RCI bonus weeks and free upgrades through welk

[JeroMan]

Does anyone know how this works, I have exchanged for Tuscan Village in Orlando. I need a 2 bedroom but was told if I get a 1 bdrm I can get a free upgrade to a 2 bdrm... I'm curious how this works?

 

[Shankilicious]

Does anyone know how this works, I have exchanged for Tuscan Village in Orlando. I need a 2 bedroom but was told if I get a 1 bdrm I can get a free upgrade to a 2 bdrm... I'm curious how this works?

The free upgrade via the RCI Platinum program that we Welk owners get through our Maintenance Fees, allows for the option of a room upgrade if available and if the resort allows such upgrades. Do you mean Hilton's Tuscany Village? If so, they do allow upgrades but it's not guarantee.
As for the bonus week you'll get that after you complete your exchange stay. And you have to book the bonus week by calling into RCI at this point. Word is they're working on updating the RCI site so we can book the bonus weeks online.

 

[DayTraveler]

Is this the free upgrade allowed if your trip is not more than a certain number of days away? The kind of upgrade that is free and does not have a limit? Or is this the paid type that has a one time a year rule? Also, may I please ask we have never used a bonus week is it as bad as some say? Bottom of the barrow so to speak.

 

[Shankilicious]

Is this the free upgrade allowed if your trip is not more than a certain number of days away? The kind of upgrade that is free and does not have a limit? Or is this the paid type that has a one time a year rule? Also, may I please ask we have never used a bonus week is it as bad as some say? Bottom of the barrow so to speak.

From the RCI site:
Complimentary Unit Upgrades & Changes
Here’s how it works: when you book your Exchange vacation, just let us know you’re interested in a unit upgrade or resort change.
Within two weeks of check-in, if one of the resorts you’ve specified, or a bigger unit at your confirmed resort becomes available, we’ll change your reservation and provide you with the details.

So you'll need to select when you book an exchange that you are interested in an upgrade, and if available within 2 weeks of check in, they'll upgrade you for free.
The bonus weeks will vary in quality. The further out you try to book it, the more availability you'll find. But you wont be getting prime time nearly anywhere. You can prolly get ski season in Colorado or Tahoe if you book far enough out. Orlando and Branson in the summer are also likely to be available. I've had decent luck with II's bonus weeks for those types of vacations. But for the most part, yes, bonus weeks are going to be excess inventory so you're best bet is to look for availability in resort heavy areas: Orlando, Vegas, Branson, Mexico etc.

 

[DayTraveler]

From the RCI site:
Complimentary Unit Upgrades & Changes
Here’s how it works: when you book your Exchange vacation, just let us know you’re interested in a unit upgrade or resort change.
Within two weeks of check-in, if one of the resorts you’ve specified, or a bigger unit at your confirmed resort becomes available, we’ll change your reservation and provide you with the details.

So you'll need to select when you book an exchange that you are interested in an upgrade, and if available within 2 weeks of check in, they'll upgrade you for free.
The bonus weeks will vary in quality. The further out you try to book it, the more availability you'll find. But you wont be getting prime time nearly anywhere. You can prolly get ski season in Colorado or Tahoe if you book far enough out. Orlando and Branson in the summer are also likely to be available. I've had decent luck with II's bonus weeks for those types of vacations. But for the most part, yes, bonus weeks are going to be excess inventory so you're best bet is to look for availability in resort heavy areas: Orlando, Vegas, Branson, Mexico etc.

Thank you for the information. The one thing I was thinking wrong was that I thought with a bonus week you are prohibited from looking far out.

 

[Shankilicious]

Thank you for the information. The one thing I was thinking wrong was that I thought with a bonus week you are prohibited from looking far out.

Nope. Up to a year out. For a decent comparison of options, you can look at extra vacations on RCI.

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