RCI Is anything every available???

[jtakh]

Im really starting to tire of this... I know we joined DVC for the disney benefits, but every once in a while, its nice to be able to use a benefit that disney touts.

I have tried to use RCI on at least 10 occasions... I was successful once, and that was only when I moved my travel dates up 3 weeks.


I assume that the resorts only keep one or two rooms per property available for DVC members, because when I call the property, there is plenty of availability.

DVC should make this clear when you buy in... they certainly use the RCI availability as a selling point.. If they were to be honest, they would tell you that you better want to go to a ski resort in July if you expect to be able to land a reservation.

 

[Brian Noble]

Exchange is not like hotel (or even DVC) bookings; there isn't a pool of inventory just waiting for someone to book it. Rather, for you to exchange *into* a property, someone else has to exchange *out*. And, once "high-demand" locations/times are deposited, they do not last very long before someone books them. So, RCI works best when you can place an "ongoing request" and let it search for a little while until a match comes up.

For example, you could look every day, or even hourly, for a resort in July along the mid-Atlantic coast, and you'll never see one just sitting there waiting for you to book it. But about a month ago, I entered a search for that time/area, and got at least one match every single day before I finally cancelled the search. Granted, some of these were at resorts that are not on DVC's "list", but a few of them were.

 

[Starr W.]

Exchange is not like hotel (or even DVC) bookings; there isn't a pool of inventory just waiting for someone to book it.

I had the Starwood desk at Interval International(RCI's main competition) tell me that most people think that's what exchanging is.

Had this chat after they called to let me know "they were working on my ongoing search." Yep it does work when you put the ongoing search in 1+yr ahead of time.

 

[utahkennedys]

I would send your complaint to DVC Member Satisfaction. I think they should know members dislike RCI.

 

[joihan777]

Agreed jtakh,
The RCI path is somewhat nebulous..... I'd prefer an automated RCI lookup that doesn't require calling in... if only to browse or place on an 'interest' list.

My upcoming RCI in Vegas was only because San Diego (& most of west coast) had nothing 7 mos. out!

 

[Dean]

Im really starting to tire of this... I know we joined DVC for the disney benefits, but every once in a while, its nice to be able to use a benefit that disney touts.

I have tried to use RCI on at least 10 occasions... I was successful once, and that was only when I moved my travel dates up 3 weeks.


I assume that the resorts only keep one or two rooms per property available for DVC members, because when I call the property, there is plenty of availability.

DVC should make this clear when you buy in... they certainly use the RCI availability as a selling point.. If they were to be honest, they would tell you that you better want to go to a ski resort in July if you expect to be able to land a reservation.

I think most problems with exchanging are based on lack of knowledge and lack of flexibility of the DVC member. Things like requesting short notice or being far too restrictive on choices. IMO, anything under 10-12 months is short notice, esp for high demand times. Flexibility is hard to define but it often includes multiple weeks for multiple resorts excluding top peak times. I think it's unreasonable and unrealistic to expect a salesperson to understand, much less spend hours and hours making sure the buying understands the exchange process. DVC clearly sells DVC making sure you know what isn't guaranteed even including the idea that DVC may not have ANY exchange options going forward. If you truly want to exchange, spend some time learning the process, investigating potential resorts and planning ahead.

 

[ssawka]

I think most problems with exchanging are based on lack of knowledge and lack of flexibility of the DVC member. Things like requesting short notice or being far too restrictive on choices. IMO, anything under 10-12 months is short notice, esp for high demand times. Flexibility is hard to define but it often includes multiple weeks for multiple resorts excluding top peak times. I think it's unreasonable and unrealistic to expect a salesperson to understand, much less spend hours and hours making sure the buying understands the exchange process. DVC clearly sells DVC making sure you know what isn't guaranteed even including the idea that DVC may not have ANY exchange options going forward. If you truly want to exchange, spend some time learning the process, investigating potential resorts and planning ahead.

Or just rent your points and pay cash at a different resort.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I understand the OP's frustration. I know many do start their search up to 2 years, yet it can be hard to plan that far ahead at times.

