RCI Success Stories

[kmsimone]

Any RCI success stories getting vacation (xmas) in ski country, Colorado or Park City. If so how far in advance did you book?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Any RCI success stories getting vacation (xmas) in ski country, Colorado or Park City. If so how far in advance did you book?

I don't think that is ever going to happen. Someone is going to have to trade their Christmas skiing vacation for WDW.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'd be interested in hearing of ANY RCI trades DVC members have successfully completed. I'm beginning to think they are non-existent.

 

[carolinagirl121]

We attempted to trade into RCI for some time in San Diego during COMIC CON with no luck. We called precisely at 10 months and were told that there was nothing available for that time in all of CA.

 

[bwvBound]

Any RCI success stories getting vacation (xmas) in ski country, Colorado or Park City. If so how far in advance did you book?

FWIW, there is a week matching your scenario right now for 2011 -- but I don't know if the resort is on "DVC's short list" of RCI destinations. I ran a search through my personal RCI account looking for "Region=USA>Rocky Mnts, Vacation Type=Ski, Rating=Gold or Silver Crown, Date=Dec 2011" and found the following:

Skier's Edge (#5078)
Breckenridge, CO, 80424

Available Unit Size: Studio
Check-In Date: 23-Dec-2011

EDITED TO ADD: I checked the DVC/RCI portal. Skier's Edge is not on the "DVC approved short list" of RCI destinations.

EDITED again ... . The following are on DVC's short list and are available in Dec 2011 (but not specifically Christmas week):

Swan Mountain Resort (#1225)
Dillon, CO 80435
Available Unit Size: 1BR, 3 units available
Check-In Date Range: 03-Dec-2011 - 10-Dec-2011

Sandstone Creek Club (#5148)
Vail, CO, 81657
Available Unit Size: 2 Bedroom
Check-In Date: 03-Dec-2011

North Star (#1342)
Steamboat Springs, CO, 80488
Available Unit Size: 2 Bedroom
Check-In Date: 03-Dec-2011

 

[bwvBound]

I don't think that is ever going to happen. Someone is going to have to trade their Christmas skiing vacation for WDW.

What you are describing sounds like a "direct exchange" (owner to owner). By using RCI, the holder of the Ski week doesn't have to trade for WDW. It might be that the Ski week owner goes to London in July; the DVC owner gets the Ski week and the London owner goes to Italy.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OP, your question got me interested in doing a poll to see how many here have had success trading through RCI. I'm mostly interested in who has been successful trading OUT of DVC through RCI...NOT a direct exchange.

 

[bwvBound]

OP, your question got me interested in doing a poll to see how many here have had success trading through RCI. I'm mostly interested in who has been successful trading OUT of DVC through RCI...NOT a direct exchange.

I've had great success with both RCI and II through my personal accounts using other timeshare. I've not had success with SFX (a smaller exchange company) -- and I think the primary reason is relevant to this DVC discussion: I do better when I have direct access to the inventory!

I'm pretty convinced that my enjoyment and success in RCI/II is directly related to having an individual account in each and online access to the inventory. I can search anytime I want; have gained an understanding of trade patterns (inventory, supply, demand); and can take quick action on a "good trade" when it pops up. Most of my exchanges through RCI/II are booked in the following pattern:

• I'm aimlessly wandering through the inventory online and happen to see an interesting exchange. Perhaps it is a resort I've wanted to visit, a specific destination or a season (fall leaf peeping!) -- something about the offered exchange catches my interest.
• I put the week on hold (online) and quickly check:
  • Calendars: family, work, my husband's work, etc.
  • TUG reviews.
  • Airfare, if needed.
  • My husband for interest.
  • Kennel availability, if needed.
  • Finances, etc.
• After the research is completed, I either confirm or release the hold.

I've also used the ongoing searches -- but only when I understood exactly what I wanted (dates/location). For me, these situations are fairly rare -- often limited to using timeshare for conference events when both location and dates are determined a year out.

SFX, on the other hand, keeps me in the dark with respect to inventory and availability. The primary interface is the ongoing search where I must accept the exchange if comes in. Unfortunately, ongoing requests are not my preferred way of booking exchanges even if they are effective. I really feel the need to check calendars (an ever moving target!), finances, airfare and more before accepting a specific exchange. The idea of a wide search (lots of dates, lots of destinations) boggles my mind.

DVC's exchange model is similar to that of SFX and prevents one from "seeing" the inventory. I could call and check on inventory as it stands at that moment or I may open the ongoing search ... but I can't simply go online to hunt and play. Even without discussion of the exchange value, limited DVC-approved selection and such, the core model isn't appealing to me ... and perhaps others are similarly put off??

