Back from my 1st RCI exchange (1 night NYC)

[CheapMom]

On Wednesday I used 20 DVC points for a 1 night stay at The Manhattan Club. We had a 1 bedroom unit. It was nice to have a suite in NYC- I have never been able to afford that before. Check-in was great. The room was clean and well appointed. Good location near the lower end of Central Park. We even had a nice park view. It was only a few blocks from the theatre district which was good for us because we saw a show on Wednesday afternoon. There was a $25 housekeeping fee- (The fee is less for a studio- more for a 2 br) in addition to the $95 exchange fee. For 1 night it wasn't exactly a great value but I had expiring points so it worked out. If you were staying 3 nights or so it would be a decent value as far as exchanges go. Also, when you book this hotel nightly rather than as a weekly trade the 1 in 4 rule will not apply.
any questions just let me know

 

[BWV Dreamin]

On Wednesday I used 20 DVC points for a 1 night stay at The Manhattan Club. We had a 1 bedroom unit. It was nice to have a suite in NYC- I have never been able to afford that before. Check-in was great. The room was clean and well appointed. Good location near the lower end of Central Park. We even had a nice park view. It was only a few blocks from the theatre district which was good for us because we saw a show on Wednesday afternoon. There was a $25 housekeeping fee- (The fee is less for a studio- more for a 2 br) in addition to the $95 exchange fee. For 1 night it wasn't exactly a great value but I had expiring points so it worked out. If you were staying 3 nights or so it would be a decent value as far as exchanges go. Also, when you book this hotel nightly rather than as a weekly trade the 1 in 4 rule will not apply.
any questions just let me know

This place is on my list (as soon as summer megabus schedules come out!) Is it 57th street? Near Time Square, Rockefellor Plaza? Was there a pool? Was there a restaraunt inside the hotel? ?Also glad to hear if booking nightly, the 1-n-4 rule doesn't apply!

 

[edk35]

What is the 1 and 4 rule btw??

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad to know this. I would love to overnight in NYC for a few nights when we're in Cape May for an extended period. There's a fair amount of sightseeing that I never got around to when I lived in NJ/PA.

Also, I have no idea about 1 in 4.

Bobbi

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Don't take this as gospel, but...

I think the most popular destinations, like the Manhattan Club have rules that say that you can only get into that resort every 4 years. I think there may also be 1 in 3 or 1 in 5.

Is DVC a 1 in 4 as well?

I'm sure Dean or Brian Noble would have much better information about 1 in 4.

 

[CheapMom]

This place is on my list (as soon as summer megabus schedules come out!) Is it 57th street? Near Time Square, Rockefellor Plaza? Was there a pool? Was there a restaraunt inside the hotel? ?Also glad to hear if booking nightly, the 1-n-4 rule doesn't apply!

It is basically at the corner of 56th St. and 7th Ave. a quick walk to Times Square or Rockerfellar Plaza. No pool or restaurant that I noticed- but I didn't look or ask. The rooms are small by normal timeshare standards, but big by New York City standards. Just something to be prepared for. The 1 bedroom had 2 full baths (they call it 1.7 baths because the second bath only has a shower - no tub)
Mickey's Apprentice is right about the 1 in 4, I think some of them are even 1 in 5. But nightly points bookings don't prohibit you from booking again within that time period- only the weekly stays.

 

[podsnel]

I am so happy to hear you had a pleasant stay- I would love to use our points for NYC, it's a VERY special treat to stay over since it is so close to where we live. But much more fun to stay overnight! I hope RCI/Disney will add the new Hilton to our list when it opens, too. Both are right at the center of so much (although when we're there, DH & I end up on the subway to the west village! )

PS- there are VERY few hotels with a pool in the city, actually, I'm having a hard time thinking of ONE!

 

[mouseclick1]

I was looking at this option for this summer; glad to know you enjoyed it! Did you have a car with you? If so, do you remember what the parking fee was? Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Don't take this as gospel, but...

I think the most popular destinations, like the Manhattan Club have rules that say that you can only get into that resort every 4 years. I think there may also be 1 in 3 or 1 in 5.

Is DVC a 1 in 4 as well?

I'm sure Dean or Brian Noble would have much better information about 1 in 4.

The in in 4 (sometime 3 or 5) generally means you can't exchange into that resort more than once every so many years. There are two systems where it's only allowed to exchange in once every few years to ONE resort in their system that I am aware of. Generally concurrent and consecutive weeks are allowed though they may limit them, Grand Mayan limits it to two weeks total every 5 years to ONE resort. It is by RCI membership ID. This is a RCI weeks rule, not an RCI points rule so it should only apply to resorts that are NOT RCI points resorts. For those that have separate RCI accounts, they should get 1 in 4 for that resort (or system) for EACH membership. For me that would be one RCI points account, 1 RCI weeks account and 1 DVC RCI account. The restriction would also not currently apply to weeks gotten through independent exchange companies like SFX or Trading Places.

This rule does not apply to RCI points deposits from what I understand so it should not to DVC. It could apply if DVC did developer deposits for exchange but currently they are only doing developer deposits for rental from what I'm hearing.

 

[Brian Noble]

This rule does not apply to RCI points deposits from what I understand so it should not to DVC.

