100 point in reservation status

[kddlm]

Purchased a small contract with 100 points in Reservation Status which will expire 6/2011.

Ideally, would like to use them for an RCI resort in Aruba during Easter......Having never done an exchange, is it true that you need to pay the $95 just for a search for availability? Also, I've read that you really need to put a search in 2 years in advance? Are both of these statements true? Anyone ever exchanged for Aruba? What are my chances of actually having this come through?? It is not for a full week....5 nights only. Thoughts?? Sorry about all the questions...any feedback is helpful!

 

[jnsolomon]

You don't pay $95 just to search, but if you leave the search open and something becomes available they will book it and charge the $95 then.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You need to check with the reseller or Member Services if you have already bought the points. You might not be able to use reservation points for an RCI vacation. You might only be able to use them for a non-DVC Disney stay.

 

[kddlm]

You need to check with the reseller or Member Services if you have already bought the points. You might not be able to use reservation points for an RCI vacation. You might only be able to use them for a non-DVC Disney stay.

Thanks Deb! Below is the response I received from the reseller back when I was purchasing, so I think I'm good there.
"The 100 Reservation points are points that can be used at any outside Disney exchange (Cruise, Concierge Collection, Disney Collection, Adventure Collection, RCI, etc.) You will not be able to use the points at the Disney Vacation Club resorts.
The 100 reservation points will expire on 6/1/11 so you will need to use them before that date. "

Thanks to the poster with the fee info. as well....sounds like I have the option to keep it as an open search or close it.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I wouldn't count on using them for the Cruise either, with the current limited availability situation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think you got bad info from the reseller. This is from the member website:

3. Reservation Points. Reservation Points are Home Resort Vacation Points used to reserve accommodations at non-DVC Resorts, except accommodations available through the RCI® External Exchange Program. One Reservation Point is equivalent to one annually allotted Home Resort Vacation Point in the Central Reservation System. Reservation Points have no other relationship with or comparison to Home Resort Vacation Points, and Reservation Points are established for convenience of reference only. Reservation Points expire at the end of the Use Year in which they are allotted.

Reservation Points cannot be banked, borrowed, transferred or used to reserve accommodations through the RCI® External Exchange Program, nor to reserve accommodations at DVC Resorts. Reservation Points cannot be returned to a Club Member as Home Resort Vacation Points.

 

[bumbershoot]

You could go to Anaheim and use them at Paradise Pier Hotel or the Disneyland Hotel. No $95, either, at least for now. That's if the RCI plans don't work out.

 

[kddlm]

Deb....you are correct! Spoke with member services...RCI is excluded. Mis-information from TTS. Attempted to book a 3 night cruise in May 2011, but no availability until Oct 2011...points will have expired by then! Only option I see is to stay at a non DVC Dis Hotel, but DH says he is "disney'd out"...
Looks like we will probably just have to forfeit them if I can't talk him into going for a few nights. Any suggestions??

 

[bumbershoot]

Rent them out, or have a resort stay somewhere (don't enter the parks), including Anaheim.

 

[kddlm]

Thanks for the suggestions bumbershoot! CA airfare is too much though! Will probably end up convincing DH to do a getaway to FL for a few days and stay at one of the Moderate resorts to use the points. Will keep checking on availability for the 3 day Bahamas cruise before 6/1/11 as well....ya never know!!!