Anyone with Experience Renting RCI Weeks Through Corporate Travel Agencies? (Specifically VacationsNearMe.com)

[srib]

Hi everyone,

I'm seeking information about VacationsNearMe.com, a company claiming to specialize in renting RCI weeks to corporate clients. They cold-called me recently with a surprising offer: they claim they can rent my available weeks for over $1600 each! However, they require a $500 per week upfront advertising fee. What's strange is they seemed to know almost exactly how many weeks I have available.

This upfront fee structure, combined with their limited online presence (they say it's due to their focus on corporate sales), has me feeling cautious. I'm having trouble finding any reviews or independent information about their services.

If you have experience with corporate travel or RCI rentals, especially if you've worked with VacationsNearMe.com or a similar agency, I'd greatly appreciate your insights.

Here are some specific questions I have:

• Have you used VacationsNearMe.com or a similar corporate-focused travel agency to rent your RCI weeks?
• What were your experiences with their services, including their fee structure?
• Did they achieve the promised rental rates?
• Were there any issues with fees, contracts, or communication?
• Did they also contact you via cold call?

Any information you can provide would be very helpful!

Thanks,
Sri

 

[Janann]

There are two big red flags:
1. It is a violation of RCI's rules to rent out an exchange. That being said, many people do it anyway without getting caught.
2. The rental agency requires an upfront fee of $500.

If this company provided a real service, we would all be signing up.

 

[DeniseM]

This is a common SCAM!

 

[SmithOp]

Run Forest Run, it's a scam.

 

[stmartinfan]

This is a scam that's been around a while. My husband and I both worked for several large companies in our careers and I can't think of an example of the kind of corporate event or travel situation that would have a company turning to a timeshare rental agency. It's just not a practical approach they would take for business trips, corporate retreats or even prize trips for top employees.

 

[RX8]

SCAM!

An old scam, they keep popping up because people keep falling for them. It is all lies. They are not renting to corporations. They do not attend corporate events. They do nothing but collect upfront fees to steal your money. Below is a thread that is similar to your scam.

[ 2012 ] RCI Bonus Weeks [ Cannot be rented - this is a scam ]

I just got a call from Mike at Premium Timeshare Exchange asking if I was interested in renting out any of my 3 RCI bonus weeks that I have that expire at the end of the year. I am not aware that I have any bonus weeks in RCI. I certainly can't see them in my account. I suspect that this is some...

tugbbs.com

By the way, their website was created about two years ago. One thing scammers will do, and it is a shock, is that they will lie about things on their website. Note their website below and a similar scam website (they may be the same scammer). Check out “Shannon’s” testimonial at the bottom of the pages. They are exact except for the name of the company, obviously a fake and made up testimonial. Edited: In looking at the other testimonials (googling the verbiage), they too were originally for My Points Unlimited. It appears that these two scammers are related.

Vacations Near Me - Find your perfect stay

A trusted industry leader, Vacations Near Me provides our clients with immediate access to the world’s best resorts and exclusive incentives

vacationsnearme.com

Points Unlimited

mypointsunlimited.com

https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/deland/profile/point-of-sale-systems/my-points-unlimited-0733-235963296

 

[srib]

I am not aware that RCI weeks can’t be rented out. Good to know. Can we give them away to friends, or donate them for a charity?

 

[Janann]

I am not aware that RCI weeks can’t be rented out. Good to know. Can we give them away to friends, or donate them for a charity?

Yes.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Scamma Ramma Ding Dong.

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

 

[TUGBrian]

one of the most common scams today. noone legitimate makes cold calls to owners. just scammers.