RCI Exchange Help

[Mr. Disney 652]

So I finally got the exchange certificate today. Then I spent 45 minutes checking avail. for next year. I found not a single place to stay at! Then, I called the DVC/RCI special telephone line...the guy told me there may be more places released in the future, but he doesn't know.

What good is this piece of paper??? Can anyone give me some advice?
Thanks!

[Brian Noble]

What areas/times are you looking for?

[Dean]

So I finally got the exchange certificate today. Then I spent 45 minutes checking avail. for next year. I found not a single place to stay at! Then, I called the DVC/RCI special telephone line...the guy told me there may be more places released in the future, but he doesn't know.

What good is this piece of paper??? Can anyone give me some advice?
Thanks!If you can put in an ongoing request, you should as that is by far your best chance of success. High demand locations peak seasons will be tough to impossible.

[DisDaydreamer]

Think of it in reverse... Someone trading in wants a desirable location and/or time, but they don't have the 11 month window to work it. It can be difficult.

[Mr. Disney 652]

You can't really do that with the certificates we are getting. There is a special site and you have to check each area, each specific location for each month until May 2010. Then, if none avail., click a seperate check for upgrades w/a fee.

[Brian Noble]

Interesting. Which site?

(It's starting to sound like these are "regular" RCI bonus weeks---generally worthless---rather than the use of a DVC deposit for exchange. I really hope I'm wrong, but...)

[dr&momto2boys]

Interesting. Which site?

(It's starting to sound like these are "regular" RCI bonus weeks---generally worthless---rather than the use of a DVC deposit for exchange. I really hope I'm wrong, but...)

No, you're right.
The site is www.rcicertificates.com/dvc.
You have to enter your certificate number and code to fet in though.

That certificate is practically useless!

[Marc A.]

I actually spent a little to book Puerto Vallarta in November.
If you noticed there was a spot to check if you pay a little extra.
The choices were very limited but we wanted to use it this Nov. or Dec for our anniversary.

[dr&momto2boys]

I actually spent a little to book Puerto Vallarta in November.
If you noticed there was a spot to check if you pay a little extra.
The choices were very limited but we wanted to use it this Nov. or Dec for our anniversary.

Yeah, but isn't it one of the all-inclusives?

We are thinking of booking Peurto Vallarta for January. They're all "all-inclusives" which require a significant extra fee. (Hundreds of $$$ per day.) May be worth it, but definately no cheap vacation. We're still debating because we have three kids under 5. The places look very nice, and it would be great to be on the beach in January, but spending sooo much money and probably not taking advantage of much alcohol and doing mostly buffet because of the kids, DH isn't sold.

[Marc A.]

I found a non all inclusive resort called Krystal.
We states there about ten years ago and it was really nice. Hoping it's still nice now.

[Dean]

If it's an RCI bonus week, as it sounds, they will be very limited. The combo of DVC selected resorts and a bonus week is deadly. The same issue that those with high resort quality but low trade power tend to face. Still there are places such as Williamsburg, LV, Branson, MX, Aruba summer, etc that may be workable. Your best bet is likely short notice (less than 45 days).

[jerseygal]

Some are disuaded from traveling to Mexico recently...

Maybe there are availabilities there..

Good Luck!:goodvibes

[GoldenBelle]

We are having the same problem using that certificate!! When my husband called RCI they said that they gave Disney the places even their members didn't want for the free 7 night vacation with add-on!! She said we should try Texas in July. My DH is not happy at all. I didn't expect to be given premium choices at peak times, but we can't find any availability anywhere! I guess we will keep searching. :confused3

[dr&momto2boys]

I found a non all inclusive resort called Krystal.
We states there about ten years ago and it was really nice. Hoping it's still nice now.

Congratulations!
Well, that gives me hope. Maybe we'll keep looking. I would guess the all-inclusive ones will be available anytime so no hurry to book. I'll wait until we get closer to January and see if anything becomes available.

Edit:
Actually, I spoke to soon. I went back to check and there is now nothing (not even all-inclusives) showing up in Jan, Feb, and Mar in Puerto Vallarta or Cancun.
I guess we should check often until we happen upon something that may appeal to us.

[jaurban]

Can someone explain when RCI inventory is released for use, as perhaps that is when inventory can be added to book. Did anyone call their guide about this issue? Wondering whether something else is possible.

