Seeking suggestions on how to handle expenses/fees with non timeshare owners [merged]

When we travel with ppl, we usually do the following:

(1) Get them their own room *they pay whatever the extra vacation or rental price is

(2) Each get own rental car - if they want to ride with us, we share the car expenses

(3) I do an itenary of the things we really want to do or see - send it to them and ask them what things they are doing with us.

Too many times we've vacationed with others and got totally derailed or jipped. So this is what has worked best for us.

Just had a thought (and I think I know the answer). What would Tuggers do if the situation were flipped? Let's say it is not a trade where one vacation you host at your timeshare, the next vacation the other couple hosts at their timeshare.
If you were invited to travel with another couple, would you cover any costs? (You DID NOT invite yourselves. Tuggers just aren't like that.)

Patri said:

Just had a thought (and I think I know the answer). What would Tuggers do if the situation were flipped? Let's say it is not a trade where one vacation you host at your timeshare, the next vacation the other couple hosts at their timeshare.
If you were invited to travel with another couple, would you cover any costs? (You DID NOT invite yourselves. Tuggers just aren't like that.)

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I always want to and do pay my share and am okay with a little extra.

We always offer to split the entire cost 50/50. If they refuse, we will often pick up dinners, gas, etc.

It all depends on your guests' financial situation.

If they are at or below your income level or net worth, just treat them and anything you get from them is extra.

If they are richer than you, you would expect them to return the favor in other ways. Nobody likes the idea of paying for the rich cheapskate.

In general, I find that when you pay for a richer person, you will somehow get it all back and then some. This is especially true if the richer person is older too. They appreciate nice gestures more than younger people.

Patri said:

Just had a thought (and I think I know the answer). What would Tuggers do if the situation were flipped? Let's say it is not a trade where one vacation you host at your timeshare, the next vacation the other couple hosts at their timeshare.
If you were invited to travel with another couple, would you cover any costs? (You DID NOT invite yourselves. Tuggers just aren't like that.)

Click to expand...

I can't imagine not offering, or insisting, on paying something.

The funniest thing about this thread is how everyone thinks they know their friends financial situation. In my line of work I see what a lot of people earn, and I think that there would be some surprise at the actual numbers, both high and low.

I agree with Luanne. I would never, ever expect to vacation with someone without paying for my share. And I would expect that our guests would feel the same way and I will respect that and graciously accept their offer to pay. I ask for a fairly nominal amount, less than half of my cost. It works for us.

There are 'givers', and there are 'takers.' Those who can, and are more willing to share get invited more than the others.

We are 'givers.' Feel free to PM invitations. Acceptances granted on the basis of available times.

Jim

klpca said:

The funniest thing about this thread is how everyone thinks they know their friends financial situation. In my line of work I see what a lot of people earn, and I think that there would be some surprise at the actual numbers, both high and low.

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Yeah. Maybe most people don't know the numbers that well. Maybe I am nosy but I know where my family and close friends work, so I know their approximate salary. I know the value of their home. I know where and how often they travel. I know if their kids are in private school. I know if they are savers or spenders.

If I don't know these things, that means they are not close friends or they are very newly acquired friends. If that is the case, then we should probably split costs 50/50.

We have invited a couple to stay with us in our Angel Fire unit in October. There will be no extra cost to us if they decide to join us, so I wouldn't accept any reimbursement. We are going whether they join us or not.

If they elect to buy some groceries or pay for a meal out, we may accept it. On the other hand, they have included us in activities where there was no extra charge to them, but which were a nice treat for us. It all evens out in the long run.

If you exchange for a bigger units so your friends can join you, and therefore use more points or TPUs than you would have without them, that is a good reason to let them share the cost. Otherwise, I would feel like I'm asking them to cover part of the cost of my own vacation. Not a bad thing if everyone is happy with it, but probably not for me.

Sheila

My cousin and hubby are hoping to join u next March at Royal Haciendas. As we have 2 br, we would not accept $$$ but would surely let them pick up dinner, bar tab and groceries.