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Another newbie question

mdcrim

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Okay,

I have been lurking here for a long time and I think I am getting the hang of this. I haven't bought anything yet but would like to run my strategy by the experts.

I am looking to get into the timeshare game for some flexibility in my vacation choices. I am married with a 6 year old. I live in Virginia and there are some years I can't get an entire week in a row off, although I can get long weekends, etc. Additionally, I normally can't plan a vacation too far in advance.

Here is what I am thinking. I have been looking into RCI Points-specifically a triennial unit at Vacation Village at Parkway-approx 24,000 pts per year with a MF every 3 years. I would probably never actually visit that resort, but try and use the points for the 9,000 point last minute vacations and the ability to go one night, two nights, three nights, etc.

I have seen Vacation Village relatively cheap on ebay-I know, an entirely different can of worms altogether. Is 24,000 per year enough points to be worth my while (I know I they don't expire for 2 years).

What are peoples thoughts on this strategy? If this makes sense, what is the most I should be paying for Vacation Village triennial?

Thanks in advance for opinions. This board is the best!
 

Andar

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Shadow Ridge
Gosh, I can't help you with your questions, there are far more qualified people that will be able to help. My only suggestion is to support the BBS that you have learned so much from and become a member! I swear it will save you money and give you access to more information.:wave:
 

vacationhopeful

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As a multiple points system owner, IMHO, you need to read a lot MORE.

Getting points only once every three years (24K at that) is like useless ... you would be paying more for closing costs than the value of the points.

Getting away for weekends in RCI is expensive. Pay a reservation fee, pay a cleaning charge, checkin mostly on Sat (Sat to Sat weeks resorts converted to points) ....

Getting the 9,000 Last Call ... not during the summer, spring, or fall in Virigina area as this is a densily populated area. Williamsburg in Jan, Feb, yep (overbuilt). And some of the older RCI resorts can be very interesting.

So, from my many hours of reading and learning and studying ... look at who has newer and upper middle class resorts near you or who is managing a mini-system of resorts. Wyndham has a lot of resorts in that region. A mini-system gets priority at its sister resort at 11 month mark and generally get a discount on the reservation fees ... I also belong to VRI, which is a mini-system. I

I find Wyndham to be easily to use. I have RCI Points by accident and then decide to keep them, to maximize my Florida winter beach week vacationing. VRI just happens to be the resort managers, which gives me an advantage for other VRI resorts at the 11 month point and who, supposely, are rolling out their own exchange system (someday, some future day) which is what a minisystem is.

Value of RCI points==> 2bdr/2ba Red/Prime season is 58,500 RCI points, 1bdr/1.5 baths is 38,000 RCI points. 22,500 RCI Points get you a studio with a bed, no sofa, no balcony.

Another suggestion, RENT t/s vacations for awhile til you can decode what you like and expect for you and your family. Each and everyone of the systems and resorts have personalities. I know you didn't buy your car from a picture book, test drove it, look at every color shade, read the specs, etc.

Read more, rent, and then rent some more. Oh, yeah, JOIN TUGs!:D
 

AwayWeGo

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Grandview At Las Vegas

[triennial - points]
Leasing A Points Timeshare Might Make Some Sense In A Case Like That.

What are peoples thoughts on this strategy?
Just a couple of years after we scratched our timeshare itch by buying an Orlando unit resale, we got interested in taking the timeshare points plunge mainly so we could get partial week reservations & so we could get full week reservations for no more than 9,000 points via Instant Exchange.

Then once we took the points plunge, we found that for even part of a week, it's more economical to take a full week Instant Exchange reservation -- even if we waste part of it -- than to take a partial-week points reservation. Go figure.

We've done Instant Exchange several times now & plan to keep on doing more any time it fits our vacation plans. We have not ever made a partial-week timeshare reservation.

If we had known about those 3-year renewable points-timeshare lease opportunities, we'd have gone for 1 of those instead of actually buying our dinky points timeshare outright.

The beauty of those, in addition to low initial cost, is that if we like it we can re-up & if we don't like it we can simply drop it after the 1st 3 years.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 
Last edited:

Honeydew

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vacationhopeful, can you explain please?

Here is what I am thinking. I have been looking into RCI Points-specifically a triennial unit at Vacation Village at Parkway-approx 24,000 pts per year with a MF every 3 years. I would probably never actually visit that resort, but try and use the points for the 9,000 point last minute vacations and the ability to go one night, two nights, three nights, etc.
I have seen Vacation Village relatively cheap on ebay-I know, an entirely different can of worms altogether. Is 24,000 per year enough points to be worth my while (I know I they don't expire for 2 years).
What are peoples thoughts on this strategy? If this makes sense,what is the most I should be paying for Vacation Village triennial?
QUOTE]

I too, have been thinking about RCI points and have looked at this particular resort, except with the 92K points, triennial. I already own 3 "weeks", so I don't need much more t/s time, but like the idea of points. I liked the fact that it was only every 3 years because it is only about $250 yr, or $700(w/taxes) total. With this amount of points, I could still get about 2 weeks worth of vacation in the summer in most New England areas if I accumulated the points (if available) or to use smaller amounts on off seasons etc.

Getting points only once every three years (24K at that) is like useless ... you would be paying more for closing costs than the value of the points.

Am I missing something with my idea? :doh: I have also thought about the Wyndham system too, and am trying to figure out what would be better for me.
Thanks for any input!
 

Honeydew

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answer received

Received a reply from Linda by PM.
Thanks!
 
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