RCI Success Thread

[ltktmk]

Is there a thread of RCI exchange success stories? I have been unsuccessfull some many times including searches for over a year that I am becoming very bitter and would like to hear if it has worked for others.

 

[jjj444]

I actually had 2 come up for me, but neither of the dates were right. SSR and WL came up for me to take this September(too early) and Novemeber(too late). Now I am afraid that since I turned those 2 down I won't get anything again!!

 

[bwvBound]

OP: Are you asking about success trading into DVC or against your DVC to other destinations?

If you are attempting to trade out (from DVC to elsewhere) ... what were your requests? Are you participating on boards where non-DVC timeshare owners run searches and compare notes? If not -- please consider joining the Timeshare Users Group (TUG) or similar. Sounds like you might be helped having friends who have direct access to RCI inventory.

 

[Dean]

Is there a thread of RCI exchange success stories? I have been unsuccessfull some many times including searches for over a year that I am becoming very bitter and would like to hear if it has worked for others.

From your wording I assume you're a DVC member looking to trade out. If so, what are you looking for (range of dates and resorts) and how early did you put in your ongoing requests in relationship to your first choice of dates? In my experience DVC members tend to be far too restrictive, not plan well enough in advance and significantly over value DVC in their process. Some are successful, many are not, but for the most part it's their own fault in most situations.

 

[jjj444]

I am curious about this too!

 

[Brian Noble]

I've had several nice exchanges via RCI, but it does take a combination of flexibility, advance planning, and a pretty good knowledge of how the system works.

OP: I second the recommendation of joining TUG (www.tug2.net) or Timeshare Forums (www.timeshareforums.com), both of which are very helpful and knowledgeable communities of timeshare owners. Also, if you can tell us more about what you are trading and what you are looking for, we can help you tune your searches to maximize your chances.

 

[DeeCee735]

Funny for me to find this thread, I'm going to post a "What Are My Chances" regarding trading out of DVC into an RCI trade.

That being said, my DH and I just got back from Sedona, AZ on an RCI trade out. I was very surprised at it being available. I did put in my request 12 months in advance and what we wanted was available for our dates. I'm thinking I won't be so lucky for what I'm looking at now??

Good luck!

 

[ltktmk]

I am a DVC Member trying to use RCI Resorts. I have been trying through the DVC Member phone line.

 

[ltktmk]

I am trying to trade out from DVC to an RCI resort. Can RCI members book resorts for DVC members using DVC points?

 

[ltktmk]

From your wording I assume you're a DVC member looking to trade out. If so, what are you looking for (range of dates and resorts) and how early did you put in your ongoing requests in relationship to your first choice of dates? In my experience DVC members tend to be far too restrictive, not plan well enough in advance and significantly over value DVC in their process. Some are successful, many are not, but for the most part it's their own fault in most situations.

I have twice searched for Carribean Resorts, the 1st time I searched for 3 Resorts (Max at the time-this was a couple of yrs ago) starting a year before the trip, the 2nd time I searched fo 8 Carribean Resports starting 14 months before the trip, neither matched. I have also called over about 10 times, looking for places (any) in Florida, Colorado (during the Summer) and California. I was able to use Interval Resorts (Grand Timber-great Breckenridge Resort) 3X during the Summer. Maybe I was just lucky, but I had much better luck at Interval, also the quality of resorts looked better with Interval.

 

[Brian Noble]

I have twice searched for Carribean Resorts, the 1st time I searched for 3 Resorts (Max at the time-this was a couple of yrs ago) starting a year before the trip, the 2nd time I searched fo 8 Carribean Resports starting 14 months before the trip, neither matched.

For what dates?

 

[disneynutz]

Is there a thread of RCI exchange success stories? I have been unsuccessfull some many times including searches for over a year that I am becoming very bitter and would like to hear if it has worked for others.

I think that it's fair to say that using DVC to trade to RCI can be a challenge, you need to work at getting something and you may or may not get the dates that you want. Also the resort may not be what was expected.

There are thousands of RCI proprieties but DVC only has access to 500.

IMO Disney is using RCI as a marketing tool to sell DVC to unknowing buyers.

Bill

 

[bwvBound]

I am trying to trade out from DVC to an RCI resort. Can RCI members book resorts for DVC members using DVC points?

Sorry to confuse you. The short answer to your question is, "No." However, those of us with RCI accounts might be of help running searches or offering observations on what we know/see in the inventory and its patterns.

 

[k3chantal]

We went to Kauai, Hawaii for a seven night stay in Princevalle. The condo was considered a one bedroom but had a very spacious 'loft' that easily held two queen sized beds. Lots of room for my family of five. It was only 160 points.

