peppersmom
newbie
What is the difference between RCI and II? Which is the better of the two as far as exchange companies...If your TS is with RCI, can you use II? Thanks in advance...this is all new to me
What is the difference between RCI and II? Which is the better of the two as far as exchange companies...If your TS is with RCI, can you use II? Thanks in advance...this is all new to me
After reading this threat, just thinking - would there be an advantage to alternating between RCI and II from year to year (or two years at a time)? The problem is you need at least a year to reserve a high demand week and also there is no discount for one year at a time. Some years I would like to go to Disney and some years I might like to try a Marriott or Westin. I've been pretty happy with RCI bt would like to try some of the higher end resorts that II has with my Worldmark preference. I think you could do this but would really have to plan out several years in advance.
I don't know the answer to the question I'm about to ask but it deals with the situation you propose. If you make an exchange with either company for the future and your membership lapses, are you still entitled to the exchange? If you are entitled to the exchange and you have a problem can you get any support from them now that you are no longer a member?
With II, it is systemically impossible to do an exchange further out than the expiration of the membership, so that scenario would be moot. I would presume the same goes for RCI.
With II, it is systemically impossible to do an exchange further out than the expiration of the membership, so that scenario would be moot. I would presume the same goes for RCI.
Yup. In order to make a reservation in RCI, it has to be within your membership period and MFs have to be paid up on your resort(s) you want to use for the exchange.
After reading this threat, just thinking - would there be an advantage to alternating between RCI and II from year to year (or two years at a time)? The problem is you need at least a year to reserve a high demand week and also there is no discount for one year at a time. Some years I would like to go to Disney and some years I might like to try a Marriott or Westin. I've been pretty happy with RCI bt would like to try some of the higher end resorts that II has with my Worldmark preference. I think you could do this but would really have to plan out several years in advance.
Having traded in both systems for over a decade, I prefer RCI over II by a long margin. Many reasons but the ultimate one is..
With RCI, the TPU "cost" is visible and I can "buy" anything in "prime/holiday" season if I have the purchasing power for it.
With II, I cannot get the preferred quailty resorts until I own within the sub system and even then, the pure prime/holiday season are almost inaccessible.
Holy crap, how could I forget my other 1BR for 2BR exchange in January to Marriott Newport Coast? II has been great.
What is your secret for getting 1BR to 2BR exchanges?
BTW, I love II also and all my extra vacations. I get wonderful exchanges all the time. You just have to make your requests and be patient and travel non-peak, which I prefer anyway. Plus flexchange and bonus weeks are awesome!
Flexchange is 59 days in II. RCI may be more equitable but I love how I can learn how to get great exchanges and make 1 two bedroom week into multiple weeks at prime resorts.
A number of years ago I asked about a trade to Las Vegas and RCI seemed to not have one and a friend told me to check Platinum Interchange. They quickly provided the week I needed and I have traded with them many times for many years.
What is your secret for getting 1BR to 2BR exchanges?
Another factor that may account for your success is your willingness to travel off season (which we prefer as we don't enjoy crowds). I see a lot of inventory with my supposedly mid tier traders and nearly always have an upgrade opportunity if we're flexible on the date. We're empty nesters though, so we're not tied to the school schedule any more I can take whatever good trade comes up while I am searching. I also think the preference period for Marriott/Starwood is a very valuable II benefit, as are the reduced exchange fees - $124 for Marriott trades and $119 for Starwood exchanges. (Those may be off by $5 - not quite sure).The only trade I have done within flexchange is the Four Seasons trade, although my unit "saw" the 2 BR Jan and Feb units as well.
I cannot say with certainty why I have been so fortunate in my first year of ownership. There are a couple ideas I have that I am not yet willing to discuss publicly, but I will say that a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom (like don't buy in "overbuilt" areas), searching frequently, owning premier rated resorts (that also have high II member ratings, not the fraud premier resorts like Daytona Grand Seas), and luck (I had no idea that my traders would perform this well for me so far), all contribute to maximizing exchanges.