Wyndham/Shell exchange provider switch from II to RCI

[Nick Kef]

New to TUG and this is my first post....need some help, please and thanks!

Joined this community to get some advice on the recent Wyndham/Shell external exchange provider switch from Interval to RCI. We are points owners with SVC and used II primarily for the getaway program and traded points for a couple of vacations per year. My initial experience with RCI is that the inventory is limited compared to II and quality of trades and properties are generally on the lower side.

I tried calling II and they want nothing to do with Shell/Wyndham but are honoring the II account until the end of 2019 - kind of sort of. ie. II gateaway sales like today's mystery sale is not available when I actually log into my account, but does appear on the website prior to logging in.

I guess my question is, how can I maintain or get access to the II getaway program other than going out and buying a new TS that is affiliated with II.

Thanks in advance!
Nick Kef

 

[tschwa2]

If you didn't have a corporate account and you sold your week, II would never know and would continue to let you be a member if you paid. Since you did have a corporate account and they now know you don't own an II eligible week they may not let you join paying your own membership fee directly. They might. This might be something you should contact the TUG interval rep, Mark, to see if he knows of a provision that would allow you to sign up now that you are losing your II account.

tugmembers@intervalintl.com

 

[rickandcindy23]

So why wouldn't you just get a free timeshare to use in II and then join II separately? Timeshares are free on ebay, and there are some really great ones that are absolutely free. I would buy a cheap one, just to stay in II. I have a small one bedroom at Sheraton Broadway Plantation with fees of $427 per year. It's a great trader. Or you could buy a lockoff unit and have two trades.

Shell was destined to go back to RCI, once Wyndham took over. It was just a matter of time. I didn't have anything on deposit with II, so I didn't have to worry about it. II does have fees for joining.

 

[Nick Kef]

If you didn't have a corporate account and you sold your week, II would never know and would continue to let you be a member if you paid. Since you did have a corporate account and they now know you don't own an II eligible week they may not let you join paying your own membership fee directly. They might. This might be something you should contact the TUG interval rep, Mark, to see if he knows of a provision that would allow you to sign up now that you are losing your II account.

tugmembers@intervalintl.com

Thanks for the feedback @tschwa2, after speaking with the interval folks, they told me that I couldn't maintain the II membership, even if I was willing to pay the membership fee. I appreciate the year to use up my remaining banked points, but find it odd that they don't offer they getaway discounts after logging into my account. I guess I'm forced to buy another TS just to remain with II.

 

[Nick Kef]

So why wouldn't you just get a free timeshare to use in II and then join II separately? Timeshares are free on ebay, and there are some really great ones that are absolutely free. I would buy a cheap one, just to stay in II. I have a small one bedroom at Sheraton Broadway Plantation with fees of $427 per year. It's a great trader. Or you could buy a lockoff unit and have two trades.

Shell was destined to go back to RCI, once Wyndham took over. It was just a matter of time. I didn't have anything on deposit with II, so I didn't have to worry about it. II does have fees for joining.

Thanks for the feedback @rickandcindy23. I agree that it was odd that Shell continued to use II after the Wyndham acquisition - given Wyndham/RCI relationship. To prevent this from reoccurring, I guess I have to buy a Marriott family TS - given the Marriott/II relationship. I'll look into the Sheraton Broadway Plantation, any other TS' you would recommend?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Sheraton Desert Oasis is a great trader, all of those are lockoff units and become two really good traders. We only own one of those but we own a lot of the SBP, which is Myrtle Beach, and highly recommend SBP to friends. It's a very rentable property, lots of potential in using those for rental purposes, but also in depositing if renting doesn't work out.

I would also recommend Marriott's Willow Ridge, Platinum week, which I book with Marriott directly (via phone call), then pay $80 to lock it off. I deposit both sides to II and just this month I got Marriott's Ocean Club for 8/23-8/30, 1 bed, 2 baths, and with the studio side of the lockoff, just paid to upgrade from studio to one bedroom + exchange fee (I think that was $159). So other people might consider the small studio side a throwaway unit that won't pull much, ongoing searches with my studios have been amazing. And the one bedrooms pull extremely well. I book July weeks at Willow Ridge.

I have considered buying other Marriott weeks, like platinum lock-offs at the Palm Desert properties, but I never have been lucky enough to get one for a good price.

Willow Ridge platinum weeks are very inexpensive. A TUGger recently gave one away on the Bargain Deals forum. I almost took it. But we own two already and one gold (which has decent trading power for May reserved weeks).

Willow Ridge is not rentable. I have never rented it out, even for MF's, but maybe I am not choosing the best venues for renting.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I would also add that I was browsing through my folders of purchased timeshares and the associated contracts just a few days ago. I paid something like $1,600 for an EOY SBP lockoff unit about 11 years ago. These units are now free on eBay, so the recession of 2008 hit timeshare a bit late. I thought my SBP would go UP in value, but it's done the opposite. I cannot explain it. Timeshares as resale purchases are bargains, but the devaluation is a travesty for those who paid dearly through the developer.

 

[SteelerGal]

I agree to either get a SBP or SDO. I know SDO trades in RCI and II. A greater trader and renter. I went the SDO(3wks) route because we are in CA. And like @rickandcindy23 indicated, they can be had for free. EBay has several offerings right now.

 

[Nick Kef]

Sheraton Desert Oasis is a great trader, all of those are lockoff units and become two really good traders. We only own one of those but we own a lot of the SBP, which is Myrtle Beach, and highly recommend SBP to friends. It's a very rentable property, lots of potential in using those for rental purposes, but also in depositing if renting doesn't work out.

I would also recommend Marriott's Willow Ridge, Platinum week, which I book with Marriott directly (via phone call), then pay $80 to lock it off. I deposit both sides to II and just this month I got Marriott's Ocean Club for 8/23-8/30, 1 bed, 2 baths, and with the studio side of the lockoff, just paid to upgrade from studio to one bedroom + exchange fee (I think that was $159). So other people might consider the small studio side a throwaway unit that won't pull much, ongoing searches with my studios have been amazing. And the one bedrooms pull extremely well. I book July weeks at Willow Ridge.

I have considered buying other Marriott weeks, like platinum lock-offs at the Palm Desert properties, but I never have been lucky enough to get one for a good price.

Willow Ridge platinum weeks are very inexpensive. A TUGger recently gave one away on the Bargain Deals forum. I almost took it. But we own two already and one gold (which has decent trading power for May reserved weeks).

Willow Ridge is not rentable. I have never rented it out, even for MF's, but maybe I am not choosing the best venues for renting.

Thanks for all the great info @rickandcindy23, so much information to digest!! They don’t make it easy for us, do they?

 

[Nick Kef]

I agree to either get a SBP or SDO. I know SDO trades in RCI and II. A greater trader and renter. I went the SDO(3wks) route because we are in CA. And like @rickandcindy23 indicated, they can be had for free. EBay has several offerings right now.

Thanks for the feedback @SteelerGal. I’ll take a look on eBay. Cheers