RCI memberships and booking at DVC, how's THAT work?

[thefirebuilds]

I have a coworker that just got her RCI rag this month and there is an article in there about booking at DVC resorts. She seems to think that is related to some members holding a specified week each year and trading on that but I certainly don't think that's the case as I don't think any members have a specific week, correct?

So how's it work if you're an RCI member, do you get to book a certain amount of months away from your date like we do or are you trading on something else?

Sorry if this is hard to understand, it's early and I'm not in a type-y mood.

 

[disnee4mygirls]

I just booked a week at OKW. I am with RCI and am on points. It just booked the same way I booked anything else. ONly thing is it says they charge a resort fee so that is in addition to the cost for the reservation..... (haven't gone yet of course so not sure what will happen at check in)

 

[thefirebuilds]

I just booked a week at OKW. I am with RCI and am on points. It just booked the same way I booked anything else. ONly thing is it says they charge a resort fee so that is in addition to the cost for the reservation..... (haven't gone yet of course so not sure what will happen at check in)

how far in advance are you allowed to book?

 

[RobDoc]

RCI members may reserve at DVC resorts based on availability in the RCI program itself. That availability is based on DVC members banking their points into the exchange program. RCI Points and RCI Weeks members all have access to that inventory.

Nothing is likely to be available earlier than 11 months before arrival (DVC members cannot reserve earlier than that either) and it's more likely to find nothing available until 6-8 months before arrival. There will be primarily Studios, 1BRs and a few 2BRs available. Recently, there has been quite a bit of availability for RCI owners.

DVC members do not deposit a reserved week into the system, they deposit points and DVC then makes reservations and deposits that into the RCI spacebank. Making a DVC reservation thru RCI works the same way as reserving at any other resort and everything is based on what is available.

 

[Dean]

There has been a ton of availability both in RCI points and RCI weeks. I've booked 2 weeks this fall and considered taking the next year off so I could live at DVC by such exchanges.

 

[kerickson]

DVC members do not deposit a reserved week into the system, they deposit points and DVC then makes reservations and deposits that into the RCI spacebank. Making a DVC reservation thru RCI works the same way as reserving at any other resort and everything is based on what is available.

Do you know how DVC decides which weeks to book and deposit in RCI? Do they book the most popular available at the time? It doesn't quite seem right that DVC reserves a week and deposits at the time of exchange, when DVC members don't have a 'DVC specific' RCI inventory to rent from... Is that indeed how it works though, RCI members have 'saved' DVC dates just for them, while we compete with all other RCI (and other groups') members for their deposited weeks?... Maybe it's just hard to compare since internally DVC isn't run on the basis of trading specific weeks...

 

[Dean]

Do you know how DVC decides which weeks to book and deposit in RCI? Do they book the most popular available at the time? It doesn't quite seem right that DVC reserves a week and deposits at the time of exchange, when DVC members don't have a 'DVC specific' RCI inventory to rent from... Is that indeed how it works though, RCI members have 'saved' DVC dates just for them, while we compete with all other RCI (and other groups') members for their deposited weeks?... Maybe it's just hard to compare since internally DVC isn't run on the basis of trading specific weeks...

No one knows for certain outside the inner circle. With II they tended to spread out the weeks concentrating more on the lower and mid demand weeks and generally avoiding premier time and for the most part, Magic time. I have discussed this issue with upper management in the past but it has been a number of years. Whether this has changed any with RCI, I don't know, but I doubt it given what I've seen online. As a rule, RCI points members won't have any access to DVC resorts until DVC gives up the units that represent the points. Basically until an exchange is made by a DVC member. RCI weeks members won't have any access to DVC weeks until and unless the weeks were converted over by nature of a trade to RCI weeks by a RCI member or RCI converted them internally by using the weeks they take in for cruises, etc.

I'm guessing you and I are going to disagree on this point. To get the most out of the system, DVC needs to give RCI weeks while still inside the home resort priority window. IMO, that is the same as a DVC member using their DVC points and a usage that should come ahead of other DVC members who own at other resorts.

To my knowledge, the only way a member of another system could have direct access to DVC points reservations would be on a very limited basis through BVTC. My understanding is DVC allows those members to book ahead directly with points, same for DVC members booking to Intrawest or Club Cordial. Basically they try to keep it in balance much like a policeman would do at an intersection when a traffic light was out. Let some go from this side and some from that side but try to keep it even. Could DVC have changed the system to more like BVTC works with the new RCI deal, certainly but I doubt it and really don't think it matters one way or another. It's no different than the weeks that are given up for cruises, etc. The only way to totally control this issue to make it "fair" in some people's eyes would be to do away with all exchanges completely. Something that wouldn't bother me but I know it would some others.

 

[kerickson]

Thanks for the explanation Dean. I'm not a big fan of trying to make everything 'fair', sometimes it's just not the best road. And I think I now understand why it is the way it is. I don't think I'll ever try to exchange, but I always like to understand how things work.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the explanation Dean. I'm not a big fan of trying to make everything 'fair', sometimes it's just not the best road. And I think I now understand why it is the way it is. I don't think I'll ever try to exchange, but I always like to understand how things work.

Not a problem and I can't stand not knowing how things work.

 

[PinkTink63]

There has been a ton of availability both in RCI points and RCI weeks. I've booked 2 weeks this fall and considered taking the next year off so I could live at DVC by such exchanges.

Dean,
I have a question for the Guru of timeshares!
My brother has a timeshare through UVC, but RCI is listed on their website as their tradeout co. I know his is on weeks not points. He has had this timeshare for years in Puerto Vallarta. Do you know if he can trade into DVC with that?

