Expensive to Start Exchanging!

[icowboy]

fed up with II

That's actually not their business at all. The exchange fee is for exchanging for what is available. It is not for them to procure an unavailable week although sometimes they do try to do just that. That said your trade should be a cinch so maybe you are doing somthIng wrong. Did you put in a request? Also you are after something with very little advance which is hit and miss.

I know exchanging is their business, but if it doesn't work better try to fix it.
I did place a request, several weeks ago - This is the last straw in a string of unavailabilities - I've actually lost banked weeks - Only had one exchange in years and it was an extreme off season - Their getaways are a joke, always off season or way out of way places - Looking into Wyndham points to have more availability and flexability.

 

[big1ed]

Exchanging with el cheapo MF's

Buying where you want to go works in many cases, but for some destinations like Disney, and the prime Hotel-system resorts, it is far more cost effective to trade in. If you know what you are doing, you can trade in for a tiny fraction of the cost of owning at the high dollar resorts.

__________________
This is just my " two cents" on this subject. I own at one of those " high dollar resorts " ( Royal Resorts, and, at one time, DVC ) and, IMHO, it is a shame that they let exchange an " el cheapo" maint. fee for my much higher maint. fee resort, just for the $149 fee ( or whatever ). Royal Resorts has the right idea. They want the " exchangers" with no RR affiliation to pay like an all inclusive, hence evening out this practice.
I also belong to II, and, again IMHO, they are useless. To try to exchange with them to a place and time YOU want, is fruitless in most cases. The guy who already paid $900 for nothing, well, I am not going there.

 

[tschwa2]

This is just my " two cents" on this subject. I own at one of those " high dollar resorts " ( Royal Resorts, and, at one time, DVC ) and, IMHO, it is a shame that they let exchange an " el cheapo" maint. fee for my much higher maint. fee resort, just for the $149 fee ( or whatever ). Royal Resorts has the right idea. They want the " exchangers" with no RR affiliation to pay like an all inclusive, hence evening out this practice.

The developer at RR didn't do it to even out exchanges. He did it to increase his sales and to make some extra on the AI fee on the side. What it will do will make it a less desirable trade in to non owners and then when owners at RR need to exchange out (which happens sometimes even for owners who primarily own to use) will find that there trade power is even worse than before and RR will be available during every month as an AC or an XYZ without having to use any deposit if the ii member is willing to pony up the AI fee.

 

[MLR]

Tons of Branson weeks for $199 on RCI Sale today

I won't begin to say I fully understand how these exchange companies work. We joined RCI a few months ago and have had several nice trades since. Hate the fees though, and REFUSE to pay for an ongoing search - I'm just too cheap I guess.

For the person who can't find anything on II for Branson in August - RCI has a sale for the next 3 days and I saw LOTS of weeks in Branson in August for $199. Nice resorts too - not dumps. So, go figure.

For us - we kinda know WHEN we will be traveling and if I see something on RCI that looks good - I check regularly and always DELETE MY COOKIES PRIOR TO LOOKING - I jump on it - it's sorta like shopping at SAM's or COSTCO. If you see something you really want - you better buy it now :0) because it may not be there next week.

We did see a week on RCI for Royal Mayan in April 2012 (a rare find I think) but we went ahead and grabbed it and enjoyed the trip very much. I am thinking we booked it 9 months out.

Anyway - so far - we feel we have done 'ok' with RCI and for me ONE timeshare exchange company is plenty! We are fortunate to have a good trader (purely by accident). Got it from my sister and had NO KNOWLEDGE of timesharing whatsoever. But have sure learned a lot by following threads on TUG!

 

[big1ed]

The developer at RR didn't do it to even out exchanges. He did it to increase his sales and to make some extra on the AI fee on the side. What it will do will make it a less desirable trade in to non owners and then when owners at RR need to exchange out (which happens sometimes even for owners who primarily own to use) will find that there trade power is even worse than before and RR will be available during every month as an AC or an XYZ without having to use any deposit if the ii member is willing to pony up the AI fee.

