Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

So DH's very good family friend gifted us a timeshare through Wyndham as a wedding gift 6 years ago. The "property" is in Las Vegas (which we really have no intention of ever going to) and it took years to get transferred because of Nevada's real estate laws.

Anyway, we finally have everything corrected and can actually start taking advantage of our timeshare.

However, I find the entire process so confusing and complicated. We don't seem to have a lot of points so I understand we will most likely have to travel during low seasons for any good resorts, but does anyone have any tips/helpful information in how to navigate these sites. I would also love to hear what properties are people's favorites.

Right now I have to book a trip by March 2018 through Wyndham and I've banked last years points (and will most likely have to bank my 2019 points) with RCI so we have a longer window to book something.

Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

I don't know much about it, but I know you can use RCI points for Disney Vacation club resorts. I think Saratoga Springs is the best value in that regard. IF you like Disney that's a nice option.

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

I hope you aren't stuck paying the maintenance fees otherwise it's sort of an odd choice for a gift.

Anyway, my in laws have RCI and the good news is its network is pretty vast. They've traveled all over the US and the Caribbean with RCI. We've used their points a few times. IIRC the website is pretty user friendly in terms of searching for a property but we would then tell them what we wanted and they booked it so I don't have any advice on the booking portion. Their home resort is Orange Lake in the Disneyworld area which is very nice. We've also stayed at a couple of the Wyndhams in that area that were fine.

We've only used it for Disney so that's what I know but Orange Lake is a higher end property that could be a destination unto itself if you're into that kind of thing - pool, tons of activities, etc.

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

Posted by JennP

I hope you aren't stuck paying the maintenance fees otherwise it's sort of an odd choice for a gift.

Anyway, my in laws have RCI and the good news is its network is pretty vast. They've traveled all over the US and the Caribbean with RCI. We've used their points a few times. IIRC the website is pretty user friendly in terms of searching for a property but we would then tell them what we wanted and they booked it so I don't have any advice on the booking portion. Their home resort is Orange Lake in the Disneyworld area which is very nice. We've also stayed at a couple of the Wyndhams in that area that were fine.

We've only used it for Disney so that's what I know but Orange Lake is a higher end property that could be a destination unto itself if you're into that kind of thing - pool, tons of activities, etc.

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

Posted by Summergrl14

Posted by JennP

I hope you aren't stuck paying the maintenance fees otherwise it's sort of an odd choice for a gift.

Anyway, my in laws have RCI and the good news is its network is pretty vast. They've traveled all over the US and the Caribbean with RCI. We've used their points a few times. IIRC the website is pretty user friendly in terms of searching for a property but we would then tell them what we wanted and they booked it so I don't have any advice on the booking portion. Their home resort is Orange Lake in the Disneyworld area which is very nice. We've also stayed at a couple of the Wyndhams in that area that were fine.

We've only used it for Disney so that's what I know but Orange Lake is a higher end property that could be a destination unto itself if you're into that kind of thing - pool, tons of activities, etc.

This "gift" has been nothing but a headache and a waste of our money, but that's a whole other thread!

The issue I'm finding with using RCI is that our Wyndham points don't carry over dollar for dollar, so we don't get as much with our points through RCI as I do with Wyndham. One of the reasons why I think I will have to carry over my 2018-2019 points in order to be able to get a 2 bedroom during a value season at a more desirable resort.

I will definitely look up Orange Lake! It does seem that the majority of resorts are in the Orlando area, which DH isn't too happy about (he's not a Disney fan), but I told him if I book an Orlando resort we will only do Disney 1 or 2 days and spend the majority of time at the resort, so Orange Lake sounds perfect.

Do you have any idea which Caribbean resorts your in laws have been?

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

We own directly with Holiday Inn Vacation Club (we own 2 weeks at Orange Lake) and get better deals trading direct, but we also belong to RCI. Let me give you a couple pointers...
1- if you get a better bang for your points, try to do your exchanges through Wyndham whoever you can.
2- be open to different destinations. I just took my kids to Gatlinburg, TN for spring break. It's a destination I would have never even considered. But it came up for a holiday week at a good point value. We had the best time! My kids loved it and would love to go back.
3- use RCI for bonus and last minute trips whenever possible. I take many extra trips each year with those two options. It does not go against the points you own. You pay for the trips outright but at a much discounted price.

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

Re: Timeshares-Wyndham/RCI Specifically

We actually just looked into becoming a Wyndham Vacation Club owner...they have a lot of Wyndham hotels that you could trade for from what we saw.

We have stayed at the Wyndham Kingsgate in Williamsburg and thought it was great.

There is also one in Ocean City, Maryland that is an affiliate resort.

If you like to ski, look into the Wyndham Bentley Brook at Jiminy Peak.

We also considered going to one of the resorts in Destin last year. Its a great beach town.

There are also a few in Myrtle Beach that looked nice.