or have served, thank you for your service. We are a stronger nation thanks to you.

Read Comments (1)