RCI Points Questions

[sallan513]

I am kind of new to the RCI Points program and I have a couple of questions of you "experts" out there. I was a Weeks member with 3 different weeks that I purchased for next to nothing on E-Bay and then converted one of those properties into Points for $1495 (They started out asking $2995 but I threatened to walk and talked them down). I also got 3 Extra vacations certs out of the deal. This was for my Weston, FL TS in July which transferred over to 75,000 bi-annual points. As part of the Points program my other 2 TS's can either be converted to Points or used as regular Week trades. I have an Orlando 2 bdrm floater that seems to be MUCH more profitable to use as a Weeks trade, but my VA TS is a 4-bdrm that can be deposited as (2) 2 bdrm weeks. What I plan to do with that one is convert one of them to Points and trade the other in the Weeks program to maximize my useage.

My questions are as follows...am I doing this right? Am I maximizing my trading power? I was recently very dissapointed with my choices available to me for the upcoming year when trying to use my points for a Napa vaca in July. In the Points system will I have any good choices closer to the travel date?

Any help is appreciated!!

Steve

 

[e.bram]

Since RCI's inventory is composed of of converted weeks, and prime weeks owners by and large don't convert(they use or rent)their prime weeks, you will have a large choice of dog weeks.(Logic 101)

 

[Stricky]

With points it can be tricky figuring out when to book. Different resorts dump their inventory differently but for the most part, at 10 months out there are trades available.

Many people like the 9000 point last minute deals you can get with points.

My advise would be to sit tight and see how it goes with what you have done so far. Give it a year.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Napa Valley is difficult to get anyway, and a July week is going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

I watch for trends in different areas. For example, I know that Hawaii is very difficult to get during whale and summer seasons. If I want something in Hawaii for either of those times, I have to get it right at ten months. If I miss my window, I basically get leftovers. Disney Vacation Club inventory is always best at 9-10 months out, with some additional weeks thrown in during the slower times. Summer is pretty much gone for DVC, but there was even a 3 bedroom Grand Villa for July 4th week at about 9 months.

RCI Points is the only thing about RCI that I stil like. I hope they don't ruin it for me.

 

[Conan]

Before you pay to convert a week you own into points, check ebay to price buying an already-points-participating week instead.

You'll find that weeks with high maintenance (say $600/yr for 28,000 points) sell for as little as $1.00; weeks with low maintenance (say $800/yr for 75,000 points) sell for around $2,000 more or less.

 

[Egret1986]

Oh, you can definitely find some great RCI Points deals on eBay

Before you pay to convert a week you own into points, check ebay to price buying an already-points-participating week instead.

You'll find that weeks with high maintenance (say $600/yr for 28,000 points) sell for as little as $1.00; weeks with low maintenance (say $800/yr for 75,000 points) sell for around $2,000 more or less.

A couple of months ago I purchased at a resort that I am very familiar with and have owned weeks at. For $102 plus closing costs, I bought a 2BR lock-out worth 69000 annual points with a 2010 maintenance fee of $605. I also purchased a 67000 annual RCI Point week at another resort for $911 plus closing costs with a $465 2010 maintenance fee. This is a well managed resort with stable maintenance fees and a fantastic underlying week and unit.

The underlying weeks, low maintenance fee to point ratios and resort management are things to consider (in my opinion) when considering an RCI Points timeshare purchase. If all these are good to great, then the cost to purchase is the final consideration. To me, it doesn't make sense to pay a maintenance fee of $600 for 28,000 annual points. That's over $.02 per point and you can rent additional points from RCI for $.02 per point up to a certain percentage of your annual allotment of points.

Also, you may or may not be able to use your other timeshares for PFD. I personally like RCI Points for exchanging. My timeshare Weeks, I either use or rent out. I no longer deposit them for exchange.

Since you are new to Points, I would recommend utilizing what you have and make sure you like using points before spending any more money converting or purchasing. Also, check into the PFD. Why pay to convert if you can use your other resorts for PFD?

 

[sallan513]

Yes, I did know that people were selling their Points on E-Bay but if I went that route I would be locking myself into yet another MF every year and I would have had to pay closing costs and possible transfer fees. I weighed it out and it didn't seem to be that much more cash. I did NOT want to get locked into another MF and I got the 3 Extra vacas as well.

So it sounds like 10 months is the key huh? Figures, missed that window for this coming vaca season..oh well, the points transfer over to next year.

Egret, I tend to agree with you, I dont think I will be depositing any more weeks for points unless I need them for a trade. To tell you the truth, I wish I could dump the whole lot and simply rent from E-Bay or TUG!! lol...but we all know how hard it is to ever get rid of these TS's after we buy them!!

Thanks for the tips folks....!!

Steve