How do I get out of an RCI timeshare? A practical guide

Last updated 2026-07-26

What is RCI, and why can't I cancel my timeshare through them?

RCI (Resort Condominiums International) is a timeshare exchange company. It lets owners trade their week or points for stays at other affiliated resorts around the world. RCI does not own your timeshare, does not hold your deed or your contract, and has no authority to cancel your ownership. Your contract is with the resort developer or the HOA that manages your specific property. This distinction trips up a lot of owners. You call RCI's membership line, ask to cancel, and get told (correctly) that they can't do it. RCI membership is a separate, renewable subscription (commonly in the range of roughly $99 to $209 a year depending on membership tier, based on published RCI membership fee pages historically cited by consumer sites, though you should check your current renewal notice for your exact rate) layered on top of your actual timeshare ownership. If you cancel or exit the underlying timeshare, your RCI membership becomes irrelevant and you'd cancel that separately or just let it lapse. So the real question isn't "how do I get out of RCI." It's "how do I get out of the timeshare that gave me an RCI account in the first place." Everything below addresses that.

How to get out of a timeshare: what are the actual paths?

There are basically four ways out, and they apply whether your resort is affiliated with RCI, Interval International, or no exchange network at all. 1. Rescission (cancel during your legal grace period). Every state that regulates timeshares gives buyers a short window after signing to cancel for any reason, no penalty. This is by far the cleanest exit if you're still inside it. 2. Deed-back or surrender program. Some resorts will take the timeshare back, sometimes for a fee, sometimes free, especially if your maintenance fees are current and the resort's association wants inventory back. Not all resorts offer this, and it's worth asking directly. 3. Resale. You sell the timeshare on the secondary market, usually for a small fraction of what you paid, sometimes for $1, sometimes for nothing at all in weak markets. 4. Paid exit help, or doing the paperwork yourself. If deed-back isn't offered and resale isn't realistic, you're looking at either a self-directed effort to work through your resort's specific cancellation or transfer process, or paying a legitimate service to help organize that process. This is where scams cluster, so read the timeshare exit companies section below carefully before paying anyone. There is no fifth option where you simply stop paying and walk away clean. Timeshare debt and unpaid maintenance fees can go to collections and can hit your credit report, same as any other contract debt.

How do you get out of a timeshare using your rescission period?

Rescission (also called a right of cancellation or cooling-off period) is a legal window after you sign a timeshare purchase contract during which you can cancel for any reason and get your money back, no justification needed. It exists because timeshare sales presentations are famous for high pressure, and state legislatures decided buyers needed a built-in exit ramp. Every state sets its own window length and its own rules for how notice must be given. Florida, for example, gives buyers 10 calendar days after execution of the contract or after receipt of the public offering statement, whichever is later, and requires written notice, typically sent by certified mail, according to Florida's timeshare statute ^[1]. California's window is 7 calendar days after signing or after receiving all required disclosure documents, whichever is later, under its Vacation Ownership and Time-Share Act ^[2]. Some states run shorter, some run longer. Confirm your state's rescission window before you assume you missed it; check your closing documents for the specific clause and the certified-mail instructions, since courts and AGs care about exact compliance. Send your cancellation notice in writing, by certified mail with return receipt, before midnight on the last day of the window. Keep a copy of everything. Don't rely on a phone call or a verbal promise from a salesperson. If you're past your rescission window, this option is closed and you move to the next ones below. For the mechanics specific to your state, see how to get out of a timeshare.

How do I get rid of a timeshare after the rescission window has closed?

