Yikes! Worlds Passport Collection is switching from II to RCI!

[Dean]

I am not sure this is such a bad change. I had previously tried using II and found that I could not trade into the locations or regions that I had wanted. The same resorts would rent the timeshare for cash.

This in part, may be the reason for the change.

Part of the issue with DVC trading in II is the lack of trade power. The immediate exchanges and deposit first only will certainly change that to a degree. It could actually be even worse in that as a rule the best RCI resorts are not in the RCI points system is that indeed ends up being the focus. And it removes most of the good HI options. From Tom's list several of them are dually affiliated (RCI and II) and the ones that are give most of their inventory to II for many of them.

What older Marriots's are included in RCI? Any at Hilton Head, SC?

For HHI it's Sunset Harbour, Heritage Club, Harbour Club and Monarch. The rest of the list is Dessert Springs, Cypress Harbour, Vail (Birch only) and the Palms in Orlando.

 

[Dean]

Then why would they only honor bookings thru Dec 31, 2008?

There can't be inventory in 2011, DVC doesn't deposit that far out. The II rep was obviously misinformed.

I agree that it reads that they are dropping II as of 12/31/08. Is anyone in the same position I'm in where I deposited points for a future trade? I wonder how that will be handled?

I'm sure that will be honored OR they will get you the points back.

Will this affect the short notice (less than 30 days) exchanges? I'm not really happy about this change

If II is going away, it's likely some version of the RCI point will replace this option. This part may be better for DVC members.

 

[Lucky and Pooh]

DVC Annual Meeting - December 9, 2008
Board of Directors Meeting 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Members Meeting 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Disney's BoardWalk Conference Center

 

[tomandrobin]

If II is going away, it's likely some version of the RCI point will replace this option. This part may be better for DVC members.

Do you think DVC could go with a dual affiliation of both RCI and II? I know its unlikely, but you would know better then most.

 

[msabol01]

I'm inclined to think RCI is an addition, if not why wouldn't they have announced a change in World Passport instead of an Enhancement. Plus no where in the email did it say they were dropping II. Not sure where the rest of the interpretation is coming from. DVCMember website is down so that may be where more details are located.

Here's the exact message from DVCMember.com

"Disney Vacation Club enhances World Passport Collection

With a growing number of Members exploring a world of vacation destinations beyond their Home Resorts, Disney Vacation Club is committed to ensuring that those Member Getaways exchanges present the best and most diverse experiences possible. It's with this commitment in mind that Disney Vacation Club has formed a relationship with RCI, the world's largest vacation-exchange company, effective Jan. 1, 2009."

 

[disneydenisel]

I'm inclined to think RCI is an addition, if not why wouldn't they have announced a change in World Passport instead of an Enhancement. Plus no where in the email did it say they were dropping II. Not sure where the rest of the interpretation is coming from. DVCMember website is down so that may be where more details are located.

Here's the exact message from DVCMember.com

"Disney Vacation Club enhances World Passport Collection

With a growing number of Members exploring a world of vacation destinations beyond their Home Resorts, Disney Vacation Club is committed to ensuring that those Member Getaways exchanges present the best and most diverse experiences possible. It's with this commitment in mind that Disney Vacation Club has formed a relationship with RCI, the world's largest vacation-exchange company, effective Jan. 1, 2009."

This is the last sentence in the article, and this is what concerns me :

"To ensure a smooth transition to RCI, Members may continue to confirm available exchanges through the current World Passport Collection through Dec. 31, 2008, and all exchanges booked by that deadline will be honored."

 

[Brian Noble]

It could actually be even worse in that as a rule the best RCI resorts are not in the RCI points system is that indeed ends up being the focus.

Points members can obtain exchanges from the Weeks pool, but I'm dim on the details. I do know it's a constant source of annoyance for Weeks owners, because the reverse is not true.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

When they went to II from RCI it was one of a few reasons I sold our DVC. As far as I'm concerned its a RETURN to quality by returning to the much better selection / times RCI offers over II. GREAT move DVC!

To each his own !!!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

why wouldn't they have announced a change in World Passport instead of an Enhancement.

Because Disney went to the George Orwell School of Public Relations.

