VV The Colonies RCI points

[Vacay0606]

I'm thinking about buying a resale The Colonies at VV unit week 30 four bedroom lock off. The seller said that it trades thru RCI and it's a points account. I would use it as a trader to travel to Westgate Vacation Villas during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Can someone explain how RCI points work and the fees associated with trading points? I am a member of RCI weeks already with my Shearwater unit and have it paid up for 5 years. Is there a fee to have both weeks and points account in RCI? I already own a The Colonies at VV that trades thru II and am very familiar how to use that one and really like how easy it is.
 TIA

 

[rickandcindy23]

You will need an RCI Points account. The account includes a weeks account. I already had weeks when I bought RCI Points and kept my old weeks account.

RCI Points will get last-minute trades cheap, 7,500-9,000 points. Exchange fees are still $299, I believe. I get some discounts on exchanges occasionally, which is confusing. I paid $269 recently for an exchange. Don't know if that was a discount or what.

Shearwater is usually about 120,000 RCI Points. There is currently a 7/3/2026 week for 121,000 points. It's a way to get another Shearwater week sometime. It's probably a great value with your RCI Points to get Shearwater via exchange. That's been my favorite exchange over the last 20 years. How many points do you get for your maintenance fees?

My cost is about 1.1 cent per point. What is your cost going to be? I bet it's lower.

 

[jackio]

Summer weeks in Williamsburg trade well in Interval also. You could probably split the lock off into 2-2BRs and trade in each (would require an II paid membership).

 

[iftravel]

I'm thinking about buying a resale The Colonies at VV unit week 30 four bedroom lock off. The seller said that it trades thru RCI and it's a points account. I would use it as a trader to travel to Westgate Vacation Villas during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Can someone explain how RCI points work and the fees associated with trading points? I am a member of RCI weeks already with my Shearwater unit and have it paid up for 5 years. Is there a fee to have both weeks and points account in RCI? I already own a The Colonies at VV that trades thru II and am very familiar how to use that one and really like how easy it is.
 TIA

You can keep your weeks account and when setting up points account, let RCI know (the form will ask for your existing membership). By linking them together, you get the weeks account free but I’m afraid the 5-year credit you paid do not transfer.

See if you could get refunded from the weeks account first if you care about it.

 

[Vacay0606]

You will need an RCI Points account. The account includes a weeks account. I already had weeks when I bought RCI Points and kept my old weeks account.

RCI Points will get last-minute trades cheap, 7,500-9,000 points. Exchange fees are still $299, I believe. I get some discounts on exchanges occasionally, which is confusing. I paid $269 recently for an exchange. Don't know if that was a discount or what.

Shearwater is usually about 120,000 RCI Points. There is currently a 7/3/2026 week for 121,000 points. It's a way to get another Shearwater week sometime. It's probably a great value with your RCI Points to get Shearwater via exchange. That's been my favorite exchange over the last 20 years. How many points do you get for your maintenance fees?

My cost is about 1.1 cent per point. What is your cost going to be? I bet it's lower.

I called RCI and they told me that I would need 2 separate accounts since it will be dual enrollment with my previous Shearwater week and my Colonies points. The cost would be $134 extra per year. My platinum membership is paid up til 2030 and if I cancel my week membership, it doesn't transfer to the points account. The current owner said the 4 bedroom lock off has 147,000 RCI points with a maintenance fee of $1158.
I called VV Colonies and they said that once the deed is in my name, it is up to me which trading company I want to use. She said call II and tell them that I want it in II weeks. Hopefully that's true.
Thank you Cindy for your advice and insight.

 

[escanoe]

Summer weeks in Williamsburg trade well in Interval also. You could probably split the lock off into 2-2BRs and trade in each (would require an II paid membership).

If it is enrolled in RCI Points, no part of it can be traded in Interval.

That said, my understanding is this is a highly efficient trader in RCI points.

 

[Vacay0606]

If it is enrolled in RCI Points, no part of it can be traded in Interval.

That said, my understanding is this is a highly efficient trader in RCI points.

