Interval International Vs RCI: Which is Right for You?

Want to get more bang for your vacation ownership buck? Then, you should consider external exchange. Today, most timeshares are points-based and offer internal exchange systems, letting you access multiple properties within your vacation club’s portfolio. With external exchange, however, you can access thousands of resorts and hotels worldwide, not to mention great member perks like discounted airfare and car rentals. Interval International and RCI are the two biggest vacation exchange platforms, and most reputable resorts are affiliated with at least one of these companies. But how do you know which exchange company is right for you? We have you covered! Join us as we reveal everything you need to know about Interval International vs. RCI and make an informed decision!

What is a Timeshare Exchange Company: Interval International Vs. RCI

Timeshare exchange companies like Interval International (II) and RCI let members exchange their timeshare week or points for stays at other properties on the platform. Both RCI and II boast thousands of affiliated resorts and hotels. Moreover, these exchange platforms offer exclusive perks like discounted cruises, excursions, airfare, car rental, and more. Most resorts are affiliated with RCI or II, and some are affiliated with both. Timeshare owners whose resort is part of a vacation exchange platform’s network can join the platform for an upcharge.

The Evolution of Timeshare Exchange

The landscape of timeshare exchange has changed dramatically since its inception. Originally, owners participated in a straightforward swap: trade your fixed week at your home resort for a fixed week at another participating property. This opened up a world of travel flexibility that was truly revolutionary at the time, letting families break out of that “same place, same week” mold.

But as travel preferences and vacation ownership models have diversified, so too have the options available through major exchange companies like Interval International and RCI. No longer is timeshare exchange just about swapping one week for another. Today, platforms support an array of ownership types—including points-based programs, floating weeks, and fractional ownerships—making it easier to find options that match your schedule and tastes.

Exchange networks have also expanded, with more resorts, destinations, and brands coming on board every year. Members now enjoy enhanced flexibility with perks like accommodation upgrades, last-minute getaways, and lifestyle benefits beyond traditional vacations.

In short, timeshare exchange has evolved from a simple swap system into a dynamic marketplace, catering to both classic week owners and new-era vacationers looking for more choices and value.

How Timeshare Exchange Works With Interval International Vs. RCI

Once you become an RCI or Interval International member, you will deposit your week or points into the company’s databank. The exchange platform will then assign a rating to your deposited ownership based on home resort quality, interval popularity, and unit size and convert your ownership into exchange points or exchange weeks. You can exchange your converted points or week for a comparable timeshare in the exchange system or trade for higher-quality exchanges and pay the difference. In addition to timeshares, you can exchange for hotel stays, unique experiences like cruises and excursions, and discounted travel rates.

With RCI, when you deposit a week or points, you’re essentially entering your ownership into their system and receiving trading power in return. The amount of trading power you receive depends on several factors, including the type of timeshare unit you own, your ownership season, and in the case of points, the brand you own with—access to certain resorts can even increase your trading power. Once your deposits have been made, you can use your trading power to browse and book alternate trips to new destinations or resorts. If you have a specific trip in mind, RCI allows you to pay for an “ongoing search.” Simply submit your target destinations, and RCI will monitor availability for you, often coming back with matches within a few weeks.

Interval International: Features and Benefits

Interval International is known for its high standards, only admitting high-quality resorts to its platform. That said, Interval International’s network is still robust, with more than 3,000 affiliated resorts worldwide. Several top timeshare brands are affiliated with Interval International, including:

• Marriott Vacation Club
• Disney Vacation Club
• Westgate Resorts
• Hyatt Vacation Club
• Diamond Resorts

Basic II Membership: Points and Weeks

Basic II membership comes in both points- and weeks-based varieties. II points members can exchange their points for II points, while week members can exchange for another week. However, members can exchange their ownership for cruises and other unique perks for both points and weeks by upgrading to Interval Gold or Interval Platinum. Whether you have a point- or weeks-based ownership, basic membership with Interval International starts at $99 a year.

Interval International Ownership Tiers: Interval Gold and Interval Platinum

Interval International offers two upgraded ownership tiers: Interval Gold and Interval Platinum. As an Interval Gold owner, members can access ShortStay Exchange to break up their vacation into multiple stays, trade their week or points for cruises, tours, and other experiences through Interval Options, and enjoy discounts on stays of seven days or less through II’s Getaways program.

Interval Platinum ownership includes all the same benefits as Interval Gold, plus a slew of additional benefits. Interval Platinum members can exchange their ownership for hotels through Hotel Exchange and excursions through Interval Experiences. Love golf? As a Platinum member, you can learn about the best golf courses near your resort with Golf Connection. And for foodies, the Dining Connection program sweetens the deal with VIP treatment and other delicious perks.

Interval International Flexchange

You never know when the travel bug will strike. Luckily for Interval International members, there’s Flexchange. Through this exclusive program, II members can request vacations from 59 days to 24 hours before check-in, making last-minute vacations more convenient than ever!

Request First

Another great benefit of Interval International is the Request First program. This feature allows you to request a vacation before you deposit your points, ensuring you find the perfect trade before you give up your weeks or points.

RCI: Features and Benefits

RCI is the largest vacation exchange platform in the world. While Interval International arguably has more high-end resorts in its network, RCI offers more flexibility, with over 4,300 resorts and 35,000 exchange options across 110 countries. Here are a few RCI-affiliated brands:

• Hilton Grand Vacations
• Wyndham Destinations
• Bluegreen Vacations
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations
• Westgate Resorts

RCI Points Vs. RCI Weeks

RCI Points and RCI Weeks are the standard membership levels for RCI. Weeks members can deposit their week and exchange it for a seven-day stay at another affiliated resort with the same “Deposit Trading Power.” Your Deposit Trading Power is determined by RCI and based on resort popularity, unit size, and season.