[dr&momto2boys]

Can someone explain when RCI inventory is released for use, as perhaps that is when inventory can be added to book. Did anyone call their guide about this issue? Wondering whether something else is possible.

Good question.

[Lisa P.]

I believe RCI's inventory opens wide to Extra Vacations (which it sounds like you've got with those Certificates), starting at 60 days from check-in. Progressively more inventory is added until 2 weeks out, when you can get anything in the system with any exchange or cert. I'd definitely look more diligently within the 60-day window.

Also, if you are a TUG member (Timeshare Users Group (http://www.tug2.net/)), go to the bulletin boards and log into the Sightings forum. You'll only see it as an option, if you're a member. There, members post Sightings, which are desirable, but difficult trades and surprising, last minute cancellations and deposits spotted on RCI and II. It's $15, I think, to join - well worth it if you expect to want info and exchanger reviews of various timeshares for future travel planning. (BTW, please identify me as a referral if you join TUG - Lisa P - and I'd receive a 6-mo extension on my TUG membership, thanks.)

Another place with great Sightings is TS4Ms (Timeshare Forums (http://www.timeshareforums.com)), with free registration. But you need to either become a paid sponsor or post a minimum number of active discussion postings before you're permitted to begin viewing the Sightings on the forums called "Exchange Opportunities."

We've snagged many an excellent trade up by using these two forums. :)

[jaurban]

After you back the DVC out of the web site we are to use - it says Endless Vacations - and RCI Certificate program. It looks like anyone can buy a certificate for $500, and keep it or give it as a gift, and that person can look through whatever inventory is assigned there to select a trip. I am also wondering whether this updates the first of each month, as there seemed to be more choices today. I also looked at June 2009, keeping in mind the 60 day period mentioned by the prior poster (I can't go then, but checked anyway) and there were lots in the Canary Islands, in some parts of Mexico, Branson, Venezuela and some even in NH or VT. No California or Las Vegas or Hawaii, and more limited in the rest of the US. So, if anyone knows about this certificate program, that might give us some insight on how to use the system and whether to wait for more choices.

[Lisa P.]

Endless Vacations is just one of RCI's names - they use it on their member's magazine. Extra Vacations is what RCI calls the last minute inventory, "excess" inventory (commonly offered for cheap rentals) and developer rental inventory - all offered for cash rental and much of it for last minute exchanging as well.

It looks like anyone can buy a certificate for $500, and keep it or give it as a gift, and that person can look through whatever inventory is assigned there to select a trip.
Would not surprise me. Developers (like DVC) may get a certain number of these for pennies on the dollar to encourage use of RCI and as part of the incentive for the developers to sign on with RCI. They give something to the developers to offer potential purchasers in their sales pitch.

I am also wondering whether this updates the first of each month, as there seemed to be more choices today.
Updating of RCI inventory is a live process for some things. As people deposit their weeks, they may show up within a day or a week. As people cancel previous trades, they show up almost instantly. RCI used to do nightly uploads of bulk deposits from developers however, recently, bulk deposits have been spotted and reported right in the middle of the day on TUG and TS4Ms so it seems that they're now doing these updates "live" as the developers send the bulk spacebanking data. Weekly computer "maintenance" shutdowns may occur on most Saturday nights after 8pm eastern time, after which the inventory is often noticeably different on Sundays. Have never heard of anything on the first of the month nor any kind of monthly basis.

...there were lots in the Canary Islands, in some parts of Mexico, Branson, Venezuela and some even in NH or VT. No California or Las Vegas or Hawaii, and more limited in the rest of the US.
Right, mud season in the mountains, all-inclusives that charge hefty fees and overbuilt areas. My preference with these kinds of things is to hunt for a great Sighting within 60 days or just plan in advance for a beautiful resort vacation in an area that happens to be overbuilt (Williamsburg, Orlando, Branson, inland golf retreats), a remote getaway or I choose a shoulder season, like October at the SC beaches.

Since the greatest amount of inventory available for Extra Vacations is going to have a check-in date within the next 60 days, you'll see more inventory when you are looking 60 days before a slower travel season (like early autumn or in the offseason, like non-skiing winter locales) than you will, right before a popular travel season, like the coming summer. If you're hunting for that great, unusual, in-season find, then checking frequently and using the Sightings boards will help year round. Hope that makes sense.

[jaurban]

Thanks for that incredibly helpful information!

