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

[Dean]

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.

Partly due to the fact that such a recommendation requires more information and that most people on DIS aren't interested, why don't you email me directly with the following info. deandal@bigfoot.com

• the type of area you prefer to go
• when you usually vacation
• unit size needed
• how flexible you are
• how far out you plan
• how particular you are
• budget considerations

When I get this question, which I do a fair amount from DIS, I generally try to get you to think about what's right for you rather than myself trying to decide what's best for you. Now is a great time to make this move for those than can financially afford to do so.

 

[Starr W.]

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.

I started on my Hawaii trip for July 2010 by exchanging(non-DVC TS) for my 1st week in November 2008. The 2nd week(via II with Starwood ski week) placed ongoing search March 2009, exchange came through November 2009.

So it does pay off having your request in early, I have an ongoing search in for a few places for 2011, that I placed in March of this year.

Earlier you can put a request in the better, as Dean says.

 

[Starr W.]

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.)

I'm more of an II fan, but I do like your browsing inventory idea. I do that also in both RCI and II. Sometimes you don't know you want to go somewhere till you see a unit pop up.

 

[bwvBound]

I'm more of an II fan, but I do like your browsing inventory idea. I do that also in both RCI and II. Sometimes you don't know you want to go somewhere till you see a unit pop up.

Me, too! I'm fortunate that one of my most flexible traders works with both RCI & II and that II allows me to use "search first" online (no deposit required). Yes, browsing II can get me into all kinds of trouble ... "Look dear, a unit on <Hawaiian Island> for check-in two weeks from today. AA fares are reasonable and the vet has boarding availability for our birds. Can you get a few days off ... we'll make it a long weekend?" LOL! I've done that a few times now and the trips are really wonderful memories. Exchanging can be so much fun!

 

[Starr W.]

Me, too! I'm fortunate that one of my most flexible traders works with both RCI & II and that II allows me to use "search first" online (no deposit required). Yes, browsing II can get me into all kinds of trouble ... "Look dear, a unit on <Hawaiian Island> for check-in two weeks from today. AA fares are reasonable and the vet has boarding availability for our birds. Can you get a few days off ... we'll make it a long weekend?" LOL! I've done that a few times now and the trips are really wonderful memories. Exchanging can be so much fun!

That's how our Hawaii trip started, saw a bulk banking on TUG, went into RCI to see if I could pull it with my deposit. Best part was it was a freebie deposit that was thrown into my purchase of the underlying week.

 

[RobPickles]

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.

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.

Well, in these circumstances we could not plan in advance.

We are teachers and only have limited vacation times during the year, that is why we bought DVC in the first place. We know where we are going and when 11 months out and have never had a problem with that.

Like I said these were extra points that were going to expire if we didn't use them and we figured we could extend that time a bit by transferring them to RCI. Never did I think it would be so hard to get something through them on short notice, otherwise I wouldn't even have bothered.

Well, we have until next year to use them. Maybe I can start looking now for a place to go after my next vacation in 2012. But like you said, I am sure by now anything worthwhile is already booked up.

 

[Starr W.]

Well, in these circumstances we could not plan in advance.

We are teachers and only have limited vacation times during the year, that is why we bought DVC in the first place. We know where we are going and when 11 months out and have never had a problem with that.

Like I said these were extra points that were going to expire if we didn't use them and we figured we could extend that time a bit by transferring them to RCI. Never did I think it would be so hard to get something through them on short notice, otherwise I wouldn't even have bothered.

Well, we have until next year to use them. Maybe I can start looking now for a place to go after my next vacation in 2012. But like you said, I am sure by now anything worthwhile is already booked up.

The point Dean is trying to make is to put your request in early, so you will be first in line when the deposits come in.

I've got in II(other big exchange company) requests for next summer in Michigan for 3 resorts for the week before the week I own in Michigan. Also have a few resorts in for Xmas 2011.

DH and I are debating about summer of 2012, because I could start adding dates now as the window opens up.

If anything the matches on 2011, won't come through till later this year or early next year.

 

[Dean]

Well, in these circumstances we could not plan in advance.

We are teachers and only have limited vacation times during the year, that is why we bought DVC in the first place. We know where we are going and when 11 months out and have never had a problem with that.

Like I said these were extra points that were going to expire if we didn't use them and we figured we could extend that time a bit by transferring them to RCI. Never did I think it would be so hard to get something through them on short notice, otherwise I wouldn't even have bothered.

Well, we have until next year to use them. Maybe I can start looking now for a place to go after my next vacation in 2012. But like you said, I am sure by now anything worthwhile is already booked up.

Don't give up so easily. How many DVC points did you deposit with RCI? When to they expire? Where would you like to go? When can you travel that would occur before the points expire? Worst case scenario is you put in an ongoing request, don't get it and have the fee refunded.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

I do not think it is a good deal. Using them for Disney is the way to go.

 

[Dean]

I do not think it is a good deal. Using them for Disney is the way to go.

In general I'd agree. However the OP already has points they banked with RCI so it's either use them with RCI or lose them with RCI.

 

[culli]

Just remember no timeshare or timeshare program will be everything to everyone. Most are specialized and best at one thing, very few are good for many things. Some are decent at many things but not great at one thing. Think of a bicycle there are hybrids - not really good at anything but can do many things ok. Road and mountain bikes are good at one thing but suck at everything else. Not sure this is an analogy that most can follow but if you truly want to do many things than you will have to get multiple things to do it with or just rent something for the once in awhile you want to do it.

You also need to study up and research, if you don't want to do this then you risk being unhappy. If you do your research and take your time get what works for you, chances are you will be very happy with your purchase. We love our DVC it is our favorite and most expensive. However, we own other timeshares to go to Hawaii, waterpark resort by our house, and other destinations. We do this much cheaper than renting and we get almost everything we want, when we want it on our terms. Now this requires us to do advanced planning, our problem is there is more places and things we want to do then there is vacation time.

Dean has explained this and I will second it, you have to do your research. You have to take the time to figure these things out. I think it is fun to search and find the deals, I consider it a hobby. If you are not willing to do this and enjoy it, then chances are timeshares are not for you. One nice thing about DVC is it is about as easy as it gets for planning and flexibility with little effort from the owner.

 

[OvertheRainbow]

We also have developer points that we deposited into RCI because we weren't able to make it to WDW before they would have expired. I have a few ongoing searches for early next year and am wondering how long do I wait until I give up on them and try for something else instead? So for example if I have feb 6 as one of my dates what would be the latest I could possibly expect a match? I hope this makes sense