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RCI-- we know they're greedy, but these make No sense!

skimble

TUG Member
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In exchange for your timeshare, you can get:
3 day exchange trips. How does this make financial sense? After membership fee, exchange fee, and maintenance fee, it's over $1,000 for a 3 day trip. Rip OFF! On a simple check, the San Diego Club Wyndham Harbor Lights for example.... You can book July 4th weekend-- the most prime of the year for $195/night on stayforlong.com

Hotel Stays -- Are they EVER a better deal on RCI? I've seen regular Holiday Inn hotels offered. 2.5 Stars!

Cruise vacations? Are these ever good exchanges? Cruise Critic has always gotten me better deals than I could ever find through RCI.

RCI offers it... that must mean people are buying it-- the same people who bought their timeshares in order to save money on vacations.
 

dgalati

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In exchange for your timeshare, you can get:
3 day exchange trips. How does this make financial sense? After membership fee, exchange fee, and maintenance fee, it's over $1,000 for a 3 day trip. Rip OFF! On a simple check, the San Diego Club Wyndham Harbor Lights for example.... You can book July 4th weekend-- the most prime of the year for $195/night on stayforlong.com

Hotel Stays -- Are they EVER a better deal on RCI? I've seen regular Holiday Inn hotels offered. 2.5 Stars!

Cruise vacations? Are these ever good exchanges? Cruise Critic has always gotten me better deals than I could ever find through RCI.

RCI offers it... that must mean people are buying it-- the same people who bought their timeshares in order to save money on vacations.
IMHO The whole industry makes no sense if you are going to shop price. I have a hard time with owning knowing for my travel needs a Wyndham VIP owner will rent to me for less then I pay in maintenance fees.
 

elaine

TUG Member
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HGVC Eagles Nest, DVC-AKV, HHI
I look at it as a way to trade to a different location instead of using my timeshares. I don’t have to deposit with Rci, I could just stay at my place.
I have more issue with getting so-so trading power for a very good summer beach week with other lesser resorts getting more points. But as long as I can still get decent exchanges, Rci will continue to get my week.
All the other Rci things-travel, cruise, etc. are not worth it imho.
 

montygz

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In exchange for your timeshare, you can get:
3 day exchange trips. How does this make financial sense? After membership fee, exchange fee, and maintenance fee, it's over $1,000 for a 3 day trip. Rip OFF! On a simple check, the San Diego Club Wyndham Harbor Lights for example.... You can book July 4th weekend-- the most prime of the year for $195/night on stayforlong.com

Hotel Stays -- Are they EVER a better deal on RCI? I've seen regular Holiday Inn hotels offered. 2.5 Stars!

Cruise vacations? Are these ever good exchanges? Cruise Critic has always gotten me better deals than I could ever find through RCI.

RCI offers it... that must mean people are buying it-- the same people who bought their timeshares in order to save money on vacations.
Those are examples of "sizzle" used to sell timeshares -- but have little to no value.

The "steak" is in exchanging weeks, last calls and sometimes extra vacations. That is where you can get value.

Because salespeople push this stuff, it leads to many disappointed owners when they discover the reality. Another slap in the face for someone who spent $20K on a $1 timeshare.

The key takeaway is to understand those are bad deals and use your points and fees on the good stuff.

Right now the lodging industry is in the toilet, so some of the "deals" RCI members are offered don't stack up well to resorts dumping inventory. This may change as travel returns.
 

rapmarks

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
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My latest searches turn up only these three day stats. Please!
 

skimble

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
877
Reaction score
42
Points
388
Location
Murrieta, CA
Those are examples of "sizzle" used to sell timeshares -- but have little to no value.

The "steak" is in exchanging weeks, last calls and sometimes extra vacations. That is where you can get value.

Because salespeople push this stuff, it leads to many disappointed owners when they discover the reality. Another slap in the face for someone who spent $20K on a $1 timeshare.

The key takeaway is to understand those are bad deals and use your points and fees on the good stuff.

Right now the lodging industry is in the toilet, so some of the "deals" RCI members are offered don't stack up well to resorts dumping inventory. This may change as travel returns.

It's like walking through Walmart and seeing some sale items, and some items that are priced at 200% over the value of the item. It's disingenuous and forces customers to scrutinize every purchase. And not with a frugal eye... with a scammer's eye.

The reality is... RCI knows their customer base. They know that about 50% (guessing) of their owners are senior citizens. Studies show, as seniors age, they become more trusting and therefore vulnerable to fraud. They get on their computer, see a week and book it, the same way they see a piece of meat in the grocery store and throw it in their cart. They may not look at the price because they trust the merchant. RCI no longer deserves their trust... pricing is scandalous.
 
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