Timeshare Exchange

Top 25 Timeshare Exchange Resorts

Article by Mark Silverman from the Timeshare Examiner

Redweek.com, the on-line marketplace for timeshare exchange, rentals and resales has released it’s annual listing of top 25 timeshare exchange resorts, according to it’s memberships.
While interesting, the list is by no means scientific; the responses come from  the 1.5 million Redweek members, which is about 20% of the owners world wide, and skews to the United States, home for most of the sites members.
The results were also not compiled as part of any kind of random sampling, and it is unlikely that any of the respondents have significant exposure to more than a couple of dozen propetries each. As a matter of fact, the rankings are based on the resorts members information requests.
All that aside, the results are still interesting.
I may comment in future columns, in the meantime I present the list for your feed back

Top Timeshare Exchange List

1. Disney’s Beach Club Villas – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
2. Disney’s BoardWalk Villas – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
3. Harborside Resort at Atlantis – Paradise Island, Bahamas
4. The Manhattan Club – New York City, New York
5. Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club – Lahaina, Hawaii
6. Costa Linda Beach Resort – Oranjestad, Aruba
7. HGVC at Hilton Hawaiian Village – Honolulu, Hawaii
8. Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
9. Disney’s Old Key West Resort – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
10. Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club – Kapolei, Hawaii
11. Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club – Palm Beach, Aruba
12. The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas – Lahaina, Hawaii
13. Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club – Palm Beach, Aruba
14. Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas – Newport Coast, California
15. The Royal Sands – Cancun, Mexico
16. Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club – Koloa, Hawaii
17. Playa Linda Beach Resort – Palm Beach, Aruba
18. Marriott’s Grande Ocean – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
19. Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort: West Village – Kissimmee, Florida
20. Marriott’s Ocean Pointe – Palm Beach Shores, Florida
21. Kaanapali Beach Club – Lahaina, Hawaii
22. The Westin St. John – Virgin Grand Villas – St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
23. Aruba Beach Club – Oranjestad, Aruba
24. Sheraton Vistana Resort – Orlando, Florida
25. The Galleon Resort – Key West, Florida

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Jeff Pierce, The Timeshare Expert, has taught thousands of timeshare owners the secrets to getting the best exchanges with both RCI and Interval International for over 22 years.

His two books, The Timeshare Exchange Bible – RCI Weeks Edition, and The Timeshare Exchange Bible – Interval International, are the only books of their kind in the timeshare industry and designed to help you  master at the very complicated art of getting good exchanges.

I would love to have you share your opinions and personal insights on this blog.

For 10 FREE videos on getting better timeshare exchanges in RCI and II go to TheTimeshareExpert.com.

Join me on:

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Timeshare Exchange

I have found that many timeshare owners I consult with look at their RCI timeshare exchange directory once a year-usually just before they are ready to place an exchange request. I recommend you really get familiar your directory long before that.

How Getting to Know Your RCI Timeshare Exchange Directory Helps You Get Better Timeshare Exchanges

Rather than picking it up the day you want to request your RCI timeshare exchange, you should go through it before hand and not only star the resorts you like, but also cross out the ones you do not want. There is a lot of information packed into the listings that will help in Planning Your Next Timeshare Exchange

For instance, if you want to exchange to a RCI resort on the beach, some of the timeshare resorts listed may be blocks from the beach rather than right on it. Crossing them off now will save you the time of filtering through them when you’re ready to do your timeshare exchange.

Below each RCI timeshare listing there is a series of color coded, round symbols that will quickly give you important information. There are currently 48 of these symbols in the RCI timeshare exchange directory that will give you an insight as to what amenities are in the unit itself, on site at the resort and nearby the resort.

For instance, with a quick glance you can tell whether your unit has a washer/dryer, dishwasher and air conditioning. You can also tell whether the RCI timeshare resort is on a lake, beach or ski slope, whether it is an all inclusive and if the all inclusive is mandatory or optional.

For some people the most important criteria in doing a RCI timeshare exchange may be whether there is on site child care and organized children’s activities. For others it may be whether there is a casino or bar on site. Because of how the RCI timeshare exchange directory is formatted you can tell all of this and more with a quick glance.

Another nice touch is the phone numbers and websites to the RCI timeshare resorts are listed in the directory allowing you to get even more in-depth information. Questions like: does the resort provide free day care, are there organized activities for kids, are basic spices like salt, pepper and garlic powder provided, are there barbecues on site and what are some of the best activities they recommend nearby are just a few of the questions to ask that will better help you in determining your resort choice.

