Any RCI experts here?

[Inkmahm]

We are changing our dates for the family vaction to WDW in December, 2010 so that we will actually be there from a Saturday to a Saturday (Dec 4-11). My plan was to use our points to do a split stay in a 2 bedroom at Kidani and VWL. BUT, my in-laws have RCI points that they want to use in 2010. Fine with me if it will work! I think it may because we will be staying Sat to Sat and that should fit the full week approach by RCI. Right?

In any case, my question is what do my inlaws have to do with RCI if they want to request a 2 bedroom at any DVC resort at WDW for Dec 4-11? Is there a timeframe when you can make this request? Can you list your preferred resorts in order so that you hopefully get one that you want over another that would be okay, but not your first choice? Any idea how many RCI points would be needed for a 2 bedroom for a week in December?

I will go ahead and make our DVC reservations for that time frame but then hope that an RCI reservation by my inlaws could come through so that we can cancel DVC and save the points.

 

[Brian Noble]

I use Weeks, not Points, so I'm a little hazy on the details, but here's my understanding. In Points, you can begin making reservations as early as 10 months prior to check-in. There isn't really a mechanism for a waitlist---you just call and book what is available. However, unlike many Points resorts, not all Disney Points availability is there at the 10-month mark, it tends to dribble in over time. The good news: you can look and book online for the most part.

A 2BR in the first full week of December is actually a little hard to come by---DVC tends to prefer depositing things that aren't in particularly high demand by Members. The second full week of December is often a little easier. But, not at all impossible. If they will let you, have them give you their password to RCI's web site so that you can keep on top of the booking process.

A 2BR in early December looks to be in the neighborhood of 70K points, plus or minus.

 

[Inkmahm]

I use Weeks, not Points, so I'm a little hazy on the details, but here's my understanding. In Points, you can begin making reservations as early as 10 months prior to check-in. There isn't really a mechanism for a waitlist---you just call and book what is available. However, unlike many Points resorts, not all Disney Points availability is there at the 10-month mark, it tends to dribble in over time. The good news: you can look and book online for the most part.

A 2BR in the first full week of December is actually a little hard to come by---DVC tends to prefer depositing things that aren't in particularly high demand by Members. The second full week of December is often a little easier. But, not at all impossible. If they will let you, have them give you their password to RCI's web site so that you can keep on top of the booking process.

A 2BR in early December looks to be in the neighborhood of 70K points, plus or minus.

I have the password but I can't even figure out if they have weeks or points. They gave me points to set up a spreadsheet for them to track their RCI membership but the site seems to me to have both. 70k points would be great for December. They have banked and ended up with almost 200k points to use this year and no real plans for how to do it.

It sounds like I just need to keep checking every day starting at the 10 month mark to find a 2 bedroom for the week that we want? Any of the DVC resorts would be fine, actually. I'd love to be able to get BLT, BCV, AKV, VWL though. The family has already stayed at BWV and OKW and Saratoga aren't personal choices I'd like but I could live with them if it meant I get to keep my DVC points and we use my inlaws RCI points this time instead.

 

[missy2217]

We just used 93,000 RCI points for a two week stay at BWV in mid-November. Probably comparable to Dec. I beleive you can book up to 12 months in adavance.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'd love to be able to get BLT, BCV, AKV, VWL though.

BLT has never been deposited, weeks or points, so far as I know. VWL is probably a longshot given how popular it is in early December. AKV and BCV are both probably doable.

Use their username/password and click on "Points Sign In". Then, click on the tab "RCI Points Vacations", and "Standard Reservation". You can search for earlier dates now, to see how it works.

It's probably easiest to search by Region (FL-Orlando) than by Resort ID. But, if you want to do Resort ID:

DV01 AKV
DV02 BCV
DV03 BWV
DV05 OKW
DV06 SSR
DV08 VWL
DV09 BLT

 

[Cee]

I just exchanged one of my Palm Beach weeks yesterday for a 1BR at VWL for next Oct. 31-Nov. 7, 2010. That's approx. 10 months out. $164 exchange fee for a week in a 1BR. I love it!

