When you become a Royal Holiday Vacation Club member, you receive a certain number of Holiday Credits assigned to your account annually. Holiday Credits serve as an internal currency that you can use for hotel bookings at Royal Holiday destinations, including Park Royal Hotels & Resorts, or at the 4,500 developments affiliated with RCI around the world. You can also use them to access the benefits of TravelXtra.
The number of credits assigned to you depends on the membership you have, while the number of credits required for each reservation depends on three important factors: the destination, the type of hotel, and, most importantly, the season in which you decide to travel.
WHAT ARE TRAVEL SEASONS AND WHY ARE THEY RELEVANT?
Travel seasons are the system Royal Holiday Vacation Club uses to organize its vacation calendar according to the travel demand of each destination throughout the year. In simpler terms, not all times of the year require the same number of Holiday Credits. Traveling to Cancun during spring break—when it is one of the most popular times of the year to visit—will require more Holiday Credits than traveling during a regular week in May.
This system aims to reflect the price differences you would find in the traditional travel market while also offering exclusive benefits. Holiday Credits are assigned when you purchase your membership, helping protect members from inflation and price fluctuations throughout the year and across different travel seasons.
The Royal Holiday membership typically divides the year into seasons based on travel demand, from high travel seasons—such as Christmas, New Year’s, spring break, and summer—to low and medium travel seasons, which represent slower travel periods in specific destinations.
Getting familiar with this calendar and planning your vacations well in advance will help you make the most of your membership. Did you know that the sea changes your brain? Here’s why.
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CREDITS: STRATEGIES OF AN EXPERT MEMBER
The golden rule is simple: Try to travel during low or medium travel seasons whenever you can. A three-night vacation in Cancun during the high travel season might require the same number of Holiday Credits as a five-night vacation during the low travel season. Same destination, same hotel, but a different travel season.
This small difference can lead to significant savings over time. Making it a habit to travel during lower-demand seasons can help you maximize your Holiday Credits and significantly improve the value of your vacation.
Another great strategy is to change up your destinations. Choosing a destination with lower demand and fewer crowds can allow you to make your Holiday Credits last longer and potentially extend your vacation. City destinations tend to fluctuate less from season to season than beach destinations, making them great options when you’re looking for a new vacation experience.
SAVE, TRANSFER, AND USE YOUR CREDITS SMARTLY
A great advantage of your Royal Holiday Vacation Club membership is the possibility of carrying over unused credits to the following year or transferring them to RCI to access international destinations outside of the Royal Holiday network.
This type of flexibility is especially useful when you aren’t able to travel during a particular year, as your credits won’t simply be lost immediately. Depending on your plan, it may also be possible to make reservations up to 24 months in advance. Planning ahead can help ensure you have a place to stay, even if you choose to travel during the high travel season.
PLANNING AHEAD OF TIME WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR BEST ALLY
The Royal Holiday Vacation Club membership works best for those who actively want to travel and plan their trips ahead of time. Understanding the different travel seasons, knowing how many Holiday Credits different destinations require, and anticipating your trips by booking in advance are the three main things you need to know if you want to get the most out of your membership.
The system is designed to reward those who plan ahead. Members who travel consistently and book their vacations in advance can make the most of their Holiday Credits and get the best value from their membership.
Still have questions about your membership? Contact your Royal Holiday Vacation Club Holiday Advisor and discover how you can become an expert at using your membership.