Whats the BIG NEWS?!? RCI exchange changes?

[Lorilais_mommie]

Was on the phone with our DVC sales agent tonight..
I told him about my mother using her timeshare through RCI.

He mention something about a BIG a announcement dealing with RCI exchange..
He couldn't tell me more, but told me to keep an eye out for it next week..

Anyone got a clue???

Thanks

 

[bwvBound]

I read earlier that resale DVC would remain restricted to the 500'ish RCI destinations (as we've had) while developer points would have access to a much larger selection. Yawn.

 

[CarolMN]

I read earlier that resale DVC would remain restricted to the 500'ish RCI destinations (as we've had) while developer points would have access to a much larger selection. Yawn.

I heard this, too and thought it was already in effect. Just checked the Members' Website and didn't find anything about it, though.

IMO, having more choice is almost always better, but I have to agree with you that these new options most likely aren't anything to get excited about. If they were so wonderful, I have to wonder why DVC didn't allow members to exchange to them in the first place. Haven't we always been told that DVC wanted to make sure the selections they allowed were up to DVC quality?

Maybe RCI recently had some new & desirable resorts join the exchange. We'll see.

 

[bwvBound]

IMO, having more choice is almost always better, but I have to agree with you that these new options most likely aren't anything to get excited about. If they were so wonderful, I have to wonder why DVC didn't allow members to exchange to them in the first place. Haven't we always been told that DVC wanted to make sure the selections they allowed were up to DVC quality?

That was my thinking, also. In my opinion, this move is mostly a sales-play giving the salesperson extra ammunition to fire at the unarmed (naive) sales target. It does sound very convincing until you look at the reality!

Maybe RCI recently had some new & desirable resorts join the exchange. We'll see.

I expect there will be several worthwhile additions. I've considered Disney's "hand selected" list to be long overdue for reconsideration. Specific exampleVC's list for Yellowstone had Island Park Village (silver crown) but omitted Worldmark's West Yellowstone (gold crown) which opened in 2008. The WM property is much closer to the park entrance (~20 miles closer?), newer and more highly rated on TUG.

I wonder if DVC members with "direct" points might receive additional RCI benefits such as Getaway (rental) weeks, discounted "last-minute" exchanges, etc.?

 

[Dean]

I heard this, too and thought it was already in effect. Just checked the Members' Website and didn't find anything about it, though.

IMO, having more choice is almost always better, but I have to agree with you that these new options most likely aren't anything to get excited about. If they were so wonderful, I have to wonder why DVC didn't allow members to exchange to them in the first place. Haven't we always been told that DVC wanted to make sure the selections they allowed were up to DVC quality?

Maybe RCI recently had some new & desirable resorts join the exchange. We'll see.

Historically DVC has excluded new and limited availability resorts and other than the Orlando area, they've mostly included the resorts in RCI that are reasonable. They have added resorts over time and also excluded resorts that were questionable or difficult for members to deal with. I'm having trouble even thinking how they could do this from an IT standpoint because it'd mean double work, double storage and double IT staff time to manage both and most of that falls on RCI. However, I don't see it as adding much unless one is simply set on a given resort or area and doesn't much care if the resort meets minimum standards. Now RCI is having a major redo of their system this weekend, that could be related in some way. I'm not sure what RCI has in mind but they took their site down for the entire weekend.

 

[JessLCH]

I'm just checked the RCI site via DVC member's site. It is now updates with tons more inventory. Nothing that I am particularly excited about though.

 

[Dean]

I'm just checked the RCI site via DVC member's site. It is now updates with tons more inventory. Nothing that I am particularly excited about though.

Roughly 4300 choices but with duplicates, likely about just under 4K or a even little less. Compared to RCI directly with maybe 6600 choices but with duplicates down just over 4K. IMO this is a good move for DVC members as it adds options without costs or downside other than making a bad exchange (hopefully). Anyone with restricted points want to look and see what they're seeing? Under resort directory I get 1401 US resorts and 874 European resorts to give a comparison target. Just hover over the search for a vacation tab and then select Resort Directory.

