Very confused about trading out to RCI...

[bigAWL]

I just did a search on RCI trades, and read a few of the threads, but I'm still very confused.

I am a new DVC owner (and new to timeshares in general). I don't plan to do a lot of trading outside of DVC. But if I did want to pursue it some time, what's the process? I guess I was thinking I would just call MS and say I want to stay at such-and-such a resort on such-and-such a date, and they would tell me it was available or not, or put me on a waitlist, kind of like reserving at a DVC resort. But as I read this board, I'm learning that it ain't so simple.

Hypothetical example:

I want to travel to Texas in July of 2013.
I have 480 DVC points a year (UY Sep).
When do I start? (2 years out if I want a week, and 10 months out if I want specific nights?)
Where do I start? (I'm assuming I call MS, but what are the first steps?)
What does it mean to deposit points? (am I making a DVC reservation that I then trade?)
Which year's points would I be using?
What am I risking? (obviously $95 plus whatever points I'm tying up, but under what circumstances do I lose those points? or what restrictions are on them?)
What else am I missing or forgetting to ask?

Seems like there ought to be a step by step process listed on the DVCMember website, but I can't seem to find one.

 

[bigAWL]

I thought I'd bump this back up from the 2nd page, to see if anyone has any thouhts.

 

[Dean]

I just did a search on RCI trades, and read a few of the threads, but I'm still very confused.

I am a new DVC owner (and new to timeshares in general). I don't plan to do a lot of trading outside of DVC. But if I did want to pursue it some time, what's the process? I guess I was thinking I would just call MS and say I want to stay at such-and-such a resort on such-and-such a date, and they would tell me it was available or not, or put me on a waitlist, kind of like reserving at a DVC resort. But as I read this board, I'm learning that it ain't so simple.

Hypothetical example:

I want to travel to Texas in July of 2013.
I have 480 DVC points a year (UY Sep).
When do I start? (2 years out if I want a week, and 10 months out if I want specific nights?)
Where do I start? (I'm assuming I call MS, but what are the first steps?)
What does it mean to deposit points? (am I making a DVC reservation that I then trade?)
Which year's points would I be using?
What am I risking? (obviously $95 plus whatever points I'm tying up, but under what circumstances do I lose those points? or what restrictions are on them?)
What else am I missing or forgetting to ask?

Seems like there ought to be a step by step process listed on the DVCMember website, but I can't seem to find one.

Here's the requisite steps.

• Have enough points - generally 160 for a 1 BR and 270 for a 2 BR
• Call MS and place your request.
• If it's available right there, say OK, if not, start an ongoing search.
• Pay the $95 fee.

I would add this step.

• Investigate which resorts are acceptable and whether they have the unit size you need prior to even calling
• Have enough points - generally 160 for a 1 BR and 270 for a 2 BR
• Call MS and place your request. You can put in an area or specific resorts, always do it by resort and have the resort numbers handy.
• If it's available right there, say OK, if not, start an ongoing search.
• Pay the $95 fee.

To answer a few of your other questions or potential questions:
Y

• your points are gone when you have a match, either if you accept an instant match or you later match with an ongoing search. They will not call you to see if you really want it if you match what you said OK to up front. They may call you with other options that are similar to what you listed. YOU are responsible for making sure that a given resort is acceptable, finding out about constructions, closed pools, etc.
• You should generally plan for a week, shorter times are very limited.
• If you have an ongoing request and have not matched, your $95 fee is refundable.
• I'd plan and request at least 2 years out.
• I would not list ANY option in your request you'll be less than happy with.
• You'll only lose the points if you match or do deposit first. I'd only do deposit first for points you'll lose. Otherwise your points are your own until you match and you can cancel at any time up until then.
• I'd start on TUG (Timeshare Users Group) and from the DVC exchange list.
• Do not hold your points too long for a potential trade. Let DVC worry about getting the points you have in the right place when the time comes. For example, if you're coming up on a banking deadline, go ahead and bank the points.
• Be prepared to wait until even 1-2 months prior to the time you've requested OR cancel when it becomes unworkable for you.

