Coming into an RCI week and see DVC may be an option - ?s

[EastCoastCdn]

Pardon my ignorance. I have googled as much as I can, but I have a couple of questions if someone here can help.

I will be getting a certificate for one week through RCI from a Customer Appeciation Program. The person I know for the company providing the certificate has mentioned Bonnet Creek, but a search from the RCI website shows DVC options. I'm no stranger to DVC as we've rented from a friend who is a DVC member a few times.

I would prefer to stay onsite, so I'd like to know if I can try to trade the RCI week for a DVC week where I am not an RCI owner.

I have read about the $95 fee on check-in. If I can request an ongoing search and am successful in getting a room at a DVC resort, are there any additional fees I should be aware of? I've read about $209 and $300 in a couple of different places.

Thanks

 

[wanderlust7]

The RCI exchange fee is $209. These days, SSR is fairly easy to get, anything else is more rare.

 

[Dean]

Pardon my ignorance. I have googled as much as I can, but I have a couple of questions if someone here can help.

I will be getting a certificate for one week through RCI from a Customer Appeciation Program. The person I know for the company providing the certificate has mentioned Bonnet Creek, but a search from the RCI website shows DVC options. I'm no stranger to DVC as we've rented from a friend who is a DVC member a few times.

I would prefer to stay onsite, so I'd like to know if I can try to trade the RCI week for a DVC week where I am not an RCI owner.

I have read about the $95 fee on check-in. If I can request an ongoing search and am successful in getting a room at a DVC resort, are there any additional fees I should be aware of? I've read about $209 and $300 in a couple of different places.

Thanks

I'll have to admit that I don't have a lot of knowledge about RCI bonus weeks but just look at the restrictions to see if you can trade to DVC or if there are any restrictions. For II they have a lot of restrictions and generally a higher cost than a normal exchange. I'm doubtful you'd have much luck using the bonus week certificates for DVC through RCI. You might explore on TUG (Timeshare Users Group) to get more specific info, find restrictions and see if anyone has done so.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm also not familiar with the restrictions on bonus weeks, but if you can do an ongoing search DVC is fairly available. Without an ongoing search, I think your chances would be slim.

For quite a while, only one bedrooms have been deposited, and the deposits seem to be in the 5-7 months from arrival timeframe.

If you list ALL DVC resorts, you will likely get SSR. There have also been some BLT, OKW, and AKV units available -- so if you have any real preference, you might list that alone and then broaden your search if you don't get what you want.

Good luck!

 

[Brian Noble]

It is very likely that a bonus week has fairly low trade power, and will not be sufficient to exchange for DVC---and probably not Bonnet Creek during most times of the year. Is this something you have to call to use, or can you use the RCI web site directly?

 

[EastCoastCdn]

It is very likely that a bonus week has fairly low trade power, and will not be sufficient to exchange for DVC---and probably not Bonnet Creek during most times of the year. Is this something you have to call to use, or can you use the RCI web site directly?

Good question. I had hoped I was going to receive the certificate yesterday, but it seems like it will be mid-October before I get it.
I've been googling every combination of words I can because the person who is giving me the certificate represents the company and isn't an RCI owner so she's not overly informed on how it all works. I have been reading about the trading power.
I'll have to wait until I have the certificate in hand and go from there.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm 99% sure you will have to call to use it, you will not know the trade power (directly), and that it will be insufficient to pull DVC or the other few name-brand resorts in the area (Bonnet Creek, the Hiltons, Vistana, etc.) This sounds similar to the bonus weeks that developers sometimes include in a purchase, and they are not particularly valuable. But, let us know when it comes in.

 

[EastCoastCdn]

I'm 99% sure you will have to call to use it, you will not know the trade power (directly), and that it will be insufficient to pull DVC or the other few name-brand resorts in the area (Bonnet Creek, the Hiltons, Vistana, etc.) This sounds similar to the bonus weeks that developers sometimes include in a purchase, and they are not particularly valuable. But, let us know when it comes in.

Thanks. I just found out that my husband has the opportunity to get a certificate as well, but his may take a couple of months. It's from the same program/company. I've read about people using 2 "weeks" for an exchange (maybe more trade power when combined??). I'll call RCI when I receive my certificate and I'll come back with the info I receive. Hopefully it can help someone in the future.

 

[Brian Noble]

These are not regular deposits, so you almost certainly cannot combine them. If you have a pointer to the program/company in question, I can probably tell you definitively. Are you paying for these, getting them comped, or something else?

 

[EastCoastCdn]

These are not regular deposits, so you almost certainly cannot combine them. If you have a pointer to the program/company in question, I can probably tell you definitively. Are you paying for these, getting them comped, or something else?

The certificates are coming from real estate referrals through Century 21. Bought and sold through a realtor and my husband just referred a friend who is selling and buying as well. If those 2 transactions close, my husband will get a certificate for a week as well. Not sure how these certificates are classified.

 

[Brian Noble]

That's probably this program:
https://www.resortcerts.com/

These are mostly surplus inventory, with some (slightly discounted) rentals thrown in as "upgrades." If you are getting them for free, there is no reason to turn them down.

 

[edith76]

I won what sounds like the same thing one year on a DVC member cruise. I was able to use it but its not regular RCI inventory. I had to call a number and email - felt like I was getting a run a round from them.... I'm very familiar with both RCI and DVC having been with both for more than 20 years. I asked for something that was a lower level trade and it was still a pain so good luck. They told me I could waitlist but I couldn't get any kind of answer as to what kind of inventory they were picking from. I shouldn't complain because I did get a week I could use and there were no fees associated with mine but the whole experience left me with a tarnished feeling toward both RCI and DVC - the opposite of what it was so supposed to do. Yours might not be the same because they also have bonus weeks they give to members and some do have a fee I believe but sounds like what you are getting might be like what I got.