RCI - using DVC points for nightly stays

[Candace]

I am considering doing this and am wondering if we have to sit through an RCI timeshare presentation.

 

[JimMIA]

You shouldn't have to. You'll probably be offered an opportunity to enjoy such a wonderful vacation experience , but it shouldn't be mandatory if you're paying for the stay with DVC points.

Just FYI, there aren't many RCI Nightly Stay resorts available through DVC. Mostly, it's weekly stays.

 

[Candace]

You shouldn't have to. You'll probably be offered an opportunity to enjoy such a wonderful vacation experience , but it shouldn't be mandatory if you're paying for the stay with DVC points.

Just FYI, there aren't many RCI Nightly Stay resorts available through DVC. Mostly, it's weekly stays.

Thanks! It's four nights for my son and a friend, and I don't want him to have to sit through something.

 

[JimMIA]

[ETA: This comment applies to Smugglers Notch Resort in VT, which OP referenced on a different thread.]

With Wyndham taking over the marketing there, he should be cautious. He will probably be offered a decent incentive to sit through a presentation ($100 or more) if he's an adult. And they've been known to hound a bit -- they don't take "no thank you" as an answer. He may receive multiple phone calls in his room (a lot of folks' first act upon entering their room is to unplug the phone), and they even sometimes just knock on the door.

Just tell him, if their lips are moving they're lying. If he gets interested in Wyndham, he can buy whatever he wants on eBay for $1.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I am considering doing this and am wondering if we have to sit through an RCI timeshare presentation.

I was considering doing this for two nights pre-cruise out of NYC next year. I see that Manhattan Club and Hilton on 57th St. do have nightly stays thru RCI. I wonder if one can borrow points to use for those nightly RCI stays?

 

[Starr W.]

I was considering doing this for two nights pre-cruise out of NYC next year. I see that Manhattan Club and Hilton on 57th St. do have nightly stays thru RCI. I wonder if one can borrow points to use for those nightly RCI stays?

I don't think it's a problem to borrow points. I know one of the gang here used points for a night or 2 at MC shortly within the 1st yr of the RCI relationship.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I don't think it's a problem to borrow points. I know one of the gang here used points for a night or 2 at MC shortly within the 1st yr of the RCI relationship.

Good to know!! ( Go #99!)

 

[Starr W.]

Good to know!! ( Go #99!)

MC has inventory in RCI weeks Jan-April 2012. I don't know about the nightly stays, if you are looking you should call MS.

Got my dartboard out for this week. How about those Caps!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

MC has inventory in RCI weeks Jan-April 2012. I don't know about the nightly stays, if you are looking you should call MS.

Got my dartboard out for this week. How about those Caps!

Inventory is already out? Wow, I need Sept. 5 & 6, 2012.

Yes, Caps are doing great!( Didn't know you watched hockey)

 

[Dean]

Inventory is already out? Wow, I need Sept. 5 & 6, 2012.

Yes, Caps are doing great!( Didn't know you watched hockey)

RCI points inventory doesn't come online until 10 months out. I assume MC has a housekeeping fee for stays less than a week but can't check right now because RCI is down for maint.

 

[Starr W.]

Inventory is already out? Wow, I need Sept. 5 & 6, 2012.

Yes, Caps are doing great!( Didn't know you watched hockey)

I'm pretty sure MC has a fee for a less than a week stay, most resorts seem to if you read the tiny print in RCI.

Huge Red Wings fan from way back and general hockey fan. My dad and uncle owned a minor league team when I was little. This is my favorite time of year.

Are you going on the NE/Canada cruise? I've been trying for the last 3 yrs to get TK to do the one on Princess. About the same time you are going. She really wants to do it(but I think she expects me to pay for her).

 

[joeandmel]

I got a question for you. Some of the resorts that RCI has in the list are all inclusive. Is there an extra fee for these places such as the moon palace in mexico?

 

[Starr W.]

I got a question for you. Some of the resorts that RCI has in the list are all inclusive. Is there an extra fee for these places such as the moon palace in mexico?

Yes you have to pay the all inclusive fee, which is per person. RCI is down for it's usual Sat. night mait. But I'm sure Dean or myself will check on it for you.

With the AI resorts, it's usually a better deal to price those out via Costco travel or travel agent. You can sometimes if not always get a better deal than using your points.

 

[joeandmel]

Yes you have to pay the all inclusive fee, which is per person. RCI is down for it's usual Sat. night mait. But I'm sure Dean or myself will check on it for you.

With the AI resorts, it's usually a better deal to price those out via Costco travel or travel agent. You can sometimes if not always get a better deal than using your points.

Thanks for the info. Palace resorts has a timeshare program that basically prepaid for the room for a number of weeks and had to pay the inclusice fee. Was just wondering how it worked if were to use it that way. Thanks

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Yes, I'm going on the Magic for the 5 night Canada cruise next Sept. 7, 2012. So I thought it would be nice to try and trade in for a studio or 1 bedroom at Manhattan Club. Even with the $95 fee and housekeeping, it would still be worth 16 or 18/ points per night. I don't think I could get a decent place under $200/night and then still have to pay tax.

Wow, RW fan! Well I just can't resist but GO CAPS!!

I'm pretty sure MC has a fee for a less than a week stay, most resorts seem to if you read the tiny print in RCI.

Huge Red Wings fan from way back and general hockey fan. My dad and uncle owned a minor league team when I was little. This is my favorite time of year.

