Our vacation exchange through RCI in Costa Rica was fantastic! It was the perfect blend of incredible scenery, abundant wildlife, relaxation and adventure. We enjoyed our stay at the Ecoplaya Beach Resort on the Northern coast as the beautiful beaches were virtually deserted. We definitely will be going back, hopefully with more family members in tow!
- Wendy M. from Courtenay, British Columbia
We have been RCI subscribing members since 1982. Last month we had an amazingly wonderful vacation in Newport, RI at The Wellington. What is really exciting is that was the 50th state for us. In 47 years of marriage, we have now been to all 50 states (Rhode Island was the last), and over half of those have been vacation exchanges through RCI. The weeks we own at the Mariner Beach Club in St. Pete Beach, FL and our membership in RCI have been some of the best money spent in our lifetime!
- Louis M. from Naylor, GA
We have been RCI subscribing members since 1982. Last month we had an amazingly wonderful vacation in Newport, RI at The Wellington. What is really exciting is that was the 50th state for us. In 47 years of marriage, we have now been to all 50 states (Rhode Island was the last), and over half of those have been vacation exchanges through RCI. The weeks we own at the Mariner Beach Club in St. Pete Beach, FL and our membership in RCI have been some of the best money spent in our lifetime!
- Louis M. from Naylor, GA
Our family usually vacations with our good friends. Our first trip to Mexico, was at a spot of their choice. We decided to go back in 2007, using our RCI deposited time. The wife was very hesitant about staying at a "timeshare resort" as her past experience was poor. However, we stayed at the Mayan Palace on the Riviera Maya. Well, safe to say, she was very impressed and no longer worried about the timeshare horror stories. Our friends were also on hand for our 2009 Cancun visit to the Moon Palace Golf and Spa, which was also an exchange through RCI. I do not think we will be able to go anywhere now without them. Thanks RCI, and our friends thank you too.
- Lee J. from Redding, CA
My daughter's school decided in 2008 that they would not be able to take any international trips. Her older brothers and sisters were able to visit Europe and also Mexico. Needless to say, she was very disappointed. I then decided to try to take her to Mexico myself. I got on the internet and searched for an RCI vacation exchange. The great news was that there was an opening at the Mayan Palace on Riviera Maya available during our spring break. I quickly booked the week and then the airfare. I even rented a car for the week that we were down there. It has been one of the best and most rewarding vacations I have been on. We visited the Mayan Ruins, took the ferry over to Cozumel. Each day we traveled to a new destination and saw even more than she would have on her school trip. We went out for supper each night and did a lot of shopping. Yes, we danced at Senor Frogs! Having the rental car was easy and without it we wouldn't have been able to do all the things we did! We kept our cost down and really enjoyed ourselves on our schedule. This will most definitely be one of my top vacations.
- LuAnn R. from Sellersburg, IN
Thanks to RCI we were able to exchange our timeshare for a two-bedroom unit at the Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta which allowed us to bring our whole family on vacation with us. We took our twin boys who were 11 months old at the time and their grandparents and two aunts with us so we were able to have adult time, as well as share the boys' first experiences playing with the sand and waves. All of us had a great time. It was truly an unforgettable and beautiful vacation.
- Felicia D. from Los Angeles, CA
During October 2008, we went on an RCI exchange vacation to the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. It turned out to be the best vacation exchange we ever took. It was the most beautiful timeshare resort we had ever seen and their lazy river around the resort was the longest we ever had been on. We did end up buying a timeshare at the Grand Mayan.
- Margy L. from Lady Lake, FL
I was wondering what I could give my niece and godchild for her 21st birthday. I really wanted to make her birthday memorable as it's such a milestone in life. I decided the only gift that she would remember for the rest of her life was an RCI vacation. I was able to deposit my week and she requested a week in Aruba. Typical soon-to-be 21 year old, she was very specific on the week and chose only 2 resorts in Aruba. It came down to the wire but just 2-3 weeks before her chosen date, I got a call from the RCI guide to let me know RCI was able to accommodate LeeAnne and her mom (my sister) the actual week they wanted in August at the resort in Aruba that was her number one choice. I was a hero to my niece!
My niece, LeeAnne, invited a friend and her mom to join them on this adventure and according to all 4 they had a blast. It was a great mother/daughter bonding trip and no one wanted the week to end. They said they were treated great by all the staff and the RCI exchange was the best vacation they have had! Needless to say, my sister now wants to buy my timeshare and wants to be a member of RCI so that she can travel every year with minimal hassles. Thanks so much for helping me make my niece's 21st birthday a memorable one.
- Abigail V. from Cave Creek, AZ
Both RCI® Weeks and RCI Points® subscribing members now have the ability to upgrade their standard RCI membership to RCI Platinum membership. Of course, I’m sure the first thing that probably comes to mind is “How much does it cost?” and “Is it worth it for me?” At only $55 USD per year, you shouldn’t have to think twice about an RCI Platinum membership. Here’s why: the membership offers a wide array of great exchange and lifestyle benefits that can more than help offset the cost of the upgrade and simultaneously add value to your RCI membership.
