Vacation Ownership Glossary

353 plain-English definitions — every term APAC owners encounter, explained without jargon.

A

Accelerated Use

An arrangement allowing an owner to use future vacation entitlement earlier than originally scheduled.

Tier C
Accommodation Certificate

A certificate or benefit providing access to qualifying vacation accommodation under specified conditions.

Tier C
Accrued Points

Vacation points retained or accumulated from previous allocation periods.

Tier C
Advance Reservation Priority (ARP)

A booking advantage allowing qualifying owners to reserve accommodation before the standard reservation window.

Tier C
Advance-Fee Resalealso: advance fee resale

A resale service requiring an owner to pay a fee before a timeshare is sold or transferred.

Tier B
Affiliated Resort

A resort participating in a vacation club or external exchange network.

Tier B
All-Inclusive Feealso: all inclusive fee

A mandatory or optional resort charge covering specified meals, beverages, activities, or services.

Tier C
Alternate-Year Ownershipalso: alternate year ownership

Ownership providing vacation entitlement every second year rather than annually.

Tier C
Anniversary Date

The recurring date used by some clubs to determine annual allocations, membership periods, or benefit renewals.

Tier B
Annual Allocation

The points, credits, nights, or other vacation entitlement issued to an owner each year.

Tier B
Annual Dues

Recurring charges associated with membership in a vacation ownership program or club.

Tier B
Annual Usage

Ownership providing vacation entitlement every year.

Tier C
Appointment Confirmation

Confirmation of a scheduled vacation ownership presentation.

Tier C
Appraisal

An assessment of the value of a timeshare or vacation ownership interest, where applicable.

Tier C
Arrival Gift

A promotional benefit provided to an eligible participant upon arrival or completion of specified conditions.

Tier C
Assessment

A charge imposed on owners to fund resort expenses or obligations.

Tier B
Association Fee

A recurring fee charged by an owners' or homeowners' association.

Tier C
Availability

Vacation accommodation currently open for reservation.

Tier A
Availability Window

The period during which particular vacation inventory may be booked.

Tier C

B

Back-to-Back Reservationalso: back to back reservation

Consecutive reservations arranged to create a longer continuous stay.

Tier C
Banked Points

Unused vacation points moved into a future use period.

Tier B
Banking

Saving unused vacation time, points, or credits for later use.

Tier A
Beneficial Interest

An owner's economic or usage interest in vacation property held through a trust or similar structure.

Tier C
Biennial Ownership

Vacation ownership providing usage every two years.

Tier C
Biennial Usage

The right to use an ownership interest once every two years.

Tier B
Bonus Points

Additional vacation points awarded beyond an owner's standard allocation.

Tier C
Bonus Time

Additional vacation accommodation available beyond normal ownership entitlement, often at discounted rates.

Tier C
Booking Fee

A charge imposed for making certain reservations.

Tier B
Booking Priority

Preferential reservation access granted to qualifying owners.

Tier C
Booking Window

The period before arrival during which a reservation may be made.

Tier A
Borrowed Points

Future-year points brought forward for current use.

Tier B
Borrowing

Using future vacation entitlement during an earlier use period.

Tier A
Branded Residence Club

A shared vacation residence program associated with a hospitality or luxury brand.

Tier C
Breakage

Vacation inventory or entitlement that expires or goes unused.

Tier C
Bulk Banking

Deposit of multiple resort weeks or inventory into an exchange system by a resort or developer.

Tier C
Buyback Program

A program under which a developer or resort may repurchase qualifying ownership interests.

Tier B
Buyer Closing Costs

Costs payable by a purchaser when completing a timeshare transfer.

Tier C
Buyer Qualification

Requirements that a purchaser or promotional-tour participant must satisfy.

Tier C

C

Calendar-Year Usealso: calendar year use

Vacation entitlement operating from January through December.

Tier C
Call-Back Leadalso: call back lead

A prospect requiring follow-up contact by a sales or reservations representative.

Tier C
Cancellation Fee

A fee charged when cancelling certain reservations.

Tier C
Cancellation Policy

Rules governing reservation cancellations and associated penalties.

Tier B
Cancellation Window

The period during which a reservation can be cancelled under specified conditions.

