Compare and Contrast RCI & II

Is there an old thread that compares the pros and cons of both systems? I'm familiar with II because that's who I use. So all I need to know is how RCI is different.

I ask because I am interested in buying another week and don't want to limit myself to RCI resorts. Ideally, it would be something that I could convert to points so that I can take advantage of long holiday weekends. So it would be a resort within driving distance of the DC area (5-6 hours or less) where I could reserve a Friday through Sunday stay - check out on Monday. Any ideas as to how to move on this?

Charles

PS Moderators, please feel free to move this post if you believe it is more appropriate in the Buying section.

Since I belong to both I would say in the context of your specific question it seems you want a timeshare close to DC and the trick is there are not very many in any system near DC. So in that respect I would consider the limited choices for the better deal. Williamsburg is 3 hours away and there are a lot of resorts located there.

As far as which system is better I would say neither or both. They each have things very much in common. The fees are about the same and the service is about equal but not very great. I belong to both because one resort only trades internally through II and one resort is RCI and one more is both.

Points are by resort and it is possible your resort won't have points. I wouldn't select a resort based only on it being on points. I am not a points fan at all.

I've been an RCI member for about 8 years. It has become more difficult to get good exchanges as a weeks member. I bought a timeshare in Aruba to use every year, but we are planning to go to a different island for 2007 with friends. I joined II two days ago to deposit my Aruba unit since it only exchanges via II. A positive thing with RCI is that you can exchange into any unit that is available via RCI's website. I have been able to exchange a one bdrm unit for the 3 bdrm Houses at Summer Bay at least 4 times.

Now, as for II, I believe that I've read that you can only exchange like for like. My question is, if I have deposited a one bedroom unit and a resort shows up that is a two bdrm only resort, am I able to exchange into that resort? I only setup my account yesterday and noticed many two bedroom units are showing availability. This is pretty confusing.
Thanks for your help with this.

yes, anything you are able to SEE on line you can grab. like for like is if you deposit your week with II and REQUEST an exchange.

Thanks. So, does this work the same as RCI online? I think that if you call RCI for an exchange you will only get like for like. With II, you are saying that the same procedure applies via the website? If this is correct, I feel a lot better!

If you see it available you can exchange into it. You cannot however put in a request for a larger unit that you own. The exception is that you can put in a request for a resort that only has larger units than the one you deposit. If you have sufficient trade power you can be confirmed into a larger unit.

The biggest difference between II and RCI is with II you can do a Request First exchange. This is where you dont actually give II your week until they get you your request. If you dont get your request you still have your own week to use.

Fairfield (through Fairshare plus) has a points based system that allows partial weeks. They have a resort in Alexandria and several in Williamsburg (VA) that might fit the bill. I believe they all are affiliated with RCI.

Thanks so much for the clarification regarding II's procedures to exchange.