For your mis information, us RR members do NOT have to pony up any AI fee......Perhaps it is YOU that is misinformed. Anyone could see, after all this time, RR got fed up with the practices of II ( and others, including Expedia ). Who in their right mind would be a RR member, and VOLUNTEER to have AI fees, when most of us do not even go to the few restaurants RR has on property? You sir, are way misinformed. I bought into RR many moons ago, because I LIKE IT THERE. Not to exhange to some lower place. BTW, RR is also in the processs of dropping II for exchanging. ( GEE, I wonder why ).
BTW, I noticed you do not even have RR as a resort. Why start something you do not know anything about? No wonder I do not post here much.

 

[dioxide45]

For your mis information, us RR members do NOT have to pony up any AI fee......Perhaps it is YOU that is misinformed. Anyone could see, after all this time, RR got fed up with the practices of II ( and others, including Expedia ). Who in their right mind would be a RR member, and VOLUNTEER to have AI fees, when most of us do not even go to the few restaurants RR has on property? You sir, are way misinformed. I bought into RR many moons ago, because I LIKE IT THERE. Not to exhange to some lower place. BTW, RR is also in the processs of dropping II for exchanging. ( GEE, I wonder why ).
BTW, I noticed you do not even have RR as a resort. Why start something you do not know anything about? No wonder I do not post here much.

I don't see anywhere in tschwa2's post that it was indicated that RR owners are mandated on AI when they visit. In fact, I would have to agree with much of the post. The move to AI appears to be a move to drive developer sales by making exchangers pay more. This will do nothing to help trade power for those resorts with the mandatory AI fee for exchangers. It won't matter if they are trading in II, RCI or somewhere else. Everything is based on demand, once potential exchangers see a mandatory AI fee, they will drop that exchange like a rock. If they were in RCI, I would expect a TPU below 10 most months of the year. No different than XYZs year round.

 

[VacationForever]

I know exchanging is their business, but if it doesn't work better try to fix it.
I did place a request, several weeks ago - This is the last straw in a string of unavailabilities - I've actually lost banked weeks - Only had one exchange in years and it was an extreme off season - Their getaways are a joke, always off season or way out of way places - Looking into Wyndham points to have more availability and flexability.

The issues that you are facing can be due to any of the following:
- Quality filter-mismatch of what you are giving up and what you are requesting for. II will match resorts of similar quality (up or down by 1 to 2 tiers).
- What you have requested for simply is not available in II inventory.
- Too close to when you want to travel. Putting in a request 12 months ahead helps.

My experience with II has been great but I have also been very flexible with the resorts and when I travel.

 

[carl2591]

Donita Glitch operates DVU, Donita's Vacations Unlimited. She owned the company that Dial an Exchange bought out here in the US. She had a no compete clause for a few years and is finally getting back in the business.

I used her before she sold to DAE and while she was with them. She's very knowledgeable about the business and has been doing it for some time now. You get very personalized service with her.

http://www.donita.com/


VRI*ety is the exchange arm of Vacation Resorts International, or VRI. If you own at a resort managed by VRI you are a member with no charge. You can deposit your non VRI resorts with them also.

http://www.vrietyexchange.com/

If you'd like to get a VRI property to start exchanging there, I have one in the TUGG classifieds for free . PM me for details if you're interested. Once you're a member you can deposit any of your weeks with them and use their "Hot Deals." You need to sign in to see the hot deals.

one question about VRI program. you were saying one can also deposit non VRI resorts into the program.. i went online and see this in the exchange sections.

VRI*ety™ Exchange
To be eligible for exchange you must be an owner/member at a VRI-managed resort or Multi Resort Ownership Plan (MROP).

What constitutes a MROP?? would some where like fox run, fox hunt or plantation resort be one?? now i am confused for sure.

 

[tschwa2]

For your mis information, us RR members do NOT have to pony up any AI fee......Perhaps it is YOU that is misinformed. Anyone could see, after all this time, RR got fed up with the practices of II ( and others, including Expedia ). Who in their right mind would be a RR member, and VOLUNTEER to have AI fees, when most of us do not even go to the few restaurants RR has on property? You sir, are way misinformed. I bought into RR many moons ago, because I LIKE IT THERE. Not to exhange to some lower place. BTW, RR is also in the processs of dropping II for exchanging. ( GEE, I wonder why ).
BTW, I noticed you do not even have RR as a resort. Why start something you do not know anything about? No wonder I do not post here much.

