First time trading RCI for DVC

[mkarizona]

We traded our RCI timeshare for AKV Jambo next March. The confirmation shows a standard view. Is it possible to request a savannah view? If so, how? and when? I am not clear on what DVC info also applies to RCI trades. Thanks!

 

[RobDoc]

Any changes to your exchange would need to made thru RCI. It's unlikely the resort would provide an upgrade, but it can never hurt to ask.

With an RCI exchange you won't get any DVC member perks unless you are also a DVC member. You will have the ability to use Disney's Magical Express, free parking at Disney Theme Parks, the option to add the Disney Dining Plan and use of Disney transportation, but admission discount, dining discounts, free internet won't be included for non-members. Even DVC members exchanging in will not have the free internet.

You can add the Magical Express and Dining Plan by calling DVC Member Services (the number should be available on your reservation) and it can't hurt to ask about a villa upgrade, but if you have exchanged for a standard view it's likely the only option.

I'm sure you'll still have a great stay!

 

[Inkmahm]

Odd, I exchanged my inlaws' RCI points in for AKV next March, too. A one bedroom. When I called DVC, I was told they put all RCI exchanges into Kidani (not Jambo). I also got savanna view. When did you do the exchange?

 

[mkarizona]

Trade confirmed on May 3rd. I think I will call and check. Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

Trade confirmed on May 3rd. I think I will call and check. Thanks for your help!!!

That's several weeks before mine. We confirmed May 17, I think. Not sure if that makes a difference or not but DVC did tell me they were confirming all RCI exchanges into Kidani.

 

[Brian Noble]

The confirmation shows a standard view. Is it possible to request a savannah view?

No. Anything that is a "bookable category" (i.e.: views at AKV, HH-area vs. general resort at OKW, lockoff vs. dedicated, etc.) is fixed at the time the exchange is made, and cannot be changed. If you want to take your chances, you can cancel your exchange and try again---if you are in Weeks, you are still (barely) inside the window when you can add the cancel insurance, and that will give you full trade power back plus a credit for your exchange fee. I'm not sure how it works in Points, but I'm fairly certain that this far in advance, you'd get full points back, but lose the exchange fee.

You can call Member Services to verify location and view---and it might be worth doing, just in case your confirmation is mis-worded. If you aren't flexible on dates, I'd leave well enough alone. (And, I might do that anyway---spring break season from mid-february through Easter often sees fewer deposits.)

 

[mkarizona]

It is officially Kidani with a standard view.

I called Member Services this morning after finding the phone number buried on the third page of the confirmation email. I would have called at 180 days anyway to make ADRs but I am glad you gave me the push to call now.

After Member Services I also called RCI. I do have the cancellation insurance, but there is nothing available right now. Besides, AKV is amazing no matter what the view! RCI did tell me that if you call in "sometimes" they can see the view before you make the reservation.

Thank you all for your help!!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

It is officially Kidani with a standard view.

I called Member Services this morning after finding the phone number buried on the third page of the confirmation email. I would have called at 180 days anyway to make ADRs but I am glad you gave me the push to call now.

After Member Services I also called RCI. I do have the cancellation insurance, but there is nothing available right now. Besides, AKV is amazing no matter what the view! RCI did tell me that if you call in "sometimes" they can see the view before you make the reservation.

Thank you all for your help!!!!

Can I ask how many points your week was? I wonder if a standard view is less rci points and you could tell that way?

 

[mkarizona]

It is a good idea Inkmahm except that we are on weeks not points. A studio and a one bedroom "cost" us the same. RCI just doesn't let us see units that are not within our week's trading power.

When is your week in March? We will be there the 19th thru the 26th.

 

[Dean]

Can I ask how many points your week was? I wonder if a standard view is less rci points and you could tell that way?

They are the same. I've been successful asking for an extension of the normal 24 hour cancelation but my situation was different in that I already had one unit and wanted to make sure both were in the same building, not just looking for the view.

DVC will NOT upgrade the view no matter the specifics of any request. One might get lucky if the units are overbooked, you need a HC unit and one is not available in that view, etc.

 

[Inkmahm]

It is a good idea Inkmahm except that we are on weeks not points. A studio and a one bedroom "cost" us the same. RCI just doesn't let us see units that are not within our week's trading power.

When is your week in March? We will be there the 19th thru the 26th.

Ah. Our reservation is the 18th through 25th. It was made with points though for a one bedroom. Are you in a one bedroom or a studio then?

 

[mkarizona]

We have a studio. It was the only thing available at AKV. I deposited that week late so we were lucky to have enough trading power to get DVC at all.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

We have RCI, but have never done an exchange.
How soon in advance were you able to use your points for booking at Disney? I know at Disney you can do 7 months for a resort you dont own points at. How does it work when you are booking at Disney? I have friends who told me they could never exchange for Disney because it is only 2 or 3 months out.

