StarSailer
TUG Member
I'm looking to travel twice a year Beach/Mountains in the South East. I probably could travel two full weeks a year, but would be happier saving money splitting a week 4/3. The question is Club Wyndham points or RCI-Point trader?
Anyone have any strong preference for or against using either for booking 3-5 night stays? Any subtle points for consideration?
My research suggests I would need:
Club Wyndham: Need at least 154K for 2x housekeeping/reservation credits. Otherwise estimating 140K average-year / 180K peak-year points needed.
• $1500-1700/y with CWA; <$1400/y if I can get points at a low MF home resort in the South East.
RCI Trader. Guesstimating 46K average / 60K peak year use based on RCI Points Values PDF.
• $535-1035 Maintenance fees (Oakmont, Tree Tops, Royal Dunes, something else?)
• $451/y average RCI/housekeeping fees
• $116/y for a 3-year RCI membership
• $0: Use owned week 1:4
• $5/y $36 Point savings fee 1:8 while off cruising
• $330/y average exchange/housekeeping ($348 for 3+4 day trips, $90 median housekeeping x2) (5 in 8)
• $986-$1486/y total cost for 48-80K RCI point trader.
Other Options considered/Rejected:
HGVC - Not enough locations in the South East.
Westgate - The "Deluxe" rooms are really nice, but resale is charged extortion to split a week or make a lockoff. Basically just a floating week, and I don't think trading full weeks on II quite fits my family.
Anyone have any strong preference for or against using either for booking 3-5 night stays? Any subtle points for consideration?
My research suggests I would need:
Club Wyndham: Need at least 154K for 2x housekeeping/reservation credits. Otherwise estimating 140K average-year / 180K peak-year points needed.
• $1500-1700/y with CWA; <$1400/y if I can get points at a low MF home resort in the South East.
RCI Trader. Guesstimating 46K average / 60K peak year use based on RCI Points Values PDF.
• $535-1035 Maintenance fees (Oakmont, Tree Tops, Royal Dunes, something else?)
• $451/y average RCI/housekeeping fees
• $116/y for a 3-year RCI membership
• $0: Use owned week 1:4
• $5/y $36 Point savings fee 1:8 while off cruising
• $330/y average exchange/housekeeping ($348 for 3+4 day trips, $90 median housekeeping x2) (5 in 8)
• $986-$1486/y total cost for 48-80K RCI point trader.
Other Options considered/Rejected:
HGVC - Not enough locations in the South East.
Westgate - The "Deluxe" rooms are really nice, but resale is charged extortion to split a week or make a lockoff. Basically just a floating week, and I don't think trading full weeks on II quite fits my family.
The standard questionnaire seems biased toward owning/trading a single full week, so I've made a few edits.
Section-1: Expectations and Budget
1) How often and for how long do you expect to travel? Weekends, weekdays, or full weeks? Plan to travel twice a year. Splitting a week 3/4 might be ideal.
2) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
Trip A: 4-7 nights over Spring/Summer School break with 4-8 people, 6 typical.
Trip B: 3+ night mid-season getaway with 2-4 people, 2 typical.
3) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule? See Q2
4) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars? 3-4 stars.
5) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing, that will be lost to depreciation? Up to $15K without financing, but I would rather not loose more than $3K on timeshare depreciation.
6) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year? $1200-1800.
7) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do? Yes
Section-2: Destinations and Planning
8) Do you plan to primarily use or trade your home week or resort? How often? Mostly Trade, but want to use home resort at least 1 in 4, or possibly a half week 1 in 2.
9) Are there any vacation destination(s) you would like to revisit regularly? if so where? East-Tennessee, Florida-Panhandle, SC Beach.
10) In addition to (9) what are your top 5 bucket list trade destinations? Florida Space Coast, Clearwater Beach, Scotland, Mountains[other].
11) Are you a detail oriented planner? I can be.
12) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance? YES
Section-1: Expectations and Budget
1) How often and for how long do you expect to travel? Weekends, weekdays, or full weeks? Plan to travel twice a year. Splitting a week 3/4 might be ideal.
2) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
Trip A: 4-7 nights over Spring/Summer School break with 4-8 people, 6 typical.
Trip B: 3+ night mid-season getaway with 2-4 people, 2 typical.
3) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule? See Q2
4) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars? 3-4 stars.
5) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing, that will be lost to depreciation? Up to $15K without financing, but I would rather not loose more than $3K on timeshare depreciation.
6) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year? $1200-1800.
7) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do? Yes
Section-2: Destinations and Planning
8) Do you plan to primarily use or trade your home week or resort? How often? Mostly Trade, but want to use home resort at least 1 in 4, or possibly a half week 1 in 2.
9) Are there any vacation destination(s) you would like to revisit regularly? if so where? East-Tennessee, Florida-Panhandle, SC Beach.
10) In addition to (9) what are your top 5 bucket list trade destinations? Florida Space Coast, Clearwater Beach, Scotland, Mountains[other].
11) Are you a detail oriented planner? I can be.
12) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance? YES