is trading in to RCI a bad value? Please Explain!

[bytheblood]

Dean, do you work for RCI?

 

[downontheBW]

Back in the day of Interval, I almost traded DVC into II but ended up not doing it. The trade value just wasn't there for the matches I could get. Instead, I posted on TUG and did some private trades and got exactly what I wanted.

Now that DVC trades through RCI, there are not many options that offer a good value. My valuation method is to look at the OOP price of the property if I was to make a $$ reservation. I would trade a DVC week for a HGVC in Waikiki, but not HGVC in Vegas - last I checked, I can stay there for around $280/night in a 2BR.

I have another timeshare that I use once in a while but usually trade – a 1BR Oregon coast summer week. I recently joined RCI and deposited my week and was very surprised to find that my 1BR could pull DVC, even some 2BR. The fact that I deposited a summer 2011 week in March 2010 probably gave me better trading power. So I’m new to RCI but, so far, it looks promising – but that’s looking to trade into DVC, not out of.

 

[Dean]

Dean, do you work for RCI?

No, why do you ask?

 

[bytheblood]

No, why do you ask?

Several reasons. You always chime in like you have expertise in this area. You also seem to be very knowledgeable about their processes....just thought maybe you had the inside track.

 

[Dean]

Several reasons. You always chime in like you have expertise in this area. You also seem to be very knowledgeable about their processes....just thought maybe you had the inside track.

I have a lot of expertise with II, RCI, Marriott, DVC and others but from a users standpoint. Early on there really weren't many people who bridged the gap between DVC and other timeshares and I've tried to do that. There still aren't a lot but there are more now than in years past. Wish I had the inside track as both II and RCI are pretty secretive about their internal processes and it's taken years of piecing things together from a lot of people's experiences and cumulative knowledge to get to where I am now from a knowledge standpoint. Timeshares and sharing that knowledge are fun for me, working in the field would almost certainly take that fun away. Plus I'm too honest to make any money on them from a developer standpoint as I'd be telling people that X wasn't a good fit for them and to buy resale.

ETA: II and RCI people do frequent some of these BBS and email lists and their parent company keeps a very tight reign on them, same for DVC CM. More than one has been fired for their posts.

 

[SkinsFan76]

I own with SVC who converts to RCI directly either weeks or points and have no problems getting a good resort. We will be staying at a 2br BWV in Sep from trading a 1br weeks worth of points. I wouldn't pay the extra amount for DVC since I've always been able to find Disney resorts through RCI as long as I had some flexibility on my dates. Now if you want to go to Disney with specific dates in mind, then you'll need to be part of DVC to ensure availability.

 

[TheresaBoynton]

Even though RCI lists quite a few properties in NC and TN, I was unable to book even a 2 night stay at any of those properties. I've tried repeatedly at different RCI properties and different dates and have never been successful in booking a stay. I wouldn't consider the RCI trades as a selling point for buying into DVC. Our personal experience has been that those properties are never available for trade. However, we love our DVC membership and will just save those points for DVC vacations.

 

[GoofItUp]

I've seen several posts that might lead one to think they should buy into RCI at a "cheap" price and trade into DVC for their vacations. Not saying that was the intent of the post, but to those of us who are not very savvy on other timeshares, it might look like that would be a good idea. However, the fallacy in that is that Disney could change back to II so that an RCI timeshare couldn't be traded for DVC, right?

DH and I went to a Hilton Grand Vacation Club presentation a couple of weeks ago. Does a timeshare like that trade through RCI or II? Or do they only do HGVC? If I bought HGVC, Marriott's brand, Ramada, or whoever...do they all trade through RCI or II?

This is the main reason I've stayed away from other timeshares. DVC I "get"...the others leave my head spinning. I just can't seem to wrap my brain around them!

 

[lily28]

How do I get a rci point membership by have DVC? Is it a dvc corporate rci point account? I have sheraton and westin timeshares and are interested in the point for deposit rci program. thanks

 

[Dean]

Even though RCI lists quite a few properties in NC and TN, I was unable to book even a 2 night stay at any of those properties. I've tried repeatedly at different RCI properties and different dates and have never been successful in booking a stay. I wouldn't consider the RCI trades as a selling point for buying into DVC. Our personal experience has been that those properties are never available for trade. However, we love our DVC membership and will just save those points for DVC vacations.

The stays of less than a week are a subset of the deposits, those you're looking at are also largely in a mini system such as Wyndham that would soak up much of the inventory. If you're serious about such a stay, call DVC when they open 303 days prior to when you want to stay and your chances will be better. If not available then, keep calling back until it is as the inventory changes almost daily.

I've seen several posts that might lead one to think they should buy into RCI at a "cheap" price and trade into DVC for their vacations. Not saying that was the intent of the post, but to those of us who are not very savvy on other timeshares, it might look like that would be a good idea. However, the fallacy in that is that Disney could change back to II so that an RCI timeshare couldn't be traded for DVC, right?

DH and I went to a Hilton Grand Vacation Club presentation a couple of weeks ago. Does a timeshare like that trade through RCI or II? Or do they only do HGVC? If I bought HGVC, Marriott's brand, Ramada, or whoever...do they all trade through RCI or II?

This is the main reason I've stayed away from other timeshares. DVC I "get"...the others leave my head spinning. I just can't seem to wrap my brain around them!

IMO, for many people buying non DVC and trading in IS a viable option. I came very close to selling all but 25 points of my DVC ownership just to have the perks options. Almost all of my stays for several years have been on exchanges (both II and RCI). We have a number of units for Sept for a large family trip. But there are risks and there is a learning curve that people are not willing to accept and I respect that. Those risk include that they may not be able to get what they want and that they might not be able to get a DVC unit actually sitting there but they don't qualify. Even for one willing to put the work in and take the risks for the 90-95% potential savings up front and 30% or so yearly maint fee reduction, I'd only suggest it for DVC alone for one looking at a 1 BR or smaller most of the time, not locked in the high demand times and would take any DVC resort.