Will the previous owner's deed list RCI points and I'm assuming I'll see it on the transfer paperwork? When I called VV at The Colonies she said that when I register it with II, I could change it to weeks with them. I've never dealt with points before. Would it be beneficial for me to pay the extra yearly RCI fee for points and learn how to trade it that way?

 

[jp10558]

Will the previous owner's deed list RCI points and I'm assuming I'll see it on the transfer paperwork? When I called VV at The Colonies she said that when I register it with II, I could change it to weeks with them. I've never dealt with points before. Would it be beneficial for me to pay the extra yearly RCI fee for points and learn how to trade it that way?

I just got an RCI points account, which per others includes a Weeks account (and it seems to show both inventories from the UI hints with "RCI points can't be held" displays, but some do say you can hold, so those must be weeks.

The big question is do you want to trade in RCI at all? If you are OK with the RCI resorts, then I find points values can be really good if you have a good MF/pt ratio, which this seems to have IMO. Many of my potential trades are 30k-50k for a 2BR week, and "deals" I might trade for are less than 10k, so you can see how many weeks that could potentially get you, but at the $299 per exchange cost and resort fees. But you can easily be sub $800 a week, which is pretty good, and on the sub 10k ones you can be under $500 for a 2BR.

 

[Vacay0606]

I just got an RCI points account, which per others includes a Weeks account (and it seems to show both inventories from the UI hints with "RCI points can't be held" displays, but some do say you can hold, so those must be weeks.

The big question is do you want to trade in RCI at all? If you are OK with the RCI resorts, then I find points values can be really good if you have a good MF/pt ratio, which this seems to have IMO. Many of my potential trades are 30k-50k for a 2BR week, and "deals" I might trade for are less than 10k, so you can see how many weeks that could potentially get you, but at the $299 per exchange cost and resort fees. But you can easily be sub $800 a week, which is pretty good, and on the sub 10k ones you can be under $500 for a 2BR.

I like the idea of your math. I'm thinking I could split the deposit into a 2 bedroom to II and a 2 bedroom into RCI points to try it out? I would still have the $134 fee for RCI points account so I would have to factor that into the final costs. Something to think about is that I won't be getting any accommodation certificates from II which can get great deals in Orlando during the off season when we travel.

 

[rickandcindy23]

You will be able to get Shearwater for a great deal, low MF cost per point + exchange fees=way better than maintenance fees on Shearwater.

You should have a free weeks account with your points' account. You will just need to pay ONE membership fee, and yes, I think your MF per point is low enough to get value from RCI Points.

Still not an RCI fan myself, but I am stuck with it with our ownership with a few resorts that give me no choice. I am moving out of RCI gradually.

 

[Vacay0606]

You will be able to get Shearwater for a great deal, low MF cost per point + exchange fees=way better than maintenance fees on Shearwater.

You should have a free weeks account with your points' account. You will just need to pay ONE membership fee, and yes, I think your MF per point is low enough to get value from RCI Points.

Still not an RCI fan myself, but I am stuck with it with our ownership with a few resorts that give me no choice. I am moving out of RCI gradually.

Can you recommend any Maui RCI destinations that I could exchange into? Probably going in 2028. My husband likes to whale watch and we like quiet areas.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Can you recommend any Maui RCI destinations that I could exchange into? Probably going in 2028. My husband likes to whale watch and we like quiet areas.

With RCI Points, at exactly 10 months, midnight Eastern, you can book Sands of Kahana, 2 bedroom or even 3 bedroom. If you wait until the morning of the next day, you likely won't get it. But I also have to say that sometimes inventory posts days late, so I watch for days to get the inventory. Could be an RCI issue, but most likely is an issue with the management company not releasing inventory.

Sands of Kahana has one bedrooms, theyare nice, but most are island and parking structure view. I wouldn't take one. I would take anything next door at Kahana Beach over a one bedroom at SOK.

Sands of Kahana has no air conditioning.

