If you're confused about choosing a vacation travel club...know that you're not alone. Many smart travelers like yourself who have become overwhelmed by the decision of choosing a travel club have learned to follow these four tips below...which has made the decision process a lot easier.

It's only after following these key tips that you'll understand what you need to look for in a vacation travel club. The last thing you want is to become a victim of an unscrupulous travel club or a timeshare company.

You just have to be cautious of the "fly-by-night" travel companies that liter the Internet and those that try to lure you into a presentation at an office.

A good well-established travel club can save you a lot of money on your vacations. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that you got the very best deal possible. But again you have to know what key things to look for.

Here are a few simple tips that will help you in picking the best vacation travel club so you can save a lot of money on your next vacation:

1. Do you want an equity based travel club or non-equity based club? An equity based club is a timeshare or a destination type of club where you own a percentage or you own "time" of a property or a portfolio of properties. Due to the economic melt down in the mortgage and housing industry, timeshares have gotten out favor.
   
   Best Tip: A non-equity vacation travel club cost only a fraction of what you'd pay for a timeshare. And in nearly most cases, a good non-equity travel club can give you access to the same resorts that timeshare owners enjoy without the headache of putting down a huge down payment and without those high maintenance fees.
   
   
2. How do you like to vacation? Remember a travel club is not an investment. The sole purpose of a travel club is to save you money on your vacations. A good travel club should save you a lot of money on your #1 biggest expense...your lodging.
   
   Do you enjoy staying at hotels, motels, in your RV, or at resorts? Find the club that fits with the way you like to travel.
   
   Best Tip: Hotels can not only be quite expensive but also quite confining. If you enjoy the spirit of being with other vacationers and you like a lot of amenities that your whole family can enjoy, you may want to look at travel clubs that offer discounts to luxury resorts.
   
   Resorts typically offer the best views of the scenery along with the spaciousness of a home-like setting that gives you room to entertain multiple guests.
   
   
3. What's in your budget? With the economic meltdown happening all over the world and unemployment still high, it really doesn't do your family any favors to get them in big debt just to take a vacation.
   
   Best Tip: Seek a vacation travel club that fits within your budget that won't bury your family in pit of debt. There are a handful of good travel clubs that you can join for under $5k that gets you lifetime discounts to top luxury resorts. Those are best clubs that will offer you the best deals.
   
   
4. What are your savings? When you're looking to sign up for a club, know what kind of savings you can expect. Any club that can't tell you or is vague as to what you're saving money on is a vacation travel club that you don't want to be a part of.
   
   Best Tip: Find a travel club that tells you upfront what kind of discounts it offers and what kind of costs you'll be paying out of pocket in addition to the cost to join the club.

After knowing these four tips you'll be "armed" with knowledge and now you can go out and conquer the travel club industry.

If you can imagine sipping an exotic drink while walking along a warm sandy beach, then you're just that much closer to making it an affordable reality with a vacation travel club.

Get ready to pack your bags...finally learn how this travel club has been making dream vacations come true for families just like yours for over 20 years!