Royal Holiday club

[Traverse]

Am I the only person on earth who is not unhappy with my membership in RHC? When you look online all you see are people complaining about it, but it's been OK for me. We bought a 15,000 point membership back in 2004. We roll our points over and use two years' worth in order to get better rooms/longer stays. The resorts are nice and we have a good time. You have to book well in advance to get what you want. We paid the special assessment fee after Hurricane Wilma, but in exchange we got a week in Cozumel without using our points.

I've had a few minor problems, but they were always fixed with a phone call or two. A small hassle, but nothing worse than what I've dealt with other times with other companies. Most of the people I've dealt with there have been polite and helpful.

I just signed up to go to Puerto Vallarta for a free stay, again without using my points, to listen to an "informational presentation" about our membership. We're also supposed to get another free vacation and a free cruise (buy one get one), plus 5000 additional points. I'm skeptical about those, and I'm sure we're in for a sales pitch. However, even if we walk away from the sales pitch without getting the additional freebies, the free stay in Puerto Vallarta is a good deal. Has anyone else taken them up on this offer? If so, what are they trying to sell?

 

[NEVacationer]

Am I the only person on earth who is not unhappy with my membership in RHC? When you look online all you see are people complaining about it, but it's been OK for me. We bought a 15,000 point membership back in 2004. We roll our points over and use two years' worth in order to get better rooms/longer stays. The resorts are nice and we have a good time. You have to book well in advance to get what you want. We paid the special assessment fee after Hurricane Wilma, but in exchange we got a week in Cozumel without using our points.

I've had a few minor problems, but they were always fixed with a phone call or two. A small hassle, but nothing worse than what I've dealt with other times with other companies. Most of the people I've dealt with there have been polite and helpful.

I just signed up to go to Puerto Vallarta for a free stay, again without using my points, to listen to an "informational presentation" about our membership. We're also supposed to get another free vacation and a free cruise (buy one get one), plus 5000 additional points. I'm skeptical about those, and I'm sure we're in for a sales pitch. However, even if we walk away from the sales pitch without getting the additional freebies, the free stay in Puerto Vallarta is a good deal. Has anyone else taken them up on this offer? If so, what are they trying to sell?

Traverse,
Royal Holiday is certainly a reputable company - they have been in the business for 25 years. I am working with them and they have many long-term customers - over 67,000 to date. Which RH Resorts have you enjoyed the most?

 

[salpal]

I have 110000 points and love RHC Weve been to Italy and all over the US and mexico. We will be in Cancun for 3 weeks starting the 26th of April. Never had a problem getting what I want.

 

[bigrick]

Look in the TUG section called Point Systems Discussions for more Royal Holiday discussions. Happy and unhappy members alike meet up over there.

 

[GrayFal]

I have pm'd the moderator and asked them to move this to the correct board

 

[Dave M]

Done! Thanks for asking!

 

[GrayFal]

Thanks Dave....
I am also exploring this ownership as it seems to have the flexibiliy I want at this time in my 'travel life'.

 

[Hoc]

Hmm, why am I suspicious of this thread? Two new members, both guests, registered within about a week of each other and posting within a week or so of registering, having a "conversation"?

Maybe I'm just being overly suspicious, but it sure looks like someone's pimping for RHC.

 

[Hoc]

In any event, in case this is a legit post, you will find that most of the people who dislike RHC post about the lies that their salespeople told at the time of sale. When I first bought RHC about 8 years or so ago, all you could find was negative postings and threats of class action lawsuits. Very vocal whiners out there about RHC. However, when I looked at the complaints, they were almost all about the lies and duplicitous sales methods of the organization, which are not any worse than many other timeshare sales organizations out there.

You can go to many great places with your RHC membership. Their administration is screwed up and you can't trust anything that they tell you on the phone. Often they will say whatever they think will get you off the phone faster, whether true or not. It is hard to get confirmations from them, and sometimes they will "forget" the fact that you've already paid them, and make you pay twice, regardless of the proof you have.

But, overall, you can get to some great places at reasonable prices, even with the extra payments, so I'm satisfied with them.

 

[Hoc]

If so, what are they trying to sell?

Clearly, they are going to try to sell you more points. Or, if you have a week, they will try to sell you a conversion to points. Don't bite. The interest in RHC is virtually worthless on the resale market, even if they tell you that you can rent it out, or that it is worth the $20,000 or so they will charge you. If you can resell your interest for a penny a point, then that is about market. Remember that if you are considering buying from them.

 

[caribbean]

Like any other TS, my advice is to never never never buy from the developer. I bought my two weeks resale and have been very happy using it. Got the remaining contract for a great LOW price. RHC leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to providing paperwork and other general administration. Pay all of your maintenance fees by computer, print and keep at least one copy of the paperwork forever. But I have to say the Customer Service Staff has been very cooperative and helpful when I am booking reservations. For what I paid, it has been a steal.

 

[abc31]

I am also very happy with my Royal Holiday Club membership. I bought resale, so there was no big investment. As far as the "free" stays though, I believe all of the resorts that you said they put you in for free are all inclusive resorts. I would be surprised if they waived the all inclusive fee. And that is a great way for them to make some money during slow periods.

As far as customer service goes, I have also found the agents to be polite and helpful. However, I have been given wrong info in regard to room types.

All in all I am happy and presently looking for more points...resale of course.

