When thinking about the perks of timeshare vacations, one that comes to mind immediately is the ability to return to a familiar resort each year, which lets families make special memories and traditions to cherish with family.
But for Diamond Resorts members, the benefits of timeshare vacationing go beyond a beloved home away from home. In fact, timeshare points can score members everything from exclusive experiences and luxe vacation packages to airfare and souvenirs.
Here are just a few flexible ways to take advantage of vacation ownership points at Diamond Resorts locations and beyond.
1. Have a Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure
Have you ever dreamed of standing on the tallest freestanding mountain on Earth, Mount Kilimanjaro? Or perhaps you’d rather stand in amazement at the base of Victoria Falls or beneath a sky full of Northern Lights. Thanks to Diamond’s partnership with the Big Journey Company, you can turn those dreams into realities with once-in-a-lifetime vacation packages.
Think outside the resort with a Member Escorted Tour. These curated, members-only experiences take place around the world, and they let you enjoy first-class adventures with all of the details arranged. These trips feature deluxe, climate-controlled transportation, English-speaking tour guides and any special equipment that will be required along the way — all you need to do is pack your bags and enjoy the ride.
For high-level active adventure, go on a 13-day African wildlife safari, and then climb the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes to search for mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Not all excursions demand intense physical activity. Ride the rails through New Zealand or gaze at glaciers as you spend a week cruising the Gulf of Alaska. Check out each adventure’s activity level, rated one through three, to match vacation packages to your preferences.
2. Extend Your Stay
Besides timeshare resorts, Diamond offers members a host of luxury accommodations in partnership with their portfolio of properties. You can take advantage of the best available rate at these destinations using a combination of points and your choice of payment method.
Diamond Luxury Hotels offer accommodations aligned with Diamond’s standards, whether or not the property is part of the company’s own portfolio or situated in typical Diamond Resorts locations. Members can choose from hotels in major cities around the world.
Imagine staying in a private villa in Tuscany overlooking the rolling vineyards, or a penthouse in Lake Tahoe with views of the stunning blue waters. Diamond Luxury Selection lets you book instantly using your points at a selection of private accommodations and boutique hotels.
3. Visit Public Lands for Free
Roll some of your points into an America the Beautiful Pass that grants admission to more than 2,000 National Parks and National Monuments in the U.S. Each pass admits four people ages 16 and above to the parks. Kids 15 and younger get in free of charge, making this an ideal way to stretch your family vacation budget.
Book time at one of four Diamond Resorts locations in Sedona, for example, and you’ll be perfectly poised to explore Arizona’s heritage. Delve into the depths of the Grand Canyon at its namesake national park, or explore the ruins of ancient civilizations at Tuzigoot, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki or Montezuma Castle. Head to Lake Mead — the country’s largest national recreation area — to explore 1.5 million acres of water and canyons or to hike the ancient trade route known as the Old Spanish Trail.
Watch for wildlife and spectacular scenery at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Diamond’s widespread property options make ideal home bases to visit other classic parklands such as Yosemite, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and more.
4. Go Beyond Land’s End
Sail away to exciting ports of call on a Diamond Cruise or Luxury Cruise. Participate in off-shore excursions, enjoy live entertainment and nosh on mouth-watering cuisine.
If you’re a Diamond Resorts owner or member, you may be able to pay at least partially using your points. Luxury Cruises let you pay up to 30% with points if you’re a Gold or Platinum member — or 20% for Silver or Standard members — at rates of $0.30 and $0.20 per point, respectively.
Enjoy a Caribbean getaway aboard Carnival Cruises. The southern route takes you to St. Maarten, Martinique, La Romana, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and San Juan, where you’ll spend days on the beach savoring the local culture. Explore the Mesoamerican Reef on the Western Caribbean Cruise that visits Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize and more. Swim with dolphins, explore Mayan ruins and snorkel in azure waters flanked by white sand.
5. Shop Luxury Items
Wrap a Tag Heuer AquaRacer watch around your wrist, and you’ll be up to the minute even if your journey takes you 1,000 feet below the surface of the water. Travel with a perfectly sized and organized Tumi carry-on, suitcase, backpack or bag. Or, hit the city streets in comfy-yet-classic Ferragamo shoes.
With Diamond Luxury Shopping, find hundreds of brands and products known for both elegance and quality. Gold and Platinum Club Members can credit $0.30 per point toward 30% of the best market value when they buy through the Diamond Resorts Member Area. Silver and Standard members get $0.20 per point for 20% of a product’s best market value.
It’s easy to shop with your points. Sign in to your Diamond Resorts account to view your current points balance. Once you make a purchase, it gets shipped to your mainland U.S. address.
6. Take to the Sky
Diamond makes it easy to use your points anywhere in the world in conjunction with their resorts, hotels and other partners. It also takes the burden out of getting to your destination.
Airfare can be a major vacation expense, but you can easily incorporate your points to defray the cost. Each point converts to 2.5 air miles. Best of all, you can choose from seven major airlines to complete your journey.
Whatever your vacation goals, check out how you can make your time away even more special using Member Points. Taking advantage of member perks is a surefire way to rocket your dream getaway to an amazing adventure you’ll always remember.
Diamond Resorts International Marketing, Inc., its parents, sister companies, and subsidiaries, make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance or any other aspect of the activities, events, or service providers listed herein. No inquiry has been made into the activities or events, or the qualifications or the quality of services offered by the providers. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the activities, events, or providers.
