RCI trade

[chepic]

So, over the summer we decided to go away for Thanksgiving, and we used 80 points to trade into RCI and stayed at the Mt. Sunapee Resort and Spa in New Hampshire.

The trade itself went fairly smooth. We had looked at other "by days" trades and couldn't get into a few because they weren't "by day" trades, had to go for the entire week. I explained that they were listed on the day by day, but it was a no go....Okemo, Killington were the 2 we were hoping for. We got a 1 bedroom with a den for the points. Sleeps 6.

We did receive confirmation from both DVC and Mt. Sunapee.

We have just returned. I have to say that the room was clean, neat, nice. I think that if you think about the trade off: 80 points at $10/point for the 4 days=$200/night, you make out o.k. They are listed as $329/night to stay.

The resort was nice, had 2 indoor pools, with a nice hot tub outside on a patio. The livingroom and bedroom had a T.V. Only 1 DVD player. The den had no door, so real lack of privacy there. There was only 1 bathroom, so it was tough with 6 adults. Also, the kitchen was not a full one. There was only a 2 burner stove, and the oven was a large microwave....not so conducive for a Thanksgiving meal. There was no dishwasher, and only enough silverware/plates for the 6 people, so you had to stay up on the dishes. Did have a few minor housekeeping issues, but they were quick to send some help our way. We also brought a large lasagna in a metal pan, and the tavern on site did cook it for us. In the tavern they had a Wii set up on a large t.v. That was fun.

I think the trade was decent, although we all found ourselves comparing to Disney resorts (will we ever NOT do that?..hee hee) and found that the resort, although priced high, was not really quite at the same caliber.

Also, at check in, they charged us a $25.00 housekeeping fee. This was not listed anywhere in the paperwork or on the website.

Just thought the info might be useful.

cheryl

 

[Cheryl726]

Was this the first time you used RCI?

 

[chepic]

Was this the first time you used RCI?

Yes. I booked it a few weeks after they changed over. I had tried to use the Interval Internation a few times, but never had any luck, so I was surprised how quick I got a spot, especially during Thanksgiving.

cheryl

 

[Dean]

So, over the summer we decided to go away for Thanksgiving, and we used 80 points to trade into RCI and stayed at the Mt. Sunapee Resort and Spa in New Hampshire.

The trade itself went fairly smooth. We had looked at other "by days" trades and couldn't get into a few because they weren't "by day" trades, had to go for the entire week. I explained that they were listed on the day by day, but it was a no go....Okemo, Killington were the 2 we were hoping for. We got a 1 bedroom with a den for the points. Sleeps 6.

We did receive confirmation from both DVC and Mt. Sunapee.

We have just returned. I have to say that the room was clean, neat, nice. I think that if you think about the trade off: 80 points at $10/point for the 4 days=$200/night, you make out o.k. They are listed as $329/night to stay.

The resort was nice, had 2 indoor pools, with a nice hot tub outside on a patio. The livingroom and bedroom had a T.V. Only 1 DVD player. The den had no door, so real lack of privacy there. There was only 1 bathroom, so it was tough with 6 adults. Also, the kitchen was not a full one. There was only a 2 burner stove, and the oven was a large microwave....not so conducive for a Thanksgiving meal. There was no dishwasher, and only enough silverware/plates for the 6 people, so you had to stay up on the dishes. Did have a few minor housekeeping issues, but they were quick to send some help our way. We also brought a large lasagna in a metal pan, and the tavern on site did cook it for us. In the tavern they had a Wii set up on a large t.v. That was fun.

I think the trade was decent, although we all found ourselves comparing to Disney resorts (will we ever NOT do that?..hee hee) and found that the resort, although priced high, was not really quite at the same caliber.

Also, at check in, they charged us a $25.00 housekeeping fee. This was not listed anywhere in the paperwork or on the website.

Just thought the info might be useful.

cheryl

All resorts I know of charge a housekeeping fee for stays less than 7 days and most, but not all, are listed on RCI's website. I have mentioned this several times in the last few months on various RCI trade threads. Your paperwork should have listed that the resort might charge a housekeeping fee. If it was only $25 you were lucky, many are more even for a studio. Some resorts use the housekeeping charge as a cash cow, it seems the resort you stayed at does not do that.

 

[chepic]

Dean, I had seen it posted on other threads that the fee for housekeeping has been added, and at a pretty higher price. As I said, it wasn't listed in the paperwork from Disney or from the resort itself. I was prepared, though, because of reading the DIS...thanks.

cheryl

 

[Dean]

Dean, I had seen it posted on other threads that the fee for housekeeping has been added, and at a pretty higher price. As I said, it wasn't listed in the paperwork from Disney or from the resort itself. I was prepared, though, because of reading the DIS...thanks.

cheryl

Did it not even mention the possibility in any of the paperwork? It always has when I've exchanged in to anywhere.

