Trying to understand it all.... Logically

[chevymalibun Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chevymalibun]

Hello all, I am trying to figure out which points based system is best for my family. We have been looking at DVC but I have found there are just too many better deals out there. There are so many different Points systems. I know this is a relative question but which has the best benefits for resale buyers?
I have been looking at Wyndham because there are so many choices within the club. But resales exclude you from the RCI points system which I would like to use sometimes as well.
Is there a site or post somewhere that compares and contrast all the different points systems in a plain easy format? Thank you for any help.
Any recommendations?

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

I think that looking for a deal is the wrong way to buy timeshare. I'm not sure that such a chart exists but even if it did, that's not going to necessarily get you the best fit.

Buying to use is generally the best way to own, so how do you plan to use? What are your next 5-10 years of vacations? How many people are going?

First step is determining vacation priorities, then find the resort or system or whatever combination will fit those needs.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

Hello all, I am trying to figure out which points based system is best for my family. We have been looking at DVC but I have found there are just too many better deals out there.

Seconding BoardGirl's advice. Comparing DVC and Wyndham makes no sense to me, because most DVC resorts are connected to Disney parks - your only other options are Hilton Head Island and Hawaii. DVC does trade well, but there are cheaper options that trade just as well, so really it doesn't make sense to buy DVC unless you plan to hit Disney parks every year or every other year for the next decade.

The one thing Wyndham and DVC have in common is that Wyndham has the only non-Disney resort on WDW property (Wyndham's Bonnet Creek). But here's the thing. Walt Disney World is so large, and the parks so spread out, that it's possible to be off site and just as close to some of the parks as some of the on-site DVC resorts.

If you're wanting to stay a lot in Orlando, then keep in mind that Orlando is over built. I would usually tell people, "Buy where you want to stay" - but there are a couple of exceptions to that, and Orlando is right at the top of the exceptions list. You can regularly find great deals in Orlando, especially if you can go just a touch off season. RCI Last Call, home rentals, huge deals from timeshare systems (Wyndham was offering a week in any unit to anybody for $199 in April), distressed points - I need a place that sleeps eight and I can generally find a deal in Orlando anytime but big holidays and the peak of summer. And if you're sleeping four, often even then.

Even when it comes to points systems, where you own can be more or less important. It doesn't matter much in points systems that work like Bluegreen - where all points go into the pot on the same date - but your home resort is much more important in systems like DVC - where people can reserve at their home resort months and months before they can reserve the other resorts in the same system. Meaning that it's tough even for DVC owners to get into some of the DVC resorts in peak season.

Dunno how Wyndham works on that front but it's something to consider. I would also recommend you stay in the resort system you're considering before you buy, to make sure you're good with that resort system's "ambiance." For instance, DVC tends toward small but fancy units with considerable theming; Bluegreen has larger but less fancy units and the theming is pretty low key. Bluegreen units generally have a good kitchen set up; smaller DVC units may not have much beyond a sink and a microwave.

Even when it comes to cost, the initial price and yearly fees are only part of the equation. For us, a unit with a full kitchen that costs a bit more would be a better deal than a cheaper unit without work space on the counters or whatever, because with the larger kitchen we'd end up eating in more than we would with the smaller one, and with five kids (including two teenage boys), eating in saves us a goodly chunk of cash.

[EBendana Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EBendana]

RCI Points to HGVC or H Honors?

Does anyone know how the RCI points trade toward HGVC? I am thinking of converting my RCI weeks unit to points, because I like Hilton Honors to stay in NYC where my kids live...I know that HGVC points trade at 25 to 1 unless you own in NYC and then they trade at 50 to 1, but I'm wondering how the RCI points convert...I would have about 45K RCI points per year...any help would be appreciate!