Interval exchange for a cruise

[Smellytoes]

My aunt has 3 weeks banked with Interval that are going to expire in Sept. and she's not going to extend them.

Can those weeks be used to exchange for a cruise in Oct. to be used my a guest (me)

I think my question is would you have to just book by the expiration date or do you have to sail by the expiration date?

 

[Passepartout]

Better do some calling and soon. Any cruise that still has cabins available now- within 60 days out will be DEEPLY discounted at any consolidator. Cruise lines want to be PAID IN FULL at 90 days before departure. I can't answer as to whether the points have to be used or just booked, but in another similar thread where it was a 'use 'em or lose 'em, they had to be at move-in by the time the points expired.

Jim

 

[tschwa2]

You have to be a gold or platinum II member to be eligible for a cruise exchange. A guest cert would have to be purchased.

I don't think an already deposited week can be used for a cruise. You have to decide you want to use it for a cruise, find out the value II will give you and then deposit. This is because the deposited inventory doesn't go into the exchange pool. It goes to the rental pool.

Banked weeks, used for resorts, need to be used, not just reserved by the expiration date. It is possible to extend but the week becomes good only during flex change and if someone hasn't been able to use an unrestricted week in 2-3 years, it is doubtful they will be able to use a restricted week in the next 6 months and it will cost additional money.

 

[Smellytoes]

Thanks. I guess exchanging through Interval isn't going to work.

She also has weeks deposited with RCI that she just combined and now has 63 TPU's banked. Can that be used to exchange for a cruise?

I did check around and RCI's prices are about $700.00 less than the cruiseline for the same date/cabin.

 

[Passepartout]

I did check around and RCI's prices are about $700.00 less than the cruiseline for the same date/cabin.

OK. Now check the price for the same cruise here. www.vacationstogo.com We've found that unless booking multiple cabins on those RCI deals (they allow 4) that a cash price at a consolidator is just about the same and you keep your timeshare weeks/points/MF.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Deleted Interval cruise FAQ, OP is RCI.

 

[Smellytoes]

OK. Now check the price for the same cruise here. www.vacationstogo.com We've found that unless booking multiple cabins on those RCI deals (they allow 4) that a cash price at a consolidator is just about the same and you keep your timeshare weeks/points/MF.

I checked vacationstogo and cruisetraveloutlet. The price on RCI is still about $350.00 less pp.

How many TPU's does RCI require you to use to exchange for a cruise?

 

[tschwa2]

OK. Now check the price for the same cruise here. www.vacationstogo.com We've found that unless booking multiple cabins on those RCI deals (they allow 4) that a cash price at a consolidator is just about the same and you keep your timeshare weeks/points/MF.

Yes but even if it only saves a couple of hundred and the weeks would just sit until they expire (like 3 did in interval), you might as well use them if the OP only wants to cruise and not stay anywhere that is available through RCI or II.

Don't forget to add in the exchange fee and the guest certs.

 

[Smellytoes]

Yes but even if it only saves a couple of hundred and the weeks would just sit until they expire (like 3 did in interval), you might as well use them if the OP only wants to cruise and not stay anywhere that is available through RCI or II.

Don't forget to add in the exchange fee and the guest certs.

I did. RCI is also offering a 150.00 OBC.

 

[Passepartout]

How many TPU's does RCI require you to use to exchange for a cruise?

Good question that I can't answer. We've only seen comparison with using whole weeks in which you can see the cost is your whole MF plus exchange fee plus guest cert if it's not for personal use.

 

[Smellytoes]

The price that RCI is giving me says "with standard exchange". But it doesn't tell me what that means??

 

[tschwa2]

14 is standard and 7 is reduced.

*Cruises are available for purchase with a qualified Deposit or applicable Points, or with only cash (sometimes referred to as Cruise Extra VacationSM getaways) by RCI® Subscribing Members only. Rates are per person based on double occupancy, are in USD and include cruise charges only. A qualified Deposit, including Combined Deposits and/or Deposit Credits must have a Deposit Trading Power of 14 (Standard RCI Weeks Exchange Rate), or a Deposit Trading Power of 7 (Reduced RCI Weeks Exchange Rate), or 40,000 Points (Standard RCI Points Exchange Rate), or 20,000 Points (Reduced RCI Points Exchange) ("collectively Exchange Rate"). The Exchange Rate is subject to change without notice by RCI Cruise. Government fees, fuel surcharges, taxes, and if applicable, the Combined Deposit Fee are additional. Certain restrictions may apply. Prices are subject to availability, are accurate at the time of publication, and may change at anytime thereafter. For RCI Cruise Terms and Conditions visit CruiseRCI.com/Terms, Click Here or go to CruiseRCI.com or call 1-877-RCI-BOAT.

 

[Smellytoes]

14 is standard and 7 is reduced.

Thanks! Now I just have to convince DH that two vacations in 3 months is a good idea.lol