Are Time-Shares Worth It?

Nearly 2 million U.S. households own time-shares, paying an average of $10,500 for an annual week at a condominium in a hot spot like Florida or Hawaii. As operators have spruced up lodgings and given owners more flexibility, time-share sales have risen 14% a year, making them the fastest-growing part of the hospitality industry. Trusted brands like Marriott are expanding their offerings in what is globally a $6 billion- a-year business. To help you decide whether to join this parade, TIME asked some time-share veterans about their experiences.

PROS

--Warren and Edith Bridges of Weymouth, Mass., were wary of the hard-sell...