OFF TOPIC....HGVC Any thoughts?

[Jitzy]

Anyone out there have HGVC? We signed a contract with them, but are not sure now that we have had more time to read the fine print.

If anyone has anything they really like about it, please let us know!

 

[2disneydads]

We're members in HGVC as well and are pretty happy with our purchases. The HGVC system is pretty easy to use and I've generally been able to get any exchange I have wanted at the 9-month window (when the Club reservations period opens). The only reservation that I could not get was a 2-bedroom in Oahu in mid-August. We've used our HGVC points for cruises, too. We own in Kona and Las Vegas, although with HGVC where you own is less important because most people seem to trade through the Club. Let me know if you have any other questions. We do wish HGVC would build in a wider variety of places, but the business model seems to be to focus on high demand locations.

The resorts, generally, are very nice. Some of the newer resorts, such as Parc Soleil in Orlando, Kings Land in Kona and The Grand Waikikian, are really first rate, high quality resorts. The amenities are very well done. We like HGVC a lot.

 

[littlestar]

HGVC (Hilton Grand Vacation Club) is a nice club. But I'd buy resale and save thousands. Take a look at the Hilton board over at tug:

http://tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=52

 

[Jitzy]

I've been concerned about the red/gold week thing. We were told that didn't matter so much. It just seems that what we were told is somewhat different from what was in the midst of all that paperwork.

The price is also a concern. $12,994 for 5,000 points every other year. We did wonder if we could purchase for less resale. But I will say that HGVC Tuscany is cheaper now than it was when we looked at purchasing years ago. Do you think that the resorts are selling contracts that have been delinquent?

I'm going to go check out TUG. Do you have to be a member on their website?

Jennifer

 

[chalee94]

It just seems that what we were told is somewhat different from what was in the midst of all that paperwork.

that's very common unfortunately.

i own 2 timeshares but that is part of why i have never gone to a sales presentation.

The price is also a concern. $12,994 for 5,000 points every other year. We did wonder if we could purchase for less resale.

check out ebay for some resale prices. if you needed to sell, you'd have a tough time getting 1/5 of what you paid back...

all the TUG people will tell you to rescind immediately. read your paperwork and follow the instructions to the letter.

But I will say that HGVC Tuscany is cheaper now than it was when we looked at purchasing years ago. Do you think that the resorts are selling contracts that have been delinquent?

real estate prices have gone down everywhere. they probably also do have more foreclosures to resell as you suggest.

I'm going to go check out TUG. Do you have to be a member on their website?

you have to register to post but you don't have to pay for membership.

but IMO, it's worth it to pay their annual fee if you really want to learn about owning a timeshare.

 

[dvc_john]

Definitely look at resale. That's way too much for a 2br EOY. You could get a 2br EY for much less.

The only difference (other than what you pay) between resale or developer sale is that the points don't qualify for elite status. While elite status is nice (I have lowest level elite status), the general concensus is that it's not worth the money you'd save by buying resale. Also you need over 12000 points EY to qualify for lowest level elite status).

The main HGVC resorts are in Orlando, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. They also have resorts in South Beach and NYC (although the NYC property work under different reservation rules.)

All in all, I'm very please with HGVC. I just returned from 3 weeks in Hawaii, with 1 week at HGVC Waikiki and 1 week at HGVC Kingsland Waikoloa (Kona).

 

[littlestar]

Check this auction out on Ebay. It's an odd year Orlando International drive Hilton auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HGVC-Internatio...Timeshares&hash=item2a0a81e600#ht_9471wt_1141

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

The price is also a concern. $12,994 for 5,000 points every other year. We did wonder if we could purchase for less resale. But I will say that HGVC Tuscany is cheaper now than it was when we looked at purchasing years ago. Do you think that the resorts are selling contracts that have been delinquent?
Jennifer

Wow!!! At The Timeshare Store, Inc.® we recently sold a 5,000 every year membership at Hilton at Sea World for $7,000.

