Book BCV with RCI - what now?

[princesskayla]

I booked BCV with RCI for September. How do I go about getting magicbands, adding dining plans, etc??

 

[Dean]

I booked BCV with RCI for September. How do I go about getting magicbands, adding dining plans, etc??

Call DVC MS and get the DVC reservation number and set up all the items you need. You pay the extra $95 fee now at check in. The phone number will be on your confirmation for RCI weeks but for RCI points you may have to call RCI to get the toll free number.

 

[abarnes64]

I am curious how this works? I just purchased a small resale and we are waiting ROFR. How difficult was it to trade your RCI for DVC? Also contemplating making an RCI purchase for other trips!

 

[Dean]

I am curious how this works? I just purchased a small resale and we are waiting ROFR. How difficult was it to trade your RCI for DVC? Also contemplating making an RCI purchase for other trips!

It depends. I've had a lot of success but you've got to put some effort into learning the system both before you buy and ongoing and you've got to plan ahead. I just booked two 2BR SSR units for late summer through RCI. It's a high risk high reward option for the right person but someone just getting started is not likely a good candidate for this type of plan. If you're looking at other options I'd suggest you consider something that fits your needs without exchanging AND you might be able to exchange in to DVC as well.

 

[abarnes64]

It depends. I've had a lot of success but you've got to put some effort into learning the system both before you buy and ongoing and you've got to plan ahead. I just booked two 2BR SSR units for late summer through RCI. It's a high risk high reward option for the right person but someone just getting started is not likely a good candidate for this type of plan. If you're looking at other options I'd suggest you consider something that fits your needs without exchanging AND you might be able to exchange in to DVC as well.

Yes, we are considering purchasing with the off chance that we cannot get into Disney, that we'd still enjoy the RCI trip. I am planning now for either winter or 2015 so we can plan ahead. I agree, it have a friend of mine who has traded her RCI points every year for BCV for 1 wk at WDW during 2nd wk of sept!

This is when we'd go to WDW also- I wonder how much luck was involved in that booking availability or if that IS a GOOD time to trade RCI points? Do you know or have any links re:RCI info to pass along so I can read further about the trad process or and calendars for pointa etc?

Thanks for sharing any info! And congrats on your 2 two bedroom SSR booking! Awesome!

 

[Dean]

Yes, we are considering purchasing with the off chance that we cannot get into Disney, that we'd still enjoy the RCI trip. I am planning now for either winter or 2015 so we can plan ahead. I agree, it have a friend of mine who has traded her RCI points every year for BCV for 1 wk at WDW during 2nd wk of sept!

This is when we'd go to WDW also- I wonder how much luck was involved in that booking availability or if that IS a GOOD time to trade RCI points? Do you know or have any links re:RCI info to pass along so I can read further about the trad process or and calendars for pointa etc?

Thanks for sharing any info! And congrats on your 2 two bedroom SSR booking! Awesome!

I'd suggest you check out the Timeshare Users Group at tug2.net to investigate other timeshares. Then depending on where you're headed, there would be other suggestions, especially for Bluegreen and Wyndham. I do like the points mini systems in this situation, especially Bluegreen and Wyndham. Generally I suggest people think about how/when they'll use it, where they'd like to go, how well they can plan ahead and budget/risk. That should give you a great starting position because it'll give you an idea of which systems have resorts in those areas, unit sizes, costs and likelihood of success. We're doing a Vow Renewal in Gatlinburg in 2015 so we'll have 6-7 three BR units for the week, we'd never be able to do that at our expense without timeshares. We're using Bluegreen for this trip.

May and Sept will be the easiest to trade in. Just don't buy anything that's based in Orlando as you won't be able to trade through RCI to DVC at WDW if you do. I like Bluegreen for this situation better than Wyndham but Wyndham is has more/better resorts to use internally.

