RCI Platinum Unit Upgrade

[sjschuster]

I tried to search to see if this has already been discussed, but the search engine was faulting out.

RCI Points Reservation

I am within my 14 day window and have requested a unit upgrade by clicking the box "I wish to upgrade". The comment changes to "You have successfully opted for unit upgrade". I can then navigate away from that page within the RCI website and then return and the box has returned with the option "I wish to upgrade". It's like the request isn't saved and every time I come back to the Confirmed Vacation Page, I have to request the upgrade again. Does RCI ever acknowledge my upgrade request, or is this just a "ghost" perk of the platinum program?

Added:

Here is what it says when I logged in again, give me an option to check the box.

[] I wish to upgrade. Unit upgrade is complimentary and based upon specific criteria, but may include additional incidental charges. Please read the Terms and Conditions and Urgent Information for complete information.



Now, the wierd thing is that I have another resv in April, 2012 and here is what that one says (it looks as the request is automatic and it give me an option to opt out of the upgrade):

As a platinum member, you are eligible for a complimentary unit upgrade if a qualifying unit is available within 14 days of your vacation start date. You will be automatically confirmed.

[] No thanks, I don't want to considered for the complimentary upgrade. Unit upgrade is complimentary and based upon specific criteria, but may include additional incidental charges. Please read the Terms and Conditions and Urgent Information for complete information

 

[gnipgnop]

I am a "Platinum weeks member" not points. Heres what I've noticed. After you reserve your week you will receive a confirmation. On your confirmation you will notice at the bottom left hand side of the page a box to place a check mark if you DO NOT want an upgrade. I believe the system defaults to upgrade you unit unless you indicate that you no not want the upgrade. Maybe someone else can shed a little more light on this for you but this is what I see on my confirmation page.

 

[Ron98GT]

I thought that they were suppose to to it automatically, unless you specify otherwise?

 

[MichaelColey]

I think it defaults to giving the upgrade. You have to opt out of it if you don't want to be considered for an upgrade.

As it says, there could be incidental fees that are higher for larger units. For instance, the daily fees in Hawaii or housekeeping fees for stays shorter than a week in many RCI Points resorts.

Another time you might want to opt out is if you snagged a particular view. For instance, if you get a 1BR Savannah View at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. Many people might prefer that over an "upgrade" to a 2BR Standard View.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, though. The odds of an upgrade are pretty minimal, IMHO, unless you're booking a small unit in a slow time at a large resort.

 

[Ron98GT]

I just checked my latest RCI Vacation Confirmation and it stated:

"
As an RCI Points PlatinumSM member, you may qualify for a unit upgrade, should a larger unit become available within 14 days of your check-in date. There’s no need to call us - if an appropriate unit becomes available, your reservation will automatically be upgraded, and you will receive a revised confirmation with all the relevant details.
"

I didn't see anywhere to opt-out or instruction how to, if someone wanted to.

 

[gnipgnop]

Here is what I was referring to in my first post: However the little box next to No Thank You is missing from this portion of the post. It would not "copy & paste". But it's there.

RCI Platinum Benefits
As an RCI Platinum member, you are eligible for a complimentary unit upgrade if a qualifying unit becomes available within 14 days of check-in. Your unit will be automatically upgraded, and you will be notified via email.

No, thank you. I don’t want to be considered for a complimentary unit upgrade for this vacation.
Unit upgrade is complimentary and based upon specific criteria, but may include additional incidental charges.
Unit Upgrades Terms and Conditions
At the time a Platinum Member requests a Reservation for the use of Holiday Time (an "Exchange"), the Platinum Member will be given the option to indicate whether they would like to receive a unit upgrade in the event that a qualifying unit becomes available. Unit upgrades are not guaranteed, and will be provided on a first come, first serve basis, based upon the initial confirmation date of the Exchange. If available, RCI will provide a unit upgrade for the applicable Reservation no sooner than 14 days prior to the check-in date of the Reservation. RCI will notify Platinum Members of an applicable unit upgrade via email or mail. Unit upgrades are units that have at least one additional bedroom and at least the same size kitchen and number of bathrooms as the unit for the Confirmed Exchange. In order for a Platinum Member to receive a unit upgrade, the applicable Platinum Membership and associated Points Membership must be current and paid in full at the time the unit upgrade is processed. Unit upgrades are only available for standard RCI Points Exchanges and RCI Weeks Exchanges, and do not apply to any other transactions, including but not limited to: Home Resort exchanges; Holiday RentalsSM getaways. No additional Points or fees are required for a Platinum Member to receive a unit upgrade, except additional housekeeping or other resort-specific fees that may apply, based on increased unit size, for which the Platinum Member will be responsible. The upgraded unit will be for the same check-in and check-out dates, and the same resort as for the applicable Exchange.

 

[senorak]

I received a complimentary upgrade to my exchange to Hilton Head this summer. (This was a "regular exchange", but since I am a Platinum member, the upgrade may be made if available). I did not check anything......was simply notified by RCI at about 2 weeks prior to my exchange that I was upgraded from 1BR to a 2BR unit.

Deb