What resort did you trade to get DVC thru RCI?

[dvc_john]

Just curious.

There are a lot of posts here and elsewhere about people trading in to DVC using RCI. I'm just wondering what resorts they are giving up to get a DVC resort, what DVC resort they got, and if they consider it a trade up, a trade down, or an even trade.

 

[bwvBound]

(reply moved to PM in response to phyllisnnj's post below)

 

[phyllisnnj]

Yikes ... remember, loose lips sink ships :

 

[chalee94]

not really the big deal it used to be now that RCI has moved to a policy of "transparency."

if a resort week (or combination of resort weeks) is worth 25 trade power units or more - and it is located outside the orlando area - then you can trade it for available DVC units (although some DVC units sometimes go for more than 25 TPUs).

i think the information is not too difficult to find on TUG. the only issue is whether you have the flexibility to go when you can get a trade as opposed to just calling up MS and booking a reservation (which is easier but much more expensive.)

 

[Starr W.]

But you have to find a resort/season/size with the right TPU of about 25, and most people have been pretty closed lip about what their resorts are worth in the brave new world of RCI. If discussed it's been via email or PM's not on a message board.


I'm not that familiar with RCI, my resort that trades there is something we use just about every year and I use my Wynhdam points internally so I'm eagerly awaiting the new portal to play with(mid-January is a pretty broad term in Wyndham speak) as the earliest I would deposit my other week is 2012. Maybe something new again by then.

 

[Brian Noble]

With the "new" RCI, anyone who is already a member can easily look up the point values for any resort/week in the system.

The current "best traders" in RCI are: things in high-season in areas where supply is outstripped by demand. Mid-Atlantic coastal summer, and Southern California coastal summer generally seem strong. There are a few other diamonds in the rough, but they may or may not stay that way going forward. If you are buying something that a *lot* of people will want, then it will probably trade well.

 

[mamian16]

I have necer done an RCI trip. Do you know of a good place to stay?

 

[Cee]

I own at a Gold Crown resort with all "red" time. Last trade was into DVC for a week at VWL for F & W Festival.

 

[dianeschlicht]

John, thank you for asking a great question. It would be good information for those of us who might be thinking of an RCI resale to "plump up" our DVC stays with extra time using a less expensive timeshare. Unfortunately, it seems many are not willing to give out their information on this public forum. Why is that?????

 

[Starr W.]

John, thank you for asking a great question. It would be good information for those of us who might be thinking of an RCI resale to "plump up" our DVC stays with extra time using a less expensive timeshare. Unfortunately, it seems many are not willing to give out their information on this public forum. Why is that?????

The resort that is a "Tiger" trader might be a little jewel with low MF's that if others knew about they would buy and deposit thus upsetting the supply/demand ratio in the trading company.

So it's all very hush hush, especially in RCI.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Why especially in RCI though? We didn't hear stuff like that when DVC traded with II.

 

[Brian Noble]

RCI tends to be more fluid in its trade power evaluations (and more restrictive in trading up) than II is. So, things that traded well last year in II probably will next year too. In RCI, it's less clear. But, if you spend a few months reading various timeshare boards, you will get a good sense for what things are more likely to have strong value year-in and year-out; and those coastal peak summer areas I mentioned are among them.

But, I have a slightly different take on it. I think it is a bad idea to buy a timeshare with trading as the primary goal, and it is downright foolish to buy a timeshare with trading into *a single resort or small system* (like DVC) as the primary goal. There are two reasons for this. One: it's really easy to buy a timeshare, but really hard to sell it. Two: the rules of exchange are changing all the time. In just the past 2 1/2 years, there have been three complete upheavals in how DVC exchanging has worked that have forced me to adjust my approach---switching from II to RCI, RCI's global re-valuation on 5/31/09, and the move to "points lite" on 11/15/10. I am about to see another in a week or two, when Wyndham owners get their own system-specific exchange portal.