Tier B
Certificate of Ownership

Documentation evidencing a vacation ownership interest or membership.

Tier C
Check-In Dayalso: check in day

The designated arrival day for a vacation ownership reservation.

Tier C
Closing

The process of completing the legal or administrative transfer of an ownership interest.

Tier C
Closing Company

A business handling documentation, funds, and other aspects of a timeshare transfer.

Tier C
Club Dues

Recurring charges associated with vacation club membership.

Tier C
Club Inventory

Accommodation made available for reservations within a vacation club.

Tier C
Club Membership

Participation in a vacation club providing specified accommodation or travel benefits.

Tier C
Club Points

Units used as booking currency within a points-based vacation club.

Tier C
Club Resort

A resort participating in a particular vacation club.

Tier C
Club Season

A demand classification affecting point requirements or reservation rights.

Tier C
Club Year

The annual period governing membership benefits and vacation entitlement.

Tier C
Completed Tour

A qualifying vacation ownership presentation attended and completed according to the program's requirements.

Tier C
Conversion Fee

A charge for converting an existing ownership interest into another vacation ownership format.

Tier C
Conversion Program

A program allowing traditional ownership to be converted into points or another usage structure.

Tier C
Cooling-Off Periodalso: cooling off period

A legally prescribed period during which an eligible purchaser may cancel a timeshare contract.

Tier A
Corporate Membership

Vacation club membership held by a company or legal entity.

Tier C
Cost Per Tour (CPT)

Marketing cost incurred for each qualifying completed sales presentation.

Tier C
Couples Qualification

A promotional rule requiring qualifying partners to attend a sales presentation together.

Tier C
Credit-Based Ownershipalso: credit based ownership

A vacation ownership structure using credits as reservation currency.

Tier C
Cruise Exchange

Use or exchange of eligible vacation ownership benefits toward cruise travel.

Tier C

D

Day Use

Access to specified resort facilities without an overnight stay.

Tier C
Deed

A legal instrument used to convey ownership of real property, including certain deeded timeshares.

Tier C
Deed-Backalso: deed back

Transfer of a deeded ownership interest back to an accepting resort, association, or developer.

Tier B
Deeded Timeshare

Timeshare ownership involving a legal interest in real property.

Tier B
Deeded Week

A vacation week represented by a deeded ownership interest.

Tier C
Default

Failure to satisfy contractual financial or other obligations associated with ownership.

Tier C
Delinquent Account

An owner account with unpaid fees, assessments, or other amounts due.

Tier C
Delinquent Maintenance Fees

Maintenance fees that remain unpaid after their due date.

Tier C
Deposit

Vacation entitlement placed into an exchange system for future use.

Tier C
Deposit Credit

Exchange value assigned to deposited vacation ownership inventory.

Tier C
Destination Club

A membership program providing access to a portfolio of vacation residences or resorts.

Tier C
Destination Fee

A resort charge covering specified facilities, amenities, or services.

Tier C
Developer

The company responsible for developing or initially marketing a vacation ownership project.

Tier B
Developer Inventory

Vacation ownership interests or accommodation inventory controlled by the developer.

Tier C
Developer Price

The purchase price charged by the developer.

Tier C
Developer Purchase

Vacation ownership bought directly from the developer.

Tier C
Developer Resale Restriction

A limitation affecting benefits attached to ownership acquired through resale.

Tier C
Direct Exchange

An exchange arranged directly between owners without a conventional exchange company.

Tier C
Direct Purchase

Vacation ownership purchased directly from a developer or club.

Tier C
Discovery Package

A short-term vacation product designed to introduce prospective customers to a vacation club or resort.

Tier C
Dual Affiliation

A resort's participation in more than one exchange network.

Tier C

E

Elite Benefits

Additional privileges provided to qualifying higher-tier owners.

Tier C
Elite Status

Enhanced membership status based on qualifying ownership or program criteria.

Tier C
Encore Package

A follow-up promotional vacation package offered after an initial sales presentation or stay.

Tier C
Enrollment Fee

A one-time charge for joining a vacation ownership program.

Tier C
Escrow

An arrangement where money or documents are held by a third party until specified conditions are met.

Tier C
Even-Year Ownershipalso: even year ownership

Biennial ownership providing usage during even-numbered years.