 

[JessLCH]

Roughly 4300 choices but with duplicates, likely about just under 4K or a even little less. Compared to RCI directly with maybe 6600 choices but with duplicates down just over 4K. IMO this is a good move for DVC members as it adds options without costs or downside other than making a bad exchange (hopefully). Anyone with restricted points want to look and see what they're seeing? Under resort directory I get 1401 US resorts and 874 European resorts to give a comparison target. Just hover over the search for a vacation tab and then select Resort Directory.

I have restricted points only and when I go to do an exchange search it says "Browse all 2739 RCI affiliated resorts with availability." That 2739 number used to come up in the low 400s for me whenever I have previously checked.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Oh wow, big difference for something we've been searching for. We've been wanting to do a trip to Greece for several years. I've occasionally searched the DVC World Passport collection for an option, but never anything in Greece. Now there are 23 choices.

Now I have to decide if that's a way I want to use my points. We've never used them anywhere other than the DVC collection.

 

[Dean]

I have restricted points only and when I go to do an exchange search it says "Browse all 2739 RCI affiliated resorts with availability." That 2739 number used to come up in the low 400s for me whenever I have previously checked.

Thanks, I couldn't see how they'd be able to make it an issue of qualified vs unqualified. I was hoping they'd dually affiliate with II.

Oh wow, big difference for something we've been searching for. We've been wanting to do a trip to Greece for several years. I've occasionally searched the DVC World Passport collection for an option, but never anything in Greece. Now there are 23 choices.

Now I have to decide if that's a way I want to use my points. We've never used them anywhere other than the DVC collection.

Careful what you wish for. Choices are great but make sure you investigate them prior to spending $2-3K worth of DVC points on something that might be substandard.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Anyone heard anything yet?
I'm not sure how this "big" announcement is going to be made..

 

[abdgeek]

Roughly 4300 choices but with duplicates, likely about just under 4K or a even little less. Compared to RCI directly with maybe 6600 choices but with duplicates down just over 4K. IMO this is a good move for DVC members as it adds options without costs or downside other than making a bad exchange (hopefully). Anyone with restricted points want to look and see what they're seeing? Under resort directory I get 1401 US resorts and 874 European resorts to give a comparison target. Just hover over the search for a vacation tab and then select Resort Directory.

Choosing where to use your DVC points with RCI just got very complicated. I love that we now have access to more resorts, but some of them don't look like places that would be up to the Disney standard.

Dean, hear are some questions for you.
1) Am I correct in assuming that the places with the gold crown are the best?
2) What do the other symbols mean(silver crown, hand with stars over it, etc. )
3) What is the Registry Collection? I noticed that it appears that we now have access to that, but couldn't really figure anything out by clicking on the links.

 

[Dean]

Choosing where to use your DVC points with RCI just got very complicated. I love that we now have access to more resorts, but some of them don't look like places that would be up to the Disney standard.

Dean, hear are some questions for you.
1) Am I correct in assuming that the places with the gold crown are the best?
2) What do the other symbols mean(silver crown, hand with stars over it, etc. )
3) What is the Registry Collection? I noticed that it appears that we now have access to that, but couldn't really figure anything out by clicking on the links.

I don't know that it's really more complicated because I've always touted thoroughly exploring where you're considering an exchange and not letting Trip Advisors being your only source of info. The truth is that the number of reasonable choices is really little different, they've just added a lot of even less reasonable choices. Still, one can chose not to partake and there will be a few that find gems for their situation. Choices without additional cost are often good as long as you have perspective.

Specific to your questions:

