The 10 Worst Timeshare Companies to Avoid in 2025

You’re on vacation, the sun is warm, the drinks are cold, and the salesperson’s pitch sounds like a dream. “Lifetime vacations at a fraction of the cost!” “It’s an investment!” “This is the last opportunity at this price!” For thousands of families each year, this high-pressure scenario ends not with a dream vacation, but with a financial nightmare of escalating fees, impossible-to-use points, and a contract that feels inescapable.

The timeshare industry is complex, and while some companies operate with a degree of fairness, a significant number are notorious for trapping owners in contracts they quickly grow to regret. This isn’t about a bad vacation; it’s about a long-term financial burden that can impact your credit and your peace of mind.

In this definitive guide, we will empower you with the knowledge to protect yourself. You will learn the critical criteria that define a “worst” timeshare company, discover the 10 worst timeshare companies based on a mountain of owner complaints and legal actions, and most importantly, gain practical, actionable steps to either escape a bad contract or avoid one altogether.

Criteria: Defining the “Worst” in the Timeshare Industry

Before we name names, it’s crucial to understand why these companies earn their poor reputation. A “bad” timeshare company goes beyond a simple sales pitch; it builds systemic problems into the ownership experience that create long-term hardship for the owner.

The Cost Trap: Maintenance Fees and Special Assessments

The initial purchase price is often just the entry fee. The real financial drain comes from annual maintenance fees, which are largely unregulated. It’s common for these fees to increase at 2-3 times the rate of inflation, far outpacing wage growth. Failure to pay these fees can lead to ruined credit and even foreclosure, a shocking outcome for a supposed “prepaid vacation.”

The Owner Exclusion Problem: Resale and Flexibility

Many of the worst companies actively work against their owners’ best interests. They may impose “Right of First Refusal” (ROFR) clauses to block resales, refuse to take back deeds through official programs, or design points systems that are so complex and restrictive that booking a desirable week in a prime location becomes a near-impossible feat.

Consumer Complaints and Regulatory Action

We’ve analyzed volumes of data from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), state attorneys general, and owner advocacy forums like the Timeshare User Group (TUG). A pattern of consistent, unresolved complaints regarding deceptive sales, refusal to address problems, and outright fraudulent claims is a massive red flag.

The List: Naming and Shaming the 10 Worst Timeshare Companies

Based on the criteria above, here is our list of the 10 worst timeshare companies that consistently generate the most owner frustration and financial pain.

1. Bluegreen Vacations: The Fee Hike Specialists

Primary Complaint: Exorbitant and unpredictable annual maintenance fee increases.
The Details: While Bluegreen markets itself as a flexible points-based system, owners report that the initial dream is quickly soured by annual fee hikes that dramatically outpace inflation. Complaints also cite the confusing nature of their “Traveler Plus” program and difficulty booking at high-demand properties without paying significant additional fees.

2. Westgate Resorts: The Aggressive Sales King

Primary Complaint: Notoriously high-pressure, marathon sales presentations and deceptive sales tactics.
The Details: Westgate is arguably the most infamous name in the industry for its sales culture. Owners recount presentations lasting 6-8 hours where they were misled about the rental income potential, the ease of trading, and the actual benefits of ownership. The company has also faced numerous lawsuits over its business practices.

3. Holiday Inn Club Vacations (formerly Silverleaf): The Customer Service Black Hole

Primary Complaint: Systemic failure in customer service and reservation booking.
The Details: Despite the trusted Holiday Inn brand, this timeshare arm is plagued by complaints about unresponsive customer service, long hold times, and a glitch-ridden online booking system. Owners report extreme difficulty securing reservations at the resorts they were promised, turning “vacation ownership” into a constant battle.

4. Diamond Resorts (now part of Hilton Grand Vacations): The Points Complexity Trap

Primary Complaint: An intentionally complex points system that devalues over time.
The Details: Before its acquisition by Hilton, Diamond was a master of creating a points system so convoluted that owners could never quite use their points effectively. The program was frequently changed, often devaluing points and making previously affordable vacations suddenly out of reach. While Hilton is working to integrate the brand, many legacy Diamond owners are still struggling.

5. Wyndham Destinations: The Resale Obstructionist

Primary Complaint: Actively devaluing and blocking the resale market for its owners.
The Details: Wyndham is a giant in the industry, but it treats resale buyers as second-class citizens. Owners who purchase on the resale market are often barred from converting their points into Wyndham Rewards or booking at the most desirable resorts, effectively crushing the resale value for all owners and locking them in.

