Surprise me with an RCI Exchange suggestion

[talkamotta]

I love Maine. Samoset is a great resort.

 

[lovetotravel77]

We booked Hard Rock Resort Riviera Maya All Inclusive Heaven(adult side) for next year. The resort is highly rated, food is very good, resort has 2 sides Hacienda(Family Side) and Heaven Side, and adults can go back and forth to different restaurants between the two, but the families with children cannot use the Heaven side. Back in December, they had a stay 4 nights, get 3 nights All Inclusive Fee free. Very excited, most AI usually the food is just ok, but the reviews on the restaurants are quite good!

 

[Shankilicious]

We booked Hard Rock Resort Riviera Maya All Inclusive Heaven(adult side) for next year. The resort is highly rated, food is very good, resort has 2 sides Hacienda(Family Side) and Heaven Side, and adults can go back and forth to different restaurants between the two, but the families with children cannot use the Heaven side. Back in December, they had a stay 4 nights, get 3 nights All Inclusive Fee free. Very excited, most AI usually the food is just ok, but the reviews on the restaurants are quite good!

That's a great deal! Their AI fees are some of the highest I've seen. And as long as their food in Mexico is half as good as it is here, it'll be amazing

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[silentg]

Let us know where you decide to go.

 

[buzglyd]

Let us know where you decide to go.

I’m gonna let my wife steer the ship a litttle. I’ve been everywhere.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I’ve been everywhere.

You must be Elvis! LoL

 

[lovetotravel77]

+1 Suggest Lake Tahoe past Aug 15 and especially during the month of Sept. Kids back in school so no crowds. Best summer weather and warmish(!) lake with uncrowded beaches. Great hikes, bike riding and restaurants. You should be able to find a trade because not peak summer.

I would love to go to Lake Tahoe right after Labor Day one year. Have heard so BEAUTIFUL! Maybe that can be a '21 RCI trade.

 

[Jan M.]

I would love to go to Lake Tahoe right after Labor Day one year. Have heard so BEAUTIFUL! Maybe that can be a '21 RCI trade.

Thanks for the idea! My husband will be celebrating his 70th birthday the week of Labor Day and I was just looking at flights to Vegas with our miles. If we are going I'd like to do more than just spend time in Vegas and I know he's mentioned going to Tahoe sometime.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

IMHO...Vegas is really hot in late summer. It also is a long way from Tahoe. About a 10 hour drive.. Better to fly into Reno. But not much to see in Reno itself unless you like casinos.

The drive up 395 on the backside of the Sierras is quite scenic if you drive from Vegas. It's just a long drive in hot weather.

 

[Jan M.]

IMHO...Vegas is really hot in late summer. It also is a long way from Tahoe. About a 10 hour drive.. Better to fly into Reno. But not much to see in Reno itself unless you like casinos.

The drive up 395 on the backside of the Sierras is quite scenic if you drive from Vegas. It's just a long drive in hot weather.

We live in Florida and September is hurricane season for us. The dry heat is preferable to the heat and humidity here in September. We are retired so time isn't an issue and both of us like to drive. A scenic drive sounds interesting and would be something we would like. Just wish it was more like 8 hours than 10.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

It's more like 12 hours if you add stops. Best to stay overnight somewhere in between so you can stop to see Mono Lake and volcanic geology.

 

[sue1947]

Thanks for the idea! My husband will be celebrating his 70th birthday the week of Labor Day and I was just looking at flights to Vegas with our miles. If we are going I'd like to do more than just spend time in Vegas and I know he's mentioned going to Tahoe sometime.

