RCI

The World’s Largest Timeshare Exchange Network

1. What is Timeshare Exchange?

Most vacation ownership articles start with a specific company. This one starts with a concept: exchange. If you own a timeshare, you own usage rights at a specific resort. Exchange is the system that lets you trade those usage rights for a stay at a different resort.

Exchange exists because timeshare owners want variety. Visiting the same resort every year gets repetitive. Exchange networks solve this by creating a pool: thousands of owners deposit their weeks or points, and the exchange company matches deposits to requests. You give up your week at Resort A and receive a week at Resort B.

There are two major exchange networks in the world: RCI and Interval International (II). This article covers RCI. A separate article in this series covers Interval International. Together, these two networks serve over 4.8 million member families and provide access to more than 6,800 affiliated resorts worldwide.

Last updated: April 2026. Sources: TNL FY2025 10-K filing (Travel & Membership segment), RCI programme materials, RCI disclosure guides.

Exchange is always optional. You never lose the right to use your own home resort. Exchange is an add-on service that gives you flexibility to travel elsewhere when you want variety.

2. RCI Company Overview

RCI is the world’s largest timeshare exchange network. It was founded in October 1974 by Jon and Christel DeHaan in Indianapolis, Indiana. The DeHaan’s recognized a fundamental problem with early timeshare: owners were locked into the same resort and the same week every year. They built RCI as a centralized exchange clearinghouse that turned static ownership into flexible travel.

RCI’s corporate ownership history mirrors TNL’s: the company was acquired by Cendant Corporation, then became part of Wyndham Worldwide (2006), Wyndham Destinations (2018), and Travel + Leisure Co. (2021). In 2025, TNL rebranded RCI’s parent division as ONE: Open Network Exchange, reflecting a broader strategy to expand RCI’s platform beyond traditional timeshare exchange into travel memberships and travel technology.

3. How Does RCI Timeshare Exchange Work?

RCI operates two exchange programs: RCI Weeks and RCI Points. Both accomplish the same goal (trading your home resort usage for a stay elsewhere) but use different mechanics.

RCI Weeks

In the Weeks program, you deposit your owned week into RCI’s exchange pool. RCI assigns your deposit a Trading Power value based on supply and demand factors: the resort’s quality and demand ranking, the season, the unit size, and the view category. You then search the RCI inventory for available weeks at other resorts. Your Trading Power determines what you qualify to book. A high-demand, peak-season week at a premium resort trade for more than an off-peak week at a lower-rated property.

Weeks exchange is one-for-one. You deposit one week and receive one week. You do not have the option to split a week into shorter stays or combine multiple deposits into a longer stay. This makes Weeks simpler but less flexible than Points.

RCI Points

In the Points program, your ownership is assigned a fixed RCI Points value. You use those points to book stays at any affiliated resort. Points requirements vary by resort, unit size, season, and duration. The key advantage: you have the option to split your points across multiple shorter stays, combine points from multiple years (banking and borrowing), and book stays of any length (not limited to full weeks). Points provides greater flexibility than Weeks.

Not all timeshare ownerships are eligible for the Points program. Points membership requires that your developer or resort has enrolled in the RCI Points system. Check with your resort or developer to confirm eligibility.

Exchange Fees (2026)

RCI charges fees beyond the annual membership. Exchange fees apply each time you confirm an exchange. Guest certificate fees apply when someone other than the member uses the exchanged week. Unit-size upgrade fees apply if you trade into a larger unit than you deposited. Protection fees (optional) guard against reservation cancellation. These fees vary by membership tier: Platinum members receive discounts and complimentary guest certificates. Review the current fee schedule before joining.

4. How Many Resorts Are in the RCI Network?

RCI’s network spans 3,600+ affiliated resorts in over 110 countries. The network is the largest timeshare exchange platform in the world by every metric: member count, resort count, and geographic coverage.

Key Affiliated Developers

RCI’s network includes resorts from the following major developers and brands:

• Travel + Leisure Co.: Club Wyndham, WorldMark by Wyndham, Margaritaville Vacation Club, Accor Vacation Club (TNL owns RCI)
• Hilton Grand Vacations: HGV, Bluegreen Vacations, Diamond Resorts (legacy)
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations: HICV (Orange Lake Resorts)
• Westgate Resorts: Including VI Resorts by Westgate
• Anantara Vacation Club: Minor Hotels’ vacation ownership program
• Capital Vacations: Through Trading Places International and direct affiliation
• Hundreds of independent resorts worldwide

Geographic Coverage

The strongest exchange inventory is concentrated in the United States (Florida, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Hawaii, Colorado ski resorts), Mexico (Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta), the Caribbean, and Europe (Spain, Portugal, UK). Asia-Pacific, Africa, and South America have growing but thinner inventory. Exchange availability varies significantly by destination and season. High-demand destinations during peak seasons are the hardest to exchange into.

5. What Are the RCI Membership Tiers and Fees?

Membership Tiers

• Standard ($99/year): Basic exchange access. Search and book available inventory. Pay all fees at list price.
• Gold (upgrade fee): Adds ShortStay exchanges (less than 7 nights), enhanced guest certificate pricing, Getaway discounts, and additional booking flexibility.
• Platinum (upgrade fee): Adds complimentary guest certificates (up to 3 per year), further Getaway discounts, priority booking windows, and rental discounts.

RCI Travel

RCI Travel provides travel services beyond resort exchange. Members book hotels, flights, car rentals, and cruises through the RCI platform. In November 2025, RCI launched an upgraded cruise program with exclusive offers for members. These travel services generate additional revenue for TNL and extend the value proposition of RCI membership beyond traditional timeshare exchange.