 

[abarnes64]

Thank you passing along those tips. Is bluegreen also within RCI (like Wyndam)? And yikes - good to know that about the FL properties not trading in for DVC!

 

[Dean]

Thank you passing along those tips. Is bluegreen also within RCI (like Wyndam)? And yikes - good to know that about the FL properties not trading in for DVC!

Disney current restricts to 30 miles so it's really only the greater Orlando based options. BG trades both RCI and II, they provide a direct exchange option for RCI points plus an RCI weeks account you can use as if it were your own. Neither restrict you nearly as much exchanging as does DVC. Just look at their resorts and locations and IGNORE the affiliate resorts. Don't just look at the locations but evaluate the resorts. For both there are resorts I would not be happy staying at.

 

[abarnes64]

Ok- I am overwhelmed after doing some searching on the timeshare user group! So let's say that I buy a bluegreen timeshare- I then would need to post on the resort classified's in order to trade my week for a DVC week? AND if no bites, then I have my timeshare still?

 

[Dean]

Ok- I am overwhelmed after doing some searching on the timeshare user group! So let's say that I buy a bluegreen timeshare- I then would need to post on the resort classified's in order to trade my week for a DVC week? AND if no bites, then I have my timeshare still?

BG has a direct access option to allow you the potential of timeshare trades through RCI including possibly to DVC.

 

[abarnes64]

BG has a direct access option to allow you the potential of timeshare trades through RCI including possibly to DVC.

When trading through RCI - does the RCI member services actually look for and trade the points out and schedule the DVC reservation for the $95 fee OR is the RCI member responsible for trading their own week (ie, posting classified ads and trying to find a member to trade)? This is the BIG question I am trying to find out. Any idea?

Are you also Dean on the tug2net board

 

[Dean]

When trading through RCI - does the RCI member services actually look for and trade the points out and schedule the DVC reservation for the $95 fee OR is the RCI member responsible for trading their own week (ie, posting classified ads and trying to find a member to trade)? This is the BIG question I am trying to find out. Any idea?

Are you also Dean on the tug2net board

Yes, also a member of TUG but not that active the last couple of years. You would have to be responsible for finding the exchanges though in some cases you could put in an ongoing search.

 

[bwvBound]

When trading through RCI - does the RCI member services actually look for and trade the points out and schedule the DVC reservation for the $95 fee OR is the RCI member responsible for trading their own week (ie, posting classified ads and trying to find a member to trade)? This is the BIG question I am trying to find out. Any idea?

Adding to Dean's responses ... and assuming this line of questioning relates to a currently unidentified, non-DVC, potential timeshare that you wish to someday trade through RCI:

RCI does not work on "user to user" (direct) trades. If/when trading through RCI you will never know if someone else used your week -- nor do you care. RCI maintains a giant pool of vacation weeks. You throw your week into the pool and you draw out something else. You might simply pick from an existing week sitting in the inventory pool or you might open an "ongoing search" to let the computer find a match for you. Either method (pick one now or run an ongoing search) may be done completely by you through the online website or may be assisted by an RCI rep over the phone. Your choice.

There are several fees involved ... below is "just enough to get you started" relative to RCI Weeks. RCI Points is something else.
* Annual membership fee to RCI. This may be covered by your non-DVC timeshare or it might be paid, by you, out of pocket. Full fare is $89/year or less for multi-year discounts. RCI's membership renewal page currently shows 5-year or 10-year renewals at a smidge below $70/year.
* Exchange fee. Currently running $209 (?) per week if you do it yourself via the web interface; $219 (?) per week if you require help from an RCI rep by phone.
* Possible inbound exchange fees charged by the destination. Some resorts title these fees "energy surcharge," "activity fee," etc. Disney charges inbound exchange guests $95 to cover Magical Express, the Disney resort transportation, etc.

Echoing suggestion: keep reading on TUG. It might take 6 months just to get your brain engaged and following along with the shorthand, the lingo, the concepts, etc. G'luck!

