 Timeshare Exchanging and Points Programs
To further clarify for pacNW, I found these explanations about exchanging and using points programs in Wikipedia...good resource. I'm trying to get all this straight myself!
"Exchanging time shares:
Much lauded is the idea of owners exchanging their week, either independently or through several exchange agencies, to stay at one of the thousands of other resorts worldwide. There are many exchange agencies, of which the two largest are Resort Condominiums International (RCI) and Interval International (II). They have resort affiliate programs and members can only exchange to affiliate resorts. It is most common for a resort to be affiliated with only one of the larger exchange agencies, but it isn't rare to find a dual affiliate resort. Together they have over 7,000 resorts. The time share resort one purchases determines which of the major exchange companies can be used to make exchanges. RCI and II charge a yearly membership fee and fees for when they find an exchange. They also bar members from renting weeks for which they already have exchanged.
Owners can also exchange their timeshare through independent exchange companies. Dial an Exchange, Trading Places International, Platinum Interchange, The San Francisco Exchange, Timex, and Redweek.com are the main independent exchange companies. Owners can exchange without needing the resort to have a formal affiliation agreement with the companies.
Sometimes, owners may also arrange a direct exchange. This requires locating an owner with the location and weeks both mutually desire. This form of exchange is rare but since it can save in exchange fees it is often sought after. Several bulletin boards have been created to help timeshare owners meet others and swap.
This type of lodging may take different forms depending on the seller. The vast majority consist of one week of ownership, i.e. 1/52 year, but some developers sell point based systems that are a different form of vacation currency that allow hotel stays, car rentals, and stays at large networks of resorts.
Points Programs:
Resort based points programs are also sold as deeded and as right to use. Points programs annually give the owner an amount of points equal to the level of ownership. The owner in a points program can then use these points to make travel arrangements within the resort group. Many points programs are affiliated with large resort groups offering a large selection of options for destination. Many resort point programs provide flexibility from the traditional week stay. Resort point program members, such as WorldMark by Wyndham, may request from the entire available inventory of the resort group.
A points program member may often request fractional weeks as well as full or multiple weeks stays. The number of points required to stay at the resort will vary based on a points chart. The points chart will allow for factors such as:
The popularity of the resort;
The size of the accommodations;
The number of nights;
The popularity of the season;
and the specific nights requested.
There is flexibility in point programs.
RCI is the only exchange network to allow for network point exchanges throughout. Whereas, I.I has resorts within the network allowing only internal resort point. II is not offering a points based network exchange, such as Disney, Marriott and Wyndam resorts have the internal programs."
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