Mammoth Lakes has lots and lots of condos for rent. The aspens change color the 3rd and 4th week of Sept and it's spectacular. The high passes, like Tioga into Yosemite, will start getting snow at the end of Sept. Tahoe is lower so plan a week or two later. In either case, any snow usually melts the next day. Since you have the time, look at: spend your week in Vegas then drive through Death Valley and out the other side to Lone Pine, CA. It's the jumping off spot for Mt Whitney and the start of the really spectacular stuff. It's also about the half way point in your drive. The nearby Alabama Hills are worth a visit, especially if you remember the old westerns that were filmed in the area. Drive up 395 and stop at Mono Lake on the way to Tahoe. Spend the week at Tahoe and then head down and stop at Mammoth Lakes which works as a base for the high Sierras but is also only about 45 minutes from the eastern border of Yosemite. Do the drive up and over Tioga Pass. Back to Vegas to fly out. There's a timeshare at June Lake just north of Mammoth; The Heidelberg Inn which is old and dated but is in a spectacular location. I've only seen really off season weeks there. Actually, switch Mammoth and Lone Pine.

Sue

 

[Sandy VDH]

Why not try a Tradewinds sail. They are available via RCI including French Poly and Fiji. Way below your leftover TPUs. Yes, you have to pay an AI fee, but the cruise is great and what you would pay for a shore excursion on a regular cruise is likely included in the Tradewinds trip.

Tradewinds inclusions:
sea kayaking
Stand Up Paddleboarding (on Luxury level sail or higher)
Beach Excursions
Hike Excursion
Snorkeling Trips
Catamaran Sails
Sunset Sails
All Meals (except 2 dinners)
All Beverages including Alcohol

Exclusions
2 dinners ashore (so they can clean your cabin and change your sheets and towels - midway though cruise, and evening off for crew - on the last night of your trip when you are back at base)
Tips to the crew
Diving (if you are not a member)


OK I am a little biased. I have been on 27 of these trips so far. I hope to have another dozen or so before I run out of points and decide to purchase NO more.

 

[buzglyd]

Why not try a Tradewinds sail. They are available via RCI including French Poly and Fiji. Way below your leftover TPUs. Yes, you have to pay an AI fee, but the cruise is great and what you would pay for a shore excursion on a regular cruise is likely included in the Tradewinds trip.

Tradewinds inclusions:
sea kayaking
Stand Up Paddleboarding (on Luxury level sail or higher)
Beach Excursions
Hike Excursion
Snorkeling Trips
Catamaran Sails
Sunset Sails
All Meals (except 2 dinners)
All Beverages including Alcohol

Exclusions
2 dinners ashore (so they can clean your cabin and change your sheets and towels - midway though cruise, and evening off for crew - on the last night of your trip when you are back at base)
Tips to the crew
Diving (if you are not a member)

I have totally thought about this. I know you're the expert. Any particular destinations you like over another? and what time of year would be best? I've hardly traveled to the Caribbean because I've always lived in California.

 

[Sandy VDH]

I have totally thought about this. I know you're the expert. Any particular destinations you like over another? and what time of year would be best? I've hardly traveled to the Caribbean because I've always lived in California.

Well there are different reason to love different locations.

1. Caribbean the way it used to be - St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is the location (Prince Philip and Camilla where there this past week)
2. Bar hopping and beaches - BVI base
3. Longer sails and visit 4 countries St Martin(dutch and french), Anguilla and St Bart's - St Martin base
4. French base and bit off the beaten path - Guadeloupe
5. British base - Antigua
6. Exotics - French Poly or Fiji (these are in RCI and a great way to do those locations)
7. Belize - longest barrier reef outside of the GBR. It is all about water here.

There are other bases but I don't know if Greece, Abacos or Exumas Bahamas, even gets deposited into RCI. These are generally members only.

Want easier to fly into the Caribbean then 2 and 3 would be better choices. From Cali maybe Fiji or French Poly might be a dream trip. I just booked a cheap airfare to Fiji earlier during a sale this month for my upcoming trip in November, paid $263 for my flight to Fiji from LAX. United just started flying to FP out of SFO. So those might be opportunities from the west coast.