For example, as an RCI Platinum member, let’s say you book two Extra VacationsSM getaways or combine deposits twice; you would earn $50 USD in Platinum Rebates that are automatically credited to your RCI account. That would almost cover your entire RCI Platinum membership cost right there. Plus, with discounts of up to 50% off dining, golf, ski, and more, you’re bound to find great savings around where you live or travel. The savings you make here could surpass the cost of your upgrade.
However, in my opinion, it’s the non-monetary benefits that mean the most, but often go unnoticed. Take Unit Upgrades, for example. This means you can choose to be automatically upgraded from a 1 bedroom unit to a 2 bedroom unit if, within two weeks of check-in for your exchange vacation, a larger unit is available at that resort. Booking a larger unit on your own typically requires more Deposit Trading Power or Points, but with RCI Platinum membership, an upgrade to a larger unit is complimentary. It’s kind of like being upgraded to first class on an airplane. There’s also Priority Access which allows RCI Platinum members to be among the first to access specially-acquired Exchange vacations in cities like Chicago, San Diego and Miami. Staying a week in one of these cities could easily cost thousands of dollars, but with RCI Platinum membership, it’s just the cost of a standard exchange.
To discover more about the RCI Platinum membership or to upgrade, call your RCI Vacation Guide today. Have you upgraded to RCI Platinum membership already? If so, please comment below and let us know what you like the most.
One of our first exchanges was in Cape Cod at Brewster Green. We were thrilled to discover the accommodations were a two-bedroom house. Since it was dark, we had no idea what the setting was. The next morning we were amazed that our windows were looking out on a lovely golf course. That was the beginning of many wonderful RCI vacation exchanges!
- Marilyn S. from Oakland, CA
My husband and I were excited to plan our exchange trip to Capistrano California. We exchanged our Cape Cod timeshare for a beautiful two bedroom, two bath timeshare in the Capistrano Surfside Inn. The timeshare was huge and immaculate and the ocean was just across the street. Also within walking distance was Dante Point which not only had an active harbor and walking areas with fantastic restaurants, shops but bike paths as well for those who wanted to bike around the area. We visited the mission at Capistrano and walk the small streets with many unique shops. We chose this place to have a restful holiday and it was, yet there was plenty to do if we chose to do so. I would highly recommend this paradise area to anyone who wants to vacation in California. We would definitely visit again, but there are so many beautiful affiliated resorts in RCI, we want to try them all. We love RCI and the wonderful opportunities it offers us in trying new places and seeking new adventures.
- Joyce C. from Salem, NH
Going to France was a life long desire. RCI made it really happen for me. I could not afford the hotel bill for a weeks stay in Paris but with the assistance of RCI I was able to secure a wonderful Condo unit 10 minutes from Paris and all of the sites that I could only read about or see in TV. What a delight to have had this opportunity and I owe it all to being a subscribing member in RCI. I have been able to travel to many places over the 24 years of being associated with this wonderful vacation exchange experience.
- Gwendolyn P. from Richmond, VA
My boyfriend and I exchanged my week in Orlando for a beautiful one-bedroom in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this August. We had planned this trip for over a year and were so excited to go. We had been dating for the past 5 years and had talked about marriage, but never made it official. Our last night there, my boyfriend took me to do this beautiful restaurant on the water. Halfway through the meal, he excused himself, something he never does, and while he was gone, the waiter moved our table to a spectacular view by the water, brought over a heart-shaped candle, and before I knew it, my boyfriend was on his knee with an engagement ring in hand, and asked me to marry him. I will never forget this vacation. We have since purchased another timeshare in Cabos, and look forward to our future vacations together as a married couple. Thank you RCI for helping to make all my dreams come true. We never would have been able to afford such a lavish vacation without this exchange program.
- Janine D. from New York, NY
We had a wonderful summer vacation at the Disney Saratoga Springs Resort. Not only was the resort one of the best that we ever exchanged for but our two daughters age 19 and 14 realized how wonderful our RCI affiliated timeshare really is. They talked about how when they are married they want to vacation together and use our timeshare as a way to build onto their great vacation memories. It was so nice to hear that not only do they look forward to our vacations together but also that they see the worth of our timeshare and how they want the same experience for their families in the future.
- Ronald R. from Park Ridge, NJ
We bought a timeshare in South Africa a few years ago for a great price. We use our timeshare to exchange through RCI and go to FL on spring break every year. We've always stayed at great resorts and never had any problems. The RCI online exchange is a great tool to search for your vacation and the information RCI sends to you is very helpful with detailed information on the resort. Once our kids are out of school, we look forward to many vacations at various times of the year to exchange our timeshare through RCI.