 

[Inkmahm]

We just used 93,000 RCI points for a two week stay at BWV in mid-November. Probably comparable to Dec. I beleive you can book up to 12 months in adavance.

What size Villa?

 

[Inkmahm]

BLT has never been deposited, weeks or points, so far as I know. VWL is probably a longshot given how popular it is in early December. AKV and BCV are both probably doable.

Use their username/password and click on "Points Sign In". Then, click on the tab "RCI Points Vacations", and "Standard Reservation". You can search for earlier dates now, to see how it works.

It's probably easiest to search by Region (FL-Orlando) than by Resort ID. But, if you want to do Resort ID:

DV01 AKV
DV02 BCV
DV03 BWV
DV05 OKW
DV06 SSR
DV08 VWL
DV09 BLT

I thought there was a chance for BLT only because I found a chart for it in the section for weeks that showed the week we want is number 49 and is red, whatever that means.

Thanks for the list of resort IDs. I found a few of those by trying earlier dates but it helps to have the whole list. My inlaws were supposed to call RCI last night to get more info (they don't really understand the time share that they bought at all) so I'll try today to see what they found out. I'm really not sure if they are restricted to points or full weeks or what.

 

[Inkmahm]

I just exchanged one of my Palm Beach weeks yesterday for a 1BR at VWL for next Oct. 31-Nov. 7, 2010. That's approx. 10 months out. $164 exchange fee for a week in a 1BR. I love it!

Is there an exchange fee for using points and if so, does it vary based on the size of the unit, time of year, etc? If there is an exchange fee, I'd like to offer to pay my inlaws to reimburse them. It's the least I can do if they are using their RCI points instead of me having to use DVC. I end up paying for all of the meals for everyone for the trip so it will be nice to have (hopefully) the use of someone else's points for a change.

 

[ldo]

1st, you need to make sure these are RCI points and not Wyhdham points using RCI, etc. Next, you need to find out when there UY is--it is the same as for DVC. For ex., with RCI, I have an April 1 UY. I got RCi points on 4/1/09 and could use them that year, and then they auto-roll over at 4/1/10. They expire on 3/31/11, but, I believe you can pay a fee to extend them. so, you 1st need to determine how many RCI points they have to use for 12/10 and if any need to be extended. There is an exchange fee--it's $150+/-.
You can click on on the RCI points directory and uunder the resort, click the points portion to find the chart for the points you need. 2 BR cost more points than 1 BR. You cannot place a search for RCI points resorts. You need to be able to log onto their account. Starting Feb 4 (you can only book points 10 months out), search for what is online for early Dec. Keep looking every day or so--it takes 5 minutes once you know how to do it. It is a popular time, so you will have to snag DVC when it 1st comes online. You most likely will NOT have your choice of resorts--if you wait for your choice--you could come up out of luck. Usually it is OKW and SSR. good luck. Elaine

 

[missy2217]

What size Villa?

Sorry that was a 2 bedroom, missed that important info.

 

[Brian Noble]

I thought there was a chance for BLT only because I found a chart for it in the section for weeks that showed the week we want is number 49 and is red, whatever that means

Some developer inventory has come up for rental. So far, no Member inventory has been deposited for exchange. That will change, eventually, but it hasn't happened yet.