Don’t Be Afraid to Mark Up Your RCI Timeshare Directory

The RCI timeshare exchange directory is very nice so you may be hesitant to mark it up with pen and highlighter; but not only will this help you enormously in Getting a Great Exchange but you will get a new one next year.

So grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and have some fun with it. With about 4,200 resorts in RCI timeshare exchange directory this will help you to Plan Your Next Exchange Each year many new RCI resorts are added so keep your old directory for reference.

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Jeff Pierce, The Timeshare Expert, has taught thousands of timeshare owners the secrets to getting the best exchanges with both RCI and Interval International for over 22 years.

His two books, The RCI Timeshare Exchange Bible, and The Interval International Timeshare Exchange Bible, are the only books of their kind in the timeshare industry and designed to help you master at the very complicated art of getting good exchanges.

I would love to have you share your opinions and personal insights on this blog.

For 10 FREE videos on getting better timeshare exchanges in RCI and II go to TheTimeshareExpert.com.

Join me on:

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Learn How To Get A Great RCI Timeshare Exchange

How To Get The RCI Timeshare You Want

Here’s a big secret to increasing your timeshare exchange power to get the RCI timeshare resort you want – Bank Early!!

I know, you’ve heard this before and you’re thinking, “Big deal! What kind of advice is this?” In two words, extremely important!

I’ve found, that even though this is common knowledge, and RCI timeshare owners are constantly reminded of this, few people understand or use this simple strategy that really increases your timeshare exchange power. Here’s why.

Why Banking Your RCI Timeshare Early Increases Your Timeshare Exchange Power

Many timeshare owners believe they have to know which RCI timeshare they want to exchange to before banking their week. This is a big mistake that can really harm your timeshare exchange power and make it much more difficult to get the RCI timeshare you want.

You do not need to know which RCI timeshare you’re going to want for your next vacation in order to bank it. You just need to know if you want to use it in your home resort or not. If you answer no to that question then bank it as early as possible to increase your timeshare exchange power. You can decide later where to use it.

The reason banking your RCI timeshare early is so important is because of the pecking order of RCI timeshare exchange system. Simply put, if I bank my RCI timeshare week today, and you bank yours tomorrow, and every thing else between us is equal, I have priority over you just because I banked my week one measly day before you.

Insider Secret to Help You Get the RCI Timeshare You Want

The first quarter of the year is when RCI receives the largest amount of people banking their RCI timeshare week. This is because January is the most common month that HOA fees are due and it serves to remind the RCI timeshare owner they need to do something with their week. So here’s the secret.

Always bank next year’s week and put in your request this year to get ahead of the crowd to increase your RCI timeshare exchange power and to tap into the greatest amount of available inventory.

Here’s another little known fact….

Just How Far In Advance Should You Bank Your RCI Timeshare Week?

For every month over 7 months in advance you bank your RCI timeshare week your exchange power increases. For every month under 7 months your timeshare exchange power decreases. For example, if you bank a July 2009 week in May of 2008 you will have significantly more timeshare exchange power than if you bank that same July 2009 week in January 2009.

In addition, you’ll have a bigger window of opportunity to use it. You’ll have between May of 2008 and July of 2011 to decide where to use that week! Not only do you now have more than 3 years to make up your mind but you will also increase your timeshare exchange power enormously.

Remember, the more in advance you do things in the timeshare world, the more choice and power you have. So don’t wait, bank your RCI timeshare week today.

While banking your RCI timeshare early will increase your exchange power, there are many more things you can do to supercharge your timeshare exchange power! To learn more about that, check out my guidebook..

“The RCI Timeshare Exchange Bible”

It’s the only guidebook of its kind in the timeshare industry and is loaded with tips and secrets I’ve learned in the 22 years I’ve been in the industry. It comes with a 100% money back guarantee that you will get a far better RCI timeshare exchange than you are now.

To view this post on Ezine Articles click on RCI Timeshare now.

Frustrated With Doing a Timeshare Exchange

I just got this question from Gary who just purchased my Timeshare Exchange Bible – II Edition.

