Is it true that new Blue Green owners can enroll in RCI Bonus Days?

[hac Member Find all posts View Profile Close hac]

We are fairly new to Blue Green (and this forum). (We have owned Marriott Vacation Club for several years.) When we went to our Blue Green Owner's Update this spring, we were told by our sales rep. that if we purchased some additional points we would not only qualify for the RCI Points program but also RCI Bonus Days - similar to the Blue Green Bonus Day program. This was enticing to us, as we like the flexibility and have been able to make good use of the Blue Green Bonus Day program.

After we purchased we discovered the RCI Points program was available for all Traveler's Plus members - we just need to register for RCI Points, not Weeks. So, we didn't need to purchase any additional points for this priviledge. When we contacted our Sales Rep. she said it was the RCI Bonus Days program that we needed to purchase the new points for. We have not heard a thing from RCI since, we can't get an answer from our Sales rep. when we contacted her again, and we have seen no reference to this program anywhere.

Has anyone heard of an RCI Bonus Day program available to some Blue Green Owners? If so, how do we get information on it? We purchased the additional points at the beginning of April - so it has been almost 3 months with no information.

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

Never heard of it. What did they say it was?

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

Never heard of it. What did they say it was?

I was told the same in May. Its like bonus time in BG. Its called bonus days in RCI.

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

I was told the same in May. Its like bonus time in BG. Its called bonus days in RCI.

How does it work? Has anyone used it?

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

I am curious. why would owning more BG points give you RCI bonus days?

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

I am curious. why would owning more BG points give you RCI bonus days?

As far as I know, there is no Bluegreen specific program for "RCI BOnus days." If there is an RCI Points program where you can pay cash for RCI Points inventory, then that may be what the BG people are talking about.

If you have Traveler Plus and get RCI Points access, then you would get these so called RCI Points bonus days included as part of your RCI Points membership.

I think it may have just been a timeshare salesman's trick to get an owner to purchase more points when they probably didn't have to do so. In an owner update, the answer to every question is the same. You need to purchase more points.

How's the weather outside? Well, it would be a lot better if you added 4000 more points. LOL.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

How's the weather outside? Well, it would be a lot better if you added 4000 more points. LOL.[/quote]


good one!

[hac Member Find all posts View Profile Close hac]

RCI Bonus Days

Basically we were told that RCI Bonus Days was a brand new program. It operates like Blue Green Bonus Days - extra inventory can be purchased on a nightly basis for a very reasonable price, like the Blue Green bonus nights. The reason why we were told we had to purchase more points to qualify for RCI Bonus Days was that it wasn't part of our contract - if we purchased the additional points it would become part of our contract. We really weren't planning on purchasing more points, but this was something of value to us.

We called for clarification and were told we would receive something from RCI. We just called again, beginning of this week, as we have not heard anything from RCI. Now we get no response from our saleswoman Janice Smith - just crickets chirping up there in the sales office at the Fountains. I assume the office is still up and running? If this program doesn't really exist, this seems a bit fraudulent??

Someone else posted that they had heard the same story? I wonder if it was also from the Fountains sales staff?

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

Someone else posted that they had heard the same story? I wonder if it was also from the Fountains sales staff?

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

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

I believe this has been out since early in the year, like maybe Jan or Feb.
If I may post the info I received from BG in their monthly email:

Four Easy Steps to Book Your First RCI® Nightly Stay!
(Not a Traveler Plus member yet? Click here to learn more.)
When we launched our new PointSmartSM benefit in January we mentioned that it would make the RCI exchange process easier than ever.

To help you get started here are the four easy steps to book your first RCI exchange.

•Call RCI to receive your RCI Points ID.
•Go and use your Points ID to register as an RCI Points member on your first visit.
•Sign in to search real-time availability for your desired vacation.
•Call RCI at 800.445.0088 to determine the required Points and book your vacation in one easy call!

Booking all your future vacations are simple. Log on to RCI.com, and you're on your way.

If your Traveler Plus membership has expired, click here to reactivate your membership. There’s never been a better time!

