RCI exchange at DVC resorts?

[littlestar]

Instead, build a portfolio of ownerships that each deliver value to you on a cost-to-own vs. cost-to-rent basis, and over time you will win more often than you lose. As a corollary, if you really must stay in a DVC resort for your Orlando trips, then buy there. Resale values have dropped to the point that owning resale beats renting these days, and owning is more certain than exchange.

This is great advice. I bought my resale Wyndham points for ease of staying/booking within their mini system. Lots of wonderful resorts/locations where I want to vacation. And I like my DVC points for booking extra nights in Orlando without having to exchange. Wish I owned more DVC points, but right now it's not feasible for us.

 

[Brian Noble]

The other advantage of "portfolio management" is that different kinds of ownerships tend to move in different directions in the exchange marketplaces. For example two years ago Wyndham was most useful for bargain-hunting in RCI, and my fixed weeks delivered better value for "high cost" exchanges.

After the changes that have come over the past year or so, the situation is reversed. Overall, I'm spending a little bit more on exchanges, but I've been much better able to roll with the changes because I've diversified.

 

[shalom]

So, Brian, does this make it much cheaper to get a DVC through one of the mini-systems such as Worldmark or Bluegreen, rather than with a "regular" RCI account?

One of the "complications" of that calculation is that people in some points systems pay different amounts per point in their yearly fees depending on how many points they own. In Bluegreen, for example, the more points you have, the less you pay per point. But no matter how many points you own, you pay the same number of points to trade into DVC. So a small points owner pays a lot more for the same DVC unit than a large points owner, even though they're both Bluegreen.

So I'd say that, before you take Brian's "portfolio management" approach, make sure you know how many points you need to own in a particular system to get past the point where you're paying more in your yearly fees than the average renter does.

 

[Dean]

Obviously timeshare exchanging is a very complicated issue with many nuances and that appears to be doubly true trading to DVC. In general I'd say that with the mini systems (Bluegreen, Wyndham, etc) may fare better comparatively than they did due to the TPU not having a direct and immediate affect, they still tend to be a more expensive option than through RCI directly for many members. However, it does depend greatly on one's situation, inherent trading power, etc. One of the benefits to the mini systems is that in some situations you may have simultaneous access to RCI weeks AND RCI points inventory in some cases and this is never true through one account with direct memberships (for RCI points members like DVC) that I am aware of.

At some point you'll likely see the DVC TPU's fall. This is the system that RCI has always had where trading power fluctuated, the only current difference is you can see it with the TPU where you only had indirect information at best previously.

 

[tigger2002]

I have been communicating with RCI about this exact issue the last few days. .

I have also been in contact with RCI Points (see below link). What are your thoughts as to why they are holding back on RCI Points members?

>>>>>TUG Link

<

 

[Dean]

I have also been in contact with RCI Points (see below link). What are your thoughts as to why they are holding back on RCI Points members?

>>>>>TUG Link

<

Sorry, I don't know any more at this point.

 

[Cierese]

We were thrilled to trade bluegreen points for DVC 2bdrm Boardwalk Villa yesterday. We will be staying at Bonnet Creek for a week, then a week at Boardwalk Villas. Both were RCI trades and total cost less than $500 + points.

I know this is old, but how did you trade bluegreen points for DVC? did you go through RCI on the RCI's website or some other way. I'm so confused right now. Bleh. LOL


Ok.. nevermind, I figured that part out. But now my question is where can I find out how many 'points' for dvc.. each week/resort/ etc? No idea what I'm even up against as far as odds go. This was so much easier last time (I let someone else do if for me! LOL)

 

[chalee94]

Ok.. nevermind, I figured that part out. But now my question is where can I find out how many 'points' for dvc.. each week/resort/ etc? No idea what I'm even up against as far as odds go. This was so much easier last time (I let someone else do if for me! LOL)

if you are a member on TUG ($15 per year, i think), you'd have access to the sightings board. that would tell you what current point costs are for DVC resorts - they have changed a number of times since DVC moved to RCI. (so be careful about buying bluegreen to get DVC...DVC might move back to II at some point and no amount of bluegreen pts would be able to trade for DVC.)

 

[Dean]

I know this is old, but how did you trade bluegreen points for DVC? did you go through RCI on the RCI's website or some other way. I'm so confused right now. Bleh. LOL


Ok.. nevermind, I figured that part out. But now my question is where can I find out how many 'points' for dvc.. each week/resort/ etc? No idea what I'm even up against as far as odds go. This was so much easier last time (I let someone else do if for me! LOL)

I'm not certain for DVC as I don't usually look that direction. However, Bonnet Creek is 11k for a 1 BR and 18K for a 2 BR right now, I bet DVC is the same, certainly not less.

 

[Dean]

if you are a member on TUG ($15 per year, i think), you'd have access to the sightings board. that would tell you what current point costs are for DVC resorts - they have changed a number of times since DVC moved to RCI. (so be careful about buying bluegreen to get DVC...DVC might move back to II at some point and no amount of bluegreen pts would be able to trade for DVC.)

Yes and no. Some BG resorts can be deposited to II and some of my trades in were using II deposits from BG. In many ways it would be a better trade situation for BG members were DVC to move back.

 

[Cierese]

Thanks, guys!

I don't own anywhere. My folks and a few of their friends do. Last time a friend gifted us points through Whyndam? I think going through RCI. This time my parents want to gift us points from Bluegreen through RCI. My parents are the type that say 'here ya go, see what you can do with these.' I don't think I'd ever buy a timeshare unless it was resale and I'm not sure even that would be a great idea seeing as how I'm a single mom and my kids are ages 4-12. Right now we are lucky if we go every 2 years and most other vacations are taken to visit family out of state.

