Yep, that was a feature I remember from the 80's. I've been a member since 1984.
RCI is OK . . . but not as good as it used to be . . . but is anything?
Back when I bought my very first TS in the early 1980's, if you deposited into RCI and they didn't have anyone exchange for your deposited week, you got it back to use yourself. I think that was at about 10-14 days out from your scheduled week.
I don't use RCI much but when I have, it's been a nice convenience.
I use it when I can't rent my weeks. RCI has made it convenient with their newest feature for $69. If you deposit as little as 15 days from check-in, you can get your full trade power back. I wouldn't use that for a low TPU week, but it does provide value for high TPU weeks that can't be used or rented.
As missycrews stated if you have several weeks, it defrays the annual costs. My Mom only had one timeshare and kept an ongoing RCI account. She sold the timeshare last year, but still had two banked weeks. I told her to forget about those weeks. She can't really travel and trying to find exchanges that can accommodate her aren't happening. So she's continuing the annual membership and will pay the high exchange fee attempting to use weeks that will probably not work out. The costs far outweigh what she can even hope to get. I've offered to let her use my weeks at great rates, which are where she would like to go. However, she has banked weeks with RCI and wants to use those.
To the OP; yes, the costs have gotten ridiculous.
As Jim said, the fees can be as much as some maintenance fees. It's just not cost effective for the casual exchanger for sure.
I work the system to the best of my ability as the system changes. I've gotten fantastic exchanges over the years.
However, my timesharing is taking a new direction and one day in the future I hope to be like bogey21.