Policies and Procedures
Click to Review Each Topic:
| Availability | |
| Cancellation - High Demand | Cancellation - Space "A" |
| Check-in | Cost |
| Eligibility | Membership |
| Registration/Reservations - On-line | Reservations |
| How to Search | Who Can Travel |
You are eligible to participate in the GETO if you are 21 or older and a:
- Current or retired employee of a U.S. or Canadian governmental agency -- Federal, State, County, City, Provincial, Territorial or Municipality
- Government Employee Travel Opportunities (GETO) is an eligibility based Space-A rental program. If you meet the eligibility requirements you may use the program.
- There are no membership applications to fill out, fees or dues to pay or timeshare presentations to attend.
- Prior to using the GETO program or continuing further on the web site, you should review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of these terms.
- You should also become familiar with the policies and procedures listed below before you make your first reservation. Use of the GETO program constitutes acceptance of these policies and procedures.
- You do not need an account number to search for available rentals or in advance of making a reservation. Click Here to review reservation procedures.We want you to make your first reservation by calling the reservation center. This provides an opportunity for one of our vacation guides to review any special rules, conditions or restrictions that a resort might have, as well as resort rental policies that are different than what you find with a conventional hotel rental.
- Once you have completed your first trip and are familiar with the program, you will be better prepared to interpret special conditions and restrictions listed in the Additional Information and Urgent Info paragraphs on resort detail pages.
- OCONUS Personnel: You may use the GETO regardless of where you live. If you cannot access the toll-free number for the reservation center, the direct dial phone number is 317-805-9975. This is not a toll-free number and you will be charged by your phone service provider.
- Account Number by E-mail: You may request a GETO account number via E-mail. Complete all information lines on the E-mail Us page (fax number is optional). In the Question block, let us know that you have reviewed the GETO Policies and Procedures and are requesting an account number. Include your Employer and your spouse's name, if you want them to be listed on the account. No more than two names can be listed on an account. Either individual listed on an account may independently make reservations and complete check-in and check-out at the resort.
- The on-line reservation system is not yet capable of supporting foreign postal addresses.
- Account numbers are not assigned with passwords. To use on-line services, you must register your account number on the web site and set your own password. Click Here for registration instructions.
Cost and Limits
- Space-A Rental rates:
The Space-A reservation fee (rental cost) is a flat rate of $329* USD per week for the unit, regardless of unit size, unit occupancy, unit
configuration, date, or location. Your credit card will be charged at
the time of confirmation.
- High-Demand Resort Rentals:
These are NON-SPACE-A commercial rental specials for GETO eligible personnel. Rates vary by unit size, resort location and date of travel. For more information on High-Demand Resort Rentals Click Here . Please Note: the price listed on the High Demand Resort Rental Search Engine is in US Dollars only. Please call 1-877-867-3639 for the Canadian price.- What is included:
Reservation fees are for 7 nights lodging only.- What is NOT included:
Travel expenses, vacation/trip insurance, local taxes, meals, security deposits, telephone calls and fees charged by the resort for optional amenities or services (jet ski rental, lift tickets, camel rides. etc). You are responsible for arranging your own transportation. These are not vacation packages.- Usage Limits:
There are no limits on the number of times you may access the program for personal use. Units reserved through the GETO may not be brokered, bartered, sold or rented to a third party. For information on Guest Certificates and Resort Vacation Certificates Click Here .- Rental Limits:
You can reserve as many Space-A units as you desire, based on availability, for $329* USD per unit. Some resorts may impose their own limits on multiple unit and consecutive week occupancy.- Size of traveling party:
You may travel alone, with family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, strangers or any combination thereof, up to the maximum occupancy of the unit you reserved. Maximum occupancy limits are typically 2, 4, or 6 persons. A rare find might hold up to 8 or even 10. EVERYONE in your group counts as an occupant; adults and children of any age, including toddlers and infants. Maximum occupancy ratings are determined in accordance with local regulations, zoning restrictions and fire codes, not just the number of beds and sleeping configuration. Waivers and exceptions cannot be granted by GETO, RCI, or the resort. At many resorts, there are financial penalties for exceeding maximum occupancy and your stay may be terminated. Maximum occupancy ratings are listed on the web site with each resort and will be reviewed by the reservation center prior to confirming a vacation.- Maximum vs. Privacy ratings:
The meaning of Maximum Occupancy is fairly self-explanatory. The Privacy rating indicates the number of people that can be accommodated in such a manner that the occupants of each sleeping area have access to a bathroom without passing through another sleeping area.- Deposits:
Most resorts require a refundable security deposit at check-in, even from owners at the resort. The preferred method for making security deposits is with a credit card, just like checking into a hotel. When you call the reservation center, a vacation guide can tell you the amount of the deposit required by the particular resort you are reserving. If you are use the web site to search for available rentals, the security deposit is addressed in the "Additional Information" paragraph on the resort details page.- All-Inclusive Resorts:
While there is frequently inventory available in Cancun, Cozumel and the Caribbean, many of the resorts are "all-inclusive" properties. "All-inclusive" means that the resort provides all meals, beverages (alcohol included), entertainment and some day-trips for sightseeing, but they charge an extra fee per person or per unit (based on double occupancy). All-inclusive programs are usually a matter of logistics. Many all-inclusive resorts are in relatively isolated areas and may have limited access to potable water, grocery/food stores and restaurants. Click Here to review a list of resorts that have either mandatory or optional all-inclusive programs and fees. If you use the web site to search for available rentals, the all-inclusive fee is addressed in the "Additional Information" paragraph on the resort details page. We have no control over "all-inclusive" fees. If the fee is more than you want to pay, simply look for a different property.
