Best RCI trades...

[poohnpiglet3]

Which RCI resorts have you traded your DVC points for and which resorts were worth recommending? Are there any you've done that were terrible?

We're open to going pretty much anywhere. I plan on going to a few different places over the next few years. And yes, I've read both sides of the debate on trading. I don't mean to stir that up. Just the facts, please!

Thank you!!!!

Sherri

 

[littlestar]

I'd start by reading some reviews on Trip Advisor - www.tripadviser.com.

Also, if you join Tug (timeshare users group) for $15.00, you'll have full access to the timeshare reviews on that site. But, if you don't want to join that site, you can always do a search on their message boards and glean quite a bit of free info.

Good luck with your research.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Wyndham Hawaii resorts and HGVC Hawaii resorts....

 

[wheniwasyoung]

Are you traveling in a specific area? That will help out in getting the best feedback. Thanks

 

[wheniwasyoung]

Besides TUG2.com you can also go right to RCI.com and just search under the "Resort Directory". I believe that you can also read the members reviews. I find that RCI has not only more and also more current reviews then you find on TUG.

 

[littlestar]

Here's another nice site for great pictures and resort reviews:

www.oyster.com

 

[poohnpiglet3]

Thank you, really, we are open to going anywhere. I'd like to do Hawaii and Mexico especially, but even nice places in the US would be nice to explore.

I know that I could look up the resorts, but I was hoping fellow DVCers would guide me where they had gone and loved, seeing that we all are used to a certain level of vacationing! So I trust your opinions the most.

Thanks for the advice!

Sherri

 

[Dean]

There are limited resorts of quality and demand enough to warrant a DVC exchange but there are a few. TUG would be my first option, I ignore tripadvisors because it's purposefully skewed and simply not very helpful. Timesharing today and redweeks have good info as well. I'd suggest you either research the top resorts or the areas you want and the acceptable resort in those areas. Unfortunately you'll find that most trades are a downtrade.

 

[wheniwasyoung]

Here are just a few places that we have stayed at in the last five years that I personally thought were wonderful places. Yet I do not have a clue on how DVC trades or what they will offer with RCI.

1. Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip (#6300)(Huge rooms and excellent service)

2. Shell Vacations Club at Inn at the Opera- San Fran, Cal (#7626) (Small rooms but perfect location)

3. Wyndham Nashville (#3688) (Nice Resort and a TON of stuff to do! Hate Country Music but still had a blast!)

4. Tree Tops Resort -Gatlinburg, TN (#2208) (Nice, smaller rooms, smaller resort and good service)

5. Egret Point by Spinnaker - Hilton Head Island (#4223) (Right down the street from Disney's Resort so probably not a good option however the rooms are huge and its a very, very nice resort)

These are only the resorts that I liked. If you asked my family they would have others that they also enjoyed.

You also need to be aware that we have stayed in some pretty stinky resorts as well. One time in Orlando, we actually had to call RCI and be moved because the resort was so bad (not a good way to spend the first day of a vacation). I think some of the reviews that are posted are by the resorts themselves or owners that are trying to make their resort more appealing.

You could also trade your points/unit with a RCI member. Of course you need to be careful of who you trade with, as just like with DVC members, they can pull the reservation as the owner. As a RCI member I have traded with DVC members several times but it has been with friends and co-workers. If you do this remember that ANY Disney resort is worth more (strictly my opinion) than Most RCI resorts so you may want to trade five Disney days for a whole week someplace else.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Here are just a few places that we have stayed at in the last five years that I personally thought were wonderful places. Yet I do not have a clue on how DVC trades or what they will offer with RCI.

1. Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip (#6300)(Huge rooms and excellent service)

2. Shell Vacations Club at Inn at the Opera- San Fran, Cal (#7626) (Small rooms but perfect location)

3. Wyndham Nashville (#3688) (Nice Resort and a TON of stuff to do! Hate Country Music but still had a blast!)

4. Tree Tops Resort -Gatlinburg, TN (#2208) (Nice, smaller rooms, smaller resort and good service)

5. Egret Point by Spinnaker - Hilton Head Island (#4223) (Right down the street from Disney's Resort so probably not a good option however the rooms are huge and its a very, very nice resort)

These are only the resorts that I liked. If you asked my family they would have others that they also enjoyed.

You also need to be aware that we have stayed in some pretty stinky resorts as well. One time in Orlando, we actually had to call RCI and be moved because the resort was so bad (not a good way to spend the first day of a vacation). I think some of the reviews that are posted are by the resorts themselves or owners that are trying to make their resort more appealing.

You could also trade your points/unit with a RCI member. Of course you need to be careful of who you trade with, as just like with DVC members, they can pull the reservation as the owner. As a RCI member I have traded with DVC members several times but it has been with friends and co-workers. If you do this remember that ANY Disney resort is worth more (strictly my opinion) than Most RCI resorts so you may want to trade five Disney days for a whole week someplace else.

Hope some of this helps.

Excellent info!! Writing this down!

 

[Dean]

Here are just a few places that we have stayed at in the last five years that I personally thought were wonderful places. Yet I do not have a clue on how DVC trades or what they will offer with RCI.

1. Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip (#6300)(Huge rooms and excellent service)

2. Shell Vacations Club at Inn at the Opera- San Fran, Cal (#7626) (Small rooms but perfect location)

3. Wyndham Nashville (#3688) (Nice Resort and a TON of stuff to do! Hate Country Music but still had a blast!)

4. Tree Tops Resort -Gatlinburg, TN (#2208) (Nice, smaller rooms, smaller resort and good service)

5. Egret Point by Spinnaker - Hilton Head Island (#4223) (Right down the street from Disney's Resort so probably not a good option however the rooms are huge and its a very, very nice resort)

These are only the resorts that I liked. If you asked my family they would have others that they also enjoyed.

You also need to be aware that we have stayed in some pretty stinky resorts as well. One time in Orlando, we actually had to call RCI and be moved because the resort was so bad (not a good way to spend the first day of a vacation). I think some of the reviews that are posted are by the resorts themselves or owners that are trying to make their resort more appealing.

You could also trade your points/unit with a RCI member. Of course you need to be careful of who you trade with, as just like with DVC members, they can pull the reservation as the owner. As a RCI member I have traded with DVC members several times but it has been with friends and co-workers. If you do this remember that ANY Disney resort is worth more (strictly my opinion) than Most RCI resorts so you may want to trade five Disney days for a whole week someplace else.

Hope some of this helps.

Interesting that of the 5 places you list, I'd only put one in the same class as DVC and even then LV is easy to trade for with any lowly timeshare. The other point I'd make is that while you can do a private exchange with someone who owns an RCI (or any other) timeshare, you cannot trade for an exchange including an RCI points stay and stay within the rules.

If you look at say the top resorts overall on TUG. Of the top 3 non DVC RCI resorts, two are affiliated with RCI AND II and it appears that II gets the bulk of the deposits there. Only Big Cedar Wilderness Club stands out as RCI only. IF you look at the top 10 RCI resorts on TUG, 2 are DVC and at least 3 are dually affiliated with most deposits going to II.

 

[wheniwasyoung]

The other point I'd make is that while you can do a private exchange with someone who owns an RCI (or any other) timeshare, you cannot trade for an exchange including an RCI points stay and stay within the rules.

I guess I don't understand what you are saying. You can book any resort with RCI and purchase a "guest certificate" for anyone over the age of 21. That would be why you would do a private exchange.
Also, I don't think anyone mentioned that any of these resorts where "equal" to a DVC resort. In fact I suggest only trading five days @ Disney (Sunday thru Thursday) for full weeks anywhere else.

 

[Dean]

I guess I don't understand what you are saying. You can book any resort with RCI and purchase a "guest certificate" for anyone over the age of 21. That would be why you would do a private exchange.
Also, I don't think anyone mentioned that any of these resorts where "equal" to a DVC resort. In fact I suggest only trading five days @ Disney (Sunday thru Thursday) for full weeks anywhere else.

You can get a guest certificate at $59 with RCI, $39 with II, free with some of the independents. In some cases the resort will add the names to the reservation along with yours and you don't have to even pay for the guest certificate. However, with RCI weeks, RCI points and II, it is against their rules to rent or exchange in any way. It's against their rules to get anything of value in return, even a meal, it's also against their rules to exchange the exchange. They take it seriously and will lock any accounts related to such a transaction for 6-12 months in most cases and if there have been other concerns, may well ban the affected member for life. To do a legit private exchange you'd have to exchange for what someone else owns, not an exchange they can get. Even when an exchange is comparable, there are other risks that one should consider including the permanent nature of exchanges and unit assignment policies. For example, I own two Ocean Front units and one Ocean side unit at a Marriott on HH. If I trade one of those from this year to next then I will almost certainly get an ocean side unit even if I traded OF and I will get a lower unit assignment priority, almost certainly first floor.

While I too have suggested an unequal trade (5 for 7 nights, smaller for larger, etc), often others aren't that interested in such an option. They feel it simply goes against the principles of timesharing and I can see that point of view.

 

[wheniwasyoung]

Thanks for the clarification.
I have reserved dozens of rooms for other people and I have yet had one RCI rep question if I received any money or trade for the unit. I just recently booked three units with guest cert. for Feb. for our annual Orlando trip. Guess I've been lucky.

When considering the "yearly investment" that DCV members pay I could not ever imagine thinking that most RCI or II resorts would equal a whole week trade at any of the WDW units. Of course as I read on TUG and also DIS it is becoming very apparent that some have spent 1000's on buying a timeshare and are also saddled with huge maint. and tax fees. So, if I was in that situation, I would probably feel the same.

Thanks again for the comments. I look forward to future posts by you.

