Many timeshare owners remember being told something reassuring during their sales presentation. However, before you trust the resort's "goodwill," it's vital to know the legitimate process to exit a permanent contract.

“If you ever don’t want it, you can give it back.”
“There are programs for owners who need to exit.”
“The resort will work with you if your situation changes.”

For buyers who are cautious, this statement removes much of the perceived risk. It suggests flexibility, goodwill, and a future option if circumstances change. Unfortunately, this is one of the most misleading assumptions owners carry long after the purchase.

How the “Give It Back” Idea Is Introduced

Exit assurances are rarely formal or written. Instead, they are woven casually into conversation. Owners often hear that "people give these back all the time" or that there are "hardship options." These statements are designed to soften concerns about permanence without clearly explaining how limited post-purchase options really are—often framing the purchase as a safe investment when it is truly a liability.

The Resort Isn’t Your Exit Strategy

If you were told you could 'just give it back' and are now finding that isn't the case, an independent review can clarify your actual legal options.

Rescission vs. Everything After

Every timeshare purchase includes a rescission period, typically lasting only a few days. During this window, buyers can cancel without penalty. Once that period ends, the legal landscape changes completely.

After rescission:

The contract becomes fully enforceable.
The resort has no obligation to accept a return.
Exit options become discretionary, not guaranteed.
Owners lose nearly all leverage.

Why Resorts Rarely Take Timeshares Back

From a business standpoint, the reality is simple. Timeshares generate ongoing maintenance fee revenue and predictable cash flow. Accepting returns voluntarily reduces revenue and increases inventory that must be resold.

Helping owners exit is not aligned with the resort’s financial incentives. In many cases, they would rather you try to sell it on a non-existent resale market than take back the obligation themselves.

What “Deed-Back Programs” Actually Look Like

Some resorts do offer deed-back or surrender programs, but these are often misunderstood. Common characteristics include:

Limited eligibility and no public advertising.
Strict account requirements (must be paid in full).
Fees or conditions attached to the return.
Programs that can be withdrawn at any time.

Many owners are denied without explanation, while others are redirected to sales or upgrade conversations instead.

[!WARNING] The Redirection Tactic. When owners contact their resort asking to exit, they are often invited to an “owner update” or member services call. These are typically sales-driven and focused on upgrades rather than permanent exits.

The Emotional and Financial Impact

Owners who believed they could give their timeshare back often feel blindsided when they discover they cannot. This realization often comes years later, after significant money has already been spent on maintenance fees and financing.

The belief that an exit is always available causes owners to delay difficult decisions. They wait for a program to appear, while fees increase and financial flexibility decreases. In reality, time almost always works against the owner.

What Owners Should Know Now

If you were told you could always give your timeshare back later, keep these realities in mind:

Post-rescission exits are not guaranteed.
Resorts control surrender programs entirely.
Sales teams are not exit specialists.
Waiting rarely creates new options.

A Clear Path Forward

At NW Advisors Group, we regularly work with owners who were reassured there would be an easy way out, only to discover that no such option exists through the resort. Our role is to identify lawful, permanent exit options when the resort refuses to help.

NW Advisors Group has been helping timeshare owners for over 15 years and is A+ rated and accredited with the Better Business Bureau. We guarantee a legal and permanent exit from your timeshare, or you get your money back.

Get an Independent Evaluation

If you believed your timeshare could be given back and now find yourself stuck, get a clear, independent review of your options.