Timeshare 101: Fixed Week vs. Floating Week
For week-based vacation ownership, there are different methods used to assign the specific week that each individual owner is allowed to use. The terms fixed and floating/flexi week specify the process.
A fixed week is the simplest timeshare concept. By purchasing a fixed week at a resort, you have the right to occupy a specific unit for a specific week number each year. However, the week may not be during the exact same days each year.
Most timeshare calendars consider weeks to begin at the check-in date. For example, if you own week 16, and your check-in day is Saturday, then your timeshare week would begin on the 16th Saturday of the year, and you would check out on the 17th Saturday of the year.
In contrast, a floating week gives you the right to use a unit during a specific period of the year. For example, you could stay at the resort during summer months, but the exact week may change from one year to another. These periods tend to be divided based on seasonal demand, such as “Peak”, “Medium”, “Low”, etc.
Your specific week for the year is typically assigned by the resort 10 to 12 months prior to the check-in date. A floating week allows for flexibility, especially if you don’t want to be tied down to vacationing during a specific week each year. However, since each period has many owners, it is up to the individual owners to contact the resort to reserve their particular week.
Note that these week assignments only really matter if you intend to use your week and stay at your home resort. If you exchange your week, you will not be limited to just vacationing during a fixed week each year. However, you will find that the fixed week assignments allow you an advantage over floating week owners because you can typically spacebank your fixed week up to a year earlier than a floating week.