RCI or switch to II?

[dixie]

We own at the Galleon resort in Key West. They are affiliated with both RCI and II. We have been members of RCI for 25 years. Any opinions on the advantage/ disadvantages of switching?

I am considering this, because a resort I would like to go to next summer is with II.
Thanks for any info!

 

[Keep Traveling]

What's the resort

Or do a direct trade

 

[dixie]

Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch. I have listed it in the "exchange" on Marketplace. I am pretty sure my KW penthouse is worth more than this inland Texas resort.

Does anyone think II is just as good or better than RCI?

 

[timeos2]

Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch. I have listed it in the "exchange" on Marketplace. I am pretty sure my KW penthouse is worth more than this inland Texas resort.

Does anyone think II is just as good or better than RCI?

II has greatly improved in the past few years. But they still don't have the volume or number of resorts RCI has.

Is the resort you desire in both? If so I'd stay with RCI as paying for a membership in II on the chance that the specific resort/date would be available is a very long shot.

In this case you may be better off with a direct exchange with another owner or a rental if that is the ONLY resort you want. There just isn't any guarantee with either exchange that THE resort/dates you want will be available while a direct trade/rental does guarantee you'll get the exact resort/dates you desire.

If you want to risk it and the resort is only in II then you can look for a rental with them or go ahead and pay to join II and pay for an exchange fee on the chance you'll get that resort in trade. Personally that is too many variables for me to take the chance on such a trade.

 

[DeniseM]

I don't think one is better than the other, but they are different systems with different inventory.

If the resort that you want to go to is only with II, then staying with RCI won't help you.

Another option is to rent your week and use the money to rent the exact week you want from another owner.

 

[Egret1986]

This is the best advice if you really want a specific resort for specific dates

Another option is to rent your week and use the money to rent the exact week you want from another owner.

dixie, I have also been a member of RCI for 25+ years. Many times I have questioned whether I should become a II member since I own several timeshares that only exchange with II. These timeshares are prime weeks at high demand resorts. I find it's more beneficial for me to rent these weeks rather than depositing them with RCI or any other exchange company. I can then use those funds to rent something where and when I want/need to go.

 

[dixie]

Yes, that is probably what we will end up doing.Thanks

 

[funtime]

I have seen and posted on tug sighting board off season weeks to Hyatt Wild Oak. All Hyatt's are top of the line and San Antonio is the most tourist friendly of the Texas towns in my view. Not sure if you could snag a high demand summer week. However, I think not enough people "change up" their timesharing experience and fall into a rut. 25 years with RCI is a rut. I would change out from RCI to II as that opens up a whole different set of resorts to exchange into and if it is off season there usually is fairly good inventory on their internet site as well. I belong to both and like II much better. Funtime

 

[lprstn]

I own both RCI and II resorts, but I use RCI much, much more than II. I seem to get more of what I want at RCI.

 

[pkyorkbeach]

When I asked about II and RCI the one main post that Tugers were stating was the inventory was very different. So I worked on where next does the family want to vacation. After deciding on this I again went to II and RCI. II had very little to offer in the area chosen. RCI had more of a selection.

So I guess if you decide where you would like to go that would help you decide.

Pam

 

[jdunn1]

It's really hard in II to get prime weeks. You can get off season weeks fairly easily and those weeks can be in ultra prime resorts such as Marriott and Hyatt but it is really hard to get the prime weeks. II has preference periods, which you can't get around. Marriott owners get first crack at the best Marriott weeks and Hyatt owners get the first crack at those weeks and Westin/Starwood get first crack at those weeks. As a result the best weeks are simpley never available to outsiders. Since you do not own a Marriott or Hyatt or Satarwood/Westin week, I would stay in RCI. You can try II, but I think you will always be on the outside looking in.

I own both Worldmark and Marriott weeks. My Marriott week can pull some amazing trades. My Worldmark week can't pull anything for prime season, at least not at a Marriott or Hyatt or Starwood resort.

RCI doesn't really have preferences, like II does. It is much easier in RCI to get a prime exchange than in II. Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[Egret1986]

Very good information to share with non-II members considering a switch

It's really hard in II to get prime weeks. You can get off season weeks fairly easily and those weeks can be in ultra prime resorts such as Marriott and Hyatt but it is really hard to get the prime weeks. II has preference periods, which you can't get around. Marriott owners get first crack at the best Marriott weeks and Hyatt owners get the first crack at those weeks and Westin/Starwood get first crack at those weeks. As a result the best weeks are simpley never available to outsiders. Since you do not own a Marriott or Hyatt or Satarwood/Westin week, I would stay in RCI. You can try II, but I think you will always be on the outside looking in.

I own both Worldmark and Marriott weeks. My Marriott week can pull some amazing trades. My Worldmark week can't pull anything for prime season, at least not at a Marriott or Hyatt or Starwood resort.

RCI doesn't really have preferences, like II does. It is much easier in RCI to get a prime exchange than in II. Hope that helps and good luck.

Never stayed in a Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood or Westin timeshares. Still wonder how different these properties are compared to highly-reviewed, gold crown properties we've exchanged into through RCI. Ignorance can be bliss, maybe. Based on your info, since we are not owners of any hotel-brand timeshares, the choice to stick with RCI all these years was probably the best decision.

 

[lprstn]

The Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood or Westin timeshares offer better amenities in some cases - all the fixings of an upscale hotel - but large rooms like a nicely appointed timeshare. That's why people love them so much. Room service, cleaning, tons of pools, restaurants or clubs onsite - even casinos in some cases.

 

[timeos2]

Membership yes - ownership now limited to a couple base weeks

The Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood or Westin timeshares offer better amenities in some cases - all the fixings of an upscale hotel - but large rooms like a nicely appointed timeshare. That's why people love them so much. Room service, cleaning, tons of pools, restaurants or clubs onsite - even casinos in some cases.

But as far as how do they compare to the high end - Gold Crown resorts (name or non-name) in RCI? They tend to be more generic and perhaps even a step downward in many cases - a few, and we're talking only a handful of truly special locations - may be better than the "standard" Gold Crown level if there is such a beast.

Overall both groups have some outstanding resorts, many middle of the road and some truly bad locations. II, if there is a pattern to it all, tends to have some REALLY nice resorts but, as mentioned in a prior post, unless you already own a brand name & higher end location of that brand it is highly unlikely you'd ever get a trade in to one of those except seriously off season times. II also tends to have far too many lesser resorts - basically mostly off season times at all resorts - with not as many in the middle range. RCI also has some top line resorts but seems to give all trades access - after their own rentals, of course! But if it slips by renting into the exchange pool you get a fair shot at it. Also they have far more "middle" type locations, not as many hotel conversions it seems and they regularly offer (much to the chagrin of many owners) deeply discounted rentals to even some very good resorts & use times.

Overall we've found exchanging to either group has become far too costly. It is what our annual fees USED to be not that long ago to get a trade. We now feel the value is in renting without actually trading so we reduced our holdings to two favorites under owner control (down from 8+ week in the past) and rent whatever we used to try to get through trade. It works much better as you have far more control over what/when you get and the cost is far lower than owning, paying annual fee, II/RCI memberships & the cost of exchange fees. Get a week or two as your way into the exchange services & then just work the extremely valuable rental offers is my advice.