Correct. If you exchange into MC's Points-side inventory, 1-in-4 would not apply. However, MC also deposits Weeks-side, and for that inventory, 1-in-4 should apply, even if you are using DVC points to book it.

 

[Dean]

Correct. If you exchange into MC's Points-side inventory, 1-in-4 would not apply. However, MC also deposits Weeks-side, and for that inventory, 1-in-4 should apply, even if you are using DVC points to book it.

Brian, DVC certainly is an enigma with any exchange company they work with. However, RCI points resort members are generally not able to trade from the RCI points side to weeks from RCI points resorts that end up in the weeks side. My understanding was that all MC full weeks that were deposited with RCI came under the MC points resort ID though I know they do have at least two other club ID's for 3 & 4 day exchanges and RCI certainly could enter additional ID's on the fly if they wanted.

 

[Brian Noble]

However, RCI points resort members are generally not able to trade from the RCI points side to weeks from RCI points resorts that end up in the weeks side.

True, but DVC members clearly exchange on both, because inventory is deposited to both. If the inventory comes from the Weeks pool, the 1-in-4 will be imposed, unless for some reason DVC has negotiated away any such restrictions on behalf of their members.

My understanding was that all MC full weeks that were deposited with RCI came under the MC points resort ID

Just becase a resort is "in Points" doesn't mean that all of its inventory is Points-side. Weeks-side inventory is subject to the 1-in-4 rules.

In any event, the MS exchange desk rep will be able to clarify the rules for a Member wishing to exchange out.

 

[Dean]

True, but DVC members clearly exchange on both, because inventory is deposited to both. If the inventory comes from the Weeks pool, the 1-in-4 will be imposed, unless for some reason DVC has negotiated away any such restrictions on behalf of their members.


Just becase a resort is "in Points" doesn't mean that all of its inventory is Points-side. Weeks-side inventory is subject to the 1-in-4 rules.

In any event, the MS exchange desk rep will be able to clarify the rules for a Member wishing to exchange out.

Brian, I think you'll find that Points resorts weeks that end up on the weeks side are not available to the RCI points members no matter how they get there so the 1 in 4 will not really be an issue other than if the resort has a separate code (usually for rentals anyway).

 

[CheapMom]

In any event, the MS exchange desk rep will be able to clarify the rules for a Member wishing to exchange out.

They may have a better understanding now, but when I booked this night- the DVC MS rep included the 1 in 4 restriction in her spiel. Then I said- I thought since this was an RCI points booking that the 1 in 4 rule will not apply- and she didn't know what I was talking about- she was saying I would have to wait 4 years to book again. I didn't argue but called back a week later and asked the same question- and this time the rep said booking through RCI Points- the 1 in 4 wouldn't apply. I double-checked by calling the RCI number on my confirmation letter and they confirmed- the 1 in 4 doesn't pertain to rci points bookings.

PS: I booked this very shortly after the RCI switch so I am not surprised that they didn't know the finer details of the RCI rules. Hopefully they will advise you correctly now.

 

[Dean]

They may have a better understanding now, but when I booked this night- the DVC MS rep included the 1 in 4 restriction in her spiel. Then I said- I thought since this was an RCI points booking that the 1 in 4 rule will not apply- and she didn't know what I was talking about- she was saying I would have to wait 4 years to book again. I didn't argue but called back a week later and asked the same question- and this time the rep said booking through RCI Points- the 1 in 4 wouldn't apply. I double-checked by calling the RCI number on my confirmation letter and they confirmed- the 1 in 4 doesn't pertain to rci points bookings.

PS: I booked this very shortly after the RCI switch so I am not surprised that they didn't know the finer details of the RCI rules. Hopefully they will advise you correctly now.

MS really doesn't know that much about RCI in general or how it works compared to how it might work with non DVC members. They mostly know what's on the screen and their limited experiences so far.

 

[oakmanner]

We're staying at the Lowes Regency NYC for a weekend in July on points. Anyone stayed there before?

 

[CheapMom]

We're staying at the Lowes Regency NYC for a weekend in July on points. Anyone stayed there before?

I would love to know the details- how many points... I go to NYC a lot and didn't know about this option.

 

[Dean]

I would love to know the details- how many points... I go to NYC a lot and didn't know about this option.

It's on the Concierge Collection points chart.

 

[dvc_john]

I hope RCI/Disney will add the new Hilton to our list when it opens, too.

It will be interesting to see if the new Hilton (HGVC) on 57th St will be available thru RCI. I know they have special exchange rules for NY within the HGVC system, and HGVC members who don't own at NY cannot book the NY location until 44 days out. (The normal booking window is 9 months).

 

[Brian Noble]

I think you'll find that Points resorts weeks that end up on the weeks side are not available to the RCI points members no matter how they get there so the 1 in 4 will not really be an issue other than if the resort has a separate code (usually for rentals anyway).

I understand this---for individual members. Some corporate affiliations can exchange on either side (points or weeks) even though the owner only owns at a Points resort, and the exchange is into a Points resort. Retail Wyndham owners can get access to both sides, and I believe HGVC owners can as well.

I would assume DVC Members have this ability as well.