Just booked 1bedroom BWV on RCI!

[NOLA_Tink]

If you have points deposited in RCI, there are summer dates for a 1 bedroom at AKV, BWV, OKW, & SSR. We just booked 1 week at BWV using our RCI deposited points for July.

 

[CarolMN]

That's a surprise. Lucky you. Don't recall anything for BWV appearing in II the last several years, but I suspect DVC has had to deposit more due to the number of points that were deposited to RCI due to the pandemic closures.

 

[sueg]

I am completely in the dark about booking thru RCI/II. But like so many others I was forced to dump a large number of points into it due to the pandemic. What is the best way to learn about using these points? Do I call member services and hope for that "dream" representative?

 

[CarolMN]

I am completely in the dark about booking thru RCI/II. But like so many others I was forced to dump a large number of points into it due to the pandemic. What is the best way to learn about using these points? Do I call member services and hope for that "dream" representative?

Start here:

Book Your RCI Vacation

Interval International Vacations

RCI - FAQ

Not sure how you actually book RCI now that DVC has partnered with II. If your points are in RCI, you may have to call MS, but at least you can explore some of the options via the links provided.

Good Luck - hope you find something fun that works for your family.

 

[redboat45]

WOW! I'm surprised. I didn't think DVC traded through RCI anymore!

 

[Sandisw]

WOW! I'm surprised. I didn't think DVC traded through RCI anymore!

They do not, but many owners had points already there and are allowed to use them still within that system.

 

[CarolynFH]

WOW! I'm surprised. I didn't think DVC traded through RCI anymore!

DVC apparently had a lot of points deposited to RCI that they had to use up, because they deposited a lot of villas to RCI for dates between January and September. Most were the usual 1 BR at SSR and OKW, but there have been a few at BWV and AKV.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I am completely in the dark about booking thru RCI/II. But like so many others I was forced to dump a large number of points into it due to the pandemic. What is the best way to learn about using these points? Do I call member services and hope for that "dream" representative?

When I search on RCI, I always search "Disney Resorts" or "Walt Disney World." "Lake Buena Vista" brings up Wyndham Bonnet Creek, if that's available. Orlando/Kissimmee show other non-Disney resorts in the area.

I was wondering if 2022 is the expiration for lots of points that were done in 2019/2020 and that's why AKV & BWVs have been popping up for June, July, & August trips. You can usually find a 1-bedroom on OKW & SSR a few months before your trip and you can also setup a recurring search. Last year, we also booked a 1-bedroom at OKW for July and had a wonderful experience. It's been a very valuable use of our points.

 

[CarolynFH]

When I search on RCI, I always search "Disney Resorts" or "Walt Disney World." "Lake Buena Vista" brings up Wyndham Bonnet Creek, if that's available. Orlando/Kissimmee show other non-Disney resorts in the area.

I was wondering if 2022 is the expiration for lots of points that were done in 2019/2020 and that's why AKV & BWVs have been popping up for June, July, & August trips. You can usually find a 1-bedroom on OKW & SSR a few months before your trip and you can also setup a recurring search. Last year, we also booked a 1-bedroom at OKW for July and had a wonderful experience. It's been a very valuable use of our points.

I think that poster was asking about using DVC points they deposited to RCI to book RCI exchanges out of DVC. What you described is going the other way - using RCI points or weeks to exchange into DVC.

 

[suebeelin]

That’s amazing! You really did luck out (imo).

Been thinking of getting a random timeshare to access RCI. Curious…. How much $$ would that 1bd be out of pocket for you? Trying to figure out if it’s worth it…

 

[Brian Noble]

If your goal is to stay at WDW, it is definitely not worth it to buy access to RCI, because DVC is in the midst of a move back to Interval.

More generally: the conventional wisdom/advice around timeshares is “buy where you want to stay.” That could mean a resort (like the oceanfront Kauai resort we love) or a resort system (like DVC, Hilton, Wyndham, etc.) Third party exchange via RCI, II, and others is always a hit-or-miss thing, because the “rules of the game” change constantly. In particular, it’s almost always a bad idea to buy a timeshare with the expectation of exchanging it regularly for a very specific purpose.

I’ve violated this advice a few times—two of my five owned weeks are at a resort I’ve only stayed at once, and I use them for exchange most of the time. But, I’ve tended to be more opportunistic, looking for interesting things and taking them when they come up. There have been some grand exchanges that I would never have paid market rate for that we’ve lucked into. Perhaps my favorite was a 3BR penthouse at Hilton’s Lagoon Tower in Waikiki. Two-story windows in a corner unit with a commanding view of Oahu, and a wraparound deck that included an ocean view off to the side.

For me timeshare exchange is a hobby. If I included the time I’ve spent on it at anything close to what that time “costs” me, there’s no way I am saving money. But, it is a fun game to play, and it’s probably better than e.g. sports betting all things considered.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

That’s amazing! You really did luck out (imo).

Been thinking of getting a random timeshare to access RCI. Curious…. How much $$ would that 1bd be out of pocket for you? Trying to figure out if it’s worth it…

We bought Club Wyndham timeshare via a resale service and basically only had to pay for the title to be transferred. It's at a place in Hawaii that we'll never visit, but it's been perfect for us because there are so many other options on there- invluding DVC, Margaritaville resorts, and Great Wolf Lodge. Our membership costs $1,500 a year, which is enough for 2-3 vacations per year. (This year, we're using our points for a week in a BWV 1 bedroom, plus another vacation). Hope that helps.