I have another RCI points question

[lawren2]

I've been having a blast with Points, other than the horrendous search engine. But there is something that bothers me and I figured I'd ask even if it shows how ignorant I can be at times.

As I always say "There are no such animals as dumb questions".

So here goes:

If I see weeks in the LM window just about every week can see them. Trading power becomes a non-issue in this timeframe. If I can pull that week in points it is valued at either 7.5k or 9k. I still haven't figured out why the different valuations but at either rate they are CHEAP! This makes sense to me from either side of the equation. No trade value needed equates to a nominal point valuation.

The question I have is, if I go into a points to points search the results show a "regular" point valuation no matter how close in the exchange is.

Why is that? Does calling RCI to book make a difference?

Thanks for the on-going instruction.

Love yours truly.

[joycapecod]

It's been a long time, but I think that even if the value shows as the "Normal" value in the "Last Minute" window when you place the unit on hold or confirm it, the correct value appears attached to the week.

Joy

[philsfan]

Originally Posted by lawren2

I've been having a blast with Points, other than the horrendous search engine. But there is something that bothers me and I figured I'd ask even if it shows how ignorant I can be at times.

As I always say "There are no such animals as dumb questions".

So here goes:

If I see weeks in the LM window just about every week can see them. Trading power becomes a non-issue in this timeframe. If I can pull that week in points it is valued at either 7.5k or 9k. I still haven't figured out why the different valuations but at either rate they are CHEAP! This makes sense to me from either side of the equation. No trade value needed equates to a nominal point valuation.

The question I have is, if I go into a points to points search the results show a "regular" point valuation no matter how close in the exchange is.

Why is that? Does calling RCI to book make a difference?

Thanks for the on-going instruction.

Love yours truly.

There is no discount on standard reservations no matter how close the check-in date is. They started a discount program a couple of months back where they would give a points discount for some stuff that amounted to about 10 to 20 percent off the number of points needed. It wasn't restricted to last minute stuff but I think it was off season. I haven't seen or heard much about that program lately.

When doing weeks searches, within 45 days, the point value will be the lower of 9K or the lowest number of points required to reserve a week at that resort.

[djyamyam]

Philsfan has pretty much nailed it on the head

[djyamyam]

Originally Posted by joycapecod

It's been a long time, but I think that even if the value shows as the "Normal" value in the "Last Minute" window when you place the unit on hold or confirm it, the correct value appears attached to the week.

Joy

This is the case in points searching for weeks. There is no LM window in points as Philsfan noted

[lawren2]

Originally Posted by djyamyam

Philsfan has pretty much nailed it on the head

That doesn't make any sense but this is RCI we are talking about.

[djyamyam]

Originally Posted by lawren2

That doesn't make any sense but this is RCI we are talking about.

It doesn't make sense and I don't really understand it but I'm going to take a stab at it.

When a resort becomes points affiliated, RCI does an audit of the resort and assigns a point value for each week of the year based on whatever formula they use (I guess I could ask our mgmt company what that is). This becomes fixed for the life? of the master points contract? So from an accounting standpoint, the total points redeemed for exchanges have to equal what was originally allocated to that resort. If RCI allowed an exchange for less than the pre-agreed points amount, they'd be in violation and "owe" the resort.

In exchanging points for weeks from standard weeks resorts, there is no contract in place with that resort. All RCI does is move inventory around from what they have. To make up for that imbalance, they take from other deposits. Somewhere in the points contract is wording that gives RCI that right to take a week from deposited inventory? in the overall pot as an accounting.

I'm not sure if my explanation is correct but that's my non-educated guess

[lawren2]

Originally Posted by djyamyam

When a resort becomes points affiliated, RCI does an audit of the resort and assigns a point value for each week of the year based on whatever formula they use (I guess I could ask our mgmt company what that is). This becomes fixed for the life? of the master points contract? So from an accounting standpoint, the total points redeemed for exchanges have to equal what was originally allocated to that resort. If RCI allowed an exchange for less than the pre-agreed points amount, they'd be in violation and "owe" the resort.


I'm not sure if my explanation is correct but that's my non-educated guess

Gord, Your explanation sounds valid. Since that is all we have I'll accept it as gospel for now.

I have been wondering why the reverse would not be true. Why ALL inventory didn't show up in the 45 (or 14) day window for any exchanger to grab via points or weeks no matter where the interval came from. The non-flexible point "contract" would explain that little nut as well.

I imagine that most if not all the pure points inventory, once it gets to this point, goes empty then as there is no carrot offered to use it.

Thanks to you both I will sleep just a little better.

Ps I will add this to my littlefile of "sometimes points isn't the best thing since sliced bread". There aren't many items on that list but there are certainly a handful.

[philsfan]

Originally Posted by lawren2

I have been wondering why the reverse would not be true. Why ALL inventory didn't show up in the 45 (or 14) day window for any exchanger to grab via points or weeks no matter where the interval came from. The non-flexible point "contract" would explain that little nut as well.

I have been watching last minute coastal SoCal every night for about a month now. I have seen weeks units from the weeks side that I was interested in, for example Gaslamp Plaza. When I logon to the points side and check weeks availablility they are not there. However, they are available as standard reservations at 4 times the point value I expected to pay.

These are units that had to be deposited on the weeks side since they are available in a pure weeks search. However, since at least 1 points account has been sold at the resort, they are not eligible to be placed in the pool for points members searching for weeks.

[lawren2]

Originally Posted by philsfan

I have been watching last minute coastal SoCal every night for about a month now. I have seen weeks units from the weeks side that I was interested in, for example Gaslamp Plaza. When I logon to the points side and check weeks availablility they are not there. However, they are available as standard reservations at 4 times the point value I expected to pay.

These are units that had to be deposited on the weeks side since they are available in a pure weeks search. However, since at least 1 points account has been sold at the resort, they are not eligible to be placed in the pool for points members searching for weeks.

Yes that is on the short list of Points Ain't All That.

Try getting any of the Aug/Sep 2009 weeks deposits in Manhattan Club with points.

You can't even see them. Manhattan Club is a Points Resort.

I wrestled with that in the beginning but have come to accept it.

Another on the short list is you can't search earlier than 10 days out from today. This is not huge because if you can see it from the weeks side at 4 days + you can call a Points rep to book at the el cheapo points rate.

Like I said before. There aren't many bad things but there are a few annoyances.

The key to being truly great within the RCI system is too fully understand the systems and find the weaknesses and nuances.

I want to thank you so much for explaining that 9k vs 7.5k thing. That was driving me BATS!