RCI Exchange suggestions

[lovetheworld]

Looking for suggestions - what are the best places to exchange in RCI. Anyone exchanged recently? I have been a DVC member for 11 years but have never exhanged.

 

[artesian]

Curious to know also

 

[bwvBound]

Related thread from March 2010: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2416747

 

[Dean]

Looking for suggestions - what are the best places to exchange in RCI. Anyone exchanged recently? I have been a DVC member for 11 years but have never exhanged.

There aren't a lot of good value exchanges. Top resorts only IMO in places like HI, PEAK caribbean, ski resorts and the like. NEVER MX or DR or any All Inclusives. Always plan ahead and investigate a given resort before accepting. It's OK to shoot for the moon and make alternate plans, you might get lucky. Remember that those who own top options are unlikely to deposit with RCI. They're more likely to use or rent privately.

 

[JimMIA]

Regardless of what system you are using, exchanges will usually be a downgrade in accommodations in return for a stay at a destination you want to visit. For that reason, using DVC, I would focus on WHERE you want to go and then see if there are any acceptable options there.

Once you get an idea of a resort, follow Dean's suggestion and thoroughly research the resort before booking.

 

[Dean]

Regardless of what system you are using, exchanges will usually be a downgrade in accommodations in return for a stay at a destination you want to visit. For that reason, using DVC, I would focus on WHERE you want to go and then see if there are any acceptable options there.

Once you get an idea of a resort, follow Dean's suggestion and thoroughly research the resort before booking.

As a rule the same recommendations apply to any high demand option that can be easily rented for a "reasonable" price. That's why I always try to be trading up in at least 2 of the 3 areas of resort quality/demand, unit size and week demand. Often I can do all 3.

Remember that an even trade is really a down trade due to the unit assignment issues, risks that are inherent to exchanging and other similar variables.

 

[winegirl]

We have actually used our DVC points a few times to exchange with RCI properties and have always been pleased with the accommodations. The new RCI website for booking is great because you can now see instantly, what is available.
Our most recent exchange was this past weekend in Victoria, BC at the Parkside Resort and Spa - absolutely gorgeous hotel right in the middle of downtown!
We have stayed at the Hilton Vacations Club in Las Vegas - nice hotel on the strip, but without a casino in the hotel. Never mind that as there are many right outside your door
Manhattan Club in NYC was awesome, although I'm not sure it's still part of RCI?
The WorldMark on Lake Coeur d'Alene is great - the accommodations are spacious and the Lake is absolutely stunning!
That's all I can think of for now ... good luck!

 

[JimMIA]

As a rule the same recommendations apply to any high demand option that can be easily rented for a "reasonable" price.

Agree, but many DVCers looking to exchange are using "dead" points they can't use for anything else. In that case, getting something for the points is preferable to paying additional to rent...regardless of the "value."

To be sure, "something" may not be a great "value" according to your standard of resort quality/unit size/time demand. But that's not the "value" system many use in exchanges...especially with DVC.

In my book, an exchange the owner is satisfied with is a good exchange.

Our "best exchange ever" is still with Wyndham points to a two-star timeshare -- I won't even call it a resort, because even they make no such claim. But it was a perfect fit -- for us...at that time...in that place.

Best ever...better even than our December exchange into OKW.

 

[Dean]

Agree, but many DVCers looking to exchange are using "dead" points they can't use for anything else. In that case, getting something for the points is preferable to paying additional to rent...regardless of the "value."

I would agree this changes the discussion dramatically but unfortunately I don't see this as where most DVC exchangers are. The same is true for any other exchange option like cruises.

 

[ldo]

we have traded via RCI with another timeshare for 15 years. Some places we loved: Hilton Head, SC (Waterside), Smugglers Notch, VT in the summer (great kids/family programs--fee involved), Whispering Woods, Welches, OR, Williamsburg (Greensprings--large, nice units, somewhere dated décor, but very clean, with great comfy beds, fabulous indoor pool, spa and sauna), HGVC Surf Club in Marco Island (excellent--I would take any of the HGVC on Marco again), HGVC on the Big Island (Bay Club, Kingsland).

 

[m3retired]

One of my sons went on his honeymoon, using an exchange for a resort in Cabo. Hubby and I did an exchange to the Grove Park Inn, in Asheville, NC. Beautiful place...no, a GORGEOUS place, with an outstanding spa, but VERY small room, the tiniest of bathrooms, and only a fridge and microwave in the room.