AVAILABILITY IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING!!!
- Resort owners and RCI exchange members have priority for use of resorts inventory. Only inventory in excess of owner and exchange requirements is made available for GETO Space-A rentals. Unused or excess inventory is more prevalent during off-season periods and shortly before check-in dates. This is when you can expect to find the most Space-A rental opportunities.
- During off-season periods, some resort and area amenities may not be available.
- Space-A rentals are not normally available during most U.S. holiday weeks, "spring break" weeks, and peak demand summer weeks or winter ski weeks. High Demand commercial rentals are more frequently available during these times, but at higher rates.
- For travel during peak season or to locations with year-round high owner occupancy rates, the Space-A rental program works well as a "last-minute" vacation planner. You are more likely to find a Space-A rental within 14 days of check-in. This is when unreserved units and owner cancellations may be opened for Space-A use.
- Condominium rentals available through GETO are in
one-week increments with established dates for check-in and check-out. That
does not mean that you have to stay the entire seven days. If the available
week runs from Friday to Friday, you can check in on Saturday (Sunday or
Monday), but you still have to check out the following Friday. If you cannot
stay the entire period, you can also check out early. Your reservation
confirmation will run from the established check-in/check-out period for the
resort (i.e. Friday to Friday). If you will be arriving after normal check-in
hours or on a later day, you must call the resort and let them know your
actual arrival date. At smaller resorts, the staff may need to make special
arrangements to meet you for check-in. Regardless of whether or not you check-
in late, or check-out early, you still pay the full weekly reservation fee.
Rates will not be prorated for unused days, regardless of the circumstances.
- FINDING AVAILABLE RENTALS:
The GETO web site includes a search engine that allows you to specify dates and locations for available vacation rentals. Pictures of the resort and details of the on-site amenities and nearby attractions are provided on the resort details page, along with special instructions, conditions or restrictions that you should be aware of before making a reservation. There are two (2) search engines: one for locating Space-A rentals and one for High-Demand Resort rentals. Please make sure you use the appropriate engine. You will not find the $329(US) or $352(CD) Space-A rental rate when using the High-Demand search engine. - The Space-A and High-Demand search engines access the inventory control system in real-time. Inventory changes are immediately reflected in the next search results. Search results do not automatically update – you must run another search. Search results will include all parameters you used that are available and is updated continuously. If you do not find what you are looking for, it was not available at the time you did the search. That could change later in the day, overnight, next week, or next month. If a unit was on Hold, it may be released at any time. If you are looking for peak season, search results may not improve for weeks. If a unit or week was there an hour ago and gone now, someone probably beat you to it. There are no locations or units in reserve.
- With the search engines now on the web site, you can see the same search results as the vacation guides do at the reservation center. Your search results may not exactly match someone else’s, but that is because the pool of available inventory is constantly changing as units move in and out of hold status and reservations are cancelled.
- REMEMBER: During peak seasons and in high demand locations, the chances of finding a Space-A unit are best 7 to 14 days prior to check-in.
- RESORT QUICK SEARCH: Takes only 3 clicks - one for the desired month, one for the region and one to Search. Searching by month and a large region offers the greatest chance of locating available rentals, especially at high demand locations and during peak travel periods. When the Search Results page appears, click on the name or picture of a resort to view the resort details page. The regions listed on Quick Search were defined to support owner exchange and do not follow traditional geo-political boundaries. Review the Region Index to check which states or countries are included in a region. An off-season search could return a large number of resorts. Use the "Sort by" box at the top right of the page to change the order in which the available resorts are displayed. If the list of available resorts is extremely large, you can narrow the criteria with Full Search.
