Tired of your resort portfolio? Craving an all-new vacation experience? Then you want RCI. If your timeshare interest is affiliated with RCI, you’ve just unlocked a world of exploration. As the world’s leading vacation exchange network, RCI boasts over 4,200 affiliated resorts in 110 countries around the world. With an RCI membership, timeshare owners can experience a world beyond their vacation club resort portfolio, with luxurious resorts in top destinations around the world. But how does RCI Points work? What are your options? Timeshares Only has you covered. Continue reading to learn more about RCI Points and Weeks and how to access membership.
About RCI
RCI, also known as Resort Condominiums International, is the world’s first vacation exchange platform. In 1974, founders Jon and Christel DeHaan pioneered a way for vacation owners to visit a new, exciting destination every year. But what is vacation exchange, and how does RCI Points work? Vacation exchange networks allow timeshare owners to exchange their annual stay at their home resorts for a stay at other RCI-affiliated resorts not within their brand’s portfolio.
RCI is affiliated with some of the world’s top timeshare brands. For example, you can use RCI Points with Wyndham Destinations, Hilton Grand Vacations, Westgate Resorts, and even Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts. In fact, RCI is actually a part of the Wyndham Destinations network. However, in order to be a member of RCI, you must own a timeshare that is part of an affiliated brand and pay yearly fees for membership, as well as exchange fees. But how does it all work? Let’s dive in.
So, How Does RCI Points Work?
An RCI Points membership allows owners to trade in their timeshare points for RCI Points to book at RCI-affiliated resorts all around the world. Like with the timeshare points-based system, RCI members receive a certain amount of RCI Points based on their timeshare ownership. The assigned RCI point value of your timeshare is its Deposit Trading Power (DTP); it is the number of RCI Points that you are allocated each year to use for vacation exchange.
With your membership, you can use your points to book anything from a single night to a twenty-one-night stay at over 4,000 resorts worldwide—including big names like Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Wyndham. Inventory is available up to 10 months in advance, giving you plenty of flexibility in planning. Both the points required and the exchange fee may vary based on your desired destination, the time of year, and how long you plan to stay. This flexibility makes it easy to tailor your vacation experience to your needs and budget, whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway or an extended escape.
The amount of RCI Points that members are assigned depends on a few key factors of your ownership. Firstly, the popularity of your home resort impacts the number of RCI Points. Additionally, the size of the unit and the season of the ownership are big factors in point value as well. Once you know the RCI Deposit Trading Power of your home resort, you’re free to start exchanging your vacations. But how does RCI points work for hotels?
How Does RCI Points Work for Hotels?
In case you didn’t know, you can also use RCI Points for hotel stays. You can spend 2,000 points per night on hotels, or 10,000 points for a stay of five nights or longer. Moreover, if you don’t want to use your points to book a hotel, RCI members can get up to 60 percent off on more than 600,000 hotels around the world. Using Deposit Trading Power or points will increase your hotel discounts.
These savings are based on the bookable rate available through the exchange network and are calculated by comparing the current market rate (as determined by the provider) versus the pricing available for certain North American members for comparable rooms. Access to the full advertised discount may require an upgraded membership tier or the use of points, so it’s worth exploring your options to maximize value.
Of course, you must own a timeshare before you can become a RCI member and use RCI Travel. If you’re already a member, you can log in to your account to find and book hotels. Additionally, you can use RCI Points for saving money on flights, rental cars, as well as cruises. With RCI Travel, you will receive member-exclusive pricing on those vacation essentials. You can also get the best price on cruises and even receive up to $1,500 onboard credit when booking through RCI Cruise.
Understanding the Best Price Guarantee for Hotel Bookings
One of the great perks of using RCI Points for hotel stays is the peace of mind provided by a Best Price Guarantee. That means, if you happen to find a lower rate for the same hotel, car rental, or activity on another major US-based travel site within 24 hours of booking, you can reach out to RCI Travel to match that lower price.
This guarantee ensures you’re getting the best possible deal as an RCI member. Some terms and conditions do apply, so it’s always smart to check the specifics before booking. Remember, RCI instated this policy to put extra savings in your pocket and add confidence to your travel planning—so you can focus less on price watching and more on planning your next adventure.