Alas I never bought at the Royals despite the great reviews on TUG because my DH hates Cancun. I'm not mis informed- I never mentioned that the mandatory AI was for members. Sorry if you felt I implied otherwise. I got my information from TUG by I reading threads like this one or others were many members complained about this change.
And by the way Big1Ed I hope you enjoy the extra drunk exchangers at the Royals because with the limited restaurant choices at the Royals the people paying the mandatory AI fee of $150 for non members and the optional AI fee of $95 won't be getting there money's worth without drinking an awful lot or even better the developer can raise the MF's of the owners to upgrade the restaurants.
And just as an FYI the developer can't change the terms of your original deed and make member pay AI fees for their deeded weeks but if they chose to in the future they can make members pay mandatory AI fees when exchanging for another week through an exchange company. Not saying it will happen but it could.

 

[bum1952]

As others have said, this is why I like the Club Wyndham Points system:
No Exchange Fees; No Insurance Fees; Partial week reservations; Plenty of nice resorts; Better resort availability within the Club Wyndham system (and at closer-in times) than in the external exchange systems

First time poster here so don't slam me. My sister-in-Law is a 500K Wyndham points owner. My problem with hers is she pays about $250 a month MF or $3000, ouch!

I on the other hand have 92,500 RCI points and seem to get more trips than her with only a $732 MF. Yes I have to pay an exchange fee but got 10 weeks last year off mine. I will say this, the last 2 resorts I've stayed at were Wyndham at Severville Smokey Mtns and Mountain Vista at Branson and they have the best customer service I've seen at any resort.

What I really want to know is if anyone does what I do to really know the cost of timeshare? When I bought my TS resale in 2005 I started a sheet listing EVERY penny that I spent on TS, exchange, RCI fees cost and MF.
Currently I'm averaging for 64 weeks $387 a week, that seems to be a pretty good cost for a week at a condo.

Might never find a response to this, Thanks!

 

[MichaelColey]

First time poster here so don't slam me. My sister-in-Law is a 500K Wyndham points owner. My problem with hers is she pays about $250 a month MF or $3000, ouch!

I on the other hand have 92,500 RCI points and seem to get more trips than her with only a $732 MF. Yes I have to pay an exchange fee but got 10 weeks last year off mine.

Two different ways to skin the cat. Your costs actually aren't that different from hers. $732 in MFs, $89 for RCI dues, and $1890 for 10 exchanges. That's $2711 vs. her $3000.

If she's grabbing last minute exchanges (similar to what you're doing), she should be able to get close to 10 weeks as well. If she books further out and picks a nice resort, she'll just get a week or two (similar to what you would get with yours, although you would pay much less in that case).

If you're in the $300-$350 range per week, you're certainly doing good. That's about $50/night, which is about what a Motel 6 would cost. There are some threads here somewhere, where people compare their costs per week. Many of us have costs in that range (and some even less). Some Wyndham Platinum VIPs who regularly book at the 60 day mark, for instance, have even lower costs per week.

 

[MichaelColey]

I'm probably through with II when my membership runs out - have banked Christmas weeks in ski country Colorado trying for Branson MO in August - nothing available?????

I did place a request, several weeks ago

Maybe you're not requesting far enough in advance? Summer in Branson is a fairly peak season. I'm too new to II to know how their availability is, but I have been watching RCI's summer availability in Branson and there was PLENTY available further in advance, but not much good stuff available closer in.

Sometimes it takes time for ongoing searches to match. The two II exchanges I got yesterday had been out there for a couple months. Some of my best RCI exchanges took over a year to hit. You have to be there waiting (through an ongoing search) when the deposit hits.

 

[bum1952]

One thing I failed to mention is that I paid $8000 for mine resale in 2005, I've seen it from $250 a few months ago to around $1500=$2000 lately. That makes the average much higher that it could have been, Love My Timeshare though, been to Hawaii for 16 days and Mexico 3 times for 2 weeks each time.

Enjoy reading all you pros posting although sometimes they are way over my head!

