RCI Points - availability at better resorts

[rockhill30]

Hello All,

I am thinking of buying in the resale market to obtain 50K-90K annual RCI points. I've seen a lot of posts about the lack of availability at some resorts and am trying to figure out the extent. I understand that it will be difficult or near impossible to reserve at prime resorts during prime times, but are certain resorts shut out completely? For example if I wanted to reserve a 1br for a week at Smugglers Notch Resort (RCI 0300) and am very flexible on the week, it this usually possible? How far in advance would I need to reserve? I'm trying to decide if buy low, spend high is a good strategy if I'm interested in relatively few (and higher end) resorts. Maybe I'm better off waiting for a deal at a specific resort where I have the most interest in staying. Many thanks. Great website for a newbie.

 

[philsfan]

Lots available in June, I'll send you a PM with the results.

 

[cr4909]

I understand that it will be difficult or near impossible to reserve at prime resorts during prime times, but are certain resorts shut out completely?

It depends on the resort. It is not impossible to reserve prime time at prime resorts, you just need to do it when the window first opens, which is 10 months for non-owners. For example, here in SoCal I can get Gold Crown resorts at Carlsbad and San Diego very easily, even during summer. I was able to snag a Gold Crown Coloroado ski resort during Christmas week as well (Swan Mountain). Other resorts, though, block out the summer weeks for their owners, but off-season is available. I have looked at East Coast before, and I know you'd be able to get some Cape Cod resorts during summer (River Cover, Cove at Yarmouth, Pier 7), as well as Manhattan Club in NYC.

For example if I wanted to reserve a 1br for a week at Smugglers Notch Resort (RCI 0300) and am very flexible on the week, it this usually possible?

I don't know much about Northeast ski resorts, but it looks like it has some availability in summer and a lot in the offseason. I would say that you should be able to get a ski week as long as you reserve 10 months out. Maybe not Christmas week, but I'd be very surprised if you couldn't snag at least one ski week.

Maybe I'm better off waiting for a deal at a specific resort where I have the most interest in staying.

The consensus here is that if you plan to go to the same resort most years, then you're better off buying from them. Just be sure to buy resale, or buy from the HOA if it is an older resort. Also, look at the 3-year RTU option which is a pretty hot topic on the discussion boards.

 

[grayhound01]

2whydham pts./rci pts.

i'm looking at buying resale 154000 whydham pt.( Branson) are rci pts. = to the same whydham pts. as I will trade for Lake of the ozarks often.: thks JK

 

[bnoble]

No. You have "access" to RCI Points inventory, but not if you are a resale-only purchaser, and for retail purchasers (or those who enroll in Plus Partners), Wyn FSP points are not RCI Points.

You probably would be well-served to read the Primer at this site:

forums.atozed.com

It will explain a lot about how Wyndham works.

 

[janej]

I think RCI points have really good availability too. I was able to exchange to Smuggler's for 4 days after Xmas 07. It worked out perfectly for us. Even though it cost over 70k points plus $70 extra at Smuggs for partial week. It is still better than wasting 3 days. We had a huge 3 bedroom unit.

The point system has better resort available since the they cost more points. It is a fair system.