Liking RCI more than II lately

[jackio]

I use both RCI and II, but II is generally my go-to. I don't search in RCI very often.
I had a lot of TPU's accumulated in RCI, especially since we didn't travel during the pandemic, and lately I have been finding a lot of good exchanges in RCI.
Last August we spent a week at Club Wyndham National Harbor, which was very nice.
Coming up in 2024 I have Grand Waikkian in October (to hook onto the week we own there at Hawaiian Sun Holidays, for 2 weeks), and in 2025 I have Sheraton Desert Oasis in March for Spring Training, and Vistana Beach Club in November.
I think I will check RCI more often!

 

[rapmarks]

Membership expires end of may. Too much doctoring last few years and I extended membership and tpus too many times. I can’t find anything nearby and looks like 55 tpus will die on the vine

 

[GrayFal]

I use both RCI and II, but II is generally my go-to. I don't search in RCI very often.
I had a lot of TPU's accumulated in RCI, especially since we didn't travel during the pandemic, and lately I have been finding a lot of good exchanges in RCI.
Last August we spent a week at Club Wyndham National Harbor, which was very nice.
Coming up in 2024 I have Grand Waikkian in October (to hook onto the week we own there at Hawaiian Sun Holidays, for 2 weeks), and in 2025 I have Sheraton Desert Oasis in March for Spring Training, and Vistana Beach Club in November.
I think I will check RCI more often!

I saw this earlier but wanted to comment
You really have done well with your RCI membership.
I am using my almost last TPUs next month but you are having me rethink that!

 

[peperryvt]

Membership expires end of may. Too much doctoring last few years and I extended membership and tpus too many times. I can’t find anything nearby and looks like 55 tpus will die on the vine

You can transfer an RCI account to a new owner for $98. 55 TPUs should be worth something depending on how soon they expire and how many blocks they are in. There aren't a lot of units where you can get TPUs for less than $20 each. I'm not sure the best way to find a buyer though. If you're willing to see the points go to someone who would use them for free rather than just giving them back to RCI maybe you could list on the free timeshare forum and just ask for new owner to pay the transfer fee. It would be great for anyone just getting into timesharing with a free unit off TUG.

 

[Lskip]

I have been considering signing up w RCi with a couple of my non-Marriott/non-Vistana weeks. They are Whistler ski weeks so should have pretty good TPU. I'm just not sure if one or two weeks warrants the member fees.

Can anyone who does trade there tell me how difficult or easy it is to trade in to Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo (not the Hyatt one!). My family loves going there!

 

[peperryvt]

I have been considering signing up w RCi with a couple of my non-Marriott/non-Vistana weeks. They are Whistler ski weeks so should have pretty good TPU. I'm just not sure if one or two weeks warrants the member fees.

Can anyone who does trade there tell me how difficult or easy it is to trade in to Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo (not the Hyatt one!). My family loves going there!

Hacienda Del Mar has a 182 2BR units currently available starting 1/4/25 thru 12/29/25. There are 171 1BR units available starting 4/6/24-12/29/25. It looks like there are units available almost every week until the end of next year. The TPU range for these is 14-40.

 

[GrayFal]

I have been considering signing up w RCi with a couple of my non-Marriott/non-Vistana weeks. They are Whistler ski weeks so should have pretty good TPU. I'm just not sure if one or two weeks warrants the member fees.

Can anyone who does trade there tell me how difficult or easy it is to trade in to Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo (not the Hyatt one!). My family loves going there!

If you tell @peperryvt what week and size unit and the actual resort name e he can also using the calculator on RCI tell you how many ZAPU's you would likely get for your ownership.

 

[ladycody]

Can anyone who does trade there tell me how difficult or easy it is to trade in to Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo (not the Hyatt one!). My family loves going there!

I got a 3br and a 2br for next March..
And I've never had an issue getting what I want...but there is a 1 in 4 rule in place.

