Exchange companies.

joanp60 wrote:

I have been a member of RCI ever since we bought our timeshare resale about 4 years ago. But when I look for exchanges for my week 24, 2 bdroom unit at Powhatan Plantation in Williamsburg, VA there's lots of places I never seem to be able to go so always end up in Orlando. I'd like to be able to go to the beach areas in MD, DE, and NJ.

So I am considering depositing this next time with II. That would mean that I have some weeks deposited with RCI and then 2 new weeks deposited with II. Has anyone else done this, using both RCI & II at the same time for their unit (but different years deposited)? Is it too confusing? Pros/ Cons?

thanks for your help. Joan

Hi Joan,

Please check out RedWeek's exchange program too.

Thanks, Marty

joanp60 asks, quoted in pertinent part:

>> Has anyone else done this, using both RCI & II at the same time for their unit (but different years deposited)? Is it too confusing? Pros/ Cons?<< =======================================

I belong (for now) to both RCI and II and yes, have overlapped deposits in the past (not recently). Doing so creates a bit of a "tracking exercise" on your part to keep things straight. Personally, I have resolved to NEVER again deposit with RCI, so things are a bit easier now ;-)

That said, since you can always "search first" (i.e. before depositing your week at all) with II, why would you want to deposit first there ????

The RedWeek model also allows for "search first". At this very early stage of the RedWeek program's development however, the quality and/or quantity of available inventory is not great. If / when that situation improves, the RedWeek exchange system may well become the best of all. Every program needs to start somewhere......

Good luck.

Update: It turns out that since I am a "weeks" member of Powhatan Plantation, I can only use RCI as that is what the resort has designated. If I was a Sunterra points member I could use II.

I also found out that in order to rent out my fixed week, I can't deposit it. Powhatan said that the sooner you put your non-deposited week in to be rented, the higher on the list you go.

Marty,

If as a weeks member I am designated by the resort to use RCI for exchanges and can't use II, does that mean I can't use Redweek too?

Do you think that even if I can't use Redweek to exchange, that I could use Redweek to rent my non-deposited week considering their policy? I probably have to call Powhatan again to ask these questions. Thanks for your help. Joan

------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi Joan,

Please check out RedWeek's exchange program too.

Thanks, Marty

I am currently using my week that expires June 30, 2009 to find vacations for summer 2009. That is 2 years away! Here's what I'm able to find in a 2 bdrm for my week 24 red in Williamsburg: Jan 16-23/09 in Brigantine, NJ May 2009 in Falmouth or Brewster, MA (Cape Cod) Williamsburg all May or June (doesn't cover July4th) Ocean City, MD some weeks in Jan, Feb, Marcy, & April Bethany Beach, DE- Jan & Feb weeks.

These are areas that I'm looking for as they are close to home, they are just not SUMMER dates which is what I am looking for. Other than local I like FL and am usually able to get FL so have been going there every year but I am starting to wish for these local beach areas. Joan

------------------------------------------------------------- Evidently you're searching for hard to get areas/times (exchanging is all about supply and demand) within a short time frame of only a few months. I do know that Key West is hard to get in an exchange. ...

...Many people don't care to plan vacations a year or more in advance, but in timesharing that's what you have to do in order to get what you want.

joanp60 wrote:

Marty,

If as a weeks member I am designated by the resort to use RCI for exchanges and can't use II, does that mean I can't use Redweek too?

Do you think that even if I can't use Redweek to exchange, that I could use Redweek to rent my non-deposited week considering their policy? I probably have to call Powhatan again to ask these questions. Thanks for your help. Joan

------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi Joan,

Please check out RedWeek's exchange program too.

Thanks, Marty

Joan, if your weeks are deposited with RCI or II then no you won't be able to use our exchange program but if they aren't deposited with another company you are free to use RedWeek.com to exchange or rent your timeshare weeks.

Thanks, Marty

joan, marty is indeed correct that as long as you haven't deposited your week(s) with RCI then you CAN deposit them with Redweek.

joanp60 wrote:

Marty,

If as a weeks member I am designated by the resort to use RCI for exchanges and can't use II, does that mean I can't use Redweek too?

Do you think that even if I can't use Redweek to exchange, that I could use Redweek to rent my non-deposited week considering their policy? I probably have to call Powhatan again to ask these questions. Thanks for your help. Joan

------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi Joan,

Please check out RedWeek's exchange program too.

Thanks, Marty

marty8084 wrote:

joanp60 wrote:

Marty,

If as a weeks member I am designated by the resort to use RCI for exchanges and can't use II, does that mean I can't use Redweek too?

Do you think that even if I can't use Redweek to exchange, that I could use Redweek to rent my non-deposited week considering their policy? I probably have to call Powhatan again to ask these questions. Thanks for your help. Joan

------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi Joan,

Please check out RedWeek's exchange program too.

Thanks, Marty

Joan, if your weeks are deposited with RCI or II then no you won't be able to use our exchange program but if they aren't deposited with another company you are free to use RedWeek.com to exchange or rent your timeshare weeks.

