RCI elite rewards Mastercard question

[Lou]

Can you use your RCI elite rewards credit card points for a RCI extra vacation?
It seems you can use it for air travel, resort dollars to be spent at a resort, guest certificates, exchange fees, membership credits....but I can't find any mention of using the points to purchase an extra vacation. Anyone know if that is possible?

 

[OldGuy]

The answer, albeit tardy, is yes.

RCI Elite Rewards MasterCard points can be redeemed for RCI Member Rewards, for instantaneous credits to your RCI account. That credit can be used for any RCI transaction.

I have used it many times for EVs.

Has anyone paid attention to the recent "Improvements" in this program? Have you looked really close?

 

[OldGuy]

Well, OK then, I'll just explain.

Recently they (Barclaycard or RCI . . . one of those buck-passing things) announced "Improvements" with minor hurrah! The "Improvements" are that RCI purchases now get 5 points and travel purchases now get 2 points . . . everything else still just one point. Plus, for $10,000 in annual purchases, you get some sort of $250 RCI credit you have to go to some special site to redeem . . . not a normal redemption.

We use the card for almost all every-day purchases . . . $32,000 last year . . . so the "Improvements" in Points don't do much for us.

Then I looked at redeeming. Last November I redeemed 20,000 points for $400 RCI Member Dollars. Now that takes 32000 points.

Neither RCI or Barclaycard care, m/l, saying they can do whatever they want.



Another thing they did was to move the Elite Rewards from it's own site to the Barclaycard credit card site, so every time I have logged on recently it has shown the points total. Today it does not. There is nothing about the points anywhere.

And, the former site is no longer there.

I guess I broke it.

Probably more "Improvements" being added.

Now it's back, so, hopefully, I can show you what's been done to redemption values:

Before:

11/07/2018 $400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 20,000

03/05/2019 $200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 12,501

Now:

$400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 32,000 Rewards

$200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 16,000 Rewards

 

[OldGuy]

Plus, for $10,000 in annual purchases, you get some sort of $250 RCI credit you have to go to some special site to redeem . . . not a normal redemption.

We use the card for almost all every-day purchases . . . $32,000 last year . . .

$8053 already this year.

 

[OldGuy]

Your current spend. . . $9,63345 . . . 8 months left to earn

I guess I'll see how that new $250 RCI credit for $10,000 annual expenditures works pretty soon.

 

[OldGuy]

I have found it impossible to get answers to the simplest of questions since RCI and Barclaycard changed how this is done recently.

It used to be that RCI Elite Rewards was administered at www.eliterewards.rci.com, but that defaults to barclaycard now. Questions directed to barclaycard get referred to that elite rewards address, which, of course, takes you back to barclaycard.

Notifying RCI of this issue refers you back into that loop.

Here's what it says about that $250 annual credit, which I am closing in on, but want to understand it before I redeem it, and I have emphasized the points that concern me. All I want to know is if the credit can be used for EVs and LCs via our RCI account. Pretty simple question, which should have one of two answers, yes or no.

$250 RCI Vacation Credit
You may earn one (1) $250 Vacation Credit after spending $10,000 in Net Purchases each calendar year. All Net Purchases must be made using the Account from January 1st through December 31st each calendar year. The Vacation Credit can be used towards one (1) vacation stay (maximum seven (7) nights) at select RCI inventory, subject to availability. Once the $10,000 in Net Purchases threshold is met, you understand and agree that you will receive an email from RCI with a link to a website where you will redeem your Vacation Credit. Purchases less credits, returns and adjustments posting within 30 days of the Vacation Credit qualification date may reduce the spend amount and change qualification status. The email will be sent to the email address on file with your Account within 6-8 weeks of meeting the threshold. The Vacation Credit can only be redeemed on the website provided in the email and is not valid for use on any other RCI or RCl-affiliated websites. You must click the link within the email and complete the required information on the website, inclusive of accepting the terms and conditions, within 30 days of receipt of the email, which activates your Account. You will have thirteen (13) months from the date of the RCI email to redeem the Vacation Credit towards the purchase of an available RCI vacation. Purchases made by authorized users will count towards your qualifying Net Purchases. Limit of one (1) Vacation Credit per Account can be earned each calendar year, regardless of Net Purchases. The $250 Vacation Credit cannot be combined with any future Vacation Credits earned through your Account. The Vacation Credit has no cash value. Further information and terms and conditions for the Vacation Credit are available at RCI.com.

I find it frustrating when people find a way to screw up something good.

 

[OldGuy]

Your current spend $10,910.93 You've met your goal!