 

[rapmarks]

I saw this earlier but wanted to comment
You really have done well with your RCI membership.
I am using my almost last TPUs next month but you are having me rethink that!

I would like your opinion. My RCI will expire in May. I only have my UDI left at Christmas Mountain. Would a couple years with II be worthwhile. Would I be able to get the availability that I see posted many times, mainly in Sweden Florida

 

[jackio]

My So Cal studio has lost a lot of trade power in II this past year, and RCI gives me 46 TPU for it (MF $500) so RCI got my 2025 week.

 

[jackio]

I exchanged for a week in a 1BR at The District in Washington DC during my grandkids‘ spring break. RCI has been coming through for me.

 

[jp10558]

I can't speak to exchanges in RCI (mostly because I'm only it it via Wyndham and HGVC which I think kind of fix / gimp trading power) but so far for cash stays RCI is hands down more available, cheaper, and better locations. (Granted, my one II getaway was a disaster - see my youtube and posts here about that, and I'm trying another beginning of December so hope it was a one off)

That said, I just had a bit of a change of plans for a trip in March 2025 and again RCI just has way more options in the cash stays. II had mostly hotels. I'm really hoping II trades come through for me (luckily I so far have just one Fox Run for that, and I guess I can convert it to RCI if II just flops hard for me) in 2026 but so far I continue to not see the TUG love for II. I do hope to be proven wrong, but it's possible for a type of user like me - II doesn't make any real sense.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I can't speak to exchanges in RCI (mostly because I'm only it it via Wyndham and HGVC which I think kind of fix / gimp trading power) but so far for cash stays RCI is hands down more available, cheaper, and better locations. (Granted, my one II getaway was a disaster - see my youtube and posts here about that, and I'm trying another beginning of December so hope it was a one off)

That said, I just had a bit of a change of plans for a trip in March 2025 and again RCI just has way more options in the cash stays. II had mostly hotels. I'm really hoping II trades come through for me (luckily I so far have just one Fox Run for that, and I guess I can convert it to RCI if II just flops hard for me) in 2026 but so far I continue to not see the TUG love for II. I do hope to be proven wrong, but it's possible for a type of user like me - II doesn't make any real sense.

Where do you want to go with II with your Foxrun? RCI only gives about 25 points for a Foxrun week, even a great week, so keep that in mind.

Since we have a week at Grand Palms, 3 bed lockoff, and the fees are $1,248, and we get about 64 points for that MF. Foxrun is not great in RCI. Just needed to clarify.

Anything you can get Marriott/ Sheraton/ Vistana/ Hyatt/Disney is going to be a valuable exchange for Foxrun.

 

[jp10558]

Where do you want to go with II with your Foxrun? RCI only gives about 25 points for a Foxrun week, even a great week, so keep that in mind.

Since we have a week at Grand Palms, 3 bed lockoff, and the fees are $1,248, and we get about 64 points for that MF. Foxrun is not great in RCI. Just needed to clarify.

Anything you can get Marriott/ Sheraton/ Vistana/ Hyatt/Disney is going to be a valuable exchange for Foxrun.

Good to know. Well, I plan on trying II exchanges at least once, probably for a while - just have to wait a bit and see if it matches.

 

[krj9999]

My biggest challenge with RCI is the fees. Combine, extend, high exchange cost, and some resorts now have resort fees on top. Plus I feel like they are giving me too few TPU for my week that I generally deposit, even if a small, mediocre resort (August week by beach in Delaware). I had better trading power back in the pre-TPU days. And might actually use that week myself in 2025 (haven't deposited yet).

All that said, RCI availability is generally better than II - even if there are serious inequities in the system. I was recently able to book at 2BR at the Bay Club (Waikoloa) for mid-July 2025 (42 TPU); and there is availability currently in Myrtle Beach in July currently.

