RCI exchanges into DVC

[JimMIA]

Wyndham has a separate number for Wyndham/RCI and the vacation counselors who work that line are quite knowledgeable about RCI. That number is 800-572-0931.

They will be especially helpful with things like combining weeks to boost your TPU, etc. They can also set up searches, make reservations, etc, etc. -- but it costs a little more than doing everything online.

Another great resource is the TUG Sightings board. You have to be a TUG member ($15 per year), but it's well worth it. There, you will see bulk deposits being made and what the TPU's required are -- very helpful in planning your ongoing searches. [ETA: there is also an Exchange board on TUG where you'll find a lot of good information about the general subject of exchanges.]

I don't know much about TPU because we exchange on Wyndham's fixed points grid, but Dean and others here on the DIS are very knowledgeable.

 

[Dean]

Wyndham has a separate number for Wyndham/RCI and the vacation counselors who work that line are quite knowledgeable about RCI. That number is 800-572-0931.

They will be especially helpful with things like combining weeks to boost your TPU, etc. They can also set up searches, make reservations, etc, etc. -- but it costs a little more than doing everything online.

Another great resource is the TUG Sightings board. You have to be a TUG member ($15 per year), but it's well worth it. There, you will see bulk deposits being made and what the TPU's required are -- very helpful in planning your ongoing searches. [ETA: there is also an Exchange board on TUG where you'll find a lot of good information about the general subject of exchanges.]

I don't know much about TPU because we exchange on Wyndham's fixed points grid, but Dean and others here on the DIS are very knowledgeable.

Jim, I'm assuming that since they own a fixed week and before Wyndham, they aren't actually Wyndham members but simply like a fixed week owner anywhere else. If that assumption is incorrect, it'd affect my thoughts somewhat but not the principles. The computer I have with me won't allow me to access the TPU calculator to make further judgements in that area.

 

[JimMIA]

I own at Wyndham Long Wharf Resort in Newport, RI.

Are you able to get reservations at other Wyndham resorts through the regular Wyndham system?

Or are you only able to use that one specific week at Long Wharf?

 

[Ariel93086]

Are you able to get reservations at other Wyndham resorts through the regular Wyndham system? Or are you only able to use that one specific week at Long Wharf?

We can exchange. We have gone to Hawaii, NH, VT, NY, and other places on it. Thanks for all the info! This was such a huge help!

 

[Dean]

We can exchange. We have gone to Hawaii, NH, VT, NY, and other places on it. Thanks for all the info! This was such a huge help!

What I think Jim was asking was info to figure out whether you were a Wyndham member now or simply exchanging through RCI. It makes a difference as to the answer. Do you have access to Wyndham points and an online Wyndham account or just RCI?

 

[JimMIA]

What I think Jim was asking was info to figure out whether you were a Wyndham member now or simply exchanging through RCI. It makes a difference as to the answer. Do you have access to Wyndham points and an online Wyndham account or just RCI?

Exactly. I don't know the history of Long Wharf, nor do I know how fixed week Wyndham owners navigate within the Wyndham system. I know Wyndham tries to convert fixed-week owners to points as a strategy to sell them points. I also think in some of the resorts Wyndham acquired, rather than built, there are sometimes multiple owner associations each with different rules.

So the precise method Ariel uses within Wyndham is key to answering their question.

 

[Ariel93086]

Exactly. I don't know the history of Long Wharf, nor do I know how fixed week Wyndham owners navigate within the Wyndham system. I know Wyndham tries to convert fixed-week owners to points as a strategy to sell them points. I also think in some of the resorts Wyndham acquired, rather than built, there are sometimes multiple owner associations each with different rules.

So the precise method Ariel uses within Wyndham is key to answering their question.

Ok so Wyndham was not the owners of Long Wharf when I bought in. It was Fairfield and something else. I think it has changed 3 or 4 times since we bought. If I am to go to the Long Wharf in Newport, it has to be the week that I bought. If we go anywhere else and exchange, then there is a specific time period that I can go but it doesn't have to be that specific week. I hope I am answering the right questions. You guys seem like pros! Thanks for all your help!

 

[Dean]

Ok so Wyndham was not the owners of Long Wharf when I bought in. It was Fairfield and something else. I think it has changed 3 or 4 times since we bought. If I am to go to the Long Wharf in Newport, it has to be the week that I bought. If we go anywhere else and exchange, then there is a specific time period that I can go but it doesn't have to be that specific week. I hope I am answering the right questions. You guys seem like pros! Thanks for all your help!

If you were going to go somewhere else is your first contact Wyndham or RCI?

 

[Ariel93086]

if you were going to go somewhere else is your first contact wyndham or rci?

rci

 

[JimMIA]

We can exchange. We have gone to Hawaii, NH, VT, NY, and other places on it. Thanks for all the info! This was such a huge help!

So, as I understand it, when you have gone to those destinations you have done an RCI exchange -- not just booked into another Wyndham resort. Is that correct?

The reason Dean and I are asking all these questions is to try to determine whether you would try to get into DVC using the Wyndham fixed-point grid or TPU. Those require two different exchanging strategies, so we don't want to give you erroneous information about how to do it.

 

[Ariel93086]

So, as I understand it, when you have gone to those destinations you have done an RCI exchange -- not just booked into another Wyndham resort. Is that correct? The reason Dean and I are asking all these questions is to try to determine whether you would try to get into DVC using the Wyndham fixed-point grid or TPU. Those require two different exchanging strategies, so we don't want to give you erroneous information about how to do it.

Yes everything has been through RCI.

 

[Dean]

Yes everything has been through RCI.

Then go back to my post #20. You'll need your TPU and to be honest, I haven't been able to get that page up and workable ever since we started discussing this issue and I've tried many browsers and platforms. Realistically trades you made before about 3 yrs ago don't have much meaning currently as the situations have changed greatly. Putting in the request far in advance and being realistic is also important. For Napa, there really isn't much other than a mobile home park IIRC. SF has more options but is fairly difficult to get. Still, you likely won't get anything if you don't plan ahead and try with an ongoing search.