1. Yes in general terms but one GC is not the same as another. The reverse is not necessarily true either, that the lower rated resorts are automatically inferior. The GC rating requires certain requisites that may not be important to you and do not necessarily make the resort better for most people. My view is that the higher the rating the more likely a resort meets a minimum standard but that standard is not necessarily up to that of DVC or other truly top resorts and not all resorts of the same rating are created equal.
2. The hand with stars is "Hospitality award" and suggests that resort has good service but doesn't say anything to resort quality as I understand it. In general if you think Silver Crown is good and GC is better, you'll be in the ballpark. Still, check out a given resort to find hidden gems and to avoid higher rated turkey's or simply resorts that don't fit your needs. Try This Link
3. The regency collection are a group of resorts that are top notch in one way or another that have been carved out of RCI. Many are available directly through RCI for non DVC members, I haven't looked if this has changed with the recent changes being discussed. Regency Collection Don't automatically assume Regency Collection means good value. I stayed at the Grand Mayan in Cabo a few years ago for 2 weeks total cost about $650-700 for 2 weeks (1 & 2 BR) which would have been 1500 DVC points. Again, make preliminary choices then investigate. Get info from multiple sources. There are several here that are happy to help but don't take a single person's info as gospel, myself included, because there are many variables.

 

[lah3hh]

I just happen to have been in Las Vegas just last week taking a free stay offer from Hilton Grand Vacation group. We stayed at one of their newer resorts called the Elara. It was right on the strip and we enjoyed it.

Fast forward we did not buy into HGV but I looked on our RCI exchanges just last week and the Elara was there. Also along with it were several other Hilton timeshare properties. There was a total of 10 options for Las Vegas and most of them were Hilton affiliated.

Now I go back in and check and ALL of the Hilton offerings are gone! In place now are 17 other options that in my opinion look to be inferior to what was there a week ago. Even though there are more places to stay I feel for Las Vegas right now...this is a HUGE step backwards.

So disappointed...

 

[bwvBound]

I just happen to have been in Las Vegas just last week taking a free stay offer from Hilton Grand Vacation group. We stayed at one of their newer resorts called the Elara. It was right on the strip and we enjoyed it.

Fast forward we did not buy into HGV but I looked on our RCI exchanges just last week and the Elara was there. Also along with it were several other Hilton timeshare properties. There was a total of 10 options for Las Vegas and most of them were Hilton affiliated.

Now I go back in and check and ALL of the Hilton offerings are gone! In place now are 17 other options that in my opinion look to be inferior to what was there a week ago. Even though there are more places to stay I feel for Las Vegas right now...this is a HUGE step backwards.

So disappointed...

Keep in mind that what you see is based on current availability. Just for fun, I just searched DVC>RCI for Las Vegas and see 17 resorts, two of which are HGVC properties.

When I ran the same search through my normal RCI account (not related to DVC) I saw the same 17 resorts.

 

[Dean]

I just happen to have been in Las Vegas just last week taking a free stay offer from Hilton Grand Vacation group. We stayed at one of their newer resorts called the Elara. It was right on the strip and we enjoyed it.

Fast forward we did not buy into HGV but I looked on our RCI exchanges just last week and the Elara was there. Also along with it were several other Hilton timeshare properties. There was a total of 10 options for Las Vegas and most of them were Hilton affiliated.

Now I go back in and check and ALL of the Hilton offerings are gone! In place now are 17 other options that in my opinion look to be inferior to what was there a week ago. Even though there are more places to stay I feel for Las Vegas right now...this is a HUGE step backwards.

So disappointed...

They're still on the list, actually now 24 out of 25 RCI properties are on the list including the 4 Hilton's. Hilton tends to deposit in bulk so you see a lot then they all disappear over a period of time.

 

[lah3hh]

They're still on the list, actually now 24 out of 25 RCI properties are on the list including the 4 Hilton's. Hilton tends to deposit in bulk so you see a lot then they all disappear over a period of time.

Thank you Dean...wonder what I did incorrect on my latest search. I am going to do it again...now I am perplexed but happy!! I like the Hilton offerings for the most part so really thrilled they were not removed. You see 24 and I only saw 17 (honestly, I am not trying to stir things up!) it must be a pilot error and not the plane. Geez I feel silly now...so sorry DIS friends!

 

[bwvBound]

Thank you Dean...wonder what I did incorrect on my latest search. I am going to do it again...now I am perplexed but happy!! I like the Hilton offerings for the most part so really thrilled they were not removed. You see 24 and I only saw 17 (honestly, I am not trying to stir things up!) it must be a pilot error and not the plane. Geez I feel silly now...so sorry DIS friends!

I think the difference between 24 and 17 relates to "directory" vs "available at time of search"?