RCI exchange question

[Faldred]

As an RCI member, I'm excited about the possibility (no guarantees, of course) of being able to exchange into a DVC resort. My question is, does anyone know if RCI and/or DVC will be imposing any rule on how often this can be done (e.g., I know Orange Lake CC in Kissimee is an "every four year" resort for exchanges), and what that frequency would be?

 

[Dean]

As an RCI member, I'm excited about the possibility (no guarantees, of course) of being able to exchange into a DVC resort. My question is, does anyone know if RCI and/or DVC will be imposing any rule on how often this can be done (e.g., I know Orange Lake CC in Kissimee is an "every four year" resort for exchanges), and what that frequency would be?

DVC is a points resort technically so there would be no such restrictions on a points stay. They have limited by region os that Orlando area owners cannot exchange in and they could do so by the 1 in 4 type rule if they wanted but I haven't seen anything so far to suggest they have. Orange lake (now Holiday Inn at OL) actually is 1 in 3 years but is group specific meaning if you accept an exchange in, you can't trade to any of their resorts for a 3 year period. Not a big deal as there are better places to stay. My guess is the area block will cont and there will be no 1 in 4 rule or similar. Point of clarification. RCI never imposes the rule, they merely offer it and then enforce it if applicable. It's always left up to the resort or developer to decide whether to enact this rule. Some resorts will tell you that it's an RCI rule for your "protection" so everyone gets a chance to stay there, this and similar variations are simply big fat LIES.

 

[Faldred]

Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure that if I found a "perfect" deal this year that it wouldn't screw up my chances for getting a trade in a couple of years for our next planned visit.

I did know that the "exclusion" period was imposed by the resort (or resort chain), but I also get the impression that RCI informally/unofficially imposes one as well at times. I'm probably just paranoid.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure that if I found a "perfect" deal this year that it wouldn't screw up my chances for getting a trade in a couple of years for our next planned visit.

I did know that the "exclusion" period was imposed by the resort (or resort chain), but I also get the impression that RCI informally/unofficially imposes one as well at times. I'm probably just paranoid.

In intended to qualify that the regional block is for weeks owners, not points owners as would any 1 in 4 or similar.

 

[disnee4mygirls]

So do I understand this right that if you own at a timeshare already in the Kissimmee area (we have RCI Points) that you CANNOT reserve a room at a DVC location? I hadn't noticed that before when I first started searchinga few months ago. So what happens if the system allows you to reserve the room? Do you show up and get told sorry, you can't stay here? That would be a very embarassing situation, not to mention how far we live away and would be driving. I'm confused. I know I'm probably reading much more into it then there is, but I would sure hate to be put in that situation. I guess I'm not sure how or who enforces this?

 

[Brian Noble]

I've seen various reports about the regional block. I'm not 100% sure what the boundaries are, or if it exists at all---it could also be a convenient excuse used by an RCI VC to get a persistent person with insufficient trade power off the phone. If anyone has an otherwise-tiger located in Central FL that can't get DVC, I've yet to hear about it. On the other hand, a friend of mine who owns at HGVC-Intl. Drive was able to exchagne in, Weeks-side, but as that's a mini-system, it may have its own rules.

It's also not the case that Points resorts cannot have 1-in-N rules. Points inventory is not subject to 1-in-N rules, but Points resorts can have inventory in both Points and Weeks. In the OP's example, Orange Lake's four resorts are Points resorts, but their weeks-side inventory is subject to a 1-in-3 rule across all Orange Lake properties as a group.

I guess I'm not sure how or who enforces this?

It is generally at the behest of the resort with the rule---some resorts view this as a sales tool, "You can't stay here unless you own here." RCI is the point of enforcement, when the exchange is confirmed. Every once in a while they let one slip through, but it is rare.

 

[Dean]

So do I understand this right that if you own at a timeshare already in the Kissimmee area (we have RCI Points) that you CANNOT reserve a room at a DVC location? I hadn't noticed that before when I first started searchinga few months ago. So what happens if the system allows you to reserve the room? Do you show up and get told sorry, you can't stay here? That would be a very embarassing situation, not to mention how far we live away and would be driving. I'm confused. I know I'm probably reading much more into it then there is, but I would sure hate to be put in that situation. I guess I'm not sure how or who enforces this?

No limitations using points in RCI points for other points resorts. This only applies to weeks trades.

I've seen various reports about the regional block. I'm not 100% sure what the boundaries are, or if it exists at all---it could also be a convenient excuse used by an RCI VC to get a persistent person with insufficient trade power off the phone. If anyone has an otherwise-tiger located in Central FL that can't get DVC, I've yet to hear about it. On the other hand, a friend of mine who owns at HGVC-Intl. Drive was able to exchagne in, Weeks-side, but as that's a mini-system, it may have its own rules.

It's also not the case that Points resorts cannot have 1-in-N rules. Points inventory is not subject to 1-in-N rules, but Points resorts can have inventory in both Points and Weeks. In the OP's example, Orange Lake's four resorts are Points resorts, but their weeks-side inventory is subject to a 1-in-3 rule across all Orange Lake properties as a group.


