RCI?? I'm TOTALLY clueless!

[kristenrice]

Since we only bought 100 points, I never figured we'd ever try trading out so I never really paid attention to how the whole exchange thing works.

We generally travel for 5 nights EOY so 200 points is perfect. Now, my dad is planning on taking the entire family to WDW in 2012. This means that we will be banking our 2012 points. We weren't planning on going to WDW in 2013, but we will have the 2012 points that will expire. Since our spring break in 2014 will NOT fall in premiere season woohoo, we would only need 120-140 points (depending on if we do value or standard).

So, that means that we could use 160 points in 2013 to take an RCI trip and then we would bank the rest of 2013's points and still have 140 points for 2014.

Now, what is the process? We can go pretty much anytime in the summer. We are open to just about any destination within the US. Airfare will be our biggest constraint and we do not want a really long (i.e. Hawaii) flight since DH hates to fly anyways.
I am thinking either something out west (we are NOT skiers and hate the snow!) or something on the east coast since we could conceivably drive in that case.

LOTS of questions:

1) I am not entirely clear on the whole "deposit" of points. I read that you can deposit the points up to two years in advance, but how does that work if you need to use banked points?

2) When would I need to deposit them to use them in 2013? We have a FEB UY if that matters.

3) After I deposit them into RCI, what is the next step? I know I'd have to put in a request, but does it have to include specific dates and locations?

4) If a match comes through, are we required to accept it or can we turn it down and keep searching?

5) Is the $95 exchange fee applicable whenever a match is found or just when you make a reservation?

6) Are there any "resort" fees or other hidden charges that we would incur, assuming we are not staying at an all-inclusive resort?

I really want to get a handle on this because although I would LOVE to go to WDW three years in a row (check my signature), DH does not. In fact, I assured him that if he let me get a DVC contract, we would try to use the points in other places on occassion. Since dad is paying for the 2012 trip, I can still get to WDW EOY and get another trip in between. If we can't do RCI, I will probably end up going to WDW with just my kids and leaving DH behind....he'd LOVE it!

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Dean]

If your 2014 trip will fall into your 2013 UY (it sounds like it doesn't), using those banked points and then banking the rest to the next UY will be your best option. If not, renting is the next best option.

The process you should go through is to look at where you want to go and see what resorts you are comfortable with after you investigate them THOROUGHLY. Of those, the ones that have 1 BR units are the only ones available to you. Put in a request at least a year out (preferably 2) for any resorts and weeks you will be happy with and sit back and wait, likely until 4-6 months before your trip but it could match as early as 2 years out depending on the resort in question among other factors.

Where are you thinking about going or what type of vacation and time of year are you looking for?

1. In this case you wouldn't want to deposit points but rather do a request first. That way if you don't match you still have your points to use or rent out.

2. You can travel from 1 year before the deposit date (week given to RCI) to 2 years after.

3. You can request by resort (which you should) or by region (not a good idea) and you must specify dates.

4. A match is automatic if it matches your criteria. You're only give a choice if you're offered something else that's not what you're looking for. Unlike with RCI directly, you do not have 24 hrs to change your mind.

5. The fee is charged up front but if you cancel without a match or never match, it is refunded.

6. It would depend on the resort. Some have resort fees, some charge for parking (either self parking or mandatory valet), some charge for utilities, some charge if you want AC, many areas have taxes that the resort must enforce but is a government tax (Aruba, Mx), some have daily maid service and a tip is expected, and many other variations. Basically all charge a fee for a cleaning if it's less than a 7 day exchange. And you mentioned the AI options.

Given your location you might consider HH, MB, Williamsburg, Wisc Dells, and Branson. Or you may look more exotic like LV, Caribbean, MX or HI.

 

[kristenrice]

Thank you so much, Dean!

That info is exactly what I was looking for.

I was actually thinking about HHI, but I know that the DVC resort is almost impossible to get at 7 months for a summer trip. What would my chances be with an RCI exchange?

There is so many options, but luckily I have a lot of time to research and decide.

 

[Dean]

Thank you so much, Dean!

That info is exactly what I was looking for.

I was actually thinking about HHI, but I know that the DVC resort is almost impossible to get at 7 months for a summer trip. What would my chances be with an RCI exchange?

There is so many options, but luckily I have a lot of time to research and decide.

DVC is difficult but not impossible. There are a number of 2 and 3 BR units on the island for next summer currently there in RCI. Unfortunately this is one of the glaring areas where the move from II to RCI really stands out as a step or two down. With II you had 3 Marriott resorts that many would say are better than the DVC resort there in many ways and at least 7 resorts equal to or better than the best RCI resorts on the island outside of DVC. Still, there are some nice places to stay overall. We stayed at Island Links for 2 nights last year as a prelude to the Marriott weeks we own there are really liked it even though it was mid island. Personally I'd likely try to reserve DVC and look at RCI as a back up UNLESS I needed multiple units or a unit larger than a 2 BR. If you don't need a 2 BR but could benefit from it, I'd also look at RCI where a 2 BR would only cost you 270 points for a week compared to 259 for a 1 BR at DVC.

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

Thank you so much, Dean!

That info is exactly what I was looking for.

I was actually thinking about HHI, but I know that the DVC resort is almost impossible to get at 7 months for a summer trip. What would my chances be with an RCI exchange?

There is so many options, but luckily I have a lot of time to research and decide.

Don't give up on using your points for HHI DVC. We waitlisted for 5 nights in a studio just 4 months prior to the fourth of July last year........ and it came through!