When and how will RCI merge its two points systems?

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

RCI no longer has a real weeks based system any more. It has two different points based systems. The interesting question is when and how they will merge them. It is inefficient to keep the two paralel points systems, so such a merger is highly likely IMHO. They seem to be testing out some new methods with Points Lite, so I suspect that it is more what the merged system will look like. At least one resort was told that there might be a further ''enhancement'' allowing members to buy extra points needed for their trade, much like airlines sell extra ff miles. It would not surprise me to see this happen, although in the big picture that would more likely hurt members than help them. It would be an additional immediate revenue stream for RCI, however, and that is what seems to drive everything RCI does, regardless of damage over the longer term.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

"Weeks" has always been a points system really as trades were based on the previously undisclosed "trade value". I agree that eventually it only makes sense to combine the two as ultimately the real value to any exchange company is access to inventory from EVERY resort. RCI comes closest to that goal now and would be better if they combined and better yet if they stopped requiring "affiliation" from resorts and simply accepted a deposit from any source and owner. That would be the ultimate exchange company (assuming hey actually focused on trades and not using free inventory to generate rental income for themselves).

As it is the exchange world has become so fractured and expensive that it isn't a true value anymore. Most owners are far better served by renting what they don't own rather than attempting to trade.

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

I do not expect them to. Many developers are still selling conversions. Merging the two systems takes away that revenue stream. As the developers are the primary customers of RCI, eliminating that revenue stream seems unlikely as long as developers can convince their sheep^H^H^H^H^Hcustomers that there is value in being in Points. And, developers are pretty good at pulling wool over eyes.

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

The mere aspect of valuation of a week, did not make the old Weeks system a points system, especially when all trading was a clean one for one trade and there was no combining or weeks, change back, etc.

I agree that the exchange process, which was once a major plus for timesharing has gone downhill in a big way and that cost is one big negative factor. The machinations of the exchange companies, and one of them in particular, are the biggest threat to the survival of timesharing.

"Weeks" has always been a points system really as trades were based on the previously undisclosed "trade value". I agree that eventually it only makes sense to combine the two as ultimately the real value to any exchange company is access to inventory from EVERY resort. RCI comes closest to that goal now and would be better if they combined and better yet if they stopped requiring "affiliation" from resorts and simply accepted a deposit from any source and owner. That would be the ultimate exchange company (assuming hey actually focused on trades and not using free inventory to generate rental income for themselves).

As it is the exchange world has become so fractured and expensive that it isn't a true value anymore. Most owners are far better served by renting what they don't own rather than attempting to trade.