For anyone who thinks RCI exchanges are only "leftovers"

[CO skier]

Remember, RCI inventory, largely is either inventory in off-season that developers deposit, or weeks that owners don't want.

I call it "throwaway inventory" or "leftovers", but some people get offended when I say that.

Point is, you often won't see prime dates at popular locations in RCI. You will find "mud season" or "frozen tundra" season.

Outside of Florida, anyway, where you can seemingly always find stuff.

There is a ton of inventory currently available in Hawaii as both exchanges and Extra Vacations. 104 units available as Extra Vacations at just the Club Wyndham Bali Hai resort, alone, March through September, for example:

 

[gnorth16]

We have exchanged 40+ times in RCI and traded into numerous desirable resorts in Hawaii including :HGVC Lagoon Tower (twice), Grand Islander, Kingsland, Kohala and Bay Club (twice).

I type this as I’m relaxing on my balcony in my RCI exchange at Wyndham Reef Resort in Grand Cayman.

 

[DeniseM]

There is more inventory than usual, because the travel market is depressed.

 

[Huskerpaul]

There is more inventory than usual, because the travel market is depressed.

Which makes what is happening with limited Interval availability even more puzzling.

 

[CO skier]

There is more inventory than usual, because the travel market is depressed.

"Yes, overall visitor arrival in Hawaii were slightly down in 2025 compared to 2024 (around a 0.2% decrease for the first 11 months), but visitor spending significantly increased as tourists stayed longer and spent more per day, showing a trend towards higher-value, though fewer, visitors, notes Kauai Now and the governor's office, according to data from the state's Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT)"

I would not call a 0.2% y-o-y drop "depressed."

 

[easyrider]

Which makes what is happening with limited Interval availability even more puzzling.

It kind of depends on the demographics and locations. Many snowbird tourists wrote off the USA so it makes sense to see more winter inventory for Hawaii, imo. For us, we can stay in Mexico, on a fantastic beach, at resorts with more amenities, for way less than Hawaii. I think costs are the number one reason why more tourists are choosing locations other than Hawaii.

Bill

 

[dougp26364]

I wonder how many of these weeks are deed backs, where the resort and/or management company is looking to cover the MF’s from those weeks?

While deed back programs aren’t nearly as prevalent as they should be, some management companies are coming to the realization that they can either have a deed back programs, or go through what is likely to be a more expensive and time consuming process of foreclosing. I would think with foreclosure, they can’t do much, if anything, with a deeded week they don’t have legal title too.

 

[ScoopKona]

I wouldn't call Big Island travel "depressed."

We're not getting European and Canadian visitors. Asian visitors are down as well -- not as stark as Canadian visitors, though. And all of them are missed. (Especially the Canadians.) But mainland tourists are picking up the slack to the point I barely notice a difference. In addition, I've seen many American Indians from Alaska this winter. Dozens and dozens, dropping by the local grocery to buy ube, sweet potatoes and Waimea tomatoes. (Yupik and Cupik nations, I believe. I don't ask because I think it's insulting to ask them "where ya from?")

We talk about 49th-50th state reciprocal tourism. I want to start getting in on that. It's a great idea, and we have loads of common cause.

 

[CO skier]

People are focusing too much on the location and missing the point -- that there are tons and tons of premium inventory available all over the world in RCI just sitting online waiting to be reserved (this does not, of course, include the ultra-premium inventory that fills "Request First" waitlists).

Here is another familiar, very popular example where there are 100 units available as Extra Vacations, including during prime spring and the summer travel season -- MOAB, UT! -- at prices lower than what WorldMark owners can reserve.

 

[amycurl]

Here's an interesting data point about II availability--I have no idea about RCI-availability, so not weighing in there.
I got the II industry publication in the mail today, because I am on a HOA board of an II-affiliated resort. They were touting that *outside rentals* are a bigger part/growing part of a timeshare resort's revenue/profit pie, and should be a bigger focus going forard. I think this explains:
--the crackdown on owners renting that we've seen with Marriott and DVC in the past year or so (eliminating some competition, such as Wyndham did nearly a decade ago.)
--the lack of inventory for exchanges in II (if II itself is telling resorts to just rent that excess inventory, rather than depositing it)

 

[CO skier]

Anyone want to visit San Diego? There are 28 1&2 bedroom units available at the World Mission Valley resort, alone, between now and the end of May. Lots of other Southern California resort choice with availability just sitting online ... waiting.

 

[wmgjr]

RCI always looks this way in January from my experience. People are depositing new year weeks, paying mf, booking vacays.

Just like the gyms, inventory may look allot different February 1st.

 

[jp10558]

IDK, I have been pretty happy with my RCI Extra Vacations and Last Calls. I have commented several times in the past on TUG that II inventory seems to be a small fraction of RCI inventory. And while the resorts aren't all MVC level, many are actually quite nice IMO.

 

[davidvel]

Anyone want to visit San Diego? There are 28 1&2 bedroom units available at the World Mission Valley resort, alone, between now and the end of May. Lots of other Southern California resort choice with availability just sitting online ... waiting.

