Exotic Travelers

This review is for the membership, not for the resort. Although, the resort isn't what it used to be either.

We bought a membership almost 20 years ago, back when it was just starting. So many things have changed over the years, and not for the better. They oversell the membership in the sales meetings and promise things that are never delivered, like new resorts coming up. They also have sales tactics that are sketchy at best.

They neglect to tell you certain important information and make it seem like you can sell some of your weeks to recoup costs, but that is a farce. One of the biggest problems is that they neglect to tell you that you'll spend thousands, even tens of thousands on the membership, but have to pay more for "presidential" rooms to actually get the benefits you think you've already paid for. So if you spent $30,000 to be an Emerald member, they neglect to tell you that in order to get your Emerald benefits you have to book an "Emerald Presidential" room. Those are hard to book as there aren't very many of them.

So if you don't book an Emerald presidential, you won't get your emerald benefits. They also fail to mention that the same exact room without benefits is much cheaper, so essentially to get your benefits, you pay for the membership, but then also pay a higher rate for the room with benefits. I've priced out the benefits and if you paid for the cheaper room and just paid for the benefits individually, its cheaper than booking a presidential. So you do pay for your benefits twice, once when you buy in and then each time you book a presidential room.

It is a total ripoff. The people who say its worth it get payoffs and free vacations. Don't let them tell you they don't. The only people who say its worth it, are people who travel multiple times a year (like once a month) and have money burning holes in their pockets.

If money is no object for you, then by all means, go ahead and buy a membership. If you care about your money and not getting ripped off, RUN as far away from this membership as you can.

They also have changed their terms in their contracts. It no longer guarantees you "at least 50% off" rack rates, now it says "up to 50% off" which is a HUGE difference. Oh and "rack rates" are a made up fictional number that NOONE actually pays.

They are inflated rates to make it seem like you're getting a good deal. They fail to tell you that in the sales meetings as well. You can get just as good a deal from a travel agent or even online (like Expedia). You can also get a week from a member in many of the Facebook groups.

Many members would like to get out, but Exotic realized that and added a "transfer fee" that is an exorbitant amount, so members can't sell their memberships anymore. Oh, they also added a clause to their contracts that says you can't talk bad about them online or they can cancel your membership. They can also change the terms whenever they want.

(see photos) Save yourself the trouble and don't buy in. There are many other issues with the membership, including the recent split from Prestige that had cut the number of resorts available to stay at, in half; no website to book on or check rates for over two months (almost three), but I could go on for days.

If you're considering buying a membership, my advice is Don't.

We purchased a 30 year membership at the third to highest level. Once they got our money, it has been all downhill!!!

We cannot get help, we have 2 tickets waiting for Flyback refund, it has been 2 years for one of the 2 rebates.. we have never seen a cent! We have been unable to access and use the travel share program with them, that is supposed to allow 2 weeks at participating resorts anywhere in the world! WRONG!

No one can assist us with or get the program going. We were told we can bring friends & family under our membership, and they were supposed to enjoy our Membership privileges while there.. WRONG!!! We have arranged a Whole family vacation this coming December, and they refused to book my parents, my brothers, sister-in-laws, or nieces & nephews.

They didnt qualify . Its crap! The only true benefit of this 35K membership is we get 5 bottles of alcohol in our room per trip. Big deal, alcohol is included in your resort reservation price, and you will get up charged for any premium liquor.

We are going to see how we can dump this program, and get (At least) some money back for a refunded membership.

DO NOT JOIN THEIR RESORT MEMBERSHIP! I am disabled, and cannot work. This cost (That was presented to us as a program we could transfer to our children, as we paid off the remaining membership coasts within one year of purchase) has been a financial mistake on our part. Dont let them pressure you while they are power feeding you alcohol, have high pressure sales staff, and you are looking out at paradise around you.

It is a scam! Do Not Do this, learn from me!

Website has been down for weeks as under maintenance. Unable to login with credentials given and cannot reset password and password reset email never arrives.

Tried contacting sales person, James, and no responses at all. Every customer support number tried either has automated message or no answer. When you do get to a live person you are put on hold and call disconnects.

Cannot transfer any time/weeks to the other exchanges due to issues above. I DO NOT recommene buying into the sales pitch and time share with this company.

The new website is up, it has no phone numbers. Many of the resorts are no longer available.

You can no longer find a hotel based on member level and you cannot search dates by calendar. Tried calling and they just leave you on hold for hours.

This went from an enjoyable vacation company to a complete scam. They have your money and have made it impossible to use it so you just lose it.