RCI Exchange Cancelled for Sunday

[mdurette]

Enjoy your trip!

 

[tschwa2]

I talked to RCI again. However, the specialist I talked to yesterday is not in today, so will wait until tomorrow to talk more to her. Basically, they said that this reservation will also likely be cancelled. At the very least I kept some other person from getting a bogus reservation.

Also, I talked to the resort and they said they knew about this problem a couple of weeks ago. So why RCI waits to deal with this until 4 days before is beyond me.

If the resort knew there was a problem a couple of weeks ago, I wonder why they didn't mention that when you called earlier in the week and they ok'd your request for an upper floor unit? Obviously your reservation was still in their system when you called.

 

[vacationhopeful]

For ONE THING ... Stuff happens.
#2 ... you got a FREE vacation.
#3 ... you did not have to change flights, rental cars, dates, city or states.
#4 ... you are NOT doing a StayVacation at your house or at your in-laws (or other relatives).

Treat it as an ADVENTURE ....

now, JUST work on enjoying your vacation.

 

[WackyLucy]

The incompetence of RCI is amazing.

But also historically consistent...

 

[bogey21]

...but additional compensation of some sort for their mistake and the stress they caused you.

I'm not one to push for compensation. I know it was a hassle and RCI is incompetent but it seems to me that OP got a decent package from RCI. Personally I would let things end there...

George

 

[terces]

Enjoy your trip!

We just stayed at Meadow Lake in July and booked one week using RCI points. When we checked in they gave us a room for 3 days along with an instruction sheet for how to leave our luggage and depart the room by 10 AM on the 3rd day and have it moved to a different room for check in by 4. I was pissed and they gave us some song and dance that the deeded owner of the unit wanted to use it. We had booked this unit at least 8 months in advance. We questioned the front desk further and it seemed this is a regular occurrence at Meadow Lake. Maybe it is RCI that caused the confusion, maybe it is complete incompetence of the Meadow Lake management. They also told us the resort was fully booked, but at least during mid week there is no way - the parking lots were empty. I’m not a big fan of RCI and have written about them in other posts so we are focusing on HGVC for now.

 

[Egret1986]

If the resort knew there was a problem a couple of weeks ago, I wonder why they didn't mention that when you called earlier in the week and they ok'd your request for an upper floor unit? Obviously your reservation was still in their system when you called.

Had a similar problem with resort/RCI in July in New Mexico. I called prior to arrival; no problems. On day of arrival, there were issues. It seemed that it was issues with the resort. Fortunately, we were able to use the 1BR we were given vs the 2BR we reserved 18 months prior to our arrival.

For ONE THING ... Stuff happens.
#2 ... you got a FREE vacation.
#3 ... you did not have to change flights, rental cars, dates, city or states.
#4 ... you are NOT doing a StayVacation at your house or at your in-laws (or other relatives).

Treat it as an ADVENTURE ....

now, JUST work on enjoying your vacation.

Linda, you are correct on your four points. Best to not allow the BS to mess with your long awaited vacation, OP. We were faced with issues with an exchange (unit size) in July. It was BS and the manager at the resort did not handle it well. Fortunately, we had fewer checking in than the six our original exchange accommodated. We understand 1) stuff happens, 2) we got a free vacation, 3) we didn't have to make any changes to our vacation, 4) no StayVacation and all things considered, we were at a decent property in a great location.

Indeed, it was poor handling by the resort and to some extent by RCI. We woke up the next morning and went on to enjoy our vacation. I wouldn't exchange back into this resort due to the manager's handling of our reservation, communication, attitude and closing of the office early without any notice on the day of our arrival.

I'm not one to push for compensation. I know it was a hassle and RCI is incompetent but it seems to me that OP got a decent package from RCI. Personally I would let things end there...

George

RCI is indeed incompetent. It was indeed a hassle and having your plans changed up can be so much more than just a hassle. As Linda previously stated, "stuff happens." It doesn't make it any easier, especially when you're trying to find out the "why's" and can't get answers. I know, it's very frustrating. Who do you believe, the resort or RCI? We got our TPUs and exchange fee back from RCI when we had our issue. We weren't happy with the situation, but we had two choices....accept it and enjoy our vacation or allow the circumstances to impact our vacation.

We enjoyed our vacation and looked for no additional compensation.