The exchange process for owners who are not members of Traveler Plus remains unchanged. Call Bluegreen at 800.456.2582 to get your vacation assignment. Then call RCI at 800.445.0088 to deposit your week and request your vacation.

Start exploring the world of vacation options available to you through RCI today!
************************
And from the BG website:
Use Your Points for Nightly Stays at RCI Resorts!

Now you can use your Points for nightly stays at RCI resorts instead of having to deposit a full week! Before you go to RCI.com to take advantage of this benefit, there are two helpful hints you should know:

1. You will need to register your RCI account as a "Points Member." Contact RCI to obtain your RCI Points Account number by calling 800.445.0088. If you have already registered your RCI.com account as a Weeks member, you will need to create an additional registration as a Points member in order to view real-time resort availability. Your RCI Weeks account and RCI Points account require separate log-in credentials.

2. Disregard any Point values listed for the resorts on RCI.com, as those are not listed in Bluegreen Points currency. An RCI Vacation Guide will inform you of the correct Bluegreen Point value for your requested stay. Or you may view Bluegreen Point values for RCI resorts by clicking here.

Making exchanges with RCI.com is now easier, faster and more convenient than ever!

•This flexibility enables you to book shorter stays without the 7 night restriction
•Searching real-time availability at RCI.com enables you to view your options prior to calling
•One call does it all-simply call RCI at 800.445.0088 to see how many Points you'll need for your stay and to make your reservations! Or, call RCI and let them take care of all the planning for you.
Go to RCI.com Now!

MORE ABOUT THIS EXCITING NEW BENEFIT!


Reservations may be made up to 10 months in advance of the check-in date.
Saved Points are eligible to be used up to 45 days in advance of the check-in date.
Exchange Transaction Fees collected at time of confirmation are as follows:
Transaction Fees
Length of Stay 1-3 Nights 4-6 Nights 7+ Nights
Fee $79 $119 $179
***************

I do have access to this. Would I use it? Probably not as I don't need this. Where I need a short stay is when traveling to/from a resort or for a training class. These usually require a hotel. If I need a longer stay at a location where there isn't a BG property, I might use it.

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

I believe this has been out since early in the year, like maybe Jan or Feb.
If I may post the info I received from BG in their monthly email:

Four Easy Steps to Book Your First RCI® Nightly Stay!
(Not a Traveler Plus member yet? Click here to learn more.)
When we launched our new PointSmartSM benefit in January we mentioned that it would make the RCI exchange process easier than ever.

To help you get started here are the four easy steps to book your first RCI exchange.

•Call RCI to receive your RCI Points ID.
•Go and use your Points ID to register as an RCI Points member on your first visit.
•Sign in to search real-time availability for your desired vacation.
•Call RCI at 800.445.0088 to determine the required Points and book your vacation in one easy call!

Booking all your future vacations are simple. Log on to RCI.com, and you're on your way.

If your Traveler Plus membership has expired, click here to reactivate your membership. There’s never been a better time!

The exchange process for owners who are not members of Traveler Plus remains unchanged. Call Bluegreen at 800.456.2582 to get your vacation assignment. Then call RCI at 800.445.0088 to deposit your week and request your vacation.

Start exploring the world of vacation options available to you through RCI today!
************************
And from the BG website:
Use Your Points for Nightly Stays at RCI Resorts!

Now you can use your Points for nightly stays at RCI resorts instead of having to deposit a full week! Before you go to RCI.com to take advantage of this benefit, there are two helpful hints you should know:

1. You will need to register your RCI account as a "Points Member." Contact RCI to obtain your RCI Points Account number by calling 800.445.0088. If you have already registered your RCI.com account as a Weeks member, you will need to create an additional registration as a Points member in order to view real-time resort availability. Your RCI Weeks account and RCI Points account require separate log-in credentials.

2. Disregard any Point values listed for the resorts on RCI.com, as those are not listed in Bluegreen Points currency. An RCI Vacation Guide will inform you of the correct Bluegreen Point value for your requested stay. Or you may view Bluegreen Point values for RCI resorts by clicking here.