As for what you're missing, it seems you have a pretty good handle on it. I'd suggest you only request things you KNOW you'd be happy with, look at what the same item (or one similar) would get you for cash, know that once you match you're points are gone and that in most instances, trading with DVC is trading down and that in most cases you could rent the points out, pay cash, and have $$$ left over.

To use your example, there are only 3 TX options listed. Of those, only 2 are acceptable IMO. Of those 2, one only has 3 BR options so 349 points for HIGH season even if you don't need that size. I hope this helps.

 

[bigAWL]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! That's a great big help.

I guess it does sound almost as simple as I thought. When you say an ongoing search, is that something like a watilist? Meaning I sit back and wait for MS to match me with a resort? Or am I doing something to find a match for myself?

And I'm still not sure about depositing points. It sounds like depositing points is the same as "spending" points. When they find me a match, is that when my points are deposited? Or do I deposit points when I start an ongoing search. From what you said it sounds like it's optional either way. Why would I deposit points up front if I don't have to? Can I recover deposited points if I cancel an ongoing search?

 

[CarolMN]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! That's a great big help.

I guess it does sound almost as simple as I thought. When you say an ongoing search, is that something like a watilist? Meaning I sit back and wait for MS to match me with a resort? Or am I doing something to find a match for myself?

Yes, it's kind of like a waitlist. If something becomes available that matches your request, MS will take the points from your account, book the trade and send you a confirmation.

And I'm still not sure about depositing points. It sounds like depositing points is the same as "spending" points. When they find me a match, is that when my points are deposited? Or do I deposit points when I start an ongoing search. From what you said it sounds like it's optional either way. Why would I deposit points up front if I don't have to? Can I recover deposited points if I cancel an ongoing search?

There are two ways to do a trade for an RCI Resort.

1. Search First. (This is what most people do). You tell MS what you want and wait for a match (assuming what you want isn't immediately available). Points are taken when the match happens. If you don't get a match, the points are never taken from your account

2. Deposit First. People do this if they have points that will expire soon and no other way to use them. MS takes the points immediately. The member has up to two years (I think that is the time period) to accept a match. You can do an ongoing search with this method if you want or you can just choose from what MS tells you is available when you call. You don't have to say what you want at the same time you deposit the points, but the clock starts ticking when the points are deposited. If you do not accept something within the two year period, the points are just gone. So people usually don't do this unless they need to "extend the life" of a group of points that they are in danger of losing anyway. And no, once you deposit the points, you cannot get them back

 

[Dean]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! That's a great big help.

I guess it does sound almost as simple as I thought. When you say an ongoing search, is that something like a watilist? Meaning I sit back and wait for MS to match me with a resort? Or am I doing something to find a match for myself?

And I'm still not sure about depositing points. It sounds like depositing points is the same as "spending" points. When they find me a match, is that when my points are deposited? Or do I deposit points when I start an ongoing search. From what you said it sounds like it's optional either way. Why would I deposit points up front if I don't have to? Can I recover deposited points if I cancel an ongoing search?

An ongoing search is essentially a WL. All you'd really have to do going forward is to check to see if there have been any resorts added to the RCI list and whether there have been any developments at any of the resorts on your list that would affect your decisions such a pool closures.

Request first is the best and main option and you're points are not at risk unless you match exactly what you were searching for OR agree to any other uni, but you could do a deposit first if you wanted where you're points are then gone at that point and not recoverable. I'd only do so if you were going to lose the points otherwise and/or didn't want to fool with renting if applicable. In that case you'd end up with a deposit with RCI that would be good for 2 years from the date of the week they gave to RCI, say 2.5 years. ALL travel associated with that deposit would have to be completed by the week DVC gave to RCI.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I just called an made a reservation with RCI.
All I did was call member services told them I wanted to make an RCI reservation. I was transfered to that dept. Told them when and where and they told me if there was availablity which there was. I gave my credit card number for the $95 exchange fee. And that was it.

 

[palaemon]

I just called an made a reservation with RCI.
All I did was call member services told them I wanted to make an RCI reservation. I was transfered to that dept. Told them when and where and they told me if there was availablity which there was. I gave my credit card number for the $95 exchange fee. And that was it.

Awesome! Where? When?