Best RCI Option through HGVC Membership

[Socallocal]

Anyone have a great RCI experience and want to share their favorite RCI vacation?

I know that booking RCI isn’t the best way to use points, but I’m curious if there are any RCI options that are worth it?

 

[HuskerATL]

Hilton Clubs can be a great bargain. You can get stays for less points than through HGVC. Also, many HGVC are less points. You can book HCNY that aren't bookable by non-owners. About 3k points for a week in a studio for the NYC properties.

 

[Mr.G]

I use last call which only cost me $300 for a week. Need to be flexible

 

[Talent312]

We've used the option for...
-- Angel's Camp near Yosemite NP
-- Holmes Beach & Sanibel. SW Florida
-- Panama City Beach, Florida
-- New Orleans (for the Jazz Festival)
-- The Outer Banks, NC
-- NYC (Manhattan Club)
.

 

[alwysonvac]

In the past, I've exchanged into Disney (when they were with RCI) and the Hiltons in NYC and Hawaii using my non-HGVC ownership.

Keep in mind with RCI availability and quality will vary by resort. Here are a few you can find under RCI Exchanges and RCI Exra Vacations (a few under RCI Last Call)

• Hilton Grand Vacation Club
• Diamond Resorts (aka Hilton Vacation Club)
• Bluegreen Vacations
• Fiesta Americana Vacation Club
• Holiday Inn Club Vacations
• Club Wyndham
• WorldMark by Wyndham
• Shell Vacations Club
• Grand Pacific Resorts
• Morritt's Vacation Club (Grand Cayman)
• Divi Vacation Club (Caribbean resorts)
• Crane (Barbados)
• Tradewinds (cruise via catamaran)
• various resorts in Mexico (Grand Mayan, Grand Bliss, Grand Luxxe, etc)
• few Westgate, older Marriotts/Sheratons

HGVC owners have access to RCI Points inventory (which allows nightly stays at some resorts starting at 10 months ) and RCI Weeks Inventory (which allows weekly stays with some starting at two years out). With RCI you have exchange fees and various resort fees. Pay attention to the Fees listed under RESORT DETAILS (see screenshot below). No changeable reservation option but cancellation protection option for a fee.

 

[Janann]

I know that booking RCI isn’t the best way to use points

I disagree on this. The points for RCI are almost always lower, but the exchange fee will be higher. HGVC locations are quite limited compared to RCI.

Here are some of my favorite, not too difficult RCI trades. I didn't include the almost-impossible trades that I've gotten in the past.

• The Manhattan Club, New York City
• Fiesta Americana, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Club Wyndham La Cascada, San Antonio, Texas
• Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort, Aruba
• Windjammer Landing, St. Lucia

I saw on your profile that you are a TUG member. Be sure to go to the resort reviews section on TUG and look at the list of "Top RCI Timeshares."

 

[GT75]

Fiesta Americana, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Any additional resort fees such as AI?

 

[buzglyd]

Any additional resort fees such as AI?

Fiesta Americana is mandatory AI although there is an RCI code for non-mandatory, sightings are rare.

 

[buzglyd]

Off the top of my head:

Carlsbad Inn
Charter Club Marco Island
Hilton Club NYC
Playa Grande

 

[alwysonvac]

Also check out RCI Extra Vacations for cash rentals (no exchange fee required). At some resorts, RCI Extra Vacations can be available up to two years in advance.

Here's what I currently see for the HGVC resorts (see screen captures). It's not all HGVC locations and all dates but it's available months in advance (insstead of HGVC's 30 day open season rates) and sometimes the prices is only slightly higher or better than HGVC open season rates (although prices do vary throughout the year based on demand).

Also, you can find lower rental prices at other RCI resorts but I suggest that you research prior to booking to make sure the resort meets your needs in terms of quality & resort amenities.

 

[HuskerATL]

Also check out RCI Extra Vacations for cash rentals (no exchange fee required). At some resorts, RCI Extra Vacations can be available up to two years in advance.

Here's what I currently see for the HGVC resorts (see screen captures). It's not all HGVC locations and all dates but it's available months in advance (insstead of HGVC's 30 day open season rates) and sometimes the prices is only slightly higher or better than HGVC open season rates (although prices do vary throughout the year based on demand).

Also, you can find lower rental prices at other RCI resorts but I suggest that you research prior to booking to make sure the resort meets your needs in terms of quality & resort amenities.


