Travel: Destination ClubsSorting Out The Difference Between Destination Clubs and TimesharesBy Craig E. Friesen What are Destination Clubs?
In addition to the one time membership fee, clubs charge annual dues that range in the tens of thousand dollars. Club members are entitled to the use of the club’s vacation properties for a prescribed number of weeks. The amount of time each member is allowed varies from club to club. If you choose to leave your destination club, you can expect to get a portion of your membership fee returned. Some clubs return a certain percentage while others may allow you to benefit from any increase in property equity. What are Timeshares?Traditionally speaking, timeshare is purchasing a time-linked share of a property.
Most timeshare properties are usually now affiliated with a timeshare trading club. Your time slot in any given property is yours to use, give away, loan, trade, or sublet as you choose. These trading clubs give you a forum to find other timeshare owners to swap with or sublet to. Of course there is a membership fee and transaction fee involved in the use of these clubs. Which is Right for Me?
With the innovation of timeshare trading groups the flexibility has increased. Ultimately you should be guided by what your finances allow and by which option offers properties and destinations you desire. SOURCE: Timeshare Beat: "What is Timeshare?"
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Destination
clubs are vacation clubs that offer their affluent clientele the use of
an array of executive vacation properties. Membership in these clubs
costs participants in the 6 figure range. 
Shares are sold in one week chunks, with 51 shares typically sold for each property. The 52nd
week is reserved annually for maintenance down time. In the years since
the idea blossomed in Europe some 40 odd years ago, the concept has
expanded.