Can RCI points be used at WDW resorts?

[Singinglizzie]

I read on one of the threads that someone used RCI points to book the boardwalk inn? My sister has a bunch of RCI points that she needs to use by May of 2010 and keeps telling me you cant use RCI points at Disney. I sent a pm to the dis poster, and she said you could use RCI points as long as your home timeshare was not in Orlando? Is this true, does anyone else have experience with this, and could you tell me how it works so I could advise my sister. Thanks for the replies!!!

 

[Dean]

I read on one of the threads that someone used RCI points to book the boardwalk inn? My sister has a bunch of RCI points that she needs to use by May of 2010 and keeps telling me you cant use RCI points at Disney. I sent a pm to the dis poster, and she said you could use RCI points as long as your home timeshare was not in Orlando? Is this true, does anyone else have experience with this, and could you tell me how it works so I could advise my sister. Thanks for the replies!!!

They can use RCI points to book any DVC resort subject to availability, BWV has had a fair amount of availability since DVC changed over to RCI. One cannot have an Orlando week in your points portfolio to use RCI points nor an Orlando week in the weeks portfolio to use RCI weeks for DVC even if the resort being traded is not Orlando. ASAOF, we are in two 1 BR Kidani units right now on RCI points with one being Savannah view and have a 1 BR at OKW for Thanksgiving. 113K RCI points for the 2 rooms.

 

[RobDoc]

I read on one of the threads that someone used RCI points to book the boardwalk inn? ...

The Boardwalk Inn is not a DVC resort and won't be available for exchange thru RCI. There may be availability at BWV, OKW, SSR, BCV, VWL or BLT via RCI.

Good luck!

 

[bwvBound]

The Boardwalk Inn is not a DVC resort and won't be available for exchange thru RCI. There may be availability at BWV, OKW, SSR, BCV, VWL or BLT via RCI.

Good luck!

Many, many years back (2003?) I joined RCI Points with the single intention of booking WDW hotel properties. They were available as RCI Point Partner products (similar to using points for airfare, park tickets, etc) but quite expensive. Not sure if the hotels are still offered ... ?

 

[RobDoc]

Many, many years back (2003?) I joined RCI Points with the single intention of booking WDW hotel properties. They were available as RCI Point Partner products (similar to using points for airfare, park tickets, etc) but quite expensive. Not sure if the hotels are still offered ... ?

RCI was affiliated with DVC from 1991-1994 but from 1995 until January of this year the affiliation was with II for it's exchanges. At this time the World Passport Collection again uses RCI (both weeks and points) for exchanges.

It would be interesting to see what the partner products were and what RCI point costs were involved.

 

[bwvBound]

RCI was affiliated with DVC from 1991-1994 but from 1995 until January of this year the affiliation was with II for it's exchanges. At this time the World Passport Collection again uses RCI (both weeks and points) for exchanges.

It would be interesting to see what the partner products were and what RCI point costs were involved.

The RCI Points Partner Program did NOT involve DVC. These were arrangements specifically for the hotels. I tried booking the Yacht & Beach Club but found that the costs would translate to about $200/night (maint fee on my original TS + RCI Points membership + RCI Points exchange fee) when I could book directly through my conference for ~$125/night + resort tax. I terminated my RCI Points membership immediately after that discovery.

Reconstructing the timeline, my RCI Points membership must have been earlier than 2003 as Jan 2003 was the one year I stayed off-site for the conference while my DH was at the Y&B (different employers); by 2004 both employers had been acquired by our current employer and we stayed together (!) in BWV via II exchange. Most likely the time was somewhere late 2001 through 2002 planning for our Jan 2003 visit.

 

[BlueFairy]

I saw "Extra Vacations" available for booking via my Mom's RCI account just yesterday. DVC properties only were listed. No other Disney hotels. Cannot speak to doing a Points or Weeks exchange, but we would love to try. Currently I can't try a search because we don't have any weeks to exchange.
My parents own RCI outside of Florida.

 

[RobDoc]

The RCI Points Partner Program did NOT involve DVC. These were arrangements specifically for the hotels. I tried booking the Yacht & Beach Club but found that the costs would translate to about $200/night (maint fee on my original TS + RCI Points membership + RCI Points exchange fee) when I could book directly through my conference for ~$125/night + resort tax. I terminated my RCI Points membership immediately after that discovery.

Reconstructing the timeline, my RCI Points membership must have been earlier than 2003 as Jan 2003 was the one year I stayed off-site for the conference while my DH was at the Y&B (different employers); by 2004 both employers had been acquired by our current employer and we stayed together (!) in BWV via II exchange. Most likely the time was somewhere late 2001 through 2002 planning for our Jan 2003 visit.

When did the Points Partner Program with WDW end or is it still in place? RCI does offer cash reservations at DVC resorts, but I've not seen any non-DVC resorts available recently.

This is interesting as I can't recall any prior discussion about the RCI Points Partner program here over the 11+ years I've been on the DIS. I learned something today!

Thanks!

 

[bwvBound]

I pulled out my RCI Points materials and blew off the dust. My RCI Points Catalog is dated April 2001. Page 201 lists Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, North America, under Hotel and Resort Accommodations, starting from 10,000 points per night.

Pages of personal notes found in the same binder date my review of the RCI Points program during Oct 2001. I didn't maintain notes of the actual Y&B rates -- but I do recall laughing at RCI's wording "starting at ..." as the final quote for a January stay was much higher than 10k per night. The individual hotels were not listed anywhere -- one had to call (repeatedly!) to receive a quote for specific dates.

A few links from RCI's website on Points Partners:

• Description of Points Partners Program. WDW Resorts no longer appear on the list of featured Hotel Partners. (Granted, the list is incomplete -- simply showing "some of your favorite brands.")
• RCI Points Transaction Fees, including Points Partners transactions
• RCI Points Disclosure Statement (T&C), includes various references to Points Partners Inventory -- no specific reference to current affiliations.