Question about RCI Points Protection

[hcarman]

We haven't used RCI a lot and we booked an RCI Points week through Shell Vacations Club. We did not buy the flex plan at purchase because the vacation was just a month away and close to our home. However, we now have a medical issue which may require us to cancel. I see we can still buy Points Protection so we would at least save the points. We are one week out and will probably know more in a day or so. The Shell RCI rep told us we may have to book Points Protection 7 Days out or it may be 48 hours out. She said she didn't know? I asked if she could check and she said they had no way of knowing. Kind of critical to know. If it is 48 hours I will certainly wait as we may not need to cancel after all. But if it is 7 days I need to do it now and of course that is another $129 on top of the exchange fee and points. I find it hard to believe no one can provide that information. That is like a hotel telling you they don't know their own cancellation policy - it may be two days out or it may be a week. So hoping someone on hear might be able to shed some light on this. Thanks!

 

[tschwa2]

I don't have shell points but this is what the normal policy is for rci points:

RCI Help​

When can I purchase Points Protection?​

We recommend that you purchase Points Protection at the time you make your exchange, but you can purchase Points Protection right up until the day of check-in.
Note: Exchange fees are not covered by Points Protection. Points Protection is not insurance.

 

[bnoble]

I'm a Wyndham owner, not Shell, but when I go to the Help->Points Protection section of the Club Wyndham RCI portal, it says this:

When can I purchase Points Protection? We recommend that you purchase Points Protection at the time you make your exchange, but you can purchase Points Protection until the day of check-in.

Can you get to the RCI Portal through the Shell website? If so, you can confirm whether or not that says the same thing. If you have a number directly to RCI, you can also call them to confirm.

 

[Ron Glubka]

RCI point fee table

 

[Cyberc]

I guess RCI rules are different depending on your type of membership.

I have a regular RCI points membership and the exchanges I did in December 2022 and early March 2023 they are only eligible for points protection if purchased at the time of booking and can not be purchased afterwards.

The point protection is also covering the exchange fee which you will get back a credit should you cancel. Don't know what the modify option actually covers and if you can actually just change your reservation to another resort and date.

IF you need to cancel you need to do so 14 days or more before checkin as the point protection would otherwise not cover anything.

How To Guides​

How to add or cancel exchange protection​

Exchange protection lets you modify or cancel your exchange holiday for ANY reason up to 14 days before check-in. If you cancel, you'll get your exchange fee and points used returned to your RCI member account.
Click here to see 'Exchange Protection Terms and Conditions'.
How to add Exchange Protection
You can only add exchange protection at the time of booking your exchange holiday. Under 'Services' just simply leave the box ticked if you wish to purchase exchange protection. If you don't, please uncheck the box.
*Please note that without exchange protection the standard cancellation policy will apply. Unless you cancel at least 90 days prior to check in, you will only be refunded a portion of your Points, depending on how close to the check-in date you cancel. Please note that reservation fees are not covered by exchange protection, and RCI recommends that you take out comprehensive travel insurance for your holidays.

 

[tschwa2]

I guess RCI rules are different depending on your type of membership.

I have a regular RCI points membership and the exchanges I did in December 2022 and early March 2023 they are only eligible for points protection if purchased at the time of booking and can not be purchased afterwards.

The point protection is also covering the exchange fee which you will get back a credit should you cancel. Don't know what the modify option actually covers and if you can actually just change your reservation to another resort and date.

IF you need to cancel you need to do so 14 days or more before checkin as the point protection would otherwise not cover anything.

Europe's rci protection is different than the one for North American members. We can do it anytime before check in but it only covers trading power or points not the exchange fee. Just curious what is the fee for the protection in your account. Ours is $89 or $129 depending on how far until check in and how long after you purchased the protection. It is $89 if you are more than 31 days from check in and you purchase within 14 days of your original exchange. It is $129 otherwise.