 

[marts35]

I think the trade was decent, although we all found ourselves comparing to Disney resorts (will we ever NOT do that?..hee hee) and found that the resort, although priced high, was not really quite at the same caliber.

Since we are new to all this, we have been wondering about this very thing. I don't think we are convinced on trading for a long time. Thanks for the info.

 

[Dean]

Dean, I had seen it posted on other threads that the fee for housekeeping has been added, and at a pretty higher price. As I said, it wasn't listed in the paperwork from Disney or from the resort itself. I was prepared, though, because of reading the DIS...thanks.

cheryl

I don't have the paperwork that DVC gives out so can't speak to that. However, here's the info on the confirmation for DVC BCV for next Sept.

Housekeeping Fees:
Housekeeping fees may be charged by the resort. Please contact an RCI Points Vacation Guide for specific charges.

Interesting the confirmation doesn't disclose the additional $95 fee but it was certainly clearly documented when I did the exchanges online.

 

[Dean]

Is anything RCI comparable?

As a rule no, few resorts are comparable but a few are. Unfortunately less are comparable in RCI than were in II. This is the reason you must investigate the resorts to see if they are acceptable to you and satisfy your needs. A resort you might be happy with I might not be or vice versa. It's also one of the reason I don't like using DVC as an exchange tool, even if you get a comparable resort you might get a horrible unit. When I exchange I like to be trading up in such a way that if I get the worst unit in the place I'm still OK and happy since I'm not as lucky as my daughter who got 5th floor ocean front at the Marriott on Maui a few years ago when I was warning her to expect a view of the parking deck.

 

[chepic]

I dug the paperwork out. On the exchange confirmation paperwork, it does state that additional fees may be charged for...long list, but for the actual resort the only thing that is on there is that there will be an additional fee if you bring a dog (it is a dog friendly resort)

but again, I was prepared by reading the Dis!!

che

 

[Dean]

I dug the paperwork out. On the exchange confirmation paperwork, it does state that additional fees may be charged for...long list, but for the actual resort the only thing that is on there is that there will be an additional fee if you bring a dog (it is a dog friendly resort)

but again, I was prepared by reading the Dis!!

che

I was sure it would be there in some form.

As I noted above, I am not aware of any specific resorts that do not charge for less than a week through RCI points though there are likely to be some exceptions. There is a WIDE variation on the actual costs though. Some of the costs are listed on the various website pages on RCI.com and some are not. I found out the hard way that even when NO fee is listed they can and do charge in most cases. I would not be surprised if DVC did not charge if they ever allow less than a week given the extra $95 fee in addition.

 

[vacationgirl]

We just returned from an amazing vacation at the Galleon Resort in Key West. We decided to try the RCI trade after some family members had to cancel on a AKL trip and we didn't want to go without them. We hope to take the family down in 2010.

I called DMS in October to switch our reservation to the Galleon. At the time, there were no vacancies. I was pleasantly surprised to get a letter in the mail less than 2 weeks later confirming our reservation.

We had a 1 BR suite overlooking the marina. The furnishings were tropical and looked new. Full kitchen and laundry were also very nice. The pool, tiki bar, deck and small beach area were pristine. This room would have cost over 400/pn had we paid cash. I think we got a great deal for the luxury accomadations.

This was a first RCI trade using DVC and we were very happy with everything. I hope this was not beginners luck! We hope to use our DVC to travel to Scotland in a few years.

 

[Brian Noble]

Interesting the confirmation doesn't disclose the additional $95 fee

Really? Mine does for an upcoming VWL stay:

Express US$95 Fee MANDATORY per unit per stay; US$95 fee inclusive with rental fee.Must RSVP prior to arrival. Fee includes shuttle/bag service from airport. Exchanges call: 800/********

 

[Dean]

Really? Mine does for an upcoming VWL stay:

The fee is clear when you make the exchange but the online confirmations, the only one I get, didn't mention the extra fee.

 

[ChickieToo]

Chepic, can you tell me anything about the beach? The photos appear to be a little "vague" regarding the beach: size, cleanliness, access, etc. These questions are especially heightened with a deepwater dock nearby. We are boaters, and know that beaches and Marina's that dock large boats aren't usually near one another. After I read your post I was curious because we always talk about going to Key West, however, I do wonder if there are problems with the beach area.