Thanks, Marty

Hi Marty, I have discussed with Fairfield and based upon their rules one would have to pay the $59.00 guest certificate fee, unless you had VIP status or above, and had not exceeded their newly announced limits on complimentary guest certifcates. If you have an agreement with Fairfield that eliminates the Guest Certificate charge, please inform us. Stan.

If you have not deposited your week or points with RCI then they are not involved and no guest certificate is necessary. I don't understand what Fairfield is saying ?? Guest certificates only come into play when you're involving an exchange company. You own the week or points so you can give or rent that week or points to anyone you choose. To my knowledge, the only thing you should have to do is notify the resort of the person's name who will be using the reserved week.

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Marty, I have discussed with Fairfield and based upon their rules one would have to pay the $59.00 guest certificate fee, unless you had VIP status or above, and had not exceeded their newly announced limits on complimentary guest certifcates. If you have an agreement with Fairfield that eliminates the Guest Certificate charge, please inform us. Stan.

Going by what you said below (in an earlier post), you HAVE indicated that you deposited your week with RCI and you've already performed a search. Therefore, since you've deposited your week, you would then have to buy a RCI guest certificate if you gave your week to someone else.

joanp60 wrote:

I am currently using my week that expires June 30, 2009 to find vacations for summer 2009. That is 2 years away! Here's what I'm able to find in a 2 bdrm for my week 24 red in Williamsburg: Jan 16-23/09 in Brigantine, NJ May 2009 in Falmouth or Brewster, MA (Cape Cod) Williamsburg all May or June (doesn't cover July4th) Ocean City, MD some weeks in Jan, Feb, Marcy, & April Bethany Beach, DE- Jan & Feb weeks.

These are areas that I'm looking for as they are close to home, they are just not SUMMER dates which is what I am looking for. Other than local I like FL and am usually able to get FL so have been going there every year but I am starting to wish for these local beach areas.Joan

jayjay wrote:

Going by what you said below (in an earlier post), you HAVE indicated that you deposited your week with RCI and you've already performed a search. Therefore, since you've deposited your week, you would then have to buy a RCI guest certificate if you gave your week to someone else.

joanp60 wrote:

I am currently using my week that expires June 30, 2009 to find vacations for summer 2009. That is 2 years away! Here's what I'm able to find in a 2 bdrm for my week 24 red in Williamsburg: Jan 16-23/09 in Brigantine, NJ May 2009 in Falmouth or Brewster, MA (Cape Cod) Williamsburg all May or June (doesn't cover July4th) Ocean City, MD some weeks in Jan, Feb, Marcy, & April Bethany Beach, DE- Jan & Feb weeks.

These are areas that I'm looking for as they are close to home, they are just not SUMMER dates which is what I am looking for. Other than local I like FL and am usually able to get FL so have been going there every year but I am starting to wish for these local beach areas.Joan

jayjay wrote:

If you have not deposited your week or points with RCI then they are not involved and no guest certificate is necessary. I don't understand what Fairfield is saying ?? Guest certificates only come into play when you're involving an exchange company. You own the week or points so you can give or rent that week or points to anyone you choose. To my knowledge, the only thing you should have to do is notify the resort of the person's name who will be using the reserved week.

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Marty, I have discussed with Fairfield and based upon their rules one would have to pay the $59.00 guest certificate fee, unless you had VIP status or above, and had not exceeded their newly announced limits on complimentary guest certifcates. If you have an agreement with Fairfield that eliminates the Guest Certificate charge, please inform us. Stan.

Hi Jayjay. Fairfield rules require a guest certificate if any other than the owner will occupy the condo and the owner is not present. Fairfield requires a guest certificate even if the owner is present if he has more than one condo reserved and others are going to occupy the other condos. Those are Fairfield's rules, I am only stating the facts of Fairfield's rules. Stan.

What kind of guest certificate ... a Fairfield guest certificate or an RCI guest certificate? If it's an RCI guest certificate then this is a rip-off since RCI is not involved except if an exchange has occurred.

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Jayjay. Fairfield rules require a guest certificate if any other than the owner will occupy the condo and the owner is not present. Fairfield requires a guest certificate even if the owner is present if he has more than one condo reserved and others are going to occupy the other condos. Those are Fairfield's rules, I am only stating the facts of Fairfield's rules. Stan.

jayjay wrote:

What kind of guest certificate ... a Fairfield guest certificate or an RCI guest certificate? If it's an RCI guest certificate then this is a rip-off since RCI is not involved except if an exchange has occurred.

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Jayjay. Fairfield rules require a guest certificate if any other than the owner will occupy the condo and the owner is not present. Fairfield requires a guest certificate even if the owner is present if he has more than one condo reserved and others are going to occupy the other condos. Those are Fairfield's rules, I am only stating the facts of Fairfield's rules. Stan.

Hi Jayjay. You need a Fairfield Guest Certificate, if you rent your Fairfield week to another person and you are not going to use the condo week yourself.

Thanks for this information Stan. I wasn't aware that Fairfield uses guest certificates. How much are they?

