Timeshare Exchange Guide: How to Swap Your Week
Updated: 3 days ago
Owning a timeshare doesn't mean vacationing in the same place forever. Through exchange networks, owners swap their week for stays at thousands of resorts around the world. This guide explains how exchange works, walks through a real-world swap, and shows how to start with a free timeshare.
Timeshare Exchange at a Glance
Main networks: RCI and Interval International
How it works: deposit your week, then request a stay at another resort
What it costs: a membership and an exchange fee per trip, set by the network
Best results: book early, stay flexible and own in a popular destination
How Timeshare Exchange Works
Exchange is simple once you see the steps.
Join the exchange network your resort is affiliated with
Deposit your week or points with the network
Search for available resorts and dates
Confirm your exchange and pack your bags
RCI and Interval International
RCI and Interval International are the two biggest exchange companies, each connecting thousands of resorts in dozens of countries. Most timeshares listed on Timeshare Nation are affiliated with one of them, and both offer extras like bonus getaway weeks and cruise options.
A Real-World Week Swap
Here's how one family turned a home week into a completely new trip.
The Martins own a two-bedroom week at a resort in Orlando. After a few years of theme park vacations, they wanted a change. They deposited their week with their exchange network in the fall, searched for winter stays, and confirmed an oceanfront suite in Cancun for spring break. The next year, they returned to Orlando with the grandparents. Same ownership, two very different vacations.
TN Tip
Deposit your week as early as possible. Early deposits often have more trading power, and popular destinations book up first.
Tips for Better Exchanges
A little planning goes a long way with exchange.
Own in a high-demand destination like Orlando, Las Vegas or the beach
Be flexible with dates and nearby resorts
Request peak holidays and school breaks well ahead
Watch for last-minute getaway deals from your network
Exchange Fees, Simply Explained
Exchange networks charge a yearly membership and a fee each time you confirm an exchange. These fees are set by the network, not by Timeshare Nation, and they're often small compared with the cost of a hotel week in a new destination.
Start With a Free Timeshare
The easiest way to unlock exchange is to own a week in the first place. Owners who no longer use their timeshare pass it on through Timeshare Nation, so you take over for $0, with no closing costs or transfer fees. A title and transfer company handles the paperwork in about 60 to 90 days, and some listings even include a free week for the new owner, depending on timing.
Find a Free Timeshare You Can Trade
Own a week in a popular destination and swap it for new adventures every year.
See listings with a free week included, or read about the benefits of timeshare ownership.