Jason

 

[got4boys]

When purchasing 5000 points, look at the bedroom size. You may want to buy on the resale market for a 1 bedroom platinum (4800 points) every other year versus the 2 bedroom gold (5000 points) every other year. The maintenance fees at Hilton Grand Vacation Club are based of bedroom sizes. For example, the maintenance fees are the same for a 2 bedroom gold (5000 points) and 2 bedroom platinum (7000).

Points are points unless you definitely want a 2 bedroom in gold season then you get priority for Home Week Reservation. It is easy to get Orlando at the 9 month mark.

Peggy

 

[Jitzy]

It just seems that what we were told is somewhat different from what was in the midst of all that paperwork.

that's very common unfortunately.

i own 2 timeshares but that is part of why i have never gone to a sales presentation.

The price is also a concern. $12,994 for 5,000 points every other year. We did wonder if we could purchase for less resale.

check out ebay for some resale prices. if you needed to sell, you'd have a tough time getting 1/5 of what you paid back...

all the TUG people will tell you to rescind immediately. read your paperwork and follow the instructions to the letter.

But I will say that HGVC Tuscany is cheaper now than it was when we looked at purchasing years ago. Do you think that the resorts are selling contracts that have been delinquent?

real estate prices have gone down everywhere. they probably also do have more foreclosures to resell as you suggest.

I'm going to go check out TUG. Do you have to be a member on their website?

you have to register to post but you don't have to pay for membership.

but IMO, it's worth it to pay their annual fee if you really want to learn about owning a timeshare.

We are rescinding!!!

Definitely look at resale. That's way too much for a 2br EOY. You could get a 2br EY for much less.

The only difference (other than what you pay) between resale or developer sale is that the points don't qualify for elite status. While elite status is nice (I have lowest level elite status), the general concensus is that it's not worth the money you'd save by buying resale. Also you need over 12000 points EY to qualify for lowest level elite status).

The main HGVC resorts are in Orlando, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. They also have resorts in South Beach and NYC (although the NYC property work under different reservation rules.)

All in all, I'm very please with HGVC. I just returned from 3 weeks in Hawaii, with 1 week at HGVC Waikiki and 1 week at HGVC Kingsland Waikoloa (Kona).

WOW! So jealous!!! We are going to check out those resorts. Which one would you recommend purchasing, if we have choices, of course?!

Check this auction out on Ebay. It's an odd year Orlando International drive Hilton auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/HGVC-Internatio...Timeshares&hash=item2a0a81e600#ht_9471wt_1141

I followed that link. That's amazing! But what about ROFR? Any suggestions on minimum bid for that?

Wow!!! At The Timeshare Store, Inc.® we recently sold a 5,000 every year membership at Hilton at Sea World for $7,000.

Jason

We are now in the market for HGVC.

When purchasing 5000 points, look at the bedroom size. You may want to buy on the resale market for a 1 bedroom platinum (4800 points) every other year versus the 2 bedroom gold (5000 points) every other year. The maintenance fees at Hilton Grand Vacation Club are based of bedroom sizes. For example, the maintenance fees are the same for a 2 bedroom gold (5000 points) and 2 bedroom platinum (7000).

Points are points unless you definitely want a 2 bedroom in gold season then you get priority for Home Week Reservation. It is easy to get Orlando at the 9 month mark.

Peggy

We never thought of that...I wish there was a smiley with a lightbulb! Thanks

 

[Jitzy]

5,000 points during a gold season, can they be used during a platinum season?

The guide said that those seasons/weeks really don't matter, that we should disregard. Is that true?

For Example: If we buy 5,000 points and want to use them at our home resort which requires we use all our points for that week if we make the reservation during the 12-9 month mark, can we get a 2 bedroom any time of year for those 5,000 points?

Thanks...

 

[got4boys]

5,000 points during a gold season, can they be used during a platinum season?

The guide said that those seasons/weeks really don't matter, that we should disregard. Is that true?

