RCI: Can weeks exchange for points?

[jeffcarp]

I own 4 weeks that are all in the RCI weeks system. I am interested in Wyndham Old Town Alexandria, which in the resort directory says "RCI Points." Can I ever pull an exchange here, or is it off limits to me because I am not in the RCI points system?

If I can pull an exchange here technically, is there any chance of getting an exchange here during the summer months? Or is this a very tough resort to get into?

The weeks that I own are:

Orange Lake Country Club - West Village (2 bedroom)
French Ridge - Breckenridge (2 bedroom)
High Point World Resort (2 bedroom)
Ocean Sands Beach Club - New Smyrna Beach (2 bedroom)

Do I stand a better chance with any of those over another?

Any other resorts with train access to DC that I am missing, or is Wyndham Old Town it?

Thank you.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Points = Points.

If the timeshare you want to go to really is in the points system, then the points timeshare you use as trade bait is mox nix because it won't be your timeshare that's the trade bait, it'll be the points that are the trade bait. And as we all know from reading TUG-BBS, Points Are Points -- no matter whether they come from big fancypants timeshares or small humble timeshares or some mediocre timeshares in between.

The main problem with snagging Wyndham Old Town Alexandria is that there is practically zero availability in RCI, ever. I only know that from calling up RCI & asking on behalf of friends who were interested in going there as our Guest Certificate guests if we could get them a reservation. The RCI person said hardly anyone ever deposits Wyndham Old Town Alexandria with RCI. The person I was speaking with couldn't remember the last time there had ever been any RCI availability at Wyndham Old Town Alexandria.

So it seems to me trade power is not the issue -- even if trade power had anything to do with points-based exchanges, which it doesn't.

Once we made a weeks-based RCI exchange into HGVC Sea World, which was shown on the RCI web site as an RCI Points timeshare. Whether that was a mistake or a fluke or S.O.P. I do not know. It was a straight-weeks exchange & we did not yet belong to RCI Points.

People can & do make points-based exchanges all the time into RCI Weeks timeshares, a phenomenon known & beloved (or cursed, take your pick) as Raiding The Weeks Inventory.

I think there may be an RCI timeshare down around Fredericksburg VA somewhere. If so, there's a possibility it might be feasible to take Virginia Railway Express commuter trains into Washington DC.

Good luck.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Sandy VDH]

Since Alexandria is completely UDI points, Wyndham completely controls what if any inventory is deposited into either RCI points or weeks.

I have seen some RCI weeks inventory get deposited, I know because I booked a week. But it was all off season January, February timeframes.

I have never seen any spring summer or fall weeks, and it is very difficult to obtain via Wyndham directly, as there are very few units and it is very popular.

In late 2009 a new much larger resort is planned to be opened by Wyndham in the Washington area. Don't know if plans are changed or dates are changed but that was the last info from Wyndham. When that resort opens there may be an improved opportunity to obtain Alexandria or the new resort, WVR at National Harbor. But only marginally improved opportunity. It is supply and demand in Wyndham and Wyndham controls deposits into RCI.

You would have better luck obtaining this resort by renting from a Wyndham owner directly.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Since you are already obviously sold on timeshares, I would buy a number of points to use in Fairfield and get the week you want directly.

That could be my mindset, as a timeshare addict, and I don't want to get you as addicted as I am, but it is probably the only way you can get it. You would have to reserve what you want right at the ten-month mark. Good luck to you, and if you do it, buy more timeshare, don't blame me.

 

[UWSurfer]

I'm new to RCI points, but my impression is a resort which is listed as RCI points in all liklihood is also RCI weeks. That's been my observation of the few places I own which are in RCI.

 

[rickandcindy23]

This is a Fairfield resort, and just as Sandy said, it is hard to get a prime week as a Fairfield points owner, let alone through RCI weeks or points. The off-season stuff is going to be deposited, because Fairfield controls that.

The reason Fairfield shows all their resorts as RCI Points resorts is because they don't want to have anyone use the Fairfield resorts as PFD in RCI. If you know RCI points, you know the lingo. Basically, Cendant, RCI and Fairfield are closing any loopholes that savvy owners might figure out.

 

[lprstn]

I am a Wyndham owner and if I don't book there early than even I can forget staying a whole week. I usually book the place for incoming guest and its a hard reservation anytime after the 10 month timeframe.

The new resort Wynham is building in PG county will be delayed I read somewhere.