RCI points TIPS and TRICKS

[jc92869]

looking to buy rci points as first T/S. however i'm concerned about the cost to exchange. if i'm doing two or three exchanges a year, that adds a good $450 in exchange fees to my total yearly cost of use.

Do any of you have ways/ tips to economize, or lessen the brunt of the RCI fee system?

 

[Passepartout]

I am in an RCI Points TS in a VRI managed resort, so that gives me sub $100 internal exchanges (in VRI*ety) and when I re-up to RCI, I do it for 2--3 years. That beats the annual price increases plus they have great leeway to 'throw in' an exchange (credit your account) with the membership extension.

That said, even if you own an RCI Points resort with the recommended $.01 per point/per year MF (or less), the exchange costs DO add up.

Jim

 

[Free2Roam]

What I've learned...

One thing I didn't know going in is that there's a different exchange fee if you choose an RCI weeks reservation (which I believe means a week that was deposited into RCI weeks) vs. an RCI points reservation. Seven nights in an RCI weeks reservation is $189...an RCI points 7+ day stay is $149.

Also, exchange fees are lower on shorter stays. There are times when I don't really need the whole week so I've chosen to stretch my points and get multiple trips with shorter stays. The exchange fee for a 1-night stay is $39, a 2-night stay is $59, a 3-night stay is $79, a 4-night stay is $99, a 5-night stay is $109 and a 6-night stay is $129.

Also... Sunday thru Thursday stays use less points than weekends.

Jim - thanks for the tip about renewing... I'll ask about getting an exchange credit the next time I renew.

 

[ampaholic]

You can save fees by using your home resort ARP @ 335 - 364 days before check in.

I have a home resort where we like to go often, so I can book 12 months from right now, a full 2 months before any non owners can, and the exchange fee is much less. This even applies when my "week" is a spring week - IOW it's available year round.

When you book into your home resort within the owners ARP you will also only need to pay between zero and $40 bucks for a reservation!

 

[chriskre]

Don't forget that many resorts are now charging housekeeping fees as high as $75 depending on the size of unit and resort. I just paid $39 for a 2 bedroom for a 4 night stay. Not a deal breaker but $75 for a 2 night stay may be.

 

[resort]

One thing I didn't know going in is that there's a different exchange fee if you choose an RCI weeks reservation (which I believe means a week that was deposited into RCI weeks) vs. an RCI points reservation. Seven nights in an RCI weeks reservation is $189...an RCI points 7+ day stay is $149.

Also, exchange fees are lower on shorter stays. There are times when I don't really need the whole week so I've chosen to stretch my points and get multiple trips with shorter stays. The exchange fee for a 1-night stay is $39, a 2-night stay is $59, a 3-night stay is $79, a 4-night stay is $99, a 5-night stay is $109 and a 6-night stay is $129.

Also... Sunday thru Thursday stays use less points than weekends.

Jim - thanks for the tip about renewing... I'll ask about getting an exchange credit the next time I renew.

Keep in mind that you are going to have to pay a housekeeping fee to the resort as well - sometimes $50 or more. So breaking up your week into three vacations could cost you almos $200 per night. You would be better off to rent.

 

[vacationhopeful]

I too own at VRI resort with RCI Points. And I book a the 12 month mark for the $40 reservation. I love the resort and it extends my vacation time there for another week. Hence, less travel costs. The management staff tries to keep me in the same unit for both weeks - in issue of being homeless for 6 hours and I get a full housecleaning on Sunday.

Plan and know the resort before you buy. You will be happier.

 

[Free2Roam]

Keep in mind that you are going to have to pay a housekeeping fee to the resort as well - sometimes $50 or more. So breaking up your week into three vacations could cost you almos $200 per night. You would be better off to rent.

Understood...however I really got lucky considering it's my first year in RCI Points.

My first mini-vacation is The Suites at Hershey for next Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately they don't charge a housekeeping fee. My cost, including the $79 exchange fee, is $84 per night in a 2bdrm.

My second mini-vacation is The Manhattan Club in NY checking in June 30, 2013 for 4 nights. They charge $30 per night hospitality fee. I'm told it covers housekeeping and wi-fi. My cost, including exchange & hospitality fees comes to $167 per night for a 1bdrm. Well worth it for a summer stay in New York. That would be an awesome price for a hotel... and I get a 1bdrm with a kitchen.

If my luck holds out, I'll be a huge RCI Points advocate.

 

[Egret1986]

Good job, Juanita!

