Good points resort strategy?

[pittsborojim]

My wife & I are in our early 70s. While we still like to travel some, we want to be prepared for the time when we will no longer be able to travel. We owned a points resort for quite a few years that traded for 49,000 RCI points, but the maintenance fee had slowly risen to the point where it is now over $800. We were able to sell that resort, but as it was the only points resort we owned, we had to close our points account with RCI. We do still own a weeks resort. In the past we paid the $29 fee to have the week converted to points, but we are told by RCI that we can no longer do that as we do not have a points resort registered with them. As an aside- that fee has gone up to $79 & we are not sure we really want to pay that much to convert weeks to points. We have seen on eBay that there are resorts offered for almost nothing - some for $1 - that offer a decent amount of RCI points for a very low maintenance fee. For example, if memory serves me well, one in the Orlando areas that trades for 30,000 points with a maintenance fee of around $180. We have been toying with the idea of purchasing one of these to reestablish our points account with RCI. Are there any pitfalls we should be considering? Thanks

 

[CPNY]

My wife & I are in our early 70s. While we still like to travel some, we want to be prepared for the time when we will no longer be able to travel. We owned a points resort for quite a few years that traded for 49,000 RCI points, but the maintenance fee had slowly risen to the point where it is now over $800. We were able to sell that resort, but as it was the only points resort we owned, we had to close our points account with RCI. We do still own a weeks resort. In the past we paid the $29 fee to have the week converted to points, but we are told by RCI that we can no longer do that as we do not have a points resort registered with them. As an aside- that fee has gone up to $79 & we are not sure we really want to pay that much to convert weeks to points. We have seen on eBay that there are resorts offered for almost nothing - some for $1 - that offer a decent amount of RCI points for a very low maintenance fee. For example, if memory serves me well, one in the Orlando areas that trades for 30,000 points with a maintenance fee of around $180. We have been toying with the idea of purchasing one of these to reestablish our points account with RCI. Are there any pitfalls we should be considering? Thanks

If you purchase in Orlando you can’t use those points for DVC so not sure if you wanted a Disney trip. Also, are you sure that’s not a triennial ownership? Seems kind of low maint.

 

[pittsborojim]

That brings up an interesting possibility. Do biennial & triennial resorts charge the maintenance fee & allot the points to RCI just once every 2 or 3 years? If so, using that resort as an "anchor" it would become cost effective to pay the fee to convert weeks to points. Let me explain a bit further - The weeks resort we own is The Wharf Resort in Hot Springs, AR. It is a little unusual setup. We are never required to pay a maintenance unless we need a week. We are allowed to pay several maintenance fees in a given year to get more weeks. The reason we bought this was that we would not be committed to maintenance fees if we were unable to vacation a particular year. Our thought was that once we ran low on points or weeks, depending upon which exchange mode we wanted to use, we would pay the fees just before we need the week or points. So a low maintenance points resort would establish the points account we would need operate like that. Does this sound like a logical strategy?

 

[montygz]

My wife & I are in our early 70s. While we still like to travel some, we want to be prepared for the time when we will no longer be able to travel. We owned a points resort for quite a few years that traded for 49,000 RCI points, but the maintenance fee had slowly risen to the point where it is now over $800. We were able to sell that resort, but as it was the only points resort we owned, we had to close our points account with RCI. We do still own a weeks resort. In the past we paid the $29 fee to have the week converted to points, but we are told by RCI that we can no longer do that as we do not have a points resort registered with them. As an aside- that fee has gone up to $79 & we are not sure we really want to pay that much to convert weeks to points. We have seen on eBay that there are resorts offered for almost nothing - some for $1 - that offer a decent amount of RCI points for a very low maintenance fee. For example, if memory serves me well, one in the Orlando areas that trades for 30,000 points with a maintenance fee of around $180. We have been toying with the idea of purchasing one of these to reestablish our points account with RCI. Are there any pitfalls we should be considering? Thanks

Grandview Las Vegas would be a good option as well.

 

[SmithOp]

How much longer before you no longer travel? It may be time now to think about getting rid of the week you have left, not taking on another obligation. You can get rid of the week and still keep the RCI membership to use for cash deals.