Renting points out is not always the best value in this situation. RCI trade can actually be a good use of DVC points! It just depends...

 

[Dean]

RCI trade can actually be a good use of DVC points! It just depends...

Yes, it does depend, mostly on the factors I listed above. It's reasonable to give it a try but a poor reason to buy in to DVC for.

 

[Debs Hill]

This is interesting....................we were hoping for a week or two on the gulf coast (Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva) in July or August, but is this realistic?!! Has anyone swapped into any of those resorts? Would love to hear your experiences!
Debsx

 

[Dean]

This is interesting....................we were hoping for a week or two on the gulf coast (Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva) in July or August, but is this realistic?!! Has anyone swapped into any of those resorts? Would love to hear your experiences!
Debsx

Due to the demand and relative lack of resorts in this area, a trade for the area in question is not realistic anytime, much less on short notice. It might work out, esp since you're very short notice, if someone cancels or does a late deposit. I'd look for a private exchange (possibly renting points), or try for the Club Intrawest resort in Destin through BVTC. For points resorts, you might have a chance if looking day 1 ten months out. Most experienced timeshare exchangers would start this request a full year to 2 out and then still not be expecting success, and that's without the limitations of the DVC exchange system by eliminating many of the resorts that are a potential exchange, as well as not giving access for hours after other RCI members have been picking over the inventory.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Or just rent your points and pay cash at a different resort.

We have been looking at places for Hawaii for 2013, and I have decided if I can find something I think we would like for less than $2700, then it makes sense for me to rent out my 270 points that it would take for the exchange instead of doing the exchange. We know we need sleeping space for 6 people in 4 beds, and not all exchanges fit those parameters. So many timeshare 2 bedroom units will sleep 6, but not in 4 beds. I'm not inclined to take an airbed to Hawaii.

I've been looking at VRBO, and I'm finding quite a few places with great reviews that would fit our needs on the islands we prefer and most cost less than $2700 for the week. That makes me think in our case, exchanging again might not make as much sense. Last time we exchanged to Hawaii, it was with II and we only needed a 1 bedroom. That was pretty easy.

 

[Dean]

We have been looking at places for Hawaii for 2013, and I have decided if I can find something I think we would like for less than $2700, then it makes sense for me to rent out my 270 points that it would take for the exchange instead of doing the exchange. We know we need sleeping space for 6 people in 4 beds, and not all exchanges fit those parameters. So many timeshare 2 bedroom units will sleep 6, but not in 4 beds. I'm not inclined to take an airbed to Hawaii.

I've been looking at VRBO, and I'm finding quite a few places with great reviews that would fit our needs on the islands we prefer and most cost less than $2700 for the week. That makes me think in our case, exchanging again might not make as much sense. Last time we exchanged to Hawaii, it was with II and we only needed a 1 bedroom. That was pretty easy.

I think HI overall is easier than Captiva/Sanibel.

 

[Starr W.]

I think HI overall is easier than Captiva/Sanibel.

I would agree, though you do see in II Captiva/Sanibel pop up every so often, though it's usually September or early December units.

I always forget to look for those resorts in RCI with either my MI week or when I get into the Wyndham portal.

To Debs, I do see some summer weeks at the Hilton affiliate resorts in the Marco Island area.

 

[ssawka]

We have been looking at places for Hawaii for 2013, and I have decided if I can find something I think we would like for less than $2700, then it makes sense for me to rent out my 270 points that it would take for the exchange instead of doing the exchange. We know we need sleeping space for 6 people in 4 beds, and not all exchanges fit those parameters. So many timeshare 2 bedroom units will sleep 6, but not in 4 beds. I'm not inclined to take an airbed to Hawaii.

I've been looking at VRBO, and I'm finding quite a few places with great reviews that would fit our needs on the islands we prefer and most cost less than $2700 for the week. That makes me think in our case, exchanging again might not make as much sense. Last time we exchanged to Hawaii, it was with II and we only needed a 1 bedroom. That was pretty easy.

Not interested in Aulani? I'm not really familiar with Hawaii, so I was just curious. Do you prefer a different location in HI?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not interested in Aulani? I'm not really familiar with Hawaii, so I was just curious. Do you prefer a different location in HI?