Tier C
Exchange

Trading vacation entitlement for accommodation at another resort, destination, or period.

Tier A
Exchange Accommodation

Accommodation obtained through a vacation exchange.

Tier C
Exchange Availability

Inventory currently obtainable through an exchange program.

Tier C
Exchange Company

An organization facilitating exchanges among owners and participating resorts.

Tier B
Exchange Confirmation

Confirmation that an exchange request has successfully secured accommodation.

Tier B
Exchange Deposit

Vacation entitlement submitted to an exchange company.

Tier B
Exchange Fee

A charge for completing an exchange transaction.

Tier B
Exchange Membership

Membership providing access to an exchange network.

Tier C
Exchange Network

A collection of resorts participating in an exchange program.

Tier B
Exchange Partner

An external travel or accommodation organization participating in a vacation club's exchange arrangements.

Tier C
Exchange Power

The relative ability of deposited ownership to obtain desirable exchange accommodation.

Tier B
Exchange Request

A request for specified accommodation through an exchange network.

Tier B
Exchange Search

A search for available accommodation within an exchange network.

Tier C
Exchange Week

A vacation week obtained through an exchange.

Tier C
Exit Assistance

Services intended to help owners evaluate legitimate options for disposing of unwanted vacation ownership.

Tier C
Exit Company

A third-party business offering services intended to assist owners in disposing of timeshare interests.

Tier A
Exit Contract

An agreement for services related to disposing of or terminating vacation ownership.

Tier C
Exit Fee

A charge associated with certain ownership termination, surrender, or transfer arrangements.

Tier C
Exit Scam

A fraudulent or deceptive scheme targeting owners seeking to dispose of timeshares.

Tier B
Expiration Date

The date after which unused vacation entitlement is no longer valid.

Tier C
External Exchange

An exchange made through a network outside an owner's primary vacation club.

Tier B

M

Maintenance Assessment

A charge levied to meet maintenance-related expenses.

Tier C
Maintenance Feealso: timeshare yearly fee, maintenance charges, owner fees, annual levy

A recurring owner charge covering resort operations, upkeep, management, reserves, and related expenses.

Tier A
Maintenance Fee Cap

A contractual or regulatory limitation, where applicable, on maintenance fee increases.

Tier C
Maintenance Fee Per Point

Annual maintenance cost calculated according to points owned.

Tier C
Managed Resort

A vacation ownership property operated by a professional management company.

Tier C
Management Agreement

A contract appointing a company to operate or manage a vacation ownership property.

Tier C
Management Company

The organization responsible for day-to-day resort management.

Tier C
Membership Agreement

A contract setting out a vacation club member's rights and obligations.

Tier B
Membership Benefits

Accommodation, travel, reservation, or other privileges available to members.

Tier C
Membership Certificate

Documentation evidencing membership in a vacation ownership club.

Tier C
Membership Level

A tier determined by qualifying ownership or program criteria.

Tier C
Membership Term

The period for which membership remains valid.

Tier C
Midweek Stay

A reservation concentrated on weekday nights.

Tier C
Mini-Systemalso: mini system

A smaller vacation ownership network containing a limited collection of resorts.

Tier C
Mini-Vacation Packagealso: mini vacation package

A short promotional resort stay commonly connected with a vacation ownership presentation.

Tier C
Minimum Stay

The shortest reservation permitted for particular accommodation or dates.

Tier B

O

Occupancy Limit

Maximum permitted number of guests in a unit.

Tier C
Odd-Year Ownershipalso: odd year ownership

Biennial ownership providing usage in odd-numbered years.

Tier C
Off-Peak Seasonalso: off peak season

A period of relatively low vacation demand.

Tier C
Ongoing Search

A continuing exchange request that remains active while the system searches for matching inventory.

Tier C
Onsite Marketingalso: on-site marketing, destination marketing, resort marketing, timeshare marketing desk

Marketing activity conducted at or near a destination to identify and invite prospective customers to a vacation ownership presentation, preview, or related promotion.

Tier B
Onsite Previewalso: on-site preview, free gift timeshare presentation, resort preview, vacation club preview

A vacation ownership sales presentation arranged after a prospective customer is approached while already at a resort, hotel, shopping area, attraction, or other destination location, often with an incentive to attend.

