Latest on 9000 Points & NEW Points Package

[opkansas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close opkansas]

FIRST: Yesterday I was looking in the Points Week Exchange Location for a week at the Lake of the Ozarks for Memorial day weekend (May26 - June2).

I found two possibilities: A studio at the Pines for 8,000 points and a 2 BR-2B at Lakewood Resort for 52,500 points. I went to book the lakewood online but found did not have enough points. I HAD ENOUGH POINTS for the 9,000 points (or less) I was supposed to pay but not enough for the 52,500 price.

I called the Points line and told the lady that there was a mistake in their system. The 52,500 points should have been 9,000 or less. She gave me a bunch of rhetoric about the change 3 months ago which essentially meant that RCI could charge however many points they wanted. SHE BASICALLY SAID THAT IF I WANTED LAKEWOOD, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 52,500 POINTS.

I, IN MY SALES ASSOCIATION WITH A POINTS RESORT, CALLED MY REGIONAL AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVE AND STATED THE CONVERSATION WITH HIM. HE SAID, THAT WITHOUT ANY DOUBT, THAT THE PERSON WAS IN ERROR. EVERTHING 45 DAYS OR LESS IS 9,000 POINTS ARE LESS. He suggested I call back and IF I heard the same answer from the VC, I was to ASK TO TALK TO A SUPERVISOR.

I returned my call to RCI, received another VC and stated what I wanted and what I was told. The VC VERIFIED the information the other VC had stated EXCEPT, when he checked the LAKEWOOD listing - which had stated 52,500 points, he found that LAKEWOOD was, in actuality, only 8,000 points. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LISTED A 8,000 - WAS LISTED AS 52,500 - BUT ACTUALLY WAS 8,000. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

I returned the call to my affiliate representative and apprised him of the above information. He told me that since I had talked to him he had sent out a blanket email to all of the affiliates. SEVERAL OF THE AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVES FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CHANGES ENACTED 3 MONTHS PRIOR ON APRIL 28TH WHEN, BY ACCIDENT, ONE OF HER POINTS RESORTS NOTIFIED HER OF THE CHANGE AND SHE VERIFIED IT WITH CORPORATE.

THE AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVES HAD NEVER BEEN INFORMED OF THE "CHANGE" AND WERE HOLDING TRAINING SESSIONS FOR DEVELOPERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ADVISING THEM THAT THE 9,000 OR LESS 45 DAY BENEFIT WAS STILL A GREAT SELLING POINT FOR POINTS.

The affiliate representatives, representing our points resorts, pooled together to voice their displeasure about 1. not being notified of the change 2. totally disagreeing with the change and 3. not having an opportunity to voice their opinion about the proposed change. They were also upset as many of them had voiced their negative opinion about the "glitches" in the "new" computer system.

They could NOT BELIEVE that RCI would raise the points values as they would be getting the $164.00 exchange fee NO MATTER how many points were being charged. SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER (other than pissong us off).

I was told this afternoon that RCI has temporarily changed back to the initial system and that a directive next week would be sent to all affiliate offices and their personnel. I believe that the RCI alliliate representatives are going to bat for the Points Members. I WILL KEEP YOU ABREAST OF NEW INFORMATION!

SECONDLY: The NEW ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADDITIONAL BENEFITS to the points program has been changed from June 1st to late June.

P.S. I am visiting Lakewood GOLD CROWN (I am an owner) resort for 8,000 points ON mAY 26TH.

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

That's good news. It also clarifies some questions/comments that members have made about something happened at the end of April and about Madge's song & dance about "clarification" coming soon.

All I can say is the 9000 points better be staying!

[Pit Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pit]

SEVERAL OF THE AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVES FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CHANGES ENACTED 3 MONTHS PRIOR ON APRIL 28TH WHEN, BY ACCIDENT, ONE OF HER POINTS RESORTS NOTIFIED HER OF THE CHANGE AND SHE VERIFIED IT WITH CORPORATE.

THE AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVES HAD NEVER BEEN INFORMED OF THE "CHANGE" AND WERE HOLDING TRAINING SESSIONS FOR DEVELOPERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ADVISING THEM THAT THE 9,000 OR LESS 45 DAY BENEFIT WAS STILL A GREAT SELLING POINT FOR POINTS.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the "change" you are speaking of?

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

I'm not convinced it was just from 3 mths ago. I had trouble booking a week for the 9000pts a year ago.

RCI has made a habit of changing policy and fees to the detriment of members without warning. Very unprofessional.

[opkansas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close opkansas]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the "change" you are speaking of?

The original policy was that any listing less than 45 days would qualify for a 9,000 point (or less) exchange. RCI decided that they could regulate what qualified and what could not. There was no obvious reason for them to do so as monetarily there was no difference . . . unless they were "playing" with these exchanges.

[Pit Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pit]

The original policy was that any listing less than 45 days would qualify for a 9,000 point (or less) exchange. RCI decided that they could regulate what qualified and what could not. There was no obvious reason for them to do so as monetarily there was no difference . . . unless they were "playing" with these exchanges.

Ok, I thought that's what you were referring to, but wasn't sure. OY, Madge has many times stated that the 9K policy never changed. Rather, they have been having difficulty with their "new" web site.

At any rate, are you telling us that RCI is now preparing to eliminate, or regulate, these exchanges starting late June?

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

At any rate, are you telling us that RCI is now preparing to eliminate, or regulate, these exchanges starting late June?

No one knows. Not even RCI VGs and possibly not even Madge.