 

[m3retired]

Wanted to add--both exchanges were easily done, and not waitlisted. The honeymoon was in September, and we went to the Grove Park in June.

 

[sweet angel]

Going to do an exchange for Maui in 2016, combined with a week or so at Aulani. When should I start looking? Any guesses as to what my chances are? Should I have a backup island or backup plan?

 

[abdgeek]

Going to do an exchange for Maui in 2016, combined with a week or so at Aulani. When should I start looking? Any guesses as to what my chances are? Should I have a backup island or backup plan?

You should start looking at what your options are now and researching the properties. You can book up to two years out. Resorts are already showing 2015 and some may already have 2016 availability. I'm staying at Maui Lea at Maui Hill this summer and I booked it about 1.5 years out. I also looked at Kannapali Beach Club(I think that's the name), but they didn't have full kitchens. It's more points, but you can also do Grand Wailea through Concierge Collection. When properties come available they don't last long. You won't have time to research when you see that what you want is available.

 

[sweet angel]

You should start looking at what your options are now and researching the properties. You can book up to two years out. Resorts are already showing 2015 and some may already have 2016 availability. I'm staying at Maui Lea at Maui Hill this summer and I booked it about 1.5 years out. I also looked at Kannapali Beach Club(I think that's the name), but they didn't have full kitchens. It's more points, but you can also do Grand Wailea through Concierge Collection. When properties come available they don't last long. You won't have time to research when you see that what you want is available.

Thanks. Do I put in a request, or I just have to keep looking and jump,on it when it opens up? I thought I thought I read that I had to book a 1 or 2 bedroom and put it into the exchange. This is very confusing!

 

[abdgeek]

Thanks. Do I put in a request, or I just have to keep looking and jump,on it when it opens up? I thought I thought I read that I had to book a 1 or 2 bedroom and put it into the exchange. This is very confusing!

Although I never do, you can put in a waitlist request for what you want. I also never deposit points into RCI because I don't want to have to keep them there if I can't get what I want(I can always use those points to go to WDW instead of settling for an RCI property that I'm not interested in)--you can cancel your waitlist, but IMO that's too much trouble and too many variables to have to work out.

Thus far, I have booked three RCI accommodations(Big Island, Maui, Las Vegas) all by doing it myself. I do my research up front and then look at the DVC RCI website daily. It only takes 5 minutes to see if the property is available for the week you want. When I see what I want, I book it on the website immediately and RCI will take your points from the use year the trip falls in--If they aren't available, DVC should call you to see which points you want to use. Keep in mind that you may need to be flexible in your dates. Most accommodations require weekly stays. Those that don't will have the RCI Points logo and when you click on the availability calendar you will be able to click on the exact dates you want for check-in and out.

If this is your first RCI exchange, you may want to call DVC to see how the process works and what your options are(wait list vs not; can you search for a particular month vs particular week on wait list, etc). From there, you can do what works for you. Good luck! It really is very easy to book a DVC RCI accommodation using the DVC website.

 

[sweet angel]

Great...thanks for the info. What you describe seems much simpler and convoluted than what I thought the process was from reading the DVC site!

I'm fairly flexible with my dates, especially since I have to wait to book the Aulani portion until 7 months out. I'll take care of Maui first!

 

[Dean]

Going to do an exchange for Maui in 2016, combined with a week or so at Aulani. When should I start looking? Any guesses as to what my chances are? Should I have a backup island or backup plan?

You should start looking now or at 2 years out whichever is later and do a request first for anything that's acceptable to you. IMO only Kaanapali beach club and possible Sands of Kahana are a reasonable exchange for DVC. I'd also look at independent exchange companies and direct exchange options which open up the better resorts of the Marriott and Westin as well as additional inventory. You definitely need a backup plan, possible a cash condo that you can cancel up until at least 2 months out.

Thanks. Do I put in a request, or I just have to keep looking and jump,on it when it opens up? I thought I thought I read that I had to book a 1 or 2 bedroom and put it into the exchange. This is very confusing!

Just tell them the unit size you need and do the request first.

Great...thanks for the info. What you describe seems much simpler and convoluted than what I thought the process was from reading the DVC site!

I'm fairly flexible with my dates, especially since I have to wait to book the Aulani portion until 7 months out. I'll take care of Maui first!

Put in any weeks you can go but realize you may not be able to get anything by the 7 months out. If you have enough points, book longer time at Aulani then you can cancel the portion you don't need.