Are you ready for a timeshare presentation? I did not want to use my Hilton Grand Vacations points, so I took advantage of a vacation offer. I purchased a 3-night package at the Marriott’s Grand Chateau for $199. Of course, accepting the package means attending a 90-minute timeshare sales presentation. No problem, I scheduled the presentation early to enjoy the rest of my vacation.

Vegas in August

Vegas in August can be tricky. My flight did not leave as scheduled because cargo on the plane had to be adjusted at Midway to land in Vegas. We landed safely and took a Lyft to the Marriott. The front desk clerk upgraded my room from the 7^th to the 30^th floor after I mentioned I was a Gold Elite member. She checked my Bonvoy number and stated I would receive 500 Bonvoy points for my stay. The Concierge also said I would receive 500 points for picking up the welcome package. Be patient. My Bonvoy points did not post until three weeks after my stay. In addition, I charged meals and cocktails to the room to receive 5X reward points for using my American Express Bonvoy card. If you need to protect your card, click on the link below.

The Timeshare Presentation

I set the timer on my phone for 90 minutes. I was impressed by the professional presentation, but I did not need another timeshare. During the presentation, I learned only Marriott Bonvoy members receive invitations to Marriott Vacation Club offers. The rationale is that if you are a Bonvoy member, you are more likely to become a timeshare owner because of your membership. Even though the salesperson answered all my questions, I shared I upgraded with Hilton Grand Vacations in April. For this presentation, $64,000 was the starting price. Before my 90 minutes were up, the salesperson found something for $16,000. Two more members of the sales team spoke to me. Again, I chose not to purchase a timeshare or put down money for a future property. Will I receive another offer in the future? I will keep you posted.

If You Say Yes at the Presentation

I am not selling timeshares, but I love my HGV property. If you are interested in purchasing a timeshare, remember most presentations begin high. Wait for the salesperson to show you something in your price range. If you feel pressured to buy, you can change your mind within three to five days, determined by where you made the purchase. If you know what to expect during a presentation, you can say no and still enjoy your inexpensive vacation. By the way, your salesperson should see you set the timer. Remember, you can leave a timeshare presentation before your time ends, but you will forfeit the discount. I was not in a villa, but the 435sqft room had more than enough space for two people. According to rates on the Marriott Bonvoy website, a 3-night stay at the Marriott’s Grand Chateau in August could cost between $570 and $645.

Things to do Before and After your Timeshare Presentation

Usually, when I vacation in Vegas, I book a room at my timeshare. I went to Vegas three times in 2021: Memorial Day Weekend, the Bears vs. Raiders Game, and my son’s wedding. Although the Chateau is not on the strip, we found our way around using the Elara as a shortcut. If you are looking for something different to do in Vegas, here is my list of five new things I discovered after vacationing there for years.

Five Things you Should Try in Vegas!

1. Have fun looking for the secret door to Ghost Donkey at the Cosmopolitan. Enjoy a cocktail when you get inside.
2. Stop by Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in the MGM Grand. Great bartenders. We stopped here to have a cocktail before going to a free screening of TV shows.
3. Try a free screening at Television City at the MGM Grand.
4. Catch the monorail. For $5, you can take the monorail to see Vegas from a different angle. 
5. If you stay at Marriott’s Grand Chateau, enjoy the view at SkyBar 38. Look at a sporting event at La Diva and order the wings. Some of our best meals were at La Diva and the pool on the 5^th floor. I spent $269 on meals and cocktails. You will have access to La Diva because it is on the 1^st floor.

Timeshare Presentation Budget

A vacation in Vegas can be inexpensive. You can find great hotels with affordable rooms. Be aware of resort fees. If you use a timeshare presentation to offset the costs, read all terms before you book. If you feel pressured at the timeshare presentation, remember my advice or download the post to have with you at all times. Of course, I ended my vacation at the Centurion Lounge. Because check-out was at 10:00AM and our flight was at 2:15PM, we enjoyed breakfast and lunch. For this post, What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas does not apply.

Visit my website for ideas about solo travel, road trips, traveling internationally, timeshare presentations, and how to use travel rewards programs to plan your next trip.