Open seasons for those units in Big Island

[hgvcowner9]

Dear fellow HGVC members,

I started planning vacation in 2019 and need your insights/expert opinions. My family would like to do 2 islands in Hawaii, Oahu and Big Island. Booking Oahu is no question - book ahead of time. I have done it 2 times for Oahu and it was successful. My question is Big Island - it looks like they always have units available for open seasons. Do you think my chance is high to get the units in Big Island during open season? I have little points, 5,000 annual and we are a family of 6. Meaning I can save and borrow points to book 2 bedroom units in Oahu for all of us if I book ahead. And after I do that, I am thinking of kind of gambling with Big Island - wait until open season and book whatever is available. We are not too picky people and whatever available units in any properties work.

What do you think? Would it be too risky?

A.

 

[GregT]

I would not count on open season. Although it is there, it is very risky to assume there will be seven consecutive days available. And you need to commit to air fare well in advance.

You may need to use RCI for the big Island week. Perhaps deposit 2017 points in RCI, and use 2018 in 2019 for Oahu.

I think you have a better chance of that working. Does that make sense? Thank you

Best,

Greg

 

[rfc0001]

Assuming the point requirement for KL and Oahu are similar, I would book KL with current year points first, then book Oahu with borrowed points. That way, if there is still KL availability at 31 days, you can cancel your club season reservation and bank the points, then book KL cash at 30 days.

 

[bagabonz]

I have booked Bay Club Waikoloa open season a few years ago. It will largely depend on the time of year.

 

[GT75]

That way, if there is still KL availability at 31 days, you can cancel your club season reservation and bank the points, then book KL cash at 30 days.

I don't think that will work because the Club Rules state:
Reservations booked with ClubPoints or Bonus Points and later canceled cannot be rebooked into the same resort for the same time period using Open Season rental rates. The Resort Reservation Cancellation Chart further illustrates the Club cancellation policy.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Ironically I think the few weeks a year that are GOLD season in Hawaii, May and Sept/Oct-ish, are actually booked up more than some other weeks. I think people are trying to stretch their points and travel in the slightly lower Gold season.

Holiday weeks 51 and 52 and 1 are often the busiest weeks.

 

[alwysonvac]

Ironically I think the few weeks a year that are GOLD season in Hawaii, May and Sept/Oct-ish, are actually booked up more than some other weeks. I think people are trying to stretch their points and travel in the slightly lower Gold season.

Holiday weeks 51 and 52 and 1 are often the busiest weeks.

Yes, I agree Gold Season has become very competitive.

 

[alwysonvac]

I don't think that will work because the Club Rules state:
Reservations booked with ClubPoints or Bonus Points and later canceled cannot be rebooked into the same resort for the same time period using Open Season rental rates. The Resort Reservation Cancellation Chart further illustrates the Club cancellation policy.

It works when you use the changeable reservation option to move the reservation outside of the cancellation window.
See this thread for additional details - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/avoiding-cancellation-penalty.254246/

 

[alwysonvac]

Yes, you can use three years of points for your 2019 reservation (save 2018, 2019 and borrowed 2020) for 15,000 points.

Depending on the time of year you're planning to travel, you may be able to get Open Season rates on the Big Island but the lowest Open Season rental rate may not be available.

See this thread for additional tips
"Hawaii with kids - gameplan for booking ahead with points" (2017) - http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?...ameplan-for-booking-ahead-with-points.250378/

 

[rfc0001]

I don't think that will work because the Club Rules state:
Reservations booked with ClubPoints or Bonus Points and later canceled cannot be rebooked into the same resort for the same time period using Open Season rental rates. The Resort Reservation Cancellation Chart further illustrates the Club cancellation policy.

Thanks. I hadn't done that, but wondering about that.