Using DVC to travel the world? RCI Questions!

[littlestar]

Then it's a win/win.




find it interesting that the value of my vacation would be remotely based on what someone else paid for their timeshare. I guess I am less concerned with someone getting something over on me.

I think it's okay to trade for something high end (getting it can be the problem). DVC costs a lot of money upfront and then their dues/maintenance fees are high, too, so I just would hate to not get something equal to what I'm giving up.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that most resorts I would be trading my DVC points for would more than likely be a down trade compared to what I can rent our DVC for. Many times when I have compared renting out my DVC points, I would have enough money to pay cash for a high-end resort of my choice, buy my flights, and have money left over for food for the trip.

A Hilton on Hawaii to me would be a decent trade for DVC points through RCI. Back when DVC was still with II, I would have considered a trade into a Hyatt Vacation Club in Key West, too, or a Westin on Maui.

What would be great would be if the top vacation club brands would come up with some type of mini trade system between the high end brands. I can dream . . .

 

[bwvBound]

What would be great would be if the top vacation club brands would come up with some type of mini trade system between the high end brands. I can dream . . .

Perhaps expanding the existing Buena Vista Trading Company?

 

[littlestar]

Perhaps expanding the existing Buena Vista Trading Company?

Yeah.

 

[msp2mco]

When we first became DVC members, we wondered the same thing because we were interested in trading for other properties too. We intentionally attended a DVC-member Holiday gathering to ask other members about trading for other properties. We went to the event outside of the International Gateway on our trip in December a few years ago. Interestingly, my husband and I both talked to a lot of people, and none of them had used their points outside of Disney.

This summer, we traded points for a week at a resort. We were able to get the resort of our choice and the week we wanted. However, after we evaluated the cost vs. renting the resort through other channels, we wished we had rented our points and used the cash for the resort. Live and learn!

 

[Dean]

Then it's a win/win.

I find it interesting that the value of my vacation would be remotely based on what someone else paid for their timeshare. I guess I am less concerned with someone getting something over on me.

Given almost all or my trips are trade in, it certainly helps me. However, it hurts me to see members give up something that has a value of many times what they could easily get other things for. It's not a comparison of what someone else paid but how the DVC member could make better choices where they themselves (the DVC member) could save a ton of money compared to periodic trading in RCI. That's not to say that every trade is a poor value, some aren't, however, those are the least likely you will get because those that own the best values also don't trade them and if they do, the rest of the timeshare world is trying to get them also. MX is a perfect example where it's easy to get in with almost anything.

The bottom line is that buying DVC with the intent of trading is an extremely poor choice for a number of reasons including cost, the lack of guarantees and the fact that all options could evaporate tomorrow.

Those can be traded with as much weight as DVC which you paid $10,000+

Actually it's worse than that. Those others actually often have a BETTER chance of success trading than does the DVC members though maybe a little less of a discrepancy in RCI than it was in II.

 

[rentayenta]

Congrats on your deals!! How many people does this "luxury suite" sleep? If it sleeps 4 then 160 points for a week in Cabo is a pretty fair trade IMO!! You said March...are you going over a spring break time period? We stopped in Cabo on our first DCL back in '05 and it's been on our "short list" of land vac. destinations that we'd like to return to.

It sleep 4. We have been to Cabo a few times and I didn't even think about it being Spring Break. Best lose another 10 lb so I can compete with those young party girls in my bikini. From what I have read this is a more mellow resort so hopefully that holds true. We will make sure to stay away from Cabo Wabo and the Giggling Marlin. I did an all girls Cabo trip when I was 20 y/o and holy it wasn't pretty.

The concierge at the hotel has been awesome with their suggestions. Having been a few times before, if I haven't heard of the place, we will be trying it.



Thank for insights everyone! I enjoy the different perspectives.

I am sure I could have done more research, rented my points, paid cash for the room etc etc but just thinking about it makes me exhausted. Part of the enjoyment for me includes the ease of the process.

Being fully aware that these "perks" could disappear manana, I have every intention of using them while I can. I also predict that eventually we will do all Disney all the time including VB and HH and perhaps even Paris or Hong Kong.

 

[rentayenta]

What would be great would be if the top vacation club brands would come up with some type of mini trade system between the high end brands. I can dream . . .

Great idea!!!

 

[TINKERIFIC]

I visited the website for the Cabo resort and noticed the rack rates around $350/night (if memory serves). I am still still trying to figure out why this is a bad trade "value" wise?

