HGVC benefits with RCI and exchange weeks

[esquared]

Hello - New HGVC member about a year and a half ago. Trying to figure out how to maximize this purchase that I have been regretting. When we were sold the timeshare we were told we had unlimited RCI vacations. However, when I booked to go to CABO last summer, it actually used my HGVC points. WTH?! Clearly I did it wrong.

Fast forward - about 3 weeks ago I get a call from a company that wants to sell my RCI getaway weeks. I have unlimited weeks. Anyway they want money, while intrigued, and they got me for a second, I was able to get my money back due to their 4 days to change your mind clause. But it intrigued me... If i have unlimited getaway weeks... HOW DO I BOOK THEM?!

Also, when I booked Fiesta Americana via RCI in Cabo, I apparently did it wrong as they exchange with HGVC. Additionally, I have found the RCI resorts appear to be very low quality. If HGVC has the best properties, then how come when I search on the HGVC site, I only have like 10 destinations to choose from, most of which are in the USA? (We are Hilton diamond members, so if we go state side it is almost better to use HHonors points.)

Please help! My husband and I really want to take advantage of this to the max. We are young and childless and we have the time to take vacations now... I just can't figure out the damn booking site.

Thanks!

 

[Talent312]

When you use the HGVC website to book an RCI "Exchange," you will pay a booking fee and points will be deducted for the stay based on the selection you make. The required number of points is disclosed to you prior to booking. That's what an exchange is -- an exchange for your points.

OTOH, if you want to pay cash for a stay, you can do a "Last Call" search. You can choose this option by clicking on "Exchange Vacations" link at the top of the page, or if you do an "Advanced Search," by clicking the Last Call Only box.

HGVC has long been criticized for having too few locations; however, in the past few years, they have been expanding destinations in places like Utah, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and soon Maui. Another issue is that most of their affiliated-resorts cannot be booked online and require a phone call (like if you want to stay in SW Florida).

It's never a good idea to hook up with any travel service that calls you out-of-the-blue (cold calls) -- they are usually scams or there's restrictions that make what they're selling unusable. "If it sounds too good to be true, it [almost always] is."
.

 

[esquared]

How do I find a list of their inventory? I'm ok with having to call to make the reservation (albeit annoying) - but how do I find other destinations? The website shows: Orlando, Park City, Breckenridge, Vegas, NYC, etc. limited options.

 

[Talent312]

Go To -- http://www.hgvclubprogram.com/
... It's also available under "My Resources" in the member's website.

Then click on "Resort Collection." you can change "Show 4" to "Show All."

 

[presley]

There are additional rentals available in RCI that you won't be able to see in the Hilton portal. We can only see Last Calls. You can call HGVC and ask about specific locations and dates if you want to pay rental rates. They won't be cheap.

 

[holdaer]

Go To -- http://www.hgvclubprogram.com/
... It's also available under "My Resources" in the member's website.

Then click on "Resort Collection." you can change "Show 4" to "Show All."

Another option on the member's website is to click on "My Club" and then click on "Resort Collection" and then click on 'Resort Gallery'. This view lists all resorts at once and now includes information on "Grand Islander".

 

[alexadeparis]

Hello - New HGVC member about a year and a half ago. Trying to figure out how to maximize this purchase that I have been regretting. When we were sold the timeshare we were told we had unlimited RCI vacations. However, when I booked to go to CABO last summer, it actually used my HGVC points. WTH?! Clearly I did it wrong.

Fast forward - about 3 weeks ago I get a call from a company that wants to sell my RCI getaway weeks. I have unlimited weeks. Anyway they want money, while intrigued, and they got me for a second, I was able to get my money back due to their 4 days to change your mind clause. But it intrigued me... If i have unlimited getaway weeks... HOW DO I BOOK THEM?!

Also, when I booked Fiesta Americana via RCI in Cabo, I apparently did it wrong as they exchange with HGVC. Additionally, I have found the RCI resorts appear to be very low quality. If HGVC has the best properties, then how come when I search on the HGVC site, I only have like 10 destinations to choose from, most of which are in the USA? (We are Hilton diamond members, so if we go state side it is almost better to use HHonors points.)

Please help! My husband and I really want to take advantage of this to the max. We are young and childless and we have the time to take vacations now... I just can't figure out the damn booking site.

Thanks!

Not sure exactly what the salesman may have told you. Yes, anyone could have unlimited getaway weeks through last call; if you are willing to pay their weekly rates, which are usually equal to or more than the equivalent maintenance fee would be. Just like I could have unlimited airline flights as long as I am willing to pay for all my flights. This is a silly statement.

The bottom line is that from what you are saying, you feel you were promised more than what you are getting. Again, not exactly sure what you were told, but getaways aren't free and picking an exchange in RCI means giving up HGVC points for it, that's not free either.

 

[alwysonvac]

Not sure exactly what the salesman may have told you. Yes, anyone could have unlimited getaway weeks through last call; if you are willing to pay their weekly rates, which are usually equal to or more than the equivalent maintenance fee would be. Just like I could have unlimited airline flights as long as I am willing to pay for all my flights. This is a silly statement.

The bottom line is that from what you are saying, you feel you were promised more than what you are getting. Again, not exactly sure what you were told, but getaways aren't free and picking an exchange in RCI means giving up HGVC points for it, that's not free either.

Rental rates can also be less than maintenance fees

RCI Cash Rental options
There is no exchange fee required.
(1) RCI Extra Vacation - available by phone only (HGVC’s web portal doesn’t support this online feature)
(2) RCI Last Call - available online or by phone (this as a subset of RCI Extra Vacations starting 45 days out)
(3) RCI Open Season - available by phone only (RCI Nightly Rentals can be paid for with cash starting 90 days out. It's my understanding that RCI's Cash Rental Rates are the same prices as HGVC Open Season rates but call HGVC Member Services to confirm.)

See this thread for additonal details - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232485

Price Range Search offered by RCI
$130-$249
$250-$349
$350-$499
$500-$649
$650-$749
$750-$999
$1000+