- FULL SEARCH: Select a beginning (From) and ending
(To) date to define a time window of not less than 3 days, but not more than
10 weeks. You can define the location to search with the Location menu or by
zip code. Use your home zip code and search distance for locate drive-to
rentals. Visiting the in-laws? Use their zip code to search for
accommodations within a desired radius. You cannot search by Zip code and
Location at the same time; select only one method for your search. Click on
the name or picture of a resort to view the resort details page.
- INSIDER'S TIP
: Scroll to the bottom the Full Search Location pull-down menu to search by activity. - SEARCH BY TELEPHONE: You may call the reservation center and a vacation guide will assist you in locating available rental opportunities.
- Click Here for tips on how to search and plan for travel during peak season and at high demand destinations.
- Search Sessions are Timed: To ensure equitable access, individual user search sessions are timed from initial access to either the Space-A or High-Demand search pages. If you do not initiate an action or command that requires your PC browser to contact the web site and RCI system for 20 minutes, your user session is terminated to allow use of the channel by another user.
- > To track and time individual user sessions, the web site must be able to communicate with your PC browser via a ‘cookie’. Only a single session tracking ID code and time stamp is placed on the cookie. We do not data mine or implant reactivation or callback programs. If your security settings preclude placement of a cookie, the user tracking system does not detect a current ID code or time stamp for your session, which is interpreted as you having left the web site. Your session is then terminated and the channel is made available to another user.
- To initiate a new search session, you will have to leave and re-enter the search engine, possibly the G.E.T.O. web site, depending upon the browser version and security settings you use. Some reset quickly, others will continue to release the same time information to the RCI system, making it appear that you are still on the same timed-out session. In extreme cases, you may need to delete Internet Temp files, delete active cache memory, or even close and re-start your Internet browser.
- Be Flexible and Think Big! The larger your time window and the location, the greater your chances of finding available rentals. If you search for a specific date and location, you are less likely to find an available unit. Your likelihood of a successful booking is much less than if you begin with a willingness to consider alternative resorts and dates.
- HOW NOT TO SEARCH: Do not email requests for specific dates or locations. No matter how much we would like to create special honeymoon memories, reunite families, or facilitate Grandma's first trip to the ocean or Europe, we simply cannot create availability. Nor can we maintain a Waiting List or Wish List and call you if something does become available. Unfortunately, we are not resourced to be a full-service travel agency. Rentals are available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. The search engine shows you everything that is available at the time you press the search button
Selecting a Unit
- Use one of the search options to get a list of available resorts. Click on the name or picture of a resort that you are interested in. This will display the resort details page with larger pictures, a list of available unit and dates, description of the resort, directions, additional information and urgent info.
- To see a detailed list of on-site and nearby amenities, click on the word "Amenities", in red below the list of available units and dates.
- Select a unit and check-in date.
- Check the maximum occupancy of the unit. Will it accommodate everyone that will be traveling?
- Read the Additional Information and Urgent Info. Are there any special conditions, such as construction or remodeling that are unacceptable? Is there a mandatory all-inclusive fee and is it acceptable? Any restrictions on security deposit, such as no credit cards, only credit cards, local currency only? Does the resort charge any special service or utility fees? This is very common in the Bahamas and most states in Mexico have an occupancy tax and a departure or visitors fee.
- When you reserve a unit, you are agreeing to any special conditions, restrictions or fees. Make sure you read and understand this information. If you have any questions, call the reservation center and a vacation guide will assist you.
- All you need to make a reservation is your G.E.T.O. Account Number (7134-xxxxx for US and 7082-xxxxx for Canadian), the toll-free number (1-877-867-3639), a credit card number, an idea of when and where you want to go and the desire to get away, relax and have fun!
- Have the following information ready you when you
call the reservation center to start the reservation process:
- Your Name __________________________
- How many people are traveling with you _____
- Your Employer _________________________
- Your Eligibility Number________________
- Where do you want to take your vacation?
- When do you want to take your vacation?
- Your Credit Card Number _____________
- Call the Reservation Center at 1-877-867-3639. The hours of operation are: Monday - Friday 7 a.m. to 12 midnight, Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern).
- If you cannot dial the "800" number from your location, you can dial the Reservation Center direct at 1-317-805-9975. This is not a toll-free number and you will be charged for the call by your long distance carrier.
