Using RCI for 52 Weeks

[Benhall]

Hi, I am very new to the Timeshare world and have a question. The resort where we bought our timeshare has told us that we have unlimited access to the Last Call and Extra Vacations through RCI.

My job is very flexible and allows me to be mobile. Our children homeschool. And we currently rent our home and are coming to the end of the lease. I am considering selling a lot of personal possessions and storing the rest. Then go on the road with my family for a full year.

It looks to me that if I am flexible on destinations and dates that I should be able to stay in resorts using Last Call and Extra Vacations for $300 - $500 per week. My family could travel the country for less than I am currently paying for housing. When we are done we could settle down wherever we want.

Are there any unforeseen issues that I am missing? Are the deals that I am currently seeing available throughout the year? Is the use of these really unlimited?

Thanks for your input.

 

[DeniseM]

There are two Tuggers who live in timeshares full-time, and they both have blogs - I will find the links.

Mike & Edie: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192761&highlight=full+time+timesharing

www.fulltimetimeshare.com

Ron and Joan: http://ronandjoanjourney.blogspot.com

 

[ronparise]

Hi, I am very new to the Timeshare world and have a question. The resort where we bought our timeshare has told us that we have unlimited access to the Last Call and Extra Vacations through RCI.

My job is very flexible and allows me to be mobile. Our children homeschool. And we currently rent our home and are coming to the end of the lease. I am considering selling a lot of personal possessions and storing the rest. Then go on the road with my family for a full year.

It looks to me that if I am flexible on destinations and dates that I should be able to stay in resorts using Last Call and Extra Vacations for $300 - $500 per week. My family could travel the country for less than I am currently paying for housing. When we are done we could settle down wherever we want.

Are there any unforeseen issues that I am missing? Are the deals that I am currently seeing available throughout the year? Is the use of these really unlimited?

Thanks for your input.

The problem as a I see it is the constant moving. and the risk not finding something available. or perhaps a Fri check out and Saturday check in... I can see it for an individual or perhaps a couple. but I cant imagine doing it with kids.

if you do it, I look forward to following your blog...and the kid's.

 

[lprstn]

This is totally doable! But, to alleviate the issue with constant moving, having a trailer may assist greatly with that. One that you can park at most resorts. Or get one of those conversion vans so the kids can be comfortable. You can always rent out your home and when you are ready, there will be an easy transition back to it.

Research the other tuggers, set up a plan, then go for it. Just that with kids you want to have a back up plan since nothing is promised and you want to have a home you can settle back into.

 

[Canuck40]

Hi! As long as you have paid the RCI fees for the year ahead, yes, you can use last call & extra vacations. Depending on your home resort, you would likely have to pay the yearly maintenance fee also. We have used those two reservation methods for up to 3 months in a year....

 

[theo]

<snip>...to alleviate the issue with constant moving, having a trailer may assist greatly with that. One that you can park at most resorts. <snip>

Fwiw, at none of the timeshares where we own (or have owned or have stayed in the past) would a separate trailer be allowed to be parked on the premises.
That would be zero out of about 20 or so different facilities; not very good odds. Parking is often at a premium and many resorts allow for / permit only a single vehicle space per unit.

This trailer idea is certainly great in concept, but in the actual reality of Planet Timeshare --- not so much.
Available / allowed parking for a separate trailer for 52 different weeks at who knows how many different facilities realistically just ain't ever gonna happen.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Another poster with a family was staying in timeshares MOST of the year with their children ... they homeschooled also and they could work wherever they where ...

That poster is not active now ......

 

[Maple_Leaf]

Branson?

My job is very flexible and allows me to be mobile. Our children homeschool. And we currently rent our home and are coming to the end of the lease. I am considering selling a lot of personal possessions and storing the rest. Then go on the road with my family for a full year.

You can probably live most of the year in Branson in timeshares. When summer arrives and Branson gets a little more pricey decamp to South Florida.

 

[Benhall]

You can probably live most of the year in Branson in timeshares. When summer arrives and Branson gets a little more pricey decamp to South Florida.

Thanks, but we actually want to move around the country. We already live close to Branson. Staying there would kind of defeat the purpose.

 

[winnipiseogee]

I love the idea - returning home from Mexico this past weekend I asked my wife if she would consider homeschooling the kids so that we could do the same. I think you'd need to budget in a little money for the gaps /transition times but it would be a wonderful experience for the kids.

If you can't do a trailer I suggest the mercedes sprinter vans or the new ford equivalent. Not sure how many kids you have but the sprinter holds our friend's family of 8 plus all their gear for a week long camping trip.

Please let us know how things progress!!!

Oh and I'd consider picking up a cheap Interval week so that you could use their equivalent of last call weeks as well. I notice that there are big differences in availability and pricing that I can't ever make sense of.

 

[Benhall]

Interval??

...and I'd consider picking up a cheap Interval week so that you could use their equivalent of last call weeks as well. I notice that there are big differences in availability and pricing that I can't ever make sense of.

What would I have to do for that? I had never heard of II until this week. But if they have similar options I would definitely look into it. Any recommendations?

 

[ChrisandBeth]

How many kids? Ages? Are there enough last calls with 2 bedrooms. Most resorts won't let you have more than 2 in a studio and 4 in a 1 bedroom.

