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Re: Points or Weeks? (by Mike N.):

ken1193 wrote:

Mike 1536 stated: >> One difference between RCI and II for exchanging is with RCI you MUST deposit your week before requesting an exchange. If you don't get the exchange you want, then you lost the right to use your home week. With II you can request an exchange without losing your week. There are pros and cons to both methods.<<

Mike: I'm not lobbying for OR against one or the other of these exchange entities --- and I currently have membership in BOTH RCI and II. That fact stated right up front, I'm curious to know what you see as any "downside" to II and/or its practice of not requiring deposit to be made prior to making a request. I'm NOT saying that there IS no "downside" to II, just asking for your input and perspective on what it might be.....

Thanks, Ken

------------- Ken, Before I respond I want to clarify that I prefer II's system of "request first". In this manner, if I do not get the exchange I want, I can still just go to my home resort (which I have done in the past). Now, the only "downside" is that the "request first" method may reduce the inventory. My understanding is that my "request" will be filled if someone "deposits" the unit I'm requesting, but the person who has that unit may be waiting for his own request to be filled. For example, if I'm requesting a NC unit and will be depositing a NH unit; the person depositing the NC unit is waiting for his Hawaii request to be filled; etc, etc. "Deposit first" (II or RCI) allows for more availability, but as I said previously, I don't like the idea of losing control of my home week. I'm new to the RCI Points, but I like the idea that I know the trading power of my week (it's worth x number of points). If I want to go to a prime location, I know exactly what I need in points to exchange. With a weeks resort, you really don't know the trading power. Though RCI does have a chart which assigns "points" to weeks resorts (by region). I can deposit my weeks unit and receive an extra 50000 points if I so choose. The 10-month window is a minor drawback, but I'm pretty flexible with dates and was never picky with resorts. I've learned to be; otherwise doing exchanges can be very frustrating. I've yet to use deposit first, but i'm sure I'll do it at some time. What's you opinion on the two methods? Mike