Timeshare newbie RCI/II point questions

I am new to all this timeshare business but I guess my family could use it so I would like to learn to make informed decision and it seems like there is a lot to learn.
I was reading this forum and the tutorials but still some questions are unanswered.
I would most likely want to buy timeshare which could be exchanged on RCI or II so we don't have to go to the same location year after year so cost to point ratio would be very important, I have read somewhere on this forum that 1 - 1.5 cent per point in MF would be considered a good deal. The question though is how do I know how many points I will get for the particular resort/unit size/week in a year/etc? And how do I know what these points can get me before I buy given timeshare?
When do I get the points? As soon as I list the property with RCI/II or when my unit rents?
I see people selling points only on Ebay, etc. and MF is also requred. How does it work and does the same number of points is replenished every year as long as MF is paid? Again how can I know what I can afford for the points I would be buying?
Is there max % the resort can raise the mf year over year or there is no limit? Would this be clause in the contract?
How much does RCI/II charges for making the swap through them?
I am sure I will have many more questions but having these answered would be great help.

Some thoughts and observations...

python01 said:

I am new to all this timeshare business but I guess my family could use it so I would like to learn to make informed decision and it seems like there is a lot to learn.
I was reading this forum and the tutorials but still some questions are unanswered.
I would most likely want to buy timeshare which could be exchanged on RCI or II so we don't have to go to the same location year after year so cost to point ratio would be very important, I have read somewhere on this forum that 1 - 1.5 cent per point in MF would be considered a good deal. The question though is how do I know how many points I will get for the particular resort/unit size/week in a year/etc? And how do I know what these points can get me before I buy given timeshare?
When do I get the points? As soon as I list the property with RCI/II or when my unit rents?
I see people selling points only on Ebay, etc. and MF is also requred. How does it work and does the same number of points is replenished every year as long as MF is paid? Again how can I know what I can afford for the points I would be buying?
Is there max % the resort can raise the mf year over year or there is no limit? Would this be clause in the contract?
How much does RCI/II charges for making the swap through them?
I am sure I will have many more questions but having these answered would be great help.

Click to expand...

One point (no pun intended) I'll mention (one which you may or may not have already absorbed in the course of your research) is that any given resort is associated with either RCI or II (although some, but certainly not most) are affiliated with both). Each of these exchange companies has its' own membership fees and exchange fees.
You cannot use a RCI-only affiliated resort "deposit" to exchange into a II-only affiliated resort --- and / or vice versa.

You have asked about exchange fees. To the best of my knowledge, just as a point of reference, RCI currently charges $229 per exchange. There is no cost to "deposit" a week that you own; the exchange fee is imposed when you find and claim an "exchange" to your liking. There are time limits to utilize "deposits", but I don't exchange at all any more so I am not current on "deposit expiration" details --- or the costs imposed to "extend" a deposit's lifespan.

The number of points associated with a week is pre-determined. Be wary of eBay ads which may be "fuzzy" on whether the advertised number of points represents the points assigned annually, or perhaps also includes one-time "other" points added in as well ( e.g., previously "banked", or maybe one time "bonus") points. Ask!

There are absolutely no "guarantees" or "caps" regarding maintenance fee increases. As a general rule of thumb, it might be reasonably expected that such fees will rise each and every year by 4 to 7%, often more. Several of mine went up by a full 10% this year. Occasional (and always unwelcome) "special assessments" can also unexpectedly occur (we've just received a SA of $300 per owned week at one of our places, in fact). When imposed, SA's are in addition to regular maintenance fees.

As far as "points" go, there are many different flavors (Hyatt, RCI, Bluegreen, DRI, Wyndham, etc.). You will need to be system-specific in any research or questions.
In case you are wondering, there is absolutely no correlation or possible "conversion" of one system's points currency to those of any other system's point currency --- not even remotely possible. Each system's points are completely unrelated in any way to any other system's points value as a "currency". In any and every system, there are of course always associated annual fees (although sometimes only biennial fees, if it's an "every other year" ownership and use situation).

I hope this is of some help to you. If not, 100% of the amount that you have just paid to me for these assorted observations will be cheerfully refunded.