 

[Blondie]

Boy those top two posts look suspicious, especially the second one. If RHC is watching perhaps they can clean up their act regarding their bookkeeping snafus. They are a disaster at every turn and their record keeping is abysmal.

 

[NEVacationer]

In any event, in case this is a legit post, you will find that most of the people who dislike RHC post about the lies that their salespeople told at the time of sale. When I first bought RHC about 8 years or so ago, all you could find was negative postings and threats of class action lawsuits. Very vocal whiners out there about RHC. However, when I looked at the complaints, they were almost all about the lies and duplicitous sales methods of the organization, which are not any worse than many other timeshare sales organizations out there.

You can go to many great places with your RHC membership. Their administration is screwed up and you can't trust anything that they tell you on the phone. Often they will say whatever they think will get you off the phone faster, whether true or not. It is hard to get confirmations from them, and sometimes they will "forget" the fact that you've already paid them, and make you pay twice, regardless of the proof you have.

But, overall, you can get to some great places at reasonable prices, even with the extra payments, so I'm satisfied with them.

You make a valid point, Hoc. A majority of Royal Holiday members like you are happy with their vacations. The company is working on improving their customer service and sales process to make the overall experience more enjoyable for RH members.

You and others (like salpal) have posted about great vacations you’ve had - what do you like best about RHC?

 

[Blondie]

What Tuggers like BEST about RHC is that you can buy points packages on ebay for about a buck or so. Sometimes, big packages go for a few hundred but the "happy" users of RHC that you may find here did NOT get taken to the cleaners by buying from them directly. So, 'fess up NEVacationer, in what capacity are you affiliated with them?

 

[drguy]

Quote of original ad deleted - MG

A quick study on eBay shows that it ought to be worth anywhere from 5 cents (winning bid for 5 6,000 point accounts) to $11.00 (2 15,000 point accounts).
pm me if interested.
Thanks.

 

[GrayFal]

Quote of original ad deleted - MG

Welcome to TUG ....as the previous poster stated, your membership on the resale market is worth under $100.

So forget about selling and instead, learn to use your ownership.

You can take some very nice trips every year or go to Europe every other year by carrying over your points.

Do a search on this board for 'royal holiday' or 'RHC' and see how people use this ownership.
You actually might want to look into buying another 30,000 points resale (for under $1,000 including closing costs) and combine the 2 ownerships for $500.
Owning 60,000 points will give u many more options.

 

[Hoc]

A quick study on eBay shows that it ought to be worth anywhere from 5 cents (winning bid for 5 6,000 point accounts) to $11.00 (2 15,000 point accounts).
pm me if interested.
Thanks.

I think that you're understating the value a bit. A 30,000-point package is realistically worth about $500 to $750.

 

[drguy]

I think that you're understating the value a bit. A 30,000-point package is realistically worth about $500 to $750.

Those were quotes from eBay auctions that had been completed recently. Most ended at 1 cent for the auction.
Guy

 

[Jya-Ning]

Those were quotes from eBay auctions that had been completed recently. Most ended at 1 cent for the auction.
Guy

You need to add resort transfer cost and closing cost. It has been a while since those cost are free to buyer.

Jya-Ning

 

[Hoc]

Those were quotes from eBay auctions that had been completed recently. Most ended at 1 cent for the auction.
Guy

When a postcard company sells a timeshare on ebay, and closing costs are $500, it is worth $500 even if it closes for a penny.

 

[drguy]

When a postcard company sells a timeshare on ebay, and closing costs are $500, it is worth $500 even if it closes for a penny.

Many had a 0.00 closing cost.
Oh well. I don't own, so doesn't impact me. I was merely passing on information.
Guy

 

[kekemad]

What Tuggers like BEST about RHC is that you can buy points packages on ebay for about a buck or so. Sometimes, big packages go for a few hundred but the "happy" users of RHC that you may find here did NOT get taken to the cleaners by buying from them directly. So, 'fess up NEVacationer, in what capacity are you affiliated with them?

Hi Blondie, My first post, just signed in to TUG. I looked for Royal Holiday, because I purchased 30,000 points in Mexico 10 years ago. I have to say NO PROBLEM. I do book early, and never had a problem going where I want to go. It looks like folks are bitter because they got talked into something they may not have done without the high sell job. I'm Happy

 

[NEVacationer]

you're right - booking and planning early is key, but that is really true for any vacation.

For checking out RHC's options these days, Flickr (the photo sharing site) is the best place to see what different resorts look like ahead of time.

they have a flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/royalholidayvacation/
Anyone else posting photos up there too?

 

[Hoc]

OK, guys. You don't need to shill for the company. There are many of us here that are happy with our RHC interest, but we recognize the significant administrative problems with the organization. We will be honest with anyone who asks about RHC, and we will tell them that it can be a very valuable property to own. But the downsides are significant, and for anyone that wants a "warm and fuzzy" feeling from their company, RHC is not for them. They have become better about giving online confirmations, but you still have a lot of phone reps who give misinformation and who will say whatever they have to in order to get you off the phone. They still will occasionally double bill you for your annual fees, and there are other problems.

But, honestly. No posts in the 4 months since you initially posted in this thread? And this thread is your only posting? It really looks like you are an RHC shill. We don't need that here, we do talk about the good things with RHC, and you will not generate more interest by shilling for the company on this BBS.