I guess I'll soon see how that $250 RCI credit works.

 

[OldGuy]

I have continued to pursue this with RCI, and they continue to spin and stonewall it.

I'm just asking them if I can use the $250 RCI credit for Extra Vacations or Last Calls, and whether that would be through our RCI account.

That doesn't seem like a tough question.

 

[OldGuy]

Sometimes you have to pursue something you suspect may not wind up in your favor, if just to confirm that. That is the case, that the new $250 RCI credit "benefit" instituted this year is something that we will not use, probably:

Good Afternoon,

According to www.rcimastercard.com under FAQ, the Vacation Credit can be used towards (1) vacation stay (maximum seven 7 nights) at select RCI inventory, subject to availability. The Vacation Credit can only be redeemed on the website provided in the email and is not valid for use on any other RCI or RCI-affiliated websites. The Vacation Credit cannot be used for Extra or Last Call Vacations. . Further information and terms and conditions for the Vacation Credit are available at www.rcimastercard.com.

Kind Regards,

XXXXXXX X.
eCommerce Specialist

Getting a straight answer took about three weeks, and it came from those who sent me elsewhere. Hmmm!

Not that it makes any difference, because what is is, but that very-limited use is not the way it was/is being hyped:

Earn a usd $250 Vacation Credit towards one RCI vacation when you spend $10,000 in net purchases each calendar year
- - - - - -
Add to that the fact that the RCI Member Dollars that I paid 20,000 points for five months ago now cost 32,000 points, and the RCI Member Dollars that I spent 12,500 points for a month and a half ago now costs 16,000 points, it's hard to see how the benefits are now better.
- - - - - -
But it will be interesting to see what they make available to use that $250 credit on. Slimey Slough or Mugwump Towers?

 

[cerralee]

Any update? I always used my points towards the member reward dollars and usually was able to hit the $400 reward each year. Not going to be able to do this now. And the e-mail I got today says

Earn a USD$250 Vacation Credit towards one RCI Vacation, subject to availability, when you spend $10,000 in net purchases each calendar year. (Not valid for use on rci.com)1

So where the heck can I use an RCI vacation credit if I can’t use it at RCI?

 

[OldGuy]

Any update? I always used my points towards the member reward dollars and usually was able to hit the $400 reward each year. Not going to be able to do this now. And the e-mail I got today says

Earn a USD$250 Vacation Credit towards one RCI Vacation, subject to availability, when you spend $10,000 in net purchases each calendar year. (Not valid for use on rci.com)1

So where the heck can I use an RCI vacation credit if I can’t use it at RCI?

So, one other person has this card, too.

What you're asking is exactly what I have been asking both RCI and Barclaycard, and have just been getting the gobbly-gook run around, which is, you can use use that $250 credit toward an RCI vacation only on some site other than the regular RCI site, and it cannot be used for regular exchanges, Extra Vacations or Last Calls, and it is subject to availability.

It says you will get an email with instructions when you hit the $10,000 annual spending threshold.

Your current spend 11,711.14 You've met your goal!

When I get that email, I'll let you know.

I, too, have almost always saved points until I had enough for $400 in RCI Member Dollars, which I last spent 20,000 point for, but, as I posted, that now costs 32,000 points.

11/07/2018 $400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 20,000

03/05/2019 $200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 12,501

Now:

$400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 32,000 Rewards

$200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 16,000 Rewards

I whined about that, and after several attempts, the answer I got was "We can do whatever we want to do." Since the rewards are now so pathetic, I would change cards if this one did not have a 4.9% rate, which never matters anyway, and the fact that we bought our house with an interest-free cash advance with it, and got $900 in rewards when we paid it off.

So kinda feel attached.

 

[cerralee]

I’ve gotten about 1,200 in resort dollars in the last few years and it really motivated me to use it as my “go to card”. I used to research the devil out of the different cards, have a wallet full, pay them off every single month. It’s beginning to feel like a full time job. I’m ready to retire!

 

[OldGuy]

Same here.

Figure 32000 point a year, which used to convert to $700 in RCI Member Dollars, but will now only get $400 in RCI Member Dollars.

Here's my guess on what the $250 annual RCI credit will be:

***A limited inventory of stuff we don't want,

***Priced higher than the $199-$294 stuff we've been getting.

 

[cerralee]

Time to pay off my monthly balance so I go into my account and check on rewards.

They have “adjusted” over 2,000 points off of my accumulated rewards points this year! I put the totals on the card. There were no refunds just this “adjustment “ downwards. Just not good.

 

[OldGuy]

Your current spend $10,910.93 You've met your goal!

