RCI points

[bfrank]

I'm trying to wrap my head around rci points. We like the bluegreen system because we are flexible and like to stretch points by doing offseason M-Th stays. We'd also like the RCI last call weeks but without the bluegreen charter benefits we can't do that but we can't bring ourselves to pay $3-$4 a point when we can get them on ebay for about .10 a point. (We know bluegreen from a 9k point sampler) But that got me noticing the RCI points for sale on ebay. I see point totals like 92k and maintenance fees <$900. Then I read somewhere that last call weeks were 9000. That sounds too good to be true so I'm trying to find the catch. I have no idea how far you can stretch 92k a year with normal plan-ahead stays but I could see us really doing well if there were enough of those last call weeks available. Yet the market on ebay for rci points is even more pro-buyer than bluegreen. Can anyone share their experience with RCI points to help me understand what a good number of points is and how plentiful those last call weeks are?
Thankyou, Bob

 

[tschwa2]

The catch is you have to pay a $230 exchange fee on top of the 6500-9000 points. Most of the same inventory goes in the last call rentals for about $295 and as low as $199-$220 when you catch one of the frequent sales. RCI points memberships are about $100 per year and they never have discounted 2 for 1's on that fee like they do for weeks accounts. I like to have both a weeks and a points account because some inventory is cheaper in one or the other or easier to book.

 

[bfrank]

The catch is you have to pay a $230 exchange fee on top of the 6500-9000 points. Most of the same inventory goes in the last call rentals for about $295 and as low as $199-$220 when you catch one of the frequent sales. RCI points memberships are about $100 per year and they never have discounted 2 for 1's on that fee like they do for weeks accounts. I like to have both a weeks and a points account because some inventory is cheaper in one or the other or easier to book.

Ouch, yes that is the catch. So if I had 50k points and I spread that out to say 4 vacations, I'd pay $230 for each of those 4 vacations (not at my home resort)? And what if I took a few shorter trips like two days? Would I pay $230 for those as well?

 

[tschwa2]

http://www.rci.com/pre-rci-en_US/help/forms-and-fees/pow-member-fees-us.page?promo=Help51S1
Exchange Vacations USD (Call Center/RCI.com)
Home Week Reservation (7 nights) No Charge -Booked prior to 12 months
Home Resort Reservation (7 nights) $50 -booked 11 months to 12 months prior to check in
RCI Points Reservation 14 nights + $278
RCI Points Reservation: 7+ Nights $189
RCI Points Reservation 6 nights $179
RCI Points Reservation: 5 Nights $159
RCI Points Reservation 4 nights $119
RCI Points Reservation: 3 Nights $99
RCI Points Reservation 2 nights $69
RCI Points Reservation: 1 Nights $49
RCI Weeks Reservation (7 nights) $230
Last CallSM Vacations and RCI Cruise USD (H/S) USD (1BR) USD (2BR)
Cruise Exchange - 20,000 Points $130
Cruise Exchange - 40,000 Points $230
Last Call - Call Center/RCI.com $269 $294 $319
RCI Points Partner Program USD (RCI.com) USD (call center)
Air (per ticket) $25 $52
Car (per car) $25 $52
Entertainment (per ticket/pass) $25 $39
Hotels (per room) $25 $52
Managing Your Points USD
Points Saving Fee
$26
Points Extension Fee
Less than 30,000 Points
$75
Points Extension Fee
30,000 Points and above $115
Points Rental Fee (Per Point) $0.03
Points for Deposit Fee $26
RCI Points Protection USD
RCI Points Protection: 1-2 nights $39
RCI Points Protection: 3-4 nights $49
RCI Points Protection: 5+ nights $59
Unit Upgrades and Changes $49
Miscellaneous Fees
USD
Guest Certificates $69
Membership Transfer Application (MTA) $98
Duplicate Points Directory (S&H)
$6.95

RCI fees are subject to change at RCI's sole discretion. For complete details of RCI subscribing membership, including RCI's cancellation policy, please consult the Terms and Conditions of RCI Points® Subscribing Membership.

† Network Dues and/or an enrollment fee may be required in addition to the MTA processing fee.



So short stays are points plus the reduced exchange fee. Catch with this is the resort will almost always expect you to pay a housekeeping fee when you check in. RCI points are an overlay on the weeks system so the owner only paid for a single housekeeping for the week. The short stay exchanger pays for the additional housekeeping which typically ranges from $40-$100 for a studio through 2 br and higher for larger units.

 

[bfrank]

thankyou, that info is much appreciated