Maximizing the Value of Annual Maintenance Fees: Why 2.5x ROI Should Be Your Baseline
In today’s vacation ownership landscape, understanding the true value behind annual maintenance fees is essential — not just for members, but for the resorts and developers supporting them. At VOA (Vacation Ownership Advisor), we believe that owners should never settle for using their ownership at face value. Instead, every point, week, or interval should be strategically used to deliver at least 2.5 times the cost of the annual maintenance fee — and in many cases, 4x or more.
💡 What Are Maintenance Fees Really Paying For?
Annual maintenance fees are more than just an administrative cost. They cover the upkeep of the property, renovations, resort improvements, and continued access to your ownership benefits. But what many owners — and even some teams — overlook is how these fees tie into the value they should be getting in return.
Rather than seeing them as an unavoidable expense, maintenance fees should be viewed as an investment into a high-value travel portfolio. But without proper planning or support, that investment can underperform — leading to frustration or perceived loss.
📊 The VOA Benchmark: 2.5x Value as a Starting Point
For every $1,000 paid in maintenance fees, the minimum return goal should be $2,500 in travel value — whether that’s in resort stays, cruises, hotel points, or exchange opportunities. That 2.5x benchmark ensures the member is gaining more than they put in and truly benefiting from their ownership.
Want to truly elevate the experience? Our target is 4x or more.
🎯 Why Aim for These Valuations?
Striving for 2.5x to 4x+ returns is more than a performance metric — it’s a strategic move. It allows members to:
- Recoup their initial investment value faster
- Establish a strong ROI on their annual maintenance costs
- Maximize the long-term return on total membership spend
When owners see tangible value early on, they stay engaged longer and gain confidence in their ownership.
🔍 Why Most Owners Don’t Hit That Mark
- Lack of education or training on how to use points or weeks
- Confusing exchange systems
- Missed opportunities in off-peak or high-value booking windows
- No centralized portfolio management support
That’s where VOA’s Portfolio Management Team comes in — providing clarity, custom strategies, and personal assistance that align with each member’s travel goals and available resources.
🔧 How VOA Helps Members Maximize Value
Our dedicated Portfolio Management service doesn’t just answer questions — we build a customized travel and usage strategy that:
- Optimizes point usage for high-yield redemptions
- Identifies overlooked destinations with better value
- Advises on banking, borrowing, and bonus weeks
- Tracks value vs. spend over time for continuous improvement
We empower members to turn their annual fee into a tool for luxury travel, savings, and memorable experiences.
🧭 The Developer & Resort Advantage
For B2B partners, helping owners see — and achieve — this kind of value enhances satisfaction, improves retention, and reduces post-sale regret. When owners feel confident in what they’re getting for their fees, they’re more likely to stay engaged and continue their ownership journey.
VOA acts as the bridge between the value promised and the value realized.
🚀 Let’s Raise the Standard
It’s time to stop thinking of maintenance fees as just a bill. With the right tools, support, and insight, every owner can turn that bill into an asset with measurable ROI.
VOA is committed to helping owners and developers succeed — one travel strategy at a time.