Once rescission has passed, your options narrow but don't disappear. Start with the resort or management company directly. Ask in writing whether they run a deed-back, surrender, or "exit" program. Many major systems, including some RCI-affiliated resorts, have quietly built these programs in the last decade because chargebacks, foreclosures, and reputational damage from unhappy owners cost them money too. Some charge an administrative fee, often in the low hundreds to low thousands of dollars; some are free if your account has no back fees owed. Get any offer in writing before you sign anything. If deed-back isn't available, look at resale. Be realistic here: timeshares resell for a tiny fraction of the original purchase price, and a large share sell for $1 or list for years without a buyer, according to consumer complaints tracked by state attorneys general and the timeshare industry's own resale market commentary. You may need to pay closing costs or even pay a buyer's transfer fee just to get it off your name. If you're behind on fees or the resort won't take it back, you're in tougher territory. Do not stop paying maintenance fees as a strategy to force the resort's hand. Unpaid fees plus late charges plus interest accrue, can be sent to collections, and in some states the resort can pursue a deficiency judgment or foreclose the timeshare interest, which can still leave you owing money and can damage your credit. Talk to a consumer law attorney in your state before choosing to default.

How to sell a timeshare: is it actually possible?

Yes, but temper your expectations hard. The resale market for timeshares is thin and buyer-unfriendly, largely because developers keep selling new inventory directly and buyers can often get equivalent access cheaper on the secondary market, which depresses resale prices industry-wide. Realistic steps: list with a licensed timeshare resale broker (check your state's real estate licensing board to confirm they're actually licensed, since "resale" scams are common), price honestly (many weeks list for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and plenty list for $1 just to get out from under maintenance fees), and be transparent about annual fees so a serious buyer knows what they're taking on. Never pay a large upfront fee to a company that promises a fast sale. Legitimate brokers typically get paid at closing, not before. A transfer through resale still requires the resort's cooperation for the deed change and estoppel/HOA paperwork, so budget for a few hundred dollars in transfer and recording fees even on a $1 sale.

Are timeshares scams, or is the exit industry the problem?

Timeshares themselves aren't illegal or automatically fraudulent. They're a real, legally recognized form of vacation property (or points-based) ownership, regulated at the state level, with disclosure and rescission requirements built in specifically because the industry's sales tactics have a long history of complaints. Where "scam" is the right word is in a chunk of the exit industry that sprang up to help owners leave. The FTC has brought enforcement actions against timeshare exit companies that took large upfront fees, sometimes thousands of dollars, and delivered little or nothing, leaving owners out both the exit fee and still owning (and owing on) the timeshare ^[3]. State attorneys general have issued similar warnings about advance-fee timeshare exit and resale scams, including fake "buyers" who ask for a wire transfer to cover fictitious closing costs, and consumers can file complaints about these patterns directly with the FTC. Red flags worth memorizing: a company that promises a fast, no-risk exit before reviewing your contract, one that asks for full payment upfront with no escrow or milestone structure, one that tells you to stop paying your resort or your mortgage during the process, or one that contacts you out of the blue claiming to have a buyer already lined up. Legitimate help exists, but verify licensing, read the contract, and never wire money to a stranger who called you first. For a running list of complaint patterns, see timeshare exit companies and the timeshare call list.

How much is a timeshare, and how much do timeshares cost to own?

New purchase price (developer)	$15,000 to $30,000+	Varies widely by resort brand and unit type
Resale price	$1 to $5,000	Weak secondary market, varies by resort/season
Annual maintenance fee	~$1,000 to $1,200+	Rises most years, varies widely by resort
Special assessment	$200 to several thousand	One-time, tied to major repairs
RCI annual membership	~$99 to $209	Separate from resort ownership, check current renewal notice	If your maintenance fees keep climbing and you're doing the math on whether ownership still makes sense, that math itself is often the first sign it's time to look seriously at an exit path rather than keep paying and hoping fees level off.

Purchase price and ongoing cost are two very different numbers, and owners frequently underestimate the second. ARDA (the American Resort Development Association, the timeshare industry's trade group) has published average purchase price and maintenance fee figures in its annual State of the Vacation Ownership Industry research; actual prices for individual owners range from a few thousand dollars for a resale week up into six figures for luxury fractional or fixed-week deeded properties bought new from a developer. Annual maintenance fees are the ongoing cost that catches people off guard, and they rise most years. Industry-reported figures have put average annual maintenance fees somewhere in the $1,000 to $1,200 range in recent years, and these fees are not fixed for life; special assessments for roof repairs, hurricane damage, or renovations can add hundreds or thousands more in a single year, on top of the regular bill. | Cost type | Typical range | Notes |

How to get out of timeshare when you inherited it and never wanted it?

