1974 FIFTY YEARS 2024
50 YEARS: AN EVOLUTION IN TRAVEL
Over the past 50 years, RCI has transformed travel by offering flexible exchange options in prime vacation destinations. Through our member-only approach, millions of memories have been imprinted and cherished for generations. We invite you to embark on a journey through our timeline of travel, where each moment is a cherished memory waiting to be relived.
Explore the milestones, adventures, and heartwarming interactions that have shaped our travel legacy.
Join us in celebrating the art of creating unforgettable memories across the globe.
1970s
1974
Christel and Jon DeHaan establish RCI, then Resort Condominiums International, Inc. With its first office in Indianapolis, Indiana, facilitating exchanges among 453 of our first members.
1975
First resort directory published, and first member newsletter released. 236 exchanges confirmed.
1976
We open our first office outside the U.S. – in Mexico.
1977
London office opens. Endless Vacation® magazine debuts.
1980s
1983
We make the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing privately-owned U.S. businesses.
1985
We welcome our 1,000th affiliated resort.
RCI Perspective (now RCI Ventures®), a magazine for the timeshare industry, launches.
1986
We confirm more than 300,000 exchanges.
1989
We surpass one-million member families.
1990s
1991
We establish our RCI Gold Crown Resort quality recognition program.
1994
We celebrate our 20th anniversary and now employ 3,400 associates in 54 offices in 26 countries.
1996
RCI.com launches.
HFS, eventually renamed Cendant, purchases RCI.
1998
Christel DeHaan establishes Christel House, which becomes our charity of choice.
1999
We confirm more than 2.7 million exchanges, sending an estimated 7.5 million people on holiday.
2000s
2000
RCI Points, the first global points-based exchange program, launches.
2002
We launch the world’s first luxury exchange program, then A&K Registry, now The Registry Collection® program.
2004
We celebrate 30 years of great vacations with three million RCI subscribing members.
2008
We unveil our first ‘green’ directory, printed with FSC certified paper. RCI.com introduces enhanced online search capabilities.
We welcome our 4,000th affiliated resort.
2009
RCI TV is launched, the first online video network of its kind in the industry.
2010s
2010
We transform holiday exchange for RCI Weeks members with the unveiling of trading power transparency.
RCI delivers a new level of benefits through the RCI Platinum-membership tier.
2011
We announce the winners of the first annual RCI Green Awards, celebrating RCI-affiliated resorts that actively engage in sustainable practices. To determine which resorts are leading the industry in sustainability, we partner with GreenCircle Certified to assess and rate all that choose to enter the awards program.
2012
The Registry Collection program celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Mobile version of RCI.com is launched in the U.S.
RCI content surpasses 1 million views on YouTube.
2014
We celebrate our 40th anniversary.
2018
Wyndham Destinations debuted as a pure-play timeshare and exchange business on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WYND) after Wyndham Worldwide completed a spin-off of its hotel company.
2020s
2020
We launch hotels – members can now search and book hotels alongside resorts, using their trading power or points to reduce the price. RCI Platinum members can also enjoy even bigger discounts on hotels.
We give our brand a new look and feel as we re-launch the new shape of travel.
2021
Acquisition of the Travel + Leisure brand, creating Travel + Leisure Co. as the parent company of RCI.
We launch car rental and activities, plus give RCI Platinum members the ability to discount the price of car rental, by using their trading power or points to reduce the cost.
2023
As your first stop travel shop, we launch new products to continue to strengthen our travel portfolio. Members can now access more holiday options and find everything they need to tailor their trip, all in one place – plus use their trading power or points to receive greater savings.
2024
We celebrate our 50th anniversary.
We're continually evolving to reflect the ever-changing travel landscape. As we head into our sixth decade, we hope to bring you even more. More benefits. More flexibility. More value. More opportunities to reach your full travel potential. Here's to 50 more years of going everywhere together!
The joy of member-inspired travels
Elizabeth Wright
This was our first holiday together and we had a fantastic time. We ate amazing food, drank delicious cocktails, soaked up the sunshine and are now looking to book our next holiday!
Luis Dominguez
We always enjoy the best holidays with family and friends, taking advantage of our trading power to stay at the best resorts around the world.
