Many timeshare owners are frustrated with exchanging their timeshare with RCI or Interval International. There has been a lot of speculation that if you don’t own a timeshare with one of the big companies like Disney, Hyatt, Hilton, Westin, Marriott or Diamond, that you can’t get good exchanges.

The theory is that RCI and II hold out the best timeshare exchange inventory to give to the owners in these high end properties. Also, if the owners in the high end properties don’t use or exchange their weeks, they rent them out – so nothing good ever gets to the rest of us.

Interval International seems to get the worst press regarding this, so I looked at my last 10 timeshare exchanges with them to get a better perspective.

The fixed week I exchange in II is a 2 bedroom on Hilton Head Island, SC at the Swallowtail at Sea Pines Resort. Hilton Head has good exchange power but the Red week I own in October is one of the weakest exchanging Red weeks. The resort is 30 years old and although it has been updated and is in good condition, it no longer has the 5 Star rating it once had.

It was built, like many of the older timeshare resorts, more like a full ownership condominium project than a “resort”. It has a swimming pool, tennis court and a few bar-b-ques but that’s it. It certainly doesn’t compare to the newer resorts like Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort or Marriott’s Grand Ocean Resort, but it is a very pleasant place to stay.

Today, Interval International has 3 ratings for the resorts affiliated with them. They are Premier, Select and all the rest. My resort fall into the “all the rest” category. Based on all the criteria of my timeshare, you wouldn’t think I’d be able to get good timeshare exchanges. Especially if you believed that only owners of high end properties do.

Here’s a list of my last 10 II timeshare exchanges:

Capistrano Surfside Inn, San Juan Capistrano, CA, Labor Day Week, 1 Bedroom unit

Westin Kaanapali Beach, Maui, HI, Week 50, Studio unit

Hanalei Bay Resort, Princeville, HI Week 7, 1 Bedroom AND Sands of Kahana, Maui HI, Week 8, 2 Bedroom unit

Marriott’s Ocean Point, Singer Island, FL Week 18, 2 Bedroom unit

Grand Timber Lodge, Breckenridge, CO, Week 37, 3 Bedroom unit

Westin Kierland Villas, Scottsdale, AZ, Week 18 1 Bedroom unit

Marriott’s Newport Coast, Newport Beach, CA, Week 19 2 Bedroom unit

Marriott’s Summit Watch, Park City, UT Wk 23 2 Bedroom unit

Marriott’s Cypress Harbor, Orlando, FL, Week 23 2 Bedroom unit

So part of the theory at least – that you can’t exchange into the high end resorts unless you own one – is proved false in my case. All of the resorts listed are ranked by Interval International as Premier Resorts, the highest rank they give, while my resort is ranked the lowest.

The other part of the speculation about exchanging into high end resorts, that all of the Prime weeks are used, rented out or given to other high end timeshare owners for exchange, can’t be so easily determined by my exchanges. That’s because other than 2 back to back, prime winter weeks in Hawaii (the very definition of a difficult exchange), the rest of my timeshare exchanges were in the off peak times. This was, however, by design on my part and not just taking anything that became available. I generally avoid traveling during peak season.

Many timeshare owners don’t realize that success in exchanging a timeshare is determined by actions they have power over as well as the built in exchange power of where and when they own. 2 people owning the exact same thing in the same resort can experience completely different results when exchanging in either RCI or Interval International.

To get a look what you can do significantly enhance your exchange power and get better exchanges, go to http://TheTimeshareExpert.com

Jeff Pierce, The Timeshare Expert, has helped thousands of frustrated timeshare owners learn how to enjoy their ownership instead of selling it for 10 cents on the dollar. All timeshare are capable of being used or exchanged effectively, but it’s not as easy as your salesperson told you.

Now, for the first time, there’s help. For 10 FREE videos on how to use or exchange your timeshare through RCI or II, go to http://TheTimeshareExpert.com

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_M_Pierce

Come On Out To Branson

Branson, Missouri is celebrating fifty years as the live music capitol of the world in 2010. With more than 50 live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, 12 championship golf courses, an international award-winning theme park, dozens of attractions and museums, shopping galore, a full range of dining options, and a host of hotels, motels, resorts and meeting and conference facilities, this year may be the year to take advantage of that resort membership or timeshare.

After checking in, stop by the official Welcome Center at 269 State Highway 248 for free personal assistance. The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is open extended hours during peak seasons, and can help you make the most of your vacation package. Whether you are looking for live shows, fun family activities or are more of a museum buff, this great town has more to offer than can be seen in a single visit.

Branson abounds with tribute shows. Live music fanciers can make arrangements through the concierge at their resort to see any one of a number of wonderful acts that are family friendly and tons of fun. Whether your taste is the Beatles, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, John Denver, the Eagles or Dolly Parton, you can take an evening and go back in time to catch these timeless artists once more.

Family friendly museums include the Hollywood Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not, but there is certainly much more. The Roy Rogers/ Dale Evans Museum will take you back. And the Titanic Museum takes guests through an interactive voyage on the ship and displays artifacts and letters from the passengers, something no history buff needs to miss!

Branson also makes no small contribution to your vac
1000
ation by way of amusement parks. Imagine Colonial Williamsburg meets Busch Gardens in Branson, Missouri! Silver Dollar City offers rides, great food, and artisans practicing historic crafts and trades. Glass blowing, basket making and sword smithing can be seen here regularly. Branson Family Fun Factory sports a glow in the dark mini golf course, and laser tag. It’s a good place to let the kids go wild. The Haunted House & Monster Asylum is also a good bet. Splash Country is an indoor water park open 365 days a year; another good place to go with the kids if it’s rainy or cold. Kids Kountry provides a place to take your very young family members who are too small to ride the traditional amusement park rides at Silver Dollar City, and everybody can share the fun with an airplane, helicopter or amphibious duck ride.

If Dad wants golf, there are at least a half dozen top-rated options. At Thousand Hills Golf Resort alone, you will find cabins and condos, and an award-winning course designed by Robert E. Cupp. Why not just schedule your whole vacation around the green this year?

It you are looking for a vacation spot that offers family fun and options for every member of the family, why not consider a stay at a resort or timeshare in Branson, Missouri this year? The attractions are many and varied. The prices are great and packages are easy to find.

By: bweiss

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