RCI or II?

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

Hello,
I just found this forum and WOW what a wealth of information! It's very much appreciated. Well I am new to the world of time-share ownership, but grew up going to my parents' time share in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida at Kahlua Beach Club. I have only positive things to say about Kahlua and just thinking about the place and the wonderful people brings a smile to my face. My husband and I are starting a family and I look forward to bringing my kids there, too.

We now also own there, but we also want to take advantage of traveling to other places around the world. We just came back from St. John and met a couple who own a Marriott property in Mexico and swore by II. We were just about to join RCI and now we're not sure which to join. Can you guys please help me with some pros/cons of each? We use the week system, not points. Thanks in advance for your advice!

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

Hello,
I just found this forum and WOW what a wealth of information! It's very much appreciated. Well I am new to the world of time-share ownership, but grew up going to my parents' time share in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida at Kahlua Beach Club. I have only positive things to say about Kahlua and just thinking about the place and the wonderful people brings a smile to my face. My husband and I are starting a family and I look forward to bringing my kids there, too.

We now also own there, but we also want to take advantage of traveling to other places around the world. We just came back from St. John and met a couple who own a Marriott property in Mexico and swore by II. We were just about to join RCI and now we're not sure which to join. Can you guys please help me with some pros/cons of each? We use the week system, not points. Thanks in advance for your advice!

A lot depends on your preferences. Marriott and Disney trade through II so if you want to trade into these resorts you will need to be an II member. We prefer II because we like Marriott resorts and II seems to have more high quality resorts in the areas we prefer to vacation. In many areas RCI has more resorts so if that were where you prefer to vacation RCI would be the better choice for you.

II membership and exchange fees are not as high as RCI. We are RCI and II members and about all we use RCI for is last call rentals. We just get better service and exchanges though II. I am sure some will say their experience is the opposite.

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

I think it'd help to hear about where and when you want to travel before we make recommendation(s). Also please tell us what week and what size unit do you own at Kahlua?

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

We own in July and it's a studio. I really don't have an idea of where/when we want to travel, but it will not be this year. I have heard that the earlier you bank your weeks the better and that wouldn't be a problem since we're not going anywhere right away.

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

You should not forget the independent exchange companies like:

Dial An Exchange Timeshare, Vacation Ownership & Points Clubs Exchange Service
Untitled Document
Trading Places International - Timeshare Rentals, Exchange, Resales, and Travel Services
www.platinuminterchange.com
Interchange Timeshare

Many of these have free membership and lower exchange fees.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

We own in July and it's a studio. I really don't have an idea of where/when we want to travel, but it will not be this year. I have heard that the earlier you bank your weeks the better and that wouldn't be a problem since we're not going anywhere right away.

First you must determine where and when you want to travel. a July Florida studio even if gulf front in Ft Meyers is not going to have very high trade power in RCI and you would be penalized in Interval for unit size.

We can help you make the most of it depending on where you would like to travel.

The Independents as mentioned above by Steve might be a good option for you. I suggest you read up on them. Each has there own forum here with plenty of good information to get you thinking.

Timeshare Exchange Companies - Timeshare Forums

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

Thanks, I will read up on these!

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

If you are new to exchanging and not even sure when, where or which resort you might want to go, then I would suggest you try the independents first just to get a taste of what's available out there without paying a yearly membership fee.

You say you won't be traveling this year so it seems a bit of a waste to pay for a membership fee now with the big 2 and not use it. The exception to this would be if you wanted to bank right away and put in a request immediately to increase your chance of getting an exchange.

However, since you say you're not sure, you're better off taking your time and checking out the independents. Then, if they can't get you what you want, by all means join II or RCI.

II will let you request without committing your week to them whereas RCI will make you bank the week first before allowing you to search or request.