More panic and uncertainty over foreign travel for timeshare owners

Unlike regular holidaymakers, the 650,000 Brits who own timeshare are committed to paying for holidays even if they don't use them.  Over 70% of those people own in Spain, which remains on the Amber List

12 countries on the Green List

The UK government has sanctioned 12 destinations for quarantine free travel, many of which are long haul or not mainstay British holiday choices.  

Portugal is now on the greenlist however and Thomas Cook reports that 75% of all its bookings are for that country.

Even though it is Green Listed, travel to Portugal is "far from smooth" according to couple Hakon and Vanessa flying from London to Faro.  "It feels like we are all a bunch of guinea pigs," Hakon said in a BBC article.  "Thankfully we got there in the end, but it has been stressful organising all the tests and documentation."  Hakon and Vanessa were still worried they may have missed something "despite checking the requirements a hundred times."  They also had trouble with the online BA check in, and found it very hard to get hold of anyone to help due to COVID affected staff levels.

Spain on the Amber List

As an Amber List country, technically Brits can travel to Spain since UK government restrictions were lifted.  However as well as the barrage of PCR tests and passenger locator form, travellers are also required to quarantine for 10 days on return to the UK, turning a 14 day holiday into 24 days off work/school

The 455,000 Brits who own timeshare in Spain face a dilemma:  They are already committed to paying an average of around £1000 in annual fees even if they don't use their timeshare.  Should they pay the extra money and go through all the tests and quarantine to use their week, or should they accept losing their annual fee money and holiday in a Green List country, or even at home?

"It's a tough call," says Daniel Keating, information officer for the Timeshare Consumer Association (TCA).  "Even someone who accepts the extra costs, tests and quarantine knows that their holiday could be cancelled if the government bans travel again following a spike in cases.  

"Owners know they can face an uphill battle to get flights refunded if they are cancelled. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are doing their best to push travel companies to refund consumers over cancellations, but many firms are resisting, and the CMA has already had to take action against five of them."

Highlighting timeshare shortcomings.

Keating reports that the pandemic has led many timeshare owners to conclude that their memberships are inflexible, expensive and outdated.  "Often they were sold the commitment as a bonus.  This membership would force them to take a holiday and spend time with their family.  Many hard working parents saw value in this, and signed up.  Since COVID took hold, people are realising the truth.  Timeshare doesn't force you to take a holiday, it only forces you to pay for a holiday

"The calls and emails we get at the TCA are mainly about two subjects, timeshare compensation or timeshare relinquishment.  Some people are lucky enough to be able to claim compensation for being mis-sold, but even those who can't are usually still able to escape the commitment of their membership.

"For those people looking to get out of their memberships, we do advise caution," warns Daniel.  "The majority of firms offering this service are aiming to steal your money

"If you need advice on this, or any other timeshare related issue, get in touch with us on the details below."