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Is a TS right for me?

D

DrSize

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Apr 5, 2009
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I have been looking into TS's for awhile now and am still somewhat confused. By not owning anything and not being a member anywhere I am unable to login into member sites to really get the low down.

In terms of purchasing, from what I have gathered RCI is the biggest exchange network and seems to have the most satisfied people due to number of resorts and user interface. So I want to own a resort that trades with RCI.

My next question is I want a strong trader and one with a lot of annual points. Not too sure where I should look for this?

The main reason being my wife and myself like to take trips once or twice a year (fairly large). I do not plan on staying on my home resort too often but still plan to buy at a place that I would still go to quite often. Due to work the only real weeks we can travel are week 51 and 52, around week 13, and roughly weeks 28-32. That being said, the only weeks that we know for sure are 51 and 52 so we are unable to plan vacations to the other weeks any longer than maybe 4-6 months out...if that.

When owning a TS and exchanging is there going to be anything available that short notice?

Lastly due to work we are going to have a roughly 2 week long vacation sometime around weeks 50-6 and would like to go to Australia for a week and maybe Tahiti for a week. I will not be able to confirm the dates until roughly late August. Would this be next to impossible to get an exchange where I could stay at a TS resort for those two weeks by possibly using 2009 and 2010 points? Or would all the resorts be picked over especially since it is red weeks there?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated on some resorts to consider that may fulfill my needs.

(I live in Canada, and thinking a TS in Fl, SoCal, Vegas, Canmore AB, Whistler BC etc)
 
Hi, and welcome to TUG!

Due to your schedule, I can't see RCI working very well for you. RCI works great for people who can plan 18 months to 2 years in advance (for trading in Weeks) and 10 months out for trading in Points.

In the timeframe you're looking at (6 months or less) all the good stuff is long gone. You can sometimes pick up nice RCI trades immediately prior to departure due to last-minute cancellations, but in prime vacation time (like summer) these are harder to get.

Interval International works better than RCI for planning 6-month to 1 year in advance, so if you're set on buying a timeshare to trade, that might be a better option for you.
 
Thanks, that was an answer I was looking for. Since I can't log into RCI member database I have no clue what kind of stuff would be available
 
Buy Timeshares Resale -- Save Thousands.

DrSize said:
When owning a TS and exchanging is there going to be anything available that short notice?
Click to expand...
Off-season exchange availability on short notice is pretty good at RCI.

Not only that, RCI Last Call & Instant Exchange reservations for check-in within 45 days are big bargains.

Timeshare vacationing seems to work out best for people who plan their trips way in advance on the 1 hand & for those on the other hand who are more flexible about location & can snap up those short-notice deals.

The Chief Of Staff & I are "on the other hand" types. Most ofour RCI reservations are Last Call & Instant Exchange, so for us timeshare vacationing works out to enjoying luxury timeshare accommodations for Motel 6 & Super 8 rates.

Our 3½ timeshares were all purchased resale. I doubt we'd be paying rates as low as Motel 6 & Super 8 if we had sprung for any full-freight timeshares.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 
Well, certainly you have made an important first step in determining if a timeshare is for you. We purchased our timeshares based on (1) we could go there every year (2) a location where people would want to go if we didn't and then (3) a membership that gave us points for greatest flexibility and equal trading within that system and (4) available resales . Just off the cuff, you might want to check out the site where you can get into RCI for a three year lease (search TUG). Although that money will be gone when three years are up, you'll have no obligation beyond that. Beyond that, it sounds like availability and location for you might require sharpening your Hotwire, Expedia or Travelocity skills. Normally hotel rooms do not compare with timeshare rooms - sometimes timeshare rooms are hotel rooms but, there is also an active rental market that let's you get in for about what you would pay in maintenance fees each year with no additional commitment! Good luck.:D
 
I think that with your short advance planning, you may want to consider seeking rentals from owners and skip the ownership for now. If you're going to buy, then buy a fixed week 51 or 52 in a location that you may want to use yourselves some years, either somewhere warm on the beach or at a highly sought ski resort. Then you'd not only have something to fall back on but you'd have something that's in demand from others for doing direct owner exchanges with people who own the other places you want, 4-6 months out. JMO.
 
Lisa P said:
I think that with your short advance planning, you may want to consider seeking rentals from owners and skip the ownership for now. If you're going to buy, then buy a fixed week 51 or 52 in a location that you may want to use yourselves some years, either somewhere warm on the beach or at a highly sought ski resort. Then you'd not only have something to fall back on but you'd have something that's in demand from others for doing direct owner exchanges with people who own the other places you want, 4-6 months out. JMO.
Click to expand...
I am thinking about possibly getting rid of my timeshares and just renting. The MF's (and refurb sur charges) are getting to be a pain.