 

[scobrn]

RCI

I use RCI for there last minute and extra vacations. I was able to get 2 2BR at the Club Regina in Puerto Vallarta for half the price of my maint. fee at the Club Regina in Cabo, and for hundreds less then my owner rental program with Raintree. I see they have a 3 day promotion now for $199 for a week at some nice places. The exchange ability is just a bonus. I was also able to get a 2BR at my home resort by banking a 1BR the same week. So essential, for the exchange fee, I upgraded from a 1BR to a 2BR. If I owned, the maint. fees would have been about $700 more between the two.

 

[timeos2]

At this point unless you have some type of preference in RCI/II the only real value is in the rentals. Since they pay nothing for the deposits and pay nothing to the resorts or owners they can price them at virtually give away prices. Those can be great deals while trades are no longer the value they used to be IMO.

You have to adjust your use to get the best value for your dollar. It doesn't stay constant. You may even need to adjust what you own to reflect how things are now and adjust again as they change later.

 

[MichaelColey]

At this point unless you have some type of preference in RCI/II the only real value is in the rentals. Since they pay nothing for the deposits and pay nothing to the resorts or owners they can price them at virtually give away prices. Those can be great deals while trades are no longer the value they used to be IMO.

I would have to disagree. I get some pretty incredible trades where my cost (MF + Exchange Fee) isn't much more than (a non-sale) Extra Vacation at what is usually a far inferior resort.

Even just the exchanges I've listed in this thread... Marriott's Newport Coast and Marriott Grand Chateau. Can you even get those through Getaways? How much? (Checking...)

NCV, not found. Nearest resort they have listed is Peacock Suites. 1BR for $729 and up. I got a 2BR at a FAR BETTER resort and my cost was less than half of that.

MGC, not found. For the same month as my exchange, there are only a couple 2BR Getaways listed in Vegas, and they're at inferior resorts and are priced at more than double my cost.

I'm sure Getaways, Extra Vacations and Last Call can work good for some people. When I first got started in timeshares (was that really just 2 years ago?), that's what I planned on using almost exclusively. What I find is that virtually everything out there at a reasonable price is garbage, and that I can get top quality resorts (for less than the garbage) by exchanging.

But in any case, I strongly disagree about that being the only value in RCI/II. Many of us get tremendous value exchanging.

 

[d2r4s]

Cost of Using an exchange company

There are lower cost ways of doing an exchange. While I have also maintained multiple yiears of membership because it is cheaper and lets you search out a few years, the problem is usally with ones flexibility and ability to plan ahead. This is what can drive the cost up, however if you do get the exchange you want or an exchange then that cost is the same and you just fronted the money.

The way around these expenses is to be in a tme share where there are multiple locations with exchanging within that company, or using one of the many other trading companies out there who do not charge an annual fee and perhaps even a lower exchange fee.

I can also say that companies like Diamond resrots and Wyndham to not have annual fees for II or RCI, even though it may be in the maintanence fee's. One other advantage is to be able to search out all the available inventory and try to find something you would be interested in without a deposit and on going search which I personally rarely used as my expierence over the years has shown a low probability of getting what I wanted.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I cannot believe all of the varied posts on this thread. It's opened a lot of different conversations.

Congratulations, Michael, on these great trades you keep getting. I know it's a hobby of yours to get vacations as cheaply as possible. It's definitely a game for you, and I also play that game. You still might want to consider a Sheraton to use for Starwood preference. I don't know how likely it is to get a 2 bedroom at Harborside Atlantis without it. There have been very few 2 bedrooms in II for even Starwood preference.

 

[MichaelColey]

Congratulations, Michael, on these great trades you keep getting. I know it's a hobby of yours to get vacations as cheaply as possible. It's definitely a game for you, and I also play that game. You still might want to consider a Sheraton to use for Starwood preference. I don't know how likely it is to get a 2 bedroom at Harborside Atlantis without it. There have been very few 2 bedrooms in II for even Starwood preference.

I don't know that we would go to Atlantis every year, and it's a pretty hefty price to pay for "maybe". If I can get the exchange with a (considerably cheaper) non-Starwood deposit, that's great. If not, I could always try to rent from an owner. If none of that works out, there are still tons of places to vacation.

 

[timeos2]

2 BR Grand Chateau LV 7 days <$450. March / early April 2009. Great resort. Easter dates that year.

We have stayed in no less than 7 - 2 bedroom + resorts since last summer and the highest price we paid for any one of them was $350. We just got an Oct date, 2 bedroom in Hawaii - 7 days - Kauai for $199.

