Please explian why you can Exchange with RCI....

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Those who exchange with RCI .
Are you able to exchange your week(time) without any problem with your exchange company????.
I have belonged to II since 2000 and have been told on many occasions that it's to impossible(don't even ask) to exchange into any of the Disney Timeshare Properties.
Why do I see that RCI members are able to exchange more often that II???.
If anyone knows, please let me know . My renewal comes up at the end of this year and I'm thinking I should enroll with RCI.

To RCI members, When you do deposit your week how far ahead can place your request??..


tigger2ntinkerbell

 

[spiceycat]

RCI can't exchange into DVC properties.

they can trade their timeshares with a DVC member or they are renting points from a DVC member.

go post on the DVC rental/trade site and see if a DVC member will trade with you. then no one will pay a fee.

What do you have, where is it, when is it?

II kepts DVC for its top traders - (or so it says) - Dean (our expert on timeshares that post on the DVC board) - thinks most of the time II does this - but sometimes they allow DVC to go to just about anyone.

Look for DVC in January, Sept, May

also if you don't already belong - go join tug
www.tug2.net

they have a board for members only - that other member will post a DVC resort when they see it. This has been a GREAT help for lots of members. this board is called 'sighting, distress exchanges'

you have to know where and when II post a DVC exchange to be able to get it.

some people like me - belong to both II and RCI - I own at DVC so I would never try to exchange there - I am trying out other Orlando timeshares....


sorry your question on exchanges - I exchange Westgate as soon as it shows up in my account with II. I generally do it online and find something immediately.

I will also this year exchange my Landmark (or maybe - still haven't decided).

with my SA on RCI - it is about 2 years before it time that I exchange it - I try to find sometime in around 3 months after I deposit my week. Again I look online rather than call them.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Dear spiceycat,

I belong to Sheraton Vistana (SVN)-Orlando Fla, and I have a float(1-52) in what they would call - Prime Season. I was told when I joined ,that I could only belong to 1 exchange company, not to both.

 

[spiceycat]

sheraton is now with both RCI and II - so yes you can join both - but you can only deposit it with one.

I like II better in this regard because it has the search first - you can find sometime that you want then deposit your resort.

 

[spiceycat]

there is also one more thing working against you - Orlando - lots of the timeshares in Orlando can't trade to other timeshare in Orlando.

when you are trying to exchange it - do any of the Marriott come up on your list? - if they don't then it is the Orlando thing working against you.

there are some very great timeshare in Orlando - not just DVC - however if DVC is the only one you want - have you also considered buying a DVC. - I know they are not longer the bargin they were once - I brought back in 93 and I certainly couldn't afford their present cost.

but if it is the only thing you want....

 

[jdm]

Pat-

I own with Worldmark and I should probably know more than I do about timeshares. We live in the Northwest and generally just use our points for weekend getaways. We do trade once a year (last minute to save points) into Orlando, usually Presidents week. Initially, when we bought in 3 years ago we used RCI. At that time, we had to call them 45 days out to do a search and they had no online capabilities to do our own searching / booking. We did get the Vistana and were happy, although their (RCI) service wasn't the greatest. We've been II members for 2 years now and have traded into Cypress Harbour and Star Island. I also like their 60 day window over RCI's 45. Lately, I've been seeing what seems like better trades with RCI. I'm wondering, has anything changed with them over the last couple of years? Do they have online search capabilities now, as II does? I'm not really sure how it all works with other timeshares but with Worldmark, I don't have to deposit a week ahead of time and my week is just considered a float. I've been reading your posts and you seem very knowledgable in timeshare area's. Any recent info on RCI or your thoughts in general about RCI versus TUG (especially) for Orlando trades would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jenn

 

[spiceycat]

Jenn you really need to go join tug.

then ask about Worldmark - or go read the advice stuff about worldmark.

they are several experts on tug.

anyway RCI has more exchanges to Orlando, than II does - however II has the Marriotts and DVC.

RCI has the older Marriotts plus HGVC,OL, SL, SB, etc.

II has some of the best timeshares in Orlando, RCI has everything else plus several great ones.

both have the Sheratons and lots of others have changed to II and RCI both - since RCI started to be in the timeshares selling business not to mention the renting business - it is in direct competition with some of its exchange resorts.

there is a lawsuit pending - saying this is against Interstate law - but it will probably be in court for years.

Cendent the company that owns RCI also owns Fairfield - so they have more trading power than other much stronger resort - so you HGVC (Hilton Grand Vacation Club - one of the best). This I think is also in the lawsuit.

they are also renting their exchanges to the public thru Skyauction and others - this is definitely in the lawsuit. They were saying this is overstocked merchandise (when this was proven a lie) - then they say this is villa from the owner resort - only problem too many SOLD out resorts were showing up (so this is obviously a lie too - but RCI is still saying it.....).

