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.

 

[BostonEd]

Follow-up. Let's say I deposit the usage fee so that I can try to exchange out. And I never find anything I like. Can I just use it at Vidanta, or is it lost forever?

 

[Eric B]

Follow-up. Let's say I deposit the usage fee so that I can try to exchange out. And I never find anything I like. Can I just use it at Vidanta, or is it lost forever?

Typically Vidanta makes bulk deposits to various exchanges systems. If you pay the usage fee and have them "deposit" the usage for you with one of the exchange systems, they don't make an extra deposit of an identified week for you; instead, they give you credit in whatever form is appropriate for whatever exchange system you use. As a result, you can't really back out the deposit from the exchange system. I have never heard of a Vidanta policy that would allow you to change your mind and use the week at a Vidanta resort; if you have that in writing as an addendum to your contract you definitely can. If you don't have it in writing, I wouldn't make any assumptions about being able to do that.

If you have a separate account with a third-party exchange system where you book the week and deposit it, you might be able to reclaim that week if it hasn't been used by someone else. It would really depend on the exchange system.

IMHO, the best way ahead is to identify what you want to exchange into before investing in an otherwise voluntary usage fee with Vidanta. It might require flexibility on your part, of course. There does seem to be a lot of attractive resort availability right now, but that's just my opinion based on my preferences and the exchange systems I use. YMMV. I do exchange using much less expensive resorts than Vidanta and have had very good experiences in trading up rather than trading down in quality.

 

[bizaro86]

You could also post an ad for a direct exchange on the Tug marketplace. Since Vidanta now charges huge fees to exchange in I think there might be demand for an owner exchange (which comes with no resort fee for the user). I'm not familiar with Imperial Garden and couldn't find it on the website, but if you're posting an ad I'd make sure to list all the possibilities you can book (ie some people might need a 2br but some might prefer a 1br/studio at a higher brand, etc)

 

[BostonEd]

Thanks y'all. Background: I did not purchase in Vidanta, my parents did. They are getting older and most likely will never use their weeks. I'm in the process of having them add my name to the account. I tried to ask some questions of Vidanta member services, but they could not answer fully, since I'm not yet fully authorized as a member.

It is possible the "Imperial Garden" level is incorrect! I remember when they told me that, it didn't sound familiar. At one point, I did look at the contract, and I recall it said... something else. I can't remember what it said (I want to say something like "Legacy II"?), but it wasn't Imperial Garden.

Typically Vidanta makes bulk deposits to various exchanges systems.

So, theoretically you could look at RCI or Interval or wherever else they deposited weeks? That would increase the chances of getting something you like, wouldn't it?

 

[rpennisi]

If you want to go to a Vidanta resort, the least expensive way to do it is by using the week(s) your parents "own" with Vidanta. No exchange fee, no membership fee as with RCI and II. Also no extra resort fee when using the member week.

If you use RCI or II, you have to have paid the Vidanta MF first, then you deposit that week with RCI or II. So you paid a membership fee to join them (RCI or II), an exchange fee to them to make a trade and any resort fees that might come with the resort you exchange into to the resort you pick to stay with. And all that is additional to the MF that you paid to Vidanta.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

...Background: I did not purchase in Vidanta, my parents did. They are getting older and most likely will never use their weeks. I'm in the process of having them add my name to the account. I tried to ask some questions of Vidanta member services, but they could not answer fully, since I'm not yet fully authorized as a member.

This makes sense to add your name. There is no cost. Your parents would have some version of "Pay on Use / No Required MF " and so the only future payment required would be the next renewal point [ probably 10 year from date of last upgrade].

It is possible the "Imperial Garden" level is incorrect! I remember when they told me that, it didn't sound familiar. At one point, I did look at the contract, and I recall it said... something else. I can't remember what it said (I want to say something like "Legacy II"?), but it wasn't Imperial Garden.

Hi @BostonEd - You should have your parents find & give you their Vidanta paperwork & specifically any recent paperwork.

LEGACY: is a brand / program {for existing owners] that basically adds / renews weeks . It probably started selling 2-3 years ago (IMO)
IMPERIAL GARDEN : was first sold 2019 /20 . The name became a bit of an umbrella ; as there is Imperial Garden within the Nuevo BON Theme Park
and also "to be built" units on the Estates side of the Ameca River. I believe Grand Imperial contracts were also sold (IMO)

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

........ I would want a winter (February) week.

Where would you want to vacation in Feb. 2026 ? [ 4 months from now ]
In my Opinion (IMO) your best option for a winter vacation 4 months from now is a Vidanta location as @rpennisi posted

Note - I have Feb 2026 exchange weeks booked through RCI [at a non- Vidanta location] but I was booking them last March

If you want to go to a Vidanta resort, the least expensive way to do it is by using the week(s) your parents "own" with Vidanta. No exchange fee, no membership fee as with RCI and II. Also no extra resort fee when using the member week.

If you use RCI or II, you have to have paid the Vidanta MF first, then you deposit that week with RCI or II. So you paid a membership fee to join them (RCI or II), an exchange fee to them to make a trade and any resort fees that might come with the resort you exchange into to the resort you pick to stay with. And all that is additional to the MF that you paid to Vidanta.

 

[Eric B]

There's also GRAND LEGACY. They are renovating Grand Mayan units by the lake in Riviera Maya and the top three floors at Los Cabos into those. Latest I've heard is that Legacy and Grand Legacy will be going into East Cape as well as at Nuevo Vallarta, too.

 

[BostonEd]

Where would you want to vacation in Feb. 2026 ? [ 4 months from now ]
In my Opinion (IMO) your best option for a winter vacation 4 months from now is a Vidanta location as @rpennisi posted

Note - I have Feb 2026 exchange weeks booked through RCI [at a non- Vidanta location] but I was booking them last March

At this point, yes I realize there is probably no way I'm going to be able to exchange anywhere good for Feb 2026; I would just go to Vidanta. But I probably won't even go there, because airfare for my week has been absolutely ridiculous.

I'm getting all the paperwork ducks in order so that I can plan for the future.

You should have your parents find & give you their Vidanta paperwork & specifically any recent paperwork.

Yeah, I'll have to track that down next time I'm at their house. These points were an add-on, so it could be "Legacy", but it was definitely more than 2-3 years ago. More like 5-6.