RCI Points?

[AFMom]

I've read all over the TUG, but still don't really feel confortable with my knowledge base on this. My husband is interested in buying into RCI points system with our home resort being at Angel FIre Ski Resort in New Mexico (Taos Valley). It's a ski in- ski-out, with nice accomadations - we took the tour 2 weeks ago and liked what we saw. The rooms themselves were big and gorgeous, but the resort amenities were just soso (I'm Disney spoiled). Anyway - just wanted to know if anyone had experience or an opinion on RCI and their points. We'd be paying about $8800.00 for 20,000 points per year, and our maintenance fees would be $185 per year (5% increase per year cap), plus we'd pay $100 per year for an RCI membership. It's deeded forever - we can pass it on to kids, and grandkids, etc.
Any info and comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[AFMom]

ok - so I'm going to bump myself because I really value your opinions.... anyone???

 

[gjw007]

The price is too high for the limited number of points. You can go to RCI and look under RCI points to get an idea for the number of points that you need. While it is true that you can get a week for 9,000 points if you make your reservation under 45 days in advance, these are usually at low use periods. Most of the resorts need more than 30,000 points for a week in a one-bedroom unit. The better resorts can require 92,000 or more for a week for a two-bedroom during a high period. 20,000 points just doesn't sound like enough. As a comparison, look up the resorts in the Orlando area (such as Sheraton Vistana Resort, HGVC, Celebration, etc) and the required points.

You can also buy resale at a lower cost for resorts that are already in the RCI points system with more points than what this resort offers. You need to be aware that not all resales for resorts that are currently in the RCI Points system have been set up for RCI points. In addition, in addition to the $100 per year RCI membership fee, there is a transaction fee of up to $70 for a week at a RCI Points resort or $149 for a RCI weeks resorts. Depending on the resort, a one-bedroom RCI Weeks resort may require 30,000 and a two-bedroom may require 44,000 points or slighty more.

TUG should provide more detailed information.

 

[Dean]

Look under the TUG advice section for RCI points info. Also do a search under the exchange, buy/sell and points pages. You'll have to be a member to do so thus you should join. It will be the best $15 you ever spent if you buy or not.

 

[AFMom]

I was so happy to see replies this morning - thank you!
Thank you for your advice and opinions, and we're definately joining TUG. We've done a lot of researchn on resales - and most are for weeks, or at resorts that we have no interest in using (or that we worry won't have much trade power). As far as # of points, we really only plan on using it every 2 years and it cuts our maintenance fees in half - which is a huge plus for us. The fees to trade are a concern, and we're still pondering that one - but we do really like Angel Fire and do plan on going there at least every other trip. Any other info or advice would be wonderful - we're trying to think of everything before we sign on the dotted line!

 

[Dean]

I was so happy to see replies this morning - thank you!
Thank you for your advice and opinions, and we're definately joining TUG. We've done a lot of researchn on resales - and most are for weeks, or at resorts that we have no interest in using (or that we worry won't have much trade power). As far as # of points, we really only plan on using it every 2 years and it cuts our maintenance fees in half - which is a huge plus for us. The fees to trade are a concern, and we're still pondering that one - but we do really like Angel Fire and do plan on going there at least every other trip. Any other info or advice would be wonderful - we're trying to think of everything before we sign on the dotted line!

Spend 6 months getting educated, you'll be glad you did.

 

[gjw007]

I would second Dean's statement to take 6 months to educate yourself. In addition, you might pretend that you have the resort and run the numbers through at various times. In addition, there are odd/even years arrangements where you pay the maintenance fee and receive points every other year. There are many variables and the best way to truly understand and gain the maximum benefit is to go slow and take time to educate yourself.

 

[AFMom]

Thank you - we are actually getting an every other year plan. We'll get 40,000 points every other year, which is why we only pay 1/2 the maint. fees. It isn't a lot of points for some people, but we do a lot of camping and staying with realtives, and already owning Disney points, we just don't need as many as some. With my DH's schedule the way it is, we'll be lucky to get that much vacation time, and it's more than enough for off-season, which is when we always travel (kids are homeschooled, he doesn't get traditional vacation time off, and we hate crowds). But we are really researching , and actually started researching this about 3 mo's ago. Still pondering....... it's one of those decisions that I'm not good at making!

 

[spiceycat]

once you get in tug - go look on their advertisement

they are several resalers who list there.

also go check out
www.redweek.com

then go ask on tug for their list of resalers - you will find some that you haven't send.

I agreed you are paying too much.