.
 
Courts said:
I am thinking about possibly getting rid of my timeshares and just renting. The MF's (and refurb sur charges) are getting to be a pain.

.
Click to expand...

Considering what the OP is looking for, this might be the best solution as well and depending on where they go, the least expensive option since many times the units can be rented for the maintenance fees or less.
 
My $0.02 worth...

DrSize said:
from what I have gathered RCI is the biggest exchange network and seems to have the most satisfied people due to number of resorts and user interface. So I want to own a resort that trades with RCI.

My next question is I want a strong trader and one with a lot of annual points. Not too sure where I should look for this?
Click to expand...

I'm not an "exchanger" and I greatly and openly dislike RCI, so feel free to take my input with a grain of salt....

Exchanging is a game with continually changing rules, escalating costs and uncertain inventory availability. Even die-hard RCI "cheerleaders" will acknowledge at least that much. With direct rentals having now become a clear priority for RCI (at the direct expense of reduced exchange inventory), as well as two RCI controlled companies (SnapTravel, Leisure Link) being devoted solely to the far more profitable enterprise of direct rentals, the exchanging picture and "availability" continues to change and will continue to do so. Some would regard that view as being a "negative" one; I regard it instead as an accurate observation of irrefutable fact.

In short, I suggest buying only where and when you would actually be content to visit if "exchange" fantasies don't pan out. Don't assume that you will simply be able to "exchange" into where you want to go, when you want to go there. That assumption could well lead to many disappointments. Just my personal viewpoint and opinion...
 
Most of the bigger timeshare systems work best when making reservations about a year in advance. If you decide to buy, then buying a fixed holiday week 51 or 52 would probably be best for you- you'll always be guaranteed a holiday vacation (if that's when you prefer to travel) and will have a strong trading week at most locations.

If you are ok with really making last minute plans- either during Flexchange in II (59 days or less before travel) or 45 days in RCI there are some amazing trades to be had. The plus side to this, at least in II, is that you don't need that super strong trader. Anything will do, and except for trading preferences (such as Marirott's and Starwood's, for example) all other restrictions are lifted. If you are interested in last minute trades, then post questions in the various subforums under the developer systems you might be interested in to learn how to make the best purchase for this purpose.

For example, if you are looking for Flexchange trades, the cheapest Marriott resale week (which can be purchased really cheap these days) will trade just as well as the most expensive holiday Maui week during this timeframe. This might be something that would work really well for you.

Oh- and if you join Tug, you can access the Sightings Board, which will give you an idea of some availability.
 
Be careful of buying week 51 for trading...

I've had two week 51s to trade with in demand locations (one Southwest Florida Gulf Coast beach, and one Austria GC ski resort) and they were both mediocre traders. I think most people stay home for Christmas, or visit relatives. Week 52 in a warm beach or ski location should be a dynamite trader (but I've never owned one so can't confirm).

TUGgers seem to be split down the middle on trading. Some think it's a dangerous crapshoot with constantly declining availability, rising fees, and shifting rules. Others have been trading happily for years and continue to get what they need by learning to play the systems.

I fall into the latter category: we rarely visit the timeshares we own and continue to get the trades we want through RCI and RCI Points. It has gotten more expensive over the years, but still less than a hotel. I do start searching usually two years in advance (10 months for Points).
 
DrSize said:
I do not plan on staying on my home resort too often but still plan to buy at a place that I would still go to quite often. Due to work the only real weeks we can travel are week 51 and 52, around week 13, and roughly weeks 28-32. That being said, the only weeks that we know for sure are 51 and 52 so we are unable to plan vacations to the other weeks any longer than maybe 4-6 months out...if that.
Click to expand...

Your vacation dates are very limited and seem to occur during peak family travel season.

I agree with Theo's comments below
theo said:
Exchanging is a game with continually changing rules, escalating costs and uncertain inventory availability.

In short, I suggest buying only where and when you would actually be content to visit if "exchange" fantasies don't pan out. Don't assume that you will simply be able to "exchange" into where you want to go, when you want to go there. That assumption could well lead to many disappointments. Just my personal viewpoint and opinion...
Click to expand...

When you get a chance read TUG's Timeshare 101 Lesson 3 on Exchanging (link) from the TUG advice board - http://www.tug2.net/tug_timeshare_advice.shtml. It will help with setting realistic timeshare exchange expectations.

Good Luck and Welcome to TUG :hi:
 
Thanks for the honest replies. I think with my circumstances it would be best to just rent (either hotel or TS if I can find one available for the right price and dates)

Thanks
 
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