RCI question’s. Basic stuff

[TS numbie]

So I have a few questions about RCI and how things work. I don’t have a TS yet but going to buy in the next 6 months, HGVC most likely for numerous reasons. Anyway. I have read some of the threads here and looked at the RCI website and I just wanted to make sure if a few questions.

1. Can you rent listings on RCI for money instead of points further out than 45 days? Preferably for a long stay , w to 4 weeks at a time.

2. If you can book stays for money, are they are good deal compared to places like VRBO, Airbnb, etc...?

3. You have to have a TS to be an RCI member? I know this is probably yes but wanted to be 100%

Thanks for your help

 

[HudsHut]

1. RCI has cash rentals called "Extra Vacations" available all the time. The last minute rentals (<45 days) are called "Last Call".
2. It depends. You will have to compare. You won't have a "cleaning fee" with the cash rentals at RCI.
3. Yes. You must have an RCI-affiliated timeshare to join RCI. But, you never have to deposit it to RCI; and if you sell/transfer it, RCI will not know or care.

 

[RNCollins]

You don’t necessarily have to purchase a timeshare in order to use a timeshare. There are a few places you can try:

TUG
https://tug2.com/timeshare-classifieds/default.aspx

RedWeek

My Resort Network

eBay

Condo Direct
https://www.condodirect.com/travel/welcome.home

Trip Beat
https://www.tripbeat.com/

Armed Forces Vacation Club
https://www.afvclub.com/

Heroes Vacation Club
https://www.heroesvacationclub.com/

 

[mdurette]

1. Can you rent listings on RCI for money instead of points further out than 45 days? Preferably for a long stay , w to 4 weeks at a time. Yes, RCI has Extra Vacations that you can pay for with cash instead of points/TPUs. For the resorts I go to via RCI they are a better deal. If you are looking at a high demand resort/week for 4 weeks straight, it may be hard.

2. If you can book stays for money, are they are good deal compared to places like VRBO, Airbnb, etc...? Don't know....I have never tried.

3. You have to have a TS to be an RCI member? I know this is probably yes but wanted to be 100% Yes.

 

[abeachdreamer]

I also had a few questions about RCI. We just bought a timeshare in Cayman and I thought about depositing my week for 2020 as we will not be able to use it. Before I sign up for RCI though I was wondering if there is usually a lot of inventory for Grand Cayman and for Bonaire, or rather with an ongoing search? We are flexible as to when we can go on vacation. I just didn't want to sign up and deposit our week to use the following year if we couldnt get where we really wanted to go.
Also, I read you have 2 years to use what you deposit, does that 2 year clock start from the month its deposited? TYIA

 

[tschwa2]

I also had a few questions about RCI. We just bought a timeshare in Cayman and I thought about depositing my week for 2020 as we will not be able to use it. Before I sign up for RCI though I was wondering if there is usually a lot of inventory for Grand Cayman and for Bonaire, or rather with an ongoing search? We are flexible as to when we can go on vacation. I just didn't want to sign up and deposit our week to use the following year if we couldnt get where we really wanted to go.
Also, I read you have 2 years to use what you deposit, does that 2 year clock start from the month its deposited? TYIA

There is some (limited availability) for Grand Cayman and Bonaire. If you want high season you would want a request in at least a year in advance.

The 2 years are from the check in date of the deposit. So If you deposit a March 20, 2020 unit, the deposit would expire at the end of March 2022.

 

[wackymother]

I also had a few questions about RCI. We just bought a timeshare in Cayman and I thought about depositing my week for 2020 as we will not be able to use it. Before I sign up for RCI though I was wondering if there is usually a lot of inventory for Grand Cayman and for Bonaire, or rather with an ongoing search? We are flexible as to when we can go on vacation. I just didn't want to sign up and deposit our week to use the following year if we couldnt get where we really wanted to go.
Also, I read you have 2 years to use what you deposit, does that 2 year clock start from the month its deposited? TYIA

If you own in Grand Cayman, check with your resort and ask them if they will let you exchange your week for another week at the same resort. Many places will do an internal exchange for less than RCI charges, and then you'll know that you have the week you want.