 

[iftravel]

My biggest challenge with RCI is the fees. Combine, extend, high exchange cost, and some resorts now have resort fees on top. Plus I feel like they are giving me too few TPU for my week that I generally deposit, even if a small, mediocre resort (August week by beach in Delaware). I had better trading power back in the pre-TPU days. And might actually use that week myself in 2025 (haven't deposited yet).

All that said, RCI availability is generally better than II - even if there are serious inequities in the system. I was recently able to book at 2BR at the Bay Club (Waikoloa) for mid-July 2025 (42 TPU); and there is availability currently in Myrtle Beach in July currently.

RCI has a lot to offer including big cities like DC and NYC. I have issue with its high exchange fees and cancellation policy. Very reluctant to book far in advance even I see plenty of inventory for the resorts I like. I think you generally lose everything, exchange fees + points, if you need to cancel. II is more flexible in rebooking (one fee for 3 retrades).

 

[heathpack]

So interesting. I’ve been an II girl since I started timesharing but right now my plan is to use up my remaining weeks and drop my II accounts.

My Hyatt II account will go away after my deed back is complete, and then my remaining Hyatt deposits will be moved to my personal account. The only other week I have in that account is my EOY Barony Beach week. Since this unit is not a lock off, Id have the account to maybe make one trade every other year. And the intention is to actually use the Barony week. It makes more sense for me to just rent the week in the occasional years I don’t use it, and use the cash to vacation elsewhere vs maintain an II account.

I will still have II accounts for my DVC (which there’s zero chance of me ever depositing into II) and my enrolled EOY Mountainside week (which I will likely lock off and use for Marriott exchanges)- so I’m not 100% done with II. But I’ll be going from a very heavy user to a very light user.

I think II has become most useful and valuable for Marriott and Vistana owners at this point. Even if you own really nice resorts, they are very devalued in II compared to Marriotts. So I can see more non Marriott owners opting out of II over time. It’s a shame- we all lose in this scenario and the basic premise of an exchange company (you can go anywhere!) is undermined. Unless you want to “go anywhere” using your expensive timeshare to a lower quality resort you could rent way cheaper when you consider you MF + II membership + exchange fees + junk resort fees + retrade fees + upgrade fees!

 

[jackio]

RCI has a lot to offer including big cities like DC and NYC. I have issue with its high exchange fees and cancellation policy. Very reluctant to book far in advance even I see plenty of inventory for the resorts I like. I think you generally lose everything, exchange fees + points, if you need to cancel. II is more flexible in rebooking (one fee for 3 retrades).

I agree about the cancellation policy. If they only instituted an E-plus system!

 

[iftravel]

I agree about the cancellation policy. If they only instituted an E-plus system!

the flip side is RCI has a ton of last minue deals, likely for the same reason people hate the inflexibility. I will mainly use it for that. lol.

 

[jp10558]

So interesting. I’ve been an II girl since I started timesharing but right now my plan is to use up my remaining weeks and drop my II accounts.

My Hyatt II account will go away after my deed back is complete, and then my remaining Hyatt deposits will be moved to my personal account. The only other week I have in that account is my EOY Barony Beach week. Since this unit is not a lock off, Id have the account to maybe make one trade every other year. And the intention is to actually use the Barony week. It makes more sense for me to just rent the week in the occasional years I don’t use it, and use the cash to vacation elsewhere vs maintain an II account.

I will still have II accounts for my DVC (which there’s zero chance of me ever depositing into II) and my enrolled EOY Mountainside week (which I will likely lock off and use for Marriott exchanges)- so I’m not 100% done with II. But I’ll be going from a very heavy user to a very light user.

I think II has become most useful and valuable for Marriott and Vistana owners at this point. Even if you own really nice resorts, they are very devalued in II compared to Marriotts. So I can see more non Marriott owners opting out of II over time. It’s a shame- we all lose in this scenario and the basic premise of an exchange company (you can go anywhere!) is undermined. Unless you want to “go anywhere” using your expensive timeshare to a lower quality resort you could rent way cheaper when you consider you MF + II membership + exchange fees + junk resort fees + retrade fees + upgrade fees!

