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Why not deposit your SBP or SDO into RCI?

G

glypnirsgirl

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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I am still trying to figure this out. Thank goodness I am no longer buying TSs on Ebay while trying to learn the rules (that was an expensive lesson).

I still have not had my deeds recorded - I have 2 Gold Plus SBP 2BRs and 1 Float 1-52 SDO lockout - that I have paid for. My concern is still the MFs - so I still have not had the deeds recorded. I had done my due diligence before the change in II/Starwood and would have never purchased either of these units if I had known about the rule change.

I bought the units for both using and trading. SDO is fairly close to my brother who lives in SoCal - and he loves the desert. SBP I thought would work well for extended family vacations with our adult children moving to Delaware and NJ. So, I intended to use the TSs about half of the time and trade the other half.

Today, while poking around, i saw the RCI chart for various places and thought, "why not reserve the high demand weeks and deposit into RCI?" I did not buy the TSs to trade into RCI, I bought them for II --- but that was before the change.

We love to scuba dive and I am willing to exchange to any place where there is good diving and reasonable air fare to get there. I have been looking at the RCI website for something in the Keys --- I can see Keys (Hammocks and Galleon) with my DVC points, but not my SA or Texas traders.

On top of that, I actually prefer diving in the Carribbean to diving in Hawaii - I prefer to not have to wear a wetsuit to dive. I don't like "All Inclusive" resorts, and most in Cozumel seem to be AI mandatory. I saw a La Ceiba which was AI optional this past week while browsing.

So, is it worth it to own at SBP or SDO and deposit into RCI instead of II?

elaine
 
Elaine,

Welcome.

I just had "resolution services" - (the second line when the first doesn't cut it aka - the complaint department) deposit an April 16 SDO (1 BR x2- split the lockout and deposited them separately) for next year with RCI and I have already got a great exchange into a 3BR with it.

You still can not reserve and deposit a specific week but the folks at resolution services have direct access to all units bulk banked with RCI and can get you a much better one than you may get with the luck of the draw. I do it this way and do well. Many here will point out that you do not get any Starwood preference in RCI that can be very powerful with II but if you are not set on another Starwood resort I find it works just fine. RCI is known for having more resorts whereas II is known for having more high quality resorts.

FYI- Disney did just switch back to RCI - a major coup within II and a victory for RCI and some DVC owners are very unhappy.
 
Captron said:
I just had "resolution services" - (the second line when the first doesn't cut it aka - the complaint department) deposit an April 16 SDO (1 BR x2- split the lockout and deposited them separately) for next year with RCI and I have already got a great exchange into a 3BR with it.

You still can not reserve and deposit a specific week but the folks at resolution services have direct access to all units bulk banked with RCI and can get you a much better one than you may get with the luck of the draw. I do it this way and do well.
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Hmmm ... I thought that if you did not deposit to II, that you could still reserve and deposit a specific week into another exchange company. So what I thought that I could accomplish by changing to RCI from II is not as big of an advantage as I had hoped.

When I was looking at the RCI points grid, it looked like splitting a 2 BR into 2 units would definitely increase the number of points that was received.

Many here will point out that you do not get any Starwood preference in RCI that can be very powerful with II but if you are not set on another Starwood resort I find it works just fine. RCI is known for having more resorts whereas II is known for having more high quality resorts.
Click to expand...

I did not realize that there was a Starood preference period in II. I am sure that that explains a lot of the inclination to deposit into II. Does the preference period apply to both Voluntary and Mandatory resorts? I believe that it is true that there are higher quality resorts in II: no Marriotts, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, or Hyatts in RCI.

I own DVC. I ended up using my SA trader and Texas trader to get into DVC for our vacations for this year. This was the first time I had used the trading ability for any TS. (I had borrowed all of my DVC points lfor this year for a mega-trip for extended family last year).

I didn't understand the II system when DVC was in II, so I never used the II trading ability then.

Do you mind sharing what you were able to trade into?

My husband is getting distressed because he does not believe that TSing is the way to vacation at all. He is concerned that instead of going to where we would like to go, we will go to where we can get to with the TSs. So one of the things that I am considering is not so much the quality of the resorts, but the variety of locations of the resorts.

We are interested in getting to the Florida Keys (II), Southern France (?), Greece (?), and the National Parks of the West (Bryce, Zion, North Rim of Grand Canyon - no TS availability to speak of).
 
It used to be the case that you could deposit a specific week but they have gone to all bulk deposits with RCI as well and RCI directs you back to SVO to make a deposit. They will not give you the option of depositing directly. The only way to deposit a week directly now is with the independent exchange companies.

I guess Disney gves you a RCI points account. Can you roll all these ownerships into that account or are you relying on "points for deposit"? Sometimes some corporate accounts (like Starwoods for SVN owners) don't let you add anything else.

