Newbie and RCI

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

Hello!
Any help is appreciated, I wanted to start here, before calling RCI, I don't want to get suckered into a memership for 2008 if I don't have to.

Here's the deal, I'm new...

I bought a timeshare (ebay) 2 bedroom lock off, usage is odd year starting 2009. I'm thinking use it 2009 and lock off the other part for an exchange use for 2010. Am I explaining it right? now, do I call RCI the beginning of 2009 to do this? this way, I can actually have home use 1 year 2009 and exchange for the even year. So, I don't have to pay membership for 2008 if wait till 2009. Is this how it works?

its a 2 bedroom lock off, the sq ft is over 2000, williamsburg VA, not 5 star.

does someone have to "pick up" my exchange, before I can book something elsewhere?

I appreciate it!

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

Much of this depends on resort policy.

the goal is to deposit as soon as possible, and depending on your resort, that could be 1 or 2 years in advance of use date. Meaning, don't wait for 2009!

Of course, you would have to be a member to deposit and to use an exchange. If what you want back out of that is an easy trade, sure, wait for 2009. But if it could be the least bit difficult, you need at least a year of lead time.

given that you own in Williamsburg, I don't expect you will have stellar trading power - W'burg is one of those overdeveloped areas (or at least on its way to being overdev'd). That also means Deposit ASAP! The earlier you deposit, the better your trade power.

Your getting an exchange has nothing to do with whether or not someone uses your week. If you put a week in, you have the right to get a week back out.


Do you already know where/when you'd like to go for that exchange?

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

thanks so much.

sounds like I should join RCI in 2008. I just wasnt sure b/c my usage is odd year starting 2009.

I'm thinking to exhange it for maybe myrtle beach or maybe orlando (doesn't have to be in disney) 2010. the kiddies will be 5 and 3 then.

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

thanks so much.

sounds like I should join RCI in 2008. I just wasnt sure b/c my usage is odd year starting 2009.

I'm thinking to exhange it for maybe myrtle beach or maybe orlando (doesn't have to be in disney) 2010. the kiddies will be 5 and 3 then.

Yes with RCI you must deposit a year in advance <2008> and place your search a minimum of one year and up to two years in advance.

So you will be paying RCI 3 YEARS worth of annual membership fees to use one week. A 3 year membership is running $229 right now. Plus your exchange fee which is usually paid when you initiate your search. That is currently $164 for domestic.

At that age of your children, unless you yourself are some way tied to the school calendar and can take non-peak weeks. You could probably get a cheap RCI rental for less than this week would cost you once you average in purchase price, MFs and RCI charges.

You mention your resort is not 5*. Does that mean your resort also trades in Interval International? I think you would make out better using them if that is the case.

Which resort are we talking about?

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

You might see if your resort is acceptable to SFX. Their Gold membership is free, and their exchange fee is still less than RCI.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

And if not SFX, perhaps trading places or one of the other independents we have forums for here. I have had good luck trading Williamsburg thru II --so far.

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

Or even a direct exchange. My resort system has 4 Myrtle Beach resorts.

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

its Powhatan, and my week is the last week in august. I'm not tied to any school year. I appreicate all this feedback. in the ad it says the resort exchanges with RCI, I'll have to call about II

SFX? whats that?

ahh..thats for all the feedback

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

SFX? whats that?

San Fransisco Exchange Company

SFX Preferred Resorts the San Francisco exchange company

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

its Powhatan, and my week is the last week in august. I'm not tied to any school year. I appreicate all this feedback. in the ad it says the resort exchanges with RCI, I'll have to call about II

edit to correct my mistake.

II will not take Powhatan. See post 13 in this thread.

I really doubt that SFX will and if your current goal is Orlando you may be stuck with RCI.

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

OP wants Orlando, not in the prime season. I'm thinking that OP can wait till early 2009 to deposit a 2009 week and get an Orlando week.

If you're willing to travel to Orlando in the off-season, then you can probably get something really nice, even depositing only eight months out or so.

To give you an idea...

I have a Williamsburg timeshare (it's 5*, but that doesn't affect trading power, they say). I deposited a prime summer 2br week with RCI more than a year out, here's what I see for Orlando for summer 2008. I searched starting June 15, 2008, for 2br units only, for 10 weeks. Twenty-two hits.

Cookie, if you want me to search for a different time frame or a different unit size with my Wburg week, let me know.

Club Sevilla (#5169)
Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 07/26/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Orange Lake's West Village (#0670)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 07/04/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Silver Lake Resort (#2610)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/10/2008 - 08/17/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] High Point World Resort (#2066)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Summer Bay Resort (#3175)
Kissimmee, FL 34714, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/23/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Lago Vista at Buenaventura Lakes (#3026)
Kissimmee, FL 34743, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 07/12/2008 - 07/12/2008


Map

[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Orbit One Vacation Villas (#5109)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Vacation Village at Parkway (#4940)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/22/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
Villas at Fortune Place (#3654)
Kissimmee, FL 34744, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 3
Check-in Date Range - 06/28/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
Westgate Vacation Villas (#0899)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/23/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Grand Lake Resort (#4300)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Sunterra Resorts Polynesian Isles (#5095)
Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Villas at Summer Bay Resort (#5995)
Kissimmee, FL 34714, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/10/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
Florida Vacation Villas (#0776)
Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/28/2008 - 07/12/2008


Map

Reviews
Taranova-Imperialakes (#3003)
Mulberry, FL 33860, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Orlando International Resort Club (#0552)
Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/23/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Kingstown Reef (#5945)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/16/2008 - 08/16/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Sheraton Vistana Resort (#0450)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Bryan's Spanish Cove (#1613)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
Westgate Leisure Resort (#4206)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/09/2008 - 08/17/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Harder Hall Lakeside Villas (#0742)
Sebring, FL 33875, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/16/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Linkside Villas at Sun 'n Lake Estate (#0545)
Sebring, FL 33872, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/16/2008

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

OP wants Orlando, not in the prime season. I'm thinking that OP can wait till early 2009 to deposit a 2009 week and get an Orlando week.

