Just bought a timeshare, how do I trade my week?

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

Hi there. We just bought a timeshare in Destin, FL on the beach, with RCI. Our week is the last week in January, and I'm confused on how this all works.

We did this because we're moving to New Mexico in a year, and this will allow us to come back "home" once a year if we desire. Then we got to thinking that we can trade to other resorts (I think? right?), and thought this January would be a great time to go to Disney World , since we live in Destin FL right now.

How do I go about this? Is it too late now that it's December? What are the chances of getting a resort onsite at disney?

Thanks so much, I know these questions are silly to some but we are totally new to this!

[aliikai2 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close aliikai2]

Welcome to TS4MS

Let's start at the beginning.

If the unit in your name(s) with the resort?

If yes,

You need to join RCI and deposit your week.

If you are trying to get onto Disney Property for this coming January with a very late Jan 2010 deposit, I think a snowball would have a much better chance in a very warm place.
If you are talking about Jan 2011 and depositing your 2011 week now, then depending upon the demand and quality of your resort, you may have a chance at a smaller unit, like a studio or a 1 bedroom.

If no, the first thing you need to do is get the transfer completed. then follow the steps above.

fwiw,

Greg

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

Hi there. We just bought a timeshare in Destin, FL on the beach, with RCI. Our week is the last week in January, and I'm confused on how this all works.

We did this because we're moving to New Mexico in a year, and this will allow us to come back "home" once a year if we desire. Then we got to thinking that we can trade to other resorts (I think? right?), and thought this January would be a great time to go to Disney World , since we live in Destin FL right now.

How do I go about this? Is it too late now that it's December? What are the chances of getting a resort onsite at Disney?

Thanks so much, I know these questions are silly to some but we are totally new to this!

The advice u were given above is good.

Most TSers plan a year in advance by depositing their weeks a year (or more) before check-in. This maximizes 'trade power' assigned by the exchange company at the time of the deposit - the longer they have your week to use, the more likely they will have someone to exchange into that unit. There are also restrictions placed on a week deposited less then 60 days (or 45 days) before check-in so your best bet this late might be to use your week this year 2010 at your home resort and plan on how to use your 2011 and 2012 week now - for the future.
With Interval International (the other 'big' exchange company) if u deposit less then 60 days before check-in, you can only exchange 60 days into the future, severely limiting your planning and the choice of resort you will get in exchange.
With RCI, the 'late deposit restrictions' kick in at 45 days.

Disney Vacation Club now trades thru RCI - and it takes a very high demand, strong trading week (think Southern California Resort in the summer) to get in.
If it is Orlando that u want to visit, there will be lots of availability as it is an area with many timeshares.

Also be aware that even though your ownership is week 4 or 5 - you can exchange into other resorts at different times of the year depending on the trading value your week is assigned on deposit.

And finally, there are many smaller independent exchange companies that you might find 'friendlier' then RCI.

Trading Places International TPI
Dial an Exchange DAE
Platinum Interchange
San Fransisco Exchange Company SFX

edit - giving us the resort name, week number and unit type could be helpful in getting advice.
example - a 2 or 3 BR will trade better then a studio....some units can be 'locked-off' for 2 trades instead of one.

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

Welcome!!

My personal advice would be to
A) go with the above advice on completing transfer, joining RCI
B) not get hopes up for Jan '10 trip to a Disney resort via exchange
C) look at RCI Extra Vacations and Last Call for opportunities to rent at Disney this year - especially if you don't have to travel a specific week

I don't know enuf about Destin to advise you on renting it out (others more knowledgeable about RCI trading power and rental marketability of your resort will show up shortly), but consider it. You might be able to rent it to a friend, family member or co-worker to recoup your 2010 maint fees and then some. Sounds like you live very near? Could be excellent "overflow parking" for extra relatives coming into town for someone. Listen for "we don't have anywhere for them to sleep!" and then butt into that conversation.

But depositing that 2010 week will not get you much in exchange power from RCI - late deposits are never great traders. I think for most exchange companies it is simply too late for them to take.

Are you planning to use your 2010 week? That would solve things nicely - use your resort 2010, deposit your 2011 week as soon as you can and immediately start an ongoing search for Disney for 2010, when you either find a rental or have to give up, change the ongoing search to 2011 or another time in 2010.

Disney is coveted and very new in RCI. It will not be easy for a lot of deposits to see.

You could set your sights on other resorts in Orlando and probably rent something relatively easily if you don't have to be on site. Orlando in general almost always has availability, if you don't travel at holidays.

welcome to the world of timesharing, and congratulations (I hope) on planning a cross-country move a year in advance!

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

Last week? Read through your contract, see how long you have before cancel. If you pass the day, that is O.K., But if you are still within the cancel period, you may want to rescind it. Than figure out what time you want to use the TS to visit back "home" and how frequently later.

Jya-Ning

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

1. Destin in January should have decent trading power, but, as mentioned, only if it is deposited more than one year before use date. In my 10-year study of January availability in FL, the Panhandle and Northern Atlantic Coast were the least desireable beach areas of Florida, but still more popular than most of the rest of the timeshare world.

2. Orlando is plentiful in January, although maybe not DVC. You should be able to get something nice in Orlando this year even with a late deposit, especially since your January Destin will be a desireable deposit.

Just not DVC.

Our deposits are not that great any more, but they were deposited in a timely manner. Here's what I see for Orlando for January, 2010 (next month):

39 Resorts (288 available units)

For Last Calls (you don't have to give up a week):

34 Resorts (177 available units)

There are some nice resorts available priced at $234 for a studio, $259 for a 1-Bdrm and $284 for a 2-bdrm.

3. Once you are an RCI subscriber, you can search for yourself online at RCI.com. I have been almost every day since 1997, most of that time for January in FL.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...rts-beach.html

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

Thank you so much everyone - you have helped a ton.