I can't possibly beat those rates when the exchange fee alone is at least $179 plus the maintenance fee(s). Now is it every resort every time? No but neither by any means are trades. It's all seeing things at the right moment to grab them & looking for the great deals.

We haven't done an actual exchange of our week(s) in over 5 years. We may never do another one if these deals don't dry up.

 

[chriskre]

I don't know that we would go to Atlantis every year, and it's a pretty hefty price to pay for "maybe". If I can get the exchange with a (considerably cheaper) non-Starwood deposit, that's great. If not, I could always try to rent from an owner. If none of that works out, there are still tons of places to vacation.

Michael, I have had Starwood owners offer me a direct exchange into Harborside for a DVC unit from you know who.
If you get creative you can get what you want without owning everything.

The draw of the mouse is quite strong for the addicted. :ignore:

 

[Rmelnyk]

I guess I was fortunate when I bought my SA from Herb back in early 2005. It included 10 years free membership with RCI, so I still have until 2015 before I make or break with RCI.
Roman

 

[Carolinian]

I don't see anywhere in tschwa2's post that it was indicated that RR owners are mandated on AI when they visit. In fact, I would have to agree with much of the post. The move to AI appears to be a move to drive developer sales by making exchangers pay more. This will do nothing to help trade power for those resorts with the mandatory AI fee for exchangers. It won't matter if they are trading in II, RCI or somewhere else. Everything is based on demand, once potential exchangers see a mandatory AI fee, they will drop that exchange like a rock. If they were in RCI, I would expect a TPU below 10 most months of the year. No different than XYZs year round.

I expect you are right about how many points lite it will take to trade IN to Royals with a mandatory AI. That is something that really hurts demand in a big way. However, when it comes to points lite given for a deposit, that is another issue entirely. When a big developer is involved, they can and likely will, do a deal with RCI to overpoint their deposits, so that owners there regularly get more points lite for a deposit than it takes to trade in. Developers who are selling weeks need to be able to show prospective buyers that their week can trade for good things so they need higher numbers than the facts on the ground can justify. RCI has done this for many other developers, and there is little doubt they would to it for Royals. Now II, on the other hand, still has hidden trading power, so neither they nor the developer have any incentive to do this.

 

[csxjohn]

Now I'm confused too.

one question about VRI program. you were saying one can also deposit non VRI resorts into the program.. i went online and see this in the exchange sections.

VRI*ety™ Exchange
To be eligible for exchange you must be an owner/member at a VRI-managed resort or Multi Resort Ownership Plan (MROP).

What constitutes a MROP?? would some where like fox run, fox hunt or plantation resort be one?? now i am confused for sure.

I did a little searching and MROP looks to be a group of 58 affiliated resorts that hires VRI to run its daily operations.

http://www.multi-resorts.com/about.php

Click on the "resort locations" tab to see the list of resorts in MROP.

Fox Run townhouses in Lake Lure NC is a VRI resort, as listed on the VRI site, and not one of the MROP resorts.

What's got me confused is that the VRI*ety site doesn't state that you can deposit non VRI/MROP units for exchange, at least I don't see it right now but I've done it. I'll check into that later today when they are in their offices.

 

[icowboy]

II exchanges - BAH

2 BR Grand Chateau LV 7 days <$450. March / early April 2009. Great resort. Easter dates that year.

We have stayed in no less than 7 - 2 bedroom + resorts since last summer and the highest price we paid for any one of them was $350. We just got an Oct date, 2 bedroom in Hawaii - 7 days - Kauai for $199.

I can't possibly beat those rates when the exchange fee alone is at least $179 plus the maintenance fee(s). Now is it every resort every time? No but neither by any means are trades. It's all seeing things at the right moment to grab them & looking for the great deals.

We haven't done an actual exchange of our week(s) in over 5 years. We may never do another one if these deals don't dry up.

I'm with you on exchanges - just have not been able to do any good. Question is, where do you find your weeks - are they rentals, points purchase, etc.? I do not have RCI membership, can I still buy RCI points - am looking to buy Wyndham points to get more availability and flexibility - Comments?