 

[babylisa4]

Anyone know anything about Casitas Royale and El Dorado Royale in Playa Del Carmen? I understand they are all-inclusive and you have to pay the fee that I guess should sort of equal food/drink and activities. Do those fees include stuff like masages? This is for my 25 year old son so is it something he would like? I'm older not sure I want the all inclusive deal but seems like it might be for that younger crowd. Do you get stuck with ordinary rooms when you exchange?
Thanks- I'm hoping Dean knows something.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the clarification.
I have reserved dozens of rooms for other people and I have yet had one RCI rep question if I received any money or trade for the unit. I just recently booked three units with guest cert. for Feb. for our annual Orlando trip. Guess I've been lucky.

When considering the "yearly investment" that DCV members pay I could not ever imagine thinking that most RCI or II resorts would equal a whole week trade at any of the WDW units. Of course as I read on TUG and also DIS it is becoming very apparent that some have spent 1000's on buying a timeshare and are also saddled with huge maint. and tax fees. So, if I was in that situation, I would probably feel the same.

Thanks again for the comments. I look forward to future posts by you.

I can tell you that DVC does it's part to monitor exchange rentals and will notify RCI if they suspect it either in or out. I will also tell you that RCI and II have people that mine TUG, redweeks, ebays, etc for rental posts. There are also people who actively notify them if they suspect rentals are going on including on DIS.

Anyone know anything about Casitas Royale and El Dorado Royale in Playa Del Carmen? I understand they are all-inclusive and you have to pay the fee that I guess should sort of equal food/drink and activities. Do those fees include stuff like masages? This is for my 25 year old son so is it something he would like? I'm older not sure I want the all inclusive deal but seems like it might be for that younger crowd. Do you get stuck with ordinary rooms when you exchange?
Thanks- I'm hoping Dean knows something.

I don't know the resorts, I'd refer you to TUG for someone with direct knowledge. They are both highly rated on TUG. Did you look at the fees at $200 per person for the lowest season and up to about $400 pp at the highest. The only thing to look at on AI's is they often require you pay up to the private occupancy of a unit. For a 2 BR you might have to pay for 4 or 6 people even if there are 2 of you.

 

[wheniwasyoung]

I can tell you that DVC does it's part to monitor exchange rentals and will notify RCI if they suspect it either in or out. I will also tell you that RCI and II have people that mine TUG, redweeks, ebays, etc for rental posts. There are also people who actively notify them if they suspect rentals are going on including on DIS

I have to admit that you had me a little concerned with your comments as I have extensively used the RCI Points program since it has been in existence and have used it as I mention earlier as a 'private exchange".
In the last two days I have talked with two RCI reps. and also RCI Corporate Legal and have presented the situation of a "private exchange" with a DVC Member. While there is certainly many variables and circumstances that all RCI & DVC members need to be aware of, the simple fact is that RCI has no problem with me booking a week, buying a guest certificate for any DVC member. On the the other side, I hope the selling of points or booking a unit for a non-DVC member by a DVC member is against the rules, because that is done very minute on this site and now I guilty of another crime.
I also used your comment "even excepting a meal" and they are not only unconcerned but also admitted that they would never monitor or "pursue" a member for doing something like that.
It would go without saying that RCI has and needs to implement many restrictions and guidelines to protect themselves, their members, and the timeshare industry. However, in my conversations with RCI headquarters, I am very confident that I have and will be able to do exactly what I suggested in my first reply on this post.
You are, however, correct in the statements of "renting" or "selling" a persons week or excepting any monetary compensation. So the ebayer's and others need to be very careful as they are putting their memberships in jeopardy.
Thanks again for all of you input and knowledge.

 

[ldo]

I am glad that RCI legal has someone normal working for them--think about it---someone has DVC points and they want to travel somewhere that for some reason they can't obtain thru RCI (like a summer beach week at 6 months notice) and someone else has RCI points and has that exact beach week reserved, but would really rather vacation at DVC, or can't use the beach week b/c of summer camp, etc.---it seems perfectly fair to let the DVCer do a private trade with the RCIer (who gets the DVCer a guest certif) and then the RCIer can vacation at DVC as the DVCer's guest---esp. if there is an agreement for a like-for-like exchange and no money changes hands. I see that as very different that reserving a prime week and then renting it out on ebay. Elaine

 

[rickdeni]

El Dorado Royale is an exclusive adults only resort. Funjet Vacations sells it as a 5* (their highest rating) and a week in January with air, etc. sells for about $4,000 per couple.

 

[wheniwasyoung]

Yes, it would seem a normal and legit process.
I do think from now on I will be dropping the term "private exchange" as it puts a "formal" aspect on the process. I feel that both Vacation groups have no problem with "friends" or "acquaintances" sending each other on a vacation but it seems that they may frown on unit to unit "exchanges" or anything that could make them in anyway liable if something goes wrong.
If an individual wants to get bogged in all the "legal" terms so as to handcuff oneself to extreme limitations, then so be it. However, personally, with the contacts that I have made with RCI over the last two days, I have names and references that gives me confidence that I am conducting myself in a proper manner.
Of course, everyone needs to be extremely familiar with their contracts and will "stand on their own" when making decisions on how they will handle their properties. I, for one, am very grateful for these forums, as it has taught me so much in the last few months. I have stayed at and around Disney for over 20 years and didn't know one third of what I do now. Not only about Disney but also about time sharing.