Over 500 properties to stay at...

[Twinprincesses]

So I see a list in the new book of over 500 properties to stay at. How do you go about this and getting the point useage for these. I looked all over the member site and unless I am missing it I do not see it.

 

[XGrumpy1]

DVC is referring to the opportunity to exchange your DVC points through the RCI network

 

[RobDoc]

Here is the World Passport Collection point chart:

Studio. 106 Low/123 Mid/134 High
1 BR.... 124 Low/144 Mid/160 High
2 BR.....207 Low/252 Mid/270 High
3 BR.....276 Low/317 Mid/349 High

In most cases, I'd assume that the resort will be High season for planning purposes. If they end up being less you can always be pleasantly surprised! The seasons are decided by the individual resorts.

Here is the link to the RCI/DVC listings.

 

[erikawolf2004]

Here is the World Passport Collection point chart:

Studio. 106 Low/123 Mid/134 High
1 BR.... 124 Low/144 Mid/160 High
2 BR.....207 Low/252 Mid/270 High
3 BR.....276 Low/317 Mid/349 High

In most cases, I'd assume that the resort will be High season for planning purposes. If they end up being less you can always be pleasantly surprised! The seasons are decided by the individual resorts.

Here is the link to the RCI/DVC listings.

Is High equal to Red? It seems like a pretty good exchange, why do so many people say it is a waste of points?

 

[been2marceline]

One of the reasons that people feel that way is that DVC members can rent out their points, when comparing the cash rental rates of these exchanges against the point rental amounts - the balance is usually in the points favor.

For example, I could rent out 300 points for 10.00 each = 3000.00

If the exchange rental rate is above 3000, then its a good deal, if not, it isn't

 

[tjkraz]

IMHO, RCI trades are a pretty good value. The difficulty can come in actually GETTING the destination you seek. The process also has many pitfalls. Off the top of my head:

* Don't assume that every destination will be DVC quality. Do your homework before accepting a trade!

* Start looking 13+ months before you plan to travel.

* Be flexible in travel dates, destination resorts and villa sizes whenever possible.

The inner workings of trades are much different than calling at 11/7 months and booking a DVC room.

Trades also get a bad name to a certain extent because you could purchase another RCI resort for much less than DVC and have equal or better trading power. And let's not forget the fact that DVC restricts the trading list to just those 500 destinations while RCI actually has thousands available.

Using points for Disney Cruises and stays at non-DVC hotels (Poly, Grand Floridian, etc) are where you get into the extremely poor value.

 

[JimMIA]

The difficulty can come in actually GETTING the destination you seek.

The new DVC marketing scheme makes it sound like all you do is call MS and book. And, in fact, that's the only way you can book DVC/RCI, because with DVC you don't have an actual RCI membership and can't book online.

But the process is much more complex than it sounds...especially to DVC members with no experience with timeshare exchanges. Experienced timeshare folks know the various exchange systems very well, plan MUCH farther ahead, and they are your competition for reservations.

* Don't assume that every destination will be DVC quality. Do your homework before accepting a trade!

I hear two big complaints about quality: 1) that the quality that is now offered is far below what was previously available through II, and 2) that few of the DVC/RCI choices measure up to the DVC accommodations we are used to...which is pretty funny when you realize than many experienced timeshare owners consider DVC middle-of-the-pack for quality.

Trades also get a bad name to a certain extent because you could purchase another RCI resort for much less than DVC and have equal or better trading power. And let's not forget the fact that DVC restricts the trading list to just those 500 destinations while RCI actually has thousands available.

To give you an idea, you can purchase many fine timeshare contracts on eBay for $1 plus closing any day of the week and most of them give you access to all 6,500+ RCI resorts.

Last summer, I purchased a fairly large Wyndham contract (roughly equivalent to 500 DVC points) for less than $2,000 total on eBay and you can get smaller contracts literally for $1.

In addition to full access to ALL of RCI, I also have access to many great deals with RCI's Extra Vacations and Last Call cash options. One of our regular posters here just got a Wyndham Bonnet Creek TWO bedroom deluxe for a full week in January for $440 + tax. Because DVC owners don't get full RCI membership, those benefits are not available.

DVC's RCI access is actually just under 600 resorts, but that can be a moving target so they say 500 just to be on the safe side.

 

[JimMIA]

There is one other caution with this "500 Kingdoms" marketing ploy...and it's a BIGGIE.

NONE of this stuff is guaranteed. The ability to exchange DVC points out through RCI is currently a benefit of DVC ownership (whether you buy direct or resale, incidentally). But there is no guarantee that it will always be there...or even be there next week. Those "500 Kingdoms" could go away in an instant with one swipe of the Mouse's pen.

 

[Twinprincesses]

Is there a $95 exchange on these. I tried to look online but it took me to RCI's site and I do not have a password.

 

[JimMIA]

Is there a $95 exchange on these. I tried to look online but it took me to RCI's site and I do not have a password.

Yes, there is a $95 fee, and that's for any transaction. So if you make a reservation, that's $95. If you later cancel that reservation, that's another $95.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I hope I don't offend the OP, but this is the point where we need a snickering smilie and a Kool-aid drinking smilie.

