Want more from your timeshare? No problem! As you may know, vacation ownership guarantees owners a lifetime of vacations for a fraction of the price. Additionally, it grants access to spacious accommodations, top-notch amenities, and proximity to the resort’s finest nearby attractions. But what if we told you there are ways to enhance your vacation ownership status and increase travel flexibility? With vacation exchange, your vacation opportunities are limitless! Vacation exchange companies like RCI offer membership opportunities for owners looking to expand their travel horizons to new destinations each year. Further, RCI is one of the leading timeshare exchange companies in the world, allowing owners like you to trade in their weeks or points for other timeshare resorts across the globe and outside of their brand. However, not all brands are RCI-affiliated timeshare companies. If you’d like to learn more about RCI and RCI resorts, continue reading!
- About RCI Resorts
- What is Vacation Exchange?
- RCI Resorts Membership Levels
- RCI Weeks
- RCI Points
- RCI Resorts Platinum Membership
- RCI Travel
- RCI-Affiliated Timeshare Companies
- RCI Resorts You Need to Exchange for ASAP!
- Additional RCI Resorts Exchange Programs
- Buy a Timeshare at an RCI-Affiliated Resort With Timeshares Only
About RCI Resorts
RCI was founded in 1974 by Jon and Christel DeHaan. The DeHaan family pioneered a system allowing vacation owners to exchange their time at their home resort for time at other resort locations. Resort Condominiums International, or RCI, is a vacation exchange network. Vacation exchange networks like RCI can help timeshare owners get the most out of their ownership. The opportunities with the membership add-on, RCI Travel, are endless! RCI’s 3.5 million+ members have over 4,00 timeshare resort exchange options in over 110 countries.
What is Vacation Exchange?
Before we dive deeper into Resort Condominiums International, it’s essential to explain what vacation exchange is. Simply put, vacation Exchange is a membership program that allows owners to exchange their timeshare week or points to stay at one of thousands of affiliated resorts worldwide. While not all timeshare brands are associated with RCI, it’s vital to note which ones are. Hence, Interval International or II, is next in line for being a vast timeshare exchange company. II also has separate associated brands like RCI. For example, Hilton Grand Vacations Club and Holiday Inn Club Vacations are RCI-affiliated timeshare companies. Meanwhile, Disney Vacation Club and Hyatt are affiliated with Interval International. RCI members can’t exchange for Interval International resorts and vice-versa, so be aware of what your home resort is affiliated with.
RCI Resorts Membership Levels
Aside from knowing RCI-affiliated timeshare companies, it’s important to note the two RCI membership types. With this company, you’ll find RCI Weeks and RCI Points memberships. How is it decided which membership you have? You can sign up for the RCI Points membership if you own a points-based timeshare. However, if you own a fixed week or floating week timeshare, you can enroll in RCI Weeks OR convert your week to the RCI Points membership. The major difference between RCI Weeks and RCI Points is that RCI Points members can stay for as little as one night at a resort.
Traditionally, exchange networks worked by trading one week for another week at a resort of the same caliber. Today, RCI gives owners more options for exchanging. You can customize the length of your stays at a variety of different types of resorts. Members now have the option to exchange their week in smaller increments. So, you could potentially spend half a week at one resort and the other half at another resort at a different time of year. RCI Travel is an additional program that allows members to use their membership to book hotel stays worldwide.
There is also an additional level of RCI membership known as RCI Platinum, which provides more discounts and perks. More on that below!
RCI Weeks
RCI Weeks membership allows members to exchange their resort week for another 7-night stay at affiliated RCI resorts worldwide. After signing up and depositing your week, RCI will assign it a “trading power” value they call “Deposit Trading Power.” Your Deposit Trading Power is determined by the resort’s popularity, the unit size, the ownership type, the season in which you own, and more.
RCI Points
RCI Points are an additional option for RCI members. Members who have converted and/or deposited their timeshare week for points have added flexibility in their vacation ownership. RCI Points allows members to choose their vacation’s location, unit size, arrival date, and length of stay (including just one-night stays). Each resort/week combination is worth different points in the exchange network.
One great thing about exchange networks like RCI is that members’ unused points can roll over one year. Additionally, members can borrow their own points from the following year to book vacations in the current year. Points roll over one year, but if not used in the second year, they do not roll over to the third year.
RCI Resorts Platinum Membership
The RCI Weeks and RCI Points programs are considered the standard membership levels for RCI. However, you can upgrade to Platinum if you want to get more out of your RCI membership. Platinum members receive greater benefits and discounts that allow them to enhance their vacations.
Discounts include 10% off Last Call vacations, 25% off Guest Certificates to share with loved ones, and more! Members can also use the On-Hold Vacations feature for free, so there is no penalty to take your time with vacation planning. Platinum members also have priority access to vacations, so they will be the first members to be able to book exchanges. They also have access to 24/7 Travel Concierge and Emergency Travel Assistance services. So, if a problem or question comes up, you will have access to a quick solution. Additionally, platinum members receive complimentary unit and resort changes on their confirmed RCI Travel exchanges!
RCI Travel
RCI Travel is the best way to book amazing deals on hotels worldwide. Over 600,000+ hotels are available to make reservations at, with RCI’s best price guarantee. The RCI Travel hotel exchange program lets members save tons using their timeshare’s Trading Power or Points membership to purchase hotel bookings. And that’s on TOP of the discounted savings!
