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The Crane Private Residence Resort has been awarded the highest points of every one of the 3,700 resorts worldwide that are members of Resort Condominiums International (RCI).
A Crane Private Residence Member can exchange their weeks with members of other interval ownership clubs in resorts all over the world. This exchange is managed by RCI.
Based on its point value, one Crane week can typically be exchanged for up to three weeks at any one of the 3,700 RCI Points Resorts worldwide. In addition, Crane Members only pay one maintenance fee, while other RCI members are required to pay three to obtain the same point value.
All Crane Private Residence members are RCI Points Members and owners in the Historic Hotel are RCI Weeks members. In addition to accommodation exchanges, Crane’s RCI points can be exchanged for other international vacation options, including airfare, rental cars, cruises, and more.
The Crane pays for all Private Residence Members to enroll in RCI, and for their first year of membership.
Please see below for details on how to make an exchange.
To make an Exchange
RCI Points RCI Point members book all reservations through RCI.
Please remember you need to confirm your fixed week here at The Crane 13 months prior to that week. We recommend you book your residence each year and then cancel, if necessary, once your plans have been finalized.
RCI charges no fee to book your week and no fee to cancel your week, as long as it is cancelled up to 90 days prior to that week.
You have full visibility of the other options for spending your RCI Points before you cancel your Crane reservation.
All confirmations are instant with RCI Points.
To check your point balance, perform exchanges and book reservations, you will need your RCI Points ID number. If you have misplaced this ID number pleasee-mail us at members@thecrane.com or fax us at 246-423-5356.
Once you have your Points ID number you may access RCI Points on-line through www.rci.com. You can also phone RCI at 1-800-338-7777 or 1-317-805-8000.
RCI Points Fees from RCI:
- US$99/year Network Dues
- 5 nights or more US$69.00
- 4 nights or less US$15/Night
(These fees apply to reservations made in the same unit type for consecutive nights. Some resorts may charge a housekeeping fee for less than 7 nights.) Other Fees:
To book at The Crane with your Crane Points, there is no charge for booking your weeks; a US$40.00 administrative charge applies for any other booking.
RCI Points Partners Reservations: US$24.00.Guest Certificates: US$49.00 Close
RCI Weeks Step 1. Deposit your week
Member contacts The Crane by fax (246-423-5343), post (The Crane, Crane, St. Philip, Barbados), or e-mail (members@thecrane.com) requesting that their week/s be deposited with RCI for exchange. The member must know approximately when they plan to use the exchanged weeks and the size of accommodation required.
Note: The Crane has taken an extra step toward increasing the value of our members' weeks, by placing a bulk bank of weeks with RCI. Since one of the factors affecting the value of a members' exchange priority is the length of time RCI was given notice of the banked week, we assign a week for the type of accommodation that the member requires that will expire shortly after the dates indicated for desired travel. This allows our members to leave their points with The Crane for up to three years and when ready to travel, place the request with RCI, gaining an extremely strong priority week for exchange.Step 2. Request your vacation
Next, the member contacts RCI (www.rci.com) and submits the preferred destinations. The member contacts RCI with his/her desired resort choices or at least one area of choice, as well as the desired travel dates and the number of people traveling. The member’s RCI Member ID Number and credit card number will be required. This membership number may be obtained from The Crane.
There is a nominal exchange fee that must be paid at this time.
RCI charges members US $118 for exchanges in the US and Canada, and US $155 to exchange internationally. To maintain a membership after the first year the annual fee from RCI is US $84.Step 3. Confirm your exchange
When RCI has found the time and resort requested by the member in their SPACEBANK, RCI contacts the member and notifies them of their confirmed accommodations. If a match is found immediately, the member’s vacation is confirmed immediately. Otherwise all incoming deposits are monitored for the member’s requirements and confirmed once a match is found. Close |
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Exchange: RCI Information |
 A world of memories is yours with RCI. As the world's largest and most experienced vacation exchange company, RCI enhances the value of your vacation ownership with access to more than 3,700 premier resorts worldwide.
RCI Fast Facts | Who We Are and What We Do |
How Timeshare & RCI Began | Benefits of Joining RCI | Contact RCI
RCI Fast Facts
- RCI is a subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE:CD), a global provider of consumer and business services.
- In 1999, RCI reported $437 million in revenues.
- RCI invented vacation exchange, introducing the concept in 1974.
- RCI has nearly 4,000 employees who work in 51 offices in 32 countries.
- RCI has more than 3,500 affiliated resorts in more than 90 countries.
- RCI has more than 2.6 million members living in more than 200 countries.
- Seven of every ten resorts worldwide affiliate with RCI.
- Eight of every 10 exchanges worldwide are made by RCI.
- Seven of the top 10 timeshare developers (in sales) in the world have chosen RCI as their exchange partner.
- Since incorporating in 1974, RCI has arranged exchange vacations for more than 54 million people worldwide.
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Who We Are and What We Do
Resort Condominiums International (RCI) is the market leader in vacation exchange - a company committed to innovative product development, high quality standards, and superior service delivery to its more than 3,700 affiliated timeshare resorts and over 2.5 million member resorts worldwide.
Through its expanding group of businesses, RCI brings to the timeshare industry support in vacation exchange, and leisure travel services.
Founded in 1974, RCI pioneered the vacation exchange concept, providing improved flexibility, variety, and convenience to timeshare owners.
RCI works closely with national and international travel and tourism organizations, governmental agencies, and industry associations to advance timesharing as a vital sector of the global travel and tourism industry. RCI is also a member of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The Crane has been a member of the RCI network for over six years and can testify to their consistent reliability and excellent service. The Crane will enroll all new Private Residence members in RCI with the member's permission. Close
How Timeshare and RCI began Timeshare began in the French Alps in the 1960s. In order to broaden the appeal of the second-home industry in which there was a limited demand for whole ownership of resort condominiums, French and Swiss companies marketed the concept of buying specific weeks of a condominium unit. The concept immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s.
Consumers liked the idea of sharing the expense of owning vacation accommodations. However, many people were unwilling to buy an inflexible product that limited their vacation options by locking them into taking their vacations at the same time and same place year after year. As a result of this flaw, timeshare both here and abroad floundered.
In 1974, RCI and the concept of vacation exchange made their debut. RCI's founders recognized that American consumers would demand the flexibility to take a vacation when and where they wanted. The then-radical idea was to offer potential buyers the opportunity to place their vacation ownership unit in a pool and exchange it for a comparable unit elsewhere in the world. The missing element of flexibility in timeshare was invented. Exchange is recognized as the catalyst that propelled the timeshare industry into the flourishing industry it is today. In numerous industry studies by various sources, exchange is cited as one of the primary reasons for purchasing timesharing.
Through the years, RCI has been the exchange provider of choice for the timeshare industry. Branded resort affiliates include Embassy, Hampton, Hilton and Ramada. RCI's most recognized affiliates include Fairfield, Sunterra, Silverleaf and Vistana.
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Benefits of Joining RCI RCI members have access to a wealth of luxury resorts all over the world via external exchanges. There are, however, a number of other benefits available to RCI members.
1. Endless Vacation Magazine®
Published by RCI, Endless Vacation® gives RCI members lots of great ideas about where and when to travel. Members receive 6 issues each year filled with information on popular vacation ownership destinations, vacation hot spots, travel advice and information on new resorts. Members also annually receive RCI's Directory of Resorts, which provides thorough information on the 3,700 resorts affiliated with RCI.
2. RCI Vacation Counselors
When RCI members need further information to plan their vacation, RCI Vacation counselors are always ready and willing to help. They have the experience and knowledge to bring your dream vacation to life.
3. Vacation Escapes® Getaways
When there is a surplus of deposited resort weeks in the RCI SPACEBANK®, RCI members can purchase these weeks without depositing weeks for exchange. Prices range from $299 to $699 US$. The price varies according to unit size and demand. Three night getaway weekends are also available starting at US $149.
4. RCI Travel
RCI travel is fully capable of handling all of your travel arrangements. One call is all it takes to arrange airfare or car rental for your next exchange vacation. Knowledgeable Travel Counselors are available seven days a week to answer any questions and ensure that you get the best rates and accommodations.
RCI members are also entitled to discounts from RCI's non resort affiliates.
These include:1. Discount airfares from some of the US's premier carriers
2. Special rates worldwide on car rentals with Avis® and Alamo®.
3. Discounts on world class hotel accommodations at Aston Hotels and Resorts and MARC Resorts
4. TravelGaurd Insurance, offering coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies and lost luggage
5. No extra fees or surcharges
6. $100,000 of flight insurance with every airline ticket issued by RCI travel
So once you've confirmed your vacation, RCI Travel can get you there.
5. RCI Guest Certificates
These allow members to send a friend, colleagues or family member on their RCI vacation, without being present. It makes a wonderful gift, and, at $40 US$, an affordable one too.
6. Hotel Direct
RCI members can save up to 30% of regular-published room rates at the 8000 participating hotels nationwide in the U.S. These include the Hilton, Holiday Inn, Ramada and Econo Lodge.
7. Other Discounts
There are also discounts available for the Universal Studios Escape theme parks, ADT security systems, Public Storage storage units and Primestar Digital Satellite TV's.
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Contact RCI In the United States:
Phone: 1-800-338-7777 or 317-805-8000
Fax: 317-805-9335
RCI Canada:
416-515-7612
UK member service number:
44 1536 310101
Website:
http://www.rci.com
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Exchange: RCI Points System |
The Highest Rated RCI Resort in the World!
 Members at The Crane have the use of their specific residence each year in perpetuity with the flexibility of being able to reserve different types of accommodation at The Crane throughout the year as desired.
Crane private residence members may also enjoy peak season vacations in any of 3,700 resorts worldwide through the exchange services provided by RCI, the world's premiere vacation exchange company. "RCI Points" is the new and definitive measure of "exchange trading power".
In recognition of its unparalleled standard of luxury accommodation, The Crane Private Residence Resort has been awarded the highest points of every one of
RCI’s 3,700 member resorts worldwide.
Based on its point value, therefore, Crane members -- even summer owners -- are generally able to trade one Crane week for three or more peak season (red) weeks in RCI's highest rated Gold Crown resorts, (including every one of the other RCI resorts in Barbados). RCI Points may also be used for hotel reservations, cruises, airfare and car rentals.
By joining the RCI Points Program, Crane members have the flexibility to use RCI Points for a variety of resort vacations, in addition to other leisure options such as airline tickets, cruises, hotel stays and much more.
As an RCI Points member you're automatically an RCI subscribing member, with complete access to the RCI Weeks system of more than 3,700 resorts worldwide.
With RCI Points you have the flexibility to: - Choose how many days you want to stay and where you want to stay
- Vacation at your home resort
- Stay at other great RCI Points resorts
- Reserve a variety of resort unit types and seasons
- Save or borrow Points to create your dream vacation
- Use RCI Points to book airline tickets, hotel stays, rent a car or book cruises, and more.
- Use RCI Points at RCI Weeks resorts
(For more information on RCI Points, please visit the RCI website at www.rci.com) |
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Exchange: Highest Points Information |
 The Exchange Program to other resorts through RCI is based on the principle of equal exchange. A week in each resort is given a value based on the quality of the resort, type of room, the season, demand for the destination and demand for the resort. Weeks in resorts with exceptionally high values can be traded for time in other resorts with equally high values.
Members of The Crane can exchange to any of RCI's 3,700 resorts in any season because The Crane has one of the highest trading values available.
This high Trading Power is a result of 3 sources-
The Crane's Gold Crown Award  To honor those resort affiliates who consistently exceed RCI's high standards and provide exceptional vacation experiences to both owners and exchange guests, RCI has created two distinguished awards - The RCI Gold Crown Resort and the RCI Resort of International Distinction.
The Crane has received both these awards.
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Who decides what resorts are awarded Gold Crown status? When RCI members stay at resorts affiliated with RCI they are encouraged to to fill out an RCI Comment Card. On this card they score the resorts in the categories of-
- Quality of Unit
- Hospitality
- Housekeeping
- Maintenance
- Check-in/Check-out
From these scores, the resorts meeting sufficiently high standards are designated as RCI Resorts of International Distinction. Resorts that achieve particularly outstanding ratings within this designation are then evaluated by an outside consulting firm. This evaluation includes:
- On-site recreational opportunities
- Guest Services
- Accommodations
- Access to area entertainment, shopping and other attractions
Those chosen few which meet the stringent criteria for superior quality and exceptional service are designated as RCI Gold Crown Resorts. Close
How many Gold Crown Resorts are there? Less than 20% of the 3,700 RCI resorts have achieved the Gold Crown Award. The Crane is proud to be one of those few. Close
Year Round Red Season -
Our designation on the RCI Seasonal Scale In most destinations, there is usually a clear peak season, clear low season and, often, a mid season in between. RCI refers to these seasons as Red, White and Blue. These are defined by RCI as follows-| | Blue Time
Vacation time that is less highly demanded by RCI members than White Time or Red Time. | | | White Time
Vacation time that is less highly demanded by RCI members than Red Time and more highly demanded than Blue Time | | | Red Time
Vacation time that is most highly demanded by RCI members |
The Crane has red weeks all year round. The Crane is always red time and always in high demand. This means that Crane members can enjoy every RCI resort during it's premium/red season. Close
High Demand for a Limited Number of Crane Weeks There is a very high demand for exchanges to The Crane for 3 reasons:
- A year round tropical climate, friendly people and magnificent beaches have made Barbados one of the world’s most desired vacation destinations;
- The Crane is the oldest hotel in the Caribbean and has been known for over 100 years for its elegance and tranquil atmosphere;
- The Crane is featured in countless fashion magazines, further increasing its popularity.
There are a very small number of available weeks at The Crane for RCI exchange for three reasons:
- Barbados is a very small island with an incredibly low number of timeshare resorts. About 6% of the world’s timeshare owners own in the Caribbean and only 2% own in Barbados. There are therefore, very few weeks available to RCI for exchange from Barbados.
- The Crane has very few residences available for purchase.
- Most importantly, Crane Members usually come back to The Crane and don't trade their Crane Weeks. In fact during 1998, only 30% of Crane's Members traded their one or two bedroom units to go to other resorts.
This high demand/low supply of weeks at The Crane creates an incredibly high trading power for Crane Members. This gives The Crane's Members the leverage they need to travel to any RCI resort at any time of the year - that is, if they ever want to. Close |
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