Inherited timeshares are one of the messiest categories, because the deceased owner's contract, not your preference, controls what happens next. If you're named as heir or the estate includes the timeshare, you generally have the option to disclaim the inheritance (formally refuse it) before accepting any benefit from the estate, which can keep the debt and obligation from passing to you, but state probate law and timing rules apply, so talk to a probate attorney early rather than after you've already used the timeshare or paid a fee on it. If you've already accepted the inheritance or the disclaimer window has passed, you're an owner now, with the same paths available: check for a deed-back program, look at resale, or consider a paid exit path. Do not assume the timeshare will just fall away if you ignore mail from the resort; unpaid fees on an inherited property can still go to collections and can affect the estate or, depending on how title passed, your own credit.

What if my resort or RCI won't respond to my cancellation request?

Put every request in writing, keep a paper trail, and escalate methodically if you're stonewalled. Start with certified mail, return receipt requested, to the resort's registered agent or the address listed in your contract, more than a general customer service email. If you're still inside your rescission window and the resort ignores or disputes a timely, properly sent cancellation notice, that's a potential violation of your state's timeshare act, and it's the kind of thing your state attorney general's consumer protection division wants to hear about. File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov if you suspect deceptive sales tactics or an exit scam ^[3], and file with your state AG's consumer protection office for anything related to a specific resort's noncompliance with rescission or disclosure law. Many state AG offices, including Florida's and California's, maintain timeshare-specific complaint pages and have pursued enforcement actions against developers and exit companies alike.

Should I pay a company to get me out, or do it myself?

It depends on how complicated your situation is and how much time you have. If you're still inside your rescission window, do it yourself. This is simple paperwork: a written cancellation letter, sent certified mail, before the deadline. No company needs to be paid for this. If your resort offers a free or low-cost deed-back program, also do that yourself; call, ask in writing, and follow their process. Where paid help earns its keep is when you're past rescission, the resort has no deed-back program, resale has failed, and you're dealing with multiple properties, points systems, or contracts with confusing transfer clauses. Even then, verify any company's state licensing and business complaint history first, ask for a written scope of work and fee structure before paying anything, and avoid anyone demanding full payment upfront with no milestones. A one-time, flat-fee organizational tool, like ExitHonest's $149 Timeshare Exit Kit, which walks you through the letters, documentation, and state-specific steps yourself, can be a reasonable middle ground between doing it entirely alone and paying an exit company several thousand dollars to do it for you. Whatever route you pick, never let anyone convince you to stop paying your resort as a negotiating tactic; that risk sits on you, not on them.

What should I do right now if I want out of my RCI-linked timeshare?

Pull your original purchase contract and find the rescission clause first; it will state your state's specific window and the required cancellation method. If you're still inside it, send written notice by certified mail today, don't wait. If you're past rescission, call your resort's owner services line and ask directly, in writing, whether they offer a deed-back or surrender program, and what it costs. Check your maintenance fee account is current, since most deed-back programs require a clean balance. If neither of those work, take stock of realistic resale value before you pay anyone for exit help, and if you do look at paid help, run the company's name through your state AG's complaint database and the Better Business Bureau first. You can start organizing your own paperwork and next steps with our Timeshare Exit Kit, which walks through rescission letters, deed-back request templates, and state-specific requirements for a flat $149, no ongoing fees, and no promise of an outcome because nobody legitimate can make you one.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get out of a timeshare fast?

The fastest legitimate exit is rescission: canceling in writing within your state's legal grace period after signing, commonly a matter of days. Confirm your state's exact window in your contract. Once that window closes, there's no fast path with a certain outcome; deed-back, resale, and paid help all take weeks to months and none can be promised to succeed.

How do you get out of a timeshare if you're past the rescission period?

Ask your resort in writing for a deed-back or surrender program first, since many resorts take weeks with no fees if your account is current. If that's not offered, try resale through a licensed broker, or organize a self-directed exit using your resort's specific transfer and cancellation process. Avoid paying large upfront fees to anyone promising fast results.

