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RCI

RCI's Web site says the company has over 3,700 affiliated resorts located in 100 countries, with over three million subscribing members living in more than 200 countries. Its "RCI Community" is an exchange network of three million timeshare owners worldwide who participate in RCI's traditional week-for-week and points-based timeshare exchange networks.

Craig of Red Deer OTHER (10/26/08)
I purchased weeks and points while on vacation in cancun at a blue bay resort. I had the sales manager, explain to me and answer questions of mine in details which are the complete opposite of the service I am recieving. Some of his answers must have been outright lies while some of the answers have been change due to this bait and switch that RCI and Blue Bay seem to have come to an agreement on.

What it comes down to is that I spent around 8000 dollars for some Blue Bay resort weeks that I was hoping to rent out for money through Blue Bay's rental program which was promised to me would happen from the sales manager(which later was explained to me could not happen anymore and that all I could get in return for renting my weeks is food and drink credit at their resorts) and that I could use my points without restriction through RCI to book flights and hotels, etc.

Well as all of you my points are now practically useless with the 60000 point maximum that has been imposed on us. A complete change from the service that I signed up for when I purchased my weeks/points from Blue Bay. Please let me know how I can assist in any type of class action lawsuit as I like all you others would just like to stop wasting my time and recuperate my money now.

Economic damages of about 8000 lost. Plus time and money spent trying to get explanations of why I am not getting what I paid for.

Dan of Newark, TX October 20, 2008

Dan of Newark TX (10/20/08)
We too are part of the RCI program. I think almost everyone bought into this to use the Points Partner program. We are no different. This is very very disapointing to us as we are approching retirement and paid for our travel in advance to save money down the road for the trips we intend to take. WE have used out points over the past 2 years for hotel, airfare, and car rental. Never one problem! We thougt the RCI program was a godsend.

Now, like many of you, it's basically worthless to us. Several of the people I know that are in this are considering a class-action lawsuit. We spent 29,000 toward this program for over 8,000,000points. Now the only way to use them is in RCI resorts. I do not want to be tied to only their locations. I want my flight privelages back!

Amy of Henderson, NV October 19, 2008

Amy of Henderson NV (10/19/08)
My husband and I purchased 16 million points with Blue Bay Resort in Cancun, MX. The points we purchased were to be available for use with RCI Points in exchange for airline tickets, resorts, hotels, car rentals, etc. In September 2008 we were told that we could only use the points at a rate of 60,000 points per year. We purchased 16 million points for over 60,000 to be used with no limitations.

Prior to purchase, we contacted RCI to confirm what we were being offered by Blue Bay. Not only did RCI confirm usage of accelerated points for airline tickets, resorts, etc., but confirmed an excellent history with Blue Bay and its affiliates for over 20 years.

RCI has changed their program twice since we bought a couple of years ago. It was a fixed fee and fixed points to use the RCI points for hotels, cars, flights, etc. Then last March they started charging larger fees and tabulating the cost of a flight and charging us the difference and MORE plus the fees to book as previously done. We also have to still pay an annual maintance fee to RCI.

Like so many, we purchased these points to enable our family to take vacations we could not otherwise afford. With the current changes by RCI and paid for them in advance to ensure the locked rate, we feel we have no choice but to pursue RCI and (Premier) Blue Bay Resorts legally in hopes of reinstating the value of our membership as originally purchased or be prorated for what we have used and reimburse the rest of our money. The more support we can gather from others that have experienced the same injustice from RCI and Blue Bay Getaway (Premier), the more power we have. We have invested over 60,000 for our membership and would like to see them held responsible for our investment.

We have invested so much money now to pay for our vacations in advance. This puts a financial strain on our household, the hours we spend looking into this, and the lack of support we can get when a bait and switch like this takes place with SOOO much money involved. Now we can not afford to travel because we paid for this program. How is this possible for this scam to keep continuing on???

Lisa of Forest Park, IL October 18, 2008

Lisa of Forest Park IL (10/18/08)
Today I was contacted by RCI and told I had won? the opportunity to stay at their premier resort in Orlando, Florida: Summer Bay Resort. For the modest fee of 498 and sitting through a 90-minute sales presentation, I could get 3 nights in a 2 bedroom condo at the resort, 2 dinner show passes, 2 tickets to a theme park of my choice, 2 nights in Daytona, 2 tickets to the Kennedy Space Center, and 2 nights in the Bahamas. I said no because the lengths of stay were too short.

The representative knocked off 100 and brought the price down to 398 and threw in 3 weekend getaways. She then mentioned that for another 347 I could have 4 nights in Costa Rica at the Villas Sol Resort. Again I said no. Because the representative liked me? she included 4 nights in Napa Valley and 2 tickets on the wine train, purportedly at no additional charge. I stupidly said okay and got out my credit card. I should have known that if sounded too good to be true, it was.

I was transferred to another representative who recorded the conversation of what I was supposed to receive. Suddenly there were taxes to be paid for each night of accommodation. I said that I didnt want the deal. The woman threw in 3 nights in Cancun and 3 more weekend getaways. I thought what the heck and paid the required amount. After all, even if the resorts were 3-star resorts instead of the 5-stars they described, it would still be worth it.

A few hours later I received the details of everything I had purchased and there were quite a few surprises. Hidden usage fees, reservations fees, no stays at the resorts mentioned. Furthermore, the company claimed the right to change the terms and conditions at will. I called the company and promptly cancelled. They have stated they will reverse the charges on my account, but I have to wait 3-7 business days to see if this occurs. Given what Robin of Milwaukie OR (03/28/07) wrote, I will be keeping a close eye on this. I find it incredible this company remains in business and am so thankful to all the people who have written on this site because your stories helped me realize how grossly unreliable and underhanded RCI is.

Christina of Bournemouth, Dorset, OTHER October 9, 2008

Christina of Bournemouth, Dorset OTHER (10/09/08)
On our last day of our holiday (4 October 2008), we came back to our room to find the Manager, Natalia, a cleaner and a receptionist verbally attacking us and wanting to throw us of the appartment. We were due to check out the next day so were totally taken aback by surprise and shock! They had started packing our belongings and as we refused to leave the room they threatened to call the police. 2 safety guards came in and also were threatening and saying (in spanish) to Natalia, who didn't realise i'm fluent in Spanish, that they could easily get rid of us with all our stuff.

They laughed at us and told us we had to leave (we had been there a week). We tried to reason with them but they were totally unprofessional and and i got worried about our safety so decided to finish packing our bits and leave the room. They basically treated us like low-life criminals and in all my years of travelling, i have never been treated so appalingly. This is a 4 star resort and i am absolutely disgusted with their management.

the emotional distress and ruined our last day of holiday. Still now, i feel sick to the stomach thinking about the whole experience. They went through our belongings and forced entry and i'm claiming for items that went missing - my GHD irons worth 100 and a top worth 30. Also, the one night we weren't able to stay in our appartment which was paid for.

Elaine of Coaldale, OTHER October 4, 2008

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