Staying less than a week?

[Phil&Kim Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Phil&Kim]

Hi,

I've another newbie question but could not find the answer on RCI's website.

When you book an exchange , must you take it for a week? We got a potential exchange (which I declined due to the date) but another concern was the length. It looked like a great area, but maybe not a week long stay area!

So I guess I am wondering... if we want to go somewhere and stay 3-4-5 nights, is there a way to do so? Actually, I guess it would make sense that we don't have to stay a full week if we don't want to right? We exchanged our week so should be able to do what we want? But then again, the resort would lose money maybe?

Well, I obviously don't know- that's why I'm asking!

Thanks in advance
Phil&Kim

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

You can stay less than a week on a full week's exchange. If you are an RCI points member, you can book shorter stays. Most "weeks" exchanges are for a week, with a few exceptions.

The resort doesn't care if you stay a day, or never check in. If you are going to check in later than your check-in day, be sure to call ahead to the resort to let them know - some places will rent them out if you don't show up and others have limited checkin hours/staff.

You can give your unused days away to a friend. This may require a Guest Certificate if they will be arriving before you, and you may need to arrange housekeeping to handle linen change. There is only one place I am aware of (Powell Place) that doesn't allow you to give your unused days away to someone else.

Depending on my Maintenance Fees, it often pays to book a week even if we only use it for a long weekend, depending on location.

Hope this helps.

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

I've done this quite a lot. I always let the resort know if I'm going to be checking in late. Some of them don't have office staff 24/7 and need to make arrangements if you're coming in a day or so later.

[Phil&Kim Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Phil&Kim]

Thanks for the answer, i'm glad to hear it. A lot of resorts are in beautiful areas but the activity factor is pretty small. So while I'd lose to stay there a few nights, I wouldn't see myself spending a full week because we'd probably get bored and it would soil our memories.

We aren't using points so our exchange is the full week but I'm glad we can always cut it short if need be. It's also our first exchange so we're just getting our feet wet. (It feels weird exchanging for fall 2011 in January 2010!)

I have to say, you folks on this forum are incredibly helpful! I'm asking all sorts of questions I'm sure you've heard dozens of time but there is always someone willing to answer. So a big thanks to you both and everyone else here.

Edit: One more question though- most resorts on RCI say that their check in/check out dates are Fri/Sat/Sun but if we want to check out Thursday... is there a place to do so anyways? Or must we inform them when we check in that we will leave sooner than the next weekend?

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

I do this too. In fact, I just got back from a stay at Bluegreen's Mountain Run in a 2BR where we only used three of the seven nights, over the MLK holiday weekend. But you want to make sure it makes sense, financially. Often, it doesn't if what you are giving up has high enough fees. We only gave up a unit with fees of about $110, so even with the exchange fee, it was less than it probably would have cost to rent it.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

In 20-plus years I have never encountered a resort where you couldn't stay less than a week.

We only stayed 6 days at our last resort in FL this month, cuz we gotta go home the same day as the plane.

We also checked in late, actually the next day (after midnight) at the first resort. They just left our unit unlocked, with they keys on the table. Really?! Yup.

[Phil&Kim Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Phil&Kim]

That is a very good point about the fees and exchange. Our fees are pretty low as we're biannual so with the exchange it will end up pretty close to breaking even if we went without using the exchange.

Something for me to think about before booking. Thanks

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

I usually book the "last calls" and use them for less than a week and try to use my regular week exchanges for at least 6 nights to make it financially make sense. My MF's are $700 on the week I use to exchange so after factoring in the exchange fees I really want to get my $900 moneys worth and will hold out for using it at an expensive area or try to get a 2 bedroom upgrade. I always do the math on my exchanges. I don't want to get taken advantage of by RCI. I want to take advantage of them instead.

The "last calls" usually are cheaper than staying in a motel 6 using 2 rooms as you can get good deals for 2 bedrooms and I split the cost with whoever I am going with and we get the kitchen. Not that we use it much but at least it's nice to have breakfast and snacks available in my PJ's.

Welcome to the Forum.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Edit: One more question though- most resorts on RCI say that their check in/check out dates are Fri/Sat/Sun but if we want to check out Thursday... is there a place to do so anyways? Or must we inform them when we check in that we will leave sooner than the next weekend?

You don't have to tell them at checkin. Most places will have someone around all week, except at the very small "resorts." You can always ask at checkin what the procedure would be "if" you decide to check out early. It doesn't even involve more than a phone call most times unless you've run up charges at the resort and want to review the bill. Or if a place has actual metal keys, but there are often drop boxes for those.