 

[Inkmahm]

1st, you need to make sure these are RCI points and not Wyhdham points using RCI, etc. Next, you need to find out when there UY is--it is the same as for DVC. For ex., with RCI, I have an April 1 UY. I got RCi points on 4/1/09 and could use them that year, and then they auto-roll over at 4/1/10. They expire on 3/31/11, but, I believe you can pay a fee to extend them. so, you 1st need to determine how many RCI points they have to use for 12/10 and if any need to be extended. There is an exchange fee--it's $150+/-.
You can click on on the RCI points directory and uunder the resort, click the points portion to find the chart for the points you need. 2 BR cost more points than 1 BR. You cannot place a search for RCI points resorts. You need to be able to log onto their account. Starting Feb 4 (you can only book points 10 months out), search for what is online for early Dec. Keep looking every day or so--it takes 5 minutes once you know how to do it. It is a popular time, so you will have to snag DVC when it 1st comes online. You most likely will NOT have your choice of resorts--if you wait for your choice--you could come up out of luck. Usually it is OKW and SSR. good luck. Elaine

They actually have both RCI and Wyndham points. For RCI, they have an October 31 date. They have 48,000 points that they paid $99 to roll over from their 11/07 to 11/08 UY for two years so they have to be used by 10/10. Those won't help us and I think they are being given to a daughter as a Christmas present.

Then there are 72,500 points from 11/08to 10/09 that were banked for free into 11/09 to 10/10. I believe they could be banked again to be able to be used in 12/10. And there are 72.500 points for 11/09 to 10/10 that can be rolledforward for free. So I think there will be a fee to roll over the 72,500 and then they will have 145,000 points to use which should be way more than enough for a 2 bedroom for one week at RCI. Not to mention the 72,500 that they get for 11/10 to 10/11.

I just spent some time playing at the RCI site and I think the 2 bedroom would be 71,000 points and a 3 bedroom would be 92,500 (or so) for early December. How great would that be to get a grand villa? Wow.

 

[Brian Noble]

For low seasons, RCI Points will be more effective. For prime seasons, using Wyndham points to access RCI Points inventory (provided they purchased retail or enrolled in PlusPartners) will turn out to be more cost-effective. That's because Wyndham uses a fixed crossover grid into Points based on size and season---so a "red time" DVC 2BR is worth the same as a "red time" 2BR in Mugwump Swamp---but Orlando is "red" year-round. So, 154K Wyndham points will get you a 2BR any time of year.

 

[Inkmahm]

For low seasons, RCI Points will be more effective. For prime seasons, using Wyndham points to access RCI Points inventory (provided they purchased retail or enrolled in PlusPartners) will turn out to be more cost-effective. That's because Wyndham uses a fixed crossover grid into Points based on size and season---so a "red time" DVC 2BR is worth the same as a "red time" 2BR in Mugwump Swamp---but Orlando is "red" year-round. So, 154K Wyndham points will get you a 2BR any time of year.

They have the 154,000 Wyndam points. Actually, they have 3 years of 154,000 each of points there to use, too. (They really have too many points until they can be retired and actually use all of these...) But early Dec is low season so using the RCI points would be better than using the Wyndam weeks, right? They ae in PlusPartners, too.

Is there any difference in the RCI inventory where a Disney 2 bedrroom might available for RCI points OR for Wyndam points, but not for both?

 

[Brian Noble]

But early Dec is low season so using the RCI points would be better than using the Wyndam weeks, right?

Depends on their cost basis for each, but probably. In any event, it sounds like their problem isn't too few points.

Is there any difference in the RCI inventory where a Disney 2 bedrroom might available for RCI points OR for Wyndam points, but not for both?

Not that I know of, but I'm in neither Points nor PlusPartners.

 

[Dean]

Is there any difference in the RCI inventory where a Disney 2 bedrroom might available for RCI points OR for Wyndam points, but not for both?

The answer is maybe. Wyndham tends to have relatively low trade value in the weeks side mostly because Wyndham selects the unit for deposit and usually not the best ones. You can Wait list on the weeks side but that doesn't mean you'll get it even if it becomes available, translation is that I think your chances of success for Dec using Wyndham points on the weeks side is very low, for RCI points, medium but likely smaller units and/or lessor resorts. For points, no wait list options. The weeks cannot be reserved more than 10 months out using points for a Fri, Sat or Sunday start. However, DVC may not deposit right at 10 months out so you have to keep checking. IF they have anything in their account that is in Orlando, they will not be allowed to trade to DVC and even if they are able to make the trade with RCI points or a non Orlando week in weeks, several have been canceled later if they had other resorts for Orlando in their unit. Brian is more versed in Wyndham than am I so pay attn to his posts more in that area.

