Timeshare Temptations

Have you ever walked into a situation absolutely committed to saying "no," only to surprise yourself by saying "yes"? That's exactly what happened during our impromptu getaway to the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Sitting poolside at the historic Arabella Hotel—where Elvis Presley once requested the very diving pool we enjoyed—we unpack our unexpected journey from timeshare skeptics to vacation ownership "dabblers." The hotel itself is steeped in Hollywood history, with connections to John Wayne and Henry Fonda, making our $400 three-night stay feel even more valuable.Our commitment was simple: endure the obligatory two-hour timeshare presentation in exchange for our discounted stay and loyalty points. Armed with years of credit card hacking experience and previous disappointing timeshare encounters, we arrived with crossed arms and defensive postures. But something different happened this time. The presentation's transparency and focus on a points-based ownership model rather than traditional week-based timeshares unexpectedly resonated with our logical approach to travel.For frequent travelers who traveled for nearly 50 days last year, the concept of "owning" versus "renting" points suddenly made mathematical sense. We detail how we ultimately credit card hacked our purchase to earn 260,000 bonus points, the value proposition that changed our minds, and our potential plans to donate some of our timeshare opportunities to charity fundraisers in the future.Whether you're a timeshare owner, a timeshare skeptic, or someone who's sat through countless presentations for the free gifts, we'd love to hear your experiences. What would make giving up precious vacation time worth it for you? Share your thoughts and join us on this journey of epic adventures with epic people!