So, to make my story short... No Tug... I'm not paying for something I would only use every so many years at this point. We already have a back up plan booked through Disney (room only) so I'm just going to wait it out and do my daily routine of searching the RCI system I guess.

By the way... what is involved in having an ongoing search placed?

Thanks a lot!!

 

[Dean]

Thanks, guys!

I don't own anywhere. My folks and a few of their friends do. Last time a friend gifted us points through Whyndam? I think going through RCI. This time my parents want to gift us points from Bluegreen through RCI. My parents are the type that say 'here ya go, see what you can do with these.' I don't think I'd ever buy a timeshare unless it was resale and I'm not sure even that would be a great idea seeing as how I'm a single mom and my kids are ages 4-12. Right now we are lucky if we go every 2 years and most other vacations are taken to visit family out of state.

So, to make my story short... No Tug... I'm not paying for something I would only use every so many years at this point. We already have a back up plan booked through Disney (room only) so I'm just going to wait it out and do my daily routine of searching the RCI system I guess.

By the way... what is involved in having an ongoing search placed?

Thanks a lot!!

If they'll let you have their sign on, you can look on line. I'd suggest you decide what resorts are OK with you. If you get under 6 months, you should start to look at non DVC resorts. I'd suggest you also look at Marriott's Cypress Harbour, BC and the Hilton's. Frankly, I think your best option is to have them book the Fountains directly through BG for you then if you don't match DVC, you'll have that without any exchange fee or DVC $95 resort services fee. It'll also give you the option of a start day that's not F-S or for other than 7 nights. It's also 13-18K points depending on unit type and season. Presidentials are even more.

 

[Cierese]

If they'll let you have their sign on, you can look on line. I'd suggest you decide what resorts are OK with you. If you get under 6 months, you should start to look at non DVC resorts. I'd suggest you also look at Marriott's Cypress Harbour, BC and the Hilton's. Frankly, I think your best option is to have them book the Fountains directly through BG for you then if you don't match DVC, you'll have that without any exchange fee or DVC $95 resort services fee. It'll also give you the option of a start day that's not F-S or for other than 7 nights. It's also 13-18K points depending on unit type and season. Presidentials are even more.

Well, this whole time I've had their sign-in info. After calling RCI and talking to them because their points grids in the directory are WRONG, I've discovered that they have enough points for 1BR but short some for a 2BR(this is what they really want). I've told my folks I have no problem with them using their points to get a room that fits them only. My kids and I can stay somewhere else. They are so insistent that we stay together its annoying at the extremes they are going to.

Anyhow, my [Mom's] friend who gave me enough points last year has offered my mom today to give them enough points to get a 2BR. (I'm told by RCI that its 18-22K for a 2BR at DVC). I just have no idea now how they go about transferring the points into my parent's account.

Any ideas if this is even do-able?

 

[Dean]

Well, this whole time I've had their sign-in info. After calling RCI and talking to them because their points grids in the directory are WRONG, I've discovered that they have enough points for 1BR but short some for a 2BR(this is what they really want). I've told my folks I have no problem with them using their points to get a room that fits them only. My kids and I can stay somewhere else. They are so insistent that we stay together its annoying at the extremes they are going to.

Anyhow, my [Mom's] friend who gave me enough points last year has offered my mom today to give them enough points to get a 2BR. (I'm told by RCI that its 18-22K for a 2BR at DVC). I just have no idea now how they go about transferring the points into my parent's account.

Any ideas if this is even do-able?

BG doesn't do points transfers. It doesn't sound like this is going to work out. I'd suggest they book for The Fountains instead. In this situation I'd try to get the Presidential suite for cash, depending on their priority level, for me it's $79 a night subject to availability.

 

[Cierese]

BG doesn't do points transfers. It doesn't sound like this is going to work out. I'd suggest they book for The Fountains instead. In this situation I'd try to get the Presidential suite for cash, depending on their priority level, for me it's $79 a night subject to availability.

That's exactly what I figured! Thanks so much for all your input on this. My parents have had this for 7 years and have no idea what they actually have. Honestly, they usually only stay in Gatlinburg with the exception of 2 trips elsewhere and have always just stayed at Bluegreen resorts. Never used points and always pay for 'extra' vacations or something like that. I've always wondered.... LOL

I told them to just do an ongoing search for 1BR at DVC or book the fountains. Whatever works best for them.

Thanks again for all your help!!

 

[Dean]

That's exactly what I figured! Thanks so much for all your input on this. My parents have had this for 7 years and have no idea what they actually have. Honestly, they usually only stay in Gatlinburg with the exception of 2 trips elsewhere and have always just stayed at Bluegreen resorts. Never used points and always pay for 'extra' vacations or something like that. I've always wondered.... LOL

I told them to just do an ongoing search for 1BR at DVC or book the fountains. Whatever works best for them.

Thanks again for all your help!!

I don't think they can do an ongoing search if all they have is BG points.

 

[Cierese]

I don't think they can do an ongoing search if all they have is BG points.

AH.. confusion!

They have RCI through BG and can do an ongoing search that way.

So, with that being said... Can they transfer RCI points in from a friend?

 

[Dean]

AH.. confusion!

They have RCI through BG and can do an ongoing search that way.

So, with that being said... Can they transfer RCI points in from a friend?

BG points owners can non longer do an ongoing search using their BG points for RCI points reservations. All they can do is search for non RCI points resorts with an ongoing search. My understanding is this also excludes weeks from those RCI points resorts that end up on the weeks side just like it does for regular RCI points accounts. So in effect, I don't think they'll have the option of doing an ongoing search for DVC or if they are allowed to set it up, it may have no chance of success because the resorts they'd include are blocked. It's not uncommon that RCI (or II) will allow you to set up an exchange request that has no chance of a match.