Exchanging - The First Component to Timeshare Flexibility

Before there were points, split weeks, and rental programs, there was exchanging. Exchanging was the first component to make timeshare more flexible. Timeshare owners could now exchange their own unit with another owner of an equivalent unit at an affiliated resort within the system.  Through the process, more travel options and exciting locations became available to timeshare owners.  Resort Condominiums International, Inc. (RCI) celebrating 40 years of holiday exchange this year, was once the only game in town.  Now, many more exchange companies offer timeshare owners the flexibility and choice of exchanging vacations.

Exchange Companies

RCI

RCI does deserve to be wished a happy birthday for getting it all started in 1974 with their RCI Resort Recognition program for holiday exchange. They followed it up, with other noteworthy innovations such as RCI Points (the first points-based exchange program), the Registry Collection (the world’s first luxury exchange program), and RCI TV (the first shared holiday ownership online video network). The company also lays claim to the first mobile version of an exchange website and to introducing trading power transparency.

Interval International

Interval International could be considered the Avis of the timeshare industry. Just like the car rental company, Interval International is smaller but strong. In operation since 1976, the company features a choice of hundreds of resorts in more than 75 countries. Promoting the power of exchange, Interval International has many tools to help owners "make the exchange they want, when they want it." Those tools include their Exchange Tracker, an interactive travel-planning tool that displays exchange and getaway activity throughout Interval’s network. Exchange Tracker has an interactive world map feature that allows exchangers to click on the pin for their chosen location to find resort details, photos and recent exchange activity.

DAE

DAE (Dial an Exchange) bills itself as "the world’s largest privately-owned global timeshare provider servicing the entire vacation ownership market, from timeshare weeks, to points club owners and fractional ownership." DAE also advertises itself as one of the most easy to use exchange companies, with the lowest transaction fees and no complicated rules to wade through. Whether exchangers start by banking first or finding a vacation first, DAE’s website is straightforward, and quick. Without having to bank a week, exchangers can extend a vacation with low cost rentals and Bonus Weeks.

Trading Places International

Another exchange company with many years (35+) of experience is Trading Places International (TCI). The company’s philosophy is to focus on the 20% of high-demand vacation destinations that 80% of owners desire. According to TCI, as well as offering traditional fees for domestic and international resorts, it offers its members a unique option to exchange back to the exchanger’s home resort at a reduced exchange fee. TCI has a full-service travel agency onsite at its corporate office.

Internal Exchange

Many timeshare companies offer timeshare flexibility with their own internal exchange programs. Membership at one resort gives owners the freedom to trade for time at other resorts in the resort family. Now that many resort families have locations all over the world, ownership at one resort opens the way to many additional vacation choices. One company with an internal exchange program is Grand Pacific Resort’s Grand Pacific Exchange (GPX). According to Grand Pacific, "GPX was started a decade ago as a resource for its owners to experience other Grand Pacific Resorts directly without using the larger exchange companies." All Grand Pacific owners may use GPX as their primary or secondary exchange program. Hilton Grand Vacations, Wyndham, Marriott are just a few of the other resort families with internal exchange programs.
Internal or external…whatever the preference, exchanging enhances and broadens timeshare ownership by opening up a world of travel experiences, and making the timeshare experience much more desirable.



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