Best Exchange Companies?

[Ellen Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ellen]

I thought I saw somewhere a discussion regarding the best services and exchanges offered respectively by each exchange company - i.e. what company is best if you want to exchange into a specific U.S Region, California, Hawaii, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, etc. and who's best if you want the best resort or focus more on location than accommodations. Unfortunately I haven't found that discussion again. Any breakdown/insights on the companies would be greatly appreciated.

FYI, own a ski week at Grand Timber, have 2012 1 bdrm spring break week to deposit. Live in the mid-west. Occasionally like to actually leave the mid-west but have been limited to the mid-west lately due to traveling with kids. Plan to go with family to Canada next summer and the Caribbean, London or CA next fall for an anniversary.

Have only used II, but am looking to try someone new. Considering SFX due to their current bonus weeks offer and they have more Ontario options than II.

Thanks for any info/insights!

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

RCI is good at getting the overbuilt areas . . . Orlando, Branson, Williamsburg, et al . . . reasonably.

In the last 5 years I have not found any exchange company that is good at providing popular destinations that are not overbuilt during peak demand times.

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

They all have their good and bad points. My personal preference is II. For me I have had the best luck getting what I am looking for. RCI has more resorts affiliated. Some of the independant exchange companies are more customer friendly. You should check all of their websites and see what fits better. Rci and II only deal wth affiliated resorts. Most of the the independant companies get inventory from individual owners.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

They all have their good and bad points. My personal preference is II. For me I have had the best luck getting what I am looking for. RCI has more resorts affiliated. Some of the independant exchange companies are more customer friendly. You should check all of their websites and see what fits better. Rci and II only deal wth affiliated resorts. Most of the the independant companies get inventory from individual owners.

That sounds like what I would have said 15 years ago, except that we gave up on II because it did not do well for stuff we wanted. Back then, it was about who had the stuff more suited to a person's needs. RCI was strong in the Heartland, where we could go for Spring getaways, and II was strong in the hoyty toyty destinations. For instance, I don't believe II had anything in Branson then.

Simpler times.

It's a lot more complicated now, not just about which company has what. Now it is also about jumping through hoops to get what they have.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

To the OPs question, not sure which "spring break" week you own - but Breck closing is usually mid-April so I don't know how you'd do in terms of trading power. I don't think Grand Timber Lodge is even an RCI resort, is it?

Many members are happy with SFX and they generally deal only in higher-end resorts. In fact I got a spring break week at Grand Timber Lodge through SFX a couple of years ago.

You can find out more about each company here, as they have separate forums under "Exchange Companies."

Timeshare Exchange Companies - Timeshare Forums

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

To the OPs question . . .

Certainly you don't mean to imply that previous replies are not addressing the OP's questions, are you?

Cuz that's what that interlude typically means . . .

Just wondering, cuz I responded as one who also owns two Spring Break Ski weeks, among others, we live in the Midwest, etc . . . .

Oh nyeah, you know that.

[Ellen Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ellen]

To the OPs question, not sure which "spring break" week you own - but Breck closing is usually mid-April so I don't know how you'd do in terms of trading power. I don't think Grand Timber Lodge is even an RCI resort, is it?

Many members are happy with SFX and they generally deal only in higher-end resorts. In fact I got a spring break week at Grand Timber Lodge through SFX a couple of years ago.

You can find out more about each company here, as they have separate forums under "Exchange Companies."

Timeshare Exchange Companies - Timeshare Forums

Our 2012 week is last week of March which I was under the impression would have high trading power. Now what that really means to me at the end of the day I think is debatable. Maybe I'm wrong but the whole exchange thing seems like a coin toss....regardless of your "trading power". Still trying to figure out that secret formula LOL

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Our 2012 week is last week of March which I was under the impression would have high trading power. Now what that really means to me at the end of the day I think is debatable. Maybe I'm wrong but the whole exchange thing seems like a coin toss....regardless of your "trading power". Still trying to figure out that secret formula LOL

End of March should be good - whether or not it's actually spring break will vary from year to year and by region. Ski conditions should be quite good. The resort is really nice and location is great. It's true that exchanging is not a guarantee - your best bet is to be as flexible as possible with weeks and places you would take in trade. If you are looking for a prime holiday week in a prime location, you are probably better off renting. Depending on when you want to go, I think Hawaii and California are very doable. Caribbean also depending on where/when you want to go - the more islands you'd consider the better. London is very very tough, I wouldn't count on that one.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I have used SFX exclusively for the past 14 years. Prior to that I used II and RCI.

We are weeks owners.

With SFX, we have always been able to get good exchanges at top resorts even during prime time. We have exchanged into New York City, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, Sedona, Scottsdale AZ ( during March for MLB Spring training. This is a tough trade ), Branson, etc.

Contrary to what JLB says, we still get as good exchanges as ever.

You can try the "Ask SFX" forum where you can ask questions directly.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

You also might want to consider a mix of independent exchange companies that have free memberships like SFX, DAE, Platinum Interchange, and Trading Places, and even perhaps add one with a low membership fee, Hawaii Timeshare Exchange. That would give a good mix.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I have used SFX exclusively for the past 14 years. Prior to that I used II and RCI.

We are weeks owners.

With SFX, we have always been able to get good exchanges at top resorts even during prime time. We have exchanged into New York City, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, Sedona, Scottsdale AZ ( during March for MLB Spring training. This is a tough trade ), Branson, etc.

Contrary to what JLB says, we still get as good exchanges as ever.

You can try the "Ask SFX" forum where you can ask questions directly.

You have gotten good advice here and From Glitter -let us know how u make out.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Contrary to what JLB says, we still get as good exchanges as ever.

Through RCI?

Cuz I've never said anything about SFX, so why would you mention me concerning an SFX post?

Folks, everyone/anyone can read between the lines. Could you try to be less obvious?

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

RCI is good at getting the overbuilt areas . . . Orlando, Branson, Williamsburg, et al . . . reasonably.

In the last 5 years I have not found any exchange company that is good at providing popular destinations that are not overbuilt during peak demand times.

Who all disagrees with this?

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

That sounds like what I would have said 15 years ago, except that we gave up on II because it did not do well for stuff we wanted. Back then, it was about who had the stuff more suited to a person's needs. RCI was strong in the Heartland, where we could go for Spring getaways, and II was strong in the hoyty toyty destinations. For instance, I don't believe II had anything in Branson then.

Simpler times.

It's a lot more complicated now, not just about which company has what. Now it is also about jumping through hoops to get what they have.

Or this?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Through RCI?

Cuz I've never said anything about SFX, so why would you mention me concerning an SFX post?

Folks, everyone/anyone can read between the lines. Could you try to be less obvious?

Jim, this thread is about a NON-RCI resort....so people are discussing where else the OP can deposit their ownership.

The other poster reference you because you were complaining about RCI - there are many options besides RCI that others have now chosen so they still get good exchanges thru other companies - contrary to what you posted.

Do you understand that logic???