- When a vacation guide answers, they will ask for your
account number. If this is your first call, tell them you are a "first-time
GETO caller". The vacation guide will take your name, address, telephone
number, GETO Eligibility Number and assist with making your reservation. At
the end of the call, even if you do not complete a reservation, the guide will
assign you an account number for future use.
- Account numbers are not assigned with passwords. To use on-line services, you must register your account number on the web site and set your own password. Click Here for registration instructions.
- The vacation guide will provide you with more information about specific unit availability for the resort and the dates you located. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. If the unit you saw has already been reserved, the guide can assist with locating alternatives in the same area. Once you have a resort, date and unit type selected, provide your credit card number to reserve your vacation. (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express). Your credit card will be charged at the time of confirmation.
- Reservation services are provided by RCI (Resort Condominiums International). RCI will process your reservation to the resort as an "RCI Confirmation."
- Once your vacation is confirmed it is yours. Unlike Space-A air travel -- you cannot be bumped by anyone!!
- If you make a reservation more than 21 days in advance, you have 24 hours to cancel without paying a cancellation fee. Within 21 days, there is no grace period for cancellations ( Click Here to review cancellation policies). After the 24-hour grace period, RCI will send you a written confirmation letter via First Class US Mail. If you are confirming a reservation within 3 or 4 days of the check-in date, we recommend that you request a copy of the confirmation letter be sent to you via fax.
- > Please review
Terms of
Use
prior to making your first reservation and periodically
thereafter. Use of GETO constitutes acceptance of these terms.
- Please do not send e-mail requests for reservations. Reservations can only be made on-line through the web site or by calling the reservation center.
- Please Note: At this time, Candian members cannot make reservations on-line.
- After you make your first reservation via the call center and have an account number, you have the option to use the on-line Hold and Confirmation services.
- You can search for availability without logging-in,
but you must log-in before you can Hold or Confirm a unit on-line. Click on
"Log-in" at the top left of the Space-A or High-Demand search
pages.
- Passwords are not issued when you receive an account number. To use on-line services, you must register your account number on the web site and set your own password.
- You must register your account number on the web site before you can log-in. To register on the web site, click on "Log-in" at the top of a search page. Look beneath the account number and password box and click on "First Time Here" (in theory, this is the "first time" you attempt to log-in).
- Enter the requested information and submit. This is a security function and the information must match that on your account. If you gave "Robert" as your first name when the account was opened, don't use "Bob". If you moved since the account was opened and you have not updated your address, use the zip code where you lived when the account was opened. If the web site cannot match the information to your account, use the E-mail Us page to contact us for assistance.
- When the information matches, an account information page will open. Enter your E-mail address and double check to make sure it is correct. Then set a password and select and answer a security question and submit. Your account is now registered on the web site.
- Should you forget your password, use the "forgot password" link on the Log-in page. The system will prompt you with the security question you selected. Answer it correctly and your password will be E-mailed to you. You will also be admitted to your on-line account record, where you have the option to set a new password.
- If neither your password nor security question work, use the E-mail Us page to contact us for assistance.
- When you make a reservation on-line, your confirmation letter will be sent to you by return E-mail rather than surface mail. This makes it vital that you keep the email address in your account information current. Only you can modify this information. Security restrictions do not permit us access to your on-line account information, so we cannot update it for you.
- When you see a date and unit you want to reserve on-line, select it by clicking on the empty bullet to the left of the unit type. Go to the bottom of the page and click on "Confirm this unit." If you are logged in, the reservation screen will appear, with the week, unit, and resort you selected at the top of the page. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to reserve (confirm) the unit.
- If you are not logged in when you locate that highly prized week in Key
West or on the Las Vegas Strip, all is not lost. Select the unit and week and
click "Confirm this unit" at the bottom of the page. In initiating the
reservation process, the system places the designated unit and week in
suspension and begins to compile the reservation form. It will detect that you
are not logged in and instruct you to do so by displaying a Log-in page. The
selected unit and week will remain in suspension while you log-in and the
information will appear at the top of the reservation page. Simply follow the
on-screen instructions to reserve (confirm) the unit. If you do not
successfully log-in,
the unit and week
will be released back into the availability pool.
- Please Note:
When the reservation process begins, the unit and week you selected is placed in a suspended status and will no longer show as available on any subsequent searches. You will have 20 minutes to complete the reservation process, so have your eligibility number and credit card information ready. After 20 minutes, your session will time-out and the suspended unit and week will be released back into the availability pool. While you initiate a new search session, someone else may find and reserve the unit and week you wanted.
- Take the RCI Confirmation Letter (or E-mail) with you to the resort. Not all resorts will ask to see your confirmation letter (sometimes called an Exchange Confirmation or Exchange Guest Certificate), but be prepared to show it.
