A class action lawsuit says that Wyndham aggressively markets its timeshares and unfairly profits from customers by requiring them to assign their timeshare interest to a trust, from which Wyndham benefits.
Plaintiffs Carolyn Nolen, Windy Kelley, Cara Kelley, and Paula Litton claim that they all have timeshares with Wyndham.
Allegedly, these customers, along with every timeshare purchaser, are required to assign 100 percent of their timeshare interest to Club Wyndham Plus, a program governed by the terms of the Fairshare Trust. In turn, the trust is reportedly controlled by Wyndham.
The Wyndham class action claims that Wyndham does not disclose to customers that the Fairshare Trust is the Fairshare Vacation Owners Association, a corporation controlled entirely by Wyndham. The terms allegedly indicate that the only beneficiaries of the Fairshare Trust are the individual timeshare owners and Wyndham.
Because the trustee is reportedly controlled by Wyndham, and Wyndham profits from the trust, the trustee — Fairshare Vacation Owners Association — profits from the trust, in violation of Arkansas law.
According to the customers’ timeshare trust class action lawsuit, Wyndham violated Arkansas Trust Code, which requires a trustee to administer the trust solely in the interest of the beneficiaries, and dictates that a “trust and its terms must be for the benefit of its beneficiaries.”
The Wyndham class action claims that the Trust Code states that trustees cannot profit from the trust, even if they did not breach the trust in profiting from it.
The timeshare holders argue that the Fairshare Vacation Owners Association’s Board of Directors has the right to change any program or feature of the trust at will, even if these changes are against the best interest of the customers.
During the time period at issue in the Wyndham lawsuit, all three members of the Board of Directors were Wyndham members, and they were able to make changes to the trust even if those changes were not in the best interest of the timeshare holders.
In the words of the timeshare owners, “to gain control over the Fairshare Vacation Owners Association and the Fairshare Trust, [Wyndham] or its affiliated entities appointed its own executives and employees to control the actions of the Trustee.” Allegedly, this led to “tremendous” financial benefits for Wyndham and affiliates.
The Wyndham timeshare class action lawsuit argues that Wyndham’s control of the trust is absolute, and that the company is violating their fiduciary duty to timeshare owners.
The timeshare owners go on to argue that Wyndham requires timeshare owners to pay fees that cover the costs of administering and operating the trust, which only financially serves Wyndham, not the timeshare holders.
Wynham has previously faced claims that the timeshare company misled consumers about its services, and unfairly profited from consumers.
Do you have a timeshare? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
The timeshare holders are represented by John A. Yanchunis and Patrick A. Barthle II of Morgan & Morgan Complex Litigation Group; James M. Terrell and Rodney E. Miller of Methvin Terrell Yancey Stephens & Miller PC; and Bradford D. Barron of The Barron Law Firm PLLC.
The Wyndham Timeshare Trust Class Action Lawsuit is Carolyn Nolen, et al. v. Wyndham Vacation Resorts Inc., et al., Case No. 6:20-cv-00330-PGB-EJK, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
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342 thoughts onWyndham Class Action Lawsuit: Hotel Unfairly Profits Off Timeshare Owners
I bought Worldmark in 1997. I bought a few more credits by early 2000 and have 10000 credits and love the resorts (we live within a few hrs drive to several), I dislike the maintainence fees that increase every year. They always want me to go to their “owner education” and talk about Club Wyndham and how I can offset increased maintenance fees with their credit card. I tell them that they need to buy my credits back and I will go away because I’m happy with my timeshare just how I bought it and I’m not buying more. Last couple of times not so high pressure but no more American Express card and you have to call a couple of times to get the promised 2000 points. As Wyndham bought Worldmark but I’ve never upgraded to club Wyndham I wonder if I got this rip as well. I would like to know.
I am a time share owner,please add me to the law suit.
Please add me
Yes I brought a timeshare in 2008 in Vegas and had nothing but bad luck and so much money for nothing and I would like my money back cause it was a scam I feel so add me to the list me and my Sister
Please add me to this class action lawsuit.
Wyndham sales is outright deceitful and big time swindlers.
In the outset, I was guaranteed an Aulani resort vacation stay (main reason purchased timeshare) using my points, 4 years later my family is still waiting. I paid an addt’l $230 to be placed on waitlist to no avail.
Timeshare is fully paid, just stuck with the monthly maintenance fees that keeps increasing on a yearly basis. Then everytime you stay at a wyndham resort you’re still due more maintenance fees.
I’m a Wyndham time share owner please add me to the list!!!
I am a wyndham timeshare owner. Add me to the action.
Please add me
Please enroll me in the lawsuit. Had a Wyndham Timeshare and had all the same problems that everyone else has commented about. Cost me dearly to get out.
Please Add me to the law suit. My timeshare is paid off but I still have a hard time booking anywhere and they still want to charge you money and the maintenance fees are unbearable every year.