Punta Cana All-inclusive worth it for trade

[Nolathyme]

We are thinking of gong to Punta Cana. It looks like most of the RCI units are AI. Is it cheaper to book direct or would I get a better rate with RCI?

 

[amanven]

If you want to go to Punta Cana, you will need an AI package. Ala carte restaurant hopping in Punta Cana is not really very practical. By the time you pay the mandatory AI fees, the RCI fees and your air fares, you will probably find there is no savings going through RCI compared to buying a complete package from a package vacation company and you will likely have more choice of room category through the package vacation company. II also offers Dominican Republic resorts with mandatory AI fees but when I did the math there was no savings going through them and there was more choice when using the package vacation companies. Whether you go through RCI or II you will still get a "studio" which is really just a typical run of the house Dominican hotel room.

 

[rboesl]

I recently booked an AI deal with RCI in Puerto Plata. Couldn't beat the deal. You can use points or buy as a extra vacation. If points the resort pays the exchange fee. If extra vacation then the fee is $99 for a week. There's 3 LHVC resorts offering the deal. The AI fees are either $29, $39, or $49 per person per day depending on which resort you choose. Offer is good through end of September for travel from now through late 2024. You can find using the Book>All Inclusives or Dream>All Inclusive Vacations. There are some occupancy rules though. Minimum 2 adults in Hotel/Studio and minimum 4 adults in 2 BR units.