Surprised I would have to pay for RCI

[catahoula Member Find all posts View Profile Close catahoula]

I've been a member of HGVC in Las vegas for 10 years. I just purchased a non HGVC resale in Fl which is associated with RCI and II.
I called RCI and told them I would like to add my new timeshare to my account and was surprised to learn I would have to PAY to join RCI.
I always thought HGVC took out a membership fee for RCI, thus I would not double pay if I was to join RCI.
There's no way i'm paying RCI another fee to join. I know due diligence. This could be an RCI thread but I'm too tired to retype.

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

I would call back RCI to speak to someone else. I recently went to a presentation for one company...I'm not sure which company, but they stated that the developer would pay for my RCI membership. I have several timeshares that would roll over into the RCi account the developer would pay.
But, that was a salesman, so they may be wrong also.

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

I would call back RCI to speak to someone else. I recently went to a presentation for one company...I'm not sure which company, but they stated that the developer would pay for my RCI membership. I have several timeshares that would roll over into the RCi account the developer would pay.
But, that was a salesman, so they may be wrong also.

This surprises me not at all. There are a few systems in Interval and RCI where you get a "corporate" account and are not allowed to add individual ownership weeks to that account.

Unless the OP bought something very special in Florida in the first 15 weeks of the year I would not bother with an RCI account.

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

Many times resort specific 'corporate accounts' can only have that ownership in the account.

With II, Starwood owners with ownership in the "SVN" have a special account that ONLY has SVN weeks in it that is paid for by Starwood - if you own a resale Starwood/Westin/Sheraton week - you have to have a separate II account.
I am in the process of buying Wyndham Points - that will have a separate II account paid for by Wyndham.
Hyatt owners have another separate II account - Hyatt weeks only.
I believe DRI/THE Club - also has a separate II account but not sure...

I said 'paid for' by the corporation but of course YOU are paying for it with your membership/maintenance fees.

In RCI, Wyndham owners also have a Wyn only RCI account - your other ownerships have to have their own account.

I believe these 'separate' accounts are set up because there are resort group specific trading 'advantages/rules' that RCI/II has with the specific developer groups that allow these accounts to function in a 'different then usual' manner.
JMHO

edit - posted over Lawren.....but yes, what did u buy, it might be a better II trader then RCI and even get you an accommodation cert from II.

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

There's no way i'm paying RCI another fee to join. I know due diligence. This could be an RCI thread but I'm too tired to retype.

I don't think this is a 'due diligence' issue - that is what u do when u are investigating the ownership - loans, back fees, etc.

There are MANY options available to you for exchange companies, not just RCI.

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

GrayFal

I believe these 'separate' accounts are set up because there are resort group specific trading 'advantages/rules' that RCI/II has with the specific developer groups that allow these accounts to function in a 'different then usual' manner.
JMHO

I agree. Marriott, Starwood, HGVC, etc., all have their own rules, and trained employees, to handle their accounts. Typical II employees are not allowed to handle your account. You are automatically switched over to the Marriott, Starwood, HGVC desk.

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

Wyndham gives full RCI membership PLUS request first

Many times resort specific 'corporate accounts' can only have that ownership in the account.

With II, Starwood owners with ownership in the "SVN" have a special account that ONLY has SVN weeks in it that is paid for by Starwood - if you own a resale Starwood/Westin/Sheraton week - you have to have a separate II account.
I am in the process of buying Wyndham Points - that will have a separate II account paid for by Wyndham.
Hyatt owners have another separate II account - Hyatt weeks only.
I believe DRI/THE Club - also has a separate II account but not sure...

I said 'paid for' by the corporation but of course YOU are paying for it with your membership/maintenance fees.

In RCI, Wyndham owners also have a Wyn only RCI account - your other ownerships have to have their own account.

Absolutely incorrect! The RCI account you get from Wyndham is a full, RCI Weeks account that covers any other RCI resort you may own or add. In fact it was my experience with Wyndham supplying a full membership that originally surprised me when Sunterra/II only gave us a limited "corporate" account. Upset me at first until I discovered that, unlike RCI, with II a corporate account means you get priority and the ability to use points rather than full weeks - both good things. Meanwhile over at RCI the perk from Wyndham is "request first" from RCI which non-Wyndham RCI weeks members don't get so both systems do offer something different if you come in through a "sponsor".

Summary: Most systems that give you RCI Memberships are fully paid and you can add your other weeks N/C. (I'm surprised to hear that there may be a few that don't offer the full version - are you sure about THAT?).

Most that offer II are "Corporate" which do not allow you to add other resorts but which are superior to being a mere paying II member. Save your money and don't put non-Corporate resorts into II as they are treated as second class deposits at best anyway and you pay more for the "privilege".