I got a 3BR at Dolphins Cove in Anaheim. I am a Disney maniac myself. DC is not a top notch resort and I didn't trade in during prime time but I still figure a 3BR for the equivalent of <$500 MF is a good deal however you look at it. To get that unit directly through Worldmark the MF for the credits would be ~$900. I also used two 1BR units in RCI to book two 2BR LO units for consecutive weeks at Marriott Newpost Coast Villas this fall. I consider that a great exchange too!

Having 3 young girls (5, 3, 9mo) I dread any time we go somewhere and have to stay in a plain old hotel room. I understand hubby's concerns but with advance planning and a little flexibility you CAN go almost anywhere you would want to. As last resort on the very odd occasion this is not the case you could rent out your units and use the proceeds to rent somewhere else.

The keys does have some availability. The Hyatts are nice if you can get into them. Remember that what you see online are the "leftovers" after ongoing searches are filled. Those units never even pop up on the web site. I would set up an ongoing search in both exchange companies a year out for a time period that would work for you and see what happens. I would then have a res. at SBP or somewhere else as a back up to go to for that week/weeks if something did not come through.

Please feel free to post or PM if I can be of any other assistance. Perhaps some time later I could do a SP booking for you in exchange for a Disney booking to try what is like to stay on property for a change.... that is unless I can get a great trade to get in there myself! :D

Good luck and happy travels!
 
i have 2 units in the RCI network and the rest in II. I have traded into some great places.
I deposited the units for the last 3 years and here is what i got.

1-with RCI I used my 1 small BR at SDO and got a 2 br in Lake tahoe,
2- same unit got a 2 br unit in Vegas
3- same unit got a 3 br in vermont

1-with II i traded my small orlando for a 2 br in St. maarten
2- same unit 2 br in cancun Laguna mar
3- 2 br at WKV
4_ and used the 2 for 1 deal and booked a 1 large BR at WKV for Dec.

I like both companies and have not had any trouble with either.:cheer:
 
No offense Pointsjunkie, but your II trades were far superior to your RCI trades, both in quality and location. I am not happy with the changes with RCI or II, but unless you want DVC, or another TS that is not in II, I still think II gives you the most bang for your buck, because of the Starwood priority, and the access to Marriott.
 
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I did not realize that there was a Starood preference period in II. I am sure that that explains a lot of the inclination to deposit into II. Does the preference period apply to both Voluntary and Mandatory resorts?
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The preference period applies to ALL Starwood resort and it applies to both on-going requests and instant online exchanges. Starwood owners can see and reserve Starwood deposits for (Approx.) 3 days before non-Starwood owners. That is where trading with Starwood/II gives you the most trading power.
 
the places I chose to stay at with RCI were quite nice. of course i can't trade into starwood with RCI but i try to book timeshares where i want to go where starwood does not have resorts.
 
I'm sure they were very nice, but you got superior trades through II, and one of them wasn't Starwood.
 
D,

I just have this thing against paying for a second II membership, more money for the same thing.... especially when it does not really open up other options to us.

I figured I would just go with RCI to open up the other options it had....then I solved it by buying a unit that includes RCI in the MF (for cheap). (and they allow me to include ANY other unit under there corporate account!!!) There are other options and locations that open up by having both too. I also know that those times I just can't get an exchange I want it is not just sitting there to be had with the "other company". Often, our travel is in conjunction with conferences and area and timing are not up to us. I can always use the most powerful advantage, the II preference period, with my SVN units.

My two cents...
 
Captron said:
D,

I figured I would just go with RCI to open up the other options it had....then I solved it by buying a unit that includes RCI in the MF (for cheap). (and they allow me to include ANY other unit under there corporate account!!!)
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I think that's a good plan!
 
It seems to be working for me so far, thanks!:D

I do wonder what I could be getting for SDO exchanges with the SVO priority if I could reasonably fly my family to Hawaii regularly though. Maybe at that point I might try the 2for1 deal and give II a shot with that one.

I think I have to wait though, with girls at 5, 3, and 9 mos I don't think I would enjoy the week (or two) enough to endure that flight!:eek: Hmmmmmm:rolleyes: .....Costco sized benadryl????? Better living through medicinal chemistry!:confused:
:rofl: :hysterical:
 
I vote no on Hawaii

Captron said:
It seems to be working for me so far, thanks!:D

I do wonder what I could be getting for SDO exchanges with the SVO priority if I could reasonably fly my family to Hawaii regularly though. Maybe at that point I might try the 2for1 deal and give II a shot with that one.

I think I have to wait though, with girls at 5, 3, and 9 mos I don't think I would enjoy the week (or two) enough to endure that flight!:eek: Hmmmmmm:rolleyes: .....Costco sized benadryl????? Better living through medicinal chemistry!:confused:
:rofl: :hysterical:
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Well - first my two cents about the advisibility of bringing your children on that trip --- no, I don't think so. But probably not for the reason that you might think.

