Trading Developer Points Into RCI

[nevergrewup]

We have developer points from our purchase at BLT in October ) ) that we will not be able to use at SSR or DL, so we are planning on puting them into RCI, possibly for some time over New Years in Door County WI. Before I call MS I want to know what I am doing. Do I need to book a reservation at SSR and then trade that reservation into RCI or do I simply bank the points into the program? When reading the boards it seems like it might be able to be done both ways. If so, is one better than the other? It seems it would be less combersome to bank the points but as total newbies we are open to any suggestions anyone with more experience might have, including alternative suggestions.

Thanks

 

[RobDoc]

No, you do not need to make a reservation - you will either ask MS for a search for the area/dates you want or just go ahead and bank the points into the World Passport Collection and request an ongoing search.

Enjoy! Door County is wonderful with some nice options. Stop in at Stones Throw Winery near Baileys Harbor/Egg Harbor for a fun (and free) wine tasting!

 

[Dean]

As a rule DVC will not let you pick the week, unit size or resort and generally will not let you bank a week if you had it already. Given the set up it really doesn't matter other than the later the week the longer you have to use it. If you know you won't use the points otherwise, do a deposit first of at least 160 points, 270 if you want/need a 2 BR. Then put in a request for what you need. If you might use the points if you don't match, do request first and keep control of your points.

 

[nevergrewup]

Your insights are quite helpful. I appreciate your thoughts.

Yes Doc, Door County is very nice. We had a Stones Throw Wine with supper tonight. We live only about 2 1/2 hours from ther and actually were there this weekend when we came up with this plan.

Unfortunatley we absolutely cannot use the points with the Mouse so I will be calling MS tomorrow to try and set something up for New Years Eve.

This is the first Thread I have started on any Internet Bulletin Board and I appreciate you indulgence.

 

[RobDoc]

Take a look at The Rushes - I think it's the closest timeshare to Stones Throw. We've really enjoyed staying there over the years. I believe it is on the DVC/RCI list.

We also had a Stones Throw wine with dinner! 2004 Lodi Zinfandel!!

 

[diggit]

We were told our developer points expire October 3rd even if you deposit them into RCI. If your planning a trip before that, then your OK. If not, then you might want to check with MS before you deposit into RCI.

 

[nevergrewup]

We were told our developer points expire October 3rd even if you deposit them into RCI. If your planning a trip before that, then your OK. If not, then you might want to check with MS before you deposit into RCI.

I'll be sure and do that when I call MS. That is a good point.

Doc--We had Uncle Gino's Daily Red

 

[Dean]

We were told our developer points expire October 3rd even if you deposit them into RCI. If your planning a trip before that, then your OK. If not, then you might want to check with MS before you deposit into RCI.

IF you do do deposit first the deposit will not expire until 2 years from the check in date.

 

[RobDoc]

I'll be sure and do that when I call MS. That is a good point.

Doc--We had Uncle Gino's Daily Red

LOL! We LOVE Uncle Gino's.

We joined the wine club at Stones Throw several years ago and really enjoy their wines and also enjoy the owner, Russell Turcow - a most interesting character.

We're enjoying a 2006 Primitivo right now!

As Dean stated, when you deposit points into the World Passport Collection, you have two years from then to use them for a reservation.

 

[diggit]

Dean,
I asked our guide about depositing into RCI thinking that was a way to extend the usage of the developer points past October 3rd and we were told "all developer points associated with BLT will expire October 3rd even if you deposit into RCI". We chose to book a stay at Saratoga rather then risk losing the points in RCI past October 3rd. Hope you're right but I would want to be absolutely certain!

 

[Dean]

Dean,
I asked our guide about depositing into RCI thinking that was a way to extend the usage of the developer points past October 3rd and we were told "all developer points associated with BLT will expire October 3rd even if you deposit into RCI". We chose to book a stay at Saratoga rather then risk losing the points in RCI past October 3rd. Hope you're right but I would want to be absolutely certain!

If you do deposit first, the deposit will expire 2 years from the start date of the week deposited. Likely Sept, 2011. All travel must start by the date of the week you deposit. Remember it has to be a deposit first, not just a search. The points will be gone forever. If you do, you really need either 160 or 270 points to make it a workable situation and keep you options open for the future. The other alternative is to trade for something you can get now.

 

[kim532]

We looked at the BLT model at the Doorway to Dreams store in Illinois and she told us if we purchased and didn't want to use our developer points that we could deposit them and then they would be good for two years.

Kim

 

[Brian Noble]

RCI may even give you until the end of the month, two years hence. They do for "other" deposits, so I don't see why they wouldn't for DVC as well. For example, if you deposit early August '09, you'd be able to book a week that started anytime between a few days after your deposit date, up to 8/31/11. This is in contrast with II, which uses the actual date.