Discerning travelers know that when it comes to vacation experiences, nothing beats a few weeks spent at a luxurious resort. From world-class customer service to amenities that would satisfy even the pickiest celebrity, there's no more memorable holiday experience than the time spent at a beautiful four or five-star resort with family members or that special someone. However, adventurous travelers know that if a luxury vacation isn't booked with a discount, it can very easily break the bank!

So with that in mind, it's time to compare two options that claim to offer travelers the kind of vacations that only the rich and famous enjoy - and see which option comes out on top.

Timeshares. Want to buy a timeshare to save on your next big vacation? You might want to take another look at that contract!

Timeshare agents love to boast that you can get a top-quality vacation experience for significantly less than what it would actually cost you. However, delve a little deeper into the world of timeshares, and you'll discover some disconcerting facts about these liabilities. For instance, did you know that timeshares are riddled with blackout dates and restrictions? Of course, if you already own a timeshare, you know this frustrating fact - but for those looking into purchasing a membership with a timeshare resort, it's best to spend your money elsewhere. Additionally, timeshare resorts love sticking their members in cramped rooms during the peak of the off-off season - so don't be surprised if you're enjoying Bermuda's hurricane season thanks to your timeshare!

As if that wasn't bad enough, timeshare sales are at all-time lows, due to an over-saturated market - in other words, there are too many timeshares out there, and not enough buyers to snap them up. If you want to buy a timeshare for your investment portfolio, then you'll want to consider this: not only are timeshare resales at an extreme low, but it's highly unlikely that you'll even make back 50% of what you originally sunk into it. Clearly, that timeshare agent forgot to mention these important facts!

Add to the mix that timeshares are expensive to maintain and come with all sorts of hidden fees and charges, and you're better off paying thousands of dollars for a luxury vacation through a travel agent!

So what's a savvy traveler to do if he doesn't want to sacrifice his bank account to hidden fees and costs - not to mention blackout dates! - in order to have a memorable luxury holiday?

Vacation Club Memberships. If you're not sure what a vacation club is, then get ready to be let in on the secret of a lifetime.

VIP vacation clubs developed in the mid-80s thanks to a demand for exclusive vacation experiences that catered solely to the rich and famous. But with the emergence of the internet, these vacation clubs were soon exposed, and now the average consumer can enjoy the same five-star benefits and privileges that only the rich and famous could enjoy once upon a time - for just pennies on the dollar!

Platinum Luxury Resort Memberships are one such VIP vacation club that's available to you. But these are different from timeshares because they're purchased with a one-time fee; this means your mailbox won't be flooded with bills for years after the initial purchase! With your membership, you'll have access to thousands of timeshare resort properties, VIP access to peak tourist season weeks, top customer service and - best of all - no blackout dates! Additionally, Platinum Luxury Resort Memberships offer unlimited access to the kind of resorts that aren't available through timeshare agents or major travel sites, which means that you can truly have a one-of-a-kind luxury vacation experience.

Think you'll get the same kind of deal with a timeshare resort membership? It's not only highly unlikely - it's downright impossible!