If you're willing to travel to Orlando in the off-season, then you can probably get something really nice, even depositing only eight months out or so.

To give you an idea...

I have a Williamsburg timeshare (it's 5*, but that doesn't affect trading power, they say). I deposited a prime summer 2br week with RCI more than a year out, here's what I see for Orlando for summer 2008. I searched starting June 15, 2008, for 2br units only, for 10 weeks. Twenty-two hits.

Cookie, if you want me to search for a different time frame or a different unit size with my Wburg week, let me know.

Club Sevilla (#5169)
Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 07/26/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Orange Lake's West Village (#0670)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 07/04/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Silver Lake Resort (#2610)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/10/2008 - 08/17/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] High Point World Resort (#2066)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Summer Bay Resort (#3175)
Kissimmee, FL 34714, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/23/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Lago Vista at Buenaventura Lakes (#3026)
Kissimmee, FL 34743, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 07/12/2008 - 07/12/2008


Map

[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Orbit One Vacation Villas (#5109)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Vacation Village at Parkway (#4940)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/22/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
Villas at Fortune Place (#3654)
Kissimmee, FL 34744, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 3
Check-in Date Range - 06/28/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
Westgate Vacation Villas (#0899)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/23/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Grand Lake Resort (#4300)
Kissimmee, FL 34747, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Sunterra Resorts Polynesian Isles (#5095)
Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/15/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Villas at Summer Bay Resort (#5995)
Kissimmee, FL 34714, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/10/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
Florida Vacation Villas (#0776)
Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/28/2008 - 07/12/2008


Map

Reviews
Taranova-Imperialakes (#3003)
Mulberry, FL 33860, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

[RCI Gold Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Gold Crown award requires resorts to meet more stringent standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Orlando International Resort Club (#0552)
Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/23/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Kingstown Reef (#5945)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/16/2008 - 08/16/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Sheraton Vistana Resort (#0450)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/24/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Bryan's Spanish Cove (#1613)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/23/2008


Map

Reviews
Westgate Leisure Resort (#4206)
Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 08/09/2008 - 08/17/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Silver Crown: RCI's resort recognition program honors resorts that consistently offer superior vacation experiences. The Silver Crown award requires resorts to meet established standards, based on member comment card ratings, in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, resort maintenance, hospitality, and check-in/check-out procedures.] Harder Hall Lakeside Villas (#0742)
Sebring, FL 33875, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/16/2008


Map

Reviews
[RCI Hospitality: RCI Hospitality is a new award that RCI is making available to resorts that consistently have high member comment card ratings in the areas of check-in/check-out and hospitality.] Linkside Villas at Sun 'n Lake Estate (#0545)
Sebring, FL 33872, USA

Available Unit Size - 2 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 08/16/2008

It really will depend when she want to go. The key here is you deposited over 12 months out before your check-in date. and that would be my advice for RCI to anyone.

So Cookie would have to deposit her 2009 week in 2008 and begin her search for 2010. That's 3 years of RCI.

BTW I would only stay at the 4 resorts I bolded in your quote of your 22 options.

I would not recommend the independents for Orlando as I don't see much in their inventories for that area.

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

II will take Powhattan

Sunterra's Powhatan Plantation • PWP
Williamsburg, Virginia

I really doubt that SFX will and if your current goal is Orlando I think II would be the better choice.

Wrong, II will not take Powhatan. Powhatan is not affiliated with II, Club Sunterra is affiliated with II. It's complicated... Weeks owners at Powhatan can deposit with RCI or an independent.

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

Wrong, II will not take Powhatan. Powhatan is not affiliated with II, Club Sunterra is affiliated with II. It's complicated... Weeks owners at Powhatan can deposit with RCI or an independent.

Really? wow.
So poor Cookie < and other Powhatan week owners> is really left with nothing but RCI. That stinks. Powhatan bulk deposits so that really kills the trade power too.

I was sure hoping we could find her a cheaper solution. I have gone back an removed the Interval suggestion <and the extra "t" > as I would never want to badly mislead someone. Thanks so much for catching my error.

I think we should co-erce you into doing a Sunterra chat. I personally would like to learn more about it and I'm sure others would too.

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

Really? wow.
So poor Cookie < and other Powhattan week owners> is really left with nothing but RCI. That stinks. Powhattan bulk deposits so that really kills the trade power too.

I was sure hoping we could find her a cheaper solution.

I think we should co-erce you into doing a Sunterra chat. I personally would like to learn more about it and I'm sure others would too.

To my knowledge Powhatan (one t) does not bulk deposit with RCI.

I've never been successful in getting on TS4Ms chat??