Another way to look at Deposit Combining

[MichaelColey]

I think we're starting to look at our RCI deposits in terms of $/TPU (units of trading power). Many good traders are in the $10-20 range, and some of the best values are under $10.

I think it makes sense to look at combining as an incremental cost. For instance, if we combine several deposits to make one with a trading power of 100, we can look at it as a $1 incremental cost per TPU. If we combine to a total of 50, it's a $2 incremental cost per TPU. If we combine two 10s to get a 20, it's a $5 incremental cost per TPU.

I think that helps us see the value in accumulating until you have enough that it's worth combining.

I have a feeling that for the near future, many of us will be combining based more on necessity than anything. For instance, yesterday I had deposits worth 4 (change), 5 (change), 10 (pending verification), 13, 23, and 38, plus three confirmed reservations with vacation protection worth 16 each. I wanted to cancel the three and replace them with three DVC units (25 trading power each). Only the 38 was big enough, but it could only do one. And several of the deposits were from Orlando resorts, so they couldn't do DVC. I combined the 38, 23, 16, 13 and 5 for a total of 95. I got the three DVC units and had 20 left. I would preferred to wait a couple weeks to combine so I could have included the 10 (plus two other deposits, likely for 18 each), but the DVC units were going quick so I had to act then. It was well worth it to me. Between the combine fee ($99), vacation protection ($237 for three weeks), DVC fees ($285 for three weeks) and additional trading power used ($270 value), it cost me less than $900 to upgrade three weeks from Wyndham Bonnet Creek to DVC units. The combine fee was a minimal part of that.

 

[bnoble]

many of us will be combining based more on necessity than anything. ... I wanted to cancel the three and replace them with three DVC units

I think the word you are looking for here is "desire", not "necessity."

 

[glypnirsgirl]

Do I understand this correctly?

Hi Michael - Do I understand this correctly? When you do a combining, you can combine more than two TSs at a time for one combo fee?

I am sitting with change only right now. Between 4 different units, I have enough to make one semi-decent trade. I have been fretting over it because I thought that I would have to pay three separate combination fees --- which would really not be worth it.

elaine

 

[BevL]

Hi Michael - Do I understand this correctly? When you do a combining, you can combine more than two TSs at a time for one combo fee?

I am sitting with change only right now. Between 4 different units, I have enough to make one semi-decent trade. I have been fretting over it because I thought that I would have to pay three separate combination fees --- which would really not be worth it.

elaine

Not Michael but when you got into manage your deposits, at the bottom of the page, you should see your deposits under "Deposits eligible to combine." There are boxes on the right hand side of each of your deposits. Check the boxes of the deposits you want to combine and go from there. You can combine as many as you want at one time for one fee.

Bev

 

[elaine]

it's one fee to combine as many a you want. All combined deposits then expire 2 years from date of combo. I did this on 1-15-2011 with a deposit expiring 1-31-2011. All now expire 1-2013--pretty cool!
Also, keep in mind that if you have any deposits that are "blocked" from trading into something--such as an Orlando unit is blocked from DVC, if you add that to the combo, the entire combo is now blocked.

 

[MichaelColey]

That's correct. I combined 5 yesterday, for a total trading power of 95.

I don't think I would combine just the change, unless part of it is going to expire really soon. I would try to wait and combine it with at least one or two others. That way, you should be able to get two or three exchanges out of it (instead of just one) before you have to combine again.

 

[got4boys]

I think we're starting to look at our RCI deposits in terms of $/TPU (units of trading power). Many good traders are in the $10-20 range, and some of the best values are under $10.

I think it makes sense to look at combining as an incremental cost. For instance, if we combine several deposits to make one with a trading power of 100, we can look at it as a $1 incremental cost per TPU. If we combine to a total of 50, it's a $2 incremental cost per TPU. If we combine two 10s to get a 20, it's a $5 incremental cost per TPU.

I think that helps us see the value in accumulating until you have enough that it's worth combining.

I have a feeling that for the near future, many of us will be combining based more on necessity than anything. For instance, yesterday I had deposits worth 4 (change), 5 (change), 10 (pending verification), 13, 23, and 38, plus three confirmed reservations with vacation protection worth 16 each. I wanted to cancel the three and replace them with three DVC units (25 trading power each). Only the 38 was big enough, but it could only do one. And several of the deposits were from Orlando resorts, so they couldn't do DVC. I combined the 38, 23, 16, 13 and 5 for a total of 95. I got the three DVC units and had 20 left. I would preferred to wait a couple weeks to combine so I could have included the 10 (plus two other deposits, likely for 18 each), but the DVC units were going quick so I had to act then. It was well worth it to me. Between the combine fee ($99), vacation protection ($237 for three weeks), DVC fees ($285 for three weeks) and additional trading power used ($270 value), it cost me less than $900 to upgrade three weeks from Wyndham Bonnet Creek to DVC units. The combine fee was a minimal part of that.