 

[abarnes64]

I'd suggest you check out the Timeshare Users Group at tug2.net to investigate other timeshares. Then depending on where you're headed, there would be other suggestions, especially for Bluegreen and Wyndham. I do like the points mini systems in this situation, especially Bluegreen and Wyndham. Generally I suggest people think about how/when they'll use it, where they'd like to go, how well they can plan ahead and budget/risk. That should give you a great starting position because it'll give you an idea of which systems have resorts in those areas, unit sizes, costs and likelihood of success. We're doing a Vow Renewal in Gatlinburg in 2015 so we'll have 6-7 three BR units for the week, we'd never be able to do that at our expense without timeshares. We're using Bluegreen for this trip.

May and Sept will be the easiest to trade in. Just don't buy anything that's based in Orlando as you won't be able to trade through RCI to DVC at WDW if you do. I like Bluegreen for this situation better than Wyndham but Wyndham is has more/better resorts to use internally.

AND I Missed the fact that you are doing a vow renewal this Oct in Gatlinsburg! That's awesome! Congrats! How many years married now?

 

[abarnes64]

Adding to Dean's responses ... and assuming this line of questioning relates to a currently unidentified, non-DVC, potential timeshare that you wish to someday trade through RCI:

RCI does not work on "user to user" (direct) trades. If/when trading through RCI you will never know if someone else used your week -- nor do you care. RCI maintains a giant pool of vacation weeks. You throw your week into the pool and you draw out something else. You might simply pick from an existing week sitting in the inventory pool or you might open an "ongoing search" to let the computer find a match for you. Either method (pick one now or run an ongoing search) may be done completely by you through the online website or may be assisted by an RCI rep over the phone. Your choice.

There are several fees involved ... below is "just enough to get you started" relative to RCI Weeks. RCI Points is something else.
* Annual membership fee to RCI. This may be covered by your non-DVC timeshare or it might be paid, by you, out of pocket. Full fare is $89/year or less for multi-year discounts. RCI's membership renewal page currently shows 5-year or 10-year renewals at a smidge below $70/year.
* Exchange fee. Currently running $209 (?) per week if you do it yourself via the web interface; $219 (?) per week if you require help from an RCI rep by phone.
* Possible inbound exchange fees charged by the destination. Some resorts title these fees "energy surcharge," "activity fee," etc. Disney charges inbound exchange guests $95 to cover Magical Express, the Disney resort transportation, etc.

Echoing suggestion: keep reading on TUG. It might take 6 months just to get your brain engaged and following along with the shorthand, the lingo, the concepts, etc. G'luck!

Thank you all for responses. Bwvbound- that does explain the process well. Is there another exchange board that is avail to users of RCi only? I was on the RCI site and see members only can log in.....OR do the timeshare members use the timeshare group to exchange and post?

I was thinking that if DH and I decided to do this, we'd pick up some place destination wise that we would go to, on the chance that we CANNOT trade for DVC. We still have a little DVC contract tbd by Disney ROFR (fx crossed) now- should know more in march about that. So we'd have that as an option for Disney at least every other yr (50 pts).

I am looking into Bentley brooks by wyndham in Mass- few hr away by car and beautiful. From what I read it seems like it would be a good trade.

 

[bwvBound]

Is there another exchange board that is avail to users of RCi only? I was on the RCI site and see members only can log in.....OR do the timeshare members use the timeshare group to exchange and post?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking in the bolded section above. We use TUG's Exchange board (forum) to discuss strategies, to learn tips'n'tricks, to discuss alternatives to using RCI but not to perform any actual exchanges. Again, RCI exchanges are not "owner to owner" (aka 'direct') exchanges.

We also use TUG's Sightings board (a fee-based board within TUG) to report trends of high value exchange weeks.