Teresa Pierleoni
We had a fabulous holiday in Madeira. It was out of this world! What an experience - we can't wait to go back!
Neşe Şimşek
We have been on holiday 11 times with RCI. We are glad to have you and we have wonderful memories.
WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY...
❝
Jane Vaissaire-van Leeuwen
Greetings,
It has always been my dream to be on a cruise.
I have been watching The Love Boat tv series since the seventies into the eighties.
Dreaming away was my escape after busy days and bringing up my two children.
Romances, new cultures, and food,new personalities, humour.A seat at the Captain's table,nicely dressed... It seemed so impossible for me.
But I am in my seventies now, retired, and being a long-term Timeshare holder made it possible. Buying a two-for-one voucher was a good decision at the time. So guess what....
This October it will finally happen. Dreams have come true!!! The bucket list is one line shorter thanks to RCI. I can't wait.
Greetings,
It has always been my dream to be on a cruise.
I have been watching The Love Boat tv series since the seventies into the eighties.
Dreaming away was my escape after busy days and bringing up my two children.
Romances, new cultures, and food,new personalities, humour.A seat at the Captain's table,nicely dressed... It seemed so impossible for me.
But I am in my seventies now, retired, and being a long-term Timeshare holder made it possible. Buying a two-for-one voucher was a good decision at the time. So guess what....
This October it will finally happen. Dreams have come true!!! The bucket list is one line shorter thanks to RCI. I can't wait.
❝
Elaine
Hello,
We are excited to be shortly having our first holiday in 2024 , departing in March to Europe. Unfortunately we had the first cruise of the holiday cancelled but we have managed to find an alternative with a Douro River cruise. We did this last year with Uniworld and it was wonderful so we are happy to go again although it will be a slightly cooler trip this time around! We then go on an Azamara cruise from Barcelona to Rome. It will be our first time on Azamara and looking forward to experiencing them. From Rome we fly to Edinburgh for a rail tour out of Perth in Scotland. The scenery in Scotland is so amazing and we will be experiencing ‘The Kelpies’, Bo’ness & Kinneil Steam Railway and Strathspey Steam Railway. We then head home after nearly 5 weeks away and start preparing for our next holiday :)
Thank you RCI for helping with our travel plans and keeping our travel dreams a reality.
I have been watching The Love Boat tv series since the seventies into the eighties.
#DepositWithRCI and #RCIWeGoTogether
❝
Elaine
Hello,
Our second holiday of 2024 starts in June where we once again head to Europe. We start with a Spanish River cruise beginning and ending in Seville. Then on to Prague for another river cruise on the Elbe and Vlatava rivers. Looking forward to being in Prague once more as it is such a beautiful city. This is followed by a Azamara Amsterdam to Reykjavik cruise and in the couple of days before departing on that we are going to head to Chemnitz in Germany to see the Railway Museum and the Industrial Museum. The Iceland cruise should be amazing and we hope the volcanic eruptions won’t affect our cruise in any way but nature will do what it wants and when it wants :) Plus it might prove spectacular if we manage to see anything. We then fly from Reykjavik to Berlin for another river cruise on the Elbe river from Berlin to Hamburg. Hamburg is an amazing place and would have love to stay longer but once the cruise finishes we have to once again head back home. Nothing else planned for 2024 but I’m sure RCI will send me tempting offers and suggestions for the next holiday.
Thank you RCI for helping with our travel plans and keeping our travel dreams a reality.
#DepositWithRCI and #RCIWeGoTogether
❝
Graham
Hello,
Off again to more RCI exchanges in March and October. Having been with RCI since its Early days, we certainly think it is the best way to have Holidays at places all over the world
❝
Larry
We have been unable to get our foster children passports so we have been exploring Australia and have booked in to the Wyndham Melbourne. We are taking a train from Sydney to Melbourne to add a different experience to our trip. It has been so much fun planning our trip with the kids involved, looking for parks to explore and putting activities on our wish list. The kids are so excited to try out the roof top pool at the resort and have checked out all the pictures on the RCI website.
Woo hoo 2024 holidays
Meet our valued resort affiliates
Vicky Du Bois-Sandy
of Resort Solutions
RCI has always been able to attract people who are passionate about the industry and adaptable to a changing landscape.