I guess I'll soon see how that $250 RCI credit works.

or maybe not . . .

I realize us younger generation live in the moment and are impatient, but . . . it's been almost a month since I hit the target for the $250 RCI credit, and I still have not received that promised email explaining how to use it.

 

[OldGuy]

Your current spend $10,910.93 You've met your goal!

I guess I'll soon see how that $250 RCI credit works.

Well, it wasn't exactly soon, but:


Congratulations!

By using your RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® and spending $10,000 in Net Purchases in the 2019 calendar year, you have earned a $250 Vacation Credit that may be used towards booking a vacation stay at select RCI inventory, subject to availability. To redeem your $250 Vacation Credit, you must click on the link below “Activation Code” and activate your online account. After you activate your account, you can access the redemption site atvacationbonusbucks.com.

Please note you have 30 days to activate your online account and 13 months to redeem your Vacation Credit. Vacation Credit is not valid for use on RCI.com or other RCI-affiliated websites. Vacation credit has no cash value. Please refer to the redemption site (vacationbonusbucks.com) or RCI.com for full details.



Thank you for using your RCI ® Elite Rewards® Mastercard® and your continued loyalty

I'll make this brief. You have to register on a site called vacationbucks.com.

Then you can search.

I did two quick searches, which showed the $250 credit already applied.

We'll never use it.

 

[OldGuy]

So, to summarize, this is how the card has been improved:

Point values for purchases we never use it for have been increased.
Point values for RCI redemption has been increased, decreasing the reward for us from 2% to 1.25%
A $250 annual RCI credit we will never use has been added.

I would spell disappointment, but we ran out of words.

 

[OldGuy]

Still the same . . . dis-improved from last year:

Now:
$400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 32,000 Rewards
$200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 16,000 Rewards

Before:
11/07/2018 $400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 20,000
03/05/2019 $200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 12,501

 

[cerralee]

I hit the 10,000 mark about a month ago. Ive been patiently awaiting my email with instructions for my RCI credit. How long should I expect to wait for my next disappointment?

 

[OldGuy]

I hit the 10,000 mark about a month ago. Ive been patiently awaiting my email with instructions for my RCI credit. How long should I expect to wait for my next disappointment?

soon


- - - - - -

In addition to it now taking more to get the same RCI Rewards as before, I just noticed that it doesn't make sense. The $100 between $100 and $200 takes 6000 Rewards, but the $100 between $200 and $300 and $300 and $400 takes 8000 Rewards.

I've been watching the cashback offer because it does not show you in advance as to whether it ever gets better than 1%, and so far it doesn't. I'm at 14673, and it's still just 1%.

So, the best redemption level now is for $200 RCI Member Rewards at 16000 (which used to be 12500).

• 
  $25 RCI Member Rewards℠
  2,500 Rewards
  Add to cart
• 
  $50 RCI Member Rewards℠
  5,000 Rewards
  Add to cart
• 
  $75 RCI Member Rewards℠
  7,500 Rewards
  Add to cart
• 
  $100 RCI Member Rewards℠
  10,000 Rewards
  Add to cart
• 
  $200 RCI Member Rewards℠
  16,000 Rewards
  Add to cart
• 
  $300 RCI Member Rewards℠
  24,000 Rewards
  Add to cart
• 
  $400 RCI Member Rewards℠
  32,000 Rewards

 

[cerralee]

Finally got access to my $250 vacation credit! Looks like I might have lucked out. Most of the vacations are really limited and pricey. I was seeing quite a few resorts affiliated with Sundance Vacations and only a few that were listed on RCI’s extra vacation website. Out of all the many Pennsylvania Resorts only two were showing up. One was a Sundance resort that I still would have to pay an additional $300 plus dollars for and the other a nearby Pocono resort for $69 for the week. Not many of the resorts were this reasonable. I grabbed it as currently I can’t travel away as I have medical issues that require weekly treatments. This resort is close enough to my treatment center that I can go as needed midweek then travel back. Yeah it’s only 25 miles or so from my house but boy do I need a change of scenery. And it was one of the few resorts that was reasonable.

 

[cerralee]

Still the same . . . dis-improved from last year:

Now:
$400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 32,000 Rewards
$200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 16,000 Rewards

Before:
11/07/2018 $400 RCI Member Rewards℠ 20,000
03/05/2019 $200 RCI Member Rewards℠ 12,501

Just went to pay my monthly Bill online and see that there is a SALE going on now and things are back to the way they were from last year!!
Redeemed my Member Rewards for $400 for 20,000 Points!! So glad I didn't redeem them early!! Sale is good till 12/31.