Jeff,

Reading through your guides. Quick question. You mention this: Owner Occupancy Level:

This is the percentage of timeshare owners preferring to stay in their Home Resort as opposed to doing a timeshare exchange through Interval International. Worldwide, 80% of timeshare owners timeshare exchange their week through Interval International and 20% use their week in their Home Resort.
This is, however, just an average. At some resorts these numbers are just the opposite, resulting in a high owner occupancy level and therefore making it much more difficult in getting a timeshare exchange.

Thinking out loud here: Is there a chart, table, reporting database, resort info, etc where this can be pulled from? I know about the Demand Index.

I want to do a timeshare exchange to Myrtle Beach, SC. The Marriot Ocean Watch is where we want to stay. If this is a timeshare resort where 80% use the home resort, and other Marriott timeshare owners get first crack at the open 20%, then others like me have a so-so chance. (obviously this is the opposite of your #’s above) Pulling those numbers would give me a better idea what timeshare resorts in Myrtle Beach I would have a chance at.

Thanks.

Gary

Timeshare Exchange: The answer

Hi Gary,

You have very good timeshare instincts.  You should do great getting a timeshare exchange into the best resorts.

You’re right, the 80/20 ratio is a world wide average and certain resorts and resort areas have much higher owner occupancy levels (OOL) than 20%.  Unfortunately, I know of no chart or report that gives this information on timeshare exchange.

Interval International’s (II) Demand Index, while a very handy tool for understanding the hardest weeks to get on exchange, really only reflects demand-not supply of timeshare exchange weeks being deposited.

You can count on  high owner occupancy in high priced and top of the line timeshares, especially in the peak seasons, and any timeshare that’s part of a club e.g. Hyatt, Hilton, Westin/Starwood Vacation Club, Disney Vacation Club, Welk Platinum Resorts, Diamond, VRI, Wyndham/World Mark and Marriott now that they have launched their points program.

For instance, you can expect very a high OOL when a person pays $50,000-$60,000 a week in Maui.  That owner is less likely to want to do a timeshare exchange to another resort because of what they paid – at least for the first 4-5 years or so.  But after flying the entire family to Hawaii for 5 years they may be more likely to trying out the exchange system opening up more availability.

But purchase price isn’t the only factor in a high OOL. A very nice resort like the Boyne Mountain in Michigan will have very a very high OOL both in the summer and winter even
though the weeks aren’t as pricey as a Maui week.

The owners in Boyne Mountain Resort will want to use it in the summer because it’s on a lake and has an 88,000 square foot indoor water park, and in the winter for skiing on the
61 downhill slopes and the numerous cross country trails. In addition, because it’s one of only 2 timeshare resorts in the entire state of Michigan in Interval International and you have the perfect storm of a high OOL. But some of those winter and summer weeks will make it into Interval International for you and I to do a timeshare exchange if we know what we’re doing.

Timeshare Exchange: Why Timeshare Clubs are so much harder to exchange to

Timeshare clubs are even harder to do a timeshare exchange. The reason clubs have a much higher OOL is that the members don’t have to use RCI or II to do a timeshare exchange to other resorts within the club. So far less inventory makes it into the exchange companies pools.

For instance, if you bought a fixed week at the beautiful Welk Resort in Escondido, CA some years ago, and wanted to use it in the Welk’s Desert Oasis in Cathedral City ( the Palm Springs area), you’d have to deposit or bank your week with either RCI or Interval Internatioal, get on the waiting list for the dates you want and pay them their exchange fee.

If, however, you purchased your timeshare from Welk after late 2006, you purchased points in their Platinum Club points system instead of a week.  A Welk Platinum owner simply calls Welk directly to make their reservation at any of their resorts in Escondido, Cathedral City, Branson, MO or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It’s an easier process for the owner, there are no exchange fees and the owner knows immediately if there is availability. This is a much more attractive way for the owner to use his timeshare therefore fewer weeks get deposited with the exchange companies.

So how does one determine how much availability there is in any particular resort at a specific time of year if there is no chart or report?  Easy. All you have to do is ask. You can ask RCI or II this question but depending on which exchange councilor you’re talking with, they might not give you the answer.  If that happens you can try again later or simply call the resort itself and find out.  If II tells you that typically only four 2 bedroom units come out of Boyne Mountain Resort in July, you had better expand your search to include more dates or add other resorts to you request.