Meanwhile, RCI Points members can choose their arrival time, unit size, length of stay, and more. Best of all, any unused points roll over to the following year, and you can borrow points from the following year to take a more significant, extended vacation in the current use year.

Unlike Interval International, RCI’s exchange fees differ for points members and weeks members. The starting cost of an RCI Points membership is $134 a year. For RCI Weeks members, the price starts at $109.

RCI Points: Additional Details

For RCI Points members, there are a few extra options to be aware of. Your annual subscription fee starts at $134, but costs may increase if you add features like RCI Platinum or opt for deposit extensions. For example, RCI Points Protection—essentially vacation insurance—lets you keep your points if you need to change your dates or destination. Trading Power Protection works similarly for Weeks members, allowing you to cancel or change plans with less penalty. The cost for this protection depends on how soon you purchase it after booking, with prices starting at $89 if bought within 30 days.

RCI Trading Power Protection

Ever had your travel plans do a backflip at the last minute? RCI anticipated this, which is where Trading Power Protection steps in. Think of it as vacation insurance specifically designed for your RCI exchange: if you need to cancel or amend your reservation after depositing your week, Trading Power Protection ensures you don’t lose the “trading power” associated with your deposited week.

Normally, canceling or changing an exchange can decrease your trading power, which limits your options for future vacations. By purchasing this protection—ideally within 30 days of booking for the best rate—you lock in your full trading power for future use. That way, unexpected changes don’t derail your ability to snag the vacation you really want down the road.

Whether your plans change due to an emergency or spontaneous wanderlust, Trading Power Protection provides peace of mind by letting you keep all your vacation options wide open.

RCI Platinum

RCI Points and RCI Weeks offer plenty of benefits on their own. However, if you want to get more out of your RCI membership, you can upgrade to RCI Platinum. RCI Platinum members enjoy exclusive discounts, including 25% off guest certificates and 10% off Last Call vacations. Other benefits include priority booking on RCI exchanges, 24/7 concierge and emergency services, and free access to the On-Hold Vacations feature, which allows you to extend your vacation-planning time penalty-free.

RCI Travel

Another fantastic benefit of RCI is the RCI Travel program. Members who upgrade to RCI Travel can use their Trading Power or Points to book at over 600,000 hotels worldwide, as well as flights, cruises, and car rentals. Moreover, every booking comes with RCI’s best-price guarantee, letting you secure the best deal possible on your reservation. All out of Points or Trading Power? RCI Travel members still get RCI’s best-price guarantee on cash-only bookings!

Interval International Vs. RCI: Pros and Cons

Now that you know more about Interval International and RCI, let’s review each platform’s pros and cons!

Pros and Cons of Interval International

Pros and Cons of RCI

Interval International Vs. RCI: The Final Verdict

Most brands are only affiliated with one platform. Thus, most timeshare owners don’t get a say in what timeshare exchange company they sign up for. However, choosing your timeshare brand based on the exchange platform they are affiliated with can be a great strategy if you’re set on using vacation exchange. So, which platform is the best? Well, the real question is, which platform is best for you? In the end, it all depends on what you want to get out of your vacation exchange company.

If high-end luxury is your thing, Interval International is a safe bet, with a selective screening process that only admits the cream of the resort crop. If flexibility is more important to you than quality control, RCI might be a better fit with its 35,000 exchange options across 110 countries. Looking for a more budget-friendly exchange platform? At $99 a year, Interval International can save you on your annual exchange fees. Then again, with discounted bookings at over 600,000 hotels, RCI members can save big depending on how they use their membership.

Interval International Vs. RCI: How to Become a Member

To become an Interval International or RCI member, you must first own a timeshare. Your brand must also be affiliated with one of these exchange platforms. Once these requirements are met, however, almost anyone can become an RCI or Interval International member for an upcharge, regardless of whether they own a fixed week, floating week, fractional ownership, or points. Moreover, RCI and Interval International are open to all owners regardless of where they bought their timeshare, i.e., on the resale market or directly from the developer. External exchange is an excellent workaround for vacation clubs that place resale restrictions on their internal exchange networks.

Making the Most of Your Timeshare Without an Exchange

If the exchange system isn’t the right fit for your vacation plans this year, there are still effective ways to maximize your timeshare ownership. Renting out your timeshare can be a great alternative to recoup some of the money spent on maintenance fees for the year while letting another family enjoy a getaway.

Top Tips for Renting Your Timeshare

• List on Trusted Marketplaces: Explore Timeshares Only, where you can connect with a broad pool of potential renters seeking vacation accommodations at your resort.
• Set Competitive Pricing: Check similar rental advertisements at your home resort and nearby properties to make sure your rate is attractive to vacationers. Consider adjusting prices based on demand during peak travel seasons.
• Stay Compliant: Check with your resort’s management or HOA to ensure that timeshare rentals are permitted and to understand any specific requirements or paperwork that may need to be completed.

By taking advantage of reputable rental marketplaces and following these best practices, you can ensure that there is still value in your timeshare—even if your personal travel schedule changes.

Interval International Vs. RCI: Become a Member With a Timeshare Resale From Timeshares Only

Vacation exchange is an added expense not every timeshare owner can afford. But with a timeshare resale, you can save thousands on your initial transaction and put your savings toward your vacation exchange membership. Our resale marketplace features thousands of RCI- and II-affiliated timeshares at great low prices. Browse our complete inventory at the link below! Have questions? Email us at [email protected] or call 1-800-610-2734 to speak with a Timeshares Only resale expert today!