As for how the others work in this regard, it varies. However, many of them work with II AND RCI.

How do I get a rci point membership by have DVC? Is it a dvc corporate rci point account? I have sheraton and westin timeshares and are interested in the point for deposit rci program. thanks

It's corporate only. You can't even call RCI or go online to manage it. Plus the limit you to a fraction of the RCI properties.

 

[Cee]

I've never had a problem with RCI and have been dealing with them since 2003. Exchanges have always been smooth and I've enjoyed all the resorts I've exchanged into.

 

[bwvBound]

I've never had a problem with RCI and have been dealing with them since 2003. Exchanges have always been smooth and I've enjoyed all the resorts I've exchanged into.

This has been my overall experience as well (since 2000). For me, the keys to this "RCI Happiness" are

• Having an individual membership with RCI.
• Being able to view RCI inventory online anytime the mood strikes.
• Having a variety of "traders" deposited with RCI to help me find the inventory I want at the "best value."
• Turning up gems by combing through RCI's inventory frequently with no particular purpose. Many of my best RCI exchanges were booked when I am not trying to find a specific place or date ... just browsing the inventory. When something cool pops up I put it on 24-hour hold, research logistics and if everything checks out, I confirm it the following day.

That said, for all I enjoy RCI -- I wouldn't buy DVC with the intent of exchanging out through RCI on a regular basis. (Trade out occasionally just to try something new? Sure.)

 

[SkinsFan76]

The other item to remember when buying into any timeshare, is that you need to feel comfortable having that resort or group of resorts as your primary vacation location. Trading is a great perk, and one I've never had a problem with, but it isn't guaranteed. That is why I bought into a club which has resorts mostly in CA, HI, and AZ. These are states that we frequently vacation in and wouldn't mind continuing that. If your primary vacation location is Disney, then it might make sense to buy into DVC.

 

[RobPickles]

We had some extra DVC points that were going to expire and decided to bank them with RCI, because we were told we would have had an extra year or two or whatever it was to use them thru RCI.

All i know is that I would have rather had them expire! The reason is that twice now I have attempted to book hotels through them and each time NOTHING in the areas i asked about were available... NOTHING AT ALL! How is that possible? These were off peak times in other not-so-popular areas of the country and they did not have a single room available.

Now granted - these reservations were attempted relatively close (within a month) of the time i needed them for, but COME ON... NOTHING??? That is just ridiculous.

I book my DVC vacations 11 months in advance and always get what and when I want them, but it is kind of ridiculous that I can't get a hotel somewhere near where I was going through RCI when I need one somewhat quickly. I mean, how do I know I need a place to stay 6 months in advance if it isn't my regular vacation time? I banked these specifically because I KNEW I would be needing them in the near future and RCI has tons of places and locations. Yet, they had nothing to offer or suggest other than you need to book over 6 months in advance.

I am sure these banked RCI points will just expire and go to waste... and I am starting to think that is exactly what they want to happen.

 

[utahkennedys]

I am no RCI expert but have had some good trades. The key is putting a request in far in advance. Many using RCI are putting trade requests in up to 2 years ahead, so they would be ahead in line. Trying to book 1 month ahead probably isn't going to happen unless there is a cancellation. Even 6 months may be pushing it. I think DVC would have high trade value in RCI (haven't personally used my DVC points to trade, only other timeshare weeks), but the key is depositing early and putting a request in very early.

 

[RobPickles]

The key is putting a request in far in advance. Many using RCI are putting trade requests in up to 2 years ahead, so they would be ahead in line.

That is just insane!

 

[utahkennedys]

That is just insane!

It does make for some long range planning, lol! We usually put a range of possible dates in and good things happen.

 

[Dean]

I book my DVC vacations 11 months in advance and always get what and when I want them, but it is kind of ridiculous that I can't get a hotel somewhere near where I was going through RCI when I need one somewhat quickly. I mean, how do I know I need a place to stay 6 months in advance if it isn't my regular vacation time? I banked these specifically because I KNEW I would be needing them in the near future and RCI has tons of places and locations. Yet, they had nothing to offer or suggest other than you need to book over 6 months in advance.

I am sure these banked RCI points will just expire and go to waste... and I am starting to think that is exactly what they want to happen.

But that is the nature of timeshares, esp exchanging, that you must plan ahead or be willing to take things other people don't want. One of the best places to use up things you can't otherwise is Orlando. That's a problem with DVC in that they prevent you from using there.

That is just insane!

It may be insane for you but not for many including myself. Right now I'm waiting on the dates to come around to be able to put in requests for HI for 2012 as I can only request 2 years out.

 

[auntsue]

I have very limited experience in trading since we've only traded out once, but here's my two cents.

We traded through DVC into a 1BR in the Grand Waikikian Tower of the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort for next year. I put in the request 17 months out and it came through in five months.

On the other hand, a few years ago my brother, who owns Wyndham (RCI), could not get us ANY place in all of Arizona a year out. He was able to get us his home resort (Williamsburg) but I'm still wondering how there was not one single trade in the whole state of AZ for any time between October and March. That really turned me off to RCI and I was not happy when Disney switched.

 

[buzzandzurg]

Dean, do mind mind recommending a good timeshare to own (other than DVC), that would also have good options for trading and good trading power? I'm considering looking into a cheaper up front option for non-DVC vacations. Have read a lot on TUG and Redweek, but can't decide what would be the best system to go with.