There are not many resorts I recommend on Maui through RCI. Kahana Beach has wonderful one bedroom units that are all oceanfront, but those are rarely deposited. Those are MY favorites over Sands of Kahana. The studios come available often, and if you are good with a queen bed (no longer murphy beds) and a small kitchen, which is still very usable, you would like the studio. Most of those units have a nice view of the ocean, some may be a side view.

RCI, sadly, doesn't have much on Maui. Kahana Villas is okay and certainly better than nothing. Kahana Falls is a nice option as well with nice one bedroom units but is across from the ocean, right next to Kahana Villas.

Kahana Falls is something you can book using an ongoing search. It's in weeks. Lots of whale season weeks have matched to my ongoing searches over the years, even President's week. I would enter a search for that one immediately.

Maui Lea at Maui Hill is a tough get via weeks, but you never know what you can get with an ongoing search.

 

[iftravel]

I called RCI and they told me that I would need 2 separate accounts since it will be dual enrollment with my previous Shearwater week and my Colonies points. The cost would be $134 extra per year. My platinum membership is paid up til 2030 and if I cancel my week membership, it doesn't transfer to the points account. The current owner said the 4 bedroom lock off has 147,000 RCI points with a maintenance fee of $1158.
I called VV Colonies and they said that once the deed is in my name, it is up to me which trading company I want to use. She said call II and tell them that I want it in II weeks. Hopefully that's true.
Thank you Cindy for your advice and insight.

Believe if you don’t set it up as RCI points during transfer then you lose the ability to enroll in RCI points program (your previous owner paid for it).

Colonies is a great II trader so it’s your call but you can always cancel RCI points later and flip back to weeks and enroll in II. I just don’t want you to lose the opportunity to try RCI points as if you lose it likely you cannot go back. Colonies is an excellent RCI points generator too.

You do not have the flexibility of depositing half into RCI points and half into II though (but you could do half RCI weeks and half II). If you are in RCI points, you will be getting those allotted points every year or use the home week.

You will have a free RCI weeks account (or link to your existing weeks account). You don’t have to pay for two accounts but my understanding is you cannot get your 5-year weeks account credit rolled over to points account. Your best chance is to get a refund from the weeks account, then link it to the points account so you don’t have to pay any annual fee. Platinum will also share between weeks and points.

 

[Vacay0606]

With RCI Points, at exactly 10 months, midnight Eastern, you can book Sands of Kahana, 2 bedroom or even 3 bedroom. If you wait until the morning of the next day, you likely won't get it. But I also have to say that sometimes inventory posts days late, so I watch for days to get the inventory. Could be an RCI issue, but most likely is an issue with the management company not releasing inventory.

Sands of Kahana has one bedrooms are nice but most are island and parking structure view. I wouldn't take one. I would take anything next door at Kahana Beach over a one bedroom at SOK.

Sands of Kahana has no air conditioning.

There are not many resorts I recommend on Maui through RCI. Kahana Beach has wonderful one bedroom units that are all oceanfront, but those are rarely deposited. Those are MY favorites over Sands of Kahana. The studios come available often, and if you are good with a queen bed (no longer murphy beds) and a small kitchen, which is still very usable, you would like the studio. Most of those units have a nice view of the ocean, some may be a side view.

RCI, sadly, doesn't have much on Maui. Kahana Villas is okay and certainly better than nothing. Kahana Falls is a nice option as well with nice one bedroom units but is across from the ocean, right next to Kahana Villas.

Kahana Falls is something you can book using an ongoing search. It's in weeks. Lots of whale season weeks have matched to my ongoing searches over the years, even President's week. I would enter a search for that one immediately.

Maui Lea at Maui Hill is a tough get via weeks, but you never know what you can get with an ongoing search.

Thank you. I added them to my to do list.

 

[Vacay0606]

Believe if you don’t set it up as RCI points during transfer then you lose the ability to enroll in RCI points program (your previous owner paid for it).

Colonies is a great II trader so it’s your call but you can always cancel RCI points later and flip back to weeks and enroll in II. I just don’t want you to lose the opportunity to try RCI points as if you lose it likely you cannot go back. Colonies is an excellent RCI points generator too.

