1. What does RCI stand for?
RCI stands for Resort Condominiums International.

2. Brief background of RCI

RCI is a leading international holiday service and timeshare exchange company in the world. The company's services allow timeshare owners to trade the holiday weeks they own in a timeshare resort for alternatives in over 3,700 timeshare holiday complexes linked to the company's global network in more than 100 countries. More than 2.8 million households world-wide are members of RCI, and in the year 2000 alone, RCI booked over 2.1 million holiday exchanges, arranging travel for more than seven million people, making it one of the world's largest travel organisations. RCI is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation, the world's foremost provider of consumer and business services. The company operates in four principal divisions: travel related services, real estate related services, alliance marketing related services and other consumer and business services.

3. When did it start its operations in Bangalore?

RCI set up its operations in India in 1992 with its headquarters at Bangalore. Bangalore also houses a state-of-the-art Call Center which caters to members in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and as well as for Non Resident Indians in the Middle East and East Africa. The Company now has a call centre in Mumbai to cater to its members in the western region, who account for over 65% of the member base in India.

4. Are there any resorts which are affiliated to RCI in Bangalore?
There is one RCI affiliated resort near Bangalore called The Village located approximately 41 kms from the city near the famous Banyan Tree at Chunchunguppe Village. There are two other RCI affiliated resorts in Karnataka namely Bush Betta Resort, Bandipur and Orange County Resort, Coorg.

5. How does a resort become a member of RCI?

A resort gets affiliated with RCI through a stringent process of affiliation whereby RCI evaluates the profile of the resort developer, the location of the resort, the development / design of the resort project, the marketing plan of the developer, the financial plan of the developer, the execution of the project and the management / maintenance program of a project, before deciding to affiliate the resort. According to the new affiliation norms set by RCI, a resort must be complete before the company affiliates it.

6. What are the benefits of joining RCI?

The benefits a member can enjoy if his timeshare resort is affiliated to RCI are several. If you own timeshare at an RCI-affiliated resort, you can become a member of RCI and avail exchange facilities and member benefits extended by the company to its member base. This includes a variety of exciting timeshare exchange possibilities at more than 3700 resorts in over 100 countries, apart from attractive discounts on dining, travel, car hire, hotel accommodation and several other leisure facilities. RCI is your one stop marketplace for leisure.

7. Can you tell us something about Timeshare and its exchange?

Timesharing means owning a week annually at a resort. While buying timeshare, customers can choose the type of unit, the week and the location where they would like to own holiday weeks. For instance you can choose the type of unit, the week and the location where you would like to own holiday weeks. For instance one can choose to own a one-bedroom unit in the second week of December, every year in a specified resort in Goa. This week can be then traded for a week at a different resort of your choice. The availability of the week in demand depends on several factors, including the trading value of the timeshare week being exchanged.

The first step is to purchase one or more weeks of timeshare at an RCI affiliated resort. You become an RCI member when you purchase. Each member receives the RCI directory, which lists and describes the resorts around the world. Once you have taken a decision regarding where and when to travel, select the resort and the dates and phone RCI with your request. RCI's Fair Exchange system ensures that members exchange comparable holiday value to their own weeks. RCI assesses the holiday value of the weeks for exchange based on five key factors - Deposit dates, seasons, accommodation size, demand for the resort and holiday experience profile.

8. How to buy timeshare? Whom to contact to seek more information?
Each of us has a different definition of an `ideal' vacation. Selecting the resort of your choice should be based on personal requirements and preferences and budgets. Only then should a purchase be made. However, here are some useful tips that can help you in making your selection:

· When buying a timeshare, bear in mind that you are buying vacation accommodation for you and your family. Ask yourself what you like to do most when on a vacation and thus select a resort or resort group that offers these amenities and activities.

· Briefly calculate the cost of your current spending on accommodation, rental and amenities when on vacation. The future cost of your vacation may also be affected by inflation. Multiply this by the number of years the timeshare is for. You can then compare these figures against the cost of owning the timeshare unit you are considering.

· Ask about the variable in the vacation week price. Considerations like the size of the unit, the location and amenities at the resort, the time of the year you want your holiday, the specific period of vacation per year and other factors. You are, of course, likely to pay more for a vacation resort that is in high demand at a peak vacation period of the year, than for one at an off-peak time of the year in a less popular resort.

· Find out if the resort has an RCI affiliation. RCI has stringent requirements for the resorts affiliated to its exchange network. Besides the widest choice of exchange holidays, RCI membership will ensure you enjoy a certain level of holiday quality.

· Remember that you will have to budget for:
- RCI membership fee (RCI service fees are subject to revision) that has to be renewed periodically
- Annual resort maintenance fee
- Exchange fee (RCI service fees are subject to revision) each time you utilize RCI's services
- Utility charges towards use of gas, water and electricity at the resort(s) that you exchange into
- Food, beverages and travel to the resort location

· While inspecting the resort, see for yourself what the accommodation, the building and resort facilities are like. Talk to current owners about experiences at the resort.

· Know your legal rights. Do not sign any agreement until you understand and are happy with all the provisions of the agreement including the interest you will be charged, the amount of each scheduled payment you will be required to pay and the terms of the loan, if applicable.

9. Name a few timeshare companies who are affiliated to RCI?

Currently in India there are over 50 timeshare resorts affiliated to RCI and these are promoted by leading companies including the Mahindra Group, Royal Goan Beach Club, Group Usha, Jaypee Group, Usha Shriram, Vascon Builders, Kamat Group and Radisson, amongst others.

10. What service does your travel desk offer?

RCI India recently announced the launch of RCI Travels Pvt. Ltd., its new travel company in India. Positioned as a single window for travel related services, RCI Travels Pvt. Ltd. is headquartered in Mumbai. RCI Travels Pvt. Ltd. services include cruise packages, car hire, hotel accommodation and coach tours. Specially designed package tours are also available which give tourists the opportunity to explore areas close to their selected destination.

With a product that is eminently suited to meet the needs of a network, RCI will continue to resource the best technologies and skills to achieve consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.

RCI India strives to provide a rewarding holiday experience to its members and their families.

Contact:
RCI
208, Brigade Gardens, 19, Church Street
Bangalore-560 001
Phone: 2558 7898 / 2558 7899

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