Timeshare Weeks Explained: Your Ultimate Guide

If you’re looking to introduce annual vacations to your lifestyle, timeshares are a good place to start. When you buy a timeshare, you secure a lifetime of vacations at today’s rates and for an overall fraction of the cost versus booking hotels. But with so many ownership options to choose from, figuring out which type of timeshare is right for you can feel difficult. Let us help! In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of timeshare weeks, as well as how the timeshare calendar works. Let’s dive in.

What Are Timeshare Weeks?

A timeshare is a vacation property that someone owns the right to use, generally for one week of the year. On the other hand, there are points-based timeshare programs, such as DVC, Hilton, and others, where members purchase an allotment of points to be used as currency to book stays at the club’s portfolio of resorts each year. However, we will not be discussing these types of timeshares today.

When someone purchases a week-based vacation ownership, they are essentially purchasing seven days at a resort each year. The timeshare week is a date determined by the timeshare calendar. Each week on the timeshare week calendar is assigned a number. Then, buyers purchase an interval of time based on those weeks.

Some weeks are valued differently than others; some cost more, some less. This often depends on the season. For example, a beachfront villa in Myrtle Beach used in the month of June will cost more than if it were used in December. It all just depends on the market and developers. Now, let’s move on to the different types of timeshare weeks and how timeshare weeks work.

Fixed-Week Timeshares

The fixed-week timeshare is where it all started, and it is known as the “traditional” type of timeshare ownership. Owners purchase a designated fixed week on the timeshare calendar at a specific site or resort, which they have full rights to use every year. For example, you purchase the second week of March at Orange Lake Resort’s North Village; this week on the timeshare calendar is assigned to you. You will visit that week at that same resort each year. One of the benefits of a fixed-week timeshare is the lack of planning necessary. There is no need to make reservations, find a hotel, or coordinate a time to vacation. Your fixed week is always available and ready for you at the same time and place every year.

Pros and Cons of Fixed-Week Timeshares

Floating Week Timeshares

If you’re looking for timeshare weeks with a bit more flexibility, a floating week timeshare may work better for you. Floating weeks were introduced later on to the vacation ownership world to give owners a bit more leeway when planning their vacations. With floating weeks, owners purchase within a specific season in which they can choose the week they would like to reserve. For instance, you may purchase a timeshare at Marriott’s Mountainside Resort in Park City for the winter season. Then, you reserve a week in advance for that season, depending on your schedule that year. Floating weeks provide more flexibility, but more planning is necessary to secure the week you want to vacation.

Pros and Cons of Floating Week Timeshares

Use Vacation Exchange to Trade in Your Timeshare Weeks

We get it. Visiting the same resort for the same week or season each year may become a bit lackluster. Fortunately, there’s a way to visit more resorts in different destinations, even with a floating or fixed-week timeshare: vacation exchange! Vacation exchange allows you to exchange your timeshare calendar weeks for stays at other resorts worldwide. Today, the two biggest vacation exchange programs are RCI and Interval International, and most of the top vacation club brands are partnered with one or both of these programs.

Exchanging Timeshare Points vs. Timeshare Weeks

Curious about how trading timeshare points compares to exchanging a traditional timeshare week? Let’s break it down.

When you own a timeshare week—whether it’s fixed or floating—you’re locked into a specific interval each year. Exchanging that week through a vacation exchange program means you’re essentially “depositing” your set week into the network, and in return, you can request to stay at another available resort for a similar week elsewhere. It’s a one-to-one swap, based on availability and the “value” of your deposited week in the network’s eyes. The process relies heavily on supply and demand, and in high-demand seasons or locations, flexibility is key.

Points-based exchanges work a bit differently. Instead of banking a particular week, you convert your ownership into a set amount of points. These points act like vacation currency, giving you the freedom to redeem them for stays at various resorts—potentially for varying lengths or accommodation sizes, depending on how many points you have. More points can mean access to higher-demand resorts or multiple shorter stays rather than just a single week away.

In short, exchanging weeks is typically a “date for date” trade, where the calendar and location matter most, while points provide more flexibility—you can mix, match, or split your time, and even sometimes roll unused points over for future vacations. The points system puts you in the driver’s seat, offering choices on how and when you travel, but both methods give you access to a world of destinations with the right membership.