Making exchanges with RCI.com is now easier, faster and more convenient than ever!

•This flexibility enables you to book shorter stays without the 7 night restriction
•Searching real-time availability at RCI.com enables you to view your options prior to calling
•One call does it all-simply call RCI at 800.445.0088 to see how many Points you'll need for your stay and to make your reservations! Or, call RCI and let them take care of all the planning for you.
Go to RCI.com Now!

MORE ABOUT THIS EXCITING NEW BENEFIT!


Reservations may be made up to 10 months in advance of the check-in date.
Saved Points are eligible to be used up to 45 days in advance of the check-in date.
Exchange Transaction Fees collected at time of confirmation are as follows:
Transaction Fees
Length of Stay 1-3 Nights 4-6 Nights 7+ Nights
Fee $79 $119 $179
***************

I do have access to this. Would I use it? Probably not as I don't need this. Where I need a short stay is when traveling to/from a resort or for a training class. These usually require a hotel. If I need a longer stay at a location where there isn't a BG property, I might use it.

I don't think this was what they were describing. It was put to me as a cash only deal, I think it was like 69$ for a studio, then going up. Very similar to bonus time in BG.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

I rented from RCI , three nights in a two bedroom at Hilton Grand Vacation club on I Drive and I paid about 55 a night for a two bedroom unit. I don't have any special memberships, I just called and asked about RCI nightly stays.

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

What we got

The only thing we got when we upgraded points from RCI was a certificate from RCI giving us 3 "Extra" vacations a year. On the back is where and when you can travel. Yes it is only off season and resorts with availability oh yeah no holiday travel either. Talk about jumping through hoops to take and "extra" vacation.

Our sales rep at Fountains told us that BG was changing the way the points were being offered to ppl. Basically it was after a certain date the only way to get into BG would be immediatley into Bronze level no stepping into the premium levels. Since we were in the Bronze level then to lock us into being able to stair step we bought points that got us to Silver level. yeap bought it hook line and sinker.

Hindsight is always 20-20 I won't say never believe the sales staff but I would take into serious consideration anything they tell me in the future.

Wendell.

[pagui42 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pagui42]

I had an owner update at Shorecrest two weeks ago and I had the same story from the BG salesman. I was quite sceptic about this RCI Bonus Days program when they told to me about it. I already subscribed to RCI Points and I don't see any program called Bonus Days. For now, those last minute cash rental aren't available to book online.

The way I see it, if you like to pay cash instead of points, you can look through the RCI Points online inventory within 45 days from the date of booking. If there is something you'll like to rent, then I would call directly RCI to book the unit with cash instead of points. If someone already tried it or wants to do it, let us know if it works.

An other thing, they put us pressure also to buy other points because there are less and less inventory available in the BG portfolio that are deeded. We had to buy fast if we wanted to make sure we purshased points that will never expire. He told us that the new inventory available at the couple of news resorts will be only RTUs (Right To Use) as it's cheaper for BG to work that way with the fee base service. That means the points you buy expire after your RTU expire (10,20 or ... years depending the contract). I found this sale argument kind of threatening as I have no interest in buying an RTU unit.

Anyway, I found the whole sale speach really stupid and misleading. I told to my wife, if I want to buy more points with BG and they don't have anymore deeded authorised points, we'll go directly through resale with Pinnacle. I don't see any problem there.

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

BG will always deeded authorized points available

He told us that the new inventory available at the couple of news resorts will be only RTUs (Right To Use) as it's cheaper for BG to work that way with the fee base service. That means the points you buy expire after your RTU expire (10,20 or ... years depending the contract). I found this sale argument kind of threatening as I have no interest in buying an RTU unit.

if I want to buy more points with BG and they don't have anymore deeded authorized points, we'll go directly through resale with Pinnacle. I don't see any problem there.

When the economy picks up, BG will probably go back to building or buying its own resorts. If they decide not to, that know they will always find potential buyers who will refuse RTU (if in fact the new resorts are RTU), so they will pick up cheap unit/weeks so they will always have some regular inventory.

Charles