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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.

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

Elaine of Coaldale, Canada (10/04/08)
We too, as so many I have been reading about bought into Blue Bays scam in Jan. 2006. It is now 3 years later, and we decided to go back for a week. Our points are limited to 60000 and we have to pay for all inclusive stays. I priced out the same trip through a travel agent, and it will be 1100.00 cheaper for two of us,to go that way, than it is to go through RCI or Temptations resort.

I called Premier, got the run around, but was getting emails until I asked for my money (21000.00)back. We have never used this program, but have paid our yearly fees. I just want this cancelled and to be refunded, but now have been put on ignore.

Howard of Jackson, NJ October 4, 2008

Howard of Jackson NJ (10/04/08)
I am also involved with the Bluebay and RCI problem. I also bought more RCI points then I could ever use because I intended to use them for air travel. We will be going to Bluebay in about two weeks. They claim they have instituted an alternate plan. I have no idea of the cost of the program and I am unsure how it will work.

I am a retired attorney living in New Jersey. When I reviewed the RCU documents, RCI chose NJ law to be controling.

I do not believe that RCI has the right to change the terms of the contracts between themselves and purchasers of points If the new program set up by Bluebay is not accelptable,

We can now only use 60,000 points per year for RCI Partner prograns when we were sold the points with the understanding that the use of points would be unlimited.

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