Exchanging out of Vidanta

[BostonEd]

I've seen lots of comments and threads about exchanging into a Vidanta property. Has anyone done it the other way around? We have "Imperial Garden" level ownership, if that makes a difference.

I'm guessing it is close to impossible, unless I'm looking for, like, the 4th week of September. I would want a winter (February) week.

 

[Eric B]

When I exchange, I make it a practice to always trade up in quality and cost rather than trade down. We own at the Grand Luxxe level with Vidanta and I don't use it to exchange out because the quality and cost are quite high. Similarly, I don't trade out of our Ritz-Carlton or Flora Farms fractionals.

 

[rpennisi]

I frequently deposit my excess weeks into RCI and then use the TPs to exchange into other TS units in Mexico or in the US.
It used to be that one could trade back into Vidanta at a higher level, but that hack in no longer worthwhile due to very high resort service charges.

 

[WorldT]

Since Vidanta is pay to use, do you have to pay to be able to deposit your weeks in RCI?

 

[Eric B]

Since Vidanta is pay to use, do you have to pay to be able to deposit your weeks in RCI?

Yes, and you cannot deposit a lesser unit than your contracted one.

 

[BostonEd]

Ah, I forgot about that wrinkle: we'd have to pay our user fee when we deposit it into RCI, correct? And that would have to be done "blind", right? I won't know if we will be able to get somewhere good when I want it, until the week is already deposited? So I would have to pay the user fee now, even though I might not get want I want, or else it might be another extra year before I do.

 

[WorldT]

Ah, I forgot about that wrinkle: we'd have to pay our user fee when we deposit it into RCI, correct? And that would have to be done "blind", right? I won't know if we will be able to get somewhere good when I want it, until the week is already deposited? So I would have to pay the user fee now, even though I might not get want I want, or else it might be another extra year before I do.

That is correct.

 

[BostonEd]

I realize I'm straying off topic for this forum, but is there a way to check which RCI resorts I could trade into (or Interval if that one generally works better), and their availability, before paying my usage fee? Thanks.

 

[rpennisi]

Ah, I forgot about that wrinkle: we'd have to pay our user fee when we deposit it into RCI, correct? And that would have to be done "blind", right? I won't know if we will be able to get somewhere good when I want it, until the week is already deposited? So I would have to pay the user fee now, even though I might not get want I want, or else it might be another extra year before I do.

Your deposit is good for 2 years with RCI. You can also extend and combine deposits for a fee beyond the two years.

 

[rpennisi]

I realize I'm straying off topic for this forum, but is there a way to check which RCI resorts I could trade into (or Interval if that one generally works better), and their availability, before paying my usage fee? Thanks.

I don't believe so with RCI.

 

[WorldT]

I realize I'm straying off topic for this forum, but is there a way to check which RCI resorts I could trade into (or Interval if that one generally works better), and their availability, before paying my usage fee? Thanks.

I am presuming that by posting on this thread, you are referring to paying the usage fee for Vidanta and trying to exchange out. If that is the case then read on:

1. You can exchange in RCI. RCI has both instant exchange (the resorts currently available for you to exchange into) and on-going search (putting in a request for the resorts you want and wait to see if there is a match, no guarantees).
Unfortunately, you will have to figure out if your Vidanta unit will trade as points or as TPUs. You can call RCI and they will tell you. If you already have an RCI account, you should also be able to see how many TPUs you will get depending on when you deposit. If it is not showing up in your RCI account, the RCI customer service can help too. Without knowing how many points or TPUs you get with your unit, it is difficult to see what you can get with an instant exchange.

2. Interval is not participating in exchanges with Vidanta at the moment.

3. You may be able to use SFX or Destination Exchange (DEX). Others will be able to provide more info on this two.

 

[Eric B]

If you have access to ThirdHome at the Imperial Gardens level, it might be worth looking into as well. Tons of good availability right now.

 

[BostonEd]

RCI has both instant exchange (the resorts currently available for you to exchange into) and on-going search (putting in a request for the resorts you want and wait to see if there is a match, no guarantees).

Thanks, WorldT. I think the "on-going search" is something I've heard of before. Is that where you can request a week well in advance, and therefore have a better chance of getting what you're looking for? I.e., I might not get something for February 2026, but there's a good chance I might get something for February 2027?

 

[WorldT]

Yes. You can put the request anytime. The earlier you put the request, the better your chances of getting a match.