Season wise - Caribbean any time but just avoid peak hurricane season (Sept/Oct) for less issues, but the bases have been closed and moved to SVG at this time of the year as it is below the hurricane belt. My guess is Xmas/NYE and Jan to Mar has not much deposited into RCI, as this is prime time. But other times of the year are likely deposited. I like April and May when the crowds are less. A lot of the older bases the TPUs are only 6 - 8.

Exotics - our summer, their winter is a better time to go. Avoid their fall, our spring as that is rainy and cyclone season. Only new boats in these locations so you know you will get an AC boat. There is currently Fiji, Tonga and French Poly base deposited in RCI. The Fiji base is the most expensive of the exotics are more like 22 TPUs or more.

Most bases have the same base AI fee, however some bases are in Euros and some in $$. Also some locations have a VAT or a tax. Some bases are priced slightly differently, but that is outlined in the RCI site. Price do increase slightly every year, so only current year pricing is in RCI.

There are a few bases that are Aqua Terra which is a combo sail and land stay. Tonga in South Pacific is like this, as is Mayreau in SVG. So in SVG there is a straight sail option for 7 days or the Aqua Terra option. Both are in RCI.

You are restricted to 1 in 4 across all Tradewinds bases. You are not permitted as back to back or multiple on the same membership.

So far I have been to the following bases (number of sails from base): BVI (6), St Martin (3), SVG (3), Guadeloupe (2), Belize (2), Antigua (2), Panama (1), French Poly (1), Thailand (1), Australia (1), Bahamas - Exumas (1), Greece (1), Antigua (1). Closed Bases - Turks & Caicos (1), Tobago (1). I have Fiji booked for Sept.

 

[WinniWoman]

We live in Florida and September is hurricane season for us. The dry heat is preferable to the heat and humidity here in September. We are retired so time isn't an issue and both of us like to drive. A scenic drive sounds interesting and would be something we would like. Just wish it was more like 8 hours than 10.

We are flying into Vegas from NY the weekend after Labor Day. Staying in Vegas overnight and then we are driving to Utah to Zion National Park and staying in Springdale for the week. That is just a 3 hour drive. Then we will do a day trip to Bryce and back from there- just a 2 hour drive each way.

Or- instead of Springdale you could even stay in St. George. Just a 2 hour drive from the airport. 45+ minutes to Zion.

And- of course, the Grand Canyon is about 4 hours from Vegas I think.

 

[Bxian]

We stayed at Meadow Lakes Resort in Montana. Quite close to Glacier NP and also Flathead Lake (the resort actually has an old style boathouse for guest use at Flathead). We went in the summer when the Going-To-The Sun road was completely open. If you look in advance, I am not sure that this property (or its sister property Netnasko) is terribly hard to get. We also enjoyed Whispering Wood near Mount Hood-we planned a Portland-Cannon Beach-Willamette Valley (hotels and B & B)-Mount Hood vacation last year which was great-all stops were within a hour and a half of Portland and Portland is a cool city. Neither of the timeshares are over the top luxurious, but they were both clean and comfortable.

 

[bobpark56]

We enjoyed Las Mimosas (Spain) last near...got a free upgrade. Going again next year.

 

[Shankilicious]

Well there are different reason to love different locations.

1. Caribbean the way it used to be - St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is the location (Prince Philip and Camilla where there this past week)
2. Bar hopping and beaches - BVI base
3. Longer sails and visit 4 countries St Martin(dutch and french), Anguilla and St Bart's - St Martin base
4. French base and bit off the beaten path - Guadeloupe
5. British base - Antigua
6. Exotics - French Poly or Fiji (these are in RCI and a great way to do those locations)
7. Belize - longest barrier reef outside of the GBR. It is all about water here.

There are other bases but I don't know if Greece, Abacos or Exumas Bahamas, even gets deposited into RCI. These are generally members only.

Want easier to fly into the Caribbean then 2 and 3 would be better choices. From Cali maybe Fiji or French Poly might be a dream trip. I just booked a cheap airfare to Fiji earlier during a sale this month for my upcoming trip in November, paid $263 for my flight to Fiji from LAX. United just started flying to FP out of SFO. So those might be opportunities from the west coast.