Tier A
Owner

A person or entity holding a vacation ownership interest or entitlement.

Tier B
Owner Account

The account recording an owner's entitlement, reservations, fees, and membership information.

Tier C
Owner Benefits

Privileges available to eligible owners.

Tier C
Owner Booking

A reservation using an owner's vacation entitlement.

Tier C
Owner ID

A membership or ownership identifier.

Tier C
Owner Portal

An online system through which owners manage reservations and account information.

Tier C
Owner Referral Lead

A prospective customer introduced by an existing owner.

Tier C
Owner Referral Program

A program rewarding owners for referring prospective purchasers.

Tier C
Owner Services

A department assisting owners with reservations, accounts, fees, and membership matters.

Tier C
Owner Surrender

Voluntary return of an ownership interest through an approved process.

Tier C
Owner Update

A meeting or presentation provided to existing owners, sometimes involving additional sales offers.

Tier C
Owners' Association

An organization representing owners and administering specified resort matters.

Tier C
Ownership Certificate

Documentation evidencing vacation ownership rights.

Tier C
Ownership Interest

A legal, beneficial, or contractual interest in a vacation ownership arrangement.

Tier B
Ownership Transfer

Transfer of vacation ownership from one party to another.

Tier A

P

Peak Season

The highest-demand reservation period.

Tier B
Perpetual Ownership

Ownership without a predetermined expiry date, subject to applicable law and governing documents.

Tier C
Points

Units representing reservation entitlement within a points-based vacation ownership system.

Tier A
Points Account

An account recording an owner's points allocations and transactions.

Tier C
Points Allocation

The quantity of vacation points assigned for a specified use period.

Tier C
Points Chart

A schedule showing points required for different accommodation, seasons, or dates.

Tier B
Points Club

A vacation ownership program using points as reservation currency.

Tier C
Points Conversion

Conversion between an ownership interest and a points-based entitlement.

Tier C
Points Expiration

Loss of unused points after their validity period.

Tier B
Points Package

A specified quantity of vacation club points associated with a purchase or membership.

Tier C
Points Protection

A program feature allowing eligible points to retain some value following certain reservation changes or cancellations.

Tier C
Points Reservation

A booking made using vacation points.

Tier C
Points Transfer

Movement of eligible points between accounts where permitted.

Tier C
Points Value

The reservation utility represented by a quantity of vacation points.

Tier C
Points-Based Timesharealso: points based timeshare

Vacation ownership where reservations are primarily made using points.

Tier B
Premier Owner

An owner qualifying for an enhanced membership tier.

Tier C
Presale

Sale of vacation ownership before completion or opening of a project.

Tier C
Presentation Incentive

A benefit offered in connection with attending a qualifying sales presentation.

Tier B
Preview Package

A discounted or promotional resort stay connected with a vacation ownership presentation.

Tier A
Priority Booking

Preferential reservation access available to qualifying owners.

Tier C
Private Residence Club

A luxury shared-ownership arrangement providing access to high-end residences.

Tier C
Promotional Stay

Discounted or incentivized accommodation associated with vacation ownership marketing.

Tier B
Property Management Fee

A charge associated with professional management of vacation ownership property.

Tier C

R

RCI

A major vacation exchange organization serving affiliated resorts and eligible members.

Tier A
Reconfirmation

Verification of an existing reservation before travel.

Tier C
Redemption

Use of vacation points, credits, or benefits for an eligible reservation or service.

Tier C
Rental Program

A program through which eligible vacation ownership accommodation may be rented to third parties.

Tier C
Rental Restriction

A rule limiting an owner's ability to rent vacation ownership accommodation.

Tier C
Resalealso: secondary market, pre-owned timeshare

Sale of an existing vacation ownership interest by an owner rather than the developer.

Tier A
Resale Broker

A broker assisting owners and buyers with secondary-market transactions where legally permitted.

Tier C
Resale Buyer

A purchaser acquiring vacation ownership on the secondary market.

Tier C
Resale Closing

Completion of a secondary-market timeshare transfer.

Tier C
Resale Commission

Compensation charged by an eligible intermediary for completing a resale transaction.

Tier C
Resale Listing

An advertisement offering an existing vacation ownership interest for sale.

