RCI or II

[pwgmn]

I recently purchased my first timeshare in the resale market (Sheraton Desert Oasis). The property is part of both RCI and II.

Please share your opinions of each company. Is there really a difference between the two?

 

[Beefnot]

This thread might be best served being moved to the Starwood forum, where Starwood owners can opine. But from what I've read, it is a no-brainer. II is the best place to exchange your SDO.

Queue DeniseM...

 

[sjsharkie]

II because it has Starwood priority. Read the stickies up top or search past threads for more info.

And I'm offering one a 1BR annual gold+ for free if you're interested in another one

 

[DeniseM]

With II, all Starwood deposits have first priority for all other Starwood deposits. With RCI, there is no Starwood priority, and the TPU (trading power units) is mediocre.

 

[pointsjunkie]

i happen to be in II and RCI and have gotten great trades with both.

went to disney with my SDo in RCI a few years ago. went to riviera maya this year and each time it was for a 2 br unit. and i have the small 1 br with RCI.

 

[Pmuppet]

I recently purchased my first timeshare in the resale market (Sheraton Desert Oasis). The property is part of both RCI and II.

Please share your opinions of each company. Is there really a difference between the two?

II, period. End of story.

 

[mnmrsjjp]

I agree with everyone that said II. Since RCI changed its system for weeks, you can hardly get anything through RCI. II is much better.

 

[levatino]

I will chime in here with a different opinion. When you trade through are RCI you have a larger pool of prospective resorts. I was able to use my Sheraton desert oasis unit and get three separate exchanges through RCI. I would not say that RCI is mediocre. Rather I think it is important to know what resort you are looking for, what the typical trading power is required for the resort, and to know if interval international would be a better bet for you.

RCI has a larger number of resorts in Europe for example. if you are able to travel in off season or shoulder season you can extend you're single deposit into many exchanges with RCI. Overall I think you need to think about what you are looking for and make your decision based on that. RCI and interval are each different have their own advantages and disadvantages and you need to think about what you are looking for before you make a deposit.

 

[Ridewithme38]

Without knowing the season you own or what size room( do you own a lockoff?), its hard to look up the trading power in RCI to compare....

But without that information....MY OPINION is, II is better if you want Starwood Priority, if you don't care about Starwood Priority, i would try RCI

 

[Ken555]

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but in general isn't it accurate to say that the majority of resorts in II are better/nicer/newer/insertadjectivehere than those in RCI? I know Hyatt (or is it Hilton?) is in RCI, but other than that which larger groups are in RCI? I thought most of RCI was older smaller resorts. In addition to the Starwood priority, this impression that I've had for years has been why I've stuck with II.

 

[Ridewithme38]

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but in general isn't it accurate to say that the majority of resorts in II are better/nicer/newer/insertadjectivehere than those in RCI? I know Hyatt (or is it Hilton?) is in RCI, but other than that which larger groups are in RCI? I thought most of RCI was older smaller resorts. In addition to the Starwood priority, this impression that I've had for years has been why I've stuck with II.

II Has:
2,500 + Resorts
Hyatt
Marriott
Starwood
Etc.

RCI Has:
4,000 + Resorts
Disney
Wyndham
Hilton
Starwood
Etc.

 

[Ken555]

II Has:
2,500 + Resorts
Hyatt
Marriott
Starwood
Etc.

RCI Has:
4,000 + Resorts
Disney
Wyndham
Hilton
Starwood
Etc.

1,500 bad resorts don't matter to me. It's quality, not quantity, that I want.

I don't consider Wyndham equal to Starwood or Marriott, but that's me. Similarly, I have no desire to go to Disney (when I'm in Orlando there are plenty of options, and staying on property doesn't really excite me, though I can see when it might).

Any Starwood resorts in RCI are also available in II (with priority for me, since I have only Starwood units at this time); no Starwood priority in RCI, right?

So, Hilton is the only exception. I could see getting one unit in RCI to trade for Hilton, but otherwise don't see the value.

Any others worth mentioning in RCI?

 

[Ridewithme38]

Any others worth mentioning in RCI?

Top 10 resorts in RCI, according to TUG:
http://tug2.com/RnR/ResortsGrid.aspx?TOP10=true&RCI=true

Top 10 resorts in II, according to TUG:
http://tug2.com/RnR/ResortsGrid.aspx?TOP10=true&II=true

The thing is II is sort of a 1 trick pony....with priority you'll find great stuff, but if you don't want to stay in your own system, all you'll see is crap...All you'll see is crap that no one would ever want to stay in.

With RCI, there is so much available that you can always find something good....Maybe not great, but there will always be something good.

But if all you care about is brand name, instead of actually staying in a nice place....RCI might not be for you

 

[Ken555]

But if all you care about is brand name, instead of actually staying in a nice place....RCI might not be for you

Actually, what I wrote was:

It's quality, not quantity, that I want.

