Need RCI experts help again

[Inkmahm]

I just learned that the niece and nephew who were going to come to meet us at WDW in December with their grandparents (my inlaws) don't want to miss a week of school so they won't be coming. I can't relate to not wanting to miss school for Disney, but whatever.

That means the inlaws will still come but it will be just the four of us AND that they may be able to come with us for the second week of the trip where we are planning on a DCL Western cruise.

The inlaws are the ones that have so many points to use from RCI. I'm wondering if there is a way to use RCI points for a DCL cruise? It would be better for them to use them than lose them. Do any of you RCI experts know? Maybe they could use points for one of them and the other pay cash? I'm trying to find options for them. If it isn't possible, they may just pay cash to go with us on the cruise portion.

 

[erionm]

Not an expert, and not an RCI member. But I did find this on the RCI website.

cruiserci.com

 

[Inkmahm]

Not an expert, and not an RCI member. But I did find this on the RCI website.

cruiserci.com

Hmmm.. I found our DCL cruise listed there for cash but I'm not sure about points. It says "It's never been easier to cruise with RCI! 1. Exchange and save at least $500 USD per cabin
2. Redeem RCI Cruise PerksSM and receive savings with no vacation week or Points exchange required
3. Don't have Perks or looking to hold onto your week or Points? Pay cash and receive the Best Price Available backed by the RCI Cruise Best Rate Guarantee** That's all Greek to me.

I think I figured out that there would have to be an exchange to DCL offered in the first place and if there was, THEN exchanging a week's worth of RCI points would only get a $500 or so discount on the cabit at DCL. Doesn't sound like a great deal to me.

Are there places like our rent/trade board here for RCI? Maybe my inlaws should be renting out their RCI points to get cash to do the cruise that way.

 

[Dean]

They can use points but there is a fee and there is a significant limit of how many they can use. IIRC it's 25% of their yearly allotment or 25K points, which ever is more. 25K points will likely give them a $200 credit toward a cruise or something around that level. You might consider using their points for off site at somewhere like The Fountains, Hilton's, Houses at Summer Bay or Bonnet Creek for the land portion and using the points for the cruise instead if you can live without being on property.

 

[Inkmahm]

They can use points but there is a fee and there is a significant limit of how many they can use. IIRC it's 25% of their yearly allotment or 25K points, which ever is more. 25K points will likely give them a $200 credit toward a cruise or something around that level. You might consider using their points for off site at somewhere like The Fountains, Hilton's, Houses at Summer Bay or Bonnet Creek for the land portion and using the points for the cruise instead if you can live without being on property.

Darn. I was hoping they'd be able to use a couple year's worth of RCI points towards the cruise.

Is there a market for renting out the RCI points like there is here on the rent/trade board for DVC points? Maybe they could rent out their points and use the cash towards the cruise? I'm fine with using our DVC points for the 1 week on land as I have those budgeting for this trip anyway. If they can get cash for their RCI points, that would be great.

 

[Dumbo]

Why don't your inlaws use their RCI points to book a DVC resort for the land portion. Then you can use your DVC points for the DCL cruise.

 

[Inkmahm]

Why don't your inlaws use their RCI points to book a DVC resort for the land portion. Then you can use your DVC points for the DCL cruise.

Because I'm of the belief that using DVC points for a cruise is idiotic. It is much cheaper to pay cash than to use DVC points. My DH and I are already booked for the cruise as we booked it for cash in December when we cruised last. That gives us a 10% discount on the already better cash prices as well as $400 total OBC ($200 from Disney and $200 from Dreams Unlimited) that we would not get using points.

We're still hoping for the inlaws to be able to book DVC land but then they STILL have extra points leftover to use. Those are the RCI points that I was hoping they could use for a cruise (if there was some decent exchange rate) or rent to someone else for cash to then use for the cruise.

 

[Dean]

Darn. I was hoping they'd be able to use a couple year's worth of RCI points towards the cruise.

Is there a market for renting out the RCI points like there is here on the rent/trade board for DVC points? Maybe they could rent out their points and use the cash towards the cruise? I'm fine with using our DVC points for the 1 week on land as I have those budgeting for this trip anyway. If they can get cash for their RCI points, that would be great.

There is a market but it is against RCI's rules and they will freeze the account if they catch them. I wouldn't do it. I still think the best approach is to use the RCI points for Orlando and get the cruise on cash or DVC points even if you rent out the DVC points to raise the cash. Not necessarily first choice for many Disney files but many find they enjoy staying off property just as much as on property, some more so.

 

[Inkmahm]

There is a market but it is against RCI's rules and they will freeze the account if they catch them. I wouldn't do it. I still think the best approach is to use the RCI points for Orlando and get the cruise on cash or DVC points even if you rent out the DVC points to raise the cash. Not necessarily first choice for many Disney files but many find they enjoy staying off property just as much as on property, some more so.

We decided against it if it is against the rules. They aren't my points and I certainly don't want to screw up my inlaw's account with RCI for them.

We're going to try to use the RCI points for a DVC location, but in the meantime, I'm using our DVC points to book for the week before the cruise. If we can switch to using RCI later on, that would be great. I'm paying for all the meals, car rental, etc. for the trip so it would be great if the inlaws could use their points for the villa instead of using ours.

They are also getting a quote from Dreams Unlimited for doing the cruise with us on cash. I realized last night that I had a coupon from our cruise in December that allows us to have someone else book the same itinerary and then also get the $200 OBC. I'm hoping DreamsUnlimited matches the OBC so the inlaws will have the same $400 that we do. They decided to go for category 10 (inside cabin) and said if they want to sit on a balcony, they'll just come use ours. That's okay with me. I'm just glad they will be going along.

 

[Brian Noble]

I was under the impression that it *was* okay to transfer RCI Points (for compensation) to another Points member, but you cannot book a unit and rent that. I could very well be wrong, though as I don't use Points.

 

[Dean]

I was under the impression that it *was* okay to transfer RCI Points (for compensation) to another Points member, but you cannot book a unit and rent that. I could very well be wrong, though as I don't use Points.

That is true, it is OK to sell the points themselves, but not the underlying reservations that they can secure. At least this was the case, not sure if it is now or not.

 

[Inkmahm]

I'd much prefer being able to "sell" the points to someone rather than a reservation. I guess I thougth that's what I was asking in the first place. So is there a place to post "x number of points available" and someplace to know what the going price for points would be?

 

[Dean]

I'd much prefer being able to "sell" the points to someone rather than a reservation. I guess I thougth that's what I was asking in the first place. So is there a place to post "x number of points available" and someplace to know what the going price for points would be?

There was a fee for a while of $49 but not now. The usual price is around 1¢ per point or just under. I would try TUG, redweeks, craigslist and possibly bidshares. Of those, all but redweeks will be free and the higher prices on redweeks now ($29 per ad) make it not feasible for this situation. As noted, I'd just find a way to use them if possible.