Thanks.
I did a quick read through those sites. They don't really mention DVC. Would I have to transfer my DVC points into something else (i.e. RCI) before using the exchange system? Or does DVC points assimilate easily into the exchange process? I also tried looking up the SFX exchange site that was recommended by many, but they do not mention DVC either.
I'll try to give you a fairly brief summary of the way DVC works with RCI and similar entities.
DVC members have 2 options when exchanging with RCI. One is request 1st and the other is deposit 1st. In general you want to do request 1st whenever possible because this does not commit your points. However, if one wants to extend the life of certain points, deposit first can be a good option. As a rule, it takes 160 points for aone-bedroom and 270 for a two-bedroom. At current value, that is somewhere in the $1750-$3000 range. If one only use maintenance fees and a prorated purchase cost, the price is still in the $1000 range to $1500 range or more.
One has to then look at how they could secure the same or similar options by other means. Cash and other timeshare options are very workable possibilities. In general, for routine trading, owning DVC for those trips and another timeshare for other trips is often the best choice. Obviously there are many variables that one needs to consider. If one already owns DVC and has plenty of points, the scenarios of appropriateness changes significantly. Even then, renting out the extra points is often the better choice. One needs to investigate the options when you start to look at non-DVC options. You need to look at potential cost as well as availability and quality. To a degree, you need to do that even if you're considering an exchange through RCI. Don't forget to think about risks and negatives.
The basic nuts and bolts of trading DVC for RCI goes like this in my opinion. One needs to look at the potential exchange options make a judgment as to acceptability including unit size. Personally, I would also look at other methods of securing the same reservation. Once you've made a decision to proceed with an exchange using DVC, you contact DVC and put in ongoing request or if applicable, do a deposit 1st. You would then pay the exchange fee which is nonrefundable however, they will refund the fee is you cancel without a match or you never match. Once they have a match, you have very little change or cancellation options.
In addition to RCI, there are some other exchange options. These include the Buena Vista trading company, concierge collection, Disney collection and adventures by Disney. The latter 3 are cash type options where they take your points and convert to cash. From a dollar standpoint they are basically never going to be an appropriate value. The former is a direct timeshare exchange option and it can be workable if they have what you want.
A lot of information I know I certainly could go on and on, I'll stop here and let you ask any additional questions that may be helpful to you.
and am thinking of taking a trip on the RCI network in 2013. My husband and I were thinking Cabo (or someplace beachy with a 2 year old and possibly a newbown!). Any suggestions?