On the Bonnet Creek Units, did you lose the exchange fee of $179 each too? Was that taken into the $900?

Peggy

 

[MichaelColey]

On the Bonnet Creek Units, did you lose the exchange fee of $179 each too? Was that taken into the $900?

No, I had made those exchanges less than 30 days ago, so I was able to buy the vacation protection and cancel them, getting the exchange fees back to use towards the DVC exchanges.

 

[Tommart]

I concur, but

Michael,
I basically agree with your adjustment, but prefer to keep things simple.

Your adjustment would be different from mine.

Also, what happens if you plan to use a week (rather than exchange) or if you're able to find an exchange for the exact amount of a single week and don't need to combine that week.

Should the RCI exchange fee or insurance be added to the calculation?

Also, should the extra TPUs for early deposit be included? If so, wasn't there a cost to pay 9 months early?

The bottom-line is that the cost per TPU is a relative number to help understand the trading value. It should be kept simple i.e. MF/TPUs with no adjustments. If people started advertising adjusted figures, I would lose confidence in the number.

 

[MichaelColey]

I'm not saying that an adjusted TPU number should be advertised anywhere, just that it's a helpful concept for seeing how combining affects our costs. If your average cost is $15/TPU and you're combining four 25s, you're essentially increasing your TPU cost to $16. If you're able to get deposits with a trading power of 10 for a cost of less than $10/TPU (like I'm able to do with CMV), combining two of them (to get a 20) adds $5 to your TPU cost, which is disproportional IMHO. Better to hold off and combine 5-10 of them if possible, so that you only add $1-$2 instead of $5.

 

[Tommart]

I Understand

I'm not saying that an adjusted TPU number should be advertised anywhere, just that it's a helpful concept for seeing how combining affects our costs. If your average cost is $15/TPU and you're combining four 25s, you're essentially increasing your TPU cost to $16. If you're able to get deposits with a trading power of 10 for a cost of less than $10/TPU (like I'm able to do with CMV), combining two of them (to get a 20) adds $5 to your TPU cost, which is disproportional IMHO. Better to hold off and combine 5-10 of them if possible, so that you only add $1-$2 instead of $5.

Michael,
I understand. Thanks.

 

[Goofyhobbie]

Great Analysis

Michael,

Thanks for the great analysis. It is always useful to look at your cost and especially your incremental cost when making your vacation planning decisions using what you have accrued within RCI to date.

Personally, however, I question the net increase in cost per week ($300) that you have taken on. I was at Bonnet Creek in Building 5 over the last 14 days and found the resort, grounds, facilities, and proxmity to Disney to be outstanding. Although you may disagree, I find it hard to justify a $300 per Week premium for a 2-BR Unit at DVC.

Although, I have not yet been to a DVC Resort in Orlando I have recently been to two DVC Resorts that are not in Orlando within the past six months. The comparison to Wyndham Bonnet Creek, in my humble opinion, does not justify paying the extra $300.00 per Week.

However, I do not have a group of young people to share my Units with and you may be factoring in their enjoyment of the Disney experience with all the characters on site 24/7.

Hope you guys enjoy your upcoming vacation.

 

[tombo]

Michael have you ever deposited your Orlando weeks you own with RCI? From what I understand if you OWN at even one orlando resort RCI blocks you from ever trading into DVC. You said you couldn't use your orlando deposits to trade for Disney. Am I mistaken about being blocked from trading for Disney if you own an Orlando resort or have they just not caught you yet?

 

[MichaelColey]

I question the net increase in cost per week ($300) that you have taken on. I was at Bonnet Creek in Building 5 over the last 14 days and found the resort, grounds, facilities, and proxmity to Disney to be outstanding. Although you may disagree, I find it hard to justify a $300 per Week premium for a 2-BR Unit at DVC.

Yeah, it's probably towards the upper end of what I'm comfortable with, but I looked at it as:

1) Getting the on-site privileges of Disney.

2) Getting to round out our DVC experience. We'll be staying at 6 of the 7 Orlando DVC properties this year (Bay Lake is the only one we can't get into yet).

3) The three we're staying at on this trip will be Old Key West (the biggest rooms of all the DVC properties), Boardwalk Villas (short walk to Epcot!) and Wilderness Lodge (boat ride to Magic Kingdom).

4) The dates were perfect, and all were 2BR units.

5) The total cost is still really cheap (under $100/night).

 

[MichaelColey]

Michael have you ever deposited your Orlando weeks you own with RCI? From what I understand if you OWN at even one orlando resort RCI blocks you from ever trading into DVC. You said you couldn't use your orlando deposits to trade for Disney. Am I mistaken about being blocked from trading for Disney if you own an Orlando resort or have they just not caught you yet?