It has been a pleasure to work alongside some fantastic individuals over the decades, who have always been supportive and instrumental in shaping the organisation into what it is today.
Congratulations on a great milestone!
Fiona Qin
CEO of Shanghai Runner Vacation Club
Congratulations on your 50th anniversary and many more years of success to come!
Your unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence has been the driving force behind your success. You have always been ahead of the curve, pushing boundaries and redefining standards. Your visionary leadership and dedication to your customers have been the cornerstone of your company's growth and prosperity.
In celebrating this 50th anniversary, we also recognize the impact you have had on the holiday world. Your contributions to the market have been immeasueable through sustainability efforts. Your company's legacy will long be remembered and celebrated.
As you look ahead to the next 50 years, we wish you continued success and growth. May you company continue to innovate, excel, and make a positive impact to the travel world.
Mary-Ann
of Champagne Lane
Dear RCI Team
For 50 years of making memories for our owners and guests: a heartfelt thank you and congratulations. May there be many more!
Working with your team has been a privilege, and we are honoured to be apart of the relationship you have formed in the industry.
The Directors, Staff and Management wish you a very happy and blessed anniversary.
Vikram Lalvani
of Sterling
Congratulations Team RCI – on your Golden Anniversary as you celebrate the completion of 50 years of providing customers with holiday exchanges worldwide!
Starting from humble beginnings and growing to becoming the world’s largest holiday exchange network, with 4,200+ resorts in 100+ countries and serving nearly four million customers, is an amazing feat!
We, at Sterling, are extremely pleased to have partnered RCI India for over three decades as we enabled thousands of Indians to realize their dream of vacationing across our bouquet of resorts and, through RCI exchanges, at numerous locations worldwide.
RCI India has been an excellent partner for Sterling. Together, we have navigated changing landscapes, embraced innovation and built a legacy that stands testament to our collective resilience and shared values.
I would like to particularly congratulate Mr. Juan Ignacio Rodriguez, Mr. Robin Mills, Ms. Raadheeka Rao, Ms.Simple Bharti, and the entire team of RCI worldwide and RCI India.
All the best!
Mark Henry
CEO of ULTIQA Hotels and Resorts
Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary RCI!
Our journey together over the last four decades has been truly remarkable. Here's to your continued success and the promise of even greater achievements in the next 50 years !
Cheers to countless more exciting holiday exchange options for our ULTIQA members.
The Experts behind your travel plans
Gillian Daly
Engagement Project Specialist
There's so much about my job that lights me up! Working in a travel company isn't just about exploring new destinations (although that's an incredible staff perk!). It's the dynamic environment that keeps me inspired. What truly resonates with me is the chance to progress both professionally and personally. I'm constantly challenged to broaden my skill set, whether it's in customer service, cultural understanding, or problem-solving. And the beauty of my role is the global network of colleagues. It's invigorating to connect with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures, sharing experiences and ideas.
Sally Saaed
Contact Centre Guide (Middle East)
I love the family spirit in the company - If I could describe RCI in one word, it would be 'family.' I enjoy sending members on their holidays. I have learnt more information about other cities and countries and my work improves my language skills too.
Fabio Mottareale
Market Leader (Italy and Spain)
Working for RCI allowed me to develop my career in tourism and hospitality, which is the professional field I love the most. I like working with people from different cultures and supporting members who trust our service and advice. RCI enabled me to grow professionally as an inclusive leader, and meet people from all around the world who are still my friends today. Also, RCI is the place where I met my wife!
Sebnem Gur Mitre
Contact Centre Guide
From the beginning of my career with RCI, it has always felt like my family, and this feeling keeps me working harder and harder. I like to talk with people and especially about their holiday plans, it gives positivity to my day. As an employee, RCI never disappoints me.
READ MORE WITH RCI MAGAZINE
A lot has changed over the past five decades... Read our journey to this achievement in a special, new commemorative issue of RCI Magazine. Packed with destination inspiration, let our magazine whisk you away to the next beach, balcony or poolside bar as you lounge back and make the most of your membership.
GET MORE!
We're here because of you, and to celebrate, we're bringing our members even more offers.
How would you rate your experience?
Email id