RCI vs. SFX

[topcop400]

I recently secured an exchange to a one-bedroom unit at Gaslamp Plaza Suites for July of 2016. It cost me 51 TPU -- I knew it would be high, but I was still a little taken back by it.

So, it occurs to me that if I'm looking for that kind of exchange in the future, I'd be better off to deposit with SFX. Particularly if my deposit is going to get me 43 TPU.

 

[DeniseM]

The problem with SFX is that none of the major US resort systems do bulk space banking with them, so it really depends on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for Marriott, Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, DVC, etc., you should stick with the major exchange companies, because they bulk space bank with II or RCI.

 

[topcop400]

If you are looking for Marriott, Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, DVC, etc., you should stick with the major exchange companies, because they bulk space bank with II or RCI.

Need to keep that in mind. Thanks.

No 1-in-4 rule though. That's a plus -- especially for So. California coast, where GPR is king.

 

[presley]

I do know of a couple Tuggers who deposit their Gaslamp units with SFX. However, as Denise mentioned, it will really be luck of the draw if you are able to get a summer exchange at that resort within SFX just because the actual resort doesn't do bulk deposits there.

With that said, I've had about 90% success with SFX and about 0% success with RCI when looking for an exchange.

 

[DeniseM]

It really depends on what you are looking for - SFX seems to specialize in California and Mexico.

 

[jackio]

I placed a search for San Diego city several months in advance for this July and was not able to get it through SFX. Nor in RCI.
I ended up using my HIVC points and taking a hotel room.

 

[John Cummings]

The problem with SFX is that none of the major US resort systems do bulk space banking with them, so it really depends on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for Marriott, Starwood, Hilton, Hyatt, DVC, etc., you should stick with the major exchange companies, because they bulk space bank with II or RCI.

I have exchanged into Hilton several times as well as Marriott, and Starwood with SFX. No problem at all.

 

[John Cummings]

It really depends on what you are looking for - SFX seems to specialize in California and Mexico.

They are not limited to California and Mexico. They are good for Hawaii, NYC, and many other locales.

 

[John Cummings]

I do know of a couple Tuggers who deposit their Gaslamp units with SFX. However, as Denise mentioned, it will really be luck of the draw if you are able to get a summer exchange at that resort within SFX just because the actual resort doesn't do bulk deposits there.

With that said, I've had about 90% success with SFX and about 0% success with RCI when looking for an exchange.

I have been depositing my Gaslamp week with SFX for 20+ years.

I was a member of RCI and II prior to SFX. I canceled RCI because they lied to me and also could never get what I wanted. II was much better than RCI but I dropped them also because they couldn't get what I wanted, ie HGVC.

 

[skimble]

I have been depositing my Gaslamp week with SFX for 20+ years.

I was a member of RCI and II prior to SFX. I canceled RCI because they lied to me and also could never get what I wanted. II was much better than RCI but I dropped them also because they couldn't get what I wanted, ie HGVC.

Gaslamp and Sand Pebbles are two resorts that RCI overvalues. They will give about 50 TPU for a studio deposit. On the Weeks side, it's probably the best value out there.
Even though RCI tinkers with inventory, you can still make that kind of TPU work into some great exchanges. Despite RCI's misgivings, I'm surprised you are not taking advantage of this "thumbing the scale" with your Gaslamp week.

 

[John Cummings]

Gaslamp and Sand Pebbles are two resorts that RCI overvalues. They will give about 50 TPU for a studio deposit. On the Weeks side, it's probably the best value out there.
Even though RCI tinkers with inventory, you can still make that kind of TPU work into some great exchanges. Despite RCI's misgivings, I'm surprised you are not taking advantage of this "thumbing the scale" with your Gaslamp week.

The reason for the high TPU for a studio is because the mini suite upper floor is treated as a 1BR by RCI for exchange purposes even though technically it is a studio because it accommodates 4 people. That is why we bought it when the resort first opened several years ago.

Gaslamp does have a studio that is smaller and only accommodates 2 people.

Why would I want to use RCI, which I despise, when I get anything I want from SFX. I also don't have to pay a lot of the resort fees and deal with the restrictions that RCI has.