Why RCI Points Are Worth It
Like timeshare points, RCI Points offer vacation owners the ultimate travel flexibility. Members can choose exactly when and where they want to vacation. Plus, with a points-based membership, RCI members aren’t required to book week-long vacations. They can book just one night if need be!
Another great perk of RCI Points is that you can split them however you want within the year. You aren’t limited to just one vacation per year like traditional timeshare owners are. As long as you have enough points, you can vacation as much as you want!
Even if you have a low points balance left over from other vacations, there’s no need to worry—you can still book the trip of your dreams. With as little as 2,000 points per night, you’ll have access to a vast selection of hotels, and you’ll always get the best price available. This flexibility makes it easy to maximize every last point and squeeze in an extra getaway, whether you’re planning a quick weekend escape or a longer stay.
Saving, Borrowing, and Extending Your Points
Unused points are automatically saved for you to use in the next year, so there’s no worry about losing them if your travel plans change. If you find yourself a little short for your dream trip, you can borrow points from your upcoming year as long as your membership is active and your dues are current. Plus, if you still have saved points left over after two years, you have the option to extend them for an additional year for a small fee—giving you plenty of flexibility to make the most out of every point.
Tips for Maximizing Your RCI Points Exchange
Getting the best value out of your RCI Points is all about strategy and a little bit of vacation savvy. Here are some insider tips to stretch your points further and unlock greater vacation possibilities:
- Plan Ahead—Or Embrace Spontaneity: High-demand resorts and peak travel dates tend to fill quickly, so booking early helps secure your top choices. Can’t plan that far out? Last-minute deals occasionally pop up at fantastic resorts (think Marriott or Hilton Grand Vacations), sometimes for fewer points than you’d expect.
- Stay Flexible: The more flexible you are with your travel dates, destination, and unit size, the more options you’ll see. Traveling mid-week or during shoulder seasons (like October in Myrtle Beach or April in Sedona) often opens up hidden gems at incredible value.
- Short Stays, Big Adventures: Remember, you don’t have to book a whole week. Mixing shorter stays can help you explore different cities or enjoy that extra spontaneous weekend getaway. Want to try three nights in Orlando and two nights in Charleston? Split your points and make it happen!
- Consult With Experts: Many experienced travelers turn to third-party vacation specialists (like Timeshares Only’s team) for guidance. They know the ins and outs—and might even tip you off to an especially great offer or lesser-known destination.
- Consider Unit Sizes: Opting for a smaller or less luxurious unit can dramatically lower the number of points required, freeing up more points for an extra trip or an upgrade next time.
- Keep an Eye on Bonus Deals: Occasionally, resorts or exchange systems will run flash sales or offer bonus points for specific destinations or dates. Signing up for email alerts from trusted brands can help you catch these deals the moment they drop.
By blending smart planning and a little flexibility, you’ll unlock more getaways, discover fun new destinations, and get the most out of your points—without missing a beat on value or experience.
RCI Points vs. RCI Weeks
How does RCI Points work in comparison to RCI Weeks? While RCI Points are a great way to enjoy this membership, there is another way to experience vacation exchange: RCI Weeks. Unlike RCI Points, RCI Weeks work by letting you exchange your timeshare week for a week-long stay at another RCI-affiliated resort. Like your timeshare points, when you deposit your timeshare week at your home resort into RCI, it’ll be assigned a Deposit Trading Power (DTP).
This power is based on how popular your timeshare week is. So, if your week is at a popular resort during a particularly busy time of the year, you’re more likely to have a high DTP. You can then use your DTP to book a stay at an RCI resort with the same value. Sadly, you can’t split your week to take shorter vacations. As a result, RCI Weeks are a bit less versatile than the points system.
The Cost of RCI Points and Weeks
Of course, a membership with RCI isn’t free. There are a handful of associated costs required of Points and Weeks members each year. As of 2025, a one-year membership with RCI Points is $134. Members are able to save money on their membership when they buy two or more years in advance. Moreover, a one-year membership with RCI Weeks is $109, with additional savings as you buy more years at once. But what about exchange fees? This is dependent on your length of reservation and tier and ranges anywhere from $50 to $1,599.