With each of these, I've had to adjust my approach to exchanging into DVC. But, because I was buying intervals for their *general* value, rather than for a specific exchange purpose, I've been able to roll with the punches.

If you want more reasons not to buy specifically to exchange into DVC, talk to all the people who bought inexpensive II traders in 2008, or summer mountain weeks in RCI in early 2009. Those were both "sure things" at the time people were snapping them up, and useless for DVC within the next three to six months. With the 11/15 change, people are falling all over themselves to buy cheap lockout units in RCI. But, if DVC changes back to II, or RCI changes their exchange system again, those folks are back to square one, with an albatross that is hard to dispose of.

That's not to say that exchanging is a bad idea. I do it, and I enjoy it as a hobby. But, if I total up the amount of time I've spent keeping track of it all, I would probably have been better off using that time on billable work for a client, and just buying DVC points with the proceeds.

 

[Starr W.]

RCI tends to be more fluid in its trade power evaluations (and more restrictive in trading up) than II is. So, things that traded well last year in II probably will next year too. In RCI, it's less clear. But, if you spend a few months reading various timeshare boards, you will get a good sense for what things are more likely to have strong value year-in and year-out; and those coastal peak summer areas I mentioned are among them.

But, I have a slightly different take on it. I think it is a bad idea to buy a timeshare with trading as the primary goal, and it is downright foolish to buy a timeshare with trading into *a single resort or small system* (like DVC) as the primary goal. There are two reasons for this. One: it's really easy to buy a timeshare, but really hard to sell it. Two: the rules of exchange are changing all the time. In just the past 2 1/2 years, there have been three complete upheavals in how DVC exchanging has worked that have forced me to adjust my approach---switching from II to RCI, RCI's global re-valuation on 5/31/09, and the move to "points lite" on 11/15/10. I am about to see another in a week or two, when Wyndham owners get their own system-specific exchange portal.

With each of these, I've had to adjust my approach to exchanging into DVC. But, because I was buying intervals for their *general* value, rather than for a specific exchange purpose, I've been able to roll with the punches.

If you want more reasons not to buy specifically to exchange into DVC, talk to all the people who bought inexpensive II traders in 2008, or summer mountain weeks in RCI in early 2009. Those were both "sure things" at the time people were snapping them up, and useless for DVC within the next three to six months. With the 11/15 change, people are falling all over themselves to buy cheap lockout units in RCI. But, if DVC changes back to II, or RCI changes their exchange system again, those folks are back to square one, with an albatross that is hard to dispose of.

That's not to say that exchanging is a bad idea. I do it, and I enjoy it as a hobby. But, if I total up the amount of time I've spent keeping track of it all, I would probably have been better off using that time on billable work for a client, and just buying DVC points with the proceeds.

Brings back memories Brian of all the lengthy discussions on TUG when DVC moved from II to RCI. The II Tiger trader couldn't even see DVC in RCI. Then the May shake up, etc etc. Who knows what will happen next? The return of the dedicated 2br unit getting higher TPU in RCI?

 

[ldo]

I am a DVC owner and have also traded thru RCI for DVC 2X. Here is the low down with RCI from my sleuthing. Most summer East Coast beach weeks are worth 30-40 trading units in the new RCI weeks system--with a decent quality (not quite Marriott level, but close) 2 BR in prime summer week getting 32 units. I traded a late June East Coast 3BR week (38 units) at a very nice resort for a 2 BR DVC at HHI (34 units). Although this was a trade down in size and location (we can walk to beach from our RCI timeshare), we love DVC HHI and the private beach house and only had our smaller family for next summer. I was thrilled to get the exchange. I have also traded a summer 2 BR HHI week (32 trading units) thru RCI for a 1 BR OWK for Easter week (25 units). I was also happy with the exchange, as I did not have enough DVC points for a premium week.
With the new changes at RCI, I would have gotten "change back," but who can do anything with just a few trading units--so it doesn't really matter. Elaine

 

[bwvBound]

With the new changes at RCI, I would have gotten "change back," but who can do anything with just a few trading units--so it doesn't really matter. Elaine

For $99 you can combined the left-over TPUs with other deposits to form a single, larger deposit. The fee also extends the life of the resulting "deposit" by 2 years from date of the combine (from what I've read on TUG).