Are you going on the NE/Canada cruise? I've been trying for the last 3 yrs to get TK to do the one on Princess. About the same time you are going. She really wants to do it(but I think she expects me to pay for her).

 

[Starr W.]

Yes, I'm going on the Magic for the 5 night Canada cruise next Sept. 7, 2012. So I thought it would be nice to try and trade in for a studio or 1 bedroom at Manhattan Club. Even with the $95 fee and housekeeping, it would still be worth 16 or 18/ points per night. I don't think I could get a decent place under $200/night and then still have to pay tax.

Wow, RW fan! Well I just can't resist but GO CAPS!!

I've looked and a decent place under $200 is nearly impossible in NYC, TK is very particular. I'd have a tough time getting her on anything but a Princess ship.

GO Wings!! I don't have very high expectations for them this year, getting too old and too many injuries.

By the way Alex has a picture of the Wings when they won the cup in 1998, do you know where that was?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I've looked and a decent place under $200 is nearly impossible in NYC, TK is very particular. I'd have a tough time getting her on anything but a Princess ship.

GO Wings!! I don't have very high expectations for them this year, getting too old and too many injuries.

By the way Alex has a picture of the Wings when they won the cup in 1998, do you know where that was?

Know it wasn't in Washington, DC! ( Sorry OP!!)

 

[Dean]

I got a question for you. Some of the resorts that RCI has in the list are all inclusive. Is there an extra fee for these places such as the moon palace in mexico?

You can see the fee for MOST AI options directly on RCI. For exchanges, the fees tend to be dramatic. In principle it's a little like the DDP, where it's only worth it if you take advantage of enough options enough times. The mentality that "I want it all paid for up front" is a dangerous and expensive one for many situations. I've seen some at $4000 for a week for 2 people. The other issues are that the quality and what's actually covered vary so you must investigate each resort to be sure it fits your needs. A big negative to me is that I enjoy exploring the local area, esp local restaurants, and an AI would cause you to miss out on that option.

Thanks for the info. Palace resorts has a timeshare program that basically prepaid for the room for a number of weeks and had to pay the inclusice fee. Was just wondering how it worked if were to use it that way. Thanks

That would be for those that owned there. I believe the fee for exchangers is considerably higher at the Palace Resorts than for owners, this is not uncommon with AI resorts. Also, as Starr mentioned, you can often get the entire trip on cash for around or less than the AI fee plus air and keep your DVC points. Another issue to add to what Starr said, is that many do the AI per room, not per person. That means if you get a 2 BR for 2 people, you may actually be paying for 4.

Yes, I'm going on the Magic for the 5 night Canada cruise next Sept. 7, 2012. So I thought it would be nice to try and trade in for a studio or 1 bedroom at Manhattan Club. Even with the $95 fee and housekeeping, it would still be worth 16 or 18/ points per night. I don't think I could get a decent place under $200/night and then still have to pay tax.

Wow, RW fan! Well I just can't resist but GO CAPS!!

They don't list a housekeeping fee but I'm pretty sure there is one for stays shorter than a week. There is currently no availability through RCI weeks or points for those dates. They do have an additional fee of $15 per night for a studio and $25 per night for a 1 BR (largest unit they have). So $95 exchange fee, say $50 housekeeping fee and $50 for 2 night in a 1 BR, that's $200 plus the points. If you have hotel reward points, those can be good for the more expensive places.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Dean, the next time you look, can you check the new Hilton HGVC on 57th? Those dates are for 2012. I was contemplating trying to out right rent thru a first stay promo, but I don't know if I want the hassle of the timeshare presentation.

You can see the fee for MOST AI options directly on RCI. For exchanges, the fees tend to be dramatic. In principle it's a little like the DDP, where it's only worth it if you take advantage of enough options enough times. The mentality that "I want it all paid for up front" is a dangerous and expensive one for many situations. I've seen some at $4000 for a week for 2 people. The other issues are that the quality and what's actually covered vary so you must investigate each resort to be sure it fits your needs. A big negative to me is that I enjoy exploring the local area, esp local restaurants, and an AI would cause you to miss out on that option.

That would be for those that owned there. I believe the fee for exchangers is considerably higher at the Palace Resorts than for owners, this is not uncommon with AI resorts. Also, as Starr mentioned, you can often get the entire trip on cash for around or less than the AI fee plus air and keep your DVC points. Another issue to add to what Starr said, is that many do the AI per room, not per person. That means if you get a 2 BR for 2 people, you may actually be paying for 4.

They don't list a housekeeping fee but I'm pretty sure there is one for stays shorter than a week. There is currently no availability through RCI weeks or points for those dates. They do have an additional fee of $15 per night for a studio and $25 per night for a 1 BR (largest unit they have). So $95 exchange fee, say $50 housekeeping fee and $50 for 2 night in a 1 BR, that's $200 plus the points. If you have hotel reward points, those can be good for the more expensive places.

 

[Dean]

Dean, the next time you look, can you check the new Hilton HGVC on 57th? Those dates are for 2012. I was contemplating trying to out right rent thru a first stay promo, but I don't know if I want the hassle of the timeshare presentation.

I didn't see anything for this year through Oct or anything at all in weeks. Hilton tends to deposit somewhere around 6 months out for most properties IIRC. I wouldn't do a promo stay for 2 days in your situations. I think this situation illustrates one of the major issues in using exchanges for shorter stays (and many longer stays as well), that cash is often better and not that much more expensive overall, esp where trading DVC is concerned.