Help! I've deposited my week and now what...

[Darla360]

My mom purchased a timeshare quite a few years ago and recently she gave it to me and my siblings to use.

I deposited my week with RCI Platinum but I didn't tell them where we were going and when we were going. Was I supposed to tell them that information when I deposited my week.

I am very new to timeshare, so I found this site and hopefully I can learn how to utilize everything. I did use the RCI last call right before Christmas in Orlando, but I need some guidance of what I need to do when I deposit my week.
Any assistance will help!
Thanks!

 

[sue1947]

Depositing a week and using it are separate steps. It will help if we know what week, size and resort you deposited and then where you want to go. We can give you an idea of what is realistic.
Exchanges are not like booking a motel where there is a set amount of inventory. You deposit a week and then look to see what is available that you might want. The week you want has to be deposited by its owner so you need to analyze how likely that is vs the owner wanting to rent it or use it. There is trading power involved, i.e. if your week is valued similarly to the week you want. Trading power is a secret sauce that each exchange company applies differently so we have to guess on it, but RCI has made it easier by using TPU to tell you how much your week is worth. If you have enough TPU, you can spend it on one or more weeks elsewhere.
The best way to get what you want is to put in an ongoing search. You pay the fee upfront and then they fill those first before the week goes into the online inventory. You can search with your deposit, but if you don't see what you want, put in an ongoing search.
There are 2 parts of RCI; weeks, which uses TPU and points. I'm assuming you have weeks??

Sue

 

[Darla360]

Good morning.
I have weeks 15-32, which is April 21-Aug 13. The home resort is a 1 bedroom at Westgate in Orlando.
Thanks
Darla

 

[sue1947]

Good morning.
I have weeks 15-32, which is April 21-Aug 13. The home resort is a 1 bedroom at Westgate in Orlando.
Thanks
Darla

And where do you want to go? How many TPUs does it give you?
In general, Orlando has lots of timeshares so tends to be an easy trade. Don't expect to be able to trade into a difficult to get spot. Do you have a specific week deposited or is it a float week that covers all those weeks? Others who are familiar with Westgate will be able to give you better advice.

On a sidenote: Westgate is one of the worst timeshare companies. Use your mother's timeshare, but don't transfer title over. Use it while it is worthwhile to you, but you can do better with other companies. If you decide you like timesharing, come back for more advice and we can help you with the decision and process.

Sue

 

[theo]

<snip> Westgate is one of the worst timeshare companies. Use your mother's timeshare, but don't transfer title over. Use it while it is worthwhile to you... <snip>

Sage advice and a valid observation. OP definitely should never knowingly get her name put onto any Westgate deed, since it would be nearly impossible to find a willing new recipient later, even if the ownership was offered to be given away for free. While some of the Westgate properties are certainly decent enough, the company itself is quite simply "the worst of the worst" on Planet Timeshare (IMnsHO) and they unnecessarily make things very difficult for "resale" purchasers.