Limited options with RCI Account

[kevreh]

One of the reasons I bought into HGVC is that my options would be expanded by being able to access RCI properties. However, whenever I do a search via the HGV site ('Club Membership > RCI Account') my options are very limited. The only resorts that come up are the lower end ones and there are few. For example, if I do a search for orlando, nothing comes up. There should be a number of options there.

What am I missing?

 

[mtm65]

One of the reasons I bought into HGVC is that my options would be expanded by being able to access RCI properties. However, whenever I do a search via the HGV site ('Club Membership > RCI Account') my options are very limited. The only resorts that come up are the lower end ones and there are few. For example, if I do a search for orlando, nothing comes up. There should be a number of options there.

What am I missing?

You don't give us all the necessary information but when I log into RCI through HGVC and choose "Exchange Vacations" I see 18 resorts with 2,256 units available.

 

[Mosescan]

One of the reasons I bought into HGVC is that my options would be expanded by being able to access RCI properties. However, whenever I do a search via the HGV site ('Club Membership > RCI Account') my options are very limited. The only resorts that come up are the lower end ones and there are few. For example, if I do a search for orlando, nothing comes up. There should be a number of options there.

What am I missing?

As resorts only become available in RCI when the owner deposits them or a large company like Hilton bulk deposits you need to do an ongoing search to really find anything good.

 

[kevreh]

Ok, I removed the date range and a bunch of resorts came up for Orlando area. However, when I pick one the options are very limited (eg. 1 week available until end of year). This is the case with multiple resorts I looked into. I guess that's what Mosescan was saying.

 

[mtm65]

Ok, I removed the date range and a bunch of resorts came up for Orlando area. However, when I pick one the options are very limited (eg. 1 week available until end of year). This is the case with multiple resorts I looked into. I guess that's what Mosescan was saying.

Correct, you are seeing the "leftovers" after any ongoing searches. We've used RCI 6 times in the 4 years we have owned our HGVC. All of the 6 have been through ongoing searches.

 

[kevreh]

What is an "ongoing search"? Is there a way to do that or do you just mean checking back frequently if anything came on the market?

 

[MikeinSoCal]

Here's a good thread to help you out with RCI:
https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-best-use-rci.259737/

 

[JIMinNC]

In addition to the stuff that shows up online only being the "leftovers" that were not snagged by ongoing, automatic searches, you will find that, to usually get anything desirable, planning well in advance is necessary with RCI (or almost any timeshare). You noted little was available for the rest of 2018. That's because most of the desirable 2018 weeks were booked well back into 2017. With our Marriott and HGVC timeshares, we're booking stuff for early 2019 now, and have had an ongoing search in place for a fall 2019 trip since fall 2017 (using the other exchange company, Interval International, with one of our Marriott weeks).

Also note that the vast, vast majority of the resorts in RCI will not be as nice as HGVC. In RCI, HGVC and the Disney Vacation Club are basically the cream of the crop. There are other nice resorts, but those are dwarfed in numbers by the marginal ones. Even the RCI "Gold Crown" designation is no guarantee of quality in line with HGVC. I've stayed at a couple Gold Crown RCI properties that were nowhere near HGVC quality. Based on that, I would hate to see what some of the non-rated properties in RCI are like.

 

[GTLINZ]

In addition to the stuff that shows up online only being the "leftovers" that were not snagged by ongoing, automatic searches, you will find that, to usually get anything desirable, planning well in advance is necessary with RCI (or almost any timeshare). You noted little was available for the rest of 2018. That's because most of the desirable 2018 weeks were booked well back into 2017. With our Marriott and HGVC timeshares, we're booking stuff for early 2019 now, and have had an ongoing search in place for a fall 2019 trip since fall 2017 (using the other exchange company, Interval International, with one of our Marriott weeks).

Well said JIMinNC!

I have found a few gems but it is hard. My good trips have come from forking up the fee upfront and doing an online search. You can change the search, and if you never get a hit you can cancel and get your $ back.

It is not unsual to start a search and have it hit a year in advance. So this is all about planning....

You also need to research on Tripadvisor, etc. For example, we booked SLB even though the RCI pics did not look good. They sometimes have old pics.

 

[Beacon888]

This Sightings Boards list a whole bunch of dates available HGVC Big Island. I do a quick search with RCI and don't see anything. It's been confirmed its a HGVC Bulk Deposit and dates are still there. Do I have to deposit my week into RCI to see them?

 

[Talent312]

It's been confirmed its a HGVC Bulk Deposit and dates are still there. Do I have to deposit my week into RCI to see them?

If you are using a HGVC account to book a HGVC resort...
(a) You are limited to the 9-month club window, as if a club-booking.
2. You can't deposit a HGVC TS - it's under HGVC inventory control.

OTOH, if you are using an independent RCI account, booking is under RCI's purview.
Some HGVC resorts restrict check-ins to weeks while others allow daily check-ins.
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