We just stayed at Meadow Lake in July and booked one week using RCI points. When we checked in they gave us a room for 3 days along with an instruction sheet for how to leave our luggage and depart the room by 10 AM on the 3rd day and have it moved to a different room for check in by 4. I was pissed and they gave us some song and dance that the deeded owner of the unit wanted to use it. We had booked this unit at least 8 months in advance. We questioned the front desk further and it seemed this is a regular occurrence at Meadow Lake. Maybe it is RCI that caused the confusion, maybe it is complete incompetence of the Meadow Lake management. They also told us the resort was fully booked, but at least during mid week there is no way - the parking lots were empty. I’m not a big fan of RCI and have written about them in other posts so we are focusing on HGVC for now.

It's hard to determine who is "telling the truth" or where the incompetence lies. It is also known that owners get preference over exchangers by most resorts. I believe that was our situation, owner preference played a factor. Thinking that just because you've had a long-standing exchange that this will give you any preference when a situation arises is fool-hardy. We felt we were entitled to simple communication on several occasions by the resort prior to our arrival, at check-in, and then being available in the office during posted hours on the day of check-in. You are not entitled to much when you are an exchanger. The resort will definitely give preference to an owner in most cases. Lesson learned. I guess that we're lucky that this is the first time we have experienced an issue with our accommodations and a resort.

I have been an RCI member for 30+ years because I have benefited over the years. Frustration, incompetence, crazy fee increases, reduced benefits....our vacation lifestyle will be changing in the future. RCI will not be a part of it. It's a combination of things of why we will not renew our membership next year. We accepted the negatives of RCI because we always got great value. Our future travels would probably not be able to continue this trend. Time to move on.

OP, the Montana/Glacier area is a wondrous place. Enjoy!!!!

 

[brumbielynch]

They all pull this kind of stuff. It’s ridiculous. We booked a Christmas week 2 bedroom unit via grand pacific exchange a full year before check in. Just a week before, they called to indicate an “inventory issue” and tell us that we would have to take a one bedroom instead. Undoubtedly their “inventory problem” was a higher revenue opportunity from a renter putting a lowly exchange transaction like ours at the bottom of the priority list. What could we do? Non refundable plane tickets - sold out holiday week... I complained to the BBB, supervisors, you name it... the bottom line was that they can and will eject or downgrade you with little notice and for any reason at any time.

 

[dogfeet]

Just a bit of an update:

1)Good News First - I did go to Montana and had a nice vacation, in spite of all the smoke. Beautiful state and I would like to return sometime when it is less smoky.

2) Bad News - When I returned home I checked to see if RCI had refunded my exchange fee as they promised. (I have a copy of the e-mail where this was promised.) So I called to ask RCI why this had not been done. They stated that now they would not do so. I do not get my exchange fee back as I already got enough. Also, interestingly enough the supervisor at RCI claimed that they have e-mails from the resort stated that the overbook was the resorts fault. The resort claims it is not their fault. Someone is lying. At any rate, mostly just venting.

 

[Jan M.]

Just a bit of an update:

1)Good News First - I did go to Montana and had a nice vacation, in spite of all the smoke. Beautiful state and I would like to return sometime when it is less smoky.

2) Bad News - When I returned home I checked to see if RCI had refunded my exchange fee as they promised. (I have a copy of the e-mail where this was promised.) So I called to ask RCI why this had not been done. They stated that now they would not do so. I do not get my exchange fee back as I already got enough. Also, interestingly enough the supervisor at RCI claimed that they have e-mails from the resort stated that the overbook was the resorts fault. The resort claims it is not their fault. Someone is lying. At any rate, mostly just venting.

You have the email. When a representative of a company promises something in writing aren't they are bound by it? I believe they are. Call them back and be assertive.

 

[Panina]

Just a bit of an update:

1)Good News First - I did go to Montana and had a nice vacation, in spite of all the smoke. Beautiful state and I would like to return sometime when it is less smoky.

2) Bad News - When I returned home I checked to see if RCI had refunded my exchange fee as they promised. (I have a copy of the e-mail where this was promised.) So I called to ask RCI why this had not been done. They stated that now they would not do so. I do not get my exchange fee back as I already got enough. Also, interestingly enough the supervisor at RCI claimed that they have e-mails from the resort stated that the overbook was the resorts fault. The resort claims it is not their fault. Someone is lying. At any rate, mostly just venting.

Great to hear you had a nice vacation.

Since you have correspondence I would put a complaint against both parties with the Better Business Bureau. I would also ask to speak with the supervisors, supervisor. Shame on RCI promising you in writing for a refund and not following through.

For those who say I always bash RCI, here is another reason why. Once again they treated a member horribly.