IMO anyone in their 70s should stay away from buying more timeshares. How many stories have we read on here of kids dealing with purchases their parents made late in life? How many stories of seniors being conned by fast talking timeshare salesmen?

IMO if you can’t get 20 years use out of a timeshare, its time to stop buying. I’ve owned 19 years now, not buying any more.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[CPNY]

How much longer before you no longer travel? It may be time now to think about getting rid of the week you have left, not taking on another obligation. You can get rid of the week and still keep the RCI membership to use for cash deals.

IMO anyone in their 70s should stay away from buying more timeshares. How many stories have we read on here of kids dealing with purchases their parents made late in life? How many stories of seniors being conned by fast talking timeshare salesmen?

IMO if you can’t get 20 years use out of a timeshare, its time to stop buying. I’ve owned 19 years now, not buying any more.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Couldn’t agree more. They sold my 70 year old mother HGVC. I was shocked, here is someone that has a TS, it’s a thorn. In her side and she owns a great resort at a great week. She wants out because she travels elsewhere and then here she is buying another contract. Sales people prey on retirees. It’s terrible. I read here a man purchased 78K for flex that he could get free on resale market and I don’t think he rescinded. He hasn’t been back after asking for advice so that tells me he called sales and re sold him and never came back here. 78K gone. What a shame.

 

[AwayWeGo]

The Chief Of Staff & I are in our late 70s (not that there's anything wrong with that). We downsized our timeshare ownership to the bare minimum -- a triennial 1BR points unit out in Las Vegas (Grandview), eBay all the way. It's good for 16,333 RCI points per year, meaning as a practical matter that we have to rely on off-season & last-minute reservations for our own timeshare vacations. Maintenance fees are billed annually. For 2020, the amount is $137.50.

When we started hunting RCI reservations for our January 2020 Florida timeshare vacation, we were out of points because we had already used up our total points balance. Not only that, we had used up the following year's points by borrowing ahead. We were looking for 3 1-week timeshare reservations with zero points & no ability to borrow any more.

By searching RCI's web site frequently in November & December 2019, we were able to snag 3 consecutive week-long reservations for nice Kissimmee FL timeshares, 1 a sale-priced Extra Vacation Getaway (2BR unit) plus 2 back-to-back Last Calls (1BR partial kitchen). The Last Calls were at a favorite timeshare where we used to be owners (Vacation Village At Parkway). The Extra Vacation Getaway was our 1st reservation at a timeshare we had seen dozens of times without realizing it was a timeshare resort (Fantasy World Resort). We had a nice time for 3 straight weeks.

When we start looking for January 2021 timeshare reservations, we'll have 16,333 points available plus the option to borrow 16,333 more from the following year's allotment, also the ability to pay for more points if needed to complete a points reservation (up to a maximum of 1/2 of our annual 16,333 points). We'll still look out for nice Last Call & Extra Vacation Getaway reservations, but 1st we'll see what we can snag via the points version of Last Call (7-night reservations for 10,000 points or below).

Years ago we scored outstanding back-to-back Orlando 3BR timeshare reservations for 7,500 points apiece via what back then was called Instant Exchange. For next year, we'll be super happy if we can snag back-to-back-to-back 2BR reservations using our meager accumulation of points. Otherwise, it's back to Last Call & Extra Vacation Getaway.

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

 

[CPNY]

The Chief Of Staff & I are in our late 70s (not that there's anything wrong with that). We downsized our timeshare ownership to the bare minimum -- a triennial 1BR points unit out in Las Vegas (Grandview). It's good for 16,333 RCI points per year, meaning as a practical matter that we have to rely on off-season & last-minute reservations for our own timeshare vacations. Maintenance fees are billed annually. For 2020, the amount is $137.50.

When we started hunting RCI reservations for our January 2020 Florida timeshare vacation, we were out of points because we had already used up our total points balance. Not only that, we had used up the following year's points by borrowing ahead. We were looking for 3 1-week timeshare reservations with zero points & no ability to borrow any more.

By searching RCI's web site frequently in November & December 2019, we were able to snag 3 consecutive week-long reservations for nice Kissimmee FL timeshares, 1 a sale-priced Extra Vacation Getaway (2BR unit) plus 2 back-to-back Last Calls (1BR partial kitchen). The Last Calls were at a favorite timeshare where we used to be owners (Vacation Village At Parkway). The Extra Vacation Getaway was at our 1st time at a timeshare we had seen dozens of times without realizing it was a timeshare resort (Fantasy World Resort). We had a nice time for 3 straight weeks.

