Timeshare Exchange Companies

Having the opportunity to exchange your timeshare for a different resort each year is one of the top benefits of vacation ownership. A timeshare exchange is made possible through popular exchange companies, with the two biggest and most reputable being Resort Condominiums International (RCI) and Interval International (II).

Maybe you are a new timeshare owner, or are looking to buy a timeshare for the first time. Either way, you're probably wondering - how does timeshare exchange work? How can I get the most out of my timeshare ownership? First, you have to own a timeshare that is affiliated with either RCI or Interval International. These companies give you access to a full network of resorts located all over the world. Your vacation ownership will become more exciting with the option to try new resorts and destinations every year. Enjoy the flexibility of travel along with many other membership benefits when you become a member of one of these popular exchange companies. 

How Does A Timeshare Exchange Work?

To exchange your RCI property, simply deposit your timeshare into the exchange inventory. Each resort property has a rank (Gold or Silver Crown) and a season (Red, White or Blue) that will allow RCI to give you a list of other timeshares that are comparable to yours. From there, pick your destination and schedule your getaway at a new and exciting resort destination. Even without depositing your week, an RCI membership allows you to choose the length of your vacation. You are not limited to just a standard week getaway - you can decide to go for a long weekend or even just a one night stay. Many RCI members choose to own more than one week. This allows you to deposit one week for a different location, and stay another week at your home resort.

After RCI, Interval International is the second largest exchange company with their own exchange process. You must submit an application to become an Interval member after buying a timeshare at an affiliated resort. You will then have more than 2,000 Interval International timeshare resorts in the network to choose from. Unlike RCI, you are able to request an exchange week prior to depositing your timeshare week in the exchange pool. This is a great way to ensure you get exactly the vacation you are looking for before losing your week at your home resort. 

The Next Step

So now it's time to figure out where your home resort will be, and which exchange company you want to be affiliated with. If you've read the page on Timeshare Resales, you know by now that resale is the way to go when buying a timeshare. Online reseller, SellMyTimeshareNow.com, has great guides on their site that further explain RCI (opens in a new window) and Interval International (opens in a new window). Find out which resorts are affiliated with which exchange company and explore which resorts are eligible for exchange. From there you can browse affordable resales to figure out your home base. Trading your timeshare resort for another property allows you to have more travel flexibility and see more of the world at an affordable price. It is very important to make sure you are informed about exchanging your timeshare before purchasing ownership from a resort or on the timeshare resale market. Use the guides to help you make an informed decision so you can enjoy a yearly vacation that is fun and stress-free.
If you have timeshare experience, either good and otherwise, please share it with us.
M &E tell the story about their timeshare in Mexico.
Marlene speaks from 24 years of experience in timeshare ownership.
What you need to know about timeshare resale.