Season wise - Caribbean any time but just avoid peak hurricane season (Sept/Oct) for less issues, but the bases have been closed and moved to SVG at this time of the year as it is below the hurricane belt. My guess is Xmas/NYE and Jan to Mar has not much deposited into RCI, as this is prime time. But other times of the year are likely deposited. I like April and May when the crowds are less. A lot of the older bases the TPUs are only 6 - 8.

Exotics - our summer, their winter is a better time to go. Avoid their fall, our spring as that is rainy and cyclone season. Only new boats in these locations so you know you will get an AC boat. There is currently Fiji, Tonga and French Poly base deposited in RCI. The Fiji base is the most expensive of the exotics are more like 22 TPUs or more.

Most bases have the same base AI fee, however some bases are in Euros and some in $$. Also some locations have a VAT or a tax. Some bases are priced slightly differently, but that is outlined in the RCI site. Price do increase slightly every year, so only current year pricing is in RCI.

There are a few bases that are Aqua Terra which is a combo sail and land stay. Tonga in South Pacific is like this, as is Mayreau in SVG. So in SVG there is a straight sail option for 7 days or the Aqua Terra option. Both are in RCI.

You are restricted to 1 in 4 across all Tradewinds bases. You are not permitted as back to back or multiple on the same membership.

So far I have been to the following bases (number of sails from base): BVI (6), St Martin (3), SVG (3), Guadeloupe (2), Belize (2), Antigua (2), Panama (1), French Poly (1), Thailand (1), Australia (1), Bahamas - Exumas (1), Greece (1), Antigua (1). Closed Bases - Turks & Caicos (1), Tobago (1). I have Fiji booked for Sept.

I know I saw a Tradewinds in Greece on RCI a month or two ago. So they do pop up.
Edit: just checked and there's one check in date left for early May of 19 for Tradewinds Greece

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[wackymother]

You must be Elvis! LoL

No, he's Johnny Cash, man!

 

[wackymother]

We love Williamsburg, Virginia. The museums are great, we enjoy Colonial Williamsburg (especially the behind-the-scenes tours), there are other historic sites nearby...it's a relaxing, interesting vacation. If you go while William and Mary is in session, they have some good lectures and shows that are open to the public. We heard a fantastic lecture on economics a few years ago.

 

[jjking42]

We went to Vermont last summer and really enjoyed it. You could spend a few night in NYC on the same trip. Washington DC is nice if you can handle all the walking for the museums

 

[rickandcindy23]

No, he's Johnny Cash, man!

I was thinking it was Johnny Cash and was going to look online. Yep.

 

[susieq]

Have you seen Mt. Rushmore?? We stayed in Lead, SD a few years back. Wonderful vacation!

 

[skimeup]

I've been perusing the great exchange thread and thought I would lean on the experiences of Tuggers.

I recently deposited my Gaslamp unit (after having blown getting my normal Comic Con week and renting it) and earned 43 TPU. I set up an Ongoing Search and confirmed a Charter Club week in Marco Island for 2020. I still have 22 TPU to spend. I am looking for creative suggestions!

My wife and I typically go to Hawaii twice a year and travel to Mexico beach destinations often as well. I'm hoping Tuggers can throw something at me that I haven't considered like West Yellowstone, Smuggs, etc.

The stats: I'm 54. She's 49. We are both very fit and don't have any kind of mobility or health issues. Kid is up and out of the house so no school schedule to worry about. We live in Carlsbad so don't need SoCal beach suggestions or Hawaii or Mexico.

Limitations: I only have 22 TPU to spend. We are not skiers and don't like being cold. We are ok with cool weather. We enjoy exploring cities and dining, hiking, new destinations.

I have plenty of time to set up an ongoing search so start throwing them at me! Thank you!

What timeshares are near Grand Canyon or Yellowstone?