Want to get more bang for your vacation ownership buck? Then, you should consider external exchange. Today, most timeshares are points-based and offer internal exchange systems, letting you access multiple properties within your vacation club’s portfolio. With external exchange, however, you can access thousands of resorts and hotels worldwide, not to mention great member perks like discounted airfare and car rentals. Interval International and RCI are the two biggest vacation exchange platforms, and most reputable resorts are affiliated with at least one of these companies. But how do you know which exchange company is right for you? We have you covered! Join us as we reveal everything you need to know about Interval International vs. RCI and make an informed decision!
- What is a Timeshare Exchange Company: Interval International Vs. RCI
- How Timeshare Exchange Works With Interval International Vs. RCI
- Interval International: Features and Benefits
- RCI: Features and Benefits
- Interval International Vs. RCI: Pros and Cons
- Interval International Vs. RCI: The Final Verdict
- Interval International Vs. RCI: How to Become a Member
- Interval International Vs. RCI: Become a Member With a Timeshare Resale From Timeshares Only
What is a Timeshare Exchange Company: Interval International Vs. RCI
Timeshare exchange companies like Interval International (II) and RCI let members exchange their timeshare week or points for stays at other properties on the platform. Both RCI and II boast thousands of affiliated resorts and hotels. Moreover, these exchange platforms offer exclusive perks like discounted cruises, excursions, airfare, car rental, and more. Most resorts are affiliated with RCI or II, and some are affiliated with both. Timeshare owners whose resort is part of a vacation exchange platform’s network can join the platform for an upcharge.
How Timeshare Exchange Works With Interval International Vs. RCI
Once you become an RCI or Interval International member, you will deposit your week or points into the company’s databank. The exchange platform will then assign a rating to your deposited ownership based on home resort quality, interval popularity, and unit size and convert your ownership into exchange points or exchange weeks. You can exchange your converted points or week for a comparable timeshare in the exchange system or trade for higher-quality exchanges and pay the difference. In addition to timeshares, you can exchange for hotel stays, unique experiences like cruises and excursions, and discounted travel rates.
Interval International: Features and Benefits
Interval International is known for its high standards, only admitting high-quality resorts to its platform. That said, Interval International’s network is still robust, with more than 3,000 affiliated resorts worldwide. Several top timeshare brands are affiliated with Interval International, including:
Basic II Membership: Points and Weeks
Basic II membership comes in both points- and weeks-based varieties. II points members can exchange their points for II points, while week members can exchange for another week. However, members can exchange their ownership for cruises and other unique perks for both points and weeks by upgrading to Interval Gold or Interval Platinum. Whether you have a point- or weeks-based ownership, basic membership with Interval International starts at $99 a year.
Interval International Ownership Tiers: Interval Gold and Interval Platinum
Interval International offers two upgraded ownership tiers: Interval Gold and Interval Platinum. As an Interval Gold owner, members can access ShortStay Exchange to break up their vacation into multiple stays, trade their week or points for cruises, tours, and other experiences through Interval Options, and enjoy discounts on stays of seven days or less through II’s Getaways program.
Interval Platinum ownership includes all the same benefits as Interval Gold, plus a slew of additional benefits. Interval Platinum members can exchange their ownership for hotels through Hotel Exchange and excursions through Interval Experiences. Love golf? As a Platinum member, you can learn about the best golf courses near your resort with Golf Connection. And for foodies, the Dining Connection program sweetens the deal with VIP treatment and other delicious perks.
Interval International Flexchange
You never know when the travel bug will strike. Luckily for Interval International members, there’s Flexchange. Through this exclusive program, II members can request vacations from 59 days to 24 hours before check-in, making last-minute vacations more convenient than ever!
Request First
Another great benefit of Interval International is the Request First program. This feature allows you to request a vacation before you deposit your points, ensuring you find the perfect trade before you give up your weeks or points.
