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RCI Platinum...worth it?

Carol C

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Since folks have tried it for awhile, I'm wondering if savvy TUGgers would do it again or have renewed that upgrade. How long does it take for a rebate to actually credit to your account...and does it appear like a cash balance or is it another kind of entry on your account that is a hassle to use? I'd be interested in it for the rebates on combining deposits and the guest cert purchase...and I'd be curious to see if there's any kind of "priority" exchange to urban locales, though I doubt I trust RCI to make good on that Platinum Sales Pitch (PSP, soon to be trademarked!)
 

Laurie

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Hi Carol, I sent you an email, check your inbox!

In a nutshell: I joined out fo curiosity and probably won't renew, not enough stuff of interest. Rebates take a long time and aren't easy to see in your account once they're finally posted. So it depends on how many combines, GC's, and hotel rooms you want!
 

MichaelColey

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I've posted periodic Priority Access Sightings in the Sightings forum here. Pretty dismal selection, currently.

The real benefit is the rebates, if you do enough combines, guest certificates or extra vacations.
 

hypnotiq

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Im debating doing it. Its only $55 to upgrade for the remainder of the year.

What do you guys think?
 

ampaholic

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I bought RCI Plutonium for 1.5 years it was "OK". Then the points partners computer robbed me twice on a transaction so I cancelled it and got a refund of my $55.

The first robbery was when the damn computer reserved the wrong return flight - I ended up having to pay a $150 change fee to Alaska Airlines to fix it. The tech said it was because I had multiple browser windows open when I reserved.
Well duh - who doesn't.

RCI comped me a $199 coupon for exchange fees that took the sting out of that goof.

The second goof was when the points partner (P.P.) computer double charged my account for P.P. allowed points and zeroed out the amount of points I could use for P.P. transactions. I fought for a month asking them to just simply reset the amount and finally just asked for a refund as they just couldn't (or wouldn't) fix my P.P. point amount.

They agreed I had the math right but no one at RCI or P.P. would step up and "fix it".

Platinum SUCKS
 

Hellicat

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I've had the Platinum for a year. I signed up a month before a vacation to the Ron Jon Resort in Cocoa Beach last summer. We were upgraded from a 1 bd to a 2 bd and I have gotten a few rebates -so I made back the $55 annual fee.

FWIW it works for me :)

Kelley
 

MichaelColey

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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Rick,

When you have any sort of problems at RCI that go beyond everyday issues, skip the VGs. Most of them are clueless when it's not directly related to everyday activities (deposits, exchanges, etc.) or with things that don't work right. Even the supervisors are hit and miss. Instead, talk to Web Support. They've been AWESOME to work with every time I've had something unusual come up. They're knowledgable and are empowered to fix things.
 

rickandcindy23

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Wyndham Founder; Disney OKW & SSR; Marriott's Willow Ridge and Shadow Ridge,Grand Chateau; Val Chatelle; Hono Koa OF (3); SBR(LOTS), SDO a few; Grand Palms(selling); WKORV-OF ,Westin Desert Willow.
RCI has been good for us. I am thinking just a couple of deposits per year in II for Starwood preference, and for a few Marriott exchanges in Orlando. The rest need to go to RCI. RCI has stepped up in the last few years.

I am doing well with Platinum, but my only complaint with RCI is they took the kids off of our RCI Points membership. RCI actually opened a new account, when we bought Meadow Lake points (which we dumped 15 months ago), and they didn't keep the kids on the membership. I am annoyed and have to go through the brain damage of getting them back on the account.

Now they make you prove the kids are on the deeds, and they are for most deeds, so I have to actually send them copies of the deeds! Can you imagine that? It's just another thing on my long list of things to do. Rick is going to help me with it because we have reservations in October for the kids, and we need to add their names without paying $59.
 

liborn2

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I am NOT doing well with Platinum membership, do not see NYC offers anymore and recently has two2012 exchanges and DID NOT receive upgrades,
in Feb and March, both in Newport RI..

Waiting to see how the remaining 2 exchanges go this year.. 0 for 2.
If this continues, I will NOT renew.
 

cmh

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Just got my RCI Platinum Renewal

It hasn't been of any value to me this past year, mainly tho because we could not travel due to family health issues. However, going forward, we'll have more time to travel. Still undecided about renewing.
 

cmh

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It hasn't been of any value to me this past year, mainly tho because we could not travel due to family health issues. However, going forward, we'll have more time to travel. Still undecided about renewing.

I wonder if it makes more sense for me not to renew. Then, if and when, I have an upcoming trip or situation, I could enroll again in it. Thoughts?
 

MichaelColey

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I wonder if it makes more sense for me not to renew. Then, if and when, I have an upcoming trip or situation, I could enroll again in it. Thoughts?
There's no reason I can think of NOT to do it that way. You'll only pay a prorated portion of a year if you do that.
 

cmh

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I stand corrected! I guess I have received some benefit from my RCI Plat membership.

I called RCI to ask questions about the Plat program. I found out that I did receive a $25 rebate for combining deposits. I wasn't aware of it because it was in the form of an $25 RCI account credit that doesn't show in your account until you get ready to do a transaction and then the account credit is reflected there.

When you sign in and click on your RCI account, it seems that the $25 credit should show there. Instead, my "Opening Exchange Balance" shown there is "USD 0.00".

I KNOW, that's probably too logical. :ponder:
 
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