rci extra vacation getaway

[ksmummee]

Hi -
We are new to dvc (not even closed yet). I wanted to book one of the extra vacation getaways through rci. I do not want to exchange points. How do I do this? DVC said to contact rci, rci said to go through dvc.

thanks!

 

[DisneyWorld4Ever]

Do you have an account with RCI? You can only book through RCI if you have an account with them. As far as the getaways, it would have to be available to book as a getaway. As soon as they pop up they are gone right away.

 

[chalee94]

Hi -
We are new to dvc (not even closed yet). I wanted to book one of the extra vacation getaways through rci.

bad news: you as an individual DVC owner are not the RCI member, DVC is.

so unless you own another timeshare affiliated with RCI or II, the cheaper cash getaways are not available to you.

 

[ksmummee]

So as dvc owners, we can exchange points for some places through rci (although not a good use of points) but have no other rci benefits. Right?

And we can not become individual members of rci unless we have a timeshare through someplace other than dvc?

I was on the rci site and was interested in the extra vacation getaways and saw they also offer last minute specials. Those types of things actually work for us...have a week free and not caring where we go, just want to go somewhere!

 

[JimMIA]

It's impossible to answer your questions without knowing some basic facts:

1. Are you currently an RCI member independent of DVC? In other words, do you currently own another timeshare and have RCI privileges there?
2. Where do you want to go, and when?

 

[JimMIA]

So as dvc owners, we can exchange points for some places through rci (although not a good use of points) but have no other rci benefits. Right?

That's correct. You have access to about 600 out of 3,200+ RCI resorts, but none of the other benefits like Extra Vacations and Last Calls.

Generally, with ANY timeshare system whenever you exchange out you are going to either pay a premium or you're going to exchange for a timeshare of lesser quality.

However...that does not necessarily mean the exchange is not a good use of your points. If you are happy with what you get, that's a good value for your points, and I'll give you an example.

Last October, we did an RCI exchange with Wyndham points to a little place on Cape Cod for a family trip. The place was WAY below Wyndham standards, but we got a 1 BR and a studio for a cousin, the rooms were large and spotless, the staff was friendly and gracious, and the place was <3 miles from our uncle's house. There are certainly better resorts on the Cape, but this was a last-minute trip so we took what we could get. It was a great exchange - for us, for that trip.

I would never purchase DVC with the intent of using DVC points in RCI, nor would I recommend that a prospective DVC buyer even consider RCI when making their buy/don't buy decision. I probably would never deposit DVC points into RCI unless they were expiring...and there is really no excuse for letting points expire.

But if you are IN DVC, and you want to use your points for an exchange that you are satisfied with, go for it!

 

[ksmummee]

No inentions of exchanging points, just wanted to use the extra vaca getaway option for cash. We dont own any other timeshares, so I guess we just wont be doing that. Thanks for your help!

 

[DisneyWorld4Ever]

If you are interested in buying a timeshare that you could become a member of RCI, do not buy at a resort. There are so many people that are selling their timeshare much cheaper. I have RCI and Interval so we have 12 extra getaways from both plus our week. My mother-n-law uses it the most, usually can book her a week for $300-$400.

 

[JimMIA]

For cash rentals, you can get some really good deals on some of the other timeshare websites.

Check TUG and Redweek. Both charge a nominal annual subscription, but they have a lot to offer regarding the broader timeshare world.

Not sure, because I'm a member, but you might be able to look for rentals on TUG without joining. (It's only $15 per year, anyway.)

 

[bwvBound]

No inentions of exchanging points, just wanted to use the extra vaca getaway option for cash. We dont own any other timeshares, so I guess we just wont be doing that. Thanks for your help!

May I suggest checking a few sites offering timeshare condo rentals:

• ResorTime: http://www.resortime.com
• Dial An Exchange: http://www.daelive.com , create a free account to search Bonus Week inventory
• San Francisco Exchange (SFX): https://www.sfx-resorts.com/members/public_selloff.asp, look for Sell Off weeks

Each of these are a 'business' on their own. You would be dealing with a trusted business -- not the individual timeshare owner. Easy, breezy, safe.

 

[Deb & Bill]

No inentions of exchanging points, just wanted to use the extra vaca getaway option for cash. We dont own any other timeshares, so I guess we just wont be doing that. Thanks for your help!

Check out Vacation Rentals By Owner (vrbo.com). We have a two bedroom condo in South FL on the beach for $157 a night. And in our perfect location. Last year we got an 1800's cabin in the Ozarks for about $600 for a week.