Now, to answer your question about availability in Marriott’s Ocean Watch in Myrtle Beach. Recently I was talking with an RCI exchange councilor and, to my utter shock, he told me that Myrtle Beach is one of the most demanded and has one of the highest OOL’s in RCI. (I know that Marriott is in II but I’m certain they’d say the same) He said it’s because it’s so close to so many large metropolitan areas and timeshare owners in the past few years are sticking closer to home for their vacations.

So call II and the front desk of the Marriott to find out.  If you use my suggestions in the Bible and plan far enough in advance you should have a good shot at getting it.  You can always start your search for just that resort and add more later if you don’t get results.  The important thing is to start your search immediately.

Thanks for the question and your purchase.  I’ll be submitting this reply to article directories and on my blog to help others.

All the best,

Jeff Pierce – The Timeshare Expert

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Jeff Pierce, The Timeshare Expert, has taught thousands of timeshare owners the secrets to getting the best exchanges with both RCI and Interval International for over 22 years.

His two books, The Timeshare Exchange Bible – RCI Weeks Edition, and The Timeshare Exchange Bible – Interval International, are the only books of their kind in the timeshare industry and designed to help you  master at the very complicated art of getting good exchanges.

I would love to have you share your opinions and personal insights on this blog.

For 10 FREE videos on getting better timeshare exchanges in RCI and II go to TheTimeshareExpert.com.

Join me on:

Twitter
Facebook
My Space

timeshare exchange

Hyatt Highlands Inn Pool

I just got confirmed for the best exchange ever out of the 50+ I’ve done. I deposited my 2009 Swallowtail at Sea Pines week 43 on Hilton Head, probably 10-12 months in advance. I started my search on Nov 9, 2009 exclusively for the Hyatt Highlands Inn.

I don’t remember how big of a span of time I requested, but I’m sure I told II that I’d take any week from Aug 2010 through Dec, and I’d accept a 1 bedroom.

On Jun 8, 2010 I was confirmed into a 1 bedroom ocean view for Thanksgiving 2010. (Sorry I couldn’t make the picture come out better)

What’s interesting is that my timeshare in Hilton Head is not even ranked as a Premier or Select Resort and although week 43 is Red, it is not prime Red week like the summer weeks are.

Hyatt Highlands Owners Lounge

I’m confirmed to unit #405 which is an ocean view.  When I went to the Hyatt Hotel website and to rent that 1 bedroom during Thanksgiving would cost $4,683 plus tax.  Let’s call it $5000. I paid $4500 for that week 20 years ago.  This is timesharing at its best.

Hyatt Highlands Jacuzzi

For several years now I’ve offered the secrets to getting incredible exchanges, no matter what quality of timeshare you own, through the sale of my Timeshare Exchange Bibles.

Hyatt Highlands Inn Balcony

If you haven’t picked up your  copy yet you can get The Timeshare Exchange Bible – II Edition by Clicking Here Now!

You can pick up your  copy of The Timeshare Exchange Bible – RCI Weeks Edition by Clicking Here Now!

Hyatt Highlands Inn Bedroom

Life’s too short and you’ve spent too much money on your timeshare to be getting mediocre exchanges.  Get your Timeshare Exchange Bibles now.

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Jeff Pierce, The Timeshare Expert, has taught thousands of timeshare owners the secrets to getting the best exchanges with both RCI and Interval International for over 22 years.

His two books, The Timeshare Exchange Bible – RCI Weeks Edition, and The Timeshare Exchange Bible – Interval International, are the only books of their kind in the timeshare industry and designed to help you  master at the very complicated art of getting good exchanges.

I would love to have you share your opinions and personal insights on this blog.

For 10 FREE videos on getting better timeshare exchanges in RCI and II go to TheTimeshareExpert.com.

I found this very helpful video on You Tube explaining how to get Last Call and Extra Vacations in RCI.  I found it at a site called X Force Articles.

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Jeff Pierce, The Timeshare Expert, has taught thousands of timeshare owners the secrets to getting the best exchanges with both RCI and Interval International for over 22 years.

His two books, The Timeshare Exchange Bible – RCI Weeks Edition, and The Timeshare Exchange Bible – Interval International, are the only books of their kind in the timeshare industry and designed to help you  master at the very complicated art of getting good exchanges.

I would love to have you share your opinions and personal insights on this blog.

For 10 FREE videos on getting better timeshare exchanges in RCI and II go to TheTimeshareExpert.com.

Join me on:

Twitter Facebook My Space