Should You Donate Timeshare?
What does it mean to donate timeshare—and is it a good idea?
To donate timeshare means transferring ownership, often to a charity, in hopes of escaping costly obligations. While it sounds generous, in most cases, it’s not a true solution.
Many owners want to donate timeshare because they feel trapped in a contract filled with broken promises and financial strain. But passing on this burden to someone else—especially a charitable organization—often creates more problems than it solves.
Why Donating a Timeshare Often Backfires
If you feel tempted to donate your timeshare, pause and ask yourself why. In our experience, most owners pursue a time share donation after failed exit attempts, hoping a charity or another person will take it off their hands. But many charities no longer accept these donations—and here’s why.
Charitable groups that once accepted timeshares now actively seek to remove them from their books. They’ve learned that taking on a deeded timeshare often comes with poor availability, ongoing fees, and legal obligations. In other words, they inherit the same frustrations that led you to donate the timeshare in the first place.
Common Reasons Owners Try to Donate Timeshare
1. Poor Availability
Owners often struggle to book their unit during preferred dates. When they call for help, they’re upsold on points or upgrades instead. After the rescission period ends, many realize they’ve bought into a system that limits rather than expands their vacation options.
2. Misleading Sales Tactics
Timeshare sales reps excel at creating excitement while conveniently leaving out key contract details. Once owners realize they were misled, disappointment quickly turns into desperation. That’s when many start looking to donate timeshare to charity as a way out.
3. Unexpected Fees
Owners regularly report surprise maintenance fees and special assessments. These additional costs—on top of taxes and interest—can double the anticipated price. Charities or friends who receive a donated timeshare will likely face the same financial surprises.
4. Failed Resolutions
Many owners fall for upgrade programs or exchange systems that never deliver. When those options fail, they feel betrayed again—and look for any way out, including time share donation.
5. No Resale Market
Despite what salespeople say, the resale market for timeshares is virtually nonexistent. Timeshares listed for $1 often go unsold. When owners realize they can’t sell, they often decide to donate their timeshare just to be rid of it.
6. Third-Party Scams
Desperation makes owners vulnerable to scams. Many fall victim to companies that claim to help with a time share donation, only to lose even more money. If you choose to donate, vet every organization thoroughly.
7. Fear of Passing It On
Some owners fear their heirs will inherit the financial burden. Rather than burden their family, they attempt to donate timeshare to charity, believing it’s a responsible choice. But if the donation causes harm to the recipient, it’s not truly a gift.
Important Truths About Timeshare Donations
Even if you find someone willing to accept it, donating a timeshare requires the account to be paid in full. Mortgaged properties will not qualify. At that point, you must legally transfer the deed or perpetual membership contract, which often requires professional assistance.
Before you move forward, ask yourself:
Will the recipient truly benefit from this gift?
Do they understand the costs and limitations?
Are you being fully transparent about your experience?
If your answers raise doubt, you might reconsider your choice to donate your timeshare.
The Hidden Risks of Trying to Donate Timeshare
Unfortunately, many companies that claim to help you donate timeshare to charity operate without integrity. Just like in the resale market, scammers know how to sound legitimate. They use words like “guaranteed transfer” or “tax deduction” to entice desperate owners.
If you pursue a time share donation, protect yourself:
Never pay large upfront fees
Ask for written documentation of the transfer process
Check their business history and BBB rating
Verify that the receiving party actually accepts deeded timeshares
Consider Ethical Timeshare Cancellation Instead
You don’t have to donate your timeshare to escape it. There are reputable cancellation services available that don’t rely on passing the burden to someone else.
At our company, we’ve helped thousands of owners legally exit their contracts since 2014. Unlike the risky path of trying to donate timeshare, we provide reliable solutions to end your future obligation.
We understand the guilt, stress, and frustration owners face—and we believe there’s a better way forward.
Don’t Donate Timeshare, Find a Real Solution
You’re not alone. If you’re struggling with a burdensome ownership, there are ways out that don’t involve misleading a charity or another person.
While the idea to donate timeshare might come from a good place, it’s rarely the responsible choice. True relief comes from informed, ethical action—not from passing a problem along.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation with our team or fill out our qualification form to explore your options. Whether we help you directly or guide you to a better path, you deserve a solution that works.
2 Responses
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Tips for before giving away your interval
Checklist for timeshare donations.
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