Read more and more before you buy DVC based on the "500 other kingdoms". Only buy DVC to stay at the resort you purchase your points at. That is all that is guaranteed.

 

[JimMIA]

I hope I don't offend the OP, but this is the point where we need a snickering smilie and a Kool-aid drinking smilie.

Read more and more before you buy DVC based on the "500 other kingdoms". Only buy DVC to stay at the resort you purchase your points at. That is all that is guaranteed.

I don't believe OP is contemplating purchasing DVC. I believe they are already a member just looking for information.

 

[Dean]

Is High equal to Red? It seems like a pretty good exchange, why do so many people say it is a waste of points?

No, HIGH and RED are not necessarily equal. Here's the best way to think about it. Almost any time that's white or blue is LOW DVC season. Red will be either MID or HIGH depending on it's actual demand. Basically time that's red AND peak, will be HIGH, must of the rest will not. Under II, the destination resort made the actual determination, not sure how that's being handled with RCI. For example, here's the info from HI for II for a given year (it is done year by year)

• Maui 1-34, 51 & 52 are high, 49-50 is Low for ALL Islands, the rest is Mid
• Oahu 1-34, 51 & 52 are high, 49-50 is Low for ALL Islands, the rest is Mid, same as Maui.
• Kauai week 1-40 & 51&52 is High, the rest Mid except low for 49-50
• Big Island Mid is 1-34 & 41-48, High is only 51& 52 the rest is low

I think if you simply assume that anything you want is HIGH season and be happy if something ends up being less, just be happy. By extension, if one does a deposit first, it's best to do something that's at least a 1 BR HIGH season and preferably 2 BR HIGH to have all choices on the table.

As for value, it depends. SOME is a good value but most is not for a number of reasons including the fact that most trades are a down trade from DVC and that the inherent risks of an exchange (can't change or cancel, can't control unit assignments) are significant.

Absolute caveats: plan ahead (like a year plus) and do your homework. I'd add, don't rely on tripadvisor as your main evaluation tool. I'd also add to ALWAYS do an ongoing search when you can as anything else is basically wasting everyone's time.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I don't understand how you do it. (An RCI exchange to be specific.)
Tim, you said 13+ months in advance, be fexible with dates, destinations, and villa size.
So I just don't get it.
Can you please give specific, hypothetical is fine, examples.

ie/-one bedroom anywhere in FL, on the beach, anytime in May?

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Dean, how do you do your homework?
How do you do an ongoing search, and what does that mean?
How do you book RCI exchange?

 

[Dean]

I don't understand how you do it. (An RCI exchange to be specific.)
Tim, you said 13+ months in advance, be fexible with dates, destinations, and villa size.
So I just don't get it.
Can you please give specific, hypothetical is fine, examples.

ie/-one bedroom anywhere in FL, on the beach, anytime in May?

Here's the technical process.

• Decide the dates and resorts (or area) you want.
• Call DVC and see if it's available. If not, you should start an ongoing search.
• Pay the $95 fee either for the exchange or to start a search.

What you might get for the resorts you've listed is dependent on where you are in the WL list (it's not first come first served) and when/if owners at the destination resort deposit what you want. Resorts can deposit up to 2 years out and many do, others are much shorted, sometimes 6-10 months out. The reason to be looking 12-13 months out or more is that you give yourself a much better chance of success because you should be higher on the WL AND be on the WL when deposits start coming in.

Take Maui, only 2 resorts on the list for DVC, only 1 I'd consider staying at using DVC as an exchange. That resort has mostly 1 BR units and they tend to give exchangers the worse views. In addition, they work with multiple exchange companies, not just RCI, which further dilutes the availability.

Dean, how do you do your homework?
How do you do an ongoing search, and what does that mean?
How do you book RCI exchange?

I look at multiple places for info. I put the most emphasis on the TUG reviews, followed by the TUG (Timeshare Users Groups) ratings. I also look at Timesharing today, tripadvisors (minimally), redweeks and do a general web search looking on various marketing sites as well as the home pages for the resort/system in question when available. I also often search through TUG BBS. I may ask specific or general questions on BBS like TUG as well. I think I answers the other questions above, if not, ask away.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I hope I don't offend the OP, but this is the point where we need a snickering smilie and a Kool-aid drinking smilie.

Read more and more before you buy DVC based on the "500 other kingdoms". Only buy DVC to stay at the resort you purchase your points at. That is all that is guaranteed.

I am a current Bay Lake Tower and bought just for Disney, but upon looking at the book I saw there were hotels in other places we vacation and just thought I would ask how it worked. No snickering or Kool-aid drinking here just a simple question.

 

[Dean]

I am a current Bay Lake Tower and bought just for Disney, but upon looking at the book I saw there were hotels in other places we vacation and just thought I would ask how it worked. No snickering or Kool-aid drinking here just a simple question.

Unfortunately the short answer is no, generally not. But with advanced planning and effort, some can be successful. It is definitely not worth buying in for for anyone thinking about these options up front but it is reasonable to give it a try for what I call the "shoot the moon" options.