Aside: Hilton and Worldmark have recently gained "B2B" portals between RCI and their respective point systems. It is rumored that a similar portal will be opened between Wyndham and RCI very soon. Perhaps a portal will also be opened to DVC???? This would address my #1 gripe (online access) and might increase DVC/RCI exchange success!

 

[Dean]

What you are describing sounds like a "direct exchange" (owner to owner). By using RCI, the holder of the Ski week doesn't have to trade for WDW. It might be that the Ski week owner goes to London in July; the DVC owner gets the Ski week and the London owner goes to Italy.

I don't think so. I think what Deb is saying is that in order for there to be availability, there must first be deposits. Since those that own weeks that are that highly in demand almost always use or rent rather than deposit, there is little chance of success. The best chance is late, like around 45 days out or after. That combined with the fact that Disney has pretty mediocre trade power and the chance of success are very low. The truth is they could have what you want sitting there and they likely wouldn't give it to a DVC exchanger on the weeks side. On the points side, you likely have an even lower chance due to the corporate nature because those of us who are in the know would stay up until midnight and take all the available top options before MS even opened.

DVC no longer measures success directly for RCI though they do for BVTC. Unfortunately, even when they did for II, all they measured was successful matches vs unsuccessful ones. Anyone who took a lower demand option or anything that wasn't their first choice counted as a positive and anyone who canceled prior to a match, didn't count at all. The chances of even the most sophisticated RCI member with a top trader getting a Xmas exchange week or Xmas in HI or Aruba is very slim. You can improve your chances somewhat if you truly have a top trader and/or if you have some type of internal trading preference.

 

[bwvBound]

I don't think so. I think what Deb is saying is that in order for there to be availability, there must first be deposits.

Perhaps I'm reading too much emphasis on the final words in Deb's post, "for WDW."

 

[rlmas]

Consider concierge for Keystone. We did it in 2009 between Christmas and New Years and loved it. The points are higher than RCI, but we knew right away and could finalize our plans and the place was great. As an aside, I think Disney allocates a certain amount of inventory for trading at each place. The allotment for Keystone had been used, but they were able and willing to adjust by lowering something that had gone underused. I really feel DVC went above and beyond for us. Stay in River Run and ask for a mountain view. We were steps away from the ski rental and lifts and could see the main slopes from our window.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I don't think so. I think what Deb is saying is that in order for there to be availability, there must first be deposits. Since those that own weeks that are that highly in demand almost always use or rent rather than deposit, there is little chance of success. The best chance is late, like around 45 days out or after. That combined with the fact that Disney has pretty mediocre trade power and the chance of success are very low. The truth is they could have what you want sitting there and they likely wouldn't give it to a DVC exchanger on the weeks side. On the points side, you likely have an even lower chance due to the corporate nature because those of us who are in the know would stay up until midnight and take all the available top options before MS even opened.

DVC no longer measures success directly for RCI though they do for BVTC. Unfortunately, even when they did for II, all they measured was successful matches vs unsuccessful ones. Anyone who took a lower demand option or anything that wasn't their first choice counted as a positive and anyone who canceled prior to a match, didn't count at all. The chances of even the most sophisticated RCI member with a top trader getting a Xmas exchange week or Xmas in HI or Aruba is very slim. You can improve your chances somewhat if you truly have a top trader and/or if you have some type of internal trading preference.

You said it better than I could. Thanks.

 

[Dean]

Perhaps I'm reading too much emphasis on the final words in Deb's post, "for WDW."

I think it was just the wording. However a common misperception for II and RCI is that you have two people making a trade with each other and this is not the case. Likely the best explanation of this concept is a large version of one of those parties where everyone takes a gift then you get to start stealing others gifts much like musical chairs.

 

[bwvBound]

The chances of even the most sophisticated RCI member with a top trader getting a Xmas exchange week or Xmas in HI or Aruba is very slim.

Just for grins ... as of about 30 minutes ago ...

RCI Weeks
Check-in Dates between 12/18 - 12/25, 2011

Worldwide Availability: 860 resorts, 2058 weeks
US: 823 weeks, of these 3 in Hawaii
Caribbean/Bermuda: 63 weeks, of these 5 under heading "Aruba, Barbados & St. Martin " (but St. Martin, as it turned out)

Looks like lots of inventory for general RCI account. I didn't cross-reference to DVC-short list but some of those offered weren't beneath my standards, certainly.

 

[Dean]

Just for grins ... as of about 30 minutes ago ...

