Discount Travel Membership Clubs tend to be marketed as a flexible alternative to timeshare, promising a lifetime of discounted luxury holidays anywhere in the world. Many charge a substantial membership fee for little more than a booking service, and offer questionable discounts. Reports have been made about the difficulties many consumers have experienced in booking accommodation. 

Discount Travel Membership Clubs that do not follow The European Timeshare Directive or other national laws, tend not to give adequate consumer protection, such as a cooling off period or detailed information on the purchase, even though as a result of approaching consumers out of their business premises, they should provide at least a 7-day cooling off period.

There is now added protection if payment is made by Visa or MasterCard, which enforces the ten day cooling off period for timeshare and related products such as Discount Travel Membership Clubs or 35 months pre-paid holidays even if the company refuses to pay a refund.

Consumers should however demonstrate that they have tried to get a refund and have been unsuccessful.