Wyndham is the world’s largest timeshare brand and generated $5.2 billion in sales in 2022. But a look through owner feedback online suggests a high level of dissatisfaction.
Wyndham timeshare reputation: what owners say online
Rather than matching the image of an “idealised dream holiday provider”, Wyndham Vacations’ reputation across review platforms is frequently linked to high-pressure sales, misleading behaviour and a lack of availability when owners try to book their preferred resorts.
Timeshare is widely described as an expensive and complicated way to holiday compared with using mainstream booking sites. Yet tens of thousands of people still end up in sales presentations every year.
Wyndham timeshare reps are highly skilled. They sell the idea of pristine annual getaways at Wyndham resorts around the world, using finely honed sales techniques to wear down resistance until many people hand over significant sums.
Below, we set out the story as told by people who bought Wyndham memberships and then tried to use them. We cover the three most common complaints seen in online owner reviews, as well as what to consider if you want to leave an unwanted Wyndham timeshare contract.
1. Wyndham “won’t let you cancel”
Many countries have responded to high-pressure timeshare selling by introducing laws that guarantee a Rescission Period (cooling-off period). This is a set time after purchase during which a buyer can cancel without having to give a reason.
Mandatory rescission periods vary from a few days in some US states to two full weeks in Europe.
North Dakota doesn’t provide specific timeshare cancellation rights at all.
In Europe, it is illegal for a resort to take any payment during the rescission period. As a result, new timeshare sales in Europe have essentially died out. Many see this as evidence that timeshare is not something most people would buy without the intense sales pressure often associated with large operators.
Owners also report that a promised ‘one hour’ presentation can drag on for hours. Some say they sign simply to get out of the room, believing they can later cancel in writing (delivered in person or by recorded delivery) during the rescission period without losing money.
One Wyndham owner claimed he tried to cancel his timeshare the same day he signed. He says Wyndham refused the cancellation and denies he attempted to do so. According to him, the company is now trying to damage his credit score.
Despite legal protections, timeshare companies (including Wyndham) have been accused of persuading buyers to waive cancellation rights, or of disputing receipt of written cancellation notices. If you are dealing with Wyndham or any timeshare provider, protect yourself by keeping a clear record and timeline of every interaction.
2. The sales pressure doesn’t end after you buy
You sit through the hours-long presentation and sign up. Now you’re a member, the hard sell is over, right?
Wrong.
That isn’t how many owners say Wyndham works. Reviewers claim that every time they visit a Wyndham resort, in-house sales teams push them towards an “owner update” (often dressed up as a free breakfast and a quick resort briefing). Owners say this “update” becomes another multi-hour sales presentation, focused on upgrading, buying more points, or taking on another product. The message is often that what you already bought isn’t sufficient, and you should spend more.
According to reviewers, this can happen on every holiday you ever take with Wyndham. In some cases, the sales pitch isn’t even for timeshare: some owners say they were signed up for credit cards at Wyndham resorts.
A Wyndham member on Consumer Affairs describes being invited to an owner update and promised a $100 gift card. Three hours later, he says he had been pressured into buying a Club Wyndham pass he didn’t need. He also reports attempts to sell him $23,000 of additional Wyndham points, with $17,000 to be financed over 10 years at 13% interest (arranged by the salesperson). The repayments on that $17,000 loan would have totalled $30,459.39, on top of the $6,000 deposit.
Wyndham may also target friends who travel with you as guests. A TripAdvisor reviewer recounts staying at a Wyndham resort in Tennessee with a friend who owned a timeshare, and being pushed into a sales presentation in return for free gifts.
After a gruelling experience with repeated attempts to sell her a membership, she declined.
Wyndham then allegedly refused to provide the promised gifts.
3. You can’t book the holiday you want, but you still pay the annual fees
A major theme in Wyndham timeshare owner reviews is escalating maintenance fees. The average annual maintenance fee in 2022 was $1,200, and can be higher for larger units or more points. Owners say these fees can rise without permission, and that you must pay whether you travel or not. During the pandemic, for example, owners still had to pay in full despite being unable to use the resorts.
With mandatory fees, you might reasonably expect to be able to book your preferred holiday each year.
However, a consistent complaint across review sites is availability: owners say they can’t secure dates and resorts in the way they can via booking.com and similar platforms.
One BBB example describes a woman who says she could not make progress booking through Wyndham’s online portal despite trying for two months. She reports contacting the company repeatedly without success, and says Wyndham only reached out to help after she posted on the BBB complaints page.
A different owner says she was told she would need to book more than 12 months in advance or buy more points. In her view, once she added up rising maintenance fees and other costs, she and her husband “could have travelled the world for a year.”
Wyndham may also encourage you to join the exchange system RCI" href="../tag/rci" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="3">RCI (which it also owns). But if you are already struggling to book through Wyndham, RCI’s availability record is not much better.
I’m an unhappy Wyndham owner. How do I get out?
“Firstly, do not Google ‘how to exit a timeshare’.” advises Andrew Cooper, CEO of European Consumer Claims. “Most of the results will be for dubious, disreputable firms who will take your money but then either disappear or file for bankruptcy.”
It may be possible to exit, but many people need expert, trustworthy support.
Look for a company that has been operating for several years, has strong independent reviews, shares video testimonials (not only written ones), and has physical offices you can visit in person or via video call. Check they offer payment by credit card, rather than insisting on bank transfer only.
Companies covered positively by reputable media are generally more reliable, because those outlets will have carried out basic fact-checking.
If you want to talk through your timeshare situation, get in touch with our experts at the Timeshare Advice Centre.
We can help.