View attachment 120268

Beautiful property if you are a fan of freeway noise, Denny's, and massive malls!

 

[CO skier]

Beautiful property if you are a fan of freeway noise, Denny's, and massive malls!

Someone needs a Snicker Bar.

As noted, there are plenty of other resorts to choose. WM Mission Valley was the perfect location for when my son graduated from Marine Corps basic training. The base was 10 minutes away.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wonder how many of these weeks are deed backs, where the resort and/or management company is looking to cover the MF’s from those weeks?

While deed back programs aren’t nearly as prevalent as they should be, some management companies are coming to the realization that they can either have a deed back programs, or go through what is likely to be a more expensive and time consuming process of foreclosing. I would think with foreclosure, they can’t do much, if anything, with a deeded week they don’t have legal title too.

The rental fees on RCI are far less than owners' maintenance fees on Sands of Kahana, Hono Koa, Kahana Beach, and all of the other resorts managed by Soleil. I would be angry about it, but I just kind of take advantage of these situations when I can. I rented a week from RCI.

 

[andre10056]

Someone needs a Snicker Bar.

As noted, there are plenty of other resorts to choose. WM Mission Valley was the perfect location for when my son graduated from Marine Corps basic training. The base was 10 minutes away.

Oh my! You just committed the cardinal sin of calling Marine Corps BOOT CAMP basic training. Basic training is an Army expression. All Marines consider Army soldiers to be...well...I shouldn't fill in that blank. Never use that expression in front of your son again.

 

[andre10056]

Anyone want to visit San Diego? There are 28 1&2 bedroom units available at the World Mission Valley resort, alone, between now and the end of May. Lots of other Southern California resort choice with availability just sitting online ... waiting.

View attachment 120268

You might want to check out the Armed Forces Vacation Club. Each of those RCI rates can be deeply discounted if you become a Premium Member (which costs a few bucks but it's worth it if you travel a bit). According to the afvclub rules, you need to yourself be a veteran or have a parent or a child (one generation up or down) be "military" (so you qualify).

But, to be honest, I'm a Marine Corps veteran and they (the club, the resorts) never asked me for any kind of documentation. Clearly, they're businesses and just want to do business. I don't think they care too much if you meet those alleged qualifications.

 

[dougp26364]

The rental fees on RCI are far less than owners' maintenance fees on Sands of Kahana, Hono Koa, Kahana Beach, and all of the other resorts managed by Soleil. I would be angry about it, but I just kind of take advantage of these situations when I can. I rented a week from RCI.

You’d like to think developers would be mad about this. It’s a great excuse to NOT buy. Granted you already need to be a member of RCI to see those deals, but as the saying goes, fool me once…..

 

[davidvel]

Someone needs a Snicker Bar.

As noted, there are plenty of other resorts to choose. WM Mission Valley was the perfect location for when my son graduated from Marine Corps basic training. The base was 10 minutes away.

Snickers would be better than Dennys fare. Yes the location is very central to many local attractions, but that is about the end of the upside. Motel6 and similar places would meet that expectation. If this isn't a leftover, I don't know what would be considered one.

 

[CO skier]

WM Mission Valley is, admittedly, not a Marriot timeshare, but it certainly compares well to, say, Marriot Shadow Ridge.

Unless, of course, you consider Marriot Shadow Ridge to be "Motel 6 grade" and an exchange "leftover."

 

[Passepartout]

We just spent a week at Indian Palms 2 BR timeshare at Indio, CA on an RCI exchange. The place was very sparsely occupied. Weather could've been better, but in January, you take what you get.

 

[davidvel]

WM Mission Valley is, admittedly, not a Marriot timeshare, but it certainly compares well to, say, Marriot Shadow Ridge.

Unless, of course, you consider Marriot Shadow Ridge to be "Motel 6 grade" and an exchange "leftover."

View attachment 120337View attachment 120338

Tripadvisor people who would stay at WM Mission Valley clearly must not stay at Shadow Ridge. They would give it a 10 if they are giving that a 3.7.

MRD
Beautiful mountain and golf course views.
Championship golf course.
Multiple resort style pool complexes. Water slide, activity center, luxury gyms.

WM MV
Views and sounds of the I-8 SR-163 interchange, if you can get a room with a "view."

 

[CalGalTraveler]

People are focusing too much on the location and missing the point -- that there are tons and tons of premium inventory available all over the world in RCI just sitting online waiting to be reserved (this does not, of course, include the ultra-premium inventory that fills "Request First" waitlists).

Here is another familiar, very popular example where there are 100 units available as Extra Vacations, including during prime spring and the summer travel season -- MOAB, UT! -- at prices lower than what WorldMark owners can reserve.

View attachment 120267

Good to know. Strange. I have had Moab on OGS forever and never a hit.

 

[Pennytx]

I personally use RCI extra vacations and last calls all the time
I’ve scored amazing deals over the years