The following post was submitted by a reader and poses the following questions –
Is RCI’s Trading Power Declining?
Is there a push to convert all RCI members over to Wyndham Points?
We own 2 timeshares – both in Kauai Bali Hai and Ali Kai. We have always traded these, and have always gotten into great resorts i.e. Disney Beach Club and Boardwalk Villas (this year for Christmas). However, I notice lately that rci does not seem to have the same amount of inventory that they have had in past years. Upon questioning one of their CSR agents I was told it’s because owners are renting their units.
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The following post was submitted by a reader and highlights his experience as a Wyndham timeshare points owner, and the difficulty he has had trying to exchange.
Bought into Wyndham National Harbor for 343,000 points. VIP status. What does that mean? In my book, nothing.
They’ll tell you go for the Gold. Platinum. Wyndham has made changes since they took over Fairfield. The timeshares cost more, prices increase every year and maintenance fees MAY increase. When you go to make reservations GOOD LUCK. Many locations are booked up FOREVER. Disney, Atlantic city, N.J. and others (Las Vegas?) are not.
One example of this – We visited Ocean Blvd Tower 3 where I was once deeded; tough to find a full week in the summer.
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December 29th, 2010 by Mandie Wyndham
Each state passes its own laws regarding the amount of time you have after buying a timeshare property to return it for a full refund. The process of returning an unwanted timeshare shortly after purchasing is known as Timeshare Rescission, or rescinding. The timeshare rescission process refers directly to the interval of time that is legally allowed to pass before you can no longer return a timeshare contract, or change your mind about your time share purchase. The ability to return an unwanted timeshare shortly after purchasing is not something your timeshare salesperson is likely to mention, but it is built into every state's legal code as a protection for consumers; some people also tend to refer to this time as the "cooling off period" following the purchase.
It makes no difference if you purchased your timeshare is through RCI, Wyndham, Celebrity, Disney, Fairfield, Hilton, Hyatt, Mariott, or another timeshare exchange company, the Right to Rescission is entirely dependent on the state law where the timeshare property was purchased. Each set of documents/purchase papers accompanying a timeshare sale will include form explaining how to rescind. It will likely be titled something similar to, "Notice of Mutual Right of Cancellation of Time Share Purchase." If you fall within the window of legal rescission, see the following post - 10 Steps to Successfully Rescind Your Timeshare – for detailed instructions on how you can complete the timeshare deed cancellation and rescission process. Below you will find the timeshare rescission period for each state, and please add your own comments below if you have had experience in a particular state.
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1. Direct Exchange
The most basic, and cost-effective, way of exchanging timeshare is owner to owner. This requires finding another timeshare owner willing to exchange their week for yours. Once an agreement has been made between both parties, you would each notify the resort and obtain a guest pass for the party staying in the timeshare during your scheduled week. The best ways to find parties interested in direct timeshare exchanges is by using websites like Craigslist, Timex and Timeshare Forums, or using your own personal social networks.
2.
Exchange Through the Resort
Some resorts offer an exchange program within their particular group of resorts. There are a number of smaller, independent resorts that take part in this type of program, although it is not always advertised. Many timeshare management companies will offer this benefit as part of there management services in order to avoid a high turnover rate within their resort. The fees associated with this type of exchange are usually minimal because you are staying within a select group of accommodations, and tend to cost less than a timeshare exchange company’s fees.
3. Timeshare Exchange Company
Timeshare exchange companies allow you to “bank” your week with them, and in exchange you get to choose from their inventory of weeks that other timeshare owners have banked. You also have the opportunity to use points within this system, being able to stay at certain locations based on the amount of points you own. Also, outside resorts will bank there unsold timeshare weeks with exchange companies to increase their inventory. Your week and room size will determine your trading power with the exchange company. The most popular exchange companies are II (Interval International, RCI (Resort Condominiums International), Marriott and Disney.
Timeshare ownership requires that yearly maintenance fees be paid by the owners to assure that the resort is kept up to date and well maintained. These fees cover the cost of running the resort, landscaping, physical property maintenance, insurance, utilities, and replacement of fixtures, furniture and appliances. Maintenance fees also cover the costs of special events and entertainment offered by the resort, as well as offsetting the cost of reduced airfare, car rentals and event tickets. How much you will be held responsible for when calculating yearly maintenance fees depends on what type of time share you own.
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