Like help spending my 98000 points for honeymoon trip in July 2011

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

Hi

I am a recent RCI points member based out of British Columbia. I am a timeshare owner with Grandview Las Vegas. I have 98,000 points to use that expire as of October 31, 2010. I have been given the option to extend them to October 31, 2011 for an extra $99 by RCI

I have been told that I cannot book a resort past October 31, 2010 unless I pay for my 2010/2011 membership renewal. This will require a $120 outlay.

Ideally, I would like to book a honeymoon vacation to San Francisco or somewhere along the coast in late June or early July of 2011. Even Hawaii would be an option.

I am a rookie at this. Should I pay for the points extension? What is the best way to make the most of my 98k points? Should I use the balance to subsidize my airfare? Any tips or even an example of what it would cost to make a nice trip close to home next 2011.

thanks

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

I would extend them unless you plan to use them in the next 2 months.

Standard reservations for the dates you mention became available within the last few weeks. Tonight, July 10th will become available. You should be able to find Hawaii still available but coastal California goes quickly if any are available. If you want Hawaii next July from the standard reservation pool you should act fast.

To try for something from the weeks side, you should call and start an ongoing search for what you want. You should also do that soon.

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

hey philsfan

thanks for the response. I dont see myself using the timeshare too often, and I presume booking a resort in Hawaii or California would be less than 30k points. Therefore, I would have a surplus remaining. SHould I use those points towards miscellaneous items such as car rental or airfare or should I perhaps sell them. Just trying to maximize the value each year.
Thanks

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

Do you live near any TS's? If so, you can get alot of nice last minute deals with these points for around 9000 points to maybe getaway for a long weekend. 98K points is alot to just let go to waste. I'd definetley pay to extend them and learn to use them.

You can get some nice Disney DVC units with that amount of points. Do you like the mouse house? Lots of nice options open up with RCI points. I've seen nice units in Manhattan Club and many of the luxe resorts that I don't have enough points to get into.

You've got a great problem.

Take some time to study how to use those points. I think you'll get great value from those points.

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

hey philsfan

thanks for the response. I dont see myself using the timeshare too often, and I presume booking a resort in Hawaii or California would be less than 30k points. Therefore, I would have a surplus remaining. SHould I use those points towards miscellaneous items such as car rental or airfare or should I perhaps sell them. Just trying to maximize the value each year.
Thanks

Just to clear expectations. If you're looking for California or Hawaii for June or July, you'll be paying way more than 30K points. Expect to spend 60K for a gold crown 1BR for California / 80K for Hawaii and 90K - 130K for a 2BR in CA and HI respectively.

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

Just to clear expectations. If you're looking for California or Hawaii for June or July, you'll be paying way more than 30K points. Expect to spend 60K for a gold crown 1BR for California / 80K for Hawaii and 90K - 130K for a 2BR in CA and HI respectively.

Wow. Makes Fl look like such a bargain.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

SHould I use those points towards miscellaneous items such as car rental or airfare or should I perhaps sell them.

In general, the points partner program for car rentals, airfare, etc is not worth using. You can get better value elsewhere without using your points.

You cannot sell them or rent them. It is against the RCI rules.

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

perfect. the last minute vacations seem like a good deal.

thanks for the help. just worried I will spend more on fees and other charges to use the points that it might be cheaper to book a hotel through Hotwire or a similar website

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

Wow. Makes Fl look like such a bargain.

I was using numbers for coastal gold crown or Hawaii points resort, not weeks cross over resorts. There are very few coastal CA points resorts. Some of the non-coastal (like Gaslamps in San Diego) or non gold crown points costs less. Hawaii is just costly in general for points, regardless of weeks crossover or straight points resort.

perfect. the last minute vacations seem like a good deal.

The last minute points discounted units only apply to weeks bookings less than 45 days out, NOT to points only resorts. Given that you want the prime time of late June and July, you'll be competing with all the regular weeks owners as well and inventory is very, very slim. You would need to be searching online every day right when inventory becomes available to get those very few crumbs. Since you're doing this trip as a honeymoon, you want to have everything planned well in advance, like flights, etc. Like Philsfan said, points inventory for early July is available now so you're better off to make your booking now to be guaranteed something as opposed to trying to search at the last minute like everyone else.

As a newbie, that's the avenue I would suggest. If not, given you'll be scrambling for your wedding, you willl wind up having to book that hotel.

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

As of right now, there is no availability in San Francisco from mid-June to early July.

For POINTS southern coast:

Grand Pacific Resorts at Carlsbad Seapointe Resort (#3987)
6400 Surfside Lane
Carlsbad, CA 92009
USA
760/603-1700
Carlsbad Seapointe Resort: Carlsbad California Vacation Rentals & Beach Vacation Homes

Unit Type Max Occup
(Privacy) Kitchen Check-In Date Check-Out Date Point Value
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sun 26-Jun-2011 Sun 3-Jul-2011 60000
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sun 10-Jul-2011 Sun 17-Jul-2011 60000

or

Gaslamp Plaza Suites (#3032)
520 E St.
San Diego, CA 92101
USA
619/232-9500
Gaslamp Plaza Suites Hotel - Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego

Unit Type Max Occup
(Privacy) Kitchen Check-In Date Check-Out Date Point Value
Hotel Unit 2 (2) Partial Sun 10-Jul-2011 Sun 17-Jul-2011 28500
Studio 4 (2) Partial Sun 10-Jul-2011 Sun 17-Jul-2011 33500
1 Bedroom 4 (2) Partial Sun 10-Jul-2011 Sun 17-Jul-2011 38500
2 Bedroom 6 (4) Partial Sun 10-Jul-2011 Sun 17-Jul-2011 67000

For WEEKS resorts, there is no availability. There had been a few units at some good GPR resorts but they all disappeared within a day.

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

appreciate the research djyamyam and everyone else. I will let you know what I choose.