Tier B
Resale Market

The secondary marketplace for existing vacation ownership.

Tier C
Resale Price

The price agreed for an ownership interest on the secondary market.

Tier C
Resale Restriction

A limitation affecting ownership purchased through the secondary market.

Tier B
Resale Scam

Fraud targeting owners or purchasers in the secondary timeshare market.

Tier B
Resale Value

The amount an ownership interest may command on the secondary market.

Tier A
Rescissionalso: cancel timeshare purchase, cooling-off cancellation

Cancellation of an eligible timeshare purchase contract within an applicable cancellation period.

Tier A
Rescission Notice

Formal notice used to exercise a purchaser's cancellation right.

Tier B
Rescission Period

The applicable period during which an eligible timeshare contract may be cancelled.

Tier C
Reservation

A confirmed booking of vacation accommodation.

Tier B
Reservation Cancellation

Cancellation of a previously confirmed booking.

Tier C
Reservation Confirmation

Documentation confirming a successful reservation.

Tier B
Reservation Fee

A charge associated with certain bookings.

Tier B
Reservation Priority

Rules determining preferential access to accommodation.

Tier B
Reservation System

The platform or process used to manage vacation ownership bookings.

Tier C
Reservation Transaction

A booking, cancellation, modification, or related action recorded against an owner's account.

Tier C
Resort Credit

Credit usable for specified resort purchases or services.

Tier C
Resort Directory

A listing of resorts within a vacation ownership or exchange program.

Tier C
Resort Fee

A charge covering specified resort amenities or services.

Tier C
Resort Inventory

Accommodation controlled or made available by a resort.

Tier C
Resort Management

Administration and operation of a vacation ownership resort.

Tier C
Resort Network

A collection of resorts available within a vacation ownership system.

Tier C
Resort Season

A demand classification assigned to vacation periods.

Tier C
Resort Transfer Fee

A charge imposed in connection with an ownership transfer.

Tier C
Right of First Refusal (ROFR)

A contractual right allowing a designated party to purchase an ownership interest on the same terms offered to an outside buyer.

Tier B
Right-to-Use (RTU)also: right to use, leasehold timeshare

A vacation ownership arrangement granting usage rights for a defined term without necessarily conveying real-property ownership.

Tier A
Rolling Booking Window

A reservation window continuously opening a fixed number of days or months before arrival.

Tier C

S

Sales Center

A facility where vacation ownership presentations and sales activities are conducted.

Tier C
Sales Presentationalso: vacation ownership presentation, sales tour

A presentation explaining and offering vacation ownership products.

Tier A
Sales Qualification

Criteria used to determine whether a prospect is eligible for a particular vacation ownership presentation.

Tier C
Sales Tour

A structured presentation or resort visit during which vacation ownership is marketed.

Tier B
Season

A demand category used to classify vacation periods.

Tier B
Seasonal Points Value

The number of points required for accommodation during a particular season.

Tier B
Secondary Market

The marketplace for previously owned vacation ownership interests.

Tier B
Short Stay

A reservation shorter than a traditional seven-night interval.

Tier C
Shoulder Season

The travel period between peak and low seasons.

Tier B
Spacebank

A pool of vacation inventory deposited with an exchange organization for exchange use.

Tier C
Special Assessment

An additional owner charge for significant expenses outside the regular operating budget.

Tier A
Split Week

An arrangement permitting a traditional vacation week to be divided into shorter stays.

Tier C
Standard Reservation Window

The normal booking period available to eligible owners.

Tier C
Studio Unit

Accommodation generally combining sleeping and living areas in one main space.

Tier C
Supplemental Points

Points obtained in addition to an owner's standard allocation.

Tier C
Surrenderalso: return timeshare, timeshare exit

Voluntary return or relinquishment of an ownership interest where permitted.

Tier A
Surrender Program

A formal program allowing qualifying owners to return their ownership.

Tier B

T

Timeshare

A vacation ownership arrangement providing multiple owners or members with rights to use accommodation at different times.

Tier A
Timeshare Association

An organization representing or administering owners within a timeshare property.

Tier C
Timeshare Closing

Completion of the legal and administrative process involved in transferring timeshare ownership.