Protecting Your Points: Peace of Mind for Every Trip
Wondering what happens to your points if plans change? For added peace of mind, you can add Points Protection to your vacation exchange. This safeguard ensures that if you need to modify or cancel your reservation—for any reason—your points will safely credit back to your account. It’s a smart option for those unexpected life moments, letting you book with confidence knowing your points are protected no matter what curveballs come your way.
RCI vs II: Who to Choose?
If you’re interested in vacation exchange but haven’t purchased your timeshare yet, you’ll want to watch this video. Different vacation clubs are affiliated with RCI or Interval International (II), the two leading vacation exchange networks. II has fewer resorts than RCI, with 3,200 resorts in 92 countries, though they’re arguably just as stunning and exciting as RCI’s 4,200+ resorts. II is affiliated with top brands like Disney Vacation Club, Hyatt Vacation Club, and Marriott Vacation Club, as well as Westgate, who is affiliated with both RCI and II. The club you become a part of determines which vacation exchange network you can trade in your ownership with. So, do your homework! Explore resort destinations and perks of exchange with each company, as well as any membership or exchange fees, to determine which kind of ownership is right for you.
Extra Vacations and Last Call Vacations
RCI has a few ways for owners to expand their vacation options. Extra Vacations allows you access to RCI’s timeshare resort inventory to book a getaway. There’s no need to exchange your points for these vacations. You can buy a week at any available resort, so you can choose from thousands of resorts at incredible prices. Last Call Vacations are last-minute getaways you can confirm within 45 days of check-in. These week-long stays are similar to Extra Vacations but are heavily discounted. A studio unit can be less than $300, and a two-bedroom can be less than $350. You don’t need RCI Points in your account to book these amazing last-minute vacations.
How to Sign Up for RCI Points
Becoming an RCI member is simple once you own a resort affiliated with RCI. To register your timeshare interest for exchange, request your self-enrollment application pack on the RCI website. Then within 14 days, RCI will contact you for your payment information to complete your membership. By becoming an RCI Points Subscribing Member, you can exchange your points for your choice of one to 21-night stays at affiliated properties.
How Does RCI Points Work?
So, one more time: How does RCI Points work? Having a membership with RCI allows you to exchange your vacation points/week and travel where and when you wish within RCI’s collection of affiliated resorts. Using your points is easy. Inventory is available up to 10 months in advance; you can deposit your timeshare points up to ten months prior to your use year start date, then up to the last day of your use year. These points stay good for two years from the date of deposit.
If you want to return to your home resort instead of exchanging one year, you’ll need to book twelve to thirteen months prior to your check-in date before the inventory opens to others. So, start by searching for your next vacation destination online at RCI, or call an RCI Vacation Planning Center. Open an Ongoing Search if you are unable to locate the destination you need. By doing so, RCI will search the system 24/7 and notify you when the destination you are looking for becomes available. This way, you don’t have to constantly refresh the page.
Rent Points from RCI
Now, how does RCI Points work if you don’t have enough points to exchange for a resort you’d really love to visit? RCI has an answer for that: renting points! RCI members have the option to rent more points upon checkout. You can rent up to 50 percent of your annual points allocation for a points rental fee of $0.03 (per point), or $12 per 1,000 points. Please note, however, that rented points can only be used in the current use year and the ability to rent points is subject to RCI vacation availability. Moreover, the amount of points you can rent is limited to the amount of your annual allocation.
Browse Timeshare Resales on Timeshares Only
So, how does RCI Points work? We hope we’ve answered your question. By now, you should know more about RCI’s points and weeks systems, and, if you haven’t already, you may be interested in purchasing a vacation ownership. At Timeshares Only, we have a wide selection of of RCI-affiliated timeshares that you can check out through our online marketplace. From Wyndham to Hilton, you’ll find a luxurious ownership in a top destination to call home, and should you want to change things up, RCI will be there to help. Start by browsing our resale market for your dream ownership, or call us today at 1-800-610-2734 or email us at [email protected] for more assistance.
