If you are new to timeshare then you are probably wondering a number of things. Firstly, what is Trading Power? Who are RCI? and how do they benefit me as a timeshare owner?

To understand trading power, you must first understand the concept of a vacation club. RCI is probably the world’s largest vacation club, which means that you can add your timeshare to its inventory of properties and swap your unit for other locations throughout the world.

In order for RCI to provide its members with faithful exchanges, trading power was introduced as a means of calculating a standard value for your timeshare week. Essentially, it allocates points to represent your timeshare week so that you exchange a property that has a similar value to yours.

When you become a member of RCI, you can start depositing your timeshare week in the hope to swap your week for another destination. Your week will be given a value based on the following:

● Classification (e.g. resort, villa etc)
● Demand
● Supply
● Peak weeks or off season
● Size and type of unit
● Rank of resort from comment cards
● How early you deposit

Once you have deposited your timeshare week, you will be given a points score that you then use to exchange for other places. The purpose is simple – it makes sure that you are getting a fair swap for your week.

In order to make the most out of your trading power, you should deposit your week as soon as possible, up to two years in advance. If you deposit with only 9 months or less till your vacation date, then your trading power is diminished.

A great advantage of trading power is that you can metaphorically bank your trading power for future vacations. For example, you may choose to take a vacation in a destination that has a lower trading power than your home timeshare week, and so you are able to save the difference in trading power for your next vacation. Some people can take a vacation twice in one year on the trading power of just one week.