Using DVC to travel the world? RCI Questions!

[littlestar]

Hi Dean or Lisa,

How hard is to get a Hilton in Hawaii through RCI? And once you trade into Hilton, their 1 in 4 rule, how does that work? Is it just specifically for that particular resort you traded into or does that apply chain wide?

The only thing I have used my RCI account for so far are their cheap "Last Call" rentals for Sheraton in Orlando. I do know I personally have never seen a Hilton Vacation Club on a Last Call in RCI or even offered as an Extra Vacation.

 

[rentayenta]

Another option is to look for a BG owner on one of the timeshare forums, like TUG or TS4Ms. Find the Direct Exchange listings, For Rent listings or place your own want ad. See if one of them wants to rent a reservation to you or do a direct exchange for a DVC vacation (no fees).

Thanks for the link Lisa!

 

[Anal Annie]

Sigh, I suppose I still don't get it. Spending 160 points on a weeklong vacation to a four or five star resort still seems reasonable to me. Am I crazy? Do I not understand the value of points? You guys are saying it'd be a better value to rent the points and use the cash.

According to an example I posted in this thread earlier, renting points at $10/point would yield me $1600 for those 160 points. For the same resort that I might spend 160 points at, a studio costs nearly $300/night. At 7 nights, that's $2100. How is renting the points and using the cash a better deal?

You are not crazy. I see it the same way as you do because I do not want to mess around with renting out our points. I don't trust the system & don't want the hassle. When we purchased our DVC we purchased 250 points with the thinking that if we ever DID trade out using 160 points we'd still have 90 left to use that same year at WDW. Depending on the season that's enough for about 5 or 6 nights in a studio somewhere. Actually, it is exactly 1 pt. short for 6 n. in a studio at SSR in the "Dream" season. Easy enough to borrow that one point. ANYWAY, our thought process was that 250 points was enough for 2 trips a year whether both were to WDW or not. Two trips. We do not consider 160 points bad - most of these other properties get you a 1 bedroom for that. A one bedroom at SSR (in Dream season again just for comparison) would use 224 points!! That's WAY MORE than trading out for 160!

I think the key thing here is that you have to research the resort you are trading for on like Trip Advisor & such to be sure that you're trading to a decent enough place. For example, there is no place on Maui that I would consider an even trade now. But there are other places in the world where it should be close.

 

[rentayenta]

You are not crazy. I see it the same way as you do because I do not want to mess around with renting out our points. I don't trust the system & don't want the hassle. When we purchased our DVC we purchased 250 points with the thinking that if we ever DID trade out using 160 points we'd still have 90 left to use that same year at WDW. Depending on the season that's enough for about 5 or 6 nights in a studio somewhere. Actually, it is exactly 1 pt. short for 6 n. in a studio at SSR in the "Dream" season. Easy enough to borrow that one point. ANYWAY, our thought process was that 250 points was enough for 2 trips a year whether both were to WDW or not. Two trips. We do not consider 160 points bad - most of these other properties get you a 1 bedroom for that. A one bedroom at SSR (in Dream season again just for comparison) would use 224 points!! That's WAY MORE than trading out for 160!

I think the key thing here is that you have to research the resort you are trading for on like Trip Advisor & such to be sure that you're trading to a decent enough place. For example, there is no place on Maui that I would consider an even trade now. But there are other places in the world where it should be close.

Bold are MTE!

 

[Dean]

Sigh, I suppose I still don't get it. Spending 160 points on a weeklong vacation to a four or five star resort still seems reasonable to me. Am I crazy? Do I not understand the value of points? You guys are saying it'd be a better value to rent the points and use the cash.

According to an example I posted in this thread earlier, renting points at $10/point would yield me $1600 for those 160 points. For the same resort that I might spend 160 points at, a studio costs nearly $300/night. At 7 nights, that's $2100. How is renting the points and using the cash a better deal?

All I'm saying is there are choices and alternatives and it would in your best interest to know about those so you can make the best decision for your situation. In some cases it is better to rent and use the cash, in many it's best just to buy less points if you know up front, for some it's best to buy one or more other timeshares to use for non DVC trips and in some cases, even for DVC trips. I think the one flaw in your logic is assuming that rates listed on a resorts website has any basis in reality, for MX that's likely never true and often by a factor of 5-10. As I noted, MX does tend to be the extreme example but it is a good one to illustrate the principles involved.

The only TS I own (and plan to own) is DVC. I am interested in a certain resort through RCI - Bluegreen Wilderness Club at Big Cedar (#6311) 1 bedroom for summer 2012 - which would cost me 160 points.

As Lisa notes, there are other factors. Getting that exchange for a 1 BR is tough. Look at if from the Bluegreen members perspective. That 1 BR is 10K BG points and they can easily get a 1 BR to trade for 5-7K points instead at a different resort. Plus even BG members have a problem getting a unit there for summer unless they own a fixed week there during summer or are Gold or Platinum BG members AND plan well ahead. That's not to say it won't happen, just that the odds are not that good. Also there are many other timeshares that will give you a better chance to trade for that option than DVC. A direct exchange is the way to go for that option for a number of reasons. If you can travel the first 2 weeks of June or last 2 weeks of August you have a much better chance of success.

Hi Dean or Lisa,

How hard is to get a Hilton in Hawaii through RCI? And once you trade into Hilton, their 1 in 4 rule, how does that work? Is it just specifically for that particular resort you traded into or does that apply chain wide?

The only thing I have used my RCI account for so far are their cheap "Last Call" rentals for Sheraton in Orlando. I do know I personally have never seen a Hilton Vacation Club on a Last Call in RCI or even offered as an Extra Vacation.

Last call for Hilton in HI is tough for obvious reasons. I don't think RCI gets a lot of Hilton Inventory for Oahu. This is another situation where best to look at a direct exchange. However, no harm in trying and it would truly be one worthy of trading to if you can get it.

I think the key thing here is that you have to research the resort you are trading for on like Trip Advisor & such to be sure that you're trading to a decent enough place. For example, there is no place on Maui that I would consider an even trade now. But there are other places in the world where it should be close.

Research YES, stupid not to, but I wouldn't put much stock in trip advisors. TUG and Timesharing today would be MUCH better places. Even RCI's own rating system is better than tripadvisors. TST is likely the best when it has he info from a ratings standpoint. I'd say the reviews for TUG are even better still to get usable info as to what you want.