You do not have the flexibility of depositing half into RCI points and half into II though (but you could do half RCI weeks and half II). If you are in RCI points, you will be getting those allotted points every year or use the home week.

You will have a free RCI weeks account (or link to your existing weeks account). You don’t have to pay for two accounts but my understanding is you cannot get your 5-year weeks account credit rolled over to points account. Your best chance is to get a refund from the weeks account, then link it to the points account so you don’t have to pay any annual fee. Platinum will also share between weeks and points.

I can see your reasoning for staying with RCI points. If the transfer goes thru, I probably will.

 

[jp10558]

I like the idea of your math. I'm thinking I could split the deposit into a 2 bedroom to II and a 2 bedroom into RCI points to try it out? I would still have the $134 fee for RCI points account so I would have to factor that into the final costs. Something to think about is that I won't be getting any accommodation certificates from II which can get great deals in Orlando during the off season when we travel.

Accommodation certs are a scam IMHO compared to RCI Last Call or the sub 10k points rates for Orlando, especially off season. You don't have to wait for a cert, there are always Orlando's for $379 2BR + resort fees in RCI at 45 days out, and because it's always there, you can just wait to book. The points sub 10k plus $299 and resort fees, especially at the lower MF/pt rates sometimes are less than the last call, will see other resorts and sometimes can book further out.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I don't find much value in the A/C's myself. I try to get Marriott with them, and it's not been great at all.

If you like Westgate, you can get weeks with those AC's, but RCI would work better for cheap trades. Watch out for the daily fees, now that Hilton has control of Diamond and Bluegreen. The nightly fees for Orlando Hilton is $25 per day. You get nothing for that $25. Diamond also charges fees.

 

[escanoe]

If they notified me in writing they were exercising ROFR and then refused after ruining the transaction, I would hold on to that and never pay a dime more if I wanted out.

 

[iftravel]

RCI and RCI points are really good for Hilton access without owning Hilton. I like RCI availability of HGVC in Hawaii and big cities like NYC, DC and Chicago.

 

[Vacay0606]

RCI and RCI points are really good for Hilton access without owning Hilton. I like RCI availability of HGVC in Hawaii and big cities like NYC, DC and Chicago.

How many RCI points would it be for The Point at Poipu in early January in a 2 bedroom?

 

[rickandcindy23]

How many RCI points would it be for The Point at Poipu in early January in a 2 bedroom?

About the same as Shearwater.

There is a free Hilton Elara on Timeshare Nation currently. Lots of points, reasonable fees, free closing.

 

[iftravel]

Not sure if Point at Poipu is easier to book in RCI or II. HGVC on Oahu and Big Island are always available in RCI.

147k RCI points are more than enough to book a week in 2-bed in Hawaii well in advance at regular rate. Curious where did you find Colonies in points. It’s a good one.

 

[Vacay0606]

Not sure if Point at Poipu is easier to book in RCI or II. HGVC on Oahu and Big Island are always available in RCI.

147k RCI points are more than enough to book a week in 2-bed in Hawaii well in advance at regular rate. Curious where did you find Colonies in points. It’s a good one.

We bought a Colonies last year from a member of TUG and liked it so much that I reached out to them again this year to see if they had another one or if they knew of anyone else wanting to get rid of theirs. We have been very blessed with our TS adopting.

 

[iftravel]

BTW, I don’t know if it’s possible but for someone who owns RCI points at either Colonies or VV Williamsburg, let us know if you are able to deposit your home week into II.

So first you have to enroll your RCI points week with II, which may be permitted or rejected by the resort. Note for deeded RCI weeks, you should have no problem enrolling in both RCI weeks and II.

Then you should reserve your home week using your allotted RCI points and the question is are you able to deposit this home week into II. Someone said no but I am not fully convinced and it’s up to the resort policy and I haven’t read it’s impossible and even the staffs at the resort are sometime confused with RCI points or RCI weeks etc.