I bought into DVC because 1. I love Disney 2. Our family is needing a little bit bigger rooms outside of 2 beds and a bathroom...in one room 3. the kitchen (although I love Disney food....it gets old after a few days)

We will be using a majority of our points for Disney, but occasionally trade out. That resort in Cabo is sounding pretty good right now.

 

[rentayenta]

I visited the website for the Cabo resort and noticed the rack rates around $350/night (if memory serves). I am still still trying to figure out why this is a bad trade "value" wise?

I bought into DVC because 1. I love Disney 2. Our family is needing a little bit bigger rooms outside of 2 beds and a bathroom...in one room 3. the kitchen (although I love Disney food....it gets old after a few days)

We will be using a majority of our points for Disney, but occasionally trade out. That resort in Cabo is sounding pretty good right now.

I am not sure either but at this point let's not probe too deeply as it's booked and I am going! Currently I am taking lots of notes about the process and any additional fees like room tax etc so I can decide if trading for RCI is something I would do again. You don't know until you know, right? I will take one for the team, go to Cabo, and report the exchange experience in great detail. I am a giver like that.


I would love to hear about any other experiences too.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

I was under the impression the only additional cost (unless all-inclusive is required) is the $95 transaction fee. Do you have to pay room tax, etc.?

Take one for the team ! That is fu-larious!

 

[disdad09]

This is a great topic for me.
I love Disney but our family would like to go to other places also.
I have booked a trip to grand cayman through RCI with my disney points plus some left over development points.
We are so excited to go to Grand Cayman.

Having said that I would propabably not book regularly with RCI through DVC because it just for me is not the most economical use of my points.

I am looking into purchasing addional TS probably through Marriott to get me to other destinations and use my DVC to book DVC only locations.

I plan on going to DVC HH next year and when its done DVC Oahu.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

I TOO AM WAITING FOR DVC OAHU....
2010 IS AKV
2011 IS VERO
2012 RCI TRADE OR BACK TO WDW...have not decided.

Am I the only crazy person who plans this far ahead. Probably!!!

 

[rentayenta]

I was under the impression the only additional cost (unless all-inclusive is required) is the $95 transaction fee. Do you have to pay room tax, etc.?

Take one for the team ! That is fu-larious!

I am having MS check this now. I do know that Mexico charges a 2% room tax imposed by the government. I will let you know asap if there are any other fees with this.

 

[rentayenta]

I TOO AM WAITING FOR DVC OAHU....
2010 IS AKV
2011 IS VERO
2012 RCI TRADE OR BACK TO WDW...have not decided.

Am I the only crazy person who plans this far ahead. Probably!!!

Heck no! I am planned that far too!

2010 Mexico
2011 GCV
2012 THV

 

[rentayenta]

I confirmed with a manager at MS that the only fee other than the $95 exchange fee is a 2% room tax imposed by Mexico which should be about $30!!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

In the common case, RCI exchanges won't have additional, mandatory fees. If there are, they generally will be disclosed up front when you confirm the exchange. Of course, many resorts offer additional services, activites, etc. for a fee, but they should be pay as you go, rather than mandatory.

 

[littlestar]

I'm a member of RCI and I checked RCI's rental rates for Extra Vacations (cash rentals by the week) for Playa Grande and here are some weekly rates that I can get through my RCI membership. I'm sure spring break would be higher than these rates, though - so a high season trade would make a difference on value. But this will give everyone an idea on why regular II and RCI members sometimes say something is a good trade or not a good trade:

Units that meet your criteria Total Units Available: 44
Unit Type Max Occup
(Privacy) Kitchen Check-In Date Check-Out Date Price
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 26-Jul-2009 02-Aug-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 02-Aug-2009 09-Aug-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 09-Aug-2009 16-Aug-2009 $539.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 15-Aug-2009 22-Aug-2009 $710.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 15-Aug-2009 22-Aug-2009 $791.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 16-Aug-2009 23-Aug-2009 $710.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 16-Aug-2009 23-Aug-2009 $791.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 22-Aug-2009 29-Aug-2009 $575.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 22-Aug-2009 29-Aug-2009 $647.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 23-Aug-2009 30-Aug-2009 $575.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 23-Aug-2009 30-Aug-2009 $647.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 29-Aug-2009 05-Sep-2009 $575.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 29-Aug-2009 05-Sep-2009 $647.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 30-Aug-2009 06-Sep-2009 $575.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 30-Aug-2009 06-Sep-2009 $647.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 05-Sep-2009 12-Sep-2009 $674.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 05-Sep-2009 12-Sep-2009 $746.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 06-Sep-2009 13-Sep-2009 $674.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 06-Sep-2009 13-Sep-2009 $746.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 12-Sep-2009 19-Sep-2009 $674.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 12-Sep-2009 19-Sep-2009 $746.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 13-Sep-2009 20-Sep-2009 $674.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 13-Sep-2009 20-Sep-2009 $746.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 19-Sep-2009 26-Sep-2009 $485.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 19-Sep-2009 26-Sep-2009 $539.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 20-Sep-2009 27-Sep-2009 $485.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 20-Sep-2009 27-Sep-2009 $539.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 26-Sep-2009 03-Oct-2009 $485.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 26-Sep-2009 03-Oct-2009 $539.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 27-Sep-2009 04-Oct-2009 $485.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 27-Sep-2009 04-Oct-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 03-Oct-2009 10-Oct-2009 $539.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 04-Oct-2009 11-Oct-2009 $485.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 04-Oct-2009 11-Oct-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 10-Oct-2009 17-Oct-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 24-Oct-2009 31-Oct-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 31-Oct-2009 07-Nov-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 15-Nov-2009 22-Nov-2009 $539.99
1 BR 4 (4) Partial 05-Dec-2009 12-Dec-2009 $746.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 01-May-2010 08-May-2010 $710.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 30-May-2010 06-Jun-2010 $710.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 14-Aug-2010 21-Aug-2010 $710.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 05-Sep-2010 12-Sep-2010 $710.99
Studio 4 (2) Partial 03-Oct-2010 10-Oct-2010 $710.99

Urgent Information
OWNERS 1-IN-4 YEAR RULE WAIVED FOR DBWS EV AND 1-4-1 EXCHANGES, 2) NO MORE THAN 3 CONCURRENT OR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS ALLOWED.4)**FOR OWNERS-RST AUTHORIZE TO USE 3 DBWS INTO PLAYA GRANDE AND SOLMAR,PLEASE DONT MENTION THEY CANT! OWNERS CAN USE DBWS PLEASE DONT TELL THEM THEY CANT ACCOUNTS AS GUEST.EMAIL:RCIDEPOSITS@SOLMAR.COM.MX SPACE ACQUISITION PROGRAM '3 YR' IS OFFERED IN THE SALES ROOMS AS 2 X 1. REF.1984.GYM ACCESS US$10 PER PERSON PER DAYRCI-PLAYA GRANDE SPECIALTY LINE FOR ALL MBRS 1866-874-5776SWIMMING IS VERY DANGEROUS DUE HIGH TIDES OF PACIFIC OCEAN.

 

[rentayenta]

In the common case, RCI exchanges won't have additional, mandatory fees. If there are, they generally will be disclosed up front when you confirm the exchange. Of course, many resorts offer additional services, activites, etc. for a fee, but they should be pay as you go, rather than mandatory.

Thanks for this info!!!

 

[rentayenta]

Urgent Information
OWNERS 1-IN-4 YEAR RULE WAIVED FOR DBWS EV AND 1-4-1 EXCHANGES, 2) NO MORE THAN 3 CONCURRENT OR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS ALLOWED.4)**FOR OWNERS-RST AUTHORIZE TO USE 3 DBWS INTO PLAYA GRANDE AND SOLMAR,PLEASE DONT MENTION THEY CANT! OWNERS CAN USE DBWS PLEASE DONT TELL THEM THEY CANT ACCOUNTS AS GUEST.EMAIL:RCIDEPOSITS@SOLMAR.COM.MX SPACE ACQUISITION PROGRAM '3 YR' IS OFFERED IN THE SALES ROOMS AS 2 X 1. REF.1984.GYM ACCESS US$10 PER PERSON PER DAYRCI-PLAYA GRANDE SPECIALTY LINE FOR ALL MBRS 1866-874-5776SWIMMING IS VERY DANGEROUS DUE HIGH TIDES OF PACIFIC OCEAN.

What does all this mean?

 

[redboxcar]

What does all this mean?

I'm trying to figure out what the whole thing means -- I still can't see if we're trying to show that it's a good deal or it's a bad deal, LOL.