How to sell a timeshare when nobody seems to want it?

List honestly through a licensed resale broker (verify their state license first), price near market reality (many weeks sell for a few hundred dollars or even $1), and disclose the annual maintenance fee upfront so buyers know the ongoing cost. Expect to possibly cover transfer or closing fees yourself even on a token-price sale.

How to get rid of a timeshare I inherited and never wanted?

If the estate hasn't settled yet, ask a probate attorney about formally disclaiming the inheritance before accepting any benefit; this can prevent the obligation from transferring to you. If you've already accepted it, you're an owner with the same options as anyone else: deed-back request, resale, or a paid exit path.

Are timeshares scams?

Timeshares are legal, regulated property or points products, not scams by definition, though sales tactics have drawn many complaints. The scam risk concentrates in a subset of exit and resale companies that charge large upfront fees and deliver nothing; the FTC has taken enforcement action against several such companies.

How much is a timeshare, on average?

Industry trade group ARDA has reported average timeshare purchase prices in the low-to-mid $20,000s in recent annual industry reports, though prices range from a few thousand dollars for resale weeks to well over $50,000 for new luxury or fractional units bought from a developer.

How much do timeshares cost per year in maintenance fees?

Recent industry-reported figures have put average annual maintenance fees in roughly the $1,000 to $1,200 range, and these fees typically rise most years. Special assessments for major repairs or storm damage can add several hundred to several thousand dollars on top in a given year.

Can RCI cancel my timeshare membership for me?

No. RCI is an exchange company that lets you trade your timeshare week or points for stays elsewhere; it doesn't hold your deed or contract and has no legal authority to cancel your ownership. You cancel the underlying timeshare through your resort or developer, and your RCI account simply becomes moot once that's done.

What happens if I just stop paying my timeshare maintenance fees?

Unpaid fees accrue late charges and interest and can be sent to collections, which can damage your credit. Depending on your state and contract, the resort may also pursue a deficiency judgment or foreclose the timeshare interest, potentially leaving you owing money even after losing the property. Talk to a consumer attorney before choosing to default.

Is there a legal grace period to cancel a timeshare after buying it?

Yes. Every state with a timeshare statute provides a rescission or cooling-off period after signing, commonly ranging from about 3 to 15 calendar days depending on the state, during which you can cancel for any reason. Check your contract's cancellation clause for your specific state's window and required notice method.

How do I know if a timeshare exit company is a scam?

Warning signs include demands for large upfront payment with no escrow, promises of a fast successful exit before reviewing your contract, pressure to stop paying your resort, and unsolicited contact claiming a buyer is already lined up. Check the company against your state attorney general's complaint database and the Better Business Bureau before paying anything.

Do I need a lawyer to get out of a timeshare?

Not always. If you're inside your rescission window, a properly sent certified letter is usually enough on your own. A consumer or real estate attorney becomes worth the cost if you're facing foreclosure, deficiency judgment risk, a disputed inheritance, or a resort disputing your rescission rights.

Sources

1. Florida Statutes, Chapter 721.10 (Timeshare cancellation): Florida's timeshare rescission period is 10 calendar days after contract execution or receipt of public offering statement, whichever is later
2. California Civil Code Section 11024 (Vacation Ownership and Time-Share Act): California provides a 7-day rescission period for timeshare purchases
3. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice: "Timeshares and Vacation Plans": Federal consumer guidance on timeshare sales practices, cancellation rights, and how to avoid high-pressure sales tactics
4. Federal Trade Commission, "FTC Action Leads to Lifetime Ban for Timeshare Exit Companies" press release: FTC and states have brought enforcement actions against timeshare exit companies charging upfront fees without delivering promised exits
5. American Resort Development Association (ARDA), State of the Vacation Ownership Industry research summary cited via ARDA Resort Owners' Coalition consumer page: Average U.S. timeshare interval purchase price and average annual maintenance fees, as reported in ARDA's industry research