 

[JudyS]

I'm inclined to think RCI is an addition, if not why wouldn't they have announced a change in World Passport instead of an Enhancement. ....

I'm afraid that "enhancement" is the word companies just about always use when they devalue memberships. For example, Frequent Flyer programs will say they have "enhanced" their program by allowing one to book 361 days out instead of 360, and at the same time will raise the cost of a round-trip ticket to Hawaii from 35,000 miles to 50,000 miles, that sort of thing. RCI has more locations than II and more options for weekend (rather than whole week) bookings, so that could be what DVC means by "enhancement."

I would be GREATLY relieved if DVC were just adding RCI and not dropping II, but if that were the case, there would be no reason to state that trades made by the end of 2008 would still be honored. As for the statement by the Marriott rep that DVC deposits were available through 2011, that must be a mistake -- Disney doesn't deposit more than 11 months out, and even if they did, II is only accepting deposits through December 1, 2010 right now.

Despite the experience with trying to save the Adventurers' Club, I think it is worth while to call Disney and complain, if one is unhappy with the change. Closing the Adventurers' Club was part of a larger strategy for Downtown Disney, while switching to RCI mostly impacts DVC members. So, if enough DVC members complain, it may have an impact.

I figure I will call my guide -- does any one know who else we could call?

 

[JudyS]

Brian, we were posting at the same time! Looks like we think alike!

 

[tidefan]

If they are eliminating II, then this is a devaluation of our membership. RCI doesn't have a whole lot of quality out there. Plus, their website for searches is absolutely terrible...

I don't really plan on trading out my DVC points, but it looks as though DVC is making sure that I never do that...

 

[cmanuli]

The question is what resorts from the RCI network will be available to trade to? All of them?? The other issue is how many points will it take to trade now?
We just traded to Aruba through II to the Mariott ocean club, it just got confirmed like 2 weeks ago!

 

[msabol01]

This is the last sentence in the article, and this is what concerns me :

"To ensure a smooth transition to RCI, Members may continue to confirm available exchanges through the current World Passport Collection through Dec. 31, 2008, and all exchanges booked by that deadline will be honored."

OK, I was finally able to get on the DVCMember website and see what you mean. It's disappointing, but its affect on me will be minimal since I haven't booked this catagory. That said, I will probably still write member services based on RCIs reputation.

 

[culli]

As a DVC memeber and a II account holder I on occasion get to trade into DVC to supplement my points. I also have RCI but RCI is such a mess and their website is even worse than something Disney would design. Except for the part that RCI's site actually works with a poor layout opposed to Disney's looks pretty with no rhyme or reason to it and that is about it.

Anyway I stick with II over RCI because of a greater quality of resorts I get over RCI. Yeah RCI has a ton of resorts but all that does is bog down or overwhelm you when searching.......and I find 99% of them are junk. I don't need 5000 resorts to choose from when looking for an area when I would never stay at 4999. I would rather see 10-30 quality places to stay in an area.

So I'm interested to see what RCI can offer DVC for trades?

 

[NHLFAN]

RCI works for us....

I've been a Wyndham (FF) owner for 3 years now and we had the choice back when we purchased to choose between II and RCI. I found trading into RCI has grabbed us some quality resorts along with trades back into Wyndham resorts that has allowed us to stretch our points.

I'm not sure how DVC would work trading into RCI...with us there's different point levels depending on number of rooms/higher demand resorts requested.

 

[christine*]

I was really sad when I read the annoucement. I'm not a fan of RCI. I own RCI and have trouble booking and getting reservations with them as it is. All the things they say they offer is great, actually getting it is a different story. RCI can't even help their own members out, I don't see how this is going to be a positive thing for DVC.

 

[bicker]

I am not sure this is such a bad change. I had previously tried using II and found that I could not trade into the locations or regions that I had wanted. The same resorts would rent the timeshare for cash.

This in part, may be the reason for the change.

That's my experience, and my suspicion. I've never exchanged out because it hasn't been possible to arrange an exchange we wanted. So for us, this change can only be viewed as good news.

 

[wuv tigger]

NO DVC points for dh & I.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I figure I will call my guide -- does any one know who else we could call?

Call Quality Assurance.