I ran across a three-bedroom S. Cal. unit checking in on 5/27 when I searched weeks reservation using my points and immediately put a hold on it on 5/6. Later when I tried to confirmed it online, it showed that 80,000 points were required. Therefore I called RCI directly trying to confirm it. The guide told me it would cost me 80,000 points because it is a high demand resort --- and it didn't matter that the check in date is less than 45 days. I told her to just leave the week along in my account for a couple of hours and I'll talk it over with my husband to see if we want to confirm or cancel it (it would have stayed in my account until the end of the day if I hadn't called anyway). Then she said I must decide immediately because there is no grace period since the check in is in less than 21 days. I asked to speak to a supervisor, and my request was denied as the other tuggers who previously wrote in this thread. I had no choice but canceling it right away.
I called ten minutes later and a different guide answered the phone. I asked to speak to a supervisor right away after I identified myself and verified my account information. I was told it was not necessary to speak to a supervisor. I asked my question about booking the a week (less than 45 days ahead) using my points. At first she agreed it would be 25% of the points or 9,000 points (whichever is less). But when I told her that I have called earlier regarding the week on hold, she all of a sudden change her tone of voice and said "I don't know what you are talking about". Then she went on giving me the lecture on demand and supply and how only weeks pulled out under "Instant Exchange" are 9,000 points or less. Well, I didn't have my computer with me at that point. I just checked my RCI account again---There is no separate category called "Instant Exchanges" I can search under.
On top of all the confusion, I just get the feeling that guides are really protective of each other and a red flag is automatically raised if you say "oh, I spoke to someone else before....". I should keep that in mind. Also, I am pretty disappointed at speaking to two stand-offish guides in a row... My previous calls to RCI were overall pleasant and satisfactory.