6. Vistana Signature Experiences (Marriott): The Elite-Tier Exclusion

Primary Complaint: A multi-tiered system that heavily favors new, retail buyers over legacy owners.
The Details: While Marriott Vacation Club is generally better regarded, its Vistana arm has drawn ire for creating an “elite” status system (e.g., “Flex” options) that renders older, fixed-week ownerships less valuable and makes it harder for those owners to trade within the network.

7. Welk Resorts: The High-Pressure Relic

Primary Complaint: Outdated properties combined with relentless sales pressure.
The Details: Named after the famous bandleader, Welk Resorts often targets an older demographic. Complaints focus on sales teams that won’t take “no” for an answer and use fear tactics, suggesting that properties will be “sold out forever” if they don’t act immediately, often for resorts that are past their prime.

8. Disney Vacation Club: The Premium Price Predicament

Primary Complaint: Extremely high buy-in costs and rapidly escalating annual dues.
The Details: DVC is often considered the “gold standard” in terms of quality and service. However, it earns a spot here for its sheer cost. The initial purchase price is astronomical, and annual dues have been rising sharply. For many, the math no longer works, and the magical experience comes with a severe financial hangover.

9. Grand Pacific Resorts: The Special Assessment Surprise

Primary Complaint: Hitting owners with massive, unexpected “special assessment” fees.
The Details: Beyond the predictable maintenance fees, the worst financial shock can be a special assessment—a large, mandatory fee for a major renovation or repair. Grand Pacific has a pattern of levying these hefty assessments on owners with little warning, causing significant financial strain.

10. Shell Vacations Club: The Reservation Roulette

Primary Complaint: Chronic lack of availability and a broken reservation system.
The Details: Owners report that the promise of flexible vacations is a myth. The online portal shows constant “no availability” for sought-after locations and dates, even when booking the maximum 12 months in advance. This fundamental failure to deliver on the core promise of ownership is a primary source of anger.

Escaping the Trap: Actionable Exit Strategies

If you own with one of the companies listed above, don’t despair. You have options, but you must act strategically.

Acting Immediately: The Rescission Period

The Details: Every timeshare contract, by law, includes a “rescission” or “cooling-off” period—typically 3-10 days depending on the state. This is your single most powerful tool. If you are within this window, cancel now. Follow the instructions in your contract exactly, usually requiring a written letter sent via certified mail. Do not be swayed by salespeople who tell you it’s “too late” or “impossible.”

Long-Term Solutions: Resale vs. Cancellation

The Details: If you’re past the rescission period, the path is harder.
- Resale: Be realistic. The resale market is flooded, and timeshares from the companies on this list often have a resale value of $0. Be extremely wary of companies that demand large upfront fees to list your timeshare; these are often timeshare resale scams.
- Cancellation Companies: Legitimate timeshare exit firms can help, but they are expensive and operate through negotiation or litigation. They should never guarantee a successful exit and should be transparent about their fees and process (often charging a substantial fee only after a successful exit). Research them extensively on the BBB and TUG before signing anything.

Deed-Back Programs and Hardship Exits

The Details: Some of the larger, more reputable companies (e.g., Marriott, Hilton) have official “deed-back” or exit programs where they will take the property back, sometimes for a fee. For the worst companies, this is rarely an option. In cases of genuine hardship (severe medical issues, permanent disability, bankruptcy), you can petition the company directly, but success is not guaranteed.

Prevention: How to Avoid Becoming a Timeshare Statistic

The best exit strategy is never to get trapped in the first place.

Never Buy Retail from the Developer

The Details: The price you pay directly from the developer includes a massive markup—often 40% or more—that goes purely to marketing and sales commissions. If, after exhaustive research, you decide timeshare ownership is for you, only look at the resale market where prices are a fraction of the cost.

The “Wait 24 Hours” Rule

The Details: This is non-negotiable. No matter how amazing the offer seems, never, ever sign a contract on the same day as the sales presentation. Take the contract, leave the property, and do your homework. Research the specific resort, the developer, and read every word of the contract. A legitimate offer will still be there tomorrow. A predatory one will vanish—and good riddance.

Conclusion

The dream of a timeshare is often shattered by the reality of dealing with the 10 worst timeshare companies—those known for aggressive sales, crippling fees, and a fundamental disregard for their owners. The common threads are a lack of transparency, broken promises, and contracts designed to be difficult to exit.

Informed research is your only true defense against timeshare regret. If you currently own with one of these poorly rated companies, your path forward is to immediately and realistically assess your options for a timeshare exit. Start by contacting your resort to inquire about any official deed-back programs, and then proceed with extreme caution, focusing on reputable, verified exit strategies. Your financial future is worth the effort.