Anyway with RCI you still have first deposit your timeshares then you go looking. Or that is the way my resort works. I have heard that there are now exception.

I use my II for the Marriotts that I want - remember Marriott are all over the country.

I use my RCI (SA) for the Orlando trades.

I also use getaways in both - RCI and II - depending upon who has the best deals in the Marriott that I want the most.

Some resorts II treats better, other RCI - you really have to try them both - and see which you like better.

the earlier you deposit with RCI the better your trades can be. RCI likes them at 24 months. II works better at 12 months and less.

hope this helps.

Sorry I don't know alot about Worldmark

 

[jdm]

for taking the time to give me the info you could. I actually am a member of Tug but I joined primarily to research the different resorts in their resort ratings board. That alone was well worth joining because I had been very unfamiliar with Orlando resorts when we started going there. I did go to the Worldmark site a long, long, time ago but got very confused and overwhelmed. I know more now, so... I'll give it another try.

Thanks again
Jenn

 

[stacieps]

I exchanged into Disney's OKW this year (for 1/05) through II. I did the deposit and exchange request at the same time. I had requested all disney resorts for about 3 different weeks (I remember one week was in April). Not long after my deposit I started getting calls from II letting me know about non-disney resorts that were available - I kept telling them that since my dates were all so many months away I would wait to see if Disney came up - I was told by at least one that my changes were pretty much non-existent. I happened to look at exchange options and found OKW available in January - I figured that was my best chance for Disney, so I booked it. At that time there were at least 2 different options available at Disney - I chose OKW because it was a 1 bedroom rather than a studio. So while it may be pretty much impossible to get Disney during the more popular times, you can get it through II.

 

[bwvBound]

Those who exchange with RCI .
Are you able to exchange your week(time) without any problem with your exchange company????.
I have belonged to II since 2000 and have been told on many occasions that it's to impossible(don't even ask) to exchange into any of the Disney Timeshare Properties.
Why do I see that RCI members are able to exchange more often that II???.
If anyone knows, please let me know . My renewal comes up at the end of this year and I'm thinking I should enroll with RCI.

To RCI members, When you do deposit your week how far ahead can place your request??..

Tigger2ntinkerbell - I belong to both RCI and II. Some of my properties belong to one or the other and one (Worldmark) belongs to both. (Agreeing with SpicyCat: you may belong to both - but you may not deposit the same week with both companies.)

What I like best about II is the ability to search for potential exchanges online w/out having to commit my week ("search first" vs "deposit first"). What I like best about RCI is their generous inventory of bonus vacations/rental weeks. (Both companies offer some inventory for "cash" reservations vs exchange -- but I tend to find more weeks, at better prices, through RCI over II. )

I find exchanges through both companies are "fun and exciting" - but not necessarily "without any problem." Exchanging, to me, is a gamble. I have fun playing the game -- and am thrilled when I "win" -- but am very flexible with my planning. As for dates and RCI, I deposit my RCI weeks 2 full years before check-in and use the entire 3-year window (1 year before check-in through 2-years beyond check-in) for my searches.

FWIW, I again agree with SpicyCat:

• an "Orlando block" will likely prevent you from exchanging Vistana into DVC via II.
• DVC doesn't exchange through RCI
• You may want to consider direct exchanges (owner to owner) or renting DVC from a DVC owner

As for your upcoming renewal - you may want to consider your target exchange destinations. Research the "Resort Directories" from both companies to determine which might offer more options in your specific areas. You may also want to evaluate costs (membership and exchange fees), position on "like for like" exchanges, and other factors.

jdm - Worldmark owners are still unable to search online in RCI if using "confirm first." However, if you wish to use deposit first (converting a block of WM credits into a specific week) -- you may then use it for searching RCI's inventory online. Better yet - you may search for exchanges out as far as 2 years from your deposited week's check-in. (The downside is that the credits, being converted to a week and given to RCI, are now committed to RCI. Don't expect to pull them back into your WM account after you tire of playing online.)

 

[jdm]

Thanks for the info in terms I can understand. We use our Worldmark for long weekends here in the Northwest and we do instant or flexchanges for one other week out of the year in Orlando. We've had good luck getting exchanges within the window for both companies. We got Vistana the first year with RCI and then Cypress Harbour & Star Island with II. We still limit our travel due to kids in school and busy jobs so to join both wouldn't make sense. RCI has been calling and I've been very tempted to try them again but if I have to sign over points first to exchange then I guess I'll stay with II. I didn't like having to wait for them to call me when we got the Vistana. I absolutely love II's ability to search online and then use points, especially because we only use 3,000. Thanks again, for the info to help make my decision. When I was trying to ask RCI on the phone I was having a real language barrier thing going on --- and it doesn't take much to confuse me :~)

Jenn

 

[bwvBound]

Jenn -

Indeed, searching online w/out a deposit is a strong advantage for II at the present time. I've heard rumor that RCI may soon offer a similar feature to WM owners ... but it isn't here yet.