If I wanted to stay only at Aulani, I might do that, but I never do that kind of vacation. When we vacation (yes, even in the islands), we spend most of our time touring and exploring. We aren't sit by the beach and do nothing type people. Since Aulani is quite remote, it makes exploring the rest of the island difficult. Add to that the fact that Oahu is our least favorite island, and I just can't see spending the amount of points it takes to stay there.

This trip we have 4 days where we MUST be on Oahu because one of our group is doing a conference in Honolulu. Aulani is not an easy access to Honolulu, and traffic on Oahu can be awful during the week at the times we would need to be getting there. I'm looking at a couple of places that will accommodate all 6 of us for those 4 nights that would be walking distance to both the conference center AND Waikiki and The Bus.

Either way, Aulani points are too rich for my blood. I can even exchange into a different Ko'Olina resort for less points than I can stay for the same length of time at Aulani.

 

[swilshire]

This is interesting....................we were hoping for a week or two on the gulf coast (Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva) in July or August, but is this realistic?!! Has anyone swapped into any of those resorts? Would love to hear your experiences!
Debsx

Summer is the off-season in that area. August is starting to get into hurricane season. You should have a good shot, particularly if you start an ongoing search early. Probably pretty late to be looking for this year.

We exchanged into Sanibel for a week just before July 4th one year. Too darn hot for me there at that time of year. Never again.

Sheila

 

[Starr W.]

If I wanted to stay only at Aulani, I might do that, but I never do that kind of vacation. When we vacation (yes, even in the islands), we spend most of our time touring and exploring. We aren't sit by the beach and do nothing type people. Since Aulani is quite remote, it makes exploring the rest of the island difficult. Add to that the fact that Oahu is our least favorite island, and I just can't see spending the amount of points it takes to stay there.

This trip we have 4 days where we MUST be on Oahu because one of our group is doing a conference in Honolulu. Aulani is not an easy access to Honolulu, and traffic on Oahu can be awful during the week at the times we would need to be getting there. I'm looking at a couple of places that will accommodate all 6 of us for those 4 nights that would be walking distance to both the conference center AND Waikiki and The Bus.

Either way, Aulani points are too rich for my blood. I can even exchange into a different Ko'Olina resort for less points than I can stay for the same length of time at Aulani.

I'm with Diane, we spent 3 days on Oahu and rented a car one day to do Pearl Harbour. Yikes on the traffic! We stayed on our Wyndham points at Waikiki Walk, good location.

Couldn't wait to get on the plane and get to the Big Island. We did a week there and the following week on Kauai.

Noticed at both the Wyndham Kona Hawaiian and the Westin Princeville(yes both exchanges, 2br units, used non-DVC TS's) that people took off in the am and didn't return till late afternoon. Lots to see and do to. We are an active outdoorsy family, so both locations worked for us.

If we go back to Hawaii, doubt if we would stay at Aulani, as we really enjoyed Kauai and the Big Island and would like to try Maui. If we came in mid week, we'd prefer to stay in Honolulu itself.

 

[Dean]

I would agree, though you do see in II Captiva/Sanibel pop up every so often, though it's usually September or early December units.

I always forget to look for those resorts in RCI with either my MI week or when I get into the Wyndham portal.

To Debs, I do see some summer weeks at the Hilton affiliate resorts in the Marco Island area.

Obviously my statement was broad and general. Summer for South Florida is not the highest season (Xmas to Easter is) but it's still difficult, there aren't many resorts (even less on DVC's list) and top resorts go quickly.

 

[moepanz]

Oh Boy!!!
This may be a big, big problem for me. My father (and I) just signed contracts on a BLT resale my dad bought the DVC fully believing that my brother and I could share it, see the problem is my brother despises Disney and will never set foot there again and my father thought the DVC would work out great for us so DH and I can take my kids to WDW and my brother and his wife can go other places. This is very concerning to me. When we took the DVC tour we were assured that this was not an issue. I seriously may have to pull out of this contract and scrap the DVC!
Thanks for starting this thread. This is invaluable info I got here tonight!!!!