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Jayjay. You need a Fairfield Guest Certificate, if you rent your Fairfield week to another person and you are not going to use the condo week yourself.

jayjay wrote:

Thanks for this information Stan. I wasn't aware that Fairfield uses guest certificates. How much are they?

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Jayjay. You need a Fairfield Guest Certificate, if you rent your Fairfield week to another person and you are not going to use the condo week yourself.

Hi Jayjay, Presently the cost is $25.00. On January 1, 2008 the fee is increasing to $49.00. Stan.

jayjay wrote:

If you have not deposited your week or points with RCI then they are not involved and no guest certificate is necessary. I don't understand what Fairfield is saying ?? Guest certificates only come into play when you're involving an exchange company. You own the week or points so you can give or rent that week or points to anyone you choose. To my knowledge, the only thing you should have to do is notify the resort of the person's name who will be using the reserved week.

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Marty, I have discussed with Fairfield and based upon their

rules one would have to pay the $59.00 guest certificate fee, unless you had VIP status or above, and had not exceeded their newly announced limits on complimentary guest certifcates. If you have an agreement with Fairfield that eliminates the Guest Certificate charge, please inform us. Stan.

Stan, I am looking at the newly arrived FairShare Plus directory from Fairfield/Wyndom. (p.279) It says that the current Guest Confirmation fee is $25 (non-refundable/non-transferable). As of January 1, 2008, the fee becomes $49. However, all FairShare Members get one free Guest Confirmation per calendar year. VIP Members get additional free Confirmations depending on their level.

This has nothing to do with RCI or II Guest Confirmations.

MD

adahiscout wrote:

jayjay wrote:

If you have not deposited your week or points with RCI then they are not involved and no guest certificate is necessary. I don't understand what Fairfield is saying ?? Guest certificates only come into play when you're involving an exchange company. You own the week or points so you can give or rent that week or points to anyone you choose. To my knowledge, the only thing you should have to do is notify the resort of the person's name who will be using the reserved week.

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Marty, I have discussed with Fairfield and based upon their

rules one would have to pay the $59.00 guest certificate fee, unless you had VIP status or above, and had not exceeded their newly announced limits on complimentary guest certifcates. If you have an agreement with Fairfield that eliminates the Guest Certificate charge, please inform us. Stan.

Stan, I am looking at the newly arrived FairShare Plus directory from Fairfield/Wyndom. (p.279) It says that the current Guest Confirmation fee is $25 (non-refundable/non-transferable). As of January 1, 2008, the fee becomes $49. However, all FairShare Members get one free Guest Confirmation per calendar year. VIP Members get additional free Confirmations depending on their level.

This has nothing to do with RCI or II Guest Confirmations.

MD

stanleyf5 wrote:

adahiscout wrote:

jayjay wrote:

If you have not deposited your week or points with RCI then they are not involved and no guest certificate is necessary. I don't understand what Fairfield is saying ?? Guest certificates only come into play when you're involving an exchange company. You own the week or points so you can give or rent that week or points to anyone you choose. To my knowledge, the only thing you should have to do is notify the resort of the person's name who will be using the reserved week.

stanleyf5 wrote:

Hi Marty, I have discussed with Fairfield and based upon their

rules one would have to pay the $59.00 guest certificate fee, unless you had VIP status or above, and had not exceeded their newly announced limits on complimentary guest certifcates. If you have an agreement with Fairfield that eliminates the Guest Certificate charge, please inform us. Stan.

Stan, I am looking at the newly arrived FairShare Plus directory from Fairfield/Wyndom. (p.279) It says that the current Guest Confirmation fee is $25 (non-refundable/non-transferable). As of January 1, 2008, the fee becomes $49. However, all FairShare Members get one free Guest Confirmation per calendar year. VIP Members get additional free Confirmations depending on their level.

This has nothing to do with RCI or II Guest Confirmations.

MD

Hi You are correct, I stated the RCI fee not the Fairfield by error. Stan.

Just want to add that most if not all resorts/resort groups require that the owner notify them if someone other than the owner will occupy the reserved unit. They generally supply a Guest Confirmation which the person actually coming presents on arrival to prove that they are legitimately occupying the unit with the owner's permission. (Does not matter whether they are true "guests" or renters.) Some resorts charge for this service; others do not. (Bluegreen and Mayan Palace, for example.)

Of course there is no need for a guest confirmation if guests or family members are sharing the same unit the owner is occupying. Under Fairfield/Wyndham rules, they WILL need one if they are in a separate unit, even if the owners are on site for the same week. However, FF/W owners will seldom have to pay for this because the more time they own, the more free Guest Confirmations they get!

MD

I just read the following in the RedWeek exchange information. This is of major interest to RCI Points members and something many may be unaware of. Maybe Randy will check in and explain it further.

"Can I use RedWeek Exchange if my resort is only affiliated with RCI/II?"

"Yes, as an owner you can use an independent exchange company regardless of your resort's "official" exchange affiliation. The only exception is if you are an RCI Points member, in which case we will be unable to process your deposit."