Both RCI and Interval International have thousands of resorts and properties in their networks. Simply become a member, then trade in your deeded week for a stay at one of their many spectacular resorts at top international destinations. These networks are a fantastic way to see the world, all for the price of a single timeshare. It’s important to note that if you want to become an RCI or Interval International member, you’ll need to own a timeshare affiliated with their network. Here are some of the top vacation club brands affiliated with these programs.

RCI

• Wyndham
• Bluegreen Vacations
• Hilton Grand Vacations
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations
• Westgate Resorts

Interval International

• Disney Vacation Club
• Marriott Vacation Club
• Hyatt Vacation Club
• Diamond Resorts

How Does the Timeshare Calendar Work?

Our timeshare calendar tool was designed with vacation owners in mind. While you’re looking out for your date on this year’s weeks calendar, you can also calculate your timeshare weeks for years to come. Planning your getaway now can allow plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements with your pets, family, and other responsibilities. You may also plan your vacations early so it’s easier to book the resort you want if you plan to use vacation exchange.

The calendar is split into three sections according to check-in dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So, you’ll have either a Sunday check-in date, a Saturday check-in date, or a Friday check-in date. Use these sections, along with each week’s column, to see the exact dates each week on the calendar falls, from week 1 until week 52. For years that include 53 weeks, know that each resort handles week 53 differently, so check with your resort if you’d like to plan a vacation on these dates. You’ll also want to remember that there is a different calendar every year. So, the dates for 2026 will change in 2027. Be sure to double-check the next calendar year to verify the new dates when planning your next vacation.

2026 Timeshare Calendar

Week Number	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1-4	Jan 2, 9, 16, 23	Jan 3, 10, 17, 24	Jan 4, 11, 18, 25
5-9	Jan 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27	Jan 31, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28	Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, Mar 1
10-14	Mar 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr 3	Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4	Mar 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr 5
15-19	Apr 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8	Apr 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9	Apr 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10
20-24	May 17, 22, 29, Jun 5, 12	May 16, 23, 30 Jun 6, 13	May 17, 24, 31, 7, 14
25-29	Jun 19, 26, Jul 3, 10, 17	Jun 20, 27, Jul 4, 11, 18	Jun 21, 28, Jul 5, 12, 19
30-34	Jul 24, 31, 7, 14, 21	Jul 25, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22	Jul 26, Aug 2, 9, 16, 23
35-39	Aug 28, Sep 4, 11, 18, 25	Aug 29, Sep 5, 12, 19, 26	Aug 30, Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
40-44	Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30	Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31	Oct 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1
45-49	Nov 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec 4	Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5	Nov 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6
50-52	Dec 11, 18, 25	Dec 12, 19, 26	Dec 13, 20, 27

What if the Week System Isn’t for Me?

If you like the idea of timeshares but aren’t a fan of fixed or floating weeks, you’re in luck! There’s an alternative to timeshare weeks: timeshare points. With timeshare points, you can visit a different resort in a different destination each year. Your points are used as currency to book stays at resorts within your brand’s portfolio whenever you want, wherever you want. Like timeshare weeks, you still choose a home resort your points are deeded to. You have priority booking at this home resort, though you can explore the entire brand collection. Longer stays at top resorts cost more points, while shorter stays at less popular resorts cost fewer points. Many vacation clubs even allow you to bank or borrow your points for your next vacation.

So, why do people still buy timeshare weeks? It’s mainly for convenience. Fixed-week owners don’t have to worry about planning ahead to stay at the resort they want. They can arrive at their resort during the specific week they paid for, check in, and enjoy their vacation. While many points-based timeshares offer priority booking for their home resort, you’ll still want to book at your preferred property ahead of time, especially if it’s at a popular resort or during a busy season.

Is It Better to Buy Timeshare Weeks or Points on the Resale Market?

Deciding between timeshare weeks and points can feel a bit like choosing between chocolate and vanilla ice cream—each has its own loyal following, and it really comes down to your travel habits and preferences. If you love the idea of locking in the same vacation week at your favorite resort year after year, buying a fixed or floating week on the resale market could be perfect for you. The resale market allows you to secure these traditional weeks, often at a much lower price than buying new—and with all the same benefits.