I swear it seems like as soon as I decide to try something I start to see people bailing on it lol. Late to the party maybe. Anyway I hope I don't end up with 2 timeshares I can't use very well via II that I literally just got one and am working on the second. At least I can see using them each one time so would push out having to try and divest a year or 3. I'm kind of hoping I can use II to trade into Marriotts on Hilton Head sometime early in the year, maybe March or so. IDK, It'll be real trial and error. If I can, that'll be a great use IMHO for II. If not, I'll have to see if I can get any reasonable trades being non Marriott.

 

[heathpack]

I swear it seems like as soon as I decide to try something I start to see people bailing on it lol. Late to the party maybe. Anyway I hope I don't end up with 2 timeshares I can't use very well via II that I literally just got one and am working on the second. At least I can see using them each one time so would push out having to try and divest a year or 3. I'm kind of hoping I can use II to trade into Marriotts on Hilton Head sometime early in the year, maybe March or so. IDK, It'll be real trial and error. If I can, that'll be a great use IMHO for II. If not, I'll have to see if I can get any reasonable trades being non Marriott.

I have been able to book Hilton Head in late summer with Hyatt in the past. This year with no notice, Hyatt (owned by Marriott who also owns II) points charts for II trading were devalued. I had just sold my annual Hyatt week and still owned my EOY week. This resulted in me being stuck with weeks that in order to use, I would have needed to add more Hyatt points. But my specific circumstance (having sold the annual week), it was not possible for me to add any points for 18 months. Both Hyatt and II replied “screw you” (literally Hyatt was rude and II was dismissive) when I requested that they relent as a one time thing due to my odd circumstance. Based on this response, I came to realize that Hyatt was now something of a second class entity in the eyes of its new owner, Marriott, and by extension in II. I decided it was time to leave both. However, had I stuck it out, I’d have been able to add more points to my deposits in the future and likely “see” Marriotts again.

Kind of a long explanation but I wanted you to understand that things were particularly bad for me in II due to a unique situation. Your results may vary. However, I do think anything non-Abound (Marriott or Vistana) is going to have an increasingly tough time trading in II. IMO Abound/II will be manipulating value of all non-Abound properties in an effort to drive sales of their points system. It’s in their interests to make it hard to trade into Abound so that you give up and buy from them. Hyatt‘s II devaluation served a second goal of either trying to force you buy their ridiculously bad Portfolio points product, or to force you to trade internally in HVC to increase inventory that is accessible to the Portfolio owner. So I see so many reasons for things to get worse for Hyatt owners and no reason for it to get better. You will likely have a different take on II trading if you read the Marriott and Vistana forums- some grumbling but basically still satisfied customers.

In the end, I saw the writing on the wall. The value in trading will be squeezed over time in an attempt to get me to buy something more expensive. Marriott now holds most of the cards and I’m never going to buy their points so time for me to bail. Again- this is just one person’s perspective, and of course I could be wrong.

 

[escanoe]

Your results may vary. However, I do think anything non-Abound (Marriott or Vistana) is going to have an increasingly tough time trading in II. IMO Abound/II will be manipulating value of all non-Abound properties in an effort to drive sales of their points system. It’s in their interests to make it hard to trade into Abound so that you give up and buy from them. Hyatt‘s II devaluation served a second goal of either trying to force you buy their ridiculously bad ….

In a place where there were options and choices on what to use as an exchange system, they would not be able to do this. I am hoping over time we have more options on places to exchange.

When I buy a timeshare now, my preference is to buy something that can be traded in II or RCI and where the developer/board is also open to it being traded somewhere else. I also think II treats these places (like CWQ — the Colonies Williamsburg) good because they know you will trade somewhere else if they don’t.