Timesharing today - Exchange From Weeks to RCI Points

Timeshare information about the process of converting weeks into RCI Points can be found in the following pages or made available through our free online RCI Points webinar for timeshare owners.

The process of timesharing or owning a timeshare is precisely the same today for timeshare owners thanks to the concept's basic feature of exchanging intervals around the world.

You might find some disagreement with this statement, but here is a different take on what I mean - the evolution in the timeshare industry is similar to the evolving automobile industry. Although the automobile industry has produced spectacular cars with innovative features that indeed make our lives easier and glorify the driver's experience, including smoother rides, better fuel economy and even “green” electric hybrid cars…, the fact is that it is still simply a car. A car that has both purpose and priority to get us from point A to point B. This example rings true with timeshares.

Over the years, timeshares have evolved from a standard week interval, floating weeks or split weeks to owning an allotment of points that can be banked, saved for years, and ultimately used to rent a car, a hotel room, to even book a cruise! The bottom line is the concept of timesharing is still just about a vacation, or an ownership simple enough to say I am “going to use my timeshare this week” and its concept has not changed over the years thanks to the feasibility of exchanging intervals around the world via various exchange networks.

The particularity of week or points exchange being the distinctive feature of the timeshare concept, timeshare information about the exchange process is therefore crucial for one to fully appreciate and maximize the use of timeshares. In the following pages, we will mainly refer to RCI - Resorts Condominium International - first, because it is the largest of all exchange networks - offering over 4500 destinations in more than 100 countries around the world - and second, because RCI allows exchanges in week intervals as well as in points value for timeshare owners. Find out more on the Mechanics of Timeshare Exchanges with RCI

First, to fully appreciate how timeshares work, one just needs to think about prepaying the accommodation portion upfront for a set price. Similar to a home you might buy there is the purchase price to pay and then a yearly maintenance fee covering utilities, lawn care, snow removal and so on. Once the home is paid for, you just need to keep up with the annual maintenance and continue to use and appreciate your home's spacious living and comfort.

Timeshares are the same but with one significant difference: it comes with wings and wheels so to speak thanks to its exchange feature. After purchasing a timeshare in an area you like to visit, for ex., Florida, you can travel back to the place you purchased once or twice per year depending on the program you bought, and have a fully appointed and furnished condominium or villa waiting for your arrival! The attractive aspect of timeshares however will always be the fact that you can exchange your interval to other destinations around the world. The beauty of condo style accommodations is simply more room, cost saving features such as fully decked out kitchens and onsite amenities. Avoiding restaurants in touristic areas can save hundred of dollars on each vacation regardless of the destination you choose. Timeshare owners appreciate to feel just at home in a vacation home away from home in destinations they sought after year after year and accessed for a fraction of the price!

Your timeshare interval may have evolved today into an RCI points value. The timeshare you bought in Florida years ago when the kids were little might have lost its appeal in your life since the kids have grown. The 2-bedroom condo you initially purchased seems to be more of a waste of space nowadays. Now traveling as a retired couple, the spacious accommodation or the Disney experience is not too important anymore, unless the grand children come along. Now, here’s the neat thing about the evolution of timeshares: the conversion of your week into RCI points will now allow you to extend its use into 2 to 3 weeks per year while using smaller accommodations. RCI Points were designed to better adapt ownerships to timeshare owners' current travel needs. It just made sense to convert weeks into RCI points for added flexibility and increased use.

Nowadays, many resorts have converted their timeshare intervals into RCI points mainly to offer flexible use and benefits within the RCI exchange network. From now on, the points value deposited into an easy-to-use exchange account will allow you much more options in trading in your interval. Moreover, for timeshare owners with points account and multiple weeks ownership, it's possible to convert the weeks system into additional points in equivalence. You can now extract a reduced points value for another interval in a smaller accommodation, a low season travel period or a last minute destination in areas that suit your travel needs. Have you ever considered an Arizona golf vacation at the last minute? Perhaps a trip to the sunny Bahamas? Or even a cultural experience in France?

Exchanging your interval ownership is the true benefit and investment in this popular method of travel… and it’s found within the timeshare and its interval exchange ownership model, be exchanging weeks or points.

The flexibility of using spacious condos located in desirable areas or destinations in over 100 countries to fully experience other cultures and traditions will always remain. All of this comfort in one's very own accommodation away from home is the sensible choice that timeshare owners make and really appreciate of their timeshares.

For more information on RCI points, please contact us to schedule a Free Online Webinar for a quick overview of RCI Points vs Weeks Exchange.