Celebrity to RCI Points....Again!

[sjschuster]

I own a 2BR fixed week "season 4" at Celebrity Steamboat Springs Suites. "Season 4" is defined as the week that includes New Years Day, so I essentially own a fixed week 52 (I don't have access to week 53). I have never traded this week, as I have either used it or rented it. (RCI doesn't even know I own this week)

Last Spring (March, 2009) Celebrity had a call to try and convince me to convert the week to RCI Points, which I gracefully declined. (I am also an owner of RCI points and use them extensively). Essentially, having points, I would lose my ability to reserve this fixed week - which is why I obtained this week. (I say obtained because I paid $0 for it several years back). I don't even remember what Celebrity wanted to charge me, but $0.01 was too much in my mind to convert to points. (I think it was > $6000 to start, which they dropped during the call). They tried to appeal to me be telling me how flexible RCI points were, but like I said, I already know that. Anyway, the call lasted about 45 minutes.

Well, now they call again and said that they didn't get enough takers and have lowered the prices and are trying to get more owners to sign up. I have a call set up for next week. I already know what my answer is. They don't really understand that I have a fixed week, one of the prime fixed weeks in a ski town. I'll hear them out, but NO is my answer.

Anyone else in this boat? This is optional, right? I'll post the details of their "offer" after our meeting.

Are there any advantages that I am missing? My points portfolio (points resort + PFD) has a avg. cost of $0.0055 per point, so in my mind I'd be crazy to jump at a chance to get 56k points for $900+ MF. I would also lose my ability to reserve this prime week and the ability to rent it out.

 

[elaine]

you are not crazy

if you have a deeded unit, then there is nothing they can do to change your week. I am in the same boat. I have a deeded 2nd week Aug. NC beach week. Why on earth would I ever want to trade that into points? Stand firm. Elaine

 

[rickandcindy23]

Are there any advantages that I am missing? My points portfolio (points resort + PFD) has a avg. cost of $0.0055 per point, so in my mind I'd be crazy to jump at a chance to get 56k points for $900+ MF. I would also lose my ability to reserve this prime week and the ability to rent it out.

Your points are that cheap? How in the world did you get them so cheaply? I need to know your secret. Did you get them through Scott Riddle? You can PM me, if you wish.

 

[LynnW]

You would never lose the right to your deeded week if you converted to points. You just call RCI Points 12 to 13 months out and say you are using it. You can then do what ever you want with it, use it, rent it out or give it to another exchange company. But it makes no sense to convert if you use the week every year unless of course this is not a deeded week.

Lynn

 

[sjschuster]

Your points are that cheap? How in the world did you get them so cheaply? I need to know your secret. Did you get them through Scott Riddle? You can PM me, if you wish.

I sent you a PM with the details....

 

[sjschuster]

You would never lose the right to your deeded week if you converted to points. You just call RCI Points 12 to 13 months out and say you are using it. You can then do what ever you want with it, use it, rent it out or give it to another exchange company. But it makes no sense to convert if you use the week every year unless of course this is not a deeded week.

Lynn

I do have a deeded week. If I remember, they were going to try change it to a floating week in the transaction, but I can't remember. I'll find out what they are offereing next week, but my answer is still NO!

 

[rickandcindy23]

I sent you a PM with the details....

Thanks again for the info. You are a wise man!

 

[JudyS]

...
Are there any advantages that I am missing? My points portfolio (points resort + PFD) has a avg. cost of $0.0055 per point, so in my mind I'd be crazy to jump at a chance to get 56k points for $900+ MF. I would also lose my ability to reserve this prime week and the ability to rent it out.

If Celebrity is considered a "Home Group", RCI Points would give you priority booking into other Celebrity resorts. However, didn't Celebrity recently declare bankruptcy? In that case, some of their resorts may eventually choose other management companies, and they would no longer be part of the Home Group.

RCI Points would also give you priority booking of RCI Points units at your home resort -- but you already have what is probably the best week in the year, so that's not terribly useful, either.

This is a lousy deal for you. That's why Celebrity is pushing so hard for you to take it. Say NO!

Like Cindy, I'm interested in how you get your points cost so low. It would be great if you PM'd me with the details!

 

[caribbean]

No you are right. If you do not intend to trade the week, then there is no value to converting to points. Points are only for trading. Why pay money to convert for something you will not use. Don't get me wrong, I have two weeks in points and love them for trading, but I also have other weeks that I use for other purposes. Keeping a foot in every door is the best way, RCI points, RCI and II weeks, and home use only.