When we start looking for January 2021 timeshare reservations, we'll have 16,333 points available plus the option to borrow 16,333 more from the following year's allotment, also the ability to pay for more points if needed to complete a points reservation (up to a maximum of 1/2 of our annual 16,333 points). We'll still look out for nice Last Call & Extra Vacation Getaway reservations, but 1st we'll see what we can snag via the points version of Last Call (7-night reservations for 10,000 points or below).

Years ago we scored back-to-back Orlando 3BR timeshare reservations for 7,500 points apiece via what back then was called Instant Exchange. For next year, we'll be super happy if we can snag back-to-back-to-back 2BR reservations using our meager accumulation of points. Otherwise, it's back to Last Call & Extra Vacation Getaway.

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

This is awesome information thanks! So triennial usage you actually get points to use each year? It’s just if you wait until the 3rd year you get the full amount of points the contract is worth? Am I understanding that correctly? So points every year, maint fee every year, usage every year but full amount would only be if you wait until the 3rd year? So you can pull the following year points in RCI for a reservation in a current year usage? Unfamiliar with RCI points

@yerrato this is triennial I was mentioning. See stick around you’ll learn something. I was unsure about triennial but if I’m understanding correctly may be something you want to look into.

 

[quhines]

"This is awesome information thanks! So triennial usage you actually get points to use each year? It’s just if you wait until the 3rd year you get the full amount of points the contract is worth? Am I understanding that correctly? So points every year, maint fee every year, usage every year but full amount would only be if you wait until the 3rd year? So you can pull the following year points in RCI for a reservation in a current year usage? Unfamiliar with RCI points"


It works that way for some, and not all. I have Biennial at Vacation Village @ Weston, and I get my full point option every other year. MF is also paid every other year. I assume it is all based upon the estoppel, and what was originally sold.

 

[Panina]

How much longer before you no longer travel? It may be time now to think about getting rid of the week you have left, not taking on another obligation. You can get rid of the week and still keep the RCI membership to use for cash deals.

IMO anyone in their 70s should stay away from buying more timeshares. How many stories have we read on here of kids dealing with purchases their parents made late in life? How many stories of seniors being conned by fast talking timeshare salesmen?

IMO if you can’t get 20 years use out of a timeshare, its time to stop buying. I’ve owned 19 years now, not buying any more.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

There are people in their 70’s, later 70’s too that are active and travel and then there are those that can’t. I have met quite a few in their mid 80’s and older too, that travel that look so much younger. And then there are those my age approaching 60 that sit home and complain of aches and pains.

What I am trying to convey, if you can travel and want to travel and can afford to travel or own timeshares do it. Live each moment and enjoy as long as you can because even the next minute is not a guarantee. Of course live within your means without burdening your family.

 

[moonstone]

This is awesome information thanks! So triennial usage you actually get points to use each year? It’s just if you wait until the 3rd year you get the full amount of points the contract is worth? Am I understanding that correctly? So points every year, maint fee every year, usage every year but full amount would only be if you wait until the 3rd year? So you can pull the following year points in RCI for a reservation in a current year usage? Unfamiliar with RCI points

We also own RCI points with a Vacation Village affiliated resort. Our total amount of points are assigned on every other (odd) year. We found out the hard way when we first obtained the points that if we didn't use any of our allotted points during our first year of their assignment RCI charged us a small fee. I don't remember exactly how much but it was under $100. I called RCI to complain that it was an 2 year usage but the rep quoted a section of the fine print (maybe just for our type of ownership) that stated there would be a fee if no points were used during the first year. YMMV

We really enjoy the points, especially now in our retirement, as we can book a 10 night stay (at some resorts) for the same exchange fee as a 7 night stay. We also have a deeded week but never paid to convert it to points. Now we just book a points stay to add onto it and extend our vacation.


~Diane

 

[AwayWeGo]

So triennial usage you actually get points to use each year? It’s just if you wait until the 3rd year you get the full amount of points the contract is worth? Am I understanding that correctly? So points every year, maint fee every year, usage every year but full amount would only be if you wait until the 3rd year? So you can pull the following year points in RCI for a reservation in a current year usage?