Getaways

Getaways are discounted resort stays available to all RCI members. You do not need to deposit a week or spend points to book a Getaway. You pay cash at discounted rates. Getaways fill unsold inventory at affiliated resorts. Gold and Platinum members receive additional Getaway discounts.

6. Where Does RCI Operate Internationally?

RCI operates in 110+ countries. The exchange network is global. International offices support regional operations in Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.

Exchange availability is strongest in the United States and Western Europe, where the largest volume of timeshare inventory exists. Availability in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East is more limited. Japanese travelers who own at RCI-affiliated resorts (such as HICV, Westgate, or Club Wyndham properties) have the option to exchange into RCI’s global inventory, though Japan itself has limited RCI-affiliated resort inventory.

7. How Does RCI Compare to Interval International?

RCI is the dominant exchange network by every measure. With 3.3 million members and 3,600+ affiliated resorts, it is more than twice the size of Interval International (~1.5 million members, ~3,200 resorts) by membership count.

RCI’s competitive advantage is scale. More members depositing more weeks creates more inventory for other members to exchange into. This network effect is self-reinforcing: the largest network attracts the most affiliates, which attracts the most members.

The primary competitive tension in the exchange industry is between RCI (owned by TNL) and Interval International (owned by MVW). Each parent company steers its own developer brands toward its own exchange network. Club Wyndham owners exchange through RCI. Marriott Vacation Club owners exchange through Interval International. The exchange company you use is largely determined by which developer you purchased from, not by personal choice.

8. What Should You Know Before Joining RCI?

The following considerations are editorial guidance from VacationPlaces. They are not purchase recommendations.

Your Developer Determines Your Exchange Network

You do not choose RCI or Interval International independently. Your timeshare developer determines which exchange network your resort is affiliated with. If you buy Club Wyndham, you exchange through RCI. If you buy Marriott Vacation Club, you exchange through Interval International. Before purchasing a timeshare, confirm which exchange network the resort belongs to and whether that network has strong inventory in the destinations you want to visit.

Exchange is Not Guaranteed

Having an RCI membership does not guarantee you will get the exchange you want. Exchange availability depends on what other members have deposited. High-demand destinations during peak seasons are competitive. Deposit early, search frequently, and remain flexible on dates and destinations to improve your chances.

Evaluate the Total Cost

RCI membership costs $99/year. Exchange fees, guest certificate fees, and optional protection fees add to each transaction. Compare the total cost of exchanging through RCI to the cost of booking the desired destination directly as a rental or hotel stay. Exchange makes financial sense when the accommodation quality and value exceed what you would get by paying cash for a comparable stay.

9. What Should Existing RCI Members Know?

Maximize Trading Power (Weeks Members)

Deposit your week as early as possible. Earlier deposits generally receive higher Trading Power because RCI values certainty of inventory. Deposit at least 9-12 months before your use period for the best trading value. Letting your deposit deadline pass or depositing late reduces your Trading Power.

Use Getaways for Low-Value Exchanges

If your ownership has low Trading Power (off-peak season, low-demand resort), consider using Getaways instead of exchange. Getaway cash pricing is often more cost-effective than depositing a low-value week and paying exchange fees for a modest exchange.

Review Your Membership Tier

Compare the cost of upgrading from Standard to Gold or Platinum against the fees you pay annually for guest certificates, Getaway bookings, and exchange transactions. If you exchange frequently and use guest certificates, the Platinum upgrade pays for itself in fee savings.

RCI Travel Services

Review the cruise program launched in late 2025 and the hotel booking options through RCI Travel. If you are paying for travel services separately, compare RCI’s member pricing to your current booking channels. The savings on cruises and hotel stays add value to the membership beyond resort exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RCI?

RCI is the world’s largest timeshare exchange network. Founded in 1974, RCI has 3.3 million+ members and 3,600+ affiliated resorts in 110+ countries. RCI is owned by Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL). RCI allows timeshare owners to deposit their week or points and exchange them for stays at other affiliated resorts worldwide.

How much does RCI membership cost?

RCI Standard membership costs $99/year (2026). Gold and Platinum upgrades are available at additional cost. Exchange fees, guest certificate fees ($89 each, free for Platinum up to 3/year), and optional protection fees apply per transaction.

What is the difference between RCI Weeks and RCI Points?

RCI Weeks is a one-for-one exchange: you deposit your owned week and receive a week at another resort. RCI Points assigns your ownership a fixed points value, which you use to book stays of any length at any affiliated resort. Points provides more flexibility (partial weeks, multiple stays, banking/borrowing). Not all ownerships are eligible for Points.

What is the difference between RCI and Interval International?

RCI (owned by TNL) is the larger network with 3,600+ resorts and 3.3 million members. Interval International (owned by MVW) has 3,200+ resorts and ~1.5 million members. RCI affiliates with Club Wyndham, HGV, Bluegreen, HICV, Westgate, and AVC. II affiliates with Marriott Vacation Club, Sheraton, Westin, Hyatt VC, and DVC. Your exchange network is determined by your developer.

Who owns RCI?

RCI is owned by Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL). RCI operates within TNL’s Travel & Membership segment (rebranded as ONE: Open Network Exchange). TNL’s CEO is Michael D. Brown. Lani Kane-Hanan serves as CEO of ONE.

Information in this article is current as of April 2026. Exchange programs, membership fees, and affiliated resort networks are subject to change. Please consult RCI’s official materials and current fee schedule before making membership decisions. VacationPlaces does not endorse or recommend any specific product.