Tier C
Timeshare Contract

The agreement defining purchase, usage, fees, obligations, and other terms of timeshare ownership.

Tier B
Timeshare Deed

A deed conveying a real-property interest in a deeded timeshare.

Tier C
Timeshare Developer

A company developing and initially selling vacation ownership interests.

Tier C
Timeshare Exchange

Trading vacation entitlement for another destination, resort, or travel period.

Tier C
Timeshare Exit

Permanent disposal, surrender, or termination of a timeshare interest.

Tier C
Timeshare Financing

Credit used to finance a vacation ownership purchase.

Tier C
Timeshare Foreclosure

A legal process that may result from default on qualifying timeshare-related financial obligations.

Tier C
Timeshare Interval

A defined vacation period associated with ownership.

Tier C
Timeshare Management

Administration of a timeshare resort or ownership program.

Tier C
Timeshare Owner

A person or entity holding a timeshare interest.

Tier C
Timeshare Presentation

A sales presentation promoting vacation ownership.

Tier C
Timeshare Resale

Sale of an existing timeshare interest to another buyer.

Tier C
Timeshare Resort

A resort containing accommodation offered through vacation ownership arrangements.

Tier C
Timeshare Transfer

Transfer of a timeshare interest between parties.

Tier C
Title

Legal evidence or recognition of property ownership in deeded structures.

Tier C
Title Search

Examination of ownership records before certain deeded timeshare transfers.

Tier C
Title Transfer

Transfer of legal title to a deeded ownership interest.

Tier C
Tour Gift

A benefit provided for completing an eligible vacation ownership presentation.

Tier C
Tour No-Showalso: tour no show

A qualified participant who does not attend a scheduled presentation.

Tier C
Tour Qualification

Eligibility requirements for participation in a promotional sales presentation.

Tier B
Tour Reschedule

Moving a scheduled vacation ownership presentation to another time or date.

Tier C
Trading Power

The relative exchange strength of deposited vacation ownership.

Tier B
Trading Value

The relative value assigned to vacation ownership inventory for exchange purposes.

Tier C
Transfer Agreement

Documentation governing transfer of an ownership interest.

Tier B
Transfer Company

A business assisting with documentation and administration of an ownership transfer.

Tier C
Transfer Fee

A fee charged in connection with changing ownership records.

Tier B
Transfer Restriction

A rule limiting or conditioning transfer of an ownership interest.

Tier C
Trial Membership

Limited-duration vacation club membership offered before or instead of full ownership.

Tier C
Trust-Based Ownershipalso: trust based ownership

A structure in which vacation property is held through a trust while members receive specified beneficial or usage interests.

Tier C
Trustee

A person or entity responsible for holding or administering assets within a trust-based ownership structure.

Tier C

V

Vacation Club

A membership or ownership program providing access to vacation accommodation.

Tier A
Vacation Credits

Units used to reserve accommodation or benefits within certain vacation clubs.

Tier C
Vacation Exchange

Trading vacation entitlement for another resort, destination, or travel period.

Tier C
Vacation Interval

A defined vacation usage period associated with ownership.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership

The broad industry term for arrangements providing recurring interests or rights in vacation accommodation.

Tier A
Vacation Ownership Advisor

A representative assisting prospective or existing vacation ownership customers.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Association

An organization representing vacation ownership participants or interests.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Contract

An agreement defining the terms of a vacation ownership purchase or membership.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Developer

A company creating and marketing vacation ownership products.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Disclosure Statement

A disclosure document providing specified information concerning a vacation ownership offering, where required by applicable law.

Tier B
Vacation Ownership Interest

A legal, beneficial, or contractual interest in a vacation ownership arrangement.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Plan

The legal and operational structure governing a vacation ownership project.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Presentation

A sales presentation promoting a vacation ownership product.

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Presentation Incentive

Accommodation, vouchers, points, gifts, tickets, or other benefits offered in connection with a qualifying presentation. Resale, Exit & Owner-Protection Terminology

Tier C
Vacation Ownership Resort

A resort participating in a vacation ownership program.

Tier C
Vacation Points

Units representing vacation entitlement within a points-based system.

Tier C
Vacation Reservation System

A booking system through which members reserve accommodation.

Tier C
Vacation Year

The annual period governing vacation entitlement.

Tier C