Another advantage of II vs RCI are the lower fees. II's domestic exchanges are $121 while RCI's are $149. II has offered renewal deals of 2 years for $73 ... while RCI is $89/year with minor (tiny!) breaks at 3yr or 5yr bundles. (I was hoping II would introduce new/additional offers at the annual meeting last week ... but they did not attend. )

Just FYI, Instant Exchanges (<59 days II; <45 days RCI) changed from 3,000 credits to 4,000 credits earlier this year.

 

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by Tigger2ntinkerbell
Why do I see that RCI members are able to exchange more often that II???.

Revisiting this question... could it be that RCI simply has more members? This would be true for both member resorts and member individuals. The member volume, and resulting transaction volume, likely overwhelm similar II numbers.

Another possibility is that RCI is less strict on enforcing "like for like" exchanges. This keeps them rather popular with owners holding moderate resort weeks vs luxury resort weeks. Moderate weeks won't always pull luxury weeks -- but when they do the world is likely to hear about it (consider the owner's happy dance in every public forum available)!

 

[torismom]

Not to hijack this thread but I have a question and thought I would start here. My father went on vacation this past weekend to Gatlinburg, tn came home and announced he bought a timeshare. I started asking questions and he said he needed to read through everything and we would discuss it later.

Anyway, I asked with whom and he said ITT. Who or what is this timeshare? I would love to do some reading.

we are dvc but I do not know anything about other timeshares.

Thanks

 

[spiceycat]

I am not sure who he is talking about.

however if you can look at the contracts...

If it is Westgate and he can still cancel - get him too if you can.

Westgate are a bunch of sharks....

don't care about the owners at all.

now there resorts are lovely - but the sales people will constantly bother you. - I had to tell mother to leave the ....phone alone...

 

[spiceycat]

one more thing

introduce him to resales

www.redweek.com

there are dvc resalers - but they also sales other timeshare
www.atimeshare.com
www.dvc-resales.com
www.******************.com ******** crawford
www.thetimesharewarehouse.com
www.reid4florida.com
http://tra-resales.com/


also
www.tug2.net

this is definitely worth joining - you can see the reviews on II resorts - so if you ever consider exchanging your DVC for one - you know which to avoid - read the reviews.

you can post on the BBS board and not join. I would definitely post this question. then get your father to read their replies. but I really think he needs to get out of this contract if there is still time.

but believe me the reviews not to mention the distress/sightings board is well worth the cost.

I got a DVC studio at SSR for May through using the sightings board!!!! I own at OKW, VWL and BWV - main one is OKW.

 

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by torismom
Anyway, I asked with whom and he said ITT. Who or what is this timeshare? I would love to do some reading.

Well ... Sheraton does have a Vacation Ownership program (SVO). And Sheraton is owned by the former International Telephone and Telegraph Company (IT&T ... or ITT). However it would seem strange that he would pick out 'ITT' from that context instead of the bolder "Sheraton" affiliation.

More likely ... he is looking at a travel voucher given to him by "Information, Tickets & Travel" ... or some other company with similar letters providing "gifts/rewards" for attending the presentation.

I do hope the two of you are able to work out all the details during the evaluation window. Give careful thought to spicycat's suggestions!

 

[torismom]

Thank you both for the information. I have more from him now and I feel much better.

He bought at Gatlinburg Town square which is Interval International. He does not have a computer so I will be off reading what I can to share with him. so far it doesnt seem to bad. He has a floating week.

 

[spiceycat]

here is one website about it

http://www.sunterra.com/resorts/regions/resort.asp?resort_code=TS1&region=midsouth

accordingly to tug - it is in both RCI and II

this is the current owner
http://www.sunterra.com/resorts/regions/resort.asp?resort_code=TS1&region=midsouth

since Summer bay in Orlando is a big hit with most tuggers - he might have done fine!!!

 

[JudyS]

To the original poster --

II is also very picky about "quality" (amenities, moderness, activities, etc.) . If they think your resort isn't posh enough, they won't let it trade into the DVC.

Many of the other Disney area resorts are probably also considered high quality. (There is a lot of competition between timeshares in Orlando, so they tend to have lots of amenities.)

Resorts that have few amenities but are in high demand times/areas often trade much better in RCI than in II -- this is true of most Cape Cod summer weeks, for example.

Where and when do you own?