One other thing I noticed, when I searched using the general redemption site for the RCI certificates (not using the code) I saw much more availability than I did using the DVC code. Is it possible that we are given access to this only after it is passed over by others who received these certificates that were purchased directly from RCI?

Also, I saw the terms and conditions, and it says that the certificates are not good for US holidays, spring break or high demand summer times. This is probably on my voucher too, the print was just too small to read. That essentially takes our family out of it, as we have a school age child and I don't think I can take her out of school twice (we will do it for the cruise that we received). I don't want to go out of the country as we have a baby too, and I am not comfortable with some of those destinations with a baby just yet. Perhaps my sister and her husband will end up with a trip they can take with my voucher as I can transfer it - kids are high school age and would not come on a trip with them...

[Dean]

Thanks for that incredibly helpful information!

One other thing I noticed, when I searched using the general redemption site for the RCI certificates (not using the code) I saw much more availability than I did using the DVC code. Is it possible that we are given access to this only after it is passed over by others who received these certificates that were purchased directly from RCI?

Also, I saw the terms and conditions, and it says that the certificates are not good for US holidays, spring break or high demand summer times. This is probably on my voucher too, the print was just too small to read. That essentially takes our family out of it, as we have a school age child and I don't think I can take her out of school twice (we will do it for the cruise that we received). I don't want to go out of the country as we have a baby too, and I am not comfortable with some of those destinations with a baby just yet. Perhaps my sister and her husband will end up with a trip they can take with my voucher as I can transfer it - kids are high school age and would not come on a trip with them...Make sure because most of these are not transferable or if it is, there's a fee to do so which you can't be reimbursed for technically. I can't speak for RCI but with II they often didn't follow their rules on bonus weeks and would allow you to trade to resorts/places/times that would technically have been excluded. Also, you might use it for a long weekend. I'd keep trying and bet you can get something for very short notice or somewhere like LV or Branson.

[jaurban]

This particular certificate did allow you to transfer, our names are also not on it like they are on the cruise document (the cruise requires at least one of the DVC members to travel). This may be an exception to the norm, however, and just for the promotion.

[Dean]

This particular certificate did allow you to transfer, our names are also not on it like they are on the cruise document (the cruise requires at least one of the DVC members to travel). This may be an exception to the norm, however, and just for the promotion.That does not necessarily mean it's transferable as this will come under RCI's rules. As a min, you will likely have to purchase a guest certificate for someone else to use any such exchange. That fee is currently $59.

[jaurban]

I think this is unique to DVC - it does state that "Certificate may be transferred as a gift, or without payment or consideration" At any rate, I will keep looking to see if something appears that we can use.

[rutgers1]

This is all foreign to me. Is this the only way to exchange with RCI? And if so, does this mean that this entire RCI affiliation is pretty much a load of crap? I read about a guy today who had a week in a desirable place and used it to trade for THREE weeks including TWO in Disney. Yet, we as Disney owners can barely find a place worldwide unless we choose it within a 60 day window and are willing to go to a limited selection of mostly non desirable places?

[jaurban]

No no, no worries. This is only applicable to the special certificate for a 7 night RCI vacation that certain purchasers received as an incentive for buying BLT at Doorway to Dreams, and I think some other special incentive purchases. It has nothing to to with how you exchange your DVC points for RCI trade vacations. It was "free", so no point exchange was necessary, and that is why there are extra conditions. Although, if this was supposed to entice a DVC member to exchange for an RCI vacation, they are not doing a very good job.

[Marc A.]

Other than using this certificate once for a free trip I have no plans to ever use RCI.
Just doesnt seem as professional as it should.

[Dean]

This is all foreign to me. Is this the only way to exchange with RCI? And if so, does this mean that this entire RCI affiliation is pretty much a load of crap? I read about a guy today who had a week in a desirable place and used it to trade for THREE weeks including TWO in Disney. Yet, we as Disney owners can barely find a place worldwide unless we choose it within a 60 day window and are willing to go to a limited selection of mostly non desirable places?It's not this bad but it's not that good either. Depends on how you want to use it, where/when you want to go and how lucky you are.

Still, trading is not a great option when you own a top resort. Too many negatives and costs to make it worthwhile. I'm guessing what you heard about was II with a lockoff and a bonus week making 3 exchanges total. Some of the points systems (Bluegreen, Worldmark, Wyndham) also can give you multiple exchanges along this line. Trading is usually the best value when you're middle of the pack in resort ratings, truly realistic and plan 2 years out.