Is it worth joining RCI for their rentals?

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

We cross posted.

I went back to the original e-mail from RCI dated Tue, 13 Mar 2007 . The link no longer works so I'm pretty sure they killed this program off. They were probably losing money on the offer.

So I guess this means that my only option would be to join. I doubt it's worth it, since you all agree that the rental opportunities are not great.

There are a few resorts that I wouldn't mind paying an $89.00 a year fee, in order to be able to rent. I doubt they are ever available, tho.

OK, don't go laughing hysterically, but they would be....The Manhattan Club, Gurney's, St. George's Club, Villa L'Auberge, and maybe a few others that I can't remember at the moment. Are any of these ever available as rentals?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

So I guess this means that my only option would be to join. I doubt it's worth it, since you all agree that the rental opportunities are not great.

There are a few resorts that I wouldn't mind paying an $89.00 a year fee, in order to be able to rent. I doubt they are ever available, tho.

OK, don't go laughing hysterically, but they would be....The Manhattan Club, Gurney's, St. George's Club, Villa L'Auberge, and maybe a few others that I can't remember at the moment. Are any of these ever available as rentals?

Can't help the laughing hysterically part. I may have seen Gurneys on occasion. MC and VA never.

St. George's Club (#0390)
Rose Hill
P.O. Box GE 92 St. George Bermuda
441/297-1200
The St. George's Club - Bermuda Member Rating




Unit Options Select Unit Type Max Occ/Privacy Kitchen Check-in Date Check-out Date Nightly
Value Weekly
Price*
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 11/17/2007 11/24/2007 $77.00 $539.99

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

Thanks Lawren, for all the info. It's good to know what my options, and the possibilities are. I will give it some thought.

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

Manhattan Club used to be available on EVs, some full weeks and some 3 and 4 night stays at one point, rates were over $200/night and you had to book the whole stay. Haven't seen them since hotel prices in the city went haywire.

No Bermuda in spring/summer. Never seen Gurney's. I don't look for Cali, but Lawren would know.

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

Why join when you know people that would get the rental for you and then just have the added cost of a Guest Certificate (which is less than one year of RCI membership @ retail).

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

BG, the answer is that it's technically against RCI rules unless she pays ONLY for the Guest Certificate. I think there's some argument to be made that the rental fee = the exchange fee that Madge said was also allowed to be reimbursed, but I wouldn't want to be the one to test that theory

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

I thought "exchange fee" reimbursement was also allowed.

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

On the question of whether joining RCI is worth it just for the rentals, I'd say Interval has much better quality rentals (Getaways) than RCI. However, RCI does have a lot of inventory in some areas where II has very little.

I don't know for a fact that you'd save much going through RCI rather than through one of their rental sites, but I suspect you'd save some money at least some of the time -- for a while, SkyAuction seemed to have better deals than RCI's own site, but the SkyAuction prices have gone up.

So, joining RCI just for the rentals might be worthwhile for someone who wanted to stay for several weeks a year in a place where II didn't have much inventory. However, the resort quality would be lower than in II, so I don't think it would be worthwhile for you, Angela.

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

The RCI Guest Pass* is a great idea if you have purchased multiple Guest Certificates for the same person in the past, or if you know someone who might enjoy the benefits of timeshare resorts.

The Guest Pass allows you to add someone to your account and they will have the ability to confirm Last CallSM and Extra Vacations on their own! You no longer need to call on their behalf, nor do you have to buy a Guest Certificate each time.

As an added bonus, your Guests can access your exchange week too. All you need to do is give permission with a simple call to an RCI Guide. Best of all, no Guest Certificate fee will be charged. **
The RCI Guest Pass is simple. Your guests help themselves and you save time and money!

5-year Guest Pass: $149.00 USD
10-year Guest Pass: $249.00 USD

It isn't a bad idea if this also includes exchanges.

I can't seem to find it currently offered on the RCI site though. So maybe it died.

Instead of making that assumption, I actually called RCI, spoke to a guide and confirmed that it still does exist. Relying on the website for accuracy is like an oxymoron

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Instead of making that assumption, I actually called RCI, spoke to a guide and confirmed that it still does exist. Relying on the website for accuracy is like an oxymoron

True very true.

You are a better man than I Gunga Din. To actually call RCI of your own free will.

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

This has been a very informative thread, and I thank you all for the info.

One more question.....Does anyone know if Newport is ever available for rent, during spring & fall?