Timeshare Exchange Companies

A timeshare exchange lets you trade the week or points you own for a stay at a different affiliated resort, so you are not locked into the same destination every year. Two companies, RCI and Interval International, run the main networks. You pay an annual membership and a separate fee each time you exchange.

What is a timeshare exchange?

An exchange is a service that connects owners at thousands of resorts so they can swap their usage. Instead of returning to your home resort, you deposit the time you own into the network and book a stay somewhere else within it. The exchange company does not own your timeshare or change your contract; it simply runs the marketplace that makes the trade possible. If your ownership is measured in points rather than a fixed week, the mechanics differ slightly, which our guide to timeshare points versus weeks explains.

How does an exchange work?

The basic process is the same across networks. You join as a member, deposit your week or make your points available, and then request a stay at another affiliated resort, subject to availability. You pay an exchange fee for each confirmed trade, and high-demand resorts and seasons can be hard to book unless you plan well ahead. The value you get depends on how flexible you are with destinations and dates.

Who are the main timeshare exchange companies?

Two networks dominate. The largest is RCI, the largest timeshare exchange network, with roughly 4,000 to 4,300 affiliated resorts in about 100 countries. The other major network is Interval International, the other major timeshare exchange network alongside RCI, with more than 3,000 affiliated resorts in over 80 countries. Many resorts are affiliated with one network or the other, and the network your home resort uses usually determines which you can join. For the detail on each, see our guides to the RCI timeshare exchange and the Interval International timeshare exchange, or compare them directly in RCI versus Interval International.

What does an exchange cost?

There are two costs to plan for: an annual membership and a fee for each exchange you complete. Both vary by network and change often, so treat any figure as approximate and confirm current rates with the company directly. These fees are separate from, and on top of, the annual maintenance fee you already pay your home resort, so factor them into the full cost of owning a timeshare before you join.

Is an exchange worth it?

It depends entirely on how you use it. If you would genuinely travel to different affiliated resorts each year and can book early, an exchange adds real flexibility for a modest fee. If you tend to return to the same place, or rarely travel, the membership and exchange fees may add cost without adding value. As with the timeshare itself, the honest test is whether you will use it enough to justify what it costs.

Sources

RCI (rci.com) and Interval International (intervalworld.com), official network and fee information; figures are approximate and change frequently, so confirm current rates with each company. ARDA, State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry (2025 ed.), for industry context. Last reviewed June 2026.