On the other hand, if flexibility is at the top of your vacation wish list, points-based ownership might be a better fit. With timeshare points (also available at significant savings on the resale market), you can mix things up by traveling to different resorts, destinations, and even seasons each year. Points systems from top brands like Wyndham, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Marriott let you use your vacation currency your way—whether that’s a short city break or a long beachfront escape.

Pros and Cons of Timeshare Points

Why Choose Resale?

The best part? Whether you buy weeks or points, the resale market can help you save thousands compared to retail prices. You’ll find a wide selection of both week-based and points-based timeshares from major vacation clubs, and the resale process is straightforward for both types. Plus, in many cases, you’ll enjoy the same resort access, amenities, and exchange opportunities as retail buyers—just at a fraction of the cost.

Ultimately, there’s no “one size fits all” answer. Think about how you like to travel: If tradition and simplicity appeal to you, a resale week might be your ticket. If you prefer flexibility and variety, resale points can open up a world of possibilities. Either way, exploring the resale market is a smart way to stretch your vacation budget and get the most out of your ownership.

Buy a Timeshare

So, whether timeshare weeks or timeshare points more readily suit your lifestyle, if you enjoy yearly travel, timeshare ownership may be for you. Buying a timeshare saves you thousands on a lifetime of vacations. Yet, timeshares can be expensive. But when you buy off the resale market, you can score double the savings! Timeshares Only’s resale market features timeshares for a fraction of the price of retail. This means you can save thousands on your ownership with top brands like Wyndham, Holiday Inn, Westgate, and more. Start by browsing our resale market. Once you find an ownership you love, make an offer! One of our timeshare professionals will contact you soon. For questions, call us at 1-800-610-2734. We’re happy to help.

Rent a Timeshare

If you’re not ready to purchase a timeshare, consider renting a timeshare week on Timeshares Only. Renting an owner’s rebooked vacation is a great way to try before you buy. With spacious living rooms, separate bedrooms, and in-suite kitchens, timeshares are more bang for your buck versus booking a hotel. If you want to rent, you can also benefit from browsing the exact weeks on the timeshare calendar to see if our available rentals match your timeline. We feature spectacular rental destinations like Aruba, Colorado, and Orlando, so you can travel more and spend less. Check out our travel tips before you go, as well.

Rent Out Your Timeshare

If you’re an owner looking to rent out your timeshare, we can help! Many owners who can’t make their vacation will rent out their timeshare for the year to help cover dues and maintenance fees. Additionally, you can consider renting your week to friends or family in your social network or gifting it to a loved one for a year if you aren’t using it. Give us a call at 1-800-610-2734, and we’ll help you set up your rental ad.

How Can I Sell My Timeshare Week?

Thinking of saying goodbye to your timeshare week or points-based ownership? No worries—we make selling just as straightforward as buying or renting. Whether you own a fixed week at your favorite beach resort, or you’re holding deeded points at a top brand like Wyndham, Holiday Inn, or Westgate, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s how you can get started:

• Reach Out to Us: Give us a call or fill out our quick contact form to let us know what you’d like to sell. Our experienced team will walk you through what information we’ll need (like your ownership details and preferred sale price).
• Personalized Support: Once you’ve connected with us, one of our knowledgeable timeshare specialists will guide you through every step of the sale process. We’ll help you create your ad and answer any questions you have—from pricing to paperwork.
• Worry-Free Process: Selling a timeshare through our resale market is safe and convenient. We work with industry leaders and adhere to best practices to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Whether your timeshare is in Aruba, Colorado, Orlando, or beyond, you can trust us to help you reach potential buyers and get the best value for your ownership. Ready to move on from your timeshare? Let’s chat! Your next adventure—or next owner—is just a phone call away.

Selling Your Vacation Ownership

If, in recent years, you’ve been curious about selling your timeshare week, we understand. The things we enjoy doing can often change over time. Whether it’s because your lifestyle has changed or you’d rather travel with a different vacation club, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to sell your timeshare week. Our skilled team at Timeshares Only can assist you in posting your timeshare week for sale. We have helped timeshare owners sell their vacation ownership for over 20 years, and as a member of ARDA, we follow a strict set of ethics that helps to keep everyone in the industry safe. This means that when you work with Timeshares Only, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands.