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Alternative Timeshare Companies

C

craiga

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Hi. I'm new to timeshare exchange companies. I'd prefer to keep costs minimum while having access to decent inventory. Many reviews on this thread are outdated. I've looked into Trading Places, 7Across and Platinum Interchange and have read mixed reviews. Could anyone recommend me pro's and con's of these companies and any recent experience? Thanks!
 
What do you have against the big exchange companies (RCI & Interval Int'l?). They have the largest (is that 'decent' enough?) inventory, and there are thousands of easily available resorts you can buy at low cost resale, or even get into free- or nearly so. If you have a certain area, or even resort that you prefer over a points-based TS company, it will cost less to use 'home resort' and resort 'family' benefits rather than paying exchange fees for using some outside exchange company.

Timesharing can get you low-cost vacation properties, but they aren't free.

Jim
 
Sorry. I should clarify. I am trying to deposit my existing timeshare into a timeshare exchange company. I looked at RCI and II and it seemed the fees were much higher than others. So I wanted to get feedback from the group as to what other people have used successfully to deposit and exchange.
 
Sadly, 7Across and TPI are no longer really independant. 7Across was bought by RCI and TPI was acquired by Capital Vacations. Several people have complained about diminished inventory in both of those exchange companies. I can't really speak to Platinum Interchange. There is also RTX and SFX to consider.
 
dioxide45 said:
Sadly, 7Across and TPI are no longer really independent. 7Across was bought by RCI and TPI was acquired by Capital Vacations. Several people have complained about diminished inventory in both of those exchange companies. I can't really speak to Platinum Interchange. There is also RTX and SFX to consider.
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thank you!
 
First step: Find out what exchange companies your timeshare is affiliated with. Most are not affiliated with both RCI and II, although it's possible.
 
craiga said:
Hi. I'm new to timeshare exchange companies. I'd prefer to keep costs minimum while having access to decent inventory. Many reviews on this thread are outdated. I've looked into Trading Places, 7Across and Platinum Interchange and have read mixed reviews. Could anyone recommend me pro's and con's of these companies and any recent experience? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I like and use Platinum Interchange. Occasionally they will have a 2 for 1 or once in a while, 3 for 1 exchange offering. The website explains in detail how to use. I have recently been to Carlsbad Inn and Beach Resort, Casa de la Playa, and Grand Pacific Palisades. You may have to search frequently as weeks go quickly when available. You need to be flexible in locations on the 90 day out offers, and available to travel on short notice. You have 2 years on your choices on the "anytime" week. It is free to join, and $129.00 for exchanges. See details at website. I am a member of II, RCI, Hawaii Timeshare Exchange and GPX. I have the most luck with Platinum Interchange.
 
trips&ships said:
I like and use Platinum Interchange. Occasionally they will have a 2 for 1 or once in a while, 3 for 1 exchange offering. The website explains in detail how to use. I have recently been to Carlsbad Inn and Beach Resort, Casa de la Playa, and Grand Pacific Palisades. You may have to search frequently as weeks go quickly when available. You need to be flexible in locations on the 90 day out offers, and available to travel on short notice. You have 2 years on your choices on the "anytime" week. It is free to join, and $129.00 for exchanges. See details at website. I am a member of II, RCI, Hawaii Timeshare Exchange and GPX. I have the most luck with Platinum Interchange.
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Thank you for the feedback! I have GPX and not a huge fan of the portal layout and inventory. I live and own in Southern California and most of the locations are in Southern California which is an area I'm not of interest in. If Platinum Interchange comes out with a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 exchange offer, it sounds like a no brainer to use!
 
trips&ships said:
I like and use Platinum Interchange. Occasionally they will have a 2 for 1 or once in a while, 3 for 1 exchange offering. I have the most luck with Platinum Interchange.
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I can't believe I never heard of this one.
 
I have used SFX, UKRE, and the old DAE Europe with success. Sadly, DAE Europe was ruined when it was taken over by the RCI Borg. I have considered using Hawaii Timeshare Exchange. UKRE only handles exchanges of timeshares within the British Isles, so unless you own there and want to go there, it often does not work for most Americans. I really liked the old DAE Europe, as I got a lot of great exchanges with them, the fees were low, and they were very easy to work with.

I bailed out of RCI when they got into all this points mess, both RCI Points and "points lite" (TPUs), as the exchange valuations became very skewed and no longer honest, plus the fees just kept going up. Also, this is when RCI became "Rents Condos Instead" and started renting out too much of their prime deposits. We had an RCI employee posting here on TUG, Bootleg, who confirmed from the inside that this was going on.

The loss of DAE Europe and the changes at RCI have meant that our timeshare ownership is now limited to a couple of weeks that we use ourselves. The exchange game is no longer what it was, but was very nice while it lasted.
 
Carolinian said:
I have used SFX, UKRE, and the old DAE Europe with success. Sadly, DAE Europe was ruined when it was taken over by the RCI Borg. I have considered using Hawaii Timeshare Exchange. UKRE only handles exchanges of timeshares within the British Isles, so unless you own there and want to go there, it often does not work for most Americans. I really liked the old DAE Europe, as I got a lot of great exchanges with them, the fees were low, and they were very easy to work with.

I bailed out of RCI when they got into all this points mess, both RCI Points and "points lite" (TPUs), as the exchange valuations became very skewed and no longer honest, plus the fees just kept going up. Also, this is when RCI became "Rents Condos Instead" and started renting out too much of their prime deposits. We had an RCI employee posting here on TUG, Bootleg, who confirmed from the inside that this was going on.

The loss of DAE Europe and the changes at RCI have meant that our timeshare ownership is now limited to a couple of weeks that we use ourselves. The exchange game is no longer what it was, but was very nice while it lasted.
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wow. sad to hear. 7across looks to have a lot of the reject inventory.
 
craiga said:
wow. sad to hear. 7across looks to have a lot of the reject inventory.
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7 Across (previously DAE) was a reasonable exchange company to deal with. They did not have a lot of inventory but were flexible to work with. For instance we could use our Wyndham points, make a reservation and deposit that week into DAE. When time came they contacted us and we provided the guest certificate in the new persons name. This was a great option to use up our unwanted Wyndham points. Their exchange fee was quite low as well. Then RCI bought them out and immediately the exchange fee jumped about $50 and our previous option evaporated. Now 7Across is basically a dumping ground for unwanted RCI inventory. We have terminated our use of 7Across. We have recently tried to stop giving RCI any deposits because of their escalating fee structure. Currently we give all our inventory to TPI.
 
I’m resurrecting this not-so-old thread to ask about “Trading Places Maui” (sic). When I spoke to the Kona Coast reservations lady the other day, she said that a lot of owners deposit their KCR weeks with them. So I was wondering whether that would be a reasonable option. We’ve always deposited with RCI, but I’d love to have better options for exchanges (thus my other thread re joining II, for possible access to Marriott etc.).
 
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