If it were I, I'd try to use the Wyndham points to get a 4 BR unit at Bonnet Creek. I've only seen a 3 BR come up a couple of times, once with II and once with RCI though there were a couple of "ghost" 3 BR units in II previously. The points exchange rate should be $139 currently. I have not seen DVC for less than 7 day but eventually that will happen. I too have not seen BLT on the exchange side though I no longer have my strongest trader to be sure.

 

[Brian Noble]

Dean: We were talking about using Wyndham's "PlusPartners" program, not RCI Weeks. PlusPartners allows one to exchange Wyndham points for RCI Points inventory using a fixed crossover grid. As with any RCI Points transaction, there is no trade power involved. And, because the crossover grid is fixed, it can be a good deal for high-Points weeks (such as DVC). Wyndham owners are only enrolled in PlusPartners if they have made a developer purchase, or enrolled their account for a fee. I don't pay super-close attention to DVC Points inventory, but when I have looked, it's been at least decent.

Generic Wyndham deposits to Weeks cannot see DVC, under any circumstances, because they are averaged over the deposit pool (and so, they are "average"). A visible deposit *might*, but you'd have to get very lucky, because Wyndham chooses the backing week (and hence your trade power).

eventually that will happen

You think? I'm guessing it probably won't---if they were going to, they would have done it by now. The relationship is now almost a year old.

 

[Inkmahm]

The answer is maybe. Wyndham tends to have relatively low trade value in the weeks side mostly because Wyndham selects the unit for deposit and usually not the best ones. You can Wait list on the weeks side but that doesn't mean you'll get it even if it becomes available, translation is that I think your chances of success for Dec using Wyndham points on the weeks side is very low, for RCI points, medium but likely smaller units and/or lessor resorts. For points, no wait list options. The weeks cannot be reserved more than 10 months out using points for a Fri, Sat or Sunday start. However, DVC may not deposit right at 10 months out so you have to keep checking. IF they have anything in their account that is in Orlando, they will not be allowed to trade to DVC and even if they are able to make the trade with RCI points or a non Orlando week in weeks, several have been canceled later if they had other resorts for Orlando in their unit. Brian is more versed in Wyndham than am I so pay attn to his posts more in that area.

If it were I, I'd try to use the Wyndham points to get a 4 BR unit at Bonnet Creek. I've only seen a 3 BR come up a couple of times, once with II and once with RCI though there were a couple of "ghost" 3 BR units in II previously. The points exchange rate should be $139 currently. I have not seen DVC for less than 7 day but eventually that will happen. I too have not seen BLT on the exchange side though I no longer have my strongest trader to be sure.

Thanks, but if nothing comes through for RCI or Wyndham points then we'll use the DVC reservation that I plan to make at the 11 month mark. We will have my inlaws as well as a niece and nephew with us and I really want to stay on Disney property. I think the kids would be happy with almost any of the resorts but, of course, I want to show off the best that I can come up with. They've alread stayed at BWV so this time I'm planning a split stay at AKV and WLV. That's what we'd be giving up to use RCI points or Wyndham weeks.

 

[Inkmahm]

Depends on their cost basis for each, but probably. In any event, it sounds like their problem isn't too few points.


Not that I know of, but I'm in neither Points nor PlusPartners.

Definitely not a point problem. I'm going to have to work on getting them to actually take vacations to use their points! They really had no clue how many points they had, what their UY was, etc. I set up a spreadsheet for them to start tracking and hopefully keep them from forfeiting points in the future. We, on the other hand, always seem to be able to find use for our DVC points so we don't have the problem of trying to come up with ways to spend them!