Tropicana Aruba Resort & Casino's offer for a free 7-night-getaway

Hi Guys, I need your feedback on the Trop's offer for a free 7-night-getaway in this beautiful paradise:








What is the catch on the above offer? Will I get stuck with a Timeshare Property Ownership, unintentionally?

It appears to be a standard time share vacation. You will be in a high pressure time share pitch for half a day. I have been wanting to do one for so long now but have been afraid..not sure why, I am good at saying no.

One thing that I notice on this one though is you are paying a few hundred for basically a hotel stay, alot, and breakfast. While it may be a little savings it doesn't appear to be all that great. You will still have airfare, daily food, transportation, and activities. You will still spend a few grand on this deal IMO.

Artemis, you didn't say if you have gold or above status from Trop AC. If you do, and you can go for the week trip, and have a pleasurable companion to go with you, who happens to really like beaches, it might be a decent deal. Particularly during an AC winter ;-) Fine print on the offer said 90 min timeshare tour, GWAE prolly right about half a day. Just have them write up a contract offer for the timeshare that is good for 30 days so you can 'run it by your atty when you get home'. The response will likely be that the offer is 'only good for today'. You respond, 'if it's a good deal for both parties today, then it will still be a good deal for both parties next week'. 'I think you are trying to cheat Me and I don't do business in an environment like that'. Then go sit in a corner and pout, and catch up on your WoV reading ;-) it's only half a day.

There are taxes and fees (in the fine print) that are not free, and all the costs that GWAE mentioned above to consider. The only time (20 years ago) that I was in Aruba it was extremely windy all week, windy enough that the beach sand often blew into you hard enough that it stung. Might have been a seasonal thing. Desert island covered in cactus, decent casino, I walked away even, after having been quite a bit down. Took a 10 hour session to do so ;-(

Also very close to Venezuala, crazytown. Things have changed a lot in 20 years. All in all, worth looking into further, compare the offering to your desires, money, and time limitations. Watch for hidden costs.

I like that response about the attorney. I think I may keep that in my back pocket.

I would be interested what the taxes and fees were. Our "free" cruise last year cost us $674 in taxes and fees. Still a good deal but certainly not free.

Quote: GWAE

I like that response about the attorney. I think I may keep that in my back pocket.

I would be interested what the taxes and fees were. Our "free" cruise last year cost us $674 in taxes and fees. Still a good deal but certainly not free.

Don't want to hijack Artemis' thread, but. The concept described is how I approach all purchases over (insert some dollar amount you're comfortable with). I want it, it costs $xxx. That level of $$ is above my limit to buy now, as opposed to me having to re-think my impulse purchase tomorrow. This has mostly served me well, when I obeyed my own rule....

I have tried, with mixed results, to have my wife (Sparkles) apply this logic to her purchases as well ;-)