Fascinating call from RCI supervisor

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

I got so nervous today, I got a call from an RCI supervisor. Not what I want to hear the day before I leave for an exchange...

Turns out they are canvassing members who have recently canceled exchanges to All Inclusive resorts, to find out why.... I had canceled my Windjammer Landing exchange for Thanksgiving

So I was more than happy to tell them that I canceled b/c the AI fees were outrageous (true at Windjammer, for a 2 bedroom it was over $4000 for a family of two adults and two kids).

But interesting that they are noticing a trend, and gathering data to support a change.... let's see what happens!!

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

I got so nervous today, I got a call from an RCI supervisor. Not what I want to hear the day before I leave for an exchange...

Turns out they are canvassing members who have recently canceled exchanges to All Inclusive resorts, to find out why.... I had canceled my Windjammer Landing exchange for Thanksgiving

So I was more than happy to tell them that I canceled b/c the AI fees were outrageous (true at Windjammer, for a 2 bedroom it was over $4000 for a family of two adults and two kids).

But interesting that they are noticing a trend, and gathering data to support a change.... let's see what happens!!

They pay you to take the exchange? No this is Rents Condos Instead.

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

They pay you to take the exchange? No this is Rents Condos Instead.

True, but they aren't worth much on the rental market with those AI fees

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

So I was more than happy to tell them that I canceled b/c the AI fees were outrageous (true at Windjammer, for a 2 bedroom it was over $4000 for a family of two adults and two kids).

Not knowing much about the AIs, aren't the fees listed on the page BEFORE you confirm? I guess I am wondering why you/others would have confimed at all, knowing what the AI cost was.

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

I once confirmed an exchange into Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta and I thought the AI fee listed was for the week. It turned out to be for the day when I read the fine print, so I cancelled faster than a speeding bullet - the charge was outrageous!

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

Not knowing much about the AIs, aren't the fees listed on the page BEFORE you confirm? I guess I am wondering why you/others would have confirmed at all, knowing what the AI cost was.

I knew. And I figured I couldn't resist booking it at the time, bc it is in my list of "must take if they come up" locations. For Thanksgiving, no less, so I felt it justifiable, almost. But as time to buy ever-escalating air came, the AI fees on top of the air d/n cut it, especially given the relative state of the country's, and our personal, economy since I booked it, added to which my kids may not be able to miss school, which would leave me paying an AI fee for a minimum of 4 people in a 2 bedroom, even if I just went with one friend.

And you can bet that RCI is really wanting to know why so many AI weeks sit in inventory, too...

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

It shouldn't be TOO HARD to figure out why AI weeks don't get taken. I mean, $4000 a week extra isn't exactly rocket science!

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

$4000 for a week!? Did you tell them you were only looking for accommodation, not buying the entire resort

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

I knew. And I figured I couldn't resist booking it at the time, bc it is in my list of "must take if they come up" locations. For Thanksgiving, no less, so I felt it justifiable, almost. But as time to buy ever-escalating air came, the AI fees on top of the air d/n cut it, especially given the relative state of the country's, and our personal, economy since I booked it, added to which my kids may not be able to miss school, which would leave me paying an AI fee for a minimum of 4 people in a 2 bedroom, even if I just went with one friend.

And you can bet that RCI is really wanting to know why so many AI weeks sit in inventory, too...

Wow. I can totally understand how that would happen. I hope you can find a great replacement vacation!

[Miss Understood Member Find all posts View Profile Close Miss Understood]

I'm surprised that the resorts that charge such ridiculous fees don't go out of business. Who in their right minds would pay that? What could the resort offer that would justify those fees? Unless it included daily spa treatments for every member of the family, I can't imagine paying that per week.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

In the past Scott has pointed out that AI in big Mexican destinations is an easy trade and that non AI are harder to get. Some of that is due to the high AI fees.
On top of that, owners often get a better AI rate than exchangers do.

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

It shouldn't be TOO HARD to figure out why AI weeks don't get taken. I mean, $4000 a week extra isn't exactly rocket science!

$4000 for a week!? Did you tell them you were only looking for accommodation, not buying the entire resort

I'm surprised that the resorts that charge such ridiculous fees don't go out of business. Who in their right minds would pay that? What could the resort offer that would justify those fees? Unless it included daily spa treatments for every member of the family, I can't imagine paying that per week.

I think these fees were particularly high. Partially because we had a two bedroom unit, so the resort insists on a minimum of four adults paying AI ina the 2 bedroom units. The fee for the four of us in a 1 bedroom would have been less. And if we went with another couple instead, at $2000 per couple, with all meals and drinks and watersports, etc. included, well it's not AS outrageous, anyway. But when you add $1000 for a kid who will eat nothing but chicken fingers all week, that's a different story...

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

AI's are usually a bad deal.

I do a lot of central america, mexico travel and you can eat out at the nicest resaurants for less than the AI fee, you get a little local culture and you are not tied to the resort for all your meals.

Maybe, if you are a heavy boozer, it might make sense.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

I got real excited the other nite. I thought I had my dream bd trip all planned. It was in the DR and the AI was $800 per DAY!! per person . Yeah, whose horse did I ride in on? shaggy

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

I got real excited the other nite. I thought I had my dream bd trip all planned. It was in the DR and the AI was $800 per DAY!! per person . Yeah, whose horse did I ride in on? shaggy

Ohh, sounds like Lifestyle Hacienda or something like that, I remember seeing those AI fees, they cover 8 people, no matter how few in your party... a relative bargain pp compared to the Windjammer