RCI Weeks
Check-in Dates between 12/18 - 12/25, 2011

Worldwide Availability: 860 resorts, 2058 weeks
US: 823 weeks, of these 3 in Hawaii
Caribbean/Bermuda: 63 weeks, of these 5 under heading "Aruba, Barbados & St. Martin " (but St. Martin, as it turned out)

Looks like lots of inventory for general RCI account. I didn't cross-reference to DVC-short list but some of those offered weren't beneath my standards, certainly.

You have to cross reference for resorts and areas people really want to go, then list gets much smaller. However, it does illustrate two very important issues, that of advanced planning and flexibility. IF you simply wanted to go somewhere that week, you'd have choices. In a couple of months, there will be far less good inventory for that period. The other issue is that many of these resorts deposit their inventory in large bulks and you certainly want to be on the list when that happens.

What is the trade power of your week you are searching with now that you can actually see that in RCI?

 

[bwvBound]

What is the trade power of your week you are searching with now that you can actually see that in RCI?

One is 40, one is 18 and the other uses its own special B2B portal to RCI (not participating in the new trade power system). I tend to use the 'normal' RCI web interface and am thus searching against the 40.

 

[islandtimect]

We called 5 or 6 times after investigating the available properties in the Caribbean. We never got a match and won't bother trying again. None of the RCI properties there are anything we really want to stay at anyway. So we just book well in advance and pay cash for the nice resorts.

 

[kmsimone]

DVC's exchange model is similar to that of SFX and prevents one from "seeing" the inventory. I could call and check on inventory as it stands at that moment or I may open the ongoing search ... but I can't simply go online to hunt and play. Even without discussion of the exchange value, limited DVC-approved selection and such, the core model isn't appealing to me ... and perhaps others are similarly put off??

Sorely needed. Unbelievable that DVC does not have access to this!

 

[kmsimone]

FWIW, there is a week matching your scenario right now for 2011 -- but I don't know if the resort is on "DVC's short list" of RCI destinations. I ran a search through my personal RCI account looking for "Region=USA>Rocky Mnts, Vacation Type=Ski, Rating=Gold or Silver Crown, Date=Dec 2011" and found the following:

Skier's Edge (#5078)
Breckenridge, CO, 80424

Available Unit Size: Studio
Check-In Date: 23-Dec-2011

EDITED TO ADD: I checked the DVC/RCI portal. Skier's Edge is not on the "DVC approved short list" of RCI destinations.

EDITED again ... . The following are on DVC's short list and are available in Dec 2011 (but not specifically Christmas week):

Swan Mountain Resort (#1225)
Dillon, CO 80435
Available Unit Size: 1BR, 3 units available
Check-In Date Range: 03-Dec-2011 - 10-Dec-2011

Sandstone Creek Club (#5148)
Vail, CO, 81657
Available Unit Size: 2 Bedroom
Check-In Date: 03-Dec-2011

North Star (#1342)
Steamboat Springs, CO, 80488
Available Unit Size: 2 Bedroom
Check-In Date: 03-Dec-2011

Thanks for checking! It used to be much easier when the kids were young you could just pull them out of school to avoid peak weeks.

 

[Dean]

One is 40, one is 18 and the other uses its own special B2B portal to RCI (not participating in the new trade power system). I tend to use the 'normal' RCI web interface and am thus searching against the 40.

I don't currently have my deposits listed (just called to deposit tonight) but at a trade power of 60 each, I wonder what the affects will be on such a search. Currently a generic search for HI for check in 23-25 Dec, 2011 (week 52) yields 3 weeks at 2 resorts with two studios and a 1 BR at resorts I likely would not stay at and certainly would not consider using a high cost, high demand week for. If you back up a week 16-18 Dec (some are actually week 50 not 51 that weekend), you get about the same results, 3 resorts with 2 studios and two 2 BR with only 1 resort I'd stay at but it's only an 18 trade power because it's on the BI.

We called 5 or 6 times after investigating the available properties in the Caribbean. We never got a match and won't bother trying again. None of the RCI properties there are anything we really want to stay at anyway. So we just book well in advance and pay cash for the nice resorts.

Unfortunately calling to find something on the call is method least likely to be successful for anything worthwhile other than last minute. The method I summarized in Diane's poll thread is really the best way to maximize the chances of success. Basically it's an ongoing search put in place AT LEAST a full year out and preferably, closer to 2 years out and let ride until only a couple of months out if need be..

Sorely needed. Unbelievable that DVC does not have access to this!

DVC does have access and has for some time. It's the members that do not and DVC wants to keep it that way I'm sure. The current system is an advantage to those who want access to RCI for the potential or rare future exchange. A direct access system might require members pay an RCI membership fee and would likely increase the exchange fees associated though it would be good for those of us who are RCI members independent of DVC. DVC likes control and they really don't want to encourage exchanges, just look like they are, IMO.