 

[DeniseM]

What would I have to do for that? I had never heard of II until this week. But if they have similar options I would definitely look into it. Any recommendations?

Interval International is the other major exchange company - they have different inventory than RCI - it would give you more options.

 

[ronandjoan]

I would also suggest you join Platinum Interchange and DAE for additional options - their memberships are FREE so you are not losing anything by having their exchange and bonus opportunities available to you, even to look at now and start planning/dreaming.

 

[Benhall]

How many kids? Ages? Are there enough last calls with 2 bedrooms. Most resorts won't let you have more than 2 in a studio and 4 in a 1 bedroom.

We have 5 Kids. The youngest is 3. I have been filtering by 2BR and minimum 6 (which I know is 1 less, but I have not had problems squeezing the little in yet). So far there have been plenty with a minimum of 6 or 8 occupancy.

 

[Benhall]

Interval International is the other major exchange company - they have different inventory than RCI - it would give you more options.

I understand that, but would I have to buy another timeshare in order to use their service? My resort only offers RCI membership.

 

[DeniseM]

I understand that, but would I have to buy another timeshare in order to use their service? My resort only offers RCI membership.

Yes - you must own a timeshare that is affiliated with II, to be a II member.

However, I think you are underestimating the difficulty of acquiring 52 (appropriate) rental weeks a year.

Not only do you need 52 weeks, but they need to be in reasonable driving proximity to each other.

If it were me, I'd join RCI, and II, and all the free exchange companies, to have as many options as possible.

 

[Benhall]

Yes - you must own a timeshare that is affiliated with II, to be a II member.

However, I think you are underestimating the difficulty of acquiring 52 (appropriate) rental weeks a year.

Not only do you need 52 weeks, but they need to be in reasonable driving proximity to each other.

If it were me, I'd join RCI, and II, and all the free exchange companies, to have as many options as possible.

That is very good information and advice. Thank you!!

What would be the cheapest way to own an II affiliated timeshare in order to have access to their membership?

 

[DeniseM]

That is very good information and advice. Thank you!!

What would be the cheapest way to own an II affiliated timeshare in order to have access to their membership?

Consider adopting a free timeshare on TUG, with a low maintenance fee:
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

[winnipiseogee]

Accessing Interval would require the purchase on one more timeshare but as Denise points out that can be done very cheaply on the TUG bbs.

If you will always require 2bdrms its going to be a little challenging but not as hard as raising 5 kids!!

Best of luck - I think its a wonderful opportunity.

 

[vacationhopeful]

Suggest you look for a resort which is both II and RCI ...

Plus some resorts are part of a network via the management company ... VRI has trading via RCI points as priority window at 11 months out with other VRI resorts ... might not be real important NOW if you are intent about becoming HOMELESS WANDERERS ... would become important if looking for PRIME SEASON exchanges to many good resorts.

 

[Benhall]

Suggest you look for a resort which is both II and RCI ...

Plus some resorts are part of a network via the management company ... VRI has trading via RCI points as priority window at 11 months out with other VRI resorts ... might not be real important NOW if you are intent about becoming HOMELESS WANDERERS ... would become important if looking for PRIME SEASON exchanges to many good resorts.

I really wouldn't consider ourselves as HOMELESS WANDERERS, but rather HOPEFUL EXPLORERS; getting a chance to experience more of the country in a year than most people do in a lifetime.

We would obviously have the opportunity to come off the road and settle down anytime that we get tired of it.

All of that being said I must apologize.... maybe I am too new, but I have no idea what you meant in the rest of your post . Clarification would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Mike&Edie]

Benhall,

I love your "hopeful explorers" quote vs. "homeless wanderers." When we meet people, I usually tell them we're homeless, by choice, that we've rented out our home and live on the road. If you don't mind, I think I'll switch to homeless hopeful explorers.

Anyway, we've done it (our 2nd year) and will continue to do it until we can't anymore. We go "off the road" occasionally when we have to, or if the kids want to see more of us. We still want to go back to Europe and explore the timeshares there (especially in Spain area).

Mike & Edie
www.fulltimetimeshare.com

 

[vacationhopeful]

The 2 exchange systems - RCI and II are Weeks based exchanges - have a week and trade for a week (basicly). RCI recently went to TPUs (trading point units) which are numeric.

RCI Points were created (before TPUs) to be reserve a day or up to 7 days using a points value (like 7,000; 66,000; 9,500; 46,000) ... depending on season or size at your resort ... you get a fixed number of points. You have different booking windows .. but "Last Call" stuff is usually 7500 to 9000 for the week. Or you can book just 1 day or 3 (between 1 & 7 with lower fess). Some resorts charge Housekeeping fees if you book less than 7 nights.

VRI is a mini-system ... of resorts managed by VRI. In RCI points, you get a priority to book other VRI resort .. called Home Resort Booking window ... in the future, when you are looking a Summer or Holiday vacations, you get to book 1 earlier than the rest of RCI.

Keep reading and asking ... too much to learn in a month or 5 months.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

That is very good information and advice. Thank you!!

What would be the cheapest way to own an II affiliated timeshare in order to have access to their membership?

If you are looking for the cheapest was to get affiliated with ii, then try to find a biennial or triennial ii timeshare. That way your maintenance fee is only half or 1/3 as much per year.