Understood...however I really got lucky considering it's my first year in RCI Points.

My first mini-vacation is The Suites at Hershey for next Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately they don't charge a housekeeping fee. My cost, including the $79 exchange fee, is $84 per night in a 2bdrm.

My second mini-vacation is The Manhattan Club in NY checking in June 30, 2013 for 4 nights. They charge $30 per night hospitality fee. I'm told it covers housekeeping and wi-fi. My cost, including exchange & hospitality fees comes to $167 per night for a 1bdrm. Well worth it for a summer stay in New York. That would be an awesome price for a hotel... and I get a 1bdrm with a kitchen.

If my luck holds out, I'll be a huge RCI Points advocate.

Great Points exchanges! Seems you got up to speed in RCI Points real quick!

 

[jc92869]

housekeeping fee?

really? on top of M/fs there are housekeeping fees too? I get why, but it is really starting to seem like it will be much cheaper to rent than become a T/S owner. SO where can you find out what the resort's housekeeping fee is? I'm buying into RCI, do I see the housekeeping info when booking a resort or is that fee sprung up on me when I check in?

 

[Egret1986]

Before you confirm an RCI Points exchange, it is disclosed

really? on top of M/fs there are housekeeping fees too? I get why, but it is really starting to seem like it will be much cheaper to rent than become a T/S owner. SO where can you find out what the resort's housekeeping fee is? I'm buying into RCI, do I see the housekeeping info when booking a resort or is that fee sprung up on me when I check in?

You have to really learn and work the system to your benefit or, yes, it's going to be cheaper to do rentals.

 

[Free2Roam]

Great Points exchanges! Seems you got up to speed in RCI Points real quick!

Thanks! I think it was luck...but being an RCI Points stalker didn't hurt. I have both resorts as My Favorites and I checked availability daily... sometimes a few times a day.

I've even seen some pretty good opportunities since then, but I'm all booked for next year. Now I just check hoping to get a feel for when things become available.

really? on top of M/fs there are housekeeping fees too? I get why, but it is really starting to seem like it will be much cheaper to rent than become a T/S owner. SO where can you find out what the resort's housekeeping fee is? I'm buying into RCI, do I see the housekeeping info when booking a resort or is that fee sprung up on me when I check in?

My understanding is that housekeeping fees are charge for stays less than a full week. But - as I discovered - not all resorts charge them. I just call the resort to ask about housekeeping fees.

 

[Egret1986]

Yeah, I'm over-booked for next year between exchanges and what I own and want to use

I've even seen some pretty good opportunities since then, but I'm all booked for next year. Now I just check hoping to get a feel for when things become available.

I have OCD on visiting RCI and looking for stuff (there's a recent thread on that--we're not alone).

My understanding is that housekeeping fees are charge for stays less than a full week. But - as I discovered - not all resorts charge them. I just call the resort to ask about housekeeping fees.

True. I had a pleasant surprise back in June when there was no housekeeping charge for my mini vacation using RCI Points. Made for an inexpensive getaway.

 

[jc92869]

makes me wonder

riginally Posted by FreeIn2010

"My understanding is that housekeeping fees are charge for stays less than a full week. But - as I discovered - not all resorts charge them. I just call the resort to ask about housekeeping fees."

Most of what i will be able to do is quick getaways for a few days (2-3). hopefully 3 to four of them a year.

So could you avoid Housekeeping fees by booking a full week in the instant exchanges ( i understand these are ~9k points ) and just not staying the full week?

would that even make sense to do?

 

[jc92869]

makes me wonder

riginally Posted by FreeIn2010

"My understanding is that housekeeping fees are charge for stays less than a full week. But - as I discovered - not all resorts charge them. I just call the resort to ask about housekeeping fees."

Most of what i will be able to do is quick getaways for a few days (2-3). hopefully 3 to four of them a year.

So could you avoid Housekeeping fees by booking a full week in the instant exchanges ( i understand these are ~9k points ) and just not staying the full week?

would that even make sense to do?

 

[Free2Roam]

I believe instant exchanges still require an exchange fee of $189 because they come from weeks inventory. If you have points that average around 1¢ per point, you're paying about $280 for the week...staying 2-3 nights makes it between $90-140 per night. And that's not factoring in RCI's annual fee. So, not horrible depending on the unit size, season and resort. But if I were in that situation I would probably just rent and avoid the commitment.

TUG last minute rentals are supposed to be no more than $100/night.