RCI Exchanges

[toocherie]

I hate to even raise this in the midst of the upset I know a lot of people are having over the recent changes. However, I am purchasing an interest at VGC and will end up with a lot of developer points that have to be used by October 3rd as a result. I may use some for some DLR trips, but otherwise have already planned to use current points for a trip in March/April and late October (unfortunately after the cut-off to use up the points. I don't want to go in September (too hot?) and am concerned about going earlier in October to WDW because of hurricanes.

So, I find myself with a surplus of pionts. We can't take a third trip to WDW this year (nor do I want to)--our choices seem to be getting a second villa and inviting friends and family to come with us or depositing the points for RCI Exchanges, which will give us up to two years to use them. So, right now that seems like the best option--but frankly, I've never thought of doing an exchange and the whole process seems very "iffy." I'm sure the exchange process has been discussed here before, but since RCI is so new not sure that the prior posts will be relevant. I've looked at the info on the member site, but it seems pretty spotty.

So how does this really work--I "deposit" enough points for one week in a two-bedroom and then put in a request for a specific place and time? or can I log on somewhere and see everything that's available in the next two years and pick and choose? Help!

 

[Brian Noble]

I'll let others speak to how easy the process is. But, there's a third option, which is renting the points out. There has been a modest flood of SSR-only developers points on the rental market, and prices seem to have dropped below $10 for them, but you could recover some costs that way.

If you aren't interested in renting them, can't use them, and don't want to use them to invite along friends and family, you may as well deposit them. Even if you never end up using them for anything, they would have expired otherwise. I've used expiring deposits for long weekends---taking the kids up north over MLK weekend for example.

 

[stitchineeyore]

Don't know how it will work with RCI, but with II we put in a request and waited. We had very specific travel dates, and weren't notified until about 6 months out from our trip. If your plans are flexible, I think you have a better chance of getting something.

 

[spiceycat]

since Disney does not allow us the right to pick and choose without them.

you must go through them.

now you can see the list of resorts - but RCI is an exchange company and can't guaranteed you anything.

so be sure to list several resorts that you would like.

 

[Starr W.]

I've used expiring deposits for long weekends---taking the kids up north over MLK weekend for example.

That's what I did with a deposited week I got with a purchase(had to use by 8/31/09, summer 09 was already booked).

I nabbed a 2br at Mountain Run at Boyne for Pres week with mine. 3 nights for the exchange fee is better than a poke in the eye.

 

[RobDoc]

You can see the DVC/RCI resorts here - http://dvc.rci.com/RDGateway/Functi...L=/RDGateway/RCI_RDGIndex?body=RCI_RDGLanding

 

[toocherie]

Thanks--it is unclear to me on the member website whether there is a possibility of getting immediate confirmation instead of having to go through the waitlist procedure.

At one point it says:

Disney Vacation Club Members will pay a non-refundable US$95 transaction fee at the time of making a waitlist request or confirming instant availability.

The underlined language leads me to believe that there is some means of getting immediate confirmation. Does anyone know? I guess I should call Member Services and ask (but too late for today!)

 

[RobDoc]

Thanks--it is unclear to me on the member website whether there is a possibility of getting immediate confirmation instead of having to go through the waitlist procedure.

At one point it says:

Disney Vacation Club Members will pay a non-refundable US$95 transaction fee at the time of making a waitlist request or confirming instant availability.

The underlined language leads me to believe that there is some means of getting immediate confirmation. Does anyone know? I guess I should call Member Services and ask (but too late for today!)

Yes, they can check for availability and if there is something you'd want you can accept the reservation and MS would take your points right then. Otherwise, you can bank your points in the World Passport Collection and have them do an ongoing search (waitlist) where you'll get your reservation when/if it goes into the DVC/RCI system.

Enjoy!

 

[CarolMN]

Are you 100% sure that the developer points you will receive will expire on October 3? That's only 8 months. I thought you were supposed to have a year to use them. Maybe they will use a different expiration date for VGC purchases than they did for AKV or BLT purchases. If they continue to offer the developer popints, they're probably going to have to extend the deadline sometime. Ask, it can't hurt.

 

[toocherie]

Are you 100% sure that the developer points you will receive will expire on October 3? That's only 8 months. I thought you were supposed to have a year to use them. Maybe they will use a different expiration date for VGC purchases than they did for AKV or BLT purchases. If they continue to offer the developer popints, they're probably going to have to extend the deadline sometime. Ask, it can't hurt.

Yep--October 3rd. I asked already, since I already have a reservation for SSR for Oct. 24-31 and wanted to switch to that--but it's too late.

Have a reservation in March-April, which is within the time frame--but it's at Boardwalk. I guess I could switch the two (or try to at this point).

So either switch up all of my existing reservations (plane tickets bought for March-April already) or use the points for DL Hotels or deposit for RCI seem to be the only choices.

I agree that 8 months is a short period to use those points. If it was at least a year I'd be set.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you can swing it, it might be worth trying to use the developer's points for the march/april trip at SSR, and assuming you're not past your banking deadline, bank the points you're using for the boardwalk stay. That at least buys you a bit more time before you have to throw points at RCI.

 

[toocherie]

If you can swing it, it might be worth trying to use the developer's points for the march/april trip at SSR, and assuming you're not past your banking deadline, bank the points you're using for the boardwalk stay. That at least buys you a bit more time before you have to throw points at RCI.

Thanks--I am calling today to check on availability at SSR in march/april and may. I've already bought airline tickets, but also am going to check on what can be done with those.