Are RCI all-inclusive fees really high or is it a perception problem?

They’re often a perception issue. When you calculate the true cost—(points × cost per point) + all-inclusive fee—and comparar com a tarifa direta do hotel, muitas vezes o total via RCI é mais barato, especialmente em resorts 5-star durante alta demanda.

Can I pay RCI all-inclusive fees with points or miles?

Na maioria dos casos, não. As taxas all-inclusive são cobradas em dinheiro direto pelo resort (check-in ou pré-pagamento), e não podem ser pagas com pontos RCI ou milhas de forma direta.

How do I know if an RCI all-inclusive booking is a good deal?

Calcule: (points required × cost per point) + all-inclusive fee e compare com o preço direto do hotel para as mesmas datas e tipo de quarto. Se a economia for ≥25% (ou o valor de experiência for muito superior), vale a pena.

When do RCI all-inclusive fees become too high to justify using points?

Quando o resort aplica taxas altas em relação à qualidade (resorts médios cobrando tarifas de luxo), ou quando o hotel tem promoções diretas na baixa temporada que deixam o preço à vista mais barato do que calcular via pontos.

Why re RCI All-Inclusive Fees So High? (Spoiler: They’re Not — You’re Just Not Using Them Right)

Q: Why do RCI all-inclusive fees vary so much?

RCI all-inclusive fees vary because each resort sets its own package of included services (meals, drinks premium, shows, atividades, taxas locais) e define o preço com base no nível do resort, sazonalidade e custos operacionais locais.

Most people open an RCI booking page, see the “all-inclusive fee” number, and instantly think: “Wow, that’s expensive! Why are RCI all inclusive fees so high?” But here’s the truth: RCI’s all-inclusive fees aren’t necessarily high — the problem is that most travelers simply don’t know how to calculate their real cost of staying.

Once you understand how to break down the math, you’ll see that in many cases, you’re getting 5-star luxury at 3-star prices. And sometimes, you can get ultra-luxury vacations for less than what you’d spend on a basic city hotel.

Let’s break the myth — and I’ll show you exactly how I tested this using my own timeshare and a dream week at the Hard Rock Punta Cana.

Why All-Inclusive Fees Look High at First Glance

When you see an “all-inclusive fee” of $2,000 for a week, it’s easy to panic — especially if you compare it to an Airbnb or a basic hotel you once booked for a fraction of that.

But this is comparing apples to oranges.

An all-inclusive fee at top-tier resorts like Hard Rock, Club Med, or Palace Resorts includes:

Unlimited gourmet dining at multiple restaurants
Premium alcoholic beverages (yes, top-shelf liquor)
24/7 room service
Non-motorized water sports
Nightly shows and entertainment
Kids’ clubs, fitness centers, and more

If you add up what you’d spend on food, drinks, and activities at a regular hotel, you’ll often find that the “fee” is actually a discounted bundle of your entire vacation experience.

The Real Cost Formula — And Why You’re Probably Doing It Wrong

Most RCI members only look at the all-inclusive fee without factoring in the cost of their points.
But here’s the simple formula that reveals the true price of your stay:

Cost per point = (Total you paid for your timeshare + Annual Administration Fee) ÷ (Total Contratact Point)

Once you know that, you can calculate:

Real cost of week = (Points required × cost per point) + all-inclusive fee

My Example: Bourbon Atibaia + RCI

I own a timeshare at the Bourbon Atibaia Resort in Brazil. Here’s my data:

Purchase: 300,000 points for $6,000
Annual Administration Fee: in my case was 0 (the best Timeshare Vacations Programs do not charge the administration fee)
Cost per point: $6,000 ÷ 300,000 = $0.02 (two cents per point)
RCI conversion: 16,020 Bourbon points = 7 RCI Week points (enough for 1 week at Hard Rock Punta Cana in a standard room)

COST OF THE WEEK (excluding all-inclusive fee)
(16,020 × $0.02) + 326 RCI Exchange Fee = $646.40

So before paying the all-inclusive, my room for the whole week is costing me just $646. That’s already a steal for a Hard Rock resort.

Calculating cost per point for RCI timeshare — example Bourbon Atibaia calculation used to compare Hard Rock Punta Cana

Real Example — Hard Rock Punta Cana

Let’s compare two booking paths for the same week:

1. Booking via RCI

Cost of points: $320.40
RCI Exchange Fee: $326
All-inclusive fee (7 nights, 2 adults + 1 children): $2,541
Total cost: $3187.40

2. Booking direct from the Hard Rock website

Room rate (all-inclusive, same dates): $4,780

Savings:
$4,780 − $2,861.40 = $1,593 saved

That’s nearly 33% cheaper — and we’re talking about the exact same room, same week, same resort.

When RCI All-Inclusive Fees Are Actually High

Of course, not every RCI booking will save you money. There are situations where the math doesn’t work in your favor:

Low-season deals direct from the hotel — Sometimes resorts slash prices for dates with low occupancy.
Mid-tier resorts with premium fees — If you’re paying almost the same all-inclusive fee for a 3-star property as for a 5-star one, it’s not a good deal.
Fixed vacation dates — If you can only travel during periods when the resort’s direct prices are low, you might lose the advantage.

How to Hack RCI All-Inclusive Stays

If you want to consistently beat hotel prices using RCI, here’s the system I follow:

1. Calculate your cost per point first

If you don’t know your number, you’re flying blind. Mine is $0.02 — find yours. Or you can use our CCP Timeshare Vacation Calculator 🖩 below

2. Compare with direct booking rates

Always check the resort’s own website and major OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia before confirming.

3. Focus on luxury resorts

High-end all-inclusive resorts give you the biggest percentage savings because their direct prices are high.

4. Travel when the demand is high

RCI rates are often stable year-round, but direct prices skyrocket during holidays, festivals, or school breaks.

5. Learn the full RCI hacking strategy

I’ve put together a full breakdown of how to maximize your RCI membership beyond just all-inclusive stays — check my guide here: The Ultimate Guide to RCI Travel Hacking.

Common Mistakes That Make RCI All-Inclusive Look Expensive

Ignoring the cost of points in your calculation
Comparing an all-inclusive resort fee to a basic hotel stay
Choosing mid-tier resorts with high fees instead of luxury properties
Not checking seasonal price differences

Aerial view of a large beachfront all-inclusive resort similar to Hard Rock Punta Cana

FAQ – Why are RCI all inclusive fees so high?

Why do RCI all-inclusive fees vary so much?
Because each resort sets its own rates based on included services, brand level, and local taxes.

Is RCI worth it for all-inclusive Caribbean vacations?
If you choose top-tier resorts and travel during high-demand periods, yes — the savings can be significant.

Can I pay the all-inclusive fee with points or miles?
No, this fee is almost always paid in cash directly to the resort at check-in.

How do I know if I’m getting a good deal?
Do the math: (points × cost per point) + all-inclusive fee vs direct booking price. If you’re saving 25% or more, you’re winning.

Final Thoughts

The next time you see a big all-inclusive number on RCI, don’t just say, “Why are RCI all inclusive fees so high? That’s too expansive”
Run the numbers. Check your cost per point. Compare it to the direct booking price.

You might discover that what looked “high” is actually the travel deal of your life.

And who knows? Your next week at the Hard Rock Punta Cana might cost you less than a road trip to a basic city hotel — cocktails, room service, and ocean view included.