Trading History through RCI

[mash84121]

I've been thinking about joining RCI to exchange using Worldmark. I also own Marriott and have I have had a lot of success trading through II, but I'm interested in the options through RCI such as HGVC and Wyndham. But it seems like there is very little information on the availability in RCI. Looking at the sightings forum it is almost all II. I also looking on wmowners and it seems like most of the information is about II. So I am wondering what kind of trading history people have through RCI. How difficult is it to get trades to Hawaii or Marbisa or the Wyndhams in Washington DC? Is it worth getting an RCI account or am I better off just sticking with II?

I think more than anything I am interested to see what kind of trading history people have through RCI.

 

[Tahiya]

WM Trades well in RCI

We have used WM to trade in both RCI and II for about 10 years, with an average of 3-4 trades per year using ongoing searches. We get most of what we request in both systems. With RCI, just make sure you request far enough in advance to be near the front of the waitlist.

In RCI, we've traded into Hiltons and Wyndhams on the Big Island, always for March. For Kauai, we've used mostly II because we like their resorts better. I did have a request in once for Shearwater and it didn't come through. We liked WM Kihei, so don't exchange for Maui. We don't like the touristed parts of Oahu, so have no experience trading there, but some WM owners have gotten Aulani through RCI. Given that, I imagine getting something in Waikiki should be relatively easy.

We also have a few Wyndham points, so haven't tried to trade into the DC area. Also haven't tried to trade into Marbrisa. We go to San Diego occasionally for spring break and have gotten Coronado Beach Resort (a 1 in 4).

 

[presley]

There seems to always be a lot of Marbrisa in RCI. Some are not full weeks, but I don't think you'll have any issues getting an exchange there if you set up a request far enough ahead of time.

If you are looking at HGVC in Hawaii, you need to put in the ongoing request over a year in advance. They do bulk deposits about a year ahead of time. I'm inclined to say it will be an easy trade, but you'll want to include all the resorts for the areas you are looking at. For example, if you are looking for Oahu, request all of the resort codes there. If you are looking at Big Island, request all the resort codes there.

I don't know about Wyndham, but I'd assume they have lots of inventory in RCI since they own RCI.

If you are truly interested in exchanging for HGVC, joining RCI is a really good decision. Just remember to set up your search at least a year in advance. Requests can come through on shorter notice, but the bulk deposits are done about a year out.

 

[mash84121]

Thanks for the responses. I was hoping to get a few more responses with specific trade results and history. I'm still a little wary of joining RCI without being able to see what people have been able to trade into.

 

[sandkastle4966]

Regarding Wyndham - availability of Wyndham resorts is what is left at the 7-8 month mark after the owners have a shot at inventory.

If you are looking for Alexandria in Cherry blossoms or summer - you wont find it. Owners book it up early. Same for Myrtle beach summer.

Looking for less popular or overbuilt areas? yes, you will find availablility (Grand desert, Orlando, etc.)

 

[sue1947]

I own WM and trade via both RCI and II, but will probably drop RCI. I joined when RCI had a discount offer and I wanted to trade into some specific resorts. RCI's higher fees and costs has left me unwilling to use them to trade for areas with a similar or higher quality resorts via II. For example; why stay at MarBrisa for 10000 credits plus a higher exchange fee when I can get the Four Seasons for 6000 credits? I travel off season so the deposit first option in II works well for me. However, it really depends on which resorts and where. The resorts I wanted were all single options in hard to get locations and I've gotten all three.

I have stayed at a few Wyndhams and prefer the Marriotts and Westins. It really boils down to where and when you want. If RCI is the only game for those locations, then go for it.

Sue

 

[mash84121]

Regarding Wyndham - availability of Wyndham resorts is what is left at the 7-8 month mark after the owners have a shot at inventory.

If you are looking for Alexandria in Cherry blossoms or summer - you wont find it. Owners book it up early. Same for Myrtle beach summer.

Looking for less popular or overbuilt areas? yes, you will find availablility (Grand desert, Orlando, etc.)

How difficult is Alexandria or National Harbor in the summer to trade into? We are tied to school schedules but in the summer we have quite a bit of flexibility.

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks for the responses. I was hoping to get a few more responses with specific trade results and history. I'm still a little wary of joining RCI without being able to see what people have been able to trade into.

Use the search function on the TUG Sightings forum. You can search for prior sightings by RCI code or a name.

As stated above, you can trade into the Hiltons on Oahu and the Big Island. For the last few years they have been doing a yearly bulk deposit. As suggested it's best to setup an Ongoing Search Request (OGS). See these threads for examples of their bulk deposit weeks:
- http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178960
- http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1587919

Marbrisa is also not hard unless you're looking for summer months (June - Aug). I've seen more off season weeks for Wyndham National Harbor in Washington DC. I would still try using an OGS. What we see online are the leftovers (after all OGS have been satisfied).

Marbrisa - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225798&highlight=Marbrisa
Marbrisa - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214857&highlight=Marbrisa
National Harbor - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229834&highlight=C194
National Harbor - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224575&highlight=C194
National Harbor - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208663&highlight=C194

Good Luck

 

[tschwa2]

How difficult is Alexandria or National Harbor in the summer to trade into? We are tied to school schedules but in the summer we have quite a bit of flexibility.

Neither are likely to be available during the summer even with an ongoing search. Alexandria almost never appears any time of the year and National Harbor is an easy exchange only November-February and then only in advance or very last minute.