How often do you use RCI and how is the availability ?

[duck_adoo]

For those of you who buy direct, how often do you use RCI points and how's the availability? We're specifically thinking Myrtle Bach, Hilton Head, and tropics?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Never, we use DVC only for DVC. It's too expensive to trade out. We have another timeshare that we use for other places.

 

[CarolMN]

Just FYI, resale points may also be used for RCI.

 

[Lynne M]

I’ve been a member for 15 years and have never used RCI. Like Deb & Bill, I only use my points for stays at DVC resorts. I pay out of pocket for other vacations.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

In general the RCI trades for DVC do not equal the value of DVC - especially if buying direct now. You can often (or usually) rent your points out and pay cash and come out ahead. But as mentioned resale can also trade into RCI. Same scenario of renting your DVC points out and coming out ahead but at least it wouldn't quite be the premium paid for direct points.

 

[zavandor]

We can now also book RCI for cash offers and there have been sights of good value bookings available. This is open to every owner as well.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Did it once, Kaanapali Beach Club on Maui last February, would do it again if timing worked.

 

[Leilanie94]

Did it once, July 2017 - New York City.

 

[Donna M]

Went to Breckenridge, CO years ago, now we like to use VRBO and use DVC for DVC and short cruises.

 

[tachyonbb]

There is a DVC property on Hilton Head. It is a great resort. As for the others I would rent out my points and use the money to book a room instead of using RCI.

 

[OKW Lover]

Been a member since 1995 and never did an exchange to RCI. Or II before that.

 

[littlestar]

About the only thing worth it in RCI was Hilton Vacation Club and Hilton now charges $35.00 a day in resort fees for exchangers, so not worth it (I am surprised Hilton hasn't started charging for just standing in their lobby!). I would rent the DVC points out and pay cash for where you want to go. Or better yet, buy only enough DVC points for onsite trips and pay cash for the other trips.

As others have said, DVC has a Hilton Head property that you can book direct with DVC points.

 

[Tax Dude]

Member since '98 at Boardwalk. We used them a couple of times and found it frustrating to book and find the availability we wanted. We've also booked the Concierge collection and exchanged into Intrawest a few times as well. A while back we looked at the cost of booking these other places with cash and found it's almost always much better to rent out my DVC points through one of the brokers and then use that cash for booking wherever we want. Now, we for only use DVC points for DVC resorts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Been a member since 1995 and never did an exchange to RCI. Or II before that.

Nearly the same with us. Bought in 1997 and never traded into RCI or II

 

[Dean]

For those of you who buy direct, how often do you use RCI points and how's the availability? We're specifically thinking Myrtle Bach, Hilton Head, and tropics?

We use RCI (and II) routinely but I never would with DVC. IF I owned DVC only there are only a few items I'd use basically high demand resorts during peak times. You will need to plan at least 10-12 months out minimum to get the good stuff. Make sure you research so you know what you're getting yourself into. If you're not willing to spend the effort and time to research well, I wouldn't do it at all.