I'm not against RCI by any means (don't read into my posts). I just have the impression that it has a huge number of mediocre resorts, with a few notable exceptions while II has consistently better resorts. This is the impression I have because it's what TUG members have posted for years. I have no personal experience with RCI.

FWIW, there are a bunch of Marriot's I don't like, either (especially the older ones).

 

[Ridewithme38]

I'm not against RCI by any means (don't read into my posts). I just have the impression that it has a huge number of mediocre resorts, with a few notable exceptions while II has consistently better resorts. This is the impression I have because it's what TUG members have posted for years. I have no personal experience with RCI.
.

But, thats the problem with II, on paper, it has better resorts....the problem is, those resorts are NEVER actually available, unless you have priority and even then, you have to wake up early and watch for sightings. People just don't deposit them and really, they systems themselves are tiny.

RCI resorts may not be 4 seasons or Marriott, but they are as nice as Hyatt and Starwood and they are ALWAYS available.

This is how i see it, I'd rather get a seat at a 4 star restaurant right away, instead of possibly never being able to be seated at a 5 star restaurant....I'm not talking McDonald's or the outback here when i mention 4 stars(those are no star IMO), Both exchange companies have those...the average person won't notice the difference between a 4 & 5 star restaurant and the different between the quality of RCI resorts and II resorts, you won't notice either

 

[Sloane S]

The thing is II is sort of a 1 trick pony....with priority you'll find great stuff, but if you don't want to stay in your own system, all you'll see is crap...All you'll see is crap that no one would ever want to stay in.

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. I exchanged a Starwood into Marriott Manor Club last summer in a great unit in the Berkely building. I exchanged a *wood into what looks to be a very nice Royal Resort in Cancun for next June. I'm exchanging from *wood into Falcon Point in Avon next month, and it too looks very nice. That's 3 for 3 on out-of-system II exchanges.

 

[Ridewithme38]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. I exchanged a Starwood into Marriott Manor Club last summer in a great unit in the Berkely building. I exchanged a *wood into what looks to be a very nice Royal Resort in Cancun for next June. I'm exchanging from *wood into Falcon Point in Avon next month, and it too looks very nice. That's 3 for 3 on out-of-system II exchanges.

Williamsburg and Cancun are pretty prevalent in RCI too and you're going to Colorado in June?

 

[Ken555]

But, thats the problem with II, on paper, it has better resorts....the problem is, those resorts are NEVER actually available, unless you have priority and even then, you have to wake up early and watch for sightings. People just don't deposit them and really, they systems themselves are tiny.

RCI resorts may not be 4 seasons or Marriott, but they are as nice as Hyatt and Starwood and they are ALWAYS available.

This is how i see it, I'd rather get a seat at a 4 star restaurant right away, instead of possibly never being able to be seated at a 5 star restaurant....I'm not talking McDonald's or the outback here when i mention 4 stars(those are no star IMO), Both exchange companies have those...the average person won't notice the difference between a 4 & 5 star restaurant and the different between the quality of RCI resorts and II resorts, you won't notice either

I'm really pleased to learn that there is always availability in RCI. I've stayed at one or two resorts over the years that are in RCI and I wasn't happy with them at all. Yes, they were (relatively) clean and nice enough - acceptable, in other words. But they didn't make me feel as comfortable as a Westin or Marriott, and that's the type of accommodation I want. I'm also not alone, since lots of people buy those resorts since that's the caliber of accommodations they want when they travel. I don't want to just be satisfied, I want to be pleased and happy with the stay.

I just checked my spreadsheet, and since late 2006 I've reserved 37 weeks with II (which include getaway and xyz's). In summary this includes:

Four Seasons Scottsdale: 1-bed (the absolute hands-down best timeshare I've ever stayed at)
Grant Timber Lodge: 2, 3-bed's and 1, 2-bed
Harborside at Atlantis: 2, 2-beds and 1, 1-bed
Marriott Canyon Villas: 2-bed
Marriott Desert Springs II: 2-bed
Marriott Grand Chateau: 1, 2-bed and 2, 1-beds
Marriott Timber Lodge: 3, 2-beds
Marriott Grande Vista: 1-bed
Marriott Shadow Ridge: 2-bed
Marriott Shadow Ridge Enclaves: 1-bed
The Villas at Polo Towers: Studio & 1-bed (xyz, and not the best)
Westin Ka'anapali (South): 3, 1-bed and 2, 2-bed
Westin Ka'anapali (North): 1, studio and 2, 1-beds and 4, 2-beds
Westin Mission Hills: 2, 1-beds and 1, premium 1-bed
Westin Princeville: 2-bed
Welk Resorts Mountain Villas, Escondido: 1-bed (xyz, and I will never return)

Yes, my watching the sightings board on TUG may help my ability to trade into these resorts, but such is part of the game of timesharing. Overall, I'm really quite happy with II.