For Example: If we buy 5,000 points and want to use them at our home resort which requires we use all our points for that week if we make the reservation during the 12-9 month mark, can we get a 2 bedroom any time of year for those 5,000 points?

Thanks...

Yes, the gold season can be used for the platinum season at the 9 month mark (CLUB RESERVATIONS).

Since you are buying in Orlando, it is easy to get into HGVClub International Drive at 9 months, at any season - even week after Christmas and Spring Break - Just needs enough points and planning. The only catch is that you will have to pay $49 reservation fee if you buy a 2 bedroom gold (at International Drive - Week 1-5, 16-23, 33-50) if you do not book a 2 bedroom for a whole week during gold season (HOME WEEK RESERVATIONS). This even applies to booking less than 7 days. In the 10+ years that I have owned with HGV Club, I have never booked a week at my home resort in the season that I own.

 

[chalee94]

rescinding is a good decision - again, follow the requirements to the letter.

IMO, take a month or so to research your purchase online. hang out on the hgvc boards on TUG and look up old threads there to see what hgvc owners like and don't like and consider how the hgvc system will work in your case - what is easy to reserve and difficult - how early do you usually need to book at which resorts - what aspects of the hgvc system came as a surprise to the owners after owning for a few years?

i'm sure the TUGers also know whether hgvc is ROFRing much of anything at this point... most of the developers (DVC included) have hit a bit of a cash crunch in the recession and have slowed ROFR considerably or stopped altogether.

TUG also has an area that discusses buying from certain ebay sellers - including some ratings - and how to ask good questions and understand what you are buying. (for example, when i bid on a (non-hgvc) timeshare on ebay, the seller told me that resort didn't trade through II but TUGers - like littlestar, i believe - gave me better information.)

but the market is down and lots of owners will be looking to get out of their annual dues - usually due in january - by selling in nov and dec. no need to hurry...

 

[dvc_john]

5,000 points during a gold season, can they be used during a platinum season?

For Example: If we buy 5,000 points and want to use them at our home resort which requires we use all our points for that week if we make the reservation during the 12-9 month mark, can we get a 2 bedroom any time of year for those 5,000 points?

As mentioned above, yes, points can be used in any season at the 9 month mark. But of course, you couldn't get a full week in a 2-br in platinum season for 5000 points. You'd have to borrow, or else stay fewer days.

DVC used to be point heavy for weekends, and lighter for weekdays. Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt still are top heavy for weekends. A Fri, Sat, or Sun at HGVC is twice as many points as a Mon, Tue, Wed, or Thurs. So, if you stayed in a 2br in gold season, and skipped 1 weekend night, it would only be 4000 points. Skip 2 weekend nights, and it would only be 3000 points. Stay just the 4 weekday nights, and it would only 2000 points.

 

[JimMIA]

you have to register to post but you don't have to pay for membership.

but IMO, it's worth it to pay their annual fee if you really want to learn about owning a timeshare.

I certainly don't consider myself a TUG expert, but my understanding is different.

I think you can access some forums -- AND post to them -- without being a TUG member. I know I posted to the Wyndham forum before I became a member. But you cannot access ALL of TUG without joining.

The membership is $15 per year, and IMHO is a bargain.

 

[Jitzy]

rescinding is a good decision - again, follow the requirements to the letter.

IMO, take a month or so to research your purchase online. hang out on the hgvc boards on TUG and look up old threads there to see what hgvc owners like and don't like and consider how the hgvc system will work in your case - what is easy to reserve and difficult - how early do you usually need to book at which resorts - what aspects of the hgvc system came as a surprise to the owners after owning for a few years?

i'm sure the TUGers also know whether hgvc is ROFRing much of anything at this point... most of the developers (DVC included) have hit a bit of a cash crunch in the recession and have slowed ROFR considerably or stopped altogether.