RCI: Features and Benefits
RCI is the largest vacation exchange platform in the world. While Interval International arguably has more high-end resorts in its network, RCI offers more flexibility, with over 4,300 resorts and 35,000 exchange options across 110 countries. Here are a few RCI-affiliated brands:
- Hilton Grand Vacations
- Wyndham Destinations
- Bluegreen Vacations
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations
- Westgate Resorts
RCI Points Vs. RCI Weeks
RCI Points and RCI Weeks are the standard membership levels for RCI. Weeks members can deposit their week and exchange it for a seven-day stay at another affiliated resort with the same “Deposit Trading Power.” Your Deposit Trading Power is determined by RCI and based on resort popularity, unit size, and season.
Meanwhile, RCI Points members can choose their arrival time, unit size, length of stay, and more. Best of all, any unused points roll over to the following year, and you can borrow points from the following year to take a more significant, extended vacation in the current use year.
Unlike Interval International, RCI’s exchange fees differ for points members and weeks members. The starting cost of an RCI Points membership is $134 a year. For RCI Weeks members, the price starts at $109.
RCI Platinum
RCI Points and RCI Weeks offer plenty of benefits on their own. However, if you want to get more out of your RCI membership, you can upgrade to RCI Platinum. RCI Platinum members enjoy exclusive discounts, including 25% off guest certificates and 10% off Last Call vacations. Other benefits include priority booking on RCI exchanges, 24/7 concierge and emergency services, and free access to the On-Hold Vacations feature, which allows you to extend your vacation-planning time penalty-free.
RCI Travel
Another fantastic benefit of RCI is the RCI Travel program. Members who upgrade to RCI Travel can use their Trading Power or Points to book at over 600,000 hotels worldwide, as well as flights, cruises, and car rentals. Moreover, every booking comes with RCI’s best-price guarantee, letting you secure the best deal possible on your reservation. All out of Points or Trading Power? RCI Travel members still get RCI’s best-price guarantee on cash-only bookings!
Interval International Vs. RCI: Pros and Cons
Now that you know more about Interval International and RCI, let’s review each platform’s pros and cons!
Pros and Cons of Interval International
II Pros
- More High-End Resorts Than RCI
- Less Expensive Than RCI
- Request First Option (Before You Deposit)
II Cons
- Fewer Exchange Options Than RCI
Pros and Cons of RCI
RCI Pros
- More Exchange Options Than II
- More Destinations
- RCI Travel (Best-Price Guarantee)
RCI Cons
- More Expensive Than II
Interval International Vs. RCI: The Final Verdict
Most brands are only affiliated with one platform. Thus, most timeshare owners don’t get a say in what timeshare exchange company they sign up for. However, choosing your timeshare brand based on the exchange platform they are affiliated with can be a great strategy if you’re set on using vacation exchange. So, which platform is the best? Well, the real question is, which platform is best for you? In the end, it all depends on what you want to get out of your vacation exchange company.
If high-end luxury is your thing, Interval International is a safe bet, with a selective screening process that only admits the cream of the resort crop. If flexibility is more important to you than quality control, RCI might be a better fit with its 35,000 exchange options across 110 countries. Looking for a more budget-friendly exchange platform? At $99 a year, Interval International can save you on your annual exchange fees. Then again, with discounted bookings at over 600,000 hotels, RCI members can save big depending on how they use their membership.
Interval International Vs. RCI: How to Become a Member
To become an Interval International or RCI member, you must first own a timeshare. Your brand must also be affiliated with one of these exchange platforms. Once these requirements are met, however, almost anyone can become an RCI or Interval International member for an upcharge, regardless of whether they own a fixed week, floating week, fractional ownership, or points. Moreover, RCI and Interval International are open to all owners regardless of where they bought their timeshare, i.e., on the resale market or directly from the developer. External exchange is an excellent workaround for vacation clubs that place resale restrictions on their internal exchange networks.
Interval International Vs. RCI: Become a Member With a Timeshare Resale From Timeshares Only
Vacation exchange is an added expense not every timeshare owner can afford. But with a timeshare resale, you can save thousands on your initial transaction and put your savings toward your vacation exchange membership. Our resale marketplace features thousands of RCI- and II-affiliated timeshares at great low prices. Browse our complete inventory at the link below! Have questions? Email us at [email protected] or call 1-800-610-2734 to speak with a Timeshares Only resale expert today!