Thanks!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Oooh! Oooh! My dad has an RCI timeshare he NEVER uses (hence lots of points) and my coworker has several that she rents out to friends/family. They can actually book DVC? I did not know this. I'm looking for a Sun-Thurs mid November, and am not picky about the resort. OKW or SSR would be fine. How would they go about booking this? Call RCI and ask to be put on the waitlist? I know my coworker is interested in trying DVC out.

 

[Dean]

Dean,
I have a question for the Guru of timeshares!
My brother has a timeshare through UVC, but RCI is listed on their website as their tradeout co. I know his is on weeks not points. He has had this timeshare for years in Puerto Vallarta. Do you know if he can trade into DVC with that?

Thanks!

I wouldn't know for sure but would guess it's not likely outside the 45 day window. Log onto his online account or have him do it. Select Florida/Orlando/Lake Buena Vista. He should see 6 resorts and around 102 units currently. If not, that would indicate he doesn't have enough trade power with the unit in question and likely with his resort in general esp given it's MX. He will have to have a deposit in place to do this. Ultimately all he can do is try with an ongoing search.

Oooh! Oooh! My dad has an RCI timeshare he NEVER uses (hence lots of points) and my coworker has several that she rents out to friends/family. They can actually book DVC? I did not know this. I'm looking for a Sun-Thurs mid November, and am not picky about the resort. OKW or SSR would be fine. How would they go about booking this? Call RCI and ask to be put on the waitlist? I know my coworker is interested in trying DVC out.

It's unlikely to see much DVC for less than 7 day but given the price involved, you'd still be getting a bargain getting a week and only staying 4-5 days. I have two exchanges for 1 BR using points for this fall and will be staying 3 nights on one and 4 on the other (Thanksgiving). Your chances of getting something other than SSR or OKW are actually pretty good also.

 

[RobDoc]

I was just looking at RCI-to-DVC exchanges this morning and there are quite a few available including BCV, BWV, VWL, OKW and SSR with dates running from July thru November. Most were Studios and 1BRs but there were also 2BR villas available during that timeframe. Also available right now are weeks at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort.

RCI Weeks members can view this availability online by logging into their account, selecting "Exchange", selecting one of their Spacebanked weeks and then searching for availability in FL/Lake Buena Vista. The list that appears will show the resorts available, room types available and dates available. These will all be week-long stays - most with Sunday check-ins but also some with Friday and Saturday arrivals.

 

[SimbaNoodle]

I just used my parents RCI points to book a 1br at okw. I ran out of dvc points and they never use there points. I was so excited to see availability. Can't wait to go.

 

[PinkTink63]

I just used my parents RCI points to book a 1br at okw. I ran out of dvc points and they never use there points. I was so excited to see availability. Can't wait to go.

That is why I'm checking into this with my brother's timeshare. He never uses it and I'm always needing more points! He has has only used it once in about 19 years!

 

[PinkTink63]

I wouldn't know for sure but would guess it's not likely outside the 45 day window. Log onto his online account or have him do it. Select Florida/Orlando/Lake Buena Vista. He should see 6 resorts and around 102 units currently. If not, that would indicate he doesn't have enough trade power with the unit in question and likely with his resort in general esp given it's MX. He will have to have a deposit in place to do this. Ultimately all he can do is try with an ongoing search.

It's unlikely to see much DVC for less than 7 day but given the price involved, you'd still be getting a bargain getting a week and only staying 4-5 days. I have two exchanges for 1 BR using points for this fall and will be staying 3 nights on one and 4 on the other (Thanksgiving). Your chances of getting something other than SSR or OKW are actually pretty good also.

Thanks Dean! I'm just going to have to keep on him about it!

 

[DianeV]

There are quite a few people who cannot see any of the DVC with their weeks exchange options. ME! I have an ongoing search but I dont know if they will eventually give one up to me or not

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I have two exchanges for 1 BR using points for this fall and will be staying 3 nights on one and 4 on the other (Thanksgiving). Your chances of getting something other than SSR or OKW are actually pretty good also.

Dean, did you actually get the week of Thanksgiving (including Thanksgiving day itself) as an RCI exchange into DVC? That was my holy grail on II. I never got it even with ongoing searches. Did you obtain the trade through RCI weeks or RCI points? I swear I'd buy an RCI points resort if I could get that week with points. If it's weeks I'd pay my 2010 MF's and deposit my weeks now to get a Thanksgiving week.

Which resort did you get?? Just curious!

 

[Dean]

That is why I'm checking into this with my brother's timeshare. He never uses it and I'm always needing more points! He has has only used it once in about 19 years!

You need to "manage" it for him.

There are quite a few people who cannot see any of the DVC with their weeks exchange options. ME! I have an ongoing search but I dont know if they will eventually give one up to me or not

It appears RCI is limiting availability to very high demand weeks/resorts as a rule. I have had 3 BR red weeks from Gold Crown resorts that could not see DVC deposits and they were deposited 10 months or more out.

 

[Dean]

Dean, did you actually get the week of Thanksgiving (including Thanksgiving day itself) as an RCI exchange into DVC? That was my holy grail on II. I never got it even with ongoing searches. Did you obtain the trade through RCI weeks or RCI points? I swear I'd buy an RCI points resort if I could get that week with points. If it's weeks I'd pay my 2010 MF's and deposit my weeks now to get a Thanksgiving week.

Which resort did you get?? Just curious!

AKV 1 BR for 11/22 through 11/29 using RCI points. I was looking for that week because I have off Fri and Monday along with the holiday. BTW, I saw it a few times with II as well.