TUG also has an area that discusses buying from certain ebay sellers - including some ratings - and how to ask good questions and understand what you are buying. (for example, when i bid on a (non-hgvc) timeshare on ebay, the seller told me that resort didn't trade through II but TUGers - like littlestar, i believe - gave me better information.)

but the market is down and lots of owners will be looking to get out of their annual dues - usually due in january - by selling in nov and dec. no need to hurry...

We'll take more time. The e-bay listings are very interesting. If something seems to good to be true, then it probably is. Why would anyone start the bids so low? You make a great point about the annual dues.

As mentioned above, yes, points can be used in any season at the 9 month mark. But of course, you couldn't get a full week in a 2-br in platinum season for 5000 points. You'd have to borrow, or else stay fewer days.

DVC used to be point heavy for weekends, and lighter for weekdays. Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt still are top heavy for weekends. A Fri, Sat, or Sun at HGVC is twice as many points as a Mon, Tue, Wed, or Thurs. So, if you stayed in a 2br in gold season, and skipped 1 weekend night, it would only be 4000 points. Skip 2 weekend nights, and it would only be 3000 points. Stay just the 4 weekday nights, and it would only 2000 points.

So glad that DVC doesn't count Sunday as a weekend night!

 

[Jitzy]

We are considering the Sea World Property. Seven thousand points for $8,000. Much better than 12,994 for five thousand points every other year! Thanks for the help and advice!!!

Just because I'm curious, how many people really don't reserve from the 12-9 month mark their home week. What is the "most difficult" resort to book and would you buy that one?

One of the PPs mentioned that it wasn't difficult to book HGVC International Drive even during the holiday/spring break season. We won't go to Hawaii every year, but over on the TUG board they say it is getting more difficult to get a reservation. Something about selling the resorts while they are being built and giving the buyers their points which impacts availability.

 

[got4boys]

We are considering the Sea World Property. Seven thousand points for $8,000. Much better than 12,994 for five thousand points every other year! Thanks for the help and advice!!!

Just because I'm curious, how many people really don't reserve from the 12-9 month mark their home week. What is the "most difficult" resort to book and would you buy that one?

One of the PPs mentioned that it wasn't difficult to book HGVC International Drive even during the holiday/spring break season. We won't go to Hawaii every year, but over on the TUG board they say it is getting more difficult to get a reservation. Something about selling the resorts while they are being built and giving the buyers their points which impacts availability.

Good Luck! Hawaii was the toughest to book at the 9 month mark....but luck has it, it opened up on Open Season (30 days before) and I got a 2 bedroom for Martin Luther King weekend for $100 for weekday and $120 on weekend.

 

[Jitzy]

Good Luck! Hawaii was the toughest to book at the 9 month mark....but luck has it, it opened up on Open Season (30 days before) and I got a 2 bedroom for Martin Luther King weekend for $100 for weekday and $120 on weekend.

That's an amazing rate! The open season benefits appeal to us. How often have you used that privilege?

 

[dvc_john]

Just because I'm curious, how many people really don't reserve from the 12-9 month mark their home week. What is the "most difficult" resort to book and would you buy that one?

One of the PPs mentioned that it wasn't difficult to book HGVC International Drive even during the holiday/spring break season. We won't go to Hawaii every year, but over on the TUG board they say it is getting more difficult to get a reservation. Something about selling the resorts while they are being built and giving the buyers their points which impacts availability.

I only book at the 12 month window for my Hawaii week. Partly to be sure I get what I want, and partly to make airline arrangements if using frequent flyer miles.

The part about selling resorts while being built in Hawaii isn't so much an issue right now since both Grand Waikikian and Kingsland are now both open. However those 2 resorts have higher point requirements than all the others (except NYC), so there is some speculation that owners of those resorts will book the other Hawaii resorts to save on points and/or have longer stays. And that will make booking the other resorts more difficult. I booked Lagoon tower (where I own) at 12 months, then booked Grand Waikikian and Kingsland at 9 months to try them out, and had no problem.