Using Bonus points for RCI

[TRCCTravel]

Good afternoon smart HGVC folks! I hope you can help me with this question, I have searched the forum and the program docs and can't seem to find it. (probably user error, not seeing something right in front of my face!)

If I want to use Bonus points for an OGS RCI reservation, do they need to be deposited into RCI first? For example, I have an OGS in place for March of 2016. RCI is showing that I have no points to exchange, so will I not match the OGS? Not sure why it can't see my bonus points?

And if the OGS matches, am I allowed some period of time to move the points over to "pay" for the reservation?

Thanks!

 

[Talent312]

AFAIK, BP's are simply not a part of the online experience.
Are BP's listed on the member website under "My Points?"
Neither are they mentioned in the RCI point-detail page.

If you call, HGVC may be willing to set up an OGS for you.
I dunno if they'll need a deposit of BP's before you get a match.
.

 

[holdaer]

I used bonus points in 2014 and had to deposit them into RCI before I could book the reservation. I would image the same holds true for an ongoing search.

 

[JSparling]

Here's totally non-helpful answer. When you start an OGS you pay the fee to RCI ($209?) but they don't take the points until you have a match and accept the match. At that point they'll go to HGVC and take points. What points do they take? No idea. Sorry. I'm worthless.

 

[TRCCTravel]

Thanks for the help guys, I was afraid that was the answer. I don't want to move over the bonus points until I am sure I can make the trade that I want. I guess I will have to keep watch and see if anything comes up without the OGS.

JSparling, I don't pay the fee for the OGS, I skip that step. I learned that nugget of wisdom by searching these boards!

 

[presley]

The reps at HGVC are pretty helpful with reminding you to use your bonus points. I'd set up the ongoing search to notify me of a match. When the match comes, I'd call HGVC and tell them to use my bonus points. Even if for some reason your club points are removed before you know you have a match, you can still call in and tell them you wanted to use bonus points and let them switch it around for you. Hilton phone reps have been very helpful to me whenever I've called in.

 

[TRCCTravel]

Will the OGS still match?

I wasn't sure if the OGS would match if there weren't any points showing in my account. We used all our regular club points so we only have bonus points right now. Will the system just skip my OGS because it shows insufficient points?