RHC - "Unlimited Use"

dmurphy · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 09:51 PM

So, we upgraded our membership last year to Gold Plus/VIP, and as part of that, we are supposed to have 7 years' worth of unlimited usage of the Park Royal properties (PR & Oasis) in Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa & Acapulco, plus the Bavaro Princess in Dominican Republic. No points to book rooms, as many rooms as I want, but I do have to pay the all-inclusive fees.

I just called to make my reservation for this summer, and as usual, there's a catch ....

Apparently, there's a blackout from July 15th-August 15th when booking "certificate" rooms, as they called them. I was planning to go to Cozumel from July 10-25th. That's a no-go with the 'free' rooms, apparently.

So, I was able to adjust my schedule from June 26th-July 12th. Still not a bad deal - I booked 3 rooms for that timeframe, just paying the all-inclusive.

They also tried to argue with me that the all-inclusive is $80/day when using the free room. I balked and they put me on hold, and came back to tell me I was right(!!) and that it's the same $60/day as it would be if I used my credits.

Just wanted to give everyone a 'heads up' about another one of these little unwritten rules .... There's lots of them and it's great to have a place like this where we can track them!

Spence · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmurphy

So, we upgraded our membership last year to Gold Plus/VIP, and as part of that, we are supposed to have 7 years' worth of unlimited usage of the Park Royal properties (PR & Oasis) in Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa & Acapulco, plus the Bavaro Princess in Dominican Republic. No points to book rooms, as many rooms as I want, but I do have to pay the all-inclusive fees.

I just called to make my reservation for this summer, and as usual, there's a catch ....

Apparently, there's a blackout from July 15th-August 15th when booking "certificate" rooms, as they called them. I was planning to go to Cozumel from July 10-25th. That's a no-go with the 'free' rooms, apparently.

So, I was able to adjust my schedule from June 26th-July 12th. Still not a bad deal - I booked 3 rooms for that timeframe, just paying the all-inclusive.

They also tried to argue with me that the all-inclusive is $80/day when using the free room. I balked and they put me on hold, and came back to tell me I was right(!!) and that it's the same $60/day as it would be if I used my credits.

Just wanted to give everyone a 'heads up' about another one of these little unwritten rules .... There's lots of them and it's great to have a place like this where we can track them!

Well, it is $80/day with the certificate, that's how they make it free, you pay the points maintenance with the extra $20. Count yourself lucky for having 'won' that argument and hope they don't try to collect the rest before they let you check in!!!

dmurphy · #3 (**permalink**) 02-15-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence

Well, it is $80/day with the certificate, that's how they make it free, you pay the points maintenance with the extra $20. Count yourself lucky for having 'won' that argument and hope they don't try to collect the rest before they let you check in!!!

I've already paid my MF for the year, so there shouldn't be any "points maintenance" ...

This isn't an RDV membership - I've got a full-up RHC VIP membership, with the 7 years being thrown in as a 'perk' for the upgrade. My sales letter (which, surprisingly, the phone agent found and read back to me verbatim) states that I will pay "the prevailing RHC Member all-inclusive rate" ...

And I think that's what made the difference.

So, on a completely different note... Apparently, we're VIPs now. What does that buy us (if anything?

That's a privilege that they said is usually reserved for Royal members, but it was included as part of our upgrade to Gold+ .... (I guess since they were hurting so bad ...)

Spence · #4 (**permalink**) 02-15-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmurphy

I've already paid my MF for the year, so there shouldn't be any "points maintenance" ...

The normal certificate details the rates at $80, so what I was saying was that it's not really free because you're paying an extra $20. But you are special, not the run of the mill VIP, obviously

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmurphy

This isn't an RDV membership - I've got a full-up RHC VIP membership, with the 7 years being thrown in as a 'perk' for the upgrade. My sales letter (which, surprisingly, the phone agent found and read back to me verbatim) states that I will pay "the prevailing RHC Member all-inclusive rate" ...

And I think that's what made the difference.

So, on a completely different note... Apparently, we're VIPs now. What does that buy us (if anything?

That's a privilege that they said is usually reserved for Royal members, but it was included as part of our upgrade to Gold+ .... (I guess since they were hurting so bad ...)

Well, in the old days my VIP could sometimes get me resorts that showed no availability, like Affinia Dumont.

dmurphy · #5 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence

The normal certificate details the rates at $80, so what I was saying was that it's not really free because you're paying an extra $20. But you are special, not the run of the mill VIP, obviously

Well, in the old days my VIP could sometimes get me resorts that showed no availability, like Affinia Dumont.

As always, believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see.

Overall, I have to say, I'm relatively happy with RHC. You have to go in knowing that it's not the biggest bargain in the world, but if you keep that in mind, it's not a terrible deal either.

The one thing it *does* do for me is force me to go on vacation. It's so easy to say "not this year..." but when you pay that maintenance fee every year, that's a good reminder that you need to go away!

Thanks for the help - you're a great resource! It's good to know there's someone to turn to when I've got questions!

Spence · #6 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmurphy

Overall, I have to say, I'm relatively happy with RHC. You have to go in knowing that it's not the biggest bargain in the world, but if you keep that in mind, it's not a terrible deal either.

As has been said, watch their billing, keep ALL receipts and reference numbers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmurphy

The one thing it *does* do for me is force me to go on vacation. It's so easy to say "not this year..." but when you pay that maintenance fee every year, that's a good reminder that you need to go away!

that's why I bought my first timeshare, THE reason.