Is this news: RCI trading with DVC?

[DisOrBust]

You all probably know this but it was a shock to me who is considering DVC. Just back from a trip to YBC and met a family staying at BCV in a two BR that they rented trading their "red week" with RCI for 189.00. She told me DVC just started this. Anyone heard of this?

 

[bwvBound]

It was pretty heavily discussed just about this time last year.

 

[bwvBound]

How does this "shock" you? What concerns does this raise in light of your potential DVC purchase?

 

[DisOrBust]

That I could buy a red week for 3500 to 4000 and stay in a 2 BR BCV for 189.00. Plus that it is also for perpetuity unlike DVC.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Sounds like a deal to me .

 

[bwvBound]

That I could buy a red week for 3500 to 4000 and stay in a 2 BR BCV for 189.00. Plus that it is also for perpetuity unlike DVC.

Ah, fair enough

Things to consider:

• Not all RCI "red weeks" will have sufficient quality to trade into DVC. The timeshares that can trade into DVC are generally of similar quality.
• Some resorts are prohibited from exchanging into DVC based on blocks placed on geography or other restrictions.
• The cost of exchanging into DVC will include: the original purchase and transfer fees of the timeshare; annual dues on the timeshare ($400-1200/year); annual RCI membership (~$90/year); the stated exchange fee (~$189) and DVC's inbound exchange fee ($95).
• While DVC currently exchanges through RCI ... that could change in the future. (DVC initially traded through RCI then switched to II for several years and starting 1/1/09 reverted back to RCI.)
• DVC inventory in RCI may be spotty. A common booking strategy through RCI is to "take what is there" over "wait for perfect dates, resort or unit size."
• Exchanges into DVC will nearly always start on Fri, Sat or Sun -- which may not match the best travel dates for airfare.

That said ... I do both: own some DVC points and exchange in using other timeshare. Benefits:

• Can book a solid week via exchange and then add a nights on either end using DVC points to "shape" the reservation for the dates I want.
• Book a DVC reservation on DVC points as a "back-up" plan ... while hoping for an exchange against other timeshare.
• Use DVC points for "short-stay" reservations.
• Take advantage of DVC member perks such as discounted annual pass, shopping/dining discounts, etc.

Good luck with your research. I suggest you visit the Timeshare Users Group (TUG) for more info as you research DVC, other timeshares and the wonderful world of exchanging.

 

[Dean]

That I could buy a red week for 3500 to 4000 and stay in a 2 BR BCV for 189.00. Plus that it is also for perpetuity unlike DVC.

Exchange fees are $139 for RCI points, $164 for RCI weeks domestic and $189 for RCI weeks Intl. All require an additional $95 resort services fee per unit. While it can be as simple as buying a timeshare and exchanging in, it really isn't. First, RCI works heavily on the trade power of a given unit. You might buy something and NOT be able to trade for DVC even if it's red time and a Gold Crown. RCI points (but not based in Orlando) is the best way to do this if one truly has that goal in mine. We had 4 units this year (just returned from one) and already have 5 booked for next Sept. But you've got to put the effort to learn the system and put the time in to make it work. You've also got to look at off time to have a good chance of success.