Timeshare Exit Company vs Selling Your Points: The Honest Comparison

Side by side

Why exit companies charge so much for something brands often do free

Every major timeshare brand runs its own deedback program — Wyndham calls theirs Ovation, Hilton Grand Vacations has a Resale program, Marriott handles it case-by-case, Bluegreen has a Lifestyle Exit option. For owners current on fees with no outstanding loan balance, these are typically free. Exit companies are, functionally, charging thousands of dollars to do the paperwork you could often do yourself for nothing — plus a markup for cases the brand won't take back. The FTC and multiple state attorneys general have pursued exit companies for taking large upfront fees and failing to deliver a cancelled contract, which is why the industry has an outsized scam reputation.

The right order to try things in

1. Sell this year's unused points for cash, if you have any going to waste. Free, fast, and doesn't affect your exit options — it's a separate transaction from the contract.
2. Apply to your brand's deedback program. Free for most owners in good standing. This is the option to exhaust before paying anyone.
3. Only then consider a paid exit company — and only if the brand has explicitly declined your contract. Get their success rate in writing for your specific brand and resort before paying anything upfront.

For the full breakdown of brand-direct exit timelines and what each program requires, see selling points vs cancelling the contract. For how to spot a scam exit company before you pay anything, see timeshare resale scams — how to sell safely.

FAQ

Do exit companies actually work?

Some do, for owners whose brand has already declined a direct deedback and who are willing to wait 12-24 months. Success rates are mixed and vary widely by company — several prominent exit companies have been shut down by state attorneys general and the FTC for taking upfront fees and failing to deliver. If you use one, verify their track record in writing for your specific brand before paying anything.

Does selling my points get me out of the contract like an exit company does?

No, and this is the most important distinction. Selling annual points is a cash transaction for the current year's unused allocation only. It does not cancel your contract or end your maintenance fee — you keep the timeshare. An exit company (or a brand-direct deedback program) is the only path that actually ends the contract.

Why would I sell points if it doesn't solve my real problem?

Because it solves a different, smaller problem for free: points you weren't going to use are about to expire and become worth $0. Selling them converts that to cash at no cost. It's not a substitute for exiting if exiting is your actual goal — it's something you can do in parallel while you sort out the exit.

What should I try before paying an exit company?

Your brand's own deedback program first — Wyndham Ovation, Hilton's Resale program, Marriott's case-by-case relinquishment, or Bluegreen Lifestyle Exit. These are free or low-cost for owners in good standing (current on fees, no outstanding loan). Reserve a paid exit company for the case where your brand has explicitly declined your contract and you're not eligible for their program.