If you are looking to use RCI Travel to book a hotel but are out of Trading Power or Points, you can even make reservations at cash-only getaways with exclusive rates just for members. You can also use RCI Travel to book flights, cruises, and car rentals. Talk about flexibility!
RCI Travel, Membership Fees and Dues
To be a member of RCI, you must own a timeshare and pay yearly fees for membership. In addition to exchanging your timeshare, you can also gain travel benefits with RCI. Some members use their points for flights, cruises, rental cars, and other travel necessities.
RCI-Affiliated Timeshare Companies
Even though RCI is a large company in the timeshare industry, they don’t actually own any timeshares. It works because brands affiliate themselves with RCI and allow their resorts to be on the RCI vacation network. Below are a few RCI-affiliated timeshare companies:
It’s also worth mentioning that not every resort in a brand is eligible for exchange. To find out if your resort is available on RCI’s network, call your resort or developer or contact RCI directly.
RCI Resorts You Need to Exchange for ASAP!
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if a resort is as good as it looks online, so RCI has a way of instilling confidence in guests before booking. RCI gives their most excellent resorts the title of Gold Crown. This means that they have deemed that resort to be exceptional in many ways. For instance, you can expect excellent housekeeping, amenities, and customer service at RCI Gold Crown Resorts. You might think that this indicates that these timeshare properties are more expensive, but that isn’t always the case. Watch for sales or discounts so you don’t miss the chance to book a Gold Crown resort at a reduced price.
Continue reading to get insight into some of our favorite Gold Crown RCI resorts.
Arroyo Roble
Arroyo Roble Resort is a gorgeous timeshare resort in Arizona. The resort is located on nine acres, right in the heart of Arizona’s Red Rock Country. This secluded resort is a quiet getaway with scenic views, exceptional amenities, and adventure around every corner. The resort features indoor and outdoor pools so that you can swim year-round. Furthermore, Sedona, Arizona, has so much to offer for those who love the outdoors. You can fish in Oak Creek, hike Snoopy Rock, or take a hot air balloon ride over the Grand Canyon. There’s also plenty of unique shopping at Tlaquepaque Art Village and delicious food options all over Sedona. Relax after a long day with delicious Mexican cuisine and a refreshing margarita at Elote Café.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Mcalpin Ocean Plaza
Elegantly designed with an art-deco atmosphere in beautiful Miami Beach, the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Mcalpin Ocean Plaza is a top choice of RCI Gold Crown resorts available. This resort gives you everything you need during your luxurious beach vacation getaway. The resort offers one- and two-bedroom suites that accommodate up to six people comfortably. Most units come complete with fully-equipped kitchens, spacious living room areas, and private bedrooms. Guests have easy access to the beach, and you’ll be within walking distance of the best restaurants and Miami nightlife.
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Carlsbad Inn is a beachfront resort just steps away from vibrant downtown Carlsbad, California. This resort aspires to make guests feel at home by hosting various activities, including a welcome breakfast and casino night. Enjoy boating or fishing via the local marina, or spend the day relaxing at the beach. The resort’s amenities include full kitchens, fireplaces, fitness centers, saunas, dining, and a hot tub with ocean views. If you want to see more of California, take a day trip to one of the many attractions just a short drive from the resort, including Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo. Carlsbad features tons of note-worthy restaurants, wineries, breweries, and shopping within walking distance of the resort, so you don’t need to go far to have a great time.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort
Want a fun-filled family vacation in Orlando? Then there’s no better place to stay than Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort. This RCI timeshare is just minutes away from Disney World. At the resort, you can relish seven pools, four golf courses, a 12-acre water park, and more. Don’t want to leave the resort for a good meal? No problem! Orange Lake Resort is home to eight on-site restaurants to satisfy all pallets. Moreover, this property isn’t just a single building but four villages spanning 1,450 acres. You and your family will love beachfront activities like water skiing and boating. With all of these amenities, it should be no surprise that this is one of the top RCI resorts.
Additional RCI Resorts Exchange Programs
As a member of RCI, you will have several perks. If you are a member, you can gift an RCI exchange vacation using the RCI Guest Certificate. There is a fee for doing so, but you could give a loved one a great gift with a timeshare vacation.
RCI Last Call
Another benefit of RCI is their RCI Last Call getaways. Last Call getaways are week-long vacations you can take by booking them with cash. These vacations won’t affect your points balance, so essentially, you’re just getting an extra, exclusive vacation (that you buy, of course.)
RCI Extra Vacation Getaways
In addition to Last Call, you can participate in RCI Extra Vacation Getaways. Like Last Call, you use cash to book these trips, and there is no limit on how many Extra Vacation Getaways you take. Moreover, you can use a Guest Certificate to send a loved one on an Extra Vacation Getaway and your regularly scheduled timeshare vacation.
Buy a Timeshare at an RCI-Affiliated Resort With Timeshares Only
So, now that you have received the full scoop on RCI and learned about some top RCI resorts, it’s time to start packing! Check out our marketplace to find the latest deals at timeshare resorts worldwide! We have listings at the top RCI-affiliated timeshare companies like Bluegreen Vacations, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Wyndham Destinations. Plus, when you buy an RCI timeshare resale, you’ll be able to save some money compared to buying one directly from a developer. What’s not to love? If you have any questions about an RCI membership, RCI resorts, or anything related to the RCI network, please call us at 1-800-610-2734 or email us at [email protected]. We’re always happy to help!
