Where Can RCI Timeshare Points Be Used?
Instead of purchasing a fixed or floating week timeshare, RCI offers you the ability to become an R.C.I. points member. As an RCI points program participant you become a member of the RCI travel vacation club, which gives you access to the RCI network’s 3,700 points-affiliated resorts world wide. The points system offers a lot more flexibility than the older fixed-week model for timesharing, and is rapidly becoming a more popular option for those interested in purchasing timeshare. The points system is pretty simple to understand and use, once the basic concepts are broken down. Usually the first question with regards to using a points system is – Where can RCI timeshare points be used?
RCI allows you to use your points in the following ways:
- Stays at your home resort – even though you have points that allow you to go to another resort in the points system, you always have the option to stay at your home resort. FYI, this is also the resort to which you will be paying your annual maintenance fees.
- Vacation at international and domestic RCI points resorts – the RCI website states there are about 3,700 points timeshare properties.
- Booking airline tickets to and from selected cities – I believe there are certain blackout dates for this.
- Rental car costs may be offset or paid for with points.
- RCI-affiliated cruises – plan on about 50,000 points for this type of exchange and not all cruise lines/destinations are available.
UPDATE 7/2009 – RCI has instituted a capping policy on points. A max of 60,000 points per year can be used on non-resort stays including airfare, rental cars, and other travel perks.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Has anyone booked airline tickets with RCI points? Was it easy? What are the selected cities?
March 27th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Hi, I am totally frustrated with the RCI points system. First of all, I am never able to get a vacation destination when I want to go…ie this June 19th week. Everything is full except 2-3 areas in podunk W. Virginia and Kentucky area in the middle of nowhere with only a 2 star. I bought in at a 5 star level and none are available. As far as using points for airlines, it is cheaper to get a flight online on the cheaper flights like expedia, etc. than using points. The last time I checked I would have $100 more than a flight through expedia PLUS I was using points and a transfer fee to boot. I feel like my $20,000 investment 5 years ago is a total disaster and I am paying $1000 annually for a maintenance fee. I have over 300,000 points racked up and can never use them when I go on vacation since nothing is available. I wish I would never have bought into this scam!!!