Totally confused about RCI and points

[Lost in Neverland]

I am confused about exchanging points for a RCI trip. I called MS to get info but left more confused than when I started.Ok... when we book a trip in a WDW villa we do not have to have the points available until our travel year. When we book through RCI do we get the same advantage. We are looking to book a trip to Grand Caymen in 2011. It is a trip that can be booked up to 2 years in advance. When I called MS I was told I had to have the points available now. The issue comes in that I need to bank 2010 points and borrow some 2011 for the trip.Is the info I recieved from MS correct that I have to currently have all the points available when I book? At this point I am so confused.

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, DVC has to deposit the points (or equivalent room) into RCI when the trip is booked, so you have to have the points at time of RCI Confirmation.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

Thanks. So I am going to have to bank this years points then in 2010 use those points and then borrow 2011. Then just wait until 2010 points are available to make RCI exchange.Am I on the right track?

 

[Chuck S]

Well, that depends upon how many points you have in your contract, of course, but I can see where that scenario of banking & borrowing would be necessary, yes.

 

[Dean]

I am confused about exchanging points for a RCI trip. I called MS to get info but left more confused than when I started.Ok... when we book a trip in a WDW villa we do not have to have the points available until our travel year. When we book through RCI do we get the same advantage. We are looking to book a trip to Grand Caymen in 2011. It is a trip that can be booked up to 2 years in advance. When I called MS I was told I had to have the points available now. The issue comes in that I need to bank 2010 points and borrow some 2011 for the trip.Is the info I recieved from MS correct that I have to currently have all the points available when I book? At this point I am so confused.

Generally exchanges are paid for with points within the UY that the exchange falls, depending on your UY and timing of your trip, this may be in your 2010 UY. You can only access up to one UY ahead so if by chance the exchange falls 2 UY ahead for you either because you're still in the 2008 UY when you match OR it's in your 2011 UY when you match, you get to chose which UY. However, you have to have all points that can be accessed from a given UY just like you were making a DVC reservation.

Generally DVC hasn't worried about whether you have the points available until you get the match, they must really be worried you will not have the points to do this. Also, I think it's important NOT to compromise your points planning for the exchange. You protect your points including banking to keep them available and let DVC worry about it if you match. DO NOT hold them in a given UY just in case and risk not banking them. Better to lose an exchange than hundreds of points though losing the exchange is very unlikely if you have enough points anyway. Also, you don't have to KEEP the points available. DO NOT borrow for such an exchange until it is set for certain and DVC tells you this is what you must do.

Just because you can request it 2 years out does not mean it will actually be available that far in advance. It depends on the resort and situation as to what might be available and when. I believe the Morritt's resorts do deposit a full 2 years out. I currently see availability for The Grand for next fall ONLY and much more at their Tortuga club though it's not on the DVC list. I didn't see anything for the Coral Sands, the other resort on the list for the Cayman's. Interesting they do not have the Sandal's resort on their list for Jamaica but do have a lesser resort.

 

[Chuck S]

Generally DVC hasn't worried about whether you have the points available until you get the match, they must really be worried you will not have the points to do this.

Or, maybe they've had a lot of people selling their contracts because of the economy after starting a search, and under the RCI contract, I wonder if DVC had to cover the points?

 

[Dean]

Or, maybe they've had a lot of people selling their contracts because of the economy after starting a search, and under the RCI contract, I wonder if DVC had to cover the points?

Given this is the first time that I'm aware of that DVC has made it an issue, I think it's far more likely something about the OP situation and points accounting that prompted the comments. However, there are certainly a number of possibilities including a change of policy.