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Using Points for Vacations

B

brownlec

newbie
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
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Location
toronto
Hi,

I am seriously considering purchasing a Points based timeshare (e.g. RCI). I have researched this periodically for well over a year. We love the idea of regular vacations every year and the opportunity for very good accomodations for a great annual price, as well as the chance for multiple weeks with the last minute deals. However, deciding on what exactly to purchase has been difficult, primarily due to one main reason: we don't know what to expect to be able to book once we are TS owners and want to book a vacation.

We live in Canada. We have determined, that most of our vacations will be without the kids; during the winter period of around January to March; and usually anywhere in the Carribean. This does not mean that anyone or more of those factors may not change periodically (e.g. a family vacation to Florida one year), but MOST vacations will be my wife and I to any of the Carribean destinations during J-M. With that said, we don't even tend to have a desire to stay at the SAME location every year. Variety is nice. We would want to stay at a quality resort though, something in the 4 star range at least. Assume whatever I purchase will give me plenty of points (e.g. 75,000+).

So here are my questions, based on that background:

1. What can I expect for "inventory" or "availability" of resorts in that area/time period/quality if I am willing to book it well in advance, such as 6, 8, 10 months ahead (e.g. March/April/May for a January trip, or even earlier)? Without being a member now, I have no way of knowing what to expect.

2. Should I care where I purchase as my HOME resort? This question is particularly dependent on the ability to find a good alternative (i.e. question #1). If I got a great deal on a resort in some city in the U.S. that I had no desire to ever go to and use, but buy it strictly for the points to use elsewhere, will I be dissappointed that I won't be able to get my "typical" request, using my points, even with lots of lead time, most of the time?

Thanks very much for your feedback. I have read about concerns about availability of resorts in prime locations, high season etc. dropping significantly, class-action lawsuits, etc., but I am not sure if that applies more to Weeks members rather than Points members, so I want to make sure I fully understand what I am getting into before I purchase.

Thanks!
 
If you are wondering what are available 6-8 months ahead (or even before that), you need to pay $15 and be a TUG member. Then you can see "Sightings".
Great Tug members are posting bulk deposit, new availabilities and great sightings everyday (sometimes couple times a day) on sightings board. Watch sightings before you buy any system, you will get an idea which system can pull what units in which location.
 
brownlec said:
Hi,

I am seriously considering purchasing a Points based timeshare (e.g. RCI). I have researched this periodically for well over a year. We love the idea of regular vacations every year and the opportunity for very good accomodations for a great annual price, as well as the chance for multiple weeks with the last minute deals. However, deciding on what exactly to purchase has been difficult, primarily due to one main reason: we don't know what to expect to be able to book once we are TS owners and want to book a vacation.

We live in Canada. We have determined, that most of our vacations will be without the kids; during the winter period of around January to March; and usually anywhere in the Caribbean. This does not mean that anyone or more of those factors may not change periodically (e.g. a family vacation to Florida one year), but MOST vacations will be my wife and I to any of the Caribbean destinations during J-M. With that said, we don't even tend to have a desire to stay at the SAME location every year. Variety is nice. We would want to stay at a quality resort though, something in the 4 star range at least. Assume whatever I purchase will give me plenty of points (e.g. 75,000+).

So here are my questions, based on that background:

1. What can I expect for "inventory" or "availability" of resorts in that area/time period/quality if I am willing to book it well in advance, such as 6, 8, 10 months ahead (e.g. March/April/May for a January trip, or even earlier)? Without being a member now, I have no way of knowing what to expect.

2. Should I care where I purchase as my HOME resort? This question is particularly dependent on the ability to find a good alternative (i.e. question #1). If I got a great deal on a resort in some city in the U.S. that I had no desire to ever go to and use, but buy it strictly for the points to use elsewhere, will I be disappointed that I won't be able to get my "typical" request, using my points, even with lots of lead time, most of the time?

Thanks very much for your feedback. I have read about concerns about availability of resorts in prime locations, high season etc. dropping significantly, class-action lawsuits, etc., but I am not sure if that applies more to Weeks members rather than Points members, so I want to make sure I fully understand what I am getting into before I purchase.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Trying to get a four star or higher Caribbean exchange for January-March will be very difficult at 6-8 months out. If you start at 10 months you would be very lucky if you were successful. If you include Mexico beach resorts and all inclusive you will have availability.

If you must have Caribbean you should start with looking for end of November to mid December and you will be successful. You should also join TUG and look for sightings as there are ocassional developer bulk banking which could get you a Carribean resort from January-March.

Remember for you to get an exchange someone has to deposit that Caribbean 4 star or higher resort during prime winter season and most owners bought to go that time of year or they can do better by renting out their prime weeks rather than depositing with RCI.

Good Luck!!!!:cheer: :hi:
 
As far as availability, I see quite a bit of gold & silver crown resorts in RCI weeks & points (mostly 3 star though) and we are nowhere near the right time to be looking. I believe its nine months out to the day that you would be looking to book in points. Its two years out for weeks reservations. With an RCI points account you can book in both systems.

The fact that you want to go to different places fits perfectly into an RCI Points ownership especially if you are flexible with where & when.

As far as owning at a resort somewhere where you never visit, I'm sure your HOA won't miss you as long as they get your maintenance fees every year.
 
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I am not sure if there are any legal ramifications but, have you considered a lease? Since we got out of RCI I haven't followed this topic very much but there once was a way to lease a timeshare for two or three years, without ownership, just availability to access points. That way you could get your feet wet without swimming. If you use the POINTS forum to search three year lease you might find some interesting comments.
 
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