[opkansas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close opkansas]

Ok, I thought that's what you were referring to, but wasn't sure. OY, Madge has many times stated that the 9K policy never changed. Rather, they have been having difficulty with their "new" web site.

At any rate, are you telling us that RCI is now preparing to eliminate, or regulate, these exchanges starting late June?

It appears that the original concept will temporarily return and will be incorporated into the new changes effective late June. The affiliates say that one change will be to have a six month reduced rate for some intervals.

Maybe Madge is an affiliate with RCI and did not know - with her other comrades - that the change was made. A month ago there was a thread discussing this and nobody agreed. Now it becomes apparent WHY.

[opkansas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close opkansas]

Good News - 9000 Points Info on 5-8

NOTE FROM MY RCI AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVE:

I heard back that within the next day or two, we will have everything changed to 9000 points at 45 days or less to check in at Weeks resorts. We will be changing this sometime in late 2007 (date has not been set yet) due to the new Points Enhancements that are rolling out in June. The new Points Enhancements will offer dynamic pricing to discount reservations at greater than 45 days and maybe even less than 9000 points. For now though, we will go back to the old way until you hear differently.

Thanks again for bringing this up to me.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

NOTE FROM MY RCI AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVE:

I heard back that within the next day or two, we will have everything changed to 9000 points at 45 days or less to check in at Weeks resorts. We will be changing this sometime in late 2007 (date has not been set yet) due to the new Points Enhancements that are rolling out in June. The new Points Enhancements will offer dynamic pricing to discount reservations at greater than 45 days and maybe even less than 9000 points. For now though, we will go back to the old way until you hear differently.

Thanks again for bringing this up to me.

And where will these extra points be coming from that they are manufacturing by discounting the points reservations?

Here is an example. If a resort has 1000 intervals (20 units at 50 weeks per unit) and all point reservations are 40000 points pe week for simplicity. To book the entire resort would require 40,000,000 points.

Now, let's say that all intervals are discounted to 20000 points since everyone booked last minute. It would take 20,000,000 points to book the whole resort when it would have normally taken 40,000,000.

So, there are now 20,000,000 extra points left in the system that should have been taken out from competing with other reservations.

This excess point amount is points inflation. The only way to correct it is for RCI to take out those points with cash, other products or through expired points. Who is doing this accounting?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

And where will these extra points be coming from that they are manufacturing by discounting the points reservations?

Here is an example. If a resort has 1000 intervals (20 units at 50 weeks per unit) and all point reservations are 40000 points pe week for simplicity. To book the entire resort would require 40,000,000 points.

Now, let's say that all intervals are discounted to 20000 points since everyone booked last minute. It would take 20,000,000 points to book the whole resort when it would have normally taken 40,000,000.

So, there are now 20,000,000 extra points left in the system that should have been taken out from competing with other reservations.

This excess point amount is points inflation. The only way to correct it is for RCI to take out those points with cash, other products or through expired points. Who is doing this accounting?

Scarey, isn't it?

[shopgirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shopgirl]

GEEEZZZ, what a pain in the butt this one has been! What is wrong with RCI? Why can't they have a policy, teach it to everyone, have it reflect on the site, then stick by it. This has been a great indicator of what is in store if we stick with RCI for another ten years. The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Scarey, isn't it?

But it does fit the often stated desire of Carolinian that the point values required drop as the use time nears. Actually I agree with him on that one. The closer to the use date the less value it has. I would go a step farther and also reduce the 18-24+ month reservation value as well as reservations made that far out tend to less valuable as well. Things change in 2 years and usually the reservation made that far away isn't what you want 2 years later. The prime value for points/weeks is about 14 to 4 months from the start date. Anything on either side of that should have lower values.

[opkansas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close opkansas]

And where will these extra points be coming from that they are manufacturing by discounting the points reservations?

Here is an example. If a resort has 1000 intervals (20 units at 50 weeks per unit) and all point reservations are 40000 points pe week for simplicity. To book the entire resort would require 40,000,000 points.

Now, let's say that all intervals are discounted to 20000 points since everyone booked last minute. It would take 20,000,000 points to book the whole resort when it would have normally taken 40,000,000.

So, there are now 20,000,000 extra points left in the system that should have been taken out from competing with other reservations.

This excess point amount is points inflation. The only way to correct it is for RCI to take out those points with cash, other products or through expired points. Who is doing this accounting?

ACCOUNTANTS ARE DOING THE ACCOUNTING! WHAT RCI IS DOING MAKES TOTAL SENSE FOR THEM AND BENEFITS THE POINTS MEMBERSHIP. THE INVENTORY SHOWN IN THE 45 DAY AREA ARE WEEKS THAT RCI IS NOT RECEIVING ANY REVENUE. THEY KNOW THE NUMBERS! THEY DO NOT MAKE MONEY IF THEY DO NOT RECEIVE THE EXCHANGE FEES (OR OTHER MEANS OF REVENUE).

HAVING STARTED MY MULTIPLE CAREERS AS AN ACCOUNTANT, IT MAKES SENSE TO ME - A WIN WIN SCENARIO!

[Pit Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pit]

NOTE FROM MY RCI AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVE:

I heard back that within the next day or two, we will have everything changed to 9000 points at 45 days or less to check in at Weeks resorts. We will be changing this sometime in late 2007 (date has not been set yet) due to the new Points Enhancements that are rolling out in June. The new Points Enhancements will offer dynamic pricing to discount reservations at greater than 45 days and maybe even less than 9000 points. For now though, we will go back to the old way until you hear differently.

Thanks again for bringing this up to me.

Anyone know anything new about this? "the next day or two" has long since passed, with no change in system behavior.