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I see that you are searching from the Worldmark version of RCI, it would be interesting to compare to the HGV version of RCI. Do you see any availability for DRI/HVC properties? A quick comparison looks like the HGV version matches for HGV/HC but when I compare the cash price to OS, OS is cheaper, at least for me since I am Elite Premier and get a 30% discount on OS. For example, Paradise is $899 for a week in January but OS is $634.

 

[pedro47]

Will HGV new members (DRI) have to join RCI to access RCI resorts and at what costs?

 

[HuskerATL]

Will HGV new members (DRI) have to join RCI to access RCI resorts and at what costs?

I thought DRI members get access to RCI via DeX?

 

[pedro47]

Excellent, Thanks you HuskerATL. .

 

[alwysonvac]

In the HGVC portal, just type in the timeshare system name (see screen capture below for the Hilton resorts).
For example
- Hilton Grand Vacations Resorts (this includes Hilton Club resorts).
- Wyndham Vacation Resorts
- Worldmark by Wyndham Resorts
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations
- Grand Pacific Resorts
- Bluegreen Vacations Resorts

For the DRI and Embarc resorts, you have to search by resort code since they have been renamed. Hopefully RCI will create a separate grouping in the future.

 

[HuskerATL]

In the HGVC portal, just type in the timeshare system name (see screen capture below for the Hilton resorts).
For example
- Hilton Grand Vacations Resorts (this includes Hilton Club resorts).
- Wyndham Vacation Resorts
- Worldmark by Wyndham Resorts
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations
- Grand Pacific Resorts
- Bluegreen Vacations Resorts

For the DRI and Embarc resorts, you have to search by resort code since they have been renamed. Hopefully RCI will create a separate groupiing in the future.


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I have found them but most have no availability. I did find Cabo Azul has availability and one in Vegas so it really is hit or miss. the HGVC Embarc never do...or, at least, I have never seen any availability.

 

[alwysonvac]

I have found them but most have no availability. I did find Cabo Azul has availability and one in Vegas so it really is hit or miss. the HGVC Embarc never do...or, at least, I have never seen any availability.

Yes, that's the benefit of ownership.
You'll find better availability within the internal mini system than the exchange companies.
All resorts, all weeks and all unit types are not deposited into an exchange company (especially at higher demand resorts). That's why flexibility is very important with exchanges companies.

Some resorts/systems have dual membership in both RCI & Interval International when that happens sometime you'll see more deposits in one system compared to another.
Some Embarc and DRI resorts have deposits into both. There have been bulk deposits sighted for Embarc in Interval (see screen capture below). Just search the TUG Sightings Forum (link)

 

[HuskerATL]

I have been kicking around trying II with one of our Craig Lodges weeks since they can be exchanged in II.

 

[alwysonvac]

I have been kicking around trying II with one of our Craig Lodges weeks since they can be exchanged in II.

Here’s the travel demand index for Craigendarroch Lodges

A high demand week will offer better trading power.

 

[HuskerATL]

Here’s the travel demand index for Craigendarroch Lodges

A high demand week will offer better trading power.

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That is great, thank you. I have weeks throughout the year so I can pick a high demand week.

 

[cd5]

I have found them but most have no availability. I did find Cabo Azul has availability and one in Vegas so it really is hit or miss. the HGVC Embarc never do...or, at least, I have never seen any availability.

Embarc not available in RCI:
That's because only legacy members who kept their RCI membership in the early 2000's when Intrawest switched back to Interval can trade in RCI. Not very many... Embarc trades in Interval - RCI hasn't accepted individual Embarc members since the switch.

 

[Zenichiro]

You could easily live in Orlando for months on a budget of $1500 to $2000 per month, taking advantage of Open Season and Last Call deals. If you throw in your HGV points, the cost drops even more. This option is much more affordable than owning a vacation home, letting you enjoy Orlando’s delights without the hefty price tag.

 

[anderik1]

I have been kicking around trying II with one of our Craig Lodges weeks since they can be exchanged in II.

One more option to consider is registering for II and using Getaways (cash for stays).

 

[HuskerATL]

One more option to consider is registering for II and using Getaways (cash for stays).

I am looking at that now with SFX which just had a Cabo Azul studio for a week for $399.

 

[mogulman]

You could easily live in Orlando for months on a budget of $1500 to $2000 per month, taking advantage of Open Season and Last Call deals. If you throw in your HGV points, the cost drops even more. This option is much more affordable than owning a vacation home, letting you enjoy Orlando’s delights without the hefty price tag.

Seems like you would be living out of your suitcase… moving from unit to unit.. checking out at 11:00 then not being able to check in until 4:00…