RCI Points Cancellation Policy

A Comprehensive Guide to RCI Points Cancellation Policy

Knowing how to work with points is one of the major ways RCI members can maximize their vacation planning. A huge part of managing your points involves knowing the inner workings of an RCI Points Cancellation Policy. In case there’s an unexpected change in plans or if you simply want to have flexibility in rescheduling a certain trip, it is very important to know how cancellations will impact your points and when fees apply so as not to incur loss.

In this piece, we are going to give a deeper understanding of RCI’s points cancellation policy, the deadlines within which to do so, and how to protect your points without incurring fees. If you’re considering exiting your timeshare totally, we go ahead to show you why HowToCancelMyTimeshare, HOW2CXL, is the best partner you can have for an easy, stress-free exit..

Understanding RCI Points Cancellation Policy

RCI’s Points Cancellation Policy tells you what happens to your points, should you cancel part or all of your reservation. Like most travel programs, RCI has certain rules involving the refund or retention of some or all of your points, depending on when you make the cancellation.

Early cancellation: If you cancel within a certain window, you will get all or most of your points returned with no penalties.
Late cancellations: Penalties will increase, and you could lose your points in their entirety.

Know what those deadlines really are and the fees involved to avoid undesired surprises.

How to Cancel an RCI Reservation with Points

Canceling an RCI reservation that was made using points is relatively straightforward, though there are several steps to ensure you minimize your losses:

Log into your RCI account: Navigate to the “My Vacations” section where all your reservations are stored.
Select the reservation: Find the trip you wish to cancel and click on it to see your cancellation options.
Review cancellation policy: Before confirming the cancellation, RCI will show you whether you’ll lose points, be charged a fee, or if you’ll get a refund.
Proceed with cancellation: If you’re comfortable with the terms, proceed with the cancellation by confirming the process.

Remember, the timing of your cancellation is key to how many points you retain.

Cancellation Deadlines: When Can You Cancel Without Losing Points?

RCI has strict deadlines concerning cancellations, and they are tiered, affecting how much of your points will be returned. Here is a breakdown:

Over 90 days prior to check-in: Normally, you can expect 100% of your points returned with no penalties if you cancel over 90 days before your check-in date.
60 to 89 days before check-in: If you’re canceling that far in advance, it’s usually a minor penalty, and you might get around 75% of your points returned.
30 to 59 days before check-in: You’re typically going to get roughly 50% of your points back if you make a cancellation in this timeframe.
Less than 30 days before check-in: The cancellation can either lead to a total loss of points or a huge penalty, depending on the situation.

It is always recommended to study special features of the cancellation policy for the specific resort or type of booking, as details tend to vary.

What Happens to Your RCI Points After a Cancellation?

Depending on how far away it is from checking in and the conditions of your reservation, when you cancel one, the action which happens to your points depends. Overall, the closer you are to your date of vacation, the more points forfeited. Generally speaking, the points are taken off as follows:

Full return: When you cancel this far in advance, all of your points go back into your account.
Partially refunded: If the cancellation is done closer to the date, then you get a portion of your points back.
Lost: You possibly lose all your points if you manage to cancel at the last minute.

During those instances when the points are returned upon cancellation, they may retain the original expiry date unless you choose to extend it.

Fees and Penalties Associated with RCI Points Cancellations

In addition, aside from point loss, one must consider fees when canceling an RCI reservation. Typical fees assessed include:

Cancellation fee: RCI may charge a cancellation fee, which varies based on the kind of booking and the timing of the cancellation.
Transaction fees: Sometimes, RCI charges an extra transaction fee, even for cancellations well in advance.

To avoid these charges, it is advisable to cancel as early as possible or consider rebooking rather than outright cancellations.

How to Rebook Using Cancelled RCI Points

One of the advantages of RCI is that points from a canceled reservation can be reused for another booking, provided they haven’t expired. Here’s how you can make the most of canceled points:

Check your points balance: After canceling, ensure that the points are credited back to your account.
Look for new vacation opportunities: Browse the RCI network to find another vacation or exchange opportunity.
Rebook within the expiration period: Ensure that your rebooking occurs before the original expiration date of the points. If your points are nearing expiration, you may want to consider extending them (explained below).

Can You Extend the Expiration Date of Cancelled RCI Points?

Many times, points being cancelled from RCI retain the original expiration date. If these fall near the expiration date when cancelled, you risk losing them if you don’t act in good time. However, RCI has options where you can extend the life of your points through their Points Extension Program. Here’s how it goes:

12-month extension: In this option, your points’ expiration date is extended by a year, during which time you will be able to use them.
Extra extension: With some exceptions, RCI offers a second extension, including another 12 months of validity.

Note that the extension of points usually involves some fees, and terms can always be checked with RCI.

Common Issues When Cancelling an RCI Points Reservation

When canceling an RCI reservation, several common problems may arise. Being aware of these will help you avoid possible pitfalls:

Late cancellations: You will very likely lose more points than anticipated if you miss the window.
Technical problems: Cancelling online may occasionally result in errors; it might be a good idea to confirm the cancellation by calling their customer service.
Being informed about the resort’s policy: Some resorts may have varying policies on cancellations, so it’s important to check the specific terms of your booking.

Tips for Avoiding Fees When Cancelling RCI Reservations

Here are a few actionable tips to help you avoid fees when canceling an RCI reservation:

Cancel early: Always try to cancel 90+ days before your reservation to avoid fees and maximize the return of points.
Rebook instead of cancel: In some cases, modifying or rebooking a reservation might result in fewer penalties than outright cancellation.
Monitor your points expiration: Always keep track of when your points are set to expire and take action well before that date to avoid losing them.
Use Travel Protection: RCI offers travel insurance that can help you recover points or fees in case of last-minute cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a full refund of my points if I cancel?

Yes, but only if you cancel more than 90 days before your check-in date.

Do I have to pay a fee when I cancel a reservation?

It depends on how close you are to the check-in date. Early cancellations generally do not incur fees, while late cancellations often do.

What happens if I cancel less than 30 days before check-in?

You may lose a significant portion or all of your points, and you may also be charged a cancellation fee.

Can I transfer my cancelled points to another member?

No, cancelled points must be used by you unless you have an active points transfer in place before the cancellation.