How Does Depositing Points to RCI Work?

[Belle & Ariel]

I have banked 2011 points (Aug. use year) that I will not be using this year. Rather than renting I think my best option is to deposit them into RCI for an exchange we would hopefully use next summer in Hawaii.
Looking at the resorts it seems most 1 bedrooms are 160 points. I have 147 banked points.
I also love St. Lucia and would be happy to spend a week there if HI was not available. Bermuda is #1 choice but it seems unlikely to get it.
Should I do the deposit for 160 and hope the places we want are available? Should I just do the 147 banked and then "pay" the difference later in case we get something less?
Do I pay the transfer fee when I make the deposit and again when I make a reservation?
Anything else I need to know?

 

[Dean]

I have banked 2011 points (Aug. use year) that I will not be using this year. Rather than renting I think my best option is to deposit them into RCI for an exchange we would hopefully use next summer in Hawaii.
Looking at the resorts it seems most 1 bedrooms are 160 points. I have 147 banked points.
I also love St. Lucia and would be happy to spend a week there if HI was not available. Bermuda is #1 choice but it seems unlikely to get it.
Should I do the deposit for 160 and hope the places we want are available? Should I just do the 147 banked and then "pay" the difference later in case we get something less?
Do I pay the transfer fee when I make the deposit and again when I make a reservation?
Anything else I need to know?

Several points. First, your best option by far is to rent them. The next best option is to determine which resorts are acceptable to you and place an ongoing request. You could even place the request AND offer to rent at the same time and abandon the one later that you don't need. You'll pay the fee when you set up the request but it's refundable if you cancel before a match or you don't match. The lowest option is to do deposit first. However, if you're set on not renting them and can't use them, then a deposit first ASAP is likely your best be. Do set up the exchange right away if you do so.

You can count on 160 points for summer though very early and late summer could be a little lower. Remember the resort you request must have 1 BR units, most of them do but not all. The Hilton's on Oahu and Kaanapali BC are VERY unlikely matches to come through. Another option might be to talk to some of the independent exchange companies and see if you can get a match that might work better, and easier though it'd likely be a few more points (actual 1 BR reservation to trade). The Windjammer or other Caribbean would likely be far more likely to be available for the summer than HI. You can always list all reasonable options and take the one that comes through. We do this commonly with II and RCI (non DVC) and let luck determine our final destination.

 

[soccermother]

what is an independant exchange company?

 

[Dean]

what is an independant exchange company?

Basically other than the big 2 of RCI and II. These include Donita's, San Francisco Exchange, Trading Places Intl., Trading Places Maui, HI Timeshare Exchange, Platinum Interchange and Platinum Interchange plus one I know nothing about, Crown Vacation Exchange. Redweeks has folded into DAE I believe. Donita's had but apparently has pulled out. All the ones I know of have their niche but some do better than others. SFX is likely the big dog for the US and concentrates on high end/high demand options. Fees vary, some have no membership fee. Some allow request first, others don't. For HI, TPI, TPM, HTSE and SFX are very strong. Timesharing Today has an annual comparison. Some have points, most use trading power much like II/RCI but DAE is first in/first out. It's a little more complicated exchanging DVC with them because DVC won't confirm the week to them.