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).