It is generally at the behest of the resort with the rule---some resorts view this as a sales tool, "You can't stay here unless you own here." RCI is the point of enforcement, when the exchange is confirmed. Every once in a while they let one slip through, but it is rare.

From the info listed for DVC on the RCI weeks site:

**MEMBERS WHO OWN AT RCI RESORTS IN ORLANDO/KISSIMMEE CANNOT EXCHANGE INTO DVC RESORTS IN THE ORLANDO/KISSIMMEE AREA**

It was 45 miles with II but once you get past about 10-12 miles it doesn't really matter. RCI enforces it but the resort gets the final say, some will send you away at the door at checkin. Mini systems can often deposit other resorts to get around this issue, even Orlando Marriott's could do that in some cases.

 

[klynn]

I own both RCI weeks and RCI Point resorts. In my weeks account I do not own any timeshare in Orlando and I can exchange into DVC and I have already done this. In my points account I do own (but just sold today!) at a points resort in Kissimmee. I did make a couple of exchanges and was later called by RCI saying my exchanges would be canceled because of my Kissimmee points ownership I was not allowed to exchange into DVC.

 

[Brian Noble]

From the info listed for DVC on the RCI weeks site:

Interesting. I guess HGVC works around the rule---or, possibly, the rule was added aftr she confirmed the exchange.

I wonder if this is directed at Siegel. Westgate used to use this as a sales ploy back in the day.

 

[Dean]

I own both RCI weeks and RCI Point resorts. In my weeks account I do not own any timeshare in Orlando and I can exchange into DVC and I have already done this. In my points account I do own (but just sold today!) at a points resort in Kissimmee. I did make a couple of exchanges and was later called by RCI saying my exchanges would be canceled because of my Kissimmee points ownership I was not allowed to exchange into DVC.

That's interesting and the first time I've heard of any of the restrictions applying to a points reservation at a points resort. Still, Disney has always been an outlier with the exchange companies whether it be II or RCI. Given some of the better points resorts to use as a points reservoir are in the Orlando area, it does present an interesting dilemma. I wonder how they'd handle it if you owned more than one points resort with at least one being in the Disney area, likely the first one on the account would be the make or break issue.

 

[klynn]

That's interesting and the first time I've heard of any of the restrictions applying to a points reservation at a points resort. Still, Disney has always been an outlier with the exchange companies whether it be II or RCI. Given some of the better points resorts to use as a points reservoir are in the Orlando area, it does present an interesting dilemma. I wonder how they'd handle it if you owned more than one points resort with at least one being in the Disney area, likely the first one on the account would be the make or break issue.

I do own RCI Points in other locations beside Kissimmee. I told RCI I was not using my points from my Kissimmee timeshare but from one of my other ownerships. They said that did not matter. When I found that out I immediately put my Kissimmee timeshare up for sale and sold it! Problem solved for future exchanges!

 

[disnee4mygirls]

I do own RCI Points in other locations beside Kissimmee. I told RCI I was not using my points from my Kissimmee timeshare but from one of my other ownerships. They said that did not matter. When I found that out I immediately put my Kissimmee timeshare up for sale and sold it! Problem solved for future exchanges!

How soon after you reserved did they call to tell you they cancelled it? And did you get a refund of points and $$?

 

[klynn]

How soon after you reserved did they call to tell you they cancelled it? And did you get a refund of points and $$?

Only a few days. I had them cancel the exchanges and then I transferred my points into my friends RCI points account and she got the exchanges for me and bought me a guest certificate. They are really good exchanges too! Christmas week and New Years week!

 

[Brian Noble]

then I transferred my points into my friends RCI points account and she got the exchanges for me and bought me a guest certificate.

Yet another example why these sorts of restrictions are, ahem, pointless. People play similar games to work around 1-in-4 rules all the time.

 

[klynn]

Yet another example why these sorts of restrictions are, ahem, pointless. People play similar games to work around 1-in-4 rules all the time.

Yes, but I did immediately list and sell my Kissimmee timeshare within days of being told my exchanges would be canceled. I was told by RCI that transferring my points to my friend's account and having her get the exchanges was perfectly okay. In fact, they helped us with it.

 

[Dean]

I do own RCI Points in other locations beside Kissimmee. I told RCI I was not using my points from my Kissimmee timeshare but from one of my other ownerships. They said that did not matter. When I found that out I immediately put my Kissimmee timeshare up for sale and sold it! Problem solved for future exchanges!

That may not solve your issue unless you get a new RCI membership with a new number. Was Kissimmee your first on the account?

 

[klynn]

That may not solve your issue unless you get a new RCI membership with a new number. Was Kissimmee your first on the account?

The RCI weeks account is tied to a certain resort. However, the RCI Points account number is not tied to any certain resort. So I will be fine for exchanges.

 

[Dean]

The RCI weeks account is tied to a certain resort. However, the RCI Points account number is not tied to any certain resort. So I will be fine for exchanges.

I hope so but your recent experience may suggest otherwise. Let us know back either way.