 

[momeason]

Top 10 resorts in RCI, according to TUG:
http://tug2.com/RnR/ResortsGrid.aspx?TOP10=true&RCI=true

Top 10 resorts in II, according to TUG:
http://tug2.com/RnR/ResortsGrid.aspx?TOP10=true&II=true

The thing is II is sort of a 1 trick pony....with priority you'll find great stuff, but if you don't want to stay in your own system, all you'll see is crap...All you'll see is crap that no one would ever want to stay in.

With RCI, there is so much available that you can always find something good....Maybe not great, but there will always be something good.

But if all you care about is brand name, instead of actually staying in a nice place....RCI might not be for you

I exchange into quality II resorts always and I was using a Wyndham unit with lesser trading value. I own SDO now. If you request first or do Flexchange and travel in shoulder season, you can get lots of great trades. Add in Starwood priority and the ability to trade up on available inventory..ie 2 bd for a one bd unit and II is for me. If you only travel peak and/or do not request first or use Flextime then I do not know the correct answer. Sometimes I wait a long time for a trade...ie up to 2 years but I always request with some units and keep at least one to do flex with. I still travel while I wait and eventually my request is always filled. I am 100% when I wait them out. Request very early and give multiple dates.
Most of the timeI trade into Marriott.

 

[Ridewithme38]

Maybe that is the difference, when i want to book a vacation, i'd like to be able to book it right away and where i'd want to go, i've never used a "request first", although i may have to for my 2016 hawaii trip, but other then that, you don't need to bother with RCI.....With RCI there is always a more then acceptable resort available where and when i want to go....I also have a daughter in school, so ONLY travel during high demand times...I would never even think of going anywhere during shoulder or off season, whats the point?

I exchange into quality II resorts always and I was using a Wyndham unit with lesser trading value. I own SDO now. If you request first or do Flexchange and travel in shoulder season, you can get lots of great trades. Add in Starwood priority and the ability to trade up on available inventory..ie 2 bd for a one bd unit and II is for me. If you only travel peak and/or do not request first or use Flextime then I do not know the correct answer. Sometimes I wait a long time for a trade...ie up to 2 years but I always request with some units and keep at least one to do flex with. I still travel while I wait and eventually my request is always filled. I am 100% when I wait them out. Request very early and give multiple dates.
Most of the timeI trade into Marriott.

 

[Ken555]

Maybe that is the difference, when i want to book a vacation, i'd like to be able to book it right away and where i'd want to go, i've never used a "request first", although i may have to for my 2016 hawaii trip, but other then that, you don't need to bother with RCI.....With RCI there is always a more then acceptable resort available where and when i want to go....I also have a daughter in school, so ONLY travel during high demand times...I would never even think of going anywhere during shoulder or off season, whats the point?

Seems like RCI is good for your needs. II works for me. I won't travel during school holidays, since I don't want to deal with a full resort.

Still, your earlier quote definitely isn't accurate at all:

the problem is, those resorts are NEVER actually available, unless you have priority and even then, you have to wake up early and watch for sightings. People just don't deposit them and really, they systems themselves are tiny.

 

[Beefnot]

But, thats the problem with II, on paper, it has better resorts....the problem is, those resorts are NEVER actually available, unless you have priority and even then, you have to wake up early and watch for sightings. People just don't deposit them and really, they systems themselves are tiny.

This is false.

 

[Sloane S]

Williamsburg and Cancun are pretty prevalent in RCI too and you're going to Colorado in June?

I was only trying to illustrate my point that you can trade outside of the home system into really nice resorts. There are plenty of those two in RCI, but not at the same level of quality. The original phase of Manor Club is superb.

As to Colorado in June, I'm guessing you're asking because most people only associate it with skiing. With a wife that's a teacher, and two kids in school we are locked in to summer vacations. We try to take the kids somewhere new each year, and they've never been to Colorado. None of us are skiers, but horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hiking are all right up our alley. Colorado is beautiful in the summer.

 

[DeniseM]

With both RCI and II, the online inventory is the "leftovers." Ongoing requests are filled first with BOTH systems. If you aren't willing to take 5 min. to put in an ongoing request, that's OK - it just leave more prime weeks for those of us who know how the system works...

 

[Ridewithme38]

As to Colorado in June, I'm guessing you're asking because most people only associate it with skiing. With a wife that's a teacher, and two kids in school we are locked in to summer vacations. We try to take the kids somewhere new each year, and they've never been to Colorado. None of us are skiers, but horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hiking are all right up our alley. Colorado is beautiful in the summer.

Yup, thats why i asked, i had only associated Colorado with skiing(and a recent fundamental change in state vs. federal rights, but thats too political for here)

I had no idea there was so much more to it, no idea Colorado was beautiful in the summer, i was considering a trip to Colorado in February 2014, but I may reconsider the summer, or even spring of 2014 after hearing this.