Can I deposit soon to expire points into RCI?

[delmar411]

I can't remember if I can deposit points that will expire in less than 4mths into RCI to do a vacation closer to home or not. Anyone have any info on this?

TIA!

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, you can deposit points into the World Passport Collection during the last 4 months of your Use Year. This can be a good way to extend the useful life of those points for a reservation after they would otherwise expire.

Enjoy!

 

[delmar411]

Thank you so much for the quick reply!

I do need to do some serious extending of these points!

 

[Deb & Bill]

This doesn't fall under the Rule of Four??

 

[RobDoc]

This doesn't fall under the Rule of Four??

No, the Rule of Four deals with reservations outside of the DVC programs. World Passport exchanges deal with DVC reservations.

There is presently no restriction on banking DVC points into the WP program before they expire.

 

[TyGuy]

No, the Rule of Four deals with reservations outside of the DVC programs. World Passport exchanges deal with DVC reservations.

There is presently no restriction on banking DVC points into the WP program before they expire.

If you bank into the World Passport program, how long do you have to use them?

 

[RobDoc]

If you bank into the World Passport program, how long do you have to use them?

2 years.

 

[delmar411]

2 years.

ok so I can just bank them into the program? I don't have to know where and when i want to stay?? Do I just call MS and say I want to bank these points into RCI or what?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, I've just never dealt with this before and I thought I had to figure out where I wanted to stay before putting them with RCI.

 

[RobDoc]

ok so I can just bank them into the program? I don't have to know where and when i want to stay?? Do I just call MS and say I want to bank these points into RCI or what?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, I've just never dealt with this before and I thought I had to figure out where I wanted to stay before putting them with RCI.

Yes, MS will guide you thru the process. Be aware that using the WP program is not as easy as making a DVC reservation. The earlier you start making a request for an exchange the better off you will be - especially if you have a specific time or location in mind. Many find that they will need a year or more as a lead time for MS to find a match for what they want. RCI certainly has a lot of availability even on short notice, so you should be able to find something if your are willing to accept what's available.

Good luck!

 

[delmar411]

Thank you

 

[Liljam]

When do you pay the $95 fee? When you make the ressie or when you deposit the points?

 

[RobDoc]

When do you pay the $95 fee? When you make the ressie or when you deposit the points?

The fee isn't due until you accept a reservation thru the program. There is no cost to deposit your points.

 

[Liljam]

Thanks, I never bothered understanding the use of points outside of DVC, but I happened to stumble upon this thread and it's just answered my short list of questions should I ever want to. Knowing this few things makes it much easier to understand!

 

[delmar411]

thanks for all the info Doc! I deposited the points but they could only deposit full weeks into RCI. So I deposited 1 weeks worth (160pts for 1 bedroom) and then I'll have to figure out what to do with the rest of the points.

But I have until 12/31/11 to use that week in RCI so that gives me plenty of time to figure out something.

 

[RobDoc]

I'm glad you got the points banked into the system!

MS won't let members just bank random points into the program since they need to actually reserve a room to put into the RCI system and the points spacebanked need to be used immediately for that reservation. It would be nice (but not practical) to allow members to bank 73 "extra" points from this USe Year and then 87 points next year to equal the 160 needed for a 1BR, but they need to actually commit those points into the program right away.

Here is the World Passport Collection point chart:

Studio. 106 Low -- 123 Mid -- 134 High
1 BR.... 124 Low -- 144 Mid -- 160 High
2 BR.....207 Low -- 252 Mid -- 270 High
3 BR.....276 Low -- 317 Mid -- 349 High

Looks like you were able to effectively extend the use of those points for 2 years!

 

[Dean]

If you bank into the World Passport program, how long do you have to use them?

2 years from the date of the deposited week.

When do you pay the $95 fee? When you make the ressie or when you deposit the points?

Last I heard they had started collecting the $95 fee when you placed an exchange and will refund it if you cancel without an exchange or no match is offered that fits your criteria.

thanks for all the info Doc! I deposited the points but they could only deposit full weeks into RCI. So I deposited 1 weeks worth (160pts for 1 bedroom) and then I'll have to figure out what to do with the rest of the points.

But I have until 12/31/11 to use that week in RCI so that gives me plenty of time to figure out something.

Yes, it has to be a full week. Since many RCI exchanges occur around 2 years out you need to plan then request. You can only request 1 BR units or less buy they might offer you a 2 BR if you have a pending request.