Making RCI Points Reservation

[DKL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DKL]

Hi,

We just got our RCI member ID (haven't gotten it in the mail so I called RCI to get it) and registered online.

Now we're ready to make reservation to Hawaii for July/Aug 2008 but the online system didn't have much (2 in July - standard resorts) and it didn't fit our needs.

Since the point resorts only allow me to search in a 10-month window I also tried using the week resort search (it gives me 24-month window), But it didn't find anything either :-(

Is this correct or am I doing something wrong???

So I called RCI and the agent to me about the same units I saw on the points system but she could not help me with the weeks resort reservation.

Are we out of luck for Hawaii for July/Aug 2008 and 2009??


Thanks
DKL

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

It sounds like you are doing it correctly. With the 10 month window, depending on the location, you need to be on your computer trying to get something exactly 10 months out. I would continue to check, but I doubt you will find something for July/Aug 2008 at this point. 2009 is another story as the window hasn't opened yet. But again, given the popularity of Hawaii, I wonder what will really show up. You can test that now by searching out 10 months from today in Hawaii and see what shows up. Good luck.

[davhu1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davhu1]

It may be a little late for summer 2008. They may have weeks come up from time to time due to cancellations or late deposits, but makes it difficut to plan for airline tickets

I did not have problems getting a Aug 2008 back in October using points. Quite a few units available in Kauai, a few on other islands.

I reserved my Aug 2008 week in Maui back in 2007, about 2 years out. There were some availabilty in both Maui and the big island at the time using week exchange.

I suggest planning for 2009. Put in an alert for Hi and check back often. You may also consider using other exchange companies like htse or tpi for Hi on your future deposit.

[DKL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DKL]

Thanks for all your suggestions and I will keep checking on it. I guess I'll need to rollover my points to 2009 since my expires 11/2008.

How do you set an Alert in RCI? I didn't see it in RCI's answer tab and can't quite figure it out. Sorry, this is all new to me so I'm still learning.

Also one of the available resort is the "Kuhio Banyan Club" at Honolulu, but it only has a studio (2/4 occ) and no pool or parking. Anyone stay there before and is it big enough for 2 adults + 1 child?

At the bottom of the "Select Unit" page it had Confirm, Hold, Cancel - How long can I Hold it and is there a fee for that?

Thanks again.
DKL

[davhu1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davhu1]

Try this link for the "elert"

RCI Vacation Elerts - Login

Most of the time, by the time I get the elert email the week is already gone. So, you have to be quick. Received one this morning for around 1:30 PM:

THE MAKAI CLUB AT PRINCEVILLE (#1254) 08/22/08 7 1 BR 35500 POIINTS

I see two available right now (3:45 pm)

The Makai Club at Princeville (#1254)
Princeville, HI, USA
RCI Points Range: 42,000
Available Unit Size: 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range: 7/18/08


Celebrity Resorts Waikiki (#0245)
Honolulu, HI, USA

RCI Points Range: 31,000
Available Unit Size: S - S
Check-in Date Range: 7/17/08


You can "hold" a week for 24 hours using your credit card.

If you do not confirm with 24 hrs. It automatically cancelled and your cc will not be charged. If I decide not to confirm, I usually cancel rather then let it cancel by itself.

[DKL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DKL]

Thank davhu1! You been great help.

Just curious if the exchange power of my home week impacts what I can pull from RCI listing. I have week13 at Grandview.

The two resorts you posted, are they the typical resorts I can expect. Any chance of getting gold crown resort in Honolulu - that may be wishful thinking.

What type of resort did you get for your 2008 Maui trip, if you don't mind sharing that info?

I tried RCI weeks Researvation for 07/01/09 and now I get just 3.

Kuhio Banyan Club (#1297) Standard
Honolulu, HI, USA
RCI Points Range: 23,500 - 36,000
Available Unit Size: 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range: 7/4/09 - 8/1/09
--------------
Kona Billfisher (#0029) Standard
Kailua-Kona, HI, USA
RCI Points Range: 36,000
Available Unit Size: 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range: 7/15/09
--------------
Kahana Falls (#2788) Silver
Lahaina, HI, USA
RCI Points Range: 30,500
Available Unit Size: H - H
Check-in Date Range: 7/2/09 - 8/1/09



DKL

[davhu1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davhu1]

It should not matter. Points are all the same.

I think the GC in Honolulu are taken by internal exchanges.

I got 1 bedroom Kahana Falls in Maui and a 2 bedroom Pahio Baili Hai in Kauai

[DKL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DKL]

Those are nice resorts!

For the "Pahio at Bali Hai" did you reserve it in Oct,2007 and what month is your actual reservation. How many points are required?

Hmm, Maybe there's hope for us to get that too for 2009.

Thanks
DKL

[annalytical Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close annalytical]

I was very frustrated when I signed up with RCI points in April 2007. I had a difficult time finding summer vactions in the costal Pacific region. I wanted to book 2 night/3 day trips to explore my new home state.

I found that with points, If you are going to book a very popular location, it's best to use the reservation calculator to find the 1st day that you can book for with points.

Also, with my points membership, I used searches and used the weeks search, which is also available to points members.

It took a lot of work, however, I did book 4 rooms on Oahu December 27, 2008 for my wedding and 2 2 bedroom units the week prior on another island. I was also able to book 4 or 5 3 day weekend trips throughout the year.

I've used the combination of weeks and points via my RCI points membership to book most of 2009.

From one newbie to another, I hope this helps.

Allie

[johnstp Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnstp]

You definately have to look for Points reservations on the DAY that window opens. Lots of savvy people out there who do just that, so if you snooze, you lose.