Keep RCI points or go back to home week only?

[Gaozhen]

I did a search of various terms and couldn't find a related thread, so here goes: we own a week in St. Maarten at the Divi Little Bay. We bought it secondhand (thanks to TUG for the insights and guidance!) and have loved it; we bought it both for the specific week and specific unit's location directly on the beach AND because it was in RCI so we thought we'd get more value out of it through points exchanges as well.

However, over the years the RCI exchanges haven't been great (poor quality or availability where/when we'd like to travel) and we have typically just gone to stay in our home unit. We have been wanting to check out another Divi resort but it's one that has very little availability through RCI (Bonaire) and we can't book internally as a Divi owner due to being in RCI. We also end up paying for RCI membership and RCI exchange booking fees every time we book our home week. With all that, we're tempted to convert it back out of RCI and just exchange in the Divi ecosystem...

Does anyone have experience removing a week from RCI? Costs and hassle and was it worth it to you? Do you think it'll make it harder to get off our hands if we decide to down the road if it doesn't have points? Anything we should be concerned about that we aren't considering here?

 

[wmgjr]

my thoughts based on my ownership in RCI points via Grandview

1) do you have the option to reserve your home week with the points 12-13 months out. That means no fees to book since its not an exchange, youre essentially declining the RCI points without unenrolling. If you can do that, would that allow you to trade internally with Divi?

2) Is there another channel for trading with other owners in the Divi system? Im totally unfamiliar with this resort system but maybe a facebook group, tug2.com, other forums of Divi owners.

3) Can you use the ownership in different exchange companies? Assuming you can reserve the week ""for personal use"" as indicated in point 1- Can you then deposit your home/deeded with II, Thirdhome, SFX, etc. Ive seen Divi/bonaire in II under flexchange but never looked into it bc frankly i dont even know where bonaire is lmao.

Just my thoughts, hope its helpful

 

[rickandcindy23]

I think you just need to call the resort and tell them you don't want your week in RCI Points anymore, but if you already have Grandview, is it the same RCI account? It probably isn't costing anything to have that week in your account, and you can book it ahead of everyone else.

 

[vacation911]

I think this just requires letting them know you prefer to use the home week. I do not know if it would benefit you to not have RCI points at least as an option.

 

[Gaozhen]

my thoughts based on my ownership in RCI points via Grandview

1) do you have the option to reserve your home week with the points 12-13 months out. That means no fees to book since its not an exchange, youre essentially declining the RCI points without unenrolling. If you can do that, would that allow you to trade internally with Divi?

2) Is there another channel for trading with other owners in the Divi system? Im totally unfamiliar with this resort system but maybe a facebook group, tug2.com, other forums of Divi owners.

3) Can you use the ownership in different exchange companies? Assuming you can reserve the week ""for personal use"" as indicated in point 1- Can you then deposit your home/deeded with II, Thirdhome, SFX, etc. Ive seen Divi/bonaire in II under flexchange but never looked into it bc frankly i dont even know where bonaire is lmao.

Just my thoughts, hope its helpful

1) Interesting - RCI always charges us the exchange fee to book! #angryface

2) There is, it's an internal exchange system built into Divi itself, but being in points we don't have access to it and have to go through RCI.
Bonaire's resort doesn't pop up in RCI very often though, sadly, and it's allegedly one of the best islands for scuba diving which we love

3) We also have access to II yes, but haven't signed up since we don't want to pay for 2 exchange companies. We could try it though, might be a better way to access

Also @rickandcindy23 , I need to update my flair as we sold the Grandview a year or so ago, oops. Otherwise you're right, it would be the same base cost!

Basically, we are trying to figure out how best to book other Divi resorts and what the upside/downside of leaving RCI might be. Thanks for the insights so far

 

[sfwilshire]

I pulled one week out of points and moved it back to RCI Weeks. I vaguely recall that I had to sign a form confirming my intent, but it was not difficult.

Sheila

 

[Pennytx]

I’ve owned a home in Aruba for 27 years
Bonaire is definitely the best snorkeling place in the world
You’ll love it
Very peaceful island