- Wendy H. from Lansing, MI
When we first bought our timeshare, like most people, I was a little skeptical. After trading in our week with RCI we started looking for options for our first timeshare exchange vacation. My wife and I settled on a trip to Virginia to see colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Washington D.C. Our exchange went through and a few months later we were headed up on our first "timeshare" vacation. We were still a little hesitant and doubtful about the whole thing. Would this place be a total dump? Had we been taken for a ride? Was the whole timeshare thing a big sham?
All of our questions and doubts were answered when we checked in to our condo at Powhatan Plantation. When we walked into our unit we were pleasantly surprised. This was a million times better than staying in a hotel. We had 2 bedrooms, a hot tub, a living room, kitchen, etc. We had an amazing week of fun and relaxation, and most importantly, time together. We have been huge fans of our timeshare ever since and have enjoyed 13 years of amazing vacations since!
- Aaron Y. from Lawrenceville, GA
One of our more memorable family trips was to Williamsburg with a timeshare exchange to the Kings Plantation resort. The units and resort amenities were perfect for a young active family. The children enjoyed the pool and mom took advantage of Fitness and Spa-type services.
It was easy driving to the great historical sites to visit nearby. We went back in time at Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. Came back to modern days for great fun and amusement at Cypress Gardens. A short drive to the coast and we were set for another grand beach day for a family reunion. That summer vacation is in our book as one of the top favorites. We'd love to go back again.
- Joseph B. from Cleveland, OH
This week marks the 37th anniversary of RCI. 37 years! We have definitely come a long way since 1974, when our exchange requests were kept on index cards! Since then we have reached so many milestones, some of them including the launch of the resort directory (1975), our website (1996), the RCI Points® program (2000), and Enhanced Search Online (2008). And during the last year alone, we introduced the RCI Points Platinum® membership tier, enhancements to the RCI Weeks program with more transparency, and a bunch of ways to stay connected with RCI in social media including a Facebook page, a YouTube channel, a Twitter handle, an iPhone® app, and this blog. And trust me, there will be more to add to this list this year!
First of all, we’ve already launched a cool new version of our “Share Your Vacation” Facebook app. This version allows you to compete against your friends and other users and to earn fun online trophies – all based on the information you enter about vacations (you can check out the app on our Facebook page by clicking on the “App” tab). Also, the RCI app is now available on your iPad® (with the RCI Affiliated Resort Directory, RCI TV and RCI SnapBook features) and you will see the Endless Vacation® magazine app for the iPad in a few weeks! This is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more to come as we continue to completely transform your timeshare experience.
This week on the RCI blog, we’ll be sharing stories and photos with you from RCI subscribing members who traveled to celebrate an anniversary. Be sure to check back. And if you have an anniversary story of your own, please feel free to share it by commenting below.
The RCI Blog is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc.
I used my timeshare exchange to take my family to Las Vegas (my daughter, son-in-law and grandkids). It was so thrilling to see the excitement on their faces and hearing their reactions. They had never been there and no idea it was so beautiful and exciting. We stayed at the Grandview at Las Vegas. WHAT A GREAT RESORT. Location was terrific. Away from the hustle bustle of the strip but close to everything. Shopping, restaurants and a new casino right next door...We took day trips and drove to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Another EXCITING DAY.
I have been an RCI member for many years but always went with friends..One of the best things for me this time was to be able to see my family enjoy the BEST vacation they have ever had. Thanks to RCI and the opportunity to be able to exchange my resort for any place I want to go...They are always helpful...Thanks for giving me the change to let others know...
- Patricia C. from Dunedin, FL
Picture this: you recently heard about a fantastic restaurant in your town and you want to try it out this Friday night. What are you going to do to help make sure you get seated around the time you want to eat and with a table big enough for the number of people in your party? I’ll bet you call the restaurant a few days before to put yourself on the list for a good table!
Setting up an Ongoing Search is a lot like getting a table at a popular restaurant. It gets you “in line” for the vacation you want, especially if the vacation destination you want is highly demanded.
When you start an Ongoing Search, you can tell RCI where you want to go and what date ranges you can travel in. You can also specify up to 48 specific resorts you’re interested in and set specific unit configuration preferences. We then continually search our systems for options that match your selected criteria and alert you as soon as a match occurs. We even tell you when we have a match that is close but not exact, just so you’re not missing any available options. You also control whether a match “auto-confirms” for you, or if you’d rather just have us hold it (until midnight EST the next business day) until you confirm the match. See? We put you in total control of your vacation search without your having to manually search all the time. (And remember: the exchange fee you pay in order to open an Ongoing Search will refunded or credited if you do not make an exchange).
The point is, Ongoing Search is one of the keys to getting a great exchange. If you’re not placing Ongoing Searches regularly, then you could be missing out on some of the best vacation exchanges RCI has to offer. Something else to keep in mind is that, as new member deposits come into the system, RCI first checks all Ongoing Searches to see if there is a match before those deposits are available to the general membership (just like when a table opens up at a restaurant, a party with a reservation will get seated before a party without one). Also, it is important to start your search early because one of the main determinants of where you are “in line” is when you started your search.
Click here for more information on how to set up an Ongoing Search.
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