It was a fantastic trip.

The key on exchanges is to have an open plan. I called wanting Hawaii but was prepared to go anywhere on the West Coast. Imagine my pleasure when they actually had two resorts to choose from. Yes, I was lucky!

 

[Dean]

I have twice searched for Carribean Resorts, the 1st time I searched for 3 Resorts (Max at the time-this was a couple of yrs ago) starting a year before the trip, the 2nd time I searched fo 8 Carribean Resports starting 14 months before the trip, neither matched. I have also called over about 10 times, looking for places (any) in Florida, Colorado (during the Summer) and California. I was able to use Interval Resorts (Grand Timber-great Breckenridge Resort) 3X during the Summer. Maybe I was just lucky, but I had much better luck at Interval, also the quality of resorts looked better with Interval.

I have traded to the Caribbean many times and often see options. There are some tough times though. There has never been a time when you could only search for 3 resorts max, II required 3 options (resorts or weeks) minimum. As I've stated, many resorts require search 2 years out with RCI and others can only be requested 10 months out. I've never not gotten what I wanted and I can't say I've ever had a bad exchange through II or RCI (non DVC) but I investigate and plan.

 

[ltktmk]

For what dates?

Spring Break time Mid March, kids in school limit the flexibility on dates.

 

[ltktmk]

I think that it's fair to say that using DVC to trade to RCI can be a challenge, you need to work at getting something and you may or may not get the dates that you want. Also the resort may not be what was expected.

There are thousands of RCI proprieties but DVC only has access to 500.

IMO Disney is using RCI as a marketing tool to sell DVC to unknowing buyers.

Bill

Your last comment about it being a marketing tool is what I feared, this seems like a bait and switch, I signed up when it was Interval and had some luck with exchanges, then DVC switches to RCI and nothing seems to be available and the overall quality seems to be lacking.

 

[ltktmk]

Thanks for the response Dean, you have valuable insights. UInfortunately with kids (why we have DVC) the school calendar is not available early enough to book much more than 12 months in advance and makes flexibility difficult.

 

[Dean]

Spring Break time Mid March, kids in school limit the flexibility on dates.

Tough requirement. High demand, limited options and can't plan far enough in advance. This makes exchanging very difficult to impossible,, esp for the good stuff. The other way to approach this type of issue is last minute (like under 45 days) buy I'm guessing that doesn't fit your needs either.

Your last comment about it being a marketing tool is what I feared, this seems like a bait and switch, I signed up when it was Interval and had some luck with exchanges, then DVC switches to RCI and nothing seems to be available and the overall quality seems to be lacking.

While all timeshares I know of use the exchange company as a marketing tool, there is no bait and switch. The paperwork clearly states that the exchange company, or even having one as an option, is not guaranteed. IMO DVC uses it honestly, however, the guides are generally not that knowledgeable about exchanges so I believe they overstate the options and availability out of ignorance rather than intent. IMO II and RCI are pretty equivalent overall when it comes to actual exchanges but you need to investigates the resorts a little more with RCI and you need to plan ahead better since many of the RCI resorts are truly in play 2 years out where with II it was a potential issue but not that common. The difference for II really is simply Marriott and it looks good but is rarely available.

Thanks for the response Dean, you have valuable insights. UInfortunately with kids (why we have DVC) the school calendar is not available early enough to book much more than 12 months in advance and makes flexibility difficult.

There are 2 groups of exchange options. Those that are NOT RCI points (weeks) may be in play up to 2 years out but it varies with the system, for example, Hilton tends to deposit around 6 months out and Wyndham just under a year in bulk. RCI points resorts tend to not be available until 10 months out. Thus I'd say IF you are looking at RCI points resorts, you're not especially late until 10 months out. The other mistake that I think many DVC members make in exchanges is trying to schedule less than a full week. Even when looking at points resorts, many of them either do not allow exchanges of less than a week or do so only later in the game. They also tend to charge an extra housekeeping fee which can be reasonable or not, often not.

Still, no reason not to try as long as you understand the game and have a back up plan.

 

[Brian Noble]

Tough requirement. High demand, limited options and can't plan far enough in advance. This makes exchanging very difficult to impossible,, esp for the good stuff. The other way to approach this type of issue is last minute (like under 45 days) buy I'm guessing that doesn't fit your needs either.

Agreed.

I think if I were in your shoes, I'd rent out the number of DVC points you would have used for the exchange, and use the proceeds to rent the Spring Break option you are looking for. You might have to spend a little extra, but more likely you'll have a little extra left over.