I was thinking that if DH and I decided to do this, we'd pick up some place destination wise that we would go to, on the chance that we CANNOT trade for DVC. We still have a little DVC contract tbd by Disney ROFR (fx crossed) now- should know more in march about that. So we'd have that as an option for Disney at least every other yr (50 pts).

I am looking into Bentley brooks by wyndham in Mass- few hr away by car and beautiful. From what I read it seems like it would be a good trade.

Don't jump quickly into that next purchase. Timeshares are easy to buy and tough to get rid of. That said, I do like the idea you are following of looking at locations that you might love using most years, that are within driving distance, and might have a solid management company behind them. You might also look at Wyndham Points, resale, to see if owning points in their mini-system is favorable to owning a week at one location. Lots to research!

 

[abarnes64]

I'm not quite sure what you are asking in the bolded section above. We use TUG's Exchange board (forum) to discuss strategies, to learn tips'n'tricks, to discuss alternatives to using RCI but not to perform any actual exchanges. Again, RCI exchanges are not "owner to owner" (aka 'direct') exchanges.

We also use TUG's Sightings board (a fee-based board within TUG) to report trends of high value exchange weeks.

Don't jump quickly into that next purchase. Timeshares are easy to buy and tough to get rid of. That said, I do like the idea you are following of looking at locations that you might love using most years, that are within driving distance, and might have a solid management company behind them. You might also look at Wyndham Points, resale, to see if owning points in their mini-system is favorable to owning a week at one location. Lots to research!

Sorry! I think I am using the incorrect lingo! Still learning the timeshare language. I understand better now.... No direct timeshare user exchange is done. Well, that's a perk!

I thought the TUG forum classified ads was the way that users put there weeks into exchange.

What I was wondering, is do users put their timeshare week into a 'timeshare pool' and where is this pool site? Is it through RCI's website or where can I view it? Or do I need to be a member in order to look?

Thank you for taking the time to explain to a newbie prior to considering a purchase. I agree that I would not jump on this bit give it some more thought. I DO like the idea of having a vacation place nearby to enjoy the fall foliage and I get this in a red week it would be the most highly desired time to go. The MF's don't seem too bad. I will go onto the TUG forum later and see what else I can scrounge up on how supportive Wyndam is to timeshare customers and how well-traded this property would be.

Regardless, I think we'd enjoy it anyways! Bonus

 

[bwvBound]

Sorry! I think I am using the incorrect lingo! Still learning the timeshare language. I understand better now.... No direct timeshare user exchange is done. Well, that's a perk!

I thought the TUG forum classified ads was the way that users put there weeks into exchange.

What I was wondering, is do users put their timeshare week into a 'timeshare pool' and where is this pool site? Is it through RCI's website or where can I view it? Or do I need to be a member in order to look?

Thank you for taking the time to explain to a newbie prior to considering a purchase. I agree that I would not jump on this bit give it some more thought. I DO like the idea of having a vacation place nearby to enjoy the fall foliage and I get this in a red week it would be the most highly desired time to go. The MF's don't seem too bad. I will go onto the TUG forum later and see what else I can scrounge up on how supportive Wyndam is to timeshare customers and how well-traded this property would be.

Regardless, I think we'd enjoy it anyways! Bonus

Ah. There are MANY ways and places to do timeshare exchanges. TUG does use a section of their classifieds to conduct 'direct' (owner to owner) exchanges. There are at least two large exchange companies, RCI and Interval International (II), which use the "pool" model (never any direct interactions between subscribing members). There are several smaller exchange companies that offer similar services, some with free memberships: DAE, GPX, SFX, etc. You will find discussions on these, and others, over on the TUG Exchange forum.

You cannot view RCI inventory without first having an RCI membership.

 

[Dean]

AND I Missed the fact that you are doing a vow renewal this Oct in Gatlinsburg! That's awesome! Congrats! How many years married now?

It's next summer, will be 35 yrs.

 

[abarnes64]

It's next summer, will be 35 yrs.

WOW- congratulations!!!! That IS something to celebrate