Tutorial on DVC into RCI please

[MinnieVanMom]

We most likely are moving to the Netherlands this year. I have about 235 points each year on my DVC contracts. How can I change these into RCI points and what is the cost? Then how do I make a reservation for locations in Europe? What is the time period? Can I make a reservation a week out?

I wish I could find more exact information about this online but just not finding it. So I come to the wise and wonderful DVC board.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Never mind, I called DVC and learned so much.

1. No matter what I pay $95
2. With RCI I also have to pay a housekeeping fee which could be the cost of a cheap room.
3. Most exchanges are for a week, not a nite.
4. It is possible but not probable to get a ressie a few days out in the UK or Europe.
5. DLP also has the $95 fee, then a 2 nite minimum and requires park passes in the purchase.

So, if I move the Netherlands, I think perhaps renting out my points to a person who wants to stay during prime time and for a week will be the way to go.

I thought it would be great for weekenders around Europe but it just doesn't seem like a very good value.

 

[akl-fan]

We called a few years ago (When I was pregnant and couldn't travel to the US) and asked for an RCI exchange in Scotland any week of 2009. We were told that there was nothing available. We asked for England - nothing, Wales - nothing, Ireland - nothing and finally the whole of Europe - you guessed it nothing available for 2009 at all!! I was really miffed because although we had not bought to exchange we thought that the facility would be there if needed. Our guide had really pushed the fact that we could use DVC in Europe. We finally got an exchange in January of 2010 and we took out new DD to an RCI place in England. What a dump - the swimming pool was ancient and filthy. I would not let my DD any where near it. I could have cried. All my precious points had been exchanged for a place that I would rate a very poor 3 star.

Never again. If you are unable to use your points at Disney, I would rent them out and pay cash for your holidays.

 

[Sammie]

You basically found out the truth about the "over 500 Magical Kingdoms" that DVC uses as a sales tool.

It is not easy, there are additional costs as you found out and truly the places in Europe that are available are hard to get, almost impossible on short notice and really there are nicer places to stay for less money.

I found the RCI options for DVC in Europe to be very disappointing and very few offered.

 

[disneynutz]

Renting from another country seems like a hassle. If you don't intend to use the points yourself I would sell before the prices go even lower. Closing the sale from another country might be a hassle also.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Never mind, I called DVC and learned so much.

1. No matter what I pay $95
2. With RCI I also have to pay a housekeeping fee which could be the cost of a cheap room.
3. Most exchanges are for a week, not a nite.
4. It is possible but not probable to get a ressie a few days out in the UK or Europe.
5. DLP also has the $95 fee, then a 2 nite minimum and requires park passes in the purchase.

So, if I move the Netherlands, I think perhaps renting out my points to a person who wants to stay during prime time and for a week will be the way to go.

I thought it would be great for weekenders around Europe but it just doesn't seem like a very good value.

There are 72 options in Europe and little availability so not much to count on there. I think you got one piece of info wrong, there should only be a housekeeping fee for less than 7 days. Still, you should investigate the choices available and see how they fit for you. I think you'll find it's not worth it, you may want to consider selling or longer less frequent trips. For weekends, no way it's a good choice. You may want to look at Europe based timeshare options though.

 

[JimMIA]

You basically found out the truth about the "over 500 Magical Kingdoms" that DVC uses as a sales tool.

Another truth about the "500 Kingdoms" marketing slogan is that it gives a VERY distorted view of the RCI access available through DVC.

In fact, DVC provides access to about 600 RCI resorts, but the access is indirect (only through DVC MS) and is only a small fraction of the more than 4,000 RCI resorts worldwide. (RCI claims 6,500+. but there is a lot of double-counting and the actual number is 4,000+).

By contrast, a true RCI account can be accessed directly online and also includes several nice perks that the indirect DVC affiliation does not offer.

Individual DVC owners who know how to do timeshare exchanges and plan FAR ahead get some decent exchanges from what I've read here.

However, if you're expecting to just call MS and get a great exchange, you're living in a dream world. Good exchanges are obtained by using an "ongoing search," planning WAY in advance, and understanding what you are doing.