Which Independent Exchange company to use?

[DaveNV]

So let's say I have a nice Hawaii week to deposit to an exchange company. And let's say I want to use it to get to NYC or the Florida Keys or Washington DC or somewhere else nice not on the West Coast. And let's also say I don't want to give it to RCI because my membership is expiring and I don't want to renew it. Which independent exchange company would be best to use? Any tricks to get the exchange I'd like? I'll be able to deposit well in advance, but I don't want to "waste" my deposit with a company that won't be likely to get me where I want to go. Any ideas?

Dave

 

[bdh]

let's say I want to use it to get to NYC or the Florida Keys or Washington DC or somewhere else nice not on the West Coast.

I'd say SFX is a good bet to get you to NYC as they get a lot of The Manhattan Club.

If you don't want to go with RCI, II (if you have access to them) is probably the best bet for The Keys. While that would be the best exchange bet, I wouldn't expect that trade to be an easy one - so to insure success, your best bet is to rent. (you'll need to check with the TUG rental pros on where they find the bargain Keys rentals).

Got no idea on DC - will defer to others on that.

 

[ausman]

RCI would be the answer, but you don't want to give it to RCI.

The candidates are likely Platinum, SFX, DAE , the HI exchange options can be eliminated I would think.

You could investigate Platinum and SFX as in my estimation they may be able to.

 

[Beefnot]

Does Platinum Interchange get its hands on premium inventory? From their away list I only seem to see middling stuff.

 

[presley]

SFX is where I'd deposit if I were in your shoes. Your exchange to NYC will be less than an RCI exchange, with no additional fees. Plus, they will throw in a few Lifestyle weeks, which are basically very cheap rental weeks. Those are nice because you can book them anywhere from 2 days to a year in advance.

 

[MaryH]

Your best bet will be SFX or do private change with other owners.

I am pretty sure you can find a Hyatt owner to swap a KW with your Kauai Beach Villa.

 

[Carolinian]

I would say SFX, but I would join others that have free membership and a request first system. You might see something you would like and you can do a deposit after you see the week you want pop up or even do an ongoing search. You might also want to contact Donita's Vacations Unlimited in the same context, tell her what you have and what you want but don't deposit until she can find you something.

 

[ronandjoan]

So let's say I have a nice Hawaii week to deposit to an exchange company. And let's say I want to use it to get to NYC or the Florida Keys or Washington DC or somewhere else nice not on the West Coast. And let's also say I don't want to give it to RCI because my membership is expiring and I don't want to renew it. Which independent exchange company would be best to use? Any tricks to get the exchange I'd like? I'll be able to deposit well in advance, but I don't want to "waste" my deposit with a company that won't be likely to get me where I want to go. Any ideas?

Dave

We have belonged or belong to 6 of the ex companies and I think SfX is your best bet too.

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks, everyone. I'll give SFX a shot. I have a free membership with them already, but I didn't know how good they are for getting to East Coast resorts. The NYC one is especially interesting, since I went to The Manhattan Club via RCI last year, and would like to go back, but RCI has their stupid 1 in 4 rule.

The main reason I'm not renewing RCI (at least for now) is because it seems I can't get the exchanges I used to without paying extra fees for Ongoing Searches and such. (Yes I know they're having a freebie search thing right now, but I can't search far enough out to suit my traveling schedule.) I can't justify paying RCI a membership fee, and THEN an Ongoing Search fee on top of it, and then an Exchange Fee once something is found. It adds almost 50% to the MF costs I'm already paying to own that week. I just want to exchange my week for another, which is what timesharing is supposed to pride itself on.

Dave

 

[presley]

Thanks, everyone. I'll give SFX a shot. I have a free membership with them already, but I didn't know how good they are for getting to East Coast resorts. The NYC one is especially interesting, since I went to The Manhattan Club via RCI last year, and would like to go back, but RCI has their stupid 1 in 4 rule.

You will be happy with SFX. They don't have a 1 in 4 rule for Manhattan Club and you also won't have to pay the mandatory resort fees that you have to when using RCI.

 

[DaveNV]

You will be happy with SFX. They don't have a 1 in 4 rule for Manhattan Club and you also won't have to pay the mandatory resort fees that you have to when using RCI.

Yeah, that daily $25 "Hospitality Fee" was kind of annoying. I didn't feel I received any extra hospitality for paying it. But of course, if we had agreed to attend the sales presentation, they'd waive the fee. Hmm. :ignore: Extortion. Plain and simple.

Dave