- You will be required to present proof of identity at check-in. If the resort uses an automated reservation system, they probably will not ask for your Confirmation Letter, but they will need to see ID. Any government issued photo ID is acceptable: State ID card, driver’s license, or passport.
- In the unlikely event that you experience a problem during check-in at the resort, immediately call the RCI Support staff at 1-877-867-3639. RCI processed your reservation and they will assist you with resolving any problem that might occur.
- Assignment of individual units, unit maintenance, and staff performance are the responsibility of resort management, not RCI. Problems in these areas should be addressed to the Front Desk or General Manager at the resort.
- Once your check-in date arrives, there will be NO refund or substitution if accommodations become unavailable or you are unable to travel due to personal illness, natural disaster, transportation or labor strike, civil unrest or other events beyond the reasonable control of G.E.T.O. Click Here for information on travel/vacation insurance providers, policies and costs.
- You may travel alone or with friends or family (any age), up to the maximum occupancy of the unit you reserved. Maximum occupancy will range from 2 to 6 adults/children (a rare find might hold up to 8). Maximum occupancies are listed on the web site with each resort and will be reviewed by the vacation counselor prior to confirming a vacation.
- If you need handicap accessible facilities, because needs vary greatly and all resort facilities are different, once you chose your resort destination and BEFORE you book your trip, call the resort directly. Describe your needs to them and they can tell you if they can accommodate you.
- Vacations confirmed in your name may be transferred to another traveler by calling the reservation center and purchasing a Guest Certificate $59.00 (US) $65.00 (CD). The person in whose name the reservation is made must check into the resort and must be at least 21 years old. Click Here for more information on Guest Certificates.
- If you are using the on-line reservation system, you may place the reservation in another person’s name by clicking on the "Add Traveler" link. Behind the scenes, this process generates a Guest Certificate in the name of the traveler. However, when done on-line you will not be charged the $59.00(US) $65.00(CD) fee. The "Add Traveler" process must be done at the time the reservation page is completed and submitted. Once submitted a Guest Certificate can only be completed by the reservation center and you will have to pay the $59.00(US) $65.00(CD) fee.
- Your friends or family may travel without you through the use of a Resort Vacation Certificate (RVC). The RVC is a pre-paid certificate that is gifted to an otherwise non-eligible person. Click Here to learn more about RVC’s.
- Pet Policy
Cancellation – Space-A Rental Policy
- If a confirmation is cancelled sixty-one (61) days or more prior to the check-in date, the cancellation fee is thirty percent (30%) of the total rental fee.
- If a confirmation is cancelled between fifteen (15) and sixty (60) days prior to the check-in date, the cancellation fee is fifty percent (50%) of the total rental fee.
- If a confirmation is cancelled fourteen (14) days or less prior to the check-in date, no refund will be made of any part of the rental fee.
- For protection against possible loss of your reservation fee under the above circumstances, we recommend that you consider purchasing travel or vacation insurance. Click Here for information on travel/vacation insurance providers, policies, and costs.
- If you find that you cannot travel and know someone who would like to take the trip, rather than losing any of your fee, you have the option of transferring the vacation to another person's name for only $59.00 USD. Click Here to learn more about this option known as a Guest Certificate
- Resort Vacation Certificates (RVCs) cannot be refunded or transferred once a reservation is made. Click Here for details on RVC policies.
Cancellation -- High Demand Rental Policy
- High Demand Resort Rentals are commercial rental inventory that is acquired through a different process than Space-A inventory. GETO/RCI must pay a higher fee to resorts when High-Demand rentals are cancelled. These higher fees can no longer be absorbed as general overhead costs and must be passed directly to the renter.
- If a confirmation is cancelled sixty-one (61) days or more prior to the check-in date, the cancellation fee is thirty percent (30%) of the total rental fee.
- If a confirmation is cancelled between fifteen (15) and sixty (60) days prior to the check-in date, the cancellation fee is fifty percent (50%) of the total rental fee.
- If a confirmation is cancelled fourteen (14) days or less prior to the check-in date, no refund will be made of any part of the rental fee.
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*Taxes are additional. Destinations and travel times are subject to availability and confirmed on a first come, first served basis. Offer includes only accommodations and specifically excludes travel costs and other expenses that may be incurred. Mexico resorts may charge a mandatory all-inclusive fee. See website resort pages or ask your G.E.T.O vacation guide for details. Promotional discounts may not apply to all properties. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, or coupon. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited by law.
Resort Rental, LLC, 7 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054
© 2008 Resort Rental, LLC. All Rights Reserved.