That might be the better way to go, but I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself.
Nothing like a cruise, but you will find a wide variation in resort quality. You just have to research each resort.
The other thing I would assume is two-bedroom. Many timeshares only have two bedroom or larger units, and if they have studios or one-bedrooms, those may be very limited. With your family, you might well want a two-bedroom anyway.
I'm sure I'll be redundant but it's easier for me to start from scratch. Most options aren't a reasonable trade but some are. The quality and options vary dramatically even within the same resort at times. Anywhere from motel 6 to high end options. Simply decide where you're interested in and investigate those resorts. Put in an ONGOING REQUEST and try to do so at least a year out and certainly ahead of 10 months for those listed as RCI points resorts. Realize you can't control view, will pay the $95 exchange fee and if your plans change, your DVC points are gone forever with little or no options. Look at what you could get a given option for cash and don't look at the website for the resort as your reference. If you book less than a week you'll likely have an additional housekeeping fee.Can anyone give me a general overview of exchanging into RCI? Is there anything special we need to know? We are considering trying this for the first time. I know when we've done Disney cruises we have rented our points and paid cash to get a better value. Is RCI similar to the cruise where the point exchanges are pretty high? Are the RCI resorts pretty nice? Any information, opinions, or tips would be appreciated!
There is a nightly chart online, that is per week for all but the Signature collection. I agree, assume 2 BR unless you list only resorts that have smaller and assume high season.
That's not especially applicable since the DVC exchange through RCI is dramatically different in many ways than for other RCI members.
No reason to be sorry. Actually the OP is a DVC member and looking at exchanging out, even more different than you're used to.
Sometimes yes and sometimes no, it really depends on the area, resort and season. As I mentioned, one should check on that option but NOT rely on the resort's own website or using the rack rates. Maybe 50 of those resorts on DVC's RCI list have value for exchanging but only during high season. Maui is a good example, esp KBC. I realize that when someone already owns DVC and have to pay their dues anyway, they may have a different set point for the value pp they expect in return compared to someone buying in. Everyone has to decide that for themselves. My goal is to make sure they understand the options, risks and actual costs.
Not a good plan. There is one resort on the RCI-DVC list for Germany and one for Austria. There are also 4 Austrian resorts in Club Cordial for the BVTC.
Please don't take this wrong and I don't mean to rain on your parade, but this is a perfect example of a trade scenario that seems good on the surface and depending on one's expectations, might or might not be a good trade. However, t's been said that the Canary Islands are the Branson or Orlanod of Europe with a lot of easy to get but very good resorts. A 1 or 2 BR in a Gold Crown resort would cost you around $1000-1100 for next Sept 2014 rented directly from RCI and from an owner there, likely half that or slightly over. A 2 BR unit is likely 270 DVC points, 1 BR 160 points. That gives a return of roughly maint fees or less. Let me take this situation to bring up a different option DVC members might consider esp for the Canary Islands. That is Dial an Exchange which is a first in first out system. While I haven't used them, this would seem to be perfect to join and deposit smaller units for this type of trade. Another consideration would be the other independents but DAE specializes in Europe. Again, not to pick on your exchange but to point out alternatives and true values in a $$$ sense. Vegas is pretty much the same way with easy to get resorts including Hilton's for next summer. I'd suggest you talk to some of the independent's to see if you can get more for less. Besides Dial an exchange, San Francisco Exchange, Trading Places Intl and Platinum interchange would seem to be good places to start as well as possible private exchanges.Yesterday I booked a week in a 2br at a fabulous resort on the beach in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands for Sept. 2014 using RCI! SO excited!!!! First RCI transaction, too. I think as long as you're flexible, have the points and do some research...finding a place to stay that you'll enjoy is pretty simple. Waiting for the 10 month mark so I can book 5 nights for my 30th birthday in Vegas!