TIA

 

[Brian Noble]

the online confirmations, the only one I get, didn't mention the extra fee.

That cut-and-paste was from the confirmation that I got via email. It's also listed in the "urgent information" for each resort if you are making the exchanges online. (At least, I think each resort has that. I confess I haven't looked at all of them.)

 

[chepic]

Chepic, can you tell me anything about the beach? The photos appear to be a little "vague" regarding the beach: size, cleanliness, access, etc. These questions are especially heightened with a deepwater dock nearby. We are boaters, and know that beaches and Marina's that dock large boats aren't usually near one another. After I read your post I was curious because we always talk about going to Key West, however, I do wonder if there are problems with the beach area.

TIA

chuckie:

We stayed in New Hampshire....there was a lake, pretty good size, but I don't think that is what you are talking about. We stay in Disney's Old Key West, and I really don't think you will be putting a boat in there!

We have never had the pleasure of actually staying in Key West Florida, but it is on a to do list of places to visit before we kick the bucket.

cheryl

 

[Dean]

That cut-and-paste was from the confirmation that I got via email. It's also listed in the "urgent information" for each resort if you are making the exchanges online. (At least, I think each resort has that. I confess I haven't looked at all of them.)

Print out the online confirmation, when I looked before it wasn't listed there. I don't have access to my original confirmation emails but I'm sure it's there.

 

[Brian Noble]

It's there, too. When I go to rci.com->My Account->Vacation Plans->Confirmed, and click on the "View/Print Confirmation" button, the second page contains a copy of the resort's "urgent information" block:

Urgent Information
A US $95.00 RESORT FEE PER UNIT PER WEEK WILL BE BILLED UPONCHECK-IN FOR ALL EXCHANGES. THIS FEE IS INCLUDED IN THE FEEFOR ANY RENTAL. THE FEE INCLUDES SHUTTLE SERVICE PROVIDED BY DISNEY MAGICAL EXPRESS, EXTENDED PARK VISITATION HOURS ON SELECT DAYS AND TRANSPORTATION THROUGHOUT DISNEY RESORTS. FEE ALSO COVERS OTHER SERVICES INCLUDING ADVANCE DINING RESERVATIONS, ASSISTANCE WITH OPTIONAL DISNEY DINING PLAN, TEE TIMES AND DELIVERY OF ANY PURCHASES MADE AT DISNEY DIRECTLY TO YOUR RESORT. DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED ALONG WITH YOUR RESERVATION CONFIRMATION. PETS AND SMOKING ARE NOT ALLOWED. DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, EXTRA VACATION INVENTORY HOLDS CAN ONLY BE GUARANTEED UNTIL THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS (SAME DAY). **MEMBERS WHO OWN AT RCI RESORTS WITHIN A 30-MILE RADIUS OF ORLANDO CANNOT EXCHANGE INTO DVC RESORTS

There is also a section called "To Help You Further" and that contains it as well:

To Help You Further
Each room type includes air-conditioning, telephone, television with DVD player, coffee maker, microwave oven and a privatepatio or balcony. STUDIO Unit OCC: Max 4/Pri 2 has a queen bed, double size sleepersofa, full bath and a wet bar with a mini refrigerator. 1BR Unit OCC: Max 4/Pri 4 has a king bed, queen size sleeper sofa, full bath with whirlpool tub, a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. 2BR Unit OCC: Max 8/Pri 6 has a king bed, a queen bed and a double size sleeper sofaOR two queen beds, a queen size sleeper sofa in the living room, two full baths, afull kitchen and a washer and dryer. Note: Magical Express US$95 fee MANDATORY per unit/per week; US$95 fee included in rentals. Must RSVP prior to arrival. Fee includes shuttle/bag service from airport. Exchanges call: 800/******** Rentals book on the web at: www.disneysmagicalexpress.com/US Pets are not allowed and smoking is prohibited.

This is for VWL.

 

[ChickieToo]

chuckie:

We stayed in New Hampshire....there was a lake, pretty good size, but I don't think that is what you are talking about. We stay in Disney's Old Key West, and I really don't think you will be putting a boat in there!

We have never had the pleasure of actually staying in Key West Florida, but it is on a to do list of places to visit before we kick the bucket.

cheryl

Sorry chepic. I meant to direct that question to vacationgirl. She responded further down about going to the Galleon resort in Key West through an RCI trade. I was making the inquiry to her. I was wondering about the beach since it is also a marina, and there usually aren't good beaches next to marinas for obvious reasons. I realize you went to NH.

vacationgirl, if you are still out there I'd like to know more about the beach at the galleon.

TIA