Just one week after we reported on timeshare complex overbookings at Wyndham, we sadly have to report about a very similar incident this past weekend in Florida. We had advised that it is always better to book direct with the resort to ensure that your reservation is as secure as it can be, but this is not always the case.
Twelve couples (some with children), all timeshare owners, were refused rooms at the Westgate Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, after arriving later than the 4pm check-in time for their rooms at the timeshare resort. One anonymous guest spoke with a news reporter in Florida after the incident, explaining that there were customers waiting in the lobby strewn over the sofas, with some of the children sleeping. Due to having waited so long to check in to the resort in Kissimmee.
This guest also told News at 6 that they were told to wait while their room was being prepared, as it was not ready to check in to. However, this seemed rather unusual to the guest as they had already arrived after check-in time. Then, after a six hour wait in the lobby of one resort, they were told that there were indeed no rooms available, however, there were rooms at another Westgate resort close by. The guest went to the other resort and was told at their reception that they were also fully booked that evening, so the couple went back to the first hotel.
Eventually, by Sunday morning, all guests were allocated a room at one of the Westgate resorts in the area, but not the room that they were expecting.
A spokesperson from Westgate resorts put the overbooking problem down to last minute booking surges, which in turn, caused slow processing of these reservations, and late arrivals of confirmed bookings were being pushed out to take clients that arrived at the resort earlier on in the day.
There were vouchers up to the value of $100 given to the guests that were not accommodated, however, one guest said that they were expecting a full apology from a Westgate manager and that the $100 was not a satisfactory apology for the mishap.
Again we would like to bring it to the attention of all Timeshare owners that this is quite a common problem, especially during holiday seasons, with resorts that work with points programs, or rent extra rooms on vacation rental websites. We recommend, so as to avoid being denied your room, always call in advance to ensure that your reservation is confirmed and if you are planning on arriving late at the resort, to inform them of this, so that the room is not rebooked after a presumed non-arrival.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk