Terms and conditions
1. Introduction
Terms and Conditions of RCI Subscribing Membership
("Terms and Conditions")
These Terms and Conditions and the Enrolment Application,
as amended from time to time, (collectively, the "Program Documents")
govern membership in the RCI Exchange Program (the "Program")
and set out the legally binding contract between Vacation Exchanges
International (Pty) Ltd, Wanderers Office Park, BDO Building, 52
Corlett Drive, Illovo, South Africa, 2196 ("We" or "RCI")
and Member. RCI operates the Program. (Kindly note: This address
is for administrative purposes only. Walk-in services are no longer available).
1. Definitions. The following definitions
apply:
1.1. "Corporate
Participant" refers to a Member whose Enrolment Fee and Annual
Membership Fee is paid to RCI by an entity or organisation with which RCI has a
contractual agreement to offer the Program.
1.2. "Deposit" when used
as a noun means a unit of Vacation Time whose use rights have been relinquished
to RCI for use by RCI as described in the Terms and Conditions.
1.3. "Deposit"
when used as a verb, regardless of the form or tense of the verb, means the act
of Depositing or assigning Vacation Time into the RCI Exchange system, by or on
behalf of a Member.
1.4. "Inventory"
means any Vacation Time, good, service, benefit, or movable or immovable
property designed for separate occupancy or consumption, and includes any right
to occupy an apartment, condominium or cooperative unit, cabin, lodge, hotel or
motel room, campground or other private or commercial structure.
1.5. "RCI
Business Day" shall be deemed to be regular business hours of
operation for RCl's South Africa call centre.
1.6. "Vacation Time" is
the legal right to own, occupy or use, for a period of time, vacation
accommodations at a resort.
"Member" or "Vacation
Owner" refers to an owner of Vacation Time who has been accepted for
enrolment in the Program.
2.
Membership.
2.1.
In accordance with the Program Documents,
RCI offers its Members access to printed or electronic publications, RCl's
website at www.rci.co.za, an exchange
service for their Deposited Vacation Time, and other travel and leisure
benefits (collectively, the "Program Benefits").
2.2.
An initial RCI membership begins with
RCl's receipt and acceptance of an Enrolment Application and the applicable fee
("Enrolment Fee"). Some exceptions may apply such as in the
case of a Corporate Participant. RCI reserves the right to refuse any Enrolment
Application and Enrolment Fee.
2.3.
RCI shall be entitled to treat that named
individual on the Enrolment Application as the Member for all purposes. No more
than two co-owners of a single Vacation Time may apply for a single Membership.
RCI may honor instructions from any person listed in RCl's records as a
co-owner of Vacation Time and, in the event of conflicting instructions, RCI
may refuse to honor any later instruction received. RCI shall be permitted to
take instructions from and disclose membership information to either co-owner.
2.4.
The Program may not be used by a Member
or guest for commercial purposes, including without limitation, auction, rental
or sale of a Confirmed Exchange, Deposited Vacation Time, and/or Guest
Certificate. Such use is grounds for immediate termination of Member's
membership and cancellation of any reservations, exchanges, or other Program
Benefits.
2.5.
Premium Membership Options. From time to
time RCI may offer additional benefits for an additional fee to Members who
enroll in premium membership tiers. Such benefits may include but are not
limited to discounts on last minute unit upgrades, advance access to unique
acquired Inventory, waiver of savings or certain fees, and rebates and
discounts on other products and services. Fees and availability of such
benefits shall be determined by RCI and may change from time to time. RCI may
discontinue offering or administering any premium membership options beyond
their initial term. Benefits may be offered on a first-come, first-served
basis. RCI, at its sole discretion, may suspend or otherwise limit any premium
membership options at any time. Such premium membership options will be subject
to additional terms and conditions. Black-out dates and other restrictions may
apply. Premium membership transactions may require a combination of fees, cash
paid and Vacation Time use, and may be subject to applicable taxes.
2.6.
Some products and services may be
provided by third parties and may be subject to separate terms and conditions
of such third parties. RCI does not warrant and is not liable for the
availability, value or safety of any such third party benefits. For complete
and additional terms and conditions of such premium membership options, if
available, please refer to www.rci.co.za.
2.7.
Membership Fee for the following calendar
year are payable prior to the date on which the current membership period
expires. RCI may, from time to time and for a period no more than two (2) years
after the termination of Member's RCI membership, communicate with Member that:
2.7.1
Member's RCI membership will expire or has expired on a
stipulated expiry date;
2.7.2
Any changes that would apply to Member's membership if it
is renewed for a further period; or
2.7.3
Member's right to allow RCI membership to terminate on
the expiry date or agree to a renewal for a further fixed period.
3.
RCI Inventory.
3.1.
RCI obtains Inventory from Members, as
well as from Affiliated Resorts and other Inventory providers. Where RCI
obtains Inventory from a source other than Members, a Member may be required to
comply with additional terms, conditions, fees and any applicable taxes in
order to use that Inventory.
4.
Affiliated Resorts.
4.1.
From time to time, RCI authorises certain
resorts, vacation clubs, and other legal entities ("Affiliated
Resorts") to provide copies of the Program Documents to purchasers of
Vacation Time at or through an Affiliated Resort, so that any such purchasers
can consider whether to become a Member of the Program. RCI is a separate and
distinct entity from Affiliated Resorts, developers, marketers, managers,
sellers of Vacation Time, or Inventory providers used in the Program.
Affiliated Resorts are subject to resort affiliation agreements, and are not
permitted to make any representations about RCI or the Program that are
different from the statements in the Program Documents. RCI makes no promise or
representation (other than made in writing by RCI) about any Affiliated Resort
or the management of Affiliated Resorts. Members must make their own enquiries
and satisfy themselves on such matters.
4.2.
RCI was not and will not be a party to
any contract or agreement that Member may have entered into with a developer or
Affiliated Resort for the purchase of a Vacation Time. The developer or
Affiliated Resort is separate and distinct from RCI, and any contract that
Member may have with a developer or Affiliated Resort is separate and distinct
from Member's membership in the Program.
4.3.
There are two types of Affiliated
Resorts:
4.3.1.
A "Home Resort" is an
Affiliated Resort at which a Member owns or is assigned Vacation Time to
Deposit for the purpose of exchange. In some circumstances, RCI may deem a Home
Resort to be part of a "Home Group" if the Home Resort is under
common ownership or control with another Affiliated Resort.
4.3.2.
A "Host Resort" is an
Affiliated Resort to which a Member travels on an Exchange Vacation.
5.
Conditions of Participation.
5.1.
Once accepted as a Member, a Vacation
Owner may participate in the Program if all of the following conditions are
met:
5.1.1.
If the Member's Home Resort or Home Group
is affiliated with the Program, it must be in full compliance with all terms of
any applicable resort affiliation agreement, as determined by RCI. In addition,
the Home Resort or Home Group must be operated in a commercially reasonable
manner that will enable it to meet the expectations of RCI and its Members, as
determined by RCI in its sole discretion.
5.1.2.
If the Member's Vacation Time is at a
resort not affiliated with RCI (an "Unaffiliated Resort"), that
Unaffiliated Resort must be operated in a commercially reasonable manner, and
offer sufficient space, quality and amenities to meet the expectations of RCI
and its Members, as determined by RCI in its sole discretion.
5.1.3.
The Member must be current in fulfilling
all obligations to RCI.
5.1.4.
The Member must be current in the payment
of all expenses associated with the Member's Vacation Time, including the
payment of maintenance fees, assessments, common expenses, recreational fees,
promissory notes, mortgage payments or taxes ("Vacation Time
Expenses"). If Vacation Time Expenses and specifically maintenance fees
are not paid then a "maintenance fee block" will be placed on a
Vacation Owner's RCI account until such time as the Home Resort, Home Group or
Unaffiliated Resort provides RCI with written confirmation that all the
Vacation Owner's obligations have been fulfilled. Member acknowledges that if
the Member fails to pay Vacation Time Expenses, RCI may, in its sole
discretion, pay some or all of the outstanding Vacation Time Expenses. In that
case, the amount of Vacation Time Expenses paid by RCI shall be reimbursed in
full by the Member.
6.
Spacebank: Depositing Vacation Time.
6.1.
Members in compliance with these Terms
and Conditions may Deposit Vacation Time into the Program during the time
period from the end of the following calendar year to 30 days before the start
date of the Deposited Vacation Time. RCI may, in its sole discretion, allow
Member to Deposit Vacation Time less than 30 days before the start date of the
Deposited Vacation Time. To receive the maximum Deposit Trading Power, Vacation
Time should be Deposited at least 6 months prior to the start date of such
Vacation Time. Vacation Time Deposited less than 6 months from the start date
may receive a lower Deposit Trading Power. RCI may, at its sole discretion,
accept a Deposit of Vacation Time less than 60 days before the start date of
the Vacation Time, RCI generally considers requests for such Deposits only in
areas where there is high demand for Inventory.
6.2.
Only Vacation Time that is available for
exchange may be Deposited. Vacation Time may be Deposited by, telephone or
through RCl's website at www.rci.co.za.
Members who wish to Deposit "floating" Vacation Time must obtain unit
number and week assignments from their Home Resorts or Home Group before their
Vacation Time can be Deposited.
6.3.
In order to Deposit Vacation Time with
RCI, the Vacation Owner must provide RCI with the following information: RCI
member name and membership number, week number, resort ID number, unit number,
and such other information as RCI requests.
6.4.
Members who have properly Deposited
available Vacation Time will receive an electronic Deposit acknowledgment.
6.5.
By Depositing Vacation Time with RCI,
each Member relinquishes all rights to use that Vacation Time to RCI.
6.6.
Member agrees and acknowledges that any
Deposited Vacation Time may be used by RCI for any commercially reasonable
purpose, including but not limited to the satisfaction of Exchange Requests by
Members, for inspection visits, promotions, rental, sale, marketing or for
other purposes at RCl's sole discretion, including use in other exchange or
accommodation programs. RCI may at any time, dispose of Vacation Time that is
not the subject of an exchange confirmation sixty (60) days prior to the start
date of that Vacation Time.
7.
Obtaining and Confirming an Exchange.
7.1.
A Member may seek a Confirmed Exchange
for Deposited Vacation Time in accordance with the following procedures:
7.1.1.
Members may request access to Inventory
at a specific resort, in a specific region, or for Program Benefits offered to
Members and others through the Program (an "Exchange Request"). An
Exchange Request is properly submitted when:
(a)
The Member has Deposited Vacation Time in
the Program;
(b)
The start and end dates of the Vacation
Time requested by the Member fall within the unexpired period during which the
Member's exchange privileges are current and in full force and effect;
(c)
The Member provides RCI with at least four (4) or more
unique and specific resort choices;
(d)
The Member requests travel dates between
31 days and 24 months, depending on whether the Exchange request is for a local
or International booking, after the date of the Exchange Request. The foregoing
is subject to the resort timeshare calendar being available to Spacebank;
The Member has made a Deposit of
Vacation Time that is valid through to the end of the requested travel dates;
(f)
The Annual Membership Fee is paid through
to the start date of the exchange;
(g)
The Member has paid RCI an Exchange Fee,
in the amount required by RCI from its Members and posted on the RCI website at
www.rci.co.za; and
(h)
The Member is in compliance with all
other applicable Terms and Conditions.
7.1.2.
A Member may make an Exchange Request in
person, telephone or via the website.
(a)
Telephone: 011 258-1000
(b)
Website: www.rci.co.za
7.1.3.
If RCI is able to confirm a properly
submitted Exchange Request, the Member will receive an electronic Confirmation
from RCI. A "Confirmation" is notice that accommodations have been
reserved for use by the Member or a guest of the Member with the purchase of a
required Guest Certificate (a "Confirmed Exchange"). Either the
written or electronic confirmation or the confirmation number and details
provided by RCI must be presented upon check-in.
7.1.4.
A Confirmation is valid only when issued
to Member in writing by or email from RCI or a party authorised by RCI. Upon
receipt, the Member should review all the details in the Confirmation and
notify RCI as soon as possible if any information in the Confirmation is
incorrect. Subsequent changes to any aspect of Member's Confirmation may be
treated as a cancellation.
7.1.5.
If the Exchange Trading Power of a
Confirmed Exchange is less than the Deposit Trading Power assigned to the
Deposit used to effect the exchange, RCI will provide credits that can be used
towards a future exchange ("Deposit Credits"), provided that such
Deposit Credits will be null and void in the event of expiry or earlier
termination of Member's RCI membership.
7.1.6.
Under certain circumstances, Members with
the applicable Deposit Trading Power who make an Exchange Request into their
Home Resort or Home Group, may receive priority over other Members who do not
own Vacation Time at that Home Resort or Home Group.
7.2.
Points
Bundle (If offered by RCI, in its sole and absolute discretion): If
Member wishes to book an exchange that requires higher Exchange Trading Power
value than the total Deposit Trading Power that Member possesses, RCI may, in
its sole and absolute discretion, allow Member to pay a fee (prescribed by RCI
from time to time) to RCI in order to deduct a maximum of 20% of the trading
power value for the desired exchange booking. Provided as always that in order
to utilise the benefits of Points Bundle, Member must (a) Deposit all Vacation
Time available to Member at the time of making exchange booking, (b) use up all
Deposit Trading Power that Member possesses, and (c) such desired exchange must
be no more than sixty (60) days from the date of booking. To illustrate, if a
desired exchange requires 10 Exchange Trading Power, and Member possesses 8
Deposit Trading Power, Points Bundle (if offered by RCI will allow Member to
deduct 2 Exchange Trading Power from the desired exchange. However, if Member
possesses 9 Deposit Trading Power, Points Bundle (if offered by RCI) will allow
Member to deduct 1 Exchange Trading Power from the desired exchange (i.e.
Member must use up their Deposit Trading Power).
8.
Exchange System Priorities.
8.1.
"Deposit Trading Power" is the
value assigned by RCI and assigned to a unit of Vacation Time upon Deposit of
such Vacation Time. Deposit Trading Power may vary from Deposit to Deposit and
from year to year (based on the criteria set out at Section 8.5 below).
8.2.
RCI, at its sole discretion, may
reevaluate the value assigned to a unit of Deposited Vacation Time. Upon such
reevaluation if the value assigned to the unit of Deposited Vacation Time has
increased the Deposit Trading Power of such unit may be adjusted accordingly.
8.3.
"Exchange Trading Power" is the
value required to obtain the use of a particular unit of available Vacation
Time. Exchange Trading Power is subject to change based on system activity and
the factors listed in Section 8.5 and may differ from the Deposit Trading Power
of the Vacation Time.
8.4.
In fulfilling an Exchange Request, RCI
will compare the Deposit Trading Power to the Exchange Trading Power of the
Vacation Time the Member would like to obtain. If the Exchange Trading Power is
less than or equal to the Deposit Trading Power, then an exchange may occur,
subject to terms of the Program Documents.
8.5.
In deriving Deposit Trading Power and
Exchange Trading Power RCI considers such factors as:
8.5.1.
the demand, supply, classification,
grouping, and utilisation of the Vacation Time, and the
Affiliated
Resort and geographic regions associated with the Vacation Time;
8.5.2.
the
seasonal designation of the Vacation Time;
8.5.3.
the
size and type of the unit (i.e., number of bedrooms, kitchen type and
maximum/private occupancy of the physical unit);
8.5.4.
comment card scores that RCI compiles
from comments submitted by Members who visit the Affiliated Resort;
8.5.5.
the date of Deposit and the start date of
the Deposited Vacation Time.
8.6.
RCI may at its sole discretion enter into
agreements with Affiliated Resorts to assign Deposit Trading Power to certain
units of Vacation Time based on an assigned average Deposit Trading Power for
such units.
8.7.
In addition, Inventory is shared
regionally to facilitate Member Exchanges. RCI may set aside Deposited Vacation
Time to match regional Reservation requests and other anticipated demands.
8.8.
RCI may enforce any restrictions on
Exchanges required by Affiliated Resorts and/or Inventory providers that RCI,
in its sole discretion, deems reasonable. Restrictions may include, but are not
limited to, prohibiting Members or their guests from exchanging into the same
resort more than once in a specified period, prohibiting exchanges from or to
all or designated resorts located in the same geographic area or region as an
Affiliated Resort, minimum age requirements or requirements for mandatory
all-inclusive resorts and/or all-inclusive packages (as set out in Section 11.4
below).
9.
Limitations on RCl's Ability to Fulfill
Particular Exchange Requests.
9.1.
RCl's ability to confirm a specific
Exchange Request depends upon such factors as but not limited to the Vacation
Time Deposited by Members, restrictions imposed by Affiliated Resorts and other
Inventory providers, exchange system priorities, promotional programs and the
Deposit Trading Power of a Member's Vacation Time. RCI therefore cannot
guarantee specific resort choices, travel dates, or types or sizes of
accommodations. Neither RCI nor any Affiliated Resort personnel represent that
specific resort choices, travel dates or types or sizes of accommodations can
be guaranteed through the Program.
9.2.
Members are encouraged to submit Exchange
Requests as far as possible in advance of requested travel dates. Members are
also encouraged to request seasons and unit occupancies that are the same or
similar as the season and unit occupancy of their Deposited Vacation Time. If
the requested travel dates, resort choices and/or designated number of bedrooms
are not available, Members may be offered alternative choices based upon
availability.
10.
Fees Due to RCI.
10.1.
In consideration for the Program
Benefits, each Member agrees to pay RCI fees in an amount determined by RCI.
The payment of all fees due to RCI is a condition of renewal or reactivation of
membership. RCI reserves the right to refuse to renew or reactivate any
membership, at its sole discretion. All Program fees must be paid when due.
10.1.1.
Members must pay, or a developer or
Affiliated Resort must pay on a Member's behalf, an annual subscription fee to
RCI for membership in the Program ("Annual Membership Fee").
10.1.2.
Members may renew or extend their
memberships by forwarding to RCI the applicable Annual Membership Fee in the
amount posted on www.rci.co.za. Members may
opt to enroll in a program to automatically renew their Membership Fee.
10.1.3.
During the Membership period, Members are
responsible for payment to RCI of all other fees described in these Terms and
Conditions, as well as any other applicable fees, in the amounts set by RCI for
its Members and disclosed on its website at www.rci.co.za.
10.1.4.
RCI in its sole discretion may charge
Members in their local currency and may further require payment in such local
currency. Fees may vary from time to time due to the inclusion of applicable
government charges or taxes. From time to time and as determined by RCI in its
sole discretion, RCI may increase, waive, reduce or discount any of its fees or
prices.
11.
Obligations and fees due to others.
11.1.
Affiliated Resorts and Inventory
providers may impose their own limitations, by-laws and rules regarding
occupancy limits for particular accommodations, resort behavior, and other
issues. Each Member and/or guest must comply with Affiliated Resorts' and Inventory
providers' limitations, bylaws and rules.
11.2.
Member and their guests must comply with
check-in and check-out times. Unless a Member and/or guest informs the check-in
desk at a particular Affiliated Resort or the Inventory provider that they
anticipate checking in later than the arrival time designated within a
Confirmation, the arriving Member or guest risks forfeiture of such
confirmation and the Deposit used to make such confirmation.
11.3.
Members and guests are responsible for
occupying and using any accommodations into which they or their guests have
exchanged, or to which Members or guests otherwise have access, in a
responsible, careful and secure manner and in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider. Members and guests
are responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes, port charges,
gratuities, personal expenses, utility charges, security deposits, and other
fees or charges levied with respect to Vacation Time at an Affiliated Resort or
Inventory provider, for the use of amenities and facilities. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Members are ultimately responsible for any damage, theft or
loss, and/or expenses incurred or caused by themselves and/or their guests.
11.4.
If a Member's Exchange Request is
confirmed for Vacation Time at an all-inclusive resort or for an all-inclusive
package the Member understands that use of that Confirmed Exchange may require
payment of additional fees to the all-inclusive resort for food, beverages or
other amenities (the "All-inclusive Fees"), under the separate terms
and conditions set by that Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider. Any such
All-Inclusive Fees, terms and conditions are determined solely by the
Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider, and are subject to change at any time.
The Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider may require payment for
All-Inclusive Fees before or upon check-in. Member acknowledges responsibility
for confirming in advance with the Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider
whether such All-Inclusive Fees apply and agrees to be liable to pay such
All-Inclusive Fees.
12.
Withdrawing Vacation Time.
12.1.
Members may request withdrawal of
Deposited Vacation Time from the Program, which RCI may withdraw at its sole
discretion and only if:
12.1.1
any Vacation Time or a portion thereof has not been
assigned to another Member or other third party by RCI;
12.1.2
the Member has not received an Exchange
Confirmation as a result of the Deposited Vacation Time, or Deposit Credit or
any portion thereof; and subject to the Affiliate's consent.
12.2.
Once withdrawn, Vacation Time may not be
re-Deposited unless RCI chooses, in its sole discretion, to accept such
re-Deposit. Fees for re-Depositing may be applicable.
13.
Losing the opportunity to exchange
Vacation Time.
13.1.
There are some circumstances in which
Members can lose the opportunity to exchange Vacation Time they have Deposited
with RCI:
13.1.1.
A Member may lose the use of Deposited
Vacation Time, and be ineligible to receive a confirmed Exchange for that
Deposited Vacation Time, if the Member does not properly submit an Exchange
Request and/or does not accept an alternative available resort choice and/or
travel date within three (3) years after the date of the Deposit.
13.1.2.
A Member may lose the right to exchange
Vacation Time if
the Affiliated Resort, its developer
or owners' association or Inventory provider fails or is unable to perform any
contractual obligations to RCI; or
(b) if the Affiliated Resort's affiliation
agreement with RCI expires without renewal or is terminated either by RCI or by the Affiliated
Resort.
13.1.3.
RCI reserves the right (without providing
a refund or credit) to cancel a Confirmation, cancel an Exchange Request, or
otherwise deny the exchange privileges of any Member whose payment is rejected
by the Member's bank or credit card company, or who has failed to meet the
obligations described herein.
13.1.4.
Cancellation, termination or suspension
of a membership pursuant to Section 24.
14.
Holiday Protector.
14.1.
Introduction
14.1.1.
These terms and conditions set out the
legally binding contract between Vacation Exchanges International (Proprietary)
Limited (trading as RCI Africa), Registration Number 1990/005818/07, VAT Number
4890120621, a private company duly registered in accordance with the laws of
the Republic of South Africa ("RCI" or "We") and each
Member who purchases Holiday Protector ("Member").
14.1.2.
By purchasing Holiday Protector, a Member
is bound by and agrees to the terms and conditions set out below.
14.2.
Definitions
14.2.1
The Terms defined in the RCI membership or The Registry
Collection® membership terms and conditions shall so far as the context allows,
have the same meaning in this document except those defined below.
14.2.2
For the purpose of this document the following
definitions apply:
Area: Includes Republic of South
Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland
and Lesotho
(b)
Holiday Protector: A
product which can be purchased by a Member and which allows the Member to book
an RCI Replacement Holiday in the event they cancel their Original RCI Holiday
subject to the terms and conditions set out in this document.
(c)
International Original RCI Holiday: A
booking made by a Member and confirmed by RCI into a property located outside
of the Area.
(d)
Local Original RCI Holiday: A
booking made by a Member and confirmed by RCI into a property within the Area.
Member: An RCI Member or a The
Registry Collection® Member.
(f)
Original RCI Holiday: An
RCI vacation exchange, a The Registry Collection® vacation exchange or a Bonus
Break® Holiday. For clarity, this "Original RCI Holiday" definition
shall also include any RCI Replacement Holiday where Member purchases Holiday
Protector.
(g)
RCI Replacement Holiday: A
replacement holiday provided to the Member by RCI in accordance with the terms
of Holiday Protector.
14.3.
Conditions of Holiday Protector
14.3.1.
Purchase
Method: Member can purchase Holiday Protector either online
through www.rci.co.za or by calling the RCI
contact centre.
14.3.2.
Time
Limit to Purchase Holiday Protector: Holiday
Protector may be purchased by a Member only:
up to five (5) working days after the
Member books an Original RCI Holiday; and either
(b) in the case of a Local Original RCI Holiday, no less than five (5) working days
before check-in date; or
(c) in the case of an International Original RCI Holiday, no less than seven (7) working
days before check-in date.
14.3.3.
Payment
for Holiday Protector: Member can purchase Holiday Protector
on payment of the prescribed fee as charged by RCI from time to time.
14.3.4.
Valid
Membership Required: Member must be a valid Member at the
time Member purchase Holiday Protector.
14.3.5.
Eligible
Bookings for Holiday Protector: Member's Original RCI Holiday
being replaced must have been booked directly with RCI or by an authorised RCI
affiliate where RCI collected the booking fee directly from Member. These
benefits of Holiday Protector only apply to the following booking types:
For RCI members, the following booking
types are eligible:
RCI Holiday Exchange; and
Bonus Break® Holiday booking;
(b) For
Registry Collection® members, the following booking types are eligible:
(i) The Registry Collection® Holiday Exchange at
The Registry Collection® resorts;
Bonus Break Holidays at The Registry
Collection® resorts; and
(iii)The Registry
Collection® Holiday Exchange or Bonus Break Holidays at RCI resorts.
14.3.6.
Maximum
Number of Holiday Protectors: A total maximum of three (3) Local
Original RCI Holiday bookings or International Original RCI Holiday bookings
per RCI Member for the same check-in date are eligible for Holiday Protector.
14.3.7.
Cancellation
of Holiday Protector: Member may cancel Holiday Protector and
receive a full refund of the fee Member paid for Holiday Protector if Member
cancels within five (5) working days from the date Member purchased Holiday
Protector. Member will only be entitled to one cancellation and refund request
per original transaction, within a five (5) working day period.
14.3.8.
Protection
Subject to Prior Payment for Holiday Protector: Any Holiday
Protector fee that may be due to Member as a refund is subject to RCI receiving
payment of the relevant Holiday Protector fee into RCl's bank account and
subject to any banking confirmation and/or administration refund process.
Holiday Protector fee refunds will only be made to Member by RCI after the date
of receipt by RCI from Member of the applicable Holiday Protector fee payable
at the time Member purchased Holiday Protector. The refund may take up to
fifteen (15) working days to reflect in Member's account.
14.4.
RCI Replacement Holiday.
14.4.1.
Protection
Scope: Subject to these terms and conditions and the purchase
by Member of Holiday Protector, in the event:
(a)
Member cancel their Local Original RCI
Holiday up to 72 hours prior to check-in
date of that Local Original RCI Holiday for any reason; or
(b)
Member cancel their International
Original RCI Holiday up to seven (7) days
prior to check-in date of that International Original RCI Holiday for any
reason, We will provide Member with an RCI Replacement Holiday.
14.4.2.
No
Refund on Original RCI Holiday Fees: Should Member
cancel their Original RCI Holiday, Member will not be entitled to a refund of
any fees paid in connection with that Original RCI Holiday (including Holiday
Protector fees), whether for money or money's worth.
14.4.3.
Re-booking
Window: Member's RCI Replacement Holiday must be booked within
12 (twelve) months of the cancellation date of Member's Original RCI Holiday.
14.4.4.
RCI
Replacement Holiday Subject to Availability: Subject to
availability and at RCl's sole discretion, RCI will endeavour, but not be
obliged, to give Member an RCI Replacement Holiday of similar standard,
location, duration and season. RCI does not guarantee a like-for-like
replacement when booking an RCI Replacement Holiday.
14.4.5.
Additional
Term for Bonus Break® Bookings: Where the
Original RCI Holiday is a Bonus Break® booking, the RCI Replacement Holiday
offered by RCI shall be based on the resort rating, season and unit size of the
Original RCI Holiday.
14.4.6.
Additional
Term for The Registry Collection® Bookings: Where the
Original RCI Holiday is a The Registry Collection® Holiday Exchange, the RCI
Replacement Holiday offered by RCI shall be at a The Registry Collection®
resort of similar standard, location and season as the Original RCI Holiday.
14.4.7.
Re-booking
Terms for RCI Replacement Holiday
No
Additional Booking Fee: Member will not be charged an additional holiday
booking fee for the RCI Replacement Holiday.
(b)
Application
of Original Trading Points: In case of RCI Holiday Exchange,
Member's RCI trading points used for the Original RCI Holiday booking will be
used for the RCI Replacement Holiday, to the extent they have been used for the
Original RCI Holiday being replaced.
(c)
Top-Up
of Trading Points (If Applicable): If the RCI Replacement Holiday
has a higher trading points value than the
Original RCI Holiday, Member may apply any valid trading points in Member's RCI
account towards the RCI Replacement Holiday.
(d)
Return
of Excess Trading Points (If Any): If the RCI Replacement Holiday
has a lower trading points value than the
Original RCI Holiday, then the balance of Member's trading points will be
returned to Member's account with the same expiry date as the trading points
used for the Original RCI Holiday booking. For clarity, in the event that the
excess trading points to be returned to Member's account have expired, these
expired trading points may not be applied towards a future RCI transaction.
Insufficient Points: In the event
that the trading points that Member used to book the Original RCI Holiday are
insufficient to book a RCI Replacement Holiday, RCI may, but is not obliged to,
in its sole discretion (a) return the trading points Member used when booking
the Original RCI Holiday to Member's RCI account and (b) refund the RCI
exchange fees Member paid at the time of booking the Original RCI Holiday. For
clarity, the fees Member paid for Holiday Protector will be considered an
administrative charge paid to RCI to process Member's cancellation, and thereby
forfeited by
Member to RCI.
14.5.
Exclusions to Holiday Protector.
14.5.1
Extra Holiday® Rental Ineligible
for Holiday Protector: Holiday Protector Product cannot be applied to any
Extra Holiday® Rental booking made by Member with RCI or an authorised RCI
affiliate.
14.5.2
RCI Replacement
Holiday Forfeited After 12 Months: Member will not be entitled to any RCI
Replacement Holiday should Member not have utilised Member's RCI Replacement
Holiday within the stipulated 12 (twelve) months from the cancellation date of
Member's Original RCI Holiday booking.
14.5.3.
Exclusion
of All Other RCI Fees: Holiday Protector cannot be used to
protect any other payment relating to Member's RCI membership including, but
not limited to, maintenance fees, network partner bookings and any travel and
transport costs.
14.5.4.
Not
Insurance Product: Holiday Protector is not a travel
insurance product and RCI strongly recommends that Member have adequate travel
insurance for any holiday booking Member makes with RCI.
14.6.
General.
14.6.1.
Save where specifically varied by the
terms of this Holiday Protector product, Member's terms of membership with RCI
(including, where applicable the RCI membership / The Registry Collection®
membership terms and conditions and our standard cancellation policy) continue
to apply.
14.6.2.
RCI reserves the right to alter or amend
these terms or to withdraw Holiday Protector at any time.
15.
Spacebank RestoreSM
15.1.
RCI Members who deposit a Week less than
60 days but at least more than 1 day before the start date of such Week may
receive a lower Deposit Trading Power for such Week in accordance with Trading
Power Adjustment Schedule. The Spacebank Restore product allows RCI Members to
deposit a Week less than 60 days but at least more than 1 day before the start
date of such Week and receive the full Deposit Trading Power for such Week by
purchasing the optional RCI Deposit Restore at the time of deposit. RCI Members
whose Weeks are deposited by their resort and who wish to avail themselves of
this option must purchase the RCI Deposit Restore product before the end of the
next Business Day after receiving notice that the Week has been deposited by
the resort into the member's RCI account.
15.2.
In order for an RCI Member to be eligible
for the RCI Spacebank Restore benefit, the applicable Membership must be
current and paid in full at the time the RCI Spacebank Restore benefit is
requested.
15.3.
Spacebank Restore may be cancelled for a
refund in accordance to the Consumer Protection Act. Upon cancellation of
Spacebank Restore the Deposit for which the Spacebank Restore product was
purchased will receive a Deposit Trading Power based on the date of the Deposit
in accordance with the Trading Power Adjustment Schedule.
16.
Unavailability or Problems with a
Confirmed Exchange.
16.1.
After a Confirmed Exchange is issued, if
the Confirmed Inventory becomes unavailable due to continued or unauthorised
use by an occupant or overbooking at the Affiliated Resort or Inventory
provider, or for any reason other than an Event of Force Majeure, RCI will make
commercially reasonable efforts to locate and provide the Member with an
equivalent alternative accommodation from its Inventory located within the same
geographic vicinity or a similar location. RCI shall have no additional
liability to the Member once it makes commercially reasonable efforts to locate
and offer such alternate accommodations to the Member.
16.2.
If RCI is prevented, hindered or delayed
in the performance of any obligation to a Member (including, but not limited
to, providing lodging or other accommodations) due to an Event of Force
Majeure, then RCI shall be excused from further performance upon notice to the
affected Member stating the reason for such nonperformance, without obligation
to refund or return any amounts that were paid by the affected Member before
such notice. The term "Event of Force Majeure" shall mean:
16.2.1
an act of God or of a public enemy, fire, explosion,
perils of the sea, lightning, earthquake, storm, flood, declared or undeclared
war, revolution, insurrection, riot, act of piracy, act or threatened act of
terrorism, sabotage, blockade, embargo, accident, epidemic or quarantine;
16.2.2
action by a governmental authority, a court, appointment
of a receiver or mortgagee in possession, or an assignment for the benefit of
creditors;
16.2.3
a strike, lockout or other labor unrest resulting from
any cause and whether or not the demands of the employees involved are
reasonable or within RCl's power to concede; or
16.2.4
any other cause or circumstance beyond RCl's reasonable
control.
16.3.
RCI does not own or operate Affiliated
Resorts and is not liable for their description, services and/or presentation.
Complaints about accommodations or services provided at an Affiliated Resort or
Host Resort or by an Inventory provider should be made at the earliest
opportunity to a person of authority at the Affiliated Resort or Host Resort or
Inventory provider. If this does not produce a satisfactory result, the Member
should contact as soon as possible the RCI help desk by calling 011 258-1000 or
emailing go@rci.com. Please provide full
details of the complaint within thirty (30) days of Member's return. We reserve
the right to refuse to consider any complaints made where this simple procedure
has not been followed.
17.
Member Cancellation of a Confirmed
Exchange.
17.1.
A Member may cancel or change a Confirmed
Exchange online, by notifying RCI by telephone or in person at a RCI office. A
Guest cannot cancel a Confirmed Exchange.
17.1.1.
Upon cancellation, the Deposit Trading
Power of the Member's Deposit will be returned to the Member's RCI account. In
the absence of Holiday Protector, and subject to the Consumer Protection Act,
the Exchange Fee paid for the cancelled Confirmed Exchange shall be forfeited
by Member to RCI, and RCI shall owe no further duty, liability, or obligation
to Member in connection with the forfeited Exchange Fee.
17.1.2.
Except as otherwise stated in these Terms
and Conditions, when cancellation occurs prior to the start date of a Confirmed
Exchange, the Member may request another exchange without making an additional
Deposit. The then current Deposit Trading Power, Exchange Fees and policies
will apply.
18.
Alternative Inventory.
18.1.
From time to time, RCI will obtain from
third parties, and make available to Members, certain alternative Inventory,
such as cruise accommodations. Use of alternative Inventory may require a cash
payment from the Member and are provided subject to and in accordance with
terms and conditions of the relevant alternative Inventory provider or
supplier.
19.
Guest Certificates.
19.1.
By obtaining Guest Certificates, Members
may give Confirmations or the right to request an Exchange for Deposited
Vacation Time to a friend or family member.
19.1.1.
A Member may purchase the Guest
Certificate from RCI at the then-current rate specified on RCl's website at www.rci.co.za. A Guest Certificate will be issued in the name of a
designated guest, and sent to the Member. Guest Certificates may only be used
by the individual(s) named on the Guest Certificate and their accompanying
guests and may not be used by persons under the age of twenty-one (21). A Guest
Certificate allows the use of a Confirmed Exchange and other applicable RCI
services. The Guest Certificate fee is non-refundable once the Guest
Certificate has been issued.
19.1.2.
In order to obtain a Guest Certificate,
Member must have renewed Member's RCI membership for the period covered by the
Guest Certificate, and the membership must not have been terminated. Member
acknowledges and undertakes the responsibility of forwarding all RCI
correspondence and information regarding Guest Certificates and confirmations
to the guest.
19.1.3.
Guest Certificates are non-transferable
and may not be used for any commercial purpose, including without limitation
auction, rental or sale. Their use is subject to any conditions, restrictions
or limitations which may be imposed by the Affiliated Resort or Inventory
provider.
19.1.4.
Members are liable for all acts,
omissions and/or defaults of their guests and for any damage caused or expenses
incurred by their guests while using any Vacation Time in the Program.
19.1.5 RCI reserves the right, in its sole
discretion (without refund or credit) and without limitation to revoke a
Confirmed Exchange or Guest Certificate, terminate or suspend the membership of
the relevant Member, or deny access to any of the products or services offered
in connection with membership if a Member and/or the Guest or holder of Guest
Certificate breaches these Terms and Conditions.
20.
RCI Bonus and Rental Holidays.
20.1.
As a valid RCI Member, Member is entitled
to book Bonus Break® and Extra Holidays® through RCI which holidays are usually
acquired for and offered to RCI members at below open market rental prices.
20.2.
Member does not need to Spacebank®
Member's current or future years' timeshare weeks/points to qualify for a Bonus
Break®. Availability for a Bonus Break®
may vary with regard to timeshare club
ownership. International Bonus Break® weeks, if available, are from time to
time subject to certain additional conditions. Please check with RCI for
details and any restrictions.
20.3.
Member does not need to Spacebank®
Member's current or future timeshare weeks/points to qualify for an Extra
Holiday®. These holidays are usually offered on a rental fee basis, but may
also be offered to Member on a rental fee plus the use of Member's RCI trading
points basis at affiliated resorts or hotels.
20.4.
Member may not rent out a Bonus Break® or
Extra Holiday® at all as these are solely meant for the benefit of RCI members.
Member's RCI rental holiday booking is strictly not transferable for commercial
gain/purposes and should Member use Member's RCI rental holiday booking for
such gain/purposes, Member's RCI membership will immediately be cancelled
without any rental holiday booking and/or membership fee refund, return of
deposited timeshare weeks/points or reinstatement of cancelled RCI trading
points (if any) to Member.
20.5.
From time to time, RCI services
may be fulfilled by a third-party provider (including, but not limited to,
third-party suppliers, operators, and managers of accommodations, travel
services, and travel experiences), under contract with RCI or its affiliates
(collectively referred to herein as "Provider(s)"). In that instance,
the terms and conditions of such Providers shall apply to Member. Please review
the Terms and Conditions thoroughly as well as all terms and conditions and
policies and procedures supplied by the Provider of any product or service
offered through RCI, including any terms set forth in any applicable
confirmation or other e-mail (collectively, "Provider Terms").
20.6.
Member may cancel their rental holiday
booking and receive a full refund of the rental holiday fee if the rental
holiday booking is cancelled within 5 (five) working days from the date of the
rental holiday booking being confirmed by RCI.
20.7.
Member will only be entitled to one
cancellation and refund request within a 5 (five) working day period. A rental
holiday booking cancellation request received by RCI after 5 (five) working
days will be subject to the deduction of a non-refundable reasonable rental
holiday booking fee determined by RCI from time to time, the amount of which
will be disclosed to Member at the time of booking.
20.8.
In addition to the non-refundable rental
holiday booking fee, RCI will also deduct a reasonable rental accommodation
cancellation fee. The rental accommodation cancellation fee that RCI will
deduct from the rental accommodation refund due back to Member is determined as
follows:
Calendar Days to Check- In Date |
Cancellation
Amount to be Deducted From the Rental Accommodation Fee Refund Due to Member |
61 days or more |
10% (ten percent) of the fee due to Member |
31-60 days |
50% (fifty percent) of the fee due to Member |
15-30 days |
70% (seventy percent) of the fee due to Member |
0-14 days |
100% (one hundred percent) of the fee due to Member |
20.8.1 If any RCI trading points were used for a
rental holiday booking Member will however be entitled to a full reinstatement
of those RCI trading points and any subsequent holiday booking using these same
trading points will result in a new rental or exchange booking fee having to be
paid.
20.8.2 Any rental holiday booking cancellation
request received by RCI after the check-in date and time of Member's confirmed
rental holiday booking, whether received by RCI within the 5 (five) working day
period or not, will not be accepted by RCI or qualify for a refund of the
rental holiday fee at all. All rental holiday fee cancellation refund payments
that may be due to Member are subject to RCI having first received full payment
of the rental holiday fee into RCl's bank account and subject to any banking
confirmation and/or administration refund process. Rental holiday cancellation
fee refunds will only be made to Member 15(fifteen) working days after the date
of receipt from Member of the applicable rental holiday booking fee.
21.
Representations and Acknowledgments by
Member.
21.1.
By enrolling in or utilising the Program,
the Member acknowledges, represents and warrants to RCI as follows:
21.1.1.
The Member and all persons signing the
Enrolment Application for Member have full power and authority and have been
duly authorised to enter into and perform or cause performance of Member's
obligations under the Program Documents. If applicable, the Member has obtained
all necessary approvals of its controlling entities, including but not limited
to owners or owners associations, Boards of Directors and lenders.
21.1.2.
The Member and all persons signing the
Enrolment Application represent that their decision(s) to purchase Vacation
Time at any Affiliated Resort was based primarily upon the benefits to be
gained from the ownership, use and enjoyment of such Member's Vacation Time at
the Affiliated Resort, and not on the anticipated Program Benefits.
21.1.3.
By Depositing Vacation Time or allowing
it to be Deposited on the Member's behalf, the Member represents and warrants
to RCI that:
the Member has or will have the legal
right to use and assign the use of the Deposited Vacation Time and all other
resort amenities to which such Member has access;
(b)
the Deposited Vacation Time has not been
and will not be assigned, offered or made available to any third party by
Member;
(c)
the physical accommodations in which the
Member owns Vacation Time are in good and usable condition; and
(d)
all Vacation Time Expenses have been
paid or will be paid by the Member when due.
21.1.4.
To the best of the Member's knowledge,
none of the following has been designated as, or is, a terrorist, a
"Specially Designated National" or a "Blocked Person" as
defined by U.S. Executive Order 13224, and enforced by the U.S. Department of
the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, or otherwise: the Member; the
Member's guests; if the Member is an entity, the Member's owner(s), officers,
managers, directors or employees.
21.1.5.
All written information the Member
submits to RCI about the Member's Home Resort, Member, Vacation Time and
Vacation Time Expenses is true, accurate and complete, containing no
misrepresentation of any material fact, and omitting no material fact necessary
to make the information disclosed not misleading under the circumstances. Any
misrepresentation by the Member is grounds for immediate termination of the
Member's membership in the Program, at RCl's sole discretion.
21.1.6. Each Member acknowledges that RCI, or third
parties with the permission of RCI, may offer products and services through
solicitations and advertisements made by mail, email, telephone (including
automated dialing equipment and prerecorded messages), facsimile machine or
other means. The Member hereby expressly consents to receive such solicitations
and advertisements from RCI, its affiliates and third parties at the telephone
and facsimile number(s), and mailing and email address(es) provided by the
Member to RCI. The Member acknowledges that such consent and request to receive
solicitations continues, whether or not the Member's membership is terminated
or expires, for the maximum period of time permitted by law or until the Member
expressly withdraws such consent. If Member does not wish to be contacted for
promotional or marketing offers please call or email us using the details at
Section 7.1.2.
21.1.7. Member acknowledges that RCl's privacy
policy is available at www.rci.co.za and
can be obtained in printed form from RCI upon request. Each Member:
authorises its Home Resort, Home Group,
or any Affiliated Resort or other applicable entity, to release to RCI any
information RCI requests related to such Member's payment or lack of payment of
any Vacation Time Expenses; and
(b)
authorises RCI to release to the Member's
Home Resort, Home Group, or any Affiliated Resort at which such Member owns
Vacation Time, any information with respect to the Member's use of Vacation
Time through the Program, and to release information relating to the Member and
Member's ownership of Vacation Time to any Affiliated Resort or Inventory
provider into which Member exchanges. Member acknowledges that such
authorisation continues, whether or not the Member's membership is terminated
or expires, for the maximum period of time permitted by law or until the Member
expressly withdraws such authorisation.
(c)
Understands and authorises RCI to monitor
and/or to record conversations between the Member and RCI representatives, for
training, quality control, and other lawful purposes.
21.1.8. Each Member acknowledges that Inventory
into which the Member exchanges may differ in unit size, design, furnishings,
amenities, facilities and accessibility for individuals with disabilities from
the accommodations of the Member's Vacation Time. Each Member acknowledges that
it is the sole responsibility of the owner, lessor, lessee or operator of any
Affiliated Resort, Inventory provider or other accommodating party, and not the
responsibility of RCI, to ensure that its accommodations, facilities and
amenities are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities in
compliance with all applicable state, federal and local laws.
22.
Indemnification.
22.1.
The Member will indemnify, defend and
hold harmless RCI, together with its officers, managers, employees, directors,
shareholders, agents, representatives, corporate affiliates and the
predecessors, successors and assigns thereof (the "Indemnitees"), to
the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against certain losses and
expenses.
22.1.1
Member will indemnify, defend and hold the Indemnitees
harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses
and expenses, incurred by any Indemnitee for any investigation, claim, action,
suit, demand, administrative or alternative dispute resolution proceeding,
relating to or arising out of any transaction, occurrence or service at a
resort, or involving personal injury or property damage, any breach or
violation of any contract or any law, regulation or ruling by, or any act, error
or omission (active or passive) of, Member, any party associated or affiliated
with Member or any of the owners, officers, managers, directors, employees,
agents or contractors of Member or Member's affiliates. Member has no
obligation to indemnify an Indemnitee for damages to compensate for property
damage or personal injury if a court of competent jurisdiction makes a final
decision not subject to further appeal that the Indemnitee was negligent,
engaged in willful misconduct and/or intentionally caused such property damage
or bodily injury.
22.1.2
Member will respond promptly to any matter described in
the preceding paragraph, and defend the Indemnitee. Member will reimburse the
Indemnitee for all costs of defending the matter, including reasonable legal
fees, incurred by the Indemnitee if Member's insurer or Member does not assume
defence of the Indemnitee promptly when requested, or separate legal counsel is
appropriate, in RCl's discretion, because of actual or potential conflicts of
interest. Indemnitee has the right to retain counsel of its choosing. RCI must
approve any resolution or course of action in a matter that could directly or
indirectly have any adverse effect on RCI, or could serve as a precedent for
other matters.
23.
Withdrawal of Program Benefits due to
condition or conduct of Resort. RCI may withdraw any or all Program Benefits.
23.1.
RCI may withdraw the use of Vacation Time
at Affiliated Resorts and any Inventory provider, or suspend or terminate the
affiliation of Home Resorts or Home Groups, at its sole discretion, if:
23.1.1.
the Affiliated Resort or Inventory
provider is not operated in a manner that enables it to meet its obligations or
is otherwise not in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations,
policies or procedures;
23.1.2.
the Affiliated Resort or Inventory
provider is destroyed or condemned or otherwise not fit for use;
23.1.3.
the Affiliated Resort or other Inventory
provider becomes unable to pay its debts as they fall due or becomes insolvent
or makes a composition with or an assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or
23.1.4.
passes or there is presented any order,
resolution or petition for its liquidation, administration, receivership or
like proceeding;
23.1.5.
proposes a voluntary arrangement or is a
party to any proceeding for the reorganisation or for the adjustment or relief
of any of its debts;
23.1.6.
has a receiver or trustee appointed over
all or a substantial part of its assets; or
23.1.7.
is a party to any proceeding seeking its
dissolution or its full or partial liquidation;
23.1.8.
the contractual agreement between RCI and
an Affiliated Resort or an Inventory provider, is terminated or expires or a
transfer in a controlling interest in the Affiliated Resort or Inventory
occurs.
23.1.9.
RCI terminates the operation of the
Program.
23.2.
If RCI cancels a Confirmed Exchange at
any such Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider, then Section 16 above will
apply.
23.3.
If RCI suspends or terminates the
membership of any Member who owns Vacation Time at an Affiliated Resort, that
Member may not be permitted to renew or reactivate his or her membership.
24.
Cancelling a Membership.
24.1.
A Member may cancel a membership at any
time by notifying RCI by telephone or in accordance with the notice provisions
set forth in Section 26.4 below. If applicable, RCI shall refund the Member's
Annual Membership Fee less the amount for the utilised membership period and
subject to any discounts provided to the Member at the time of enrolment or
renewal. RCI may also cancel any Confirmed Exchanges or Confirmed Reservations
that are scheduled to occur after the date of the membership cancellation, without
refunding any Exchange Fee or other payment made by the Member. Deposited
Vacation Time will remain the property of RCI, unless released by RCI at its
sole discretion.
24.2.
Membership automatically lapses at the
end of the calendar year if a Member fails to renew following the expiration of
the Membership. If a former Member seeks reinstatement as a Member, RCI will
require payment of the Annual Membership Fee, and in its sole discretion may
impose other requirements and fees as a condition of reinstatement.
24.3.
RCI, at its sole discretion, may suspend
or terminate a Member's membership and rights to participate in the Program:
24.3.1.
upon the termination or expiration of the
Member's membership;
24.3.2.
for any breach of the Terms &
Conditions or other requirements of the Program Documents;
24.3.3.
if the Member fails to cure the cause for
a suspension within such reasonable time as determined by RCI•
24.3.4.
upon termination of the affiliation with
RCI of any Affiliated Resort at which the Member owns Vacation Time;
24.3.5.
upon termination of the Program;
24.3.6.
upon any requirement to do so by any
local, state or federal governmental entity (or its equivalent if a foreign
country) or by any laws, rules or regulations court of competent jurisdiction
that may apply;
24.3.7.
Member, a guest or holder of a Guest
Certificate are a vexatious or serial complainant; threatens or uses physical
violence and/or harasses, abuses or verbally aggressive to RCI Affiliated Resort or Inventory
provider employees.
24.3.8.
for any other reason in the sole
discretion of RCI.
24.4.
If a Member's membership is suspended or
terminated, the Member may not utilise the Program Benefits. Suspension or
termination of membership may preclude, without limitation, the Member from
obtaining Confirmed Exchanges and RCI may cancel any Confirmed Exchange and
terminate any pending Exchange Requests, all without any refund of fees or
returning Deposited Vacation Time to the Member. Use rights associated with
Deposited Vacation Time will remain the property of RCI, unless released by RCI
at its sole discretion. In the event of a suspension or termination based upon
non-payment, all fees and other amounts owing or owed to RCI by the Member
shall be immediately due and payable to RCI. In the case of a suspension, the
Member's Program Benefits will remain suspended until all sums that are owed
shall be paid to RCI.
24.5.
Upon termination, RCI may, in its sole
discretion, accept a request by the former Member to reactivate membership. RCI
may require payment of a new Annual Membership Fee, among other conditions.
24.6.
If RCI terminates the Program, all
memberships shall terminate. Any refund of prepaid Enrolment Fee or RCI
membership fee, if applicable, shall be calculated in accordance with Section
24.1 above.
25.
Limitations of Liability.
25.1.
RCI and Member agree that RCl's liability
to any Member or guest is limited in substance and in amount.
25.1.1.
RCl's liability to a Member or guest for
any loss, injury or damage resulting from their use of or inability to use the
Program, and/ or Program Benefits shall be limited to the fees paid to RCI if any, for the relevant use.
In no event shall RCI be liable for special, consequential, incidental or
indirect damages.
25.1.2.
RCI and the Indemnitees described in
Section 22 above shall not be responsible, in contract, tort or by statute, for
the acts or omissions and/or representations (whether oral or written) of any
third parties, including but not limited to Affiliated Resorts or other
Inventory providers, and Member knowingly waives any right to bring such a
claim against RCI and/or any Indemnitee.
25.1.3.
RCI does not have the ability to control
the operations of Affiliated Resorts or other Inventory providers, including
the form of access provided to their facilities (including access for
individuals with disabilities), and is not responsible for the actions or
omissions of Affiliated Resorts or Inventory providers.
25.1.4. Affiliated Resorts or Inventory providers are
solely responsible for such resorts' financial viability, conditions, quality
of accommodations, facilities, amenities, service, operations, and compliance
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
25.1.5. Information about Affiliated Resorts,
Inventory providers and Inventory to Members by RCI including but not limited to,
facilities, amenities and services, is solely derived from information produced
and provided by the relevant Affiliated Resort, Inventory provider or owner.
Member should be aware that facilities, amenities and services provided at the
Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider may be withdrawn without notice at the
discretion of the Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider or may be restricted
at certain times of the year. Members must make their own enquiries about a
resort description and satisfy themselves that an Affiliated Resort or
Inventory provider will meet all their needs, particularly if travelling out of
season. Although RCI makes reasonable efforts to ensure that resort information
published on behalf of Affiliated Resorts or Inventory provider by RCI is
accurate and up to date, RCI expressly disclaims liability for publishing
and/or repeating any inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information provided
by any Affiliated Resort or Inventory provider, except in the case of
negligence on the part of RCI.
25.1.6. Inventory and alternative Inventory that
RCI obtains from sou rces other than its Members may change periodically, at
RCl's sole discretion. RCI does not guarantee that any specific Inventory or
alternative Inventory will be available to Members or, if made available or
will remain available for any specified period of time.
26.
General.
26.1.
Partial Invalidity. If all or any part of
a provision of these Terms and Conditions violates the law of Member's country,
province, city or state (if applicable), such provision or part will not be
given effect with respect to Member. If all or any part of a provision of these
Terms and Conditions is declared invalid or unenforceable, for any reason, or
is not given effect by reason of the prior sentence, the remainder of the Terms
and Conditions shall not be affected. However, if in RCl's judgment the invalidity
or ineffectiveness of such provision or part substantially impairs the value of
these Terms and Conditions or the Program to RCI, then RCI may at any time
terminate a Member's membership by written notice to the Member without penalty
or compensation owed by either party to the other.
26.2.
No third party beneficiaries. These Terms
and Conditions are exclusively for the benefit of the parties. There are no
third party beneficiaries and nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended
to grant to any third party, any right to enforce any term or to confer on any
third party any benefits under these Terms and Conditions. No agreement between
RCI and anyone else is for Member's benefit.
26.3.
All modifications, waivers, approvals and
consents of or under these Terms and Conditions by RCI must be in writing and
signed by RCl's authorised representative to be effective. RCl's silence or
inaction will not be or establish a waiver, consent, course of dealing, implied
modification or estoppel. If RCI allows any Member to deviate from these Terms
and Conditions, as confirmed in writing, RCI may insist on strict compliance
with such term, condition or obligation by that Member at any time upon written
notice.
26.4.
Notices to Members will be effective if
delivered in writing by mail, or by electronic mail to an email address
provided by the Member to RCI, by other electronic media or by publication on
RCl's website at www.rci.co.za or the RCI
Directory of Affiliated Resorts. Unless Member notify RCI otherwise, Member
consents to receive electronic mail from RCI. Notices shall be deemed given on
the date sent to or posted for Members. Notice to RCI will be effective if
delivered in writing by electronic mail only. Notices shall be deemed given on
the date sent to RCI.
26.5.
RCI may assign its rights and obligations
under these Terms and Conditions to any third party and any such assignment
shall be binding on Member upon notice of assignment.
27.
Trademarks.
27.1.
ENDLESS VACATION®, RESORT CONDOMINIUMS
INTERNATIONAL, WYNDHAM DESTINATIONS, INC., HOLIDAY PROTECTOR, and RCI and any
respective designs are trademarks or service marks that may not be used without
the prior written permission of the owners of such marks. Other brand names may
be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
28.
Dispute Resolution, Choice of Law and
Venue.
28.1.
These Terms of Membership and the Program
shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, whatever the
nationality of the Member. Any action at law or in equity by a Member and/or
Guest, who is either vacationing with the Member or who is traveling by way of
a Guest Certificate, to seek any remedy against RCI or its associated entities
must be submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the
Republic of South Africa, located in Johannesburg. If an action at law or in
equity is initiated by a Member or guest and RCI prevails, that Member or guest
shall pay all costs incurred by RCI in defending such action, including
reasonable legal fees.
29.
Entire Agreement.
29.1.
Neither RCI nor any person acting on
RCl's behalf has made any oral or written representation or promise to the
Member that is not contained in these Program Documents. Member is not relying
on any such oral or written representation or promise in submitting the
Enrolment Application or agreeing to the terms of the Program. Member releases
any and all claims against RCI and RCl's agents or third parties based on any
oral or written representation or promise not stated in these Program
Documents.
29.2.
There are no express or implied covenant
or warranties or promises, oral or written, between RCI and Member except as
expressly stated in the Program Documents.
29.3.
RCI may amend the Program Documents at
any time in its sole discretion, in writing, upon compliance with the notice
provisions set forth in Section 26.4 above. An amendment to any RCI document,
including the Program Documents, will be effective up on publication, posting
on www.rci.co.za,
mailing, email or other electronic media.
29.4.
The Program Documents constitute the
entire agreement between RCI and the Member with respect to the subject matter
set forth in those documents, and supersede all previous and contemporaneous
communications, representations, or agreements, either oral or written, between
the parties relating to that subject matter. The section headings in these
Terms and Conditions are for convenience of reference only.
Terms and Conditions of RCI Subscribing Membership. V111 03/2025
2. Your RCI membership
2.1 Your RCI®
membership will only become effective and valid after acceptance by RCI®
of your application and from the date of receipt by RCI® of the
current RCI® enrolment fee, whether paid by you or on your behalf. RCI®
reserves the right to refuse any application, without limitation, on reasonable
grounds.
2.2 On
payment of the RCI® enrolment fee, your membership will be valid for
the remainder of the calendar year for which payment is received, or a longer
period, depending on the type of membership you decided to purchase.
2.3
RCI® will, not more than 80 (eighty)
working days and not less than 40 (forty) working days prior to the expiry of
your current membership term, notify you in writing of -
2.3.1 the fact
that your membership will expire on the stipulated expiry date;
2.3.2
any changes that would apply to
your membership if it is renewed for a further period; and
2.3.3
your right to terminate this
Agreement on the expiry date or agree to a renewal for a further fixed period.
2.4 RCI®
may at any time require, as part of a "know your client" verification
process, certified copies of documents proving your identity/incorporation,
physical address, banking details, income tax/VAT numbers and timeshare
ownership. These must be presented to RCI® in a form acceptable to RCI®.
RCI® will only request and process this information in accordance
with the law.
2.5
Your RCI® membership
subscription must be maintained by you or on your behalf in order to
participate in the RCI® exchange system and related products and
services. Subscriptions are payable in the currency of your servicing office. If
your membership lapses due to non-renewal we reserve the right to charge
reasonable re-instatement fees should you wish to
reinstate your membership.
2.6 Membership
must be in the name of the individual(s) who own(s) timeshare and if a company,
close corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated association or other
entity owns timeshare/club points, an enrolment application form must be
completed on the owner's behalf in the name of any officer, director, member,
partner, trustee or other duly authorised person, and relevant documentation
must be presented supporting such nomination. RCI® shall be entitled
to treat such person as the member for all intents and purposes.
2.7 Membership
fees for the following calendar year are payable six months in advance from the
date on which the current subscription period expires. RCI® will appropriate
such fees in accordance with section 64 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008.
2.8 RCI®
will not make your details available to any other company or organisation,
other than its subsidiaries and authorized representatives or agents for the
purpose specified below.
We
will, however, be entitled to process such data for the purpose of providing
you with products and services requested, or offered, from time to time. We or
any associated companies or third parties authorized by us, shall be entitled
to make contact with you by post, e-mail, telephone, facsimile, SMS and the
like for the above purposes. Should you prefer not to receive any particular
communication (at any time or in any format), please notify us of this in
writing.
2.9 RCI®
may record or monitor your telephone calls to and from RCI®, without
notification, for staff training and quality control purposes, as well as
telephonic confirmation.
2.10 For
security reasons, we will need to verify your personal details with every call,
before your RCI® membership file may be accessed. For your security,
RCI® has also included a password protection mechanism on your
membership file/s and you are obliged to ensure that you use this security
feature at all times.
2.11 RCI®
reserves the right to refuse instructions relating to your membership received
from a non-member, Guest and/or any other third parties. If you cannot transact
yourself, you may appoint someone to do this on your behalf by submitting an RCI®
approved special power of attorney (a
legal document giving the right to the person you appoint to transact with RCI®
on your behalf) and supporting identity documents to RCI® for
consideration. RCI® reserves the right to accept or reject such
mandate on reasonable grounds. If RCI® accepts that the purpose and
intention of such mandate is not to allow your agent to transact on your RCI®
file/s for commercial gain/purposes, your agent may transact on your file/s subject
to these terms & conditions. If an agent
appointed under your mandate abuses or misuses the RCI® exchange
system or fails to adhere to these terms & conditions, you will be liable
for any cancellations or penalties that will be reflected on your RCI®
file/s. In addition, you indemnify RCI® from any loss or damage you and/or RCI® may suffer as a result
of the conduct of your appointed agent. RCI®
also reserves the right to at any time after initial acceptance of such
mandate, to withdraw its acceptance and reject such mandate.
3. Retaining your membership
3. RETAINING YOUR RCI® MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Should
your RCI® membership expire or be cancelled for any reason
whatsoever, you will be required to pay a reasonable re-instatement fee
stipulated by RCI® at the time of re-instatement, in order to
reactivate your RCI® membership.
3.2 If the
affiliated resort developer, owners' association, managing agent or timeshare
points club fails to perform the obligations required by its agreement with RCI®,
or if that agreement is not renewed, or is terminated either by RCI®
or the affiliated resort/points club, your right to exchange from your
resort/points club may be terminated and the membership re-enrolment provisions
above will apply.
3.3 If an
affiliated resort/points club fails to maintain RCI® specified
standards, the right of its existing RCI® members to continue
exchanging vacation time from that resort/points club may be terminated at the
discretion of RCI®, or merely suspended until the RCI®
specified standards are met by the timeshare resort/points club.
3.4 Your RCI®
membership and/or your confirmed holiday booking/s may be suspended if you fail
to comply with these terms and conditions.
In the event that you are placed in breach of your obligations by RCI® and you fail to rectify that breach of your obligations within 20 working days, or in the event of abusive behaviour at the resort location booked through RCI®, or abusive behaviour towards RCI® personnel (which behaviour RCI® may consider to be a breach of your obligations not capable of remedy), your RCI® membership may be cancelled by RCI®.
3.5 Should you
cede your timeshare weeks to a timeshare points club, you automatically take on
the terms and conditions of your new timeshare points club ownership and will
be liable for the applicable RCI® membership fees for the timeshare
points club members and any previous enrolment/subscription arrangement with RCI®
will cease to exist with no refund from RCI® on any prepaid fees.
3.6 You
cannot confirm an RCI® holiday and then rent such holiday booking to
a third party. Your RCI® holiday is strictly not transferable for
commercial gain/purposes and should you use your RCI® holiday for
such gain/purposes, RCI® will exercise such rights of termination as
it may have in law and your membership may be cancelled without any booking
and/or membership fee refund, return of deposited timeshare weeks/points or
reinstatement of cancelled RCI® trading points to you.
3.7 Your
enrolment/membership/booking fees will not be refunded, your deposited
timeshare weeks/points will not be returned and your cancelled RCI®
trading points will not be reinstated, if your membership is cancelled due to
your breach of any provision of these terms and conditions and you fail to
remedy that breach on 20 (twenty) working days written notice of the breach by RCI®.
3.8 Should
you dispose of your timeshare interest, RCI® is entitled to revoke
your membership, unless you have obtained RCI®'s prior written consent in
respect of such disposal. In which case, RCI® may allow you to
transfer your membership to the new owner without an additional enrolment fee
having to be paid by the new owner and subject to any further terms and conditions
which RCI® may prescribe. A transfer fee
is payable and such sale is subject to any outstanding Spacebank®
for a future date.
3.9 Any
transfer of membership, change of timeshare weeks/points club ownership or death
of a Member that results in membership benefits being transferred by bequest,
or change of name of a Member, will result in the closure of an existing RCI®
Member file and the opening of a new RCI® Member file.
4. Cancelling your RCI® membership
4. CANCELLING
YOUR RCI® MEMBERSHIP
4.1 You may terminate your RCI®
membership at any time by giving RCI® at least
20 (twenty) working days' notice in writing. If you do
choose to cancel your membership, you will be required to pay a reasonable
cancellation fee, which will be dependent on the circumstances at the time of
cancellation and a variety of factors that RCI® may take into
account in terms of the law. In addition to this, please note that:
4.1.1 If
at the time of your notice of cancellation, you have already booked an RCI®
holiday, you will not receive a refund of any portion of your membership fee
for the calendar year in which such holiday booking is confirmed. If at the
time of your notice of cancellation you have not already booked an RCI®
holiday you will be entitled to a pro rata refund of any portion of your
membership fee remaining of your membership term, subject to a deduction or
payment of a reasonable cancellation fee that will include all reasonable
cancellation/holiday voucher administration costs; and
4.1.2 If at the time of your notice of cancellation
you have any RCI® trading points to your credit, the provisions of
clause 5.1 below regarding Spacebanking® will apply and you will not
be entitled to withdraw any of your timeshare week/points that have been
deposited with RCI®, whether these have/have not already been taken
up by another RCI® member. You will however be entitled to receive a
holiday voucher reflecting the reasonable equivalent value, as determined by RCI®,
of your deposited timeshare week/points that cannot be returned to you, as
adequate compensation, which holiday voucher is not redeemable for cash. You
will have no claim against RCI® in this instance other than for the
provision of the holiday voucher. You will be entitled to exchange that holiday
voucher, within three years of the date of your last deposit of your timeshare
weeks/points with RCI®, for a holiday taken from a catalogue of
specific vacations that RCI® will make available to cancelled
members from time to time. You agree that RCI® may levy a reasonable
holiday voucher redemption fee, payable by you, at the time that you choose to
redeem your holiday voucher.
5. Spacebanking® with RCI®
5. SPACEBANKING® WITH RCI®
5.1 By
Spacebanking® ("depositing") your timeshare weeks/points,
you (subject to these terms and conditions) permanently relinquish all rights
of use in respect of those timeshare weeks/points for the period deposited.
5.2 Subject
further to these terms and conditions, deposited timeshare weeks/points cannot
be cancelled/returned to you and your right of use shall be permanently
forfeited to RCI® once deposited with RCI®.
5.3 You
should note the following:
5.3.1 Early
deposits (180 calendar days or more in advance before your check-in date) are
recommended and you will earn an extra 10% (ten percent) RCI®
trading points value for your deposit. If you deposit in the period from 179 to
60 calendar days before check-in, you will earn full RCI® trading
points value for your deposit.
5.3.2 You may
deposit your timeshare weeks/points right up to the day of check-in. However
note that you will lose a percentage of the RCI® trading points
earned on your deposit as follows:
Calendar Days to Check-In Date |
Value of
RCI® Trading Points You Will Lose When You Deposit Less than 60
Days |
59-39 days |
20% (twenty percent) of your
points value |
38-29 days |
40% (fourty percent) of your
points value |
28-19 days |
75% (seventy-five percent) of
your points value |
18-9 days |
90% (ninety percent) of your
points value |
8-0 days |
100% (one hundred percent) of
your points value |
5.3.3 Levies and membership fees must
be up-to-date before you deposit with RCI®. RCI®
reserves the right to cancel your Spacebank® confirmation if
levies are not paid at your home resort or timeshare points club.
5.3.4 Depositing
of timeshare weeks/points that fall in peak periods (such as school holidays or
public holidays) need to be confirmed by you with RCI® in writing.
5.4 RCI®
reserves the right to assign timeshare weeks/points deposited by you to another
member prior to the submission or fulfilment of an exchange holiday request
made by you.
5.5 Timeshare
week(s)/points deposited by you may be used by RCI®, at its sole
discretion, for exchange, rental, inspection visit or promotional purposes, and
the like.
5.6
RCI® trading points,
allocated to you once you deposit your specific timeshare weeks/points, are valid
for a fixed 3 (three) year period from date of each specific deposit.
5.7 You may use your RCI® trading points to book a RCI® holiday for travel dates ending on or before the expiry of your RCI® trading points. In certain time periods, at RCI’s discretion, members will be allowed to book holidays past the expiry date. You may only extend the use of your RCI® trading points by booking an international RCI® holiday for travel dates ending within 24 (twenty-four) calendar months following the date of expiry of your RCI® trading points.
5.8 RCI®
reserves the right to make changes to the value of your RCI® trading
points and/or season from time to time.
This is usually dependent on changes in supply and demand or quality for
particular resorts/regions, or as a result
of a change in school holidays. Purchasers of peak weeks might
find that their trading points value/season varies as a result of changes to
public holidays and/or school holidays.
5.9
When you deposit your timeshare ownership rights or
your timeshare rights of use with us, you represent and warrant to RCI®
that you have the legal right to use or assign those rights for the period
deposited, those rights will not be assigned or made available to any other
third party, the timeshare weeks/points deposited is/are in a good and usable
condition and that all fees and levies related to the timeshare weeks/points
deposited with RCI® are up to date and accordingly you indemnify RCI®
and hold RCI® harmless against any third party claims, losses or
expenses incurred by RCI® as a result of a breach of this agreement.
5.10
This clause applies to persons who were RCI®
members on 1 April 2011 only. With effect from the first day of the next period
of renewal of your RCI® membership any previous written or verbal
undertaking given by RCI® to you confirming a free upgrade of your
deposited weeks/points with additional RCI® trading points, as a
result of the change of your ownership season or for any other reason
whatsoever, is no longer applicable or valid.
6. Making a holiday exchange with RCI®
6. MAKING A
HOLIDAY EXCHANGE WITH RCI®
6.1
RCI® exchange holiday
options available to RCI® Members, as well as procedures and
conditions regarding the use of each exchange holiday option, are set out in
these terms and conditions, as amended from time to time.
6.2 Local
holiday exchanges for resorts located in the Republic of South Africa are based
on the RCI® trading points value allocated by RCI® from
time to time to your timeshare ownership rights or rights of use.
6.3
International holiday exchanges
for resorts located outside of the Republic of South Africa are based on a
like-for- like week basis, taking into account season, grading, quality and
occupancy of the unit.
6.4
Information about RCI®
affiliated resorts published by RCI®, including but not limited to,
facilities, amenities and services, is derived solely from information produced
and provided by the relevant affiliated resort.
You should be aware that facilities, amenities and
services provided at the affiliated resort may be withdrawn without notice at
the discretion of the affiliated resort or may be restricted at certain times
of the year.
6.5
Our ability to confirm an
exchange holiday request which is acceptable to you and applicable to your
membership and ownership type is dependent on the availability of holiday
ownership rights or timeshare rights of use deposited or forecast to be
deposited by other Members in the RCI® Spacebank® pool.
We therefore cannot guarantee that any particular
request for a resort, area, travel date, type or size of accommodation, travel
supplier or otherwise relating to your RCI® exchange holiday
requests or requirements will be met by RCI®.
We will, however, offer you alternative choices which may be available from
time to time.
6.6 If
resort locations, area, type or size of accommodation, travel supplier and/or
travel dates which you request are not available, RCI® will offer
alternative resort locations, areas, types or sizes of accommodation, travel
suppliers and/or travel dates (if any) that may be available, or add your
request to a waitlist.
6.7 An
exchange holiday booking fee is payable to RCI® for each booking,
depending on your ownership type.
6.8 You
may cancel your exchange holiday booking and receive a full refund if the
exchange holiday booking is cancelled within 5 (five)
working days from the date of the exchange holiday booking being confirmed by RCI®. You will
only be entitled to one cancellation and refund request within a 5 (five)
working day period. Any exchange holiday booking cancellation request received
by RCI® after the check-in date and time of your confirmed exchange
holiday booking, whether received by RCI® within the 5 (five)
working day period or not, will not be accepted by RCI® or qualify
for a refund of the exchange holiday booking fee at all.
6.9 All exchange holiday cancellation refunds that may be due to you are subject to RCI® receiving payment of the exchange holiday booking fee into RCI®'s bank account and subject to any banking confirmation and/or administration refund process. Exchange holiday booking fee refunds will only be made to you 15(fifteen) working days after the date of receipt from you of the applicable exchange holiday booking fee.
6.10 An
exchange booking cancellation request received by RCI® after 5
(five) working days will not entitle you to a refund at all of any part of the
booking fee. You will however be entitled to a reinstatement of your RCI®
trading points and any subsequent exchange or rental holiday booking using
these same trading points will result in a new booking fee having to be paid.
6.11 As a
general rule, you may only book into peak time if your deposited week is a peak
week. This may differ depending on your ownership type.
6.12
You may at any time change your
exchange holiday booking by notifying RCI® before the check-in date.
Other than an exchange holiday booking change made within 5 (five) working days
day of the original booking date, your initial exchange holiday booking fee is
however not refundable or transferable thereafter and you may request an
exchange holiday booking change at an additional exchange holiday booking fee.
6.13 Your
booking is only transferable with an RCI® Guest Certificate. Guest
certificates can only be requested by an RCI® Member and for which
you will be charged an additional non-refundable fee as determined by RCI®
from time to time. No Guest will be allowed occupation without a Guest
Certificate.
6.14
Your exchange holiday booking
will be cancelled without notice if any booking fees are outstanding or your
bank rejects the debit against your bank account or credit card.
6.15
Requests for the extension/reinstatement of
expiring/expired RCI® trading points will not be granted by RCI®
at all. Where previous exchange holiday bookings were made using expired RCI®
trading points, these will be forfeited if such an exchange holiday booking is
cancelled for any reason whatsoever.
RCI® Local
Destinations
6.16 Subject
to the terms above, in the event that you made a local exchange holiday booking
and you request within 5 (five) working days a change to your exchange holiday
booking, you shall be entitled to change the exchange holiday booking to an alternate
date without having to pay an additional exchange holiday booking fee. Any request received from you after 5 (five) working days
will only be permitted at RCI®'s discretion and subject to the
exchange holiday booking fee having to be repaid.
6.17 For
the avoidance of doubt where RCI® trading points are credited or
dates changed for local exchange holiday bookings the general rule of no
monetary refund will apply. We recommend that you take out a suitable exchange holiday replacement
insurance product which protects
you in the event of a cancellation due to certain unforeseen circumstances.
RCI® International Destinations
6.18 Standards
and grades at RCI® affiliated international resorts may vary from
country to country.
6.19
Some affiliated international
resorts may require a mandatory all-inclusive fee that covers various in resort
expenses, including but not limited to meals, beverages, equipment usage, spa
treatments, cleaning services, tours, etc. It is
your responsibility to ensure that you check with RCI® whether a
mandatory all-inclusive fee applies when making an international exchange
holiday booking. RCI® accepts no responsibility or liability for any
costs that you may incur (whether before, during or after the check-in date) in
respect of a mandatory all-inclusive fee and will not refund you the costs of
such a fee paid to an affiliated international resort.
6.20
You should ensure that you have
made transfer arrangements to and from affiliated international resorts as this
is not RCI®'s responsibility.
RCI® Holiday Choices
6.21
Alternative or additional options that allow members to trade timeshare
weeks or points ownership for cruises, hotels, packaged holidays, etc., are
also offered by RCI®. They are collectively known as RCI®
Holiday Choices, and include RCI®’s popular Cruise Exchange
Programme.
6.22
The suppliers or principals, such as cruise liners and hotels, will tend
not to be affiliated to RCI®. They are selected by RCI®
for the holiday value they offer the members.
6.23
The booking fee under RCI Holiday Choices will usually be less than the
price normally available to the general public for the same holiday or
product. Please refer to the section on
“Specific Terms and Conditions Applicable to RCI® Travel” for
further terms and conditions relating to these suppliers.
7. RCI® exchange confirmation
7.1
An exchange holiday confirmation
can only be issued to and used by the Member who has deposited timeshare
ownership rights or timeshare rights of use for exchange in the RCI®
Spacebank® pool; unless the Member gives the exchange holiday
confirmation to a friend or family member by obtaining a Guest Certificate from
RCI®.
7.2 A fee
will be charged for issuing a Guest Certificate.
7.3 The
exchange holiday confirmation letter and Guest Certificate must be produced at
the resort as proof of your reservation.
7.4
Members should ensure that
Guests check all the details on the Guest Certificate carefully and notify us
as soon as possible if anything is incorrect.
7.5
Guest Certificates can be used
only by the person(s) named on them and must not be used by anyone under 18
years of age, or 21 years of age for travel to the USA.
7.6
Additional people may travel
with the recipient of the Guest Certificate provided that the number of persons
does not exceed the maximum occupancy limit on the exchange holiday
confirmation. RCI® reserves the right to request certified copies of Guest
identification.
7.7 Guest
Certificates are the property of and proprietary to RCI®. Any
unauthorised alteration, fraudulent use or misappropriation of RCI®
Guest Certificates will result in the immediate cancellation of your exchange
holiday booking and RCI® membership, without any booking, certificate or
membership fee refund. RCI® reserves the right to, where necessary;
refer the misuse of its Guest Certificates to the law enforcement authorities
for investigation and possible prosecution.
7.8 Members
are fully responsible for their Guests and everyone travelling with a Guest who
has been issued a Guest Certificate. This means that members accept full liability
for all the acts and/or omissions of Guests and everyone travelling with a
Guest who has been issued a Guest Certificate, for any damage caused by them or
expenses unpaid by them, for any charges relating to the exchange holiday
booking or its cancellation, for occupation of the accommodation by more than
its maximum occupancy and for replacing any items missing from the unit on
departure.
8. RCI® rental holidays
8.1
As a valid RCI®
Member you are entitled to book Bonus Break® and Extra Holidays®
through RCI®, which holidays are usually acquired for and offered to
RCI® members at below open market rental prices.
8.2 To qualify for a Bonus Break® you
need to Spacebank® your current or future years'
timeshare weeks/points. This varies with regard to timeshare club ownership.
International Bonus Break® weeks, if available, are from time to
time subject to certain additional conditions. Please check with RCI®
for details and any restrictions.
8.3 You do not need to Spacebank®
your current or future timeshare weeks/points to qualify for an Extra
Holiday®. These holidays are usually offered on a rental fee basis,
but may also be offered to you on a rental fee plus the use of your RCI®
trading points basis at affiliated resorts or hotels.
8.4 You may not rent out a Bonus Break®
or Extra Holiday® at all as these are solely meant for the benefit
of RCI® members. Your RCI® rental holiday booking is
strictly not transferable for commercial gain/purposes and should you use your RCI®
rental holiday booking for such gain/purposes, your RCI® membership
will immediately be cancelled without any rental holiday booking and/or
membership fee refund, return of deposited timeshare weeks/points or
reinstatement of cancelled RCI® trading points (if any) to you.
8.5 You may cancel your rental holiday booking and
receive a full refund of the rental holiday fee if the rental holiday booking
is cancelled within 5 (five) working days from the date of the rental holiday
booking being confirmed by RCI®.
You will only be entitled to one
cancellation and refund request within a 5 (five) working day period. A rental
holiday booking cancellation request received by RCI® after 5 (five)
working days will be subject to the deduction of a non-refundable reasonable
rental holiday booking fee determined by RCI® from time to time, the
amount of which will be disclosed to you at the time of booking.
8.6 In addition to the non-refundable rental
holiday booking fee, RCI® will also deduct a reasonable rental
accommodation cancellation fee. The rental accommodation cancellation fee that RCI®
will deduct from the rental accommodation refund due back to you is determined
as follows:
Calendar Days to Check- In
Date |
Cancellation
Amount to be Deducted From the Rental Accommodation Fee Refund Due to You |
61 days or more |
10% (ten percent) of the fee
due to you |
31-60 days |
50% (fifty percent) of the fee
due to you |
15-30 days |
70% (seventy percent) of the
fee due to you |
0-14 days |
100% (one hundred percent) of
the fee due to you |
8.6.1
If any RCI® trading
points were used for a rental holiday booking you will however be entitled to a
full reinstatement of those RCI® trading points and any subsequent
holiday booking using these same trading points will result in a new rental or
exchange booking fee having to be paid.
8.6.2 Any rental holiday booking cancellation request
received by RCI® after the check-in date and time of your confirmed
rental holiday booking, whether received by RCI® within the 5 (five)
working day period or not, will not be accepted by RCI® or qualify
for a refund of the rental holiday fee at all. All rental holiday fee
cancellation refund payments that may be due to you are subject to RCI®
having first received full payment of the rental holiday fee into RCI®'s
bank account and subject to any banking confirmation and/or administration
refund process. Rental holiday cancellation fee refunds will only be made to
you 15(fifteen) working days after the date of receipt from you of the
applicable rental holiday booking fee.
9. RCI® affiliated resorts and points clubs
9. RCI® AFFILIATED
RESORTS AND POINTS CLUBS
9.1 You
acknowledge that each RCI® affiliated resort and points club is a
separate and distinct legal entity from RCI® and that as a separate
legal entity each RCI® affiliated resort and points club reserves
the right of admission.
9.2 You are
solely liable for all outstanding fees, assessments and levies relating to the
holiday time you own at your home resort or points club.
9.3 You are
responsible for payment of any expenses, including without limitation, any
applicable taxes, personal expenses, utility charges, and security deposits,
incurred while occupying an accommodation unit received through the RCI®
booking confirmation, as well as any damage, theft or loss caused by you or any
of your Guests.
9.4 You are
responsible for all acts, omissions, neglect or default of your Guests whether
you accompanied them or not.
9.5
Any additional fees prescribed by the affiliated
resort (e.g. parking, conservation, activity or entertainment fees), will be
solely for your or your guests' account.
9.6 Any
fees, incurred by you or your guests for the use of affiliated resort
facilities, are determined and collected by the resort.
9.7 Maximum
resort occupancy limits must be adhered to at all times and includes children
of all ages. Sleeper couches are recommended for children 12 years and younger
only.
9.8 Should
a unit number not appear on the RCI® booking confirmation letter,
one will be assigned to you by the affiliated resort on check-in.
9.9 The
affiliated resort has the right to assign a different unit to the one
originally allocated to you under an RCI® booking confirmation
letter and as RCI® does not own or manage resorts, RCI®
will not be liable to you or your Guests for any such change.
9.10 You are
solely responsible for confirming your booking details and requirements with
the affiliated resort before the check-in date and time.
9.11 You
are responsible for notifying the affiliated resort in advance if you
anticipate arriving after the stipulated check-in time of the resort.
9.12 Pets
are not allowed at any affiliated resorts.
9.13 In
terms of Section 40 of the Immigration Act, 2002, accommodation establishments
are obliged to request valid identification from customers and therefore you
and your guests should have proper identifying documentation on check-in.
Accommodation establishments may be entitled to deny access if any person does
not comply with this requirement.
9.14 If RCI®
provides a confirmed booking at an affiliated resort and a unit is not
available at check-in due to an RCI® booking error, RCI®
reserves the right to cancel the holiday booking and offer you an equivalent
alternate holiday accommodation. If no equivalent alternate holiday
accommodation is available, RCI® will either hold the booking fee as
a credit to your member account against future booking fees, or at your
request, refund the entire booking fee to you. If the booking error was the
result of factors within RCI®'s reasonable control, then the
provisions of section 47 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008 will apply.
9.15 If RCI®
provides a confirmed booking at an affiliated resort and the specific unit for
which the confirmation letter is provided becomes unavailable due to a
refurbishment being undertaken by the resort or for any other reason
whatsoever, the resort shall provide you with a similar unit and you will have
no claim against RCI® as a result thereof.
9.16 RCI®
does not sell or buy timeshare weeks/points, own or operate affiliated resorts
or points clubs and is therefore not liable for their description (save as set
out in RCI® compiled advertisements), services and/or presentation. Any
complaints about accommodation or the services provided at an affiliated resort
should be made at the earliest opportunity to a person in authority at the
resort itself. If this does not produce a satisfactory result, you or your
Guest should call or email the local RCI® Help Desk as soon as
possible and RCI® will use all reasonable endeavors to assist you.
9.17 RCI® accepts no liability to you or your Guests, for any costs and expenses incurred during your/their stay at an affiliated resort (including without limitation the costs of alternative accommodation) where you or your Guests have complained about accommodation or the services provided at the affiliated resort, unless prior authorisation has been given by RCI® for such costs to be incurred.
10. Specific terms and conditions applicable to RCI® travel
RCI®
does not provide travel bookings to its members. However RCI® has
provided a link in RCI®'s website to a third party service provider
for the RCI® Member's travel requirements. RCI® will not
be liable and accountable for the services provided by the third party service
provider and for the materials provided in the third party website. RCI® mandates
its members to read the terms and conditions of the third party website before
availing the services.
Programmes
or services offered at RCI®'s discretion through RCI® or
by third parties with the permission of RCI® are subject to separate
terms and conditions which will be notified to you at the time such offers are
made. Some additional products and services made available to Members may be
provided by third parties and may be subject to separate terms and conditions
of such third parties.
10.1 Responsibility
of Members
It is the
responsibility of Members to obtain proper, current and valid travel documents,
including, but not limited to, passports and visas and also vaccinations,
inoculations and the like.
RCI® will maintain
confidentiality of all transactions provided that, by doing so, it acts within
the framework of South African law.
We strongly advise passengers to
take out insurance, covering medical, cancellation, curtailment and default at
the time of booking.
Without limitation, RCI®
does not provide flights, coach or train travel, car hire, insurance, ferries,
cruises and tours. Such services may be purchased from independent third party
suppliers and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the suppliers
concerned. RCI® is not liable for their description,
services and/or presentation by such service providers. RCI® accepts
no liability to Members or their Guests for any costs and expenses incurred by
them while availing such services.
RCI® reserves the right to vary,
withdraw or add to the services it provides at any time, with or without
notice.
11. RCI®’s Liability
11.1
RCI®, its directors, officers,
employees, associated companies, agents or servant's liability for loss or
damage incurred by you, howsoever arising through use of the RCI®
exchange system, products or services, is limited to the fee paid by you to RCI®
in respect of the transaction giving rise to such a claim/s.
11.2
All published and printed affiliated resort
information is obtained from the respective resorts and is, to the best of RCI®'s
knowledge and belief, accurate and complete.
RCI® is not responsible for erroneous or
omitted information concerning affiliated resorts, save where it has been
grossly negligent.
11.3
Should RCI® cancel a booking/s, cancel
your membership or close your file/s without a points reinstatement or any
booking or membership fee refund due to a breach of any of these terms and
conditions by you, your Guests or Agent, you acknowledge and agree that RCI®
may retain your timeshare weeks/points deposited with RCI® prior to
such cancellation or closure, and that you shall have no claim whatsoever
against RCI® for the return of such deposited timeshare
weeks/points.
11.4
RCI® accepts no
liability whatsoever for any injury, death, loss, damage, expense or accident,
suffered by you, your Guests and anyone travelling with a Guest at an
affiliated resort, arising from any act of God, nature, war, terrorism,
insurrection, riot, boycott, theft, fire, labour action, government action,
natural disaster, bad weather or interrupted electrical/water/municipal
services.
12. These terms and conditions
12. THESE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS
12.1 These
terms and conditions have been written in manner that complies with consumer
protections laws and to the extent that the law may change these terms and
conditions will be amended to reflect such changes.
12.2 These
terms and conditions, and/or any fees payable to RCI® in terms
hereof, may also be changed from time to time at the sole discretion of RCI®.
12.3 You will receive at least 30 (thirty) days written notice via email or post of any changes to these terms & conditions before they are effective. The dates on which such changes will take effect will be stipulated by RCI®.
12.4 A copy
of the current and updated terms and conditions will always be available at the
premises of RCI®, and may be inspected during office hours by any
Member or Guest. Copies of the latest version of these terms and conditions may
also be obtained from RCI®'s offices from Monday-Friday during
office hours (08h00-17h00).
12.5 In
addition, a copy of such current and updated terms and conditions will also
always be available on the RCI® website (RCI.co.za).
12.6 These
terms and conditions and any other provisions contained in any RCI®
publications, documents or as published
on the RCI® website (www.rci.co.za) from time
to time, constitute the only terms and conditions governing the contractual
relationship between you and RCI®, and no terms and conditions
between you and RCI® at variance with these terms and conditions,
and no warranties, guarantees, undertakings, or representations made by RCI®,
it's directors, officers, employees, agents or servant's, not contained herein,
shall be of any force or effect.
12.7
To ensure that you are
accurately informed of all aspects of your membership, the use of the RCI®
exchange system, products or services, details of the resorts participating in
the RCI® exchange system as well as any changes to these terms and
conditions, you are encouraged to visit RCI®'s website (RCI.co.za) on a regular basis.
13. South African law and dispute resolution
13.
SOUTH AFRICAN LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
13.1
These terms and conditions are
governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
13.2
In terms of South African VAT
legislation, VAT is levied at the required rate and included where applicable.
13.3 Subject
to the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008 and any regulation
published under it, you agree
that any dispute you may have
with RCI® regarding these terms and conditions, your RCI®
membership, your RCI® file/s or RCI® products and
services, may be resolved by way of arbitration. You agree that the Consumer
Goods & Services Ombud (" CGSO"), or its successors in title or
name, shall be the arbitrating body responsible for resolving your dispute with RCI®
and that CGSO's decision on any disputed matter
shall be final and binding. The arbitration shall be conducted
by way of written evidence only and CGSO shall, having regard to the facts of a
dispute, make an award that it deems equitable, justifiable, appropriate and
reasonable. Any such award shall be made in writing and motivated by CGSO.
13.4 Nothing contained in these
terms and conditions shall prohibit you or RCI® from approaching a
court or tribunal or other body of competent jurisdiction in respect of any
valid dispute or claim that either you or RCI® may have against the
other.
The resolution of disputes by
arbitration shall merely be the preferred method of dispute resolution between RCI®
and you, but you and RCI® may deviate from this preference.
14. General terms and conditions
14. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
14.1 Any
reference to:
14.1.1 "Working
Day/s" shall mean calendar days, but exclude the date of the event, a
Saturday, Sunday or any statutory Public
Holidays.
14.1.2 "Booking"
shall mean a booking made in person, telephonically or electronically.
14.2 All RCI®
pricing and fees are inclusive of the current Value Added Tax rate in the
Republic of South Africa.
14.3 No
waiver of any of the terms and conditions of this agreement by RCI®
will be binding for any purpose whatsoever, unless expressed in writing and
signed by a duly appointed director of RCI® for the purpose given.
14.4
No failure or delay on the part
of RCI® in exercising any right, power or privilege will operate as
a waiver, nor will any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or privilege, operate as a waiver.
14.5 Words and expressions used in this document shall bear the ordinary meaning assigned to them unless the context dictates otherwise
VOASA CODE OF ETHICS
VOASA
CODE OF ETHICS
A Code
of Ethics has been established by the Vacation Ownership
Association of Southern Africa ("VOASA"), in
conjunction with the Business Practices Committee of the Department of Trade
& Industry, to promote the long- term interests of the industry. All
members of VOASA, including RCI®, are compelled to comply with the
terms and spirit of the Code and the Timeshare Control Act. The bulk of the
Code is applicable to everyone in the industry. The full Code is available on
the VOASA website. The following is a summary of the main provisions:
a)
No activity, whether of an
advertising or promotional nature or otherwise, conducted by any member, its
subsidiaries, servant or employees, shall be such as to bring timesharing into
disrepute or reduce the confidence of the public in the timesharing industry as
a reputable service to the community.
b)
Statements, presentations,
descriptions, literature or documents used in any advertising or promotional
activities:
(i) may
not convey false or misleading information about the product;
(ii) may
not omit material information without which such information could have a
deceptive or misleading effect on the consumer's
decision to purchase;
(iii) must
be consistent; and
(iv) must
be easily understandable by the consumer.
c) Timesharing
must be presented in advertising and promotional activity as an investment in
future holidays. It is not primarily purchased for rental yield, return on
investment or capital gain on resale.
d)
Every contract must contain a
provision entitling a purchaser to withdraw from the contract within 5 (five)
working days of the purchaser signing the contract. Written notice of the
withdrawal must reach the seller within the 5 (five)-day period, at an address,
which must be contained in the contract. A facsimile number must also be given
and receipt of facsimile, telegrams or phonograms are stipulated as sufficient
written notice by the purchaser.
e)
Each contract must be
accompanied by a checklist, entitled a Certificate of Purchase, which explains
the essential elements of the contract. The checklist must be fully initialed
and signed by the purchaser at the time of sale.
f) The
timeshare resort or points club product must be accurately presented without
exaggeration.
g)
Representations may not be made
to the effect that there is a limited time for the consumer to accept the terms
of an offer when such, in fact, is not the case.
h)
The Contract of Sale must be
made available to the client at the time of sale, before signing or before the
contract becomes binding.
i) The
client may not be discouraged from seeking professional advice.
j) Members may not withhold or
unreasonably delay the provision of the signed copy of the Contract of Sale to
the client. The client must be provided with a copy of the Agreement
immediately after signature thereof. Members of VOASA are required to display
this abridged Code of Ethics in a prominent position at their sales offices.
Should any member of the public have a complaint regarding a breach of this
Code of Ethics, they are invited to address their complaint in writing to:
Vacation Ownership Association
of Southern Africa (www.voasa.co.za)
PO Box
2823, Durbanville 7551
Tel:
021-914-5210
Fax:
021-914-5202
Email voasa@voasa.co.za
Upon VOASA receiving a complaint concerning
the alleged breach of the Code of Ethics, which cannot be resolved, VOASA shall
obtain the relevant documents from the parties and, where necessary, hold a
hearing at which all the parties will be invited to make both written and
personal representation.