I was blessed that my dad worked for an airline and we went to Hawaii frequently as a teenager. I remember the first trip over - I was 14 and the oldest of 3: my sister was 11, brother, 5. My brother whined the whole way. We kept pace with the sun (this is my impression, it may not be true). So we took off at 10 in the morning Texas time and arrived about the same time the same day. Horrible. I felt like whining the whole time, too.

Once we arrived, our attitudes completely changed. Our first trip we went to Waikiki and refused to do anything except go to the beach. We stayed at the Sheraton --- I think that it was the Surfrider. Great location, right next to the Pink Palace. Loved everything about Hawaii.

We continued to go every year for the next 6 years. No more whining after the first time. But then there was the refusal to be happy with any place else. So, I vote no for Hawaii until shortly before you are to part with the children. You don't want them to only be happy going to Hawaii too young ---they may refuse to enjoy any place else.

;) elaine
 
Captron said:
It used to be the case that you could deposit a specific week but they have gone to all bulk deposits with RCI as well and RCI directs you back to SVO to make a deposit. They will not give you the option of depositing directly. The only way to deposit a week directly now is with the independent exchange companies.

Hmm, so direct deposit is out with RCI too. That STINKS!


I guess Disney gves you a RCI points account. Can you roll all these ownerships into that account or are you relying on "points for deposit"? Sometimes some corporate accounts (like Starwoods for SVN owners) don't let you add anything else.

No - the RCI account is only through the DVC "portal" and does not allow us to make any deposits from our other TSs. So, I already pay for an RCI account for my SA trader and my Texas points for deposit accounts. Depositing into II would require still another account to be set up. For that matter, choosing to deposit into an independent trading company would also require a new account.

I got a 3BR at Dolphins Cove in Anaheim. I am a Disney maniac myself. DC is not a top notch resort and I didn't trade in during prime time but I still figure a 3BR for the equivalent of <$500 MF is a good deal however you look at it.
That sounds like a great deal to me! And I know that it has reasonably good access to Disneyland

To get that unit directly through Worldmark the MF for the credits would be ~$900. I also used two 1BR units in RCI to book two 2BR LO units for consecutive weeks at Marriott Newpost Coast Villas this fall. I consider that a great exchange too!

I consider that a great trade also! As a matter of fact, that is one of the resorts that I would want to deposit into II for --- hey, wait, did you say that you used RCI for that trade? I thought that Marriotts were only available through II ? --- my brother lives in San Diego and the best that I have been able to do through RCI has been Gas Lamp Suites.

Having 3 young girls (5, 3, 9mo) I dread any time we go somewhere and have to stay in a plain old hotel room. Yep - once you have been bitten by the timeshare bug, a single hotel room no longer seems like vacation. With children as young as yours, a lock off room MIGHT be an option, but i would be afraid that they would close the door and lock you out. Either way there is a trade off of privacy that you just don't have to give up with a TS.


I understand hubby's concerns but with advance planning and a little flexibility you CAN go almost anywhere you would want to. As last resort on the very odd occasion this is not the case you could rent out your units and use the proceeds to rent somewhere else.

This looks like it may be the best option for these units. IF it is possible to actually rent them out. That is to rent them out on the years that we choose to go some place that we cannot get to with our timeshares. Some of our trips that we would like to go to are simply not TS friendly: National Parks, Galapagos Islands, to see family in Astoria Oregon and Ithaca NY --- and there is no way that we bunk with families any more. So renting the points out --- is it possible to cover more than MFs?

It was by doing a direct trade that we got to try the WKORV in the first place. We traded DVC with some friends that owned there. And we were each thrilled with the change to our vacations.

The keys does have some availability. The Hyatts are nice if you can get into them. Remember that what you see online are the "leftovers" after ongoing searches are filled. I am so glad that you reminded me of this. The last time that I started looking for an "ongoing trade" I ended up finding another DVC deposit and ended up there - AGAIN (as my son says). I would have to actually get the deeds recorded and make the plunge to see if we can get the Keys. Because we scuba dive, the Keys is one place that we would love to go using a trade.

Those units never even pop up on the web site. I would set up an ongoing search in both exchange companies a year out for a time period that would work for you and see what happens. I would then have a res. at SBP or somewhere else as a back up to go to for that week/weeks if something did not come through.

Please feel free to post or PM if I can be of any other assistance. Perhaps some time later I could do a SP booking for you in exchange for a Disney booking to try what is like to stay on property for a change.... that is unless I can get a great trade to get in there myself! :D

If you cannot get a good trade there yourself, I would be happy to talk to you about a direct trade. I have 3 trips to Disney booked for this year through RCI - 2 to DVC resorts and 1 to Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I am currently saving our December, 2010 SSR points and we have about 59 points left on our June, 2010 OKW points. I had burned through all of the 2009 points and many of the OKW points on a huge family blowout January 2009 so it has taken awhile to rebuild.

Good luck and happy travels!
Click to expand...

Same to you!
 
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