 

[JimMIA]

John, thank you for asking a great question. It would be good information for those of us who might be thinking of an RCI resale to "plump up" our DVC stays with extra time using a less expensive timeshare.

I agree with Brian -- I don't think it's wise to purchase any timeshare with the primary goal of exchanging unless you are a seasoned pro at timeshare exchanges...which I'm certainly NOT. And even if you are, the landscape is constantly changing as others have described.

We purchased Wyndham resale specifically to have a LOT more options (including at WDW) without exchanging. We also get a full RCI membership as part of the Wyndham ownership, which we will eventually probably use for occasional exchanges. But we bought Wyndham for Wyndham, not to exchange.

 

[Sammie]

I agree with Brian -- I don't think it's wise to purchase any timeshare with the primary goal of exchanging unless you are a seasoned pro at timeshare exchanges...which I'm certainly NOT. And even if you are, the landscape is constantly changing as others have described.

We purchased Wyndham resale specifically to have a LOT more options (including at WDW) without exchanging. We also get a full RCI membership as part of the Wyndham ownership, which we will eventually probably use for occasional exchanges. But we bought Wyndham for Wyndham, not to exchange.

What options does Wyndham give you at Disney World.

 

[Starr W.]

What options does Wyndham give you at Disney World.

Bonnet Creek, we also own Wyndham points and stayed there last January. It worked since we were short on DVC points. Really nice 3br deluxe room and we discovered having a car at WDW! Alamo is really happy.

But we didn't buy Wyndham for BC, one of our resorts is Alexandria VA. Have a short trip in June to see the Royal Danish Ballet at Kennedy Center.

We used our points to stay in HNL to start our 17 day HI trip and take advantage of a mid week departure. Also have been to the new resort with indoor waterpark in TN(Gatlinburg/Smokey Nat Park area).

Wyndham has a really good mini system imho and don't plan on using my points in RCI if at all possible(have to remember my point pool aka banking deadlines).

 

[JimMIA]

What options does Wyndham give you at Disney World.

Bonnet Creek, immediately adjacent to and surrounded by WDW, Star Island and Cypress Palms in Kississimee, and the new addition, Wyndham Vacation Resorts at Reunion, in Reunion, FL.

There's also one on I-Drive, but it doesn't look very attractive.

 

[postesf]

I am an RCI member. I own week 33 at a NC Atlantic Coast Resort. I traded last year for (next week..yay!) a 2 bedroom at OKW. I am a weeks member so there is not as much flexibility on when you can go. Apparently whatever Disney deposits is what you get. The week available to me was Jan 15-22, I could not alter the dates and so that is when we are going.

Now, with the new Trading Power Units, that same unit is now worth 24 TPU for 2011. My brother and I share. We alternate years. His year, 2012 is worht 31. I cannot "borrow" 1 TPU from him so I am SOL if I want to go to Disney. He will not bank and will use his week (or rent it out). I will have to wait to see what 2013 is worth to see if I can do anything with that week to go to Disney. It is my understanding they evaluate every year. So, it could go up or it could go down. I really should research to see if I can combine 2011 and 2013, but I'm not sure.

We have NEVER used our week at Atlantic Beach. My father bought it years ago. We have a mobile home on the coast of NC and as kids we would go to this resort to use the "beach club." We would play tennis, basketball, swim in the pool... My father would rent the week out. When he decided to sell it, we(my brother and I) bought and we now split it.

I'm not sure if this answers anyone's question, but this is my experience so far...

Stacie