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

Absolutely incorrect! The RCI account you get from Wyndham is a full, RCI Weeks account that covers any other RCI resort you may own or add. In fact it was my experience with Wyndham supplying a full membership that originally surprised me when Sunterra/II only gave us a limited "corporate" account. Upset me at first until I discovered that, unlike RCI, with II a corporate account means you get priority and the ability to use points rather than full weeks - both good things. Meanwhile over at RCI the perk from Wyndham is "request first" from RCI which non-Wyndham RCI weeks members don't get so both systems do offer something different if you come in through a "sponsor".

Summary: Most systems that give you RCI Memberships are fully paid and you can add your other weeks N/C. (I'm surprised to hear that there may be a few that don't offer the full version - are you sure about THAT?).

Most that offer II are "Corporate" which do not allow you to add other resorts but which are superior to being a mere paying II member. Save your money and don't put non-Corporate resorts into II as they are treated as second class deposits at best anyway and you pay more for the "privilege".

I was misinformed about the RCI/Wyndham account. Thank you for the clarification. Now u have me wondering about the Wyndham/II one ....Hmmmmm. I will call Wyndham today to ask if my new ownership can be added to my existing II account with them paying for it - that would be a good deal!

As far as 'other systems' OP has already stated that they can NOT add a 'regular week ownership' to their RCI/HGVC account so it seems you are misinformed as well.

I disagree with your assessment of the worth of II accounts but then you know that already - just wanted to state it for OP that many do not agree with timeos2 II bashing and are extremely happy with II and the ease of exchange and the quality of the resorts in the system. We are all entitled to our opinions.

[catahoula Member Find all posts View Profile Close catahoula]

I had to double check

I I just got off the phone with RCI and HGVC. According to Hilton I am not paying a membership fee. It is called a "shadow account". Thus if I wish to join RCI I will have to pay membership fees for the new account.
Are there any other HGVC ownners who would like to add any info.
The resale I bought is at the Longboat Bayclub Fl. It is afloating week 1-4,16-50 maybe you can advise on the tradeability. Thanks

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

I, too, am happy with II (and we have both RCI and II). II has the Marriotts, and that's reason enough for me.

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

GrayFal

I disagree with your assessment of the worth of II accounts but then you know that already - just wanted to state it for OP that many do not agree with timeos2 II bashing and are extremely happy with II and the ease of exchange and the quality of the resorts in the system. We are all entitled to our opinions.

For the sake of the OP, I will also chime in, and note that I too completely disagree with timeos2's opinion of II. Many besides myself are very happy with II. And yes, we are all entitled to our opinions.

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

I I just got off the phone with RCI and HGVC. According to Hilton I am not paying a membership fee. It is called a "shadow account". Thus if I wish to join RCI I will have to pay membership fees for the new account. Are there any other HGVC ownners who would like to add any info.
The resale I bought is at the Longboat Bayclub Fl. It is afloating week 1-4,16-50 maybe you can advise on the tradeability. Thanks

Which is what I replied in the first place.

Nice resort in SW Florida. The weeks 2,3 & 4 would probably give very good trade power in RCI if deposited a minimum of 12 months out. Week 1 is notoriously bad.

ETA That there ARE some nice places that only RCI can get you. It requires work and some skill but can be done.

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

Which is what I replied in the first place.

Nice resort in SW Florida. The weeks 2,3 & 4 would probably give very good trade power in RCI if deposited a minimum of 12 months out. Week 1 is notoriously bad.

ETA That there ARE some nice places that only RCI can get you. It requires work and some skill but can be done.

Agree that weeks 4,3,2 maybe 1 would do very well in II - and might get you an accommodation certificate - call II and ask about the history of ACs at this resort.
This is a Gold Premier resort with II (old "5Star") - it actually should trade very well for the weeks mentioned - next best would be week 23-33 for summer school vacation time.

You should see Marriott's once they are out of the preference period as will as Sheraton/Hyatt and other high end resorts.

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

Corporate II is worth it. It's free!

As far as 'other systems' OP has already stated that they can NOT add a 'regular week ownership' to their RCI/HGVC account so it seems you are misinformed as well.
.

I have never studied Hilton so if they have a crippled or limited membership with RCI thats the first time I've heard it. Of course I thought the Sunterra II Corporate account was a "crippled" one as well when I first got it and they wanted another fee to deposit other resorts but found out it was superior to a paid II account! Who would have guessed? So until you have it and use it assumptions can be way off. All in all I feel having a paid RCI Points account, free (actually 2) RCI Weeks accounts - one with "request first", a free II corporate account with access to all II deposits using points PLUS all the bonus times, etc (remember at no charge!) plus internal accounts with Diamond and Wyndham there is virtually nothing I can't obtain with points or a cheap week all for only one Exchange company annual fee - the RCI Points membership. How can I complain? The various points based systems have been VERY good to me since we converted all our weeks but one which we use most years.

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

catahoula

It is afloating week 1-4,16-50 maybe you can advise on the tradeability

.

I'd try to get week 4, if I could. If not, I'd try for 3, and then 2.

Good luck!!!!