RCI Points lets us save last year's points & use this year's points & borrow ahead on next year's points. That's the only way of accumulating our triennial unit's full use-year points value (49,000 points we can exchange all at once) without getting into paid points-extension, etc.

The timeshare bills us every year for an estimated 1/3 of the use-year's maintenance fee. If their estimate is off for our off-year amounts, they make a correction when the bill for our use year rolls round. Regardless, every year we get 1/3 of the use-year points value.

We formerly owned a triennial points unit in Florida that billed us the full maintenance fee amount for our use-year & nothing for our 2 off years -- i.e., we got billed for maintenance fees just 1 year out of 3 (& no bills in our off years). They still annually delivered 1/3 of the use-year points. Before that we owned a Florida non-points biennial timeshare that every year billed us for 1/2 the use-year's maintenance fees -- estimated amount in the off year & correct adjusted amount in the use year. Different timeshares handle it different ways, even within the same timeshare chain.

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

 

[CPNY]

RCI Points lets us save last year's points & use this year's points & borrow ahead on next year's points. That's the only way of accumulating our triennial unit's full use-year points value (49,000 points we can exchange all at once) without getting into paid points-extension, etc.

The timeshare bills us every year for an estimated 1/3 of the use-year's maintenance fee. If their estimate is off for our off-year amounts, they make a correction when the bill for our use year rolls round. Regardless, every year we get 1/3 of the use-year points value.

We formerly owned a triennial points unit in Florida that billed us the full maintenance fee amount for our use-year & nothing for our 2 off years -- i.e., we got billed for maintenance fees just 1 year out of 3 (& no bills in our off years). They still annually delivered 1/3 of the use-year points. Before that we owned a Florida non-points biennial timeshare that every year billed us for 1/2 the use-year's maintenance fees -- estimated amount in the off year & correct adjusted amount in the use year. Different timeshares handle it different ways, even within the same timeshare chain.

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

Thank you! What about annual usage? Does RCI allow you to bank borrow and use current year or can you bank two years?

 

[AwayWeGo]

What about annual usage? Does RCI allow you to bank borrow and use current year or can you bank two years?

With RCI Points, it's automatic. The points go right into our RCI Points account automatically every year. We can save last year's points, use this year's, & borrow next year's -- our option.

If we ever wanted to use our own paid-for time in our own deeded points timeshare unit (highly unlikely), we would have to communicate that to RCI well in advance so that arrangements could be made for us not to receive the points for the 3-year period covering that 1 week of actual timeshare use.

Deciding to bank or not to bank a timeshare unit is strictly an RCI Weeks thing. (Same for other comparable weeks-based exchange systems.) Points get banked automatically.

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

 

[CPNY]

With RCI Points, it's automatic. The points go right into our RCI Points account automatically every year. We can save last year's points, use this year's, & borrow next year's -- our option.

If we ever wanted to use our own paid-for time in our own deeded points timeshare unit (highly unlikely), we would have to communicate that to RCI well in advance so that arrangements could be made for us not to receive the points for the 3-year period covering that 1 week of actual timeshare use.

Deciding to bank or not to bank a timeshare unit is strictly an RCI Weeks thing. (Same for other comparable weeks-based exchange systems.) Points get banked automatically.

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

Btw just saw tobacco free 68! Amazing. After on and off again for 25 years I’m finally 2 years off and fully off. No desire to go back

 

[AwayWeGo]

Btw just saw tobacco free 68! Amazing. After on and off again for 25 years I’m finally 2 years off and fully off. No desire to go back

Congratulations on getting the tobacco monkey off your back.

But stay vigilant -- quitting is 1 thing & staying quit can be something else again.

(And if you ever get an overwhelming urge for that rich tobacco flavor & that smooth tobacco taste, you can always go lick an ash tray.)

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

 

[CPNY]

Congratulations on getting the tobacco monkey off your back.

But stay vigilant -- quitting is 1 thing & staying quit can be something else again.

(And if you ever get an overwhelming urge for that rich tobacco flavor & that smooth tobacco taste, you can always go lick an ash tray.)

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

Ha so true! I think after the last time I had a pack after two years and I was congested and coughing for 6 months months after I’m done!