HGVC/RCI Info

[TTom]

Hi!

I know I can get this information directly from HGVC, but TUG is just so much more convenient for me. (I never remember to call HGVC until they are closed or I am in bed! )

HGVC used to have a system where you could initiate an RCI trade using your HGVC points. At the end of last year, we had an unused week, and we opted to "deposit with RCI", since there did not seem to be an option to request an RCI trade. I'm guessing that this somehow translates to an RCI Points deposit.

Has anyone else done this? How do you use the week/points? Do I just call HGVC and ask them to look for a trade?

Thanks!

Tom

 

[haygos01]

Great Question, I hope someone has the answer.

Looking through the member guide it says HGVC members can deposit current year points into RCI for future reservations for a deposit fee, and that they will still have to pay the exchange fee when they make reservations.

I assume that they are just earmarking or tracking the number of HGVC points you deposit rather than converting them to RCI points. When you make a request to exchange they will then deduct the number of points from that "bucket" since it is not typically a one to one exchange given the way the point values for HGVC points and what it takes to book an RCI exchange are not equal.

I think to HGVC members it gives them the chance to do something with current year points, as the options of converting to HHonors or depositing into the next year have already passed thier cut off date of the December before the current year.

As I have never deposited RCI points, just used HGVC points to exchange, I am not 100% sure if my assumption is correct.

 

[MrTravel]

Hey TTom, if you deposited your points into RCI you have 2 years to use them, but you would of had to make a request and pay an exchange fee. They will find the resort for you and then call you. I have done this alot with HGVC. Their customer service # is the only # you need to call, they have their own RCI reps. Your points are deposited with RCI but you do not belong to RCI or have an RCI account#. Everything is through HGVC. Hope this helps.

 

[TerriJ]

I have also done this several times, with good results. I think you pay $49 when you do the conversion and then $149 to RCI when you actually make your reservation.

This has given us more flexibility in locations, although I have to say the resorts we have visited are not quite as nice as the HGVC resorts.

 

[TTom]

Note that I have done HGVC/RCI exchanges previously. This is the first time I paid to "deposit" HGVC points with RCI. Presumably, I will pay exchange fees for whatever exchanges I do. In the past, the RCI exchange fee was reduced by the amount of an HGVC trade ($49?).

I'm just wondering if anyone has details of the change in procedure.

Tom

 

[TerriJ]

I had to pay both fees when I did this recently and I did not receive a credit from RCI.

Terri

 

[OnMedic]

Here is another way to save the deposit fee. Simply put an RCI request in for a time and location you know will be hard to get. This will also protect your points fo 2 years. When you know what you want, call and change your request... you will only be paying the $149 this way!

 

[alliebrian]

Here is another way to save the deposit fee. Simply put an RCI request in for a time and location you know will be hard to get. This will also protect your points fo 2 years. When you know what you want, call and change your request... you will only be paying the $249 this way!

$249? did the exchange fee go up that much? I had not heard that!

 

[OnMedic]

Oops... typo! Who put those keys so close together! I fixed my original post.