Yes, I have Orlando deposits in my account.

In RCI Weeks, you just can't trade your Orlando weeks for Orlando DVC units. You can still trade other weeks for them, though.

In RCI Points, if you have any Orlando points, you can't use any of your points for DVC.

 

[tombo]

Yes, I have Orlando deposits in my account.

In RCI Weeks, you just can't trade your Orlando weeks for Orlando DVC units. You can still trade other weeks for them, though.

In RCI Points, if you have any Orlando points, you can't use any of your points for DVC.

This is straight from RCI weeks available units section under urgent information which is listed under every Disney resort on the RCI weeks site:
".*MEMBERS WHO OWN AT RCI RESORTS WITHIN A 30-MILE RADIUS OF ORLANDO CAN'T EXCH.INTO DVC RSTS. NO PETS OR SMOKING ONSITE!"

That doesn't say you can't use an orlando week to exchange for Disney, it says if you own at an RCI resort within 30 miles of Orlando you can't exchange into a Disney resort. Log onto RCI and check it out for yourself. There is no other way tro read the rule other than you can't exchange for a Disney resort since you own within 30 mles of Orlando.

Someone else here on TUG might call Disney for you and verify this is true since i am sure you don't want to call and give your account number to ask them about your 3 confirmed exchanges, but you can't trade for Disney if you own an Orlando area resort (which you do) according to RCI week rules.

I wish you the best and hope all 3 of your Disney exchange weeks hold up but I would be more than a little nervous. I talked to a person who in the past confirmed an RCI exchange at a 1 in 3 resort, and when they arrived they were not allowed to check in because they had stayed there 2 years prior. RCI did find them a local exchange to replace the one they were denied, but the resort would not bend the 1 in 3 rule, even when RCI asked them to. It would be bad to have all your travel plans made and RCI catch the fact that you own in Orlando and cancel your exchanges.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have six ongoing searches since the November changes, and not one has come through for me. My RCI account apparently doesn't work. I know you all think I am joking, but truly this is the case. I think my account has something wrong with it.

I enter searches with II and get matches all the time. RCI-nothing, nada, zilch.

 

[tombo]

I have six ongoing searches since the November changes, and not one has come through for me. My RCI account apparently doesn't work. I know you all think I am joking, but truly this is the case. I think my account has something wrong with it.

I enter searches with II and get matches all the time. RCI-nothing, nada, zilch.

How did you miss the huge deposit listed on TUG sightings? There were tons of one and 2 bed summer weeks. I still think you are kidding but if you aren't there are still quite a few one bed room and studio summer weeks left. Just search orlando area and quite a few will still pop up but all the 2 bed units are gone and all of the Animal Kingdom units of any type are gone.

 

[MichaelColey]

This is straight from RCI weeks available units section under urgent information which is listed under every Disney resort on the RCI weeks site:
".*MEMBERS WHO OWN AT RCI RESORTS WITHIN A 30-MILE RADIUS OF ORLANDO CAN'T EXCH.INTO DVC RSTS. NO PETS OR SMOKING ONSITE!"

That doesn't say you can't use an orlando week to exchange for Disney, it says if you own at an RCI resort within 30 miles of Orlando you can't exchange into a Disney resort. Log onto RCI and check it out for yourself. There is no other way tro read the rule other than you can't exchange for a Disney resort since you own within 30 mles of Orlando.

That's what it says, but what I've posted is how it's actually implemented. Numerous people have confirmed the same.

 

[FREEDOM 54]

RCI matches

I have six ongoing searches since the November changes, and not one has come through for me. My RCI account apparently doesn't work. I know you all think I am joking, but truly this is the case. I think my account has something wrong with it.

I enter searches with II and get matches all the time. RCI-nothing, nada, zilch.

this may be a shot in the dark but I was searching with a credit card that wasn't active anymore and had similar problems getting a match. RCI let me initiate the search online with that card, but when matches came up they were never locked up. just a thought.

jerry

 

[bellesgirl]

this may be a shot in the dark but I was searching with a credit card that wasn't active anymore and had similar problems getting a match. RCI let me initiate the search online with that card, but when matches came up they were never locked up. just a thought.

jerry

I have had a zero balance on my account and have had matches on my searches. But I do not have an auto confirm on my resort selections. Did you have auto confirm as "Yes"?

 

[sfwilshire]

I have had a zero balance on my account and have had matches on my searches. But I do not have an auto confirm on my resort selections. Did you have auto confirm as "Yes"?

Unless it has changed under the new system, auto confirm just means to book it without calling you first. In the past, the only time they would do that is if the match was 100% exact to a resort you had ask for. Otherwise, they would call.

I don't THINK that would prevent you from making a match, but things may have changed.

Sheila