Maybe you’re not taking as many vacations day as you had hoped. Or perhaps the trials of life, from an overseas job transfer or a divorce, has left your destination club membership underused or simply not a practical vacation option. Then again, maybe it is the club itself. A club that hasn’t added homes in destinations that appeal to you may push you to consider a new club instead.

Of course when you’ve reached the end of the road with a destination club is exactly the wrong time to begin figuring out the ins and outs of the resignation policy. Helium Report helps consumers navigate the destination club membership process in our guide but any search for a club should inevitably include a consideration of your exit strategy. Regardless of the reason for leaving, you should know what to expect when you do want to get out.

We explored resignation policies at seven clubs and found that the policies vary widely. First off, there might be a catch to getting your deposit back. Every club has different membership terms and conditions, and a common one is a waiting period to resign. Before you join, be sure to carefully review all of the details and make sure you understand what you’re signing up for.

Another restriction that may delay your exit? Some clubs maintain a policy that can slow the revolving door by requiring one or more new members to join before an existing member can resign. Whether it’s a one out, one in rule or a policy that requires three new members to sign up before you can leave, the rule can translate into one thing: a waiting list. Before joining any club, be sure to examine a club’s historical in and out wait times and their total resignation numbers before making a commitment.

100 Percent Refund on Your Deposit

At Quintess, LRW, the membership deposit is 100 percent refundable in the first year of membership, while members are feeling out whether the club is a good fit. In the second year and after, 80 percent of the member’s original deposit is refundable. Similarly, at Solstice Collection, one deposit refund option is a 100 percent return with no transfer fee after two years have passed.

Another Solstice option is based on the future market value of the membership minus a 20 percent transfer fee. For early Solstice members this was undoubtedly a sound pick considering that the price of the club’s mid-level plan has jumped from around $500,000 in 2004 to nearly $1 million today.

100 Percent Refund and Then Some

Members of Lusso Collection have the potential for appreciation on their membership investment. The club refunds 100 percent of the deposit along with a share of any deposit increase during the membership period. They also offer the option of transferring a membership to a family member at no charge. Their three-in, one-out policy has a maximum wait time of nine months, so if a member resigns outright they are assured by the club that they will have to wait no longer than nine months for a refund even if three new members don’t join. Worth noting, the club, which topped the 100-member mark earlier this year, reports no resignations.

90 percent Refund Plus More

In another equity model, BelleHavens gives resigning members a refund of 90 percent of the current membership deposit. However, exiting the club is on a three-in, one-out basis and you have to be a member for two years before you can resign. BelleHavens holds deposits in escrow until the account contains enough funds to purchase a new home outright. In other words, the club doesn’t spend member deposits immediately and the money isn’t used to pay off growing debts or leases. Their structure of member ownership of debt-free properties would guarantee that members rather than creditors, in the event of the club’s closure, would get proceeds of property sales. Translation: there are always assets on hand to refund deposits.

80 Percent Refund

At Exclusive Resorts, membership deposits are 80 percent refundable on the original amount paid with a three-in/one-out policy. The club reports that any member who has resigned in the past received a refund within 30 days, because the club has a waiting list to join and no waiting list to resign.

80 Percent Refund, and More

It might not be 100 percent, but Ultimate Resort’s resignation policy offers choices and appreciation. Club membership is equivalent to a lifetime interest in the club, so upon resigning, members can sell, assign, or transfer their membership. The club will redeem and resell memberships at 80 percent of the current membership fee—not the deposit paid when you joined—on a three-in/one-out basis. The club is set to merge with Private Escapes early next year to form the new venture Ultimate Escapes.

No Deposit, No Refund

Since One Key doesn’t require member deposits, there isn’t a refund process. Rather than paying a membership deposit and annual fees as with a standard club model, One Key members pay a one-time fee to purchase a travel card loaded with 15, 25, or 45 nights (prices start at $34,900) that have no expiration date. When the nights are gone, members can either purchase a new card or “vote with their feet,” said founder and CEO Jay Sapovits.

The Helium Report Take

Understanding your resignation options is only one of the critical elements to making an informed destination club choice, but it’s an important one. You’ll need to ask a club about their total number of resignations and the length of the waiting list to resign. Also consider if you would be happy with getting perhaps just a portion of your deposit back.

If you’re not sure if the club you’re considering will work for you, ask for a trial membership or seek out clubs that have entry level plans requiring a smaller initial outlay. Options include Distinctive Holiday Homes’ week-long sample, Exclusive Resorts’ 10-day associate membership, and an à la carte offering like One Key.

For more information on making a smart selection, check out the 50 Due Diligence Questions in our free Destination Club Decision Guide.