RCI question

[Zzyzx Zybisco]

Hi all,

We have 4300 regular club points left over that will expire at the end of this year. We have no prospect of using them ourselves. When speaking with HGVC customer assistance, they said the only thing that could be done with them (other than let them go) is to deposit them into RCI.

I've never done that before, but I see that they charge an array of fees -- $139 to make the deposit, plus a bunch of fees added on when you actually make the reservation. Plus the resorts may add on cleaning fees (and who knows what else) as well. All that makes me hesitate.

So is it worth depositing the 4300 points? Or should I just consider them a sunk cost? Is there value in using RCI? We'd like to visit Puerto Rico, and I see that there are some RCI resorts there. But are RCI resorts comparable to HGVC resorts? Is there anything else I could do with the points?

 

[HuskerATL]

We have moved points to RCI in years that we couldn't use HGVC and found nice properties. They may not be as nice as HGVC but, if you do some research, you can find plenty of nice resorts. It would be worth the cost if you think that you might need a place in the next couple year versus losing them. I would do it. Just to add, you can log into the RCI website from your HGVC account to see the properties to get an idea.

 

[PigsDad]

3400 points will get you a 1BR for a week during high season with an RCI exchange. The only fee I know of when you make the reservation is the exchange fee ($239 currently, I think). Some places do charge resort fees, but certainly not all.

So, you just need to ask yourself if a week or more of vacation is worth those fees. For me, it would be an easy "yes", but everyone is different.

Kurt

 

[HuskerATL]

Just to add, you can also reserve a place and buy a guest certificate (RCI) for $89 to give to friends or family. I have done that in past years also.

 

[escanoe]

Also, if you find something bookable before the end of the year you want in RCI (with usage anytime in the future) you can book it through the HGVC portal and not pay to transfer points. At least that is how I understand it.

 

[HuskerATL]

Also, if you find something bookable before the end of the year you want in RCI (with usage anytime in the future) you can book it through the HGVC portal and not pay to transfer points. At least that is how I understand it.

This is correct but you do have to be a little careful on the website. It used to be that you deposited points to RCI and that was the points that you used for RCI but now the RCI website pulls in deposited points and HGVC points so you may think you have more deposited points than you do, since it is pulling in the next years HGVCs points also. The page says HGVC points + Deposited points = Total usable points. This is a change from years in the past.

This is from our page so if you want to use HGVC points directly, you can:

 

[Zzyzx Zybisco]

Thanks, all. That's very helpful. This is why I love this place!