Rci

[ckg]

I am sorry if this is old news but does anyone have any opinions on the RCI choices we now have.

I know exchanging had never been a good value but now it seems at least for choices in FL the selection is absolutely not for "equivalent" resorts. I saw a Hilton in south beach and that was about it for a major brand. No Starwood, Marriot or anything even near equivalent in quality of accomodations to DVC that I could see.

Did I miss something? Anyone have any opinions on good exchanges around the country? II at least I think had Starwood (which is nice IMO) but RCI seems to have nothing decent.

Thoughts?

 

[spiceycat]

I agree but
WorldMark
Hilton Grand Vacation Club


now 4 would consider if they got a good review on tug
Wyndham
Club Intrawest
Grand Pacific resorts
Vacation Internationale (vi resorts)

Wyndham was Fairfield - so some are really great resorts and others are only nice - and some are just there.

 

[Dean]

My opinion is that overall the number of comparable resorts in RCI that are available to DVC members is not nearly as many as II. But it does vary with the location. Worse, for the areas DVC members tend to want to go the most, like HI, are some of the worst choices overall compared to II. This is mostly due to Marriott and Westin.

 

[littlestar]

My opinion is that overall the number of comparable resorts in RCI that are available to DVC members is not nearly as many as II. But it does vary with the location. Worse, for the areas DVC members tend to want to go the most, like HI, are some of the worst choices overall compared to II. This is mostly due to Marriott and Westin.

The loss of Marriott and Westin for DVC is a biggie.

On a happier note, I'm glad I own a Marriott. I logged into my II account today and saw where I got an exchange into Marriott's KoOlina resort for my nephew's honeymoon. Yippee.

 

[Dean]

The loss of Marriott and Westin for DVC is a biggie.

On a happier note, I'm glad I own a Marriott. I logged into my II account today and saw where I got an exchange into Marriott's KoOlina resort for my nephew's honeymoon. Yippee.

Congrats, I did see a lot of inventory this week there.

 

[littlestar]

Congrats, I did see a lot of inventory this week there.

Thanks. I wish DVC was already finished at KoOlina - then maybe I could have booked a few nights at DVC, too, for him. The Marriott exchange is a Sunday check-in for October 2009.

 

[Dean]

Thanks. I wish DVC was already finished at KoOlina - then maybe I could have booked a few nights at DVC, too, for him. The Marriott exchange is a Sunday check-in for October 2009.

You might consider making a refundable hotel reservation OR use marriott reward points if you have them. Then look for additional time at Ko'Olina or another island using a bonus week or cheap trade (? studio) if you have one. Say look for a week that starts the Friday through Sun at the end of the Ko'Olina stay. Use the dates you then know and make the flight reservations into Honolulu so you'll have all the flexibility you need to adjust to anything you get.

 

[Maxwell]

Why did DVC change to RCI? I have heard nothing but negatives about the choices offered. We were thinking of exchanging to Hawaii in a few years but looking at the choices they offer I would not. I would rather pay cash.

 

[Dean]

Why did DVC change to RCI? I have heard nothing but negatives about the choices offered. We were thinking of exchanging to Hawaii in a few years but looking at the choices they offer I would not. I would rather pay cash.

You'll have to ask DVC but even then I doubt you'll get a true answer. Ultimately it likely comes down to money. Whether it's a cheaper program, more short terms options, more cash rental options, higher exchange power,, more exchange availability, any other options or a combo is purely speculation at this point. While I would agree that II has better and more comparable options than RCI, certainly DVC wasn't exchanging as well within II as it might should have. And a large part of II's better options are Marriott and RCI where everyone else, DVC included, played second fiddle due to the internal trading preferences of each.

 

[littlestar]

You'll have to ask DVC but even then I doubt you'll get a true answer. Ultimately it likely comes down to money. Whether it's a cheaper program, more short terms options, more cash rental options, higher exchange power,, more exchange availability, any other options or a combo is purely speculation at this point. While I would agree that II has better and more comparable options than RCI, certainly DVC wasn't exchanging as well within II as it might should have. And a large part of II's better options are Marriott and RCI where everyone else, DVC included, played second fiddle due to the internal trading preferences of each.

I would like to see the Buena Vista trading options to include Marriott and Sheraton/Westin on a per point per night basis like Club Intrawest does. I wonder if DVC has ever considered something like that since the members no longer have the option of trading for them in II?

Dean, it will be interesting to see if there are more successful trades for DVC members after switching to RCI or if the numbers stay pretty much the same.

 

[Dean]

I would like to see the Buena Vista trading options to include Marriott and Sheraton/Westin on a per point per night basis like Club Intrawest does. I wonder if DVC has ever considered something like that since the members no longer have the option of trading for them in II?

Dean, it will be interesting to see if there are more successful trades for DVC members after switching to RCI or if the numbers stay pretty much the same.

It's interesting that the BVTC was much more robust early on including Hilton and Shell at at one point. Unfortunately I don't think we'll have a lot of info to compare other than the annual audit that occurs. The anecdotal evidence we'll get here simply won't be enough to go on.

 

[Jack1234]

Not only are we now stuck with RCI but they have slowly been eliminating the hotel options. Very few choices left compared to a few years ago when we had many hotels to book using points.