 

[Dean]

We have RCI, but have never done an exchange.
How soon in advance were you able to use your points for booking at Disney? I know at Disney you can do 7 months for a resort you dont own points at. How does it work when you are booking at Disney? I have friends who told me they could never exchange for Disney because it is only 2 or 3 months out.

There are 2 answers. For RCI points you can book 10 months out. For RCI weeks you can request up to 2 years out but DVC can't deposit more than 11 months out.

 

[Inkmahm]

There is actually a grand villa available for Dec 17-24 at rci for Saratoga for the week before Christmas right now!

 

[bytheblood]

There are 2 answers. For RCI points you can book 10 months out. For RCI weeks you can request up to 2 years out but DVC can't deposit more than 11 months out.

Really? My in-laws traded some of their points through RCI for an exchange at AKV and have been trying to get in for over a year & have had no luck. RCI keeps telling them that they can only book 3 months out as they do not own at DVC.

If they can book at 11 months just like an owner, I do not understand why they are having such a hard time getting in.

 

[Dean]

Really? My in-laws traded some of their points through RCI for an exchange at AKV and have been trying to get in for over a year & have had no luck. RCI keeps telling them that they can only book 3 months out as they do not own at DVC.

If they can book at 11 months just like an owner, I do not understand why they are having such a hard time getting in.

Obviously everything is subject to availability. Do they have RCI weeks or RCI points. The 3 months out makes no sense unless RCI is trying to tell them in a round about way that they don't have sufficient trade power but that the trade power needed lessens as you get closer to the time of the week, which is true to a degree. The part about trading points doesn't make a lot of sense either unless they own at a resort that uses points directly internally but they actually deal with RCI weeks system for exchanges.

If you (or they) want to email me directly about the specifics of their situation, I'll be happy to look at it and offer any thoughts or suggestions that I have that may help. deandal@pobox.com

 

[bytheblood]

Obviously everything is subject to availability. Do they have RCI weeks or RCI points. The 3 months out makes no sense unless RCI is trying to tell them in a round about way that they don't have sufficient trade power but that the trade power needed lessens as you get closer to the time of the week, which is true to a degree. The part about trading points doesn't make a lot of sense either unless they own at a resort that uses points directly internally but they actually deal with RCI weeks system for exchanges.

If you (or they) want to email me directly about the specifics of their situation, I'll be happy to look at it and offer any thoughts or suggestions that I have that may help. deandal@pobox.com

You are a doll, thank you. I will pass this information along to them.

I think what you noted above is correct - they own at a particular resort in Branson and another on Cabo.

 

[Inkmahm]

No. Anything that is a "bookable category" (i.e.: views at AKV, HH-area vs. general resort at OKW, lockoff vs. dedicated, etc.) is fixed at the time the exchange is made, and cannot be changed. If you want to take your chances, you can cancel your exchange and try again---if you are in Weeks, you are still (barely) inside the window when you can add the cancel insurance, and that will give you full trade power back plus a credit for your exchange fee. I'm not sure how it works in Points, but I'm fairly certain that this far in advance, you'd get full points back, but lose the exchange fee.

You can call Member Services to verify location and view---and it might be worth doing, just in case your confirmation is mis-worded. If you aren't flexible on dates, I'd leave well enough alone. (And, I might do that anyway---spring break season from mid-february through Easter often sees fewer deposits.)

Just a update from me after we used our RCI reservation at Kidani last week.

When I got there, we were assigned a standard view rioon overlooking the bus stop! I called the front desk to explain that I had checked what our view would be last year in April or May when I made the reservation and MS told me the DVC reservation number AND that it was a savanna view room. The manager told me that ALL RCI exchanged into Kidani are standard view. Always. I was very unhappy at that point since for all these months I was expecting savanna view and invited people to go with us telling them we had savanna view. Eventually Kidani moved us to a standard view room that was on the small strip of savanna with the red river hogs and okapi. We really liked the room! But I didn't like having MS tell me something that obviously wasn't true in the end.

 

[Dean]

Just a update from me after we used our RCI reservation at Kidani last week.

When I got there, we were assigned a standard view rioon overlooking the bus stop! I called the front desk to explain that I had checked what our view would be last year in April or May when I made the reservation and MS told me the DVC reservation number AND that it was a savanna view room. The manager told me that ALL RCI exchanged into Kidani are standard view. Always. I was very unhappy at that point since for all these months I was expecting savanna view and invited people to go with us telling them we had savanna view. Eventually Kidani moved us to a standard view room that was on the small strip of savanna with the red river hogs and okapi. We really liked the room! But I didn't like having MS tell me something that obviously wasn't true in the end.

Interesting. They've historically given the view and unit type deposited but have the right to change it if they want. While they may have been mistaken on the overall process (managers at a resort aren't really that familiar with this issue overall), it's just as possible that MS gave you the incorrect info originally.