Big Island Availability during Club season

How is the availability in Big Island during club season ? Do I have to book exactly at the 9 month window or does availability exist say 3 or 6 months down the line for 7 or more days.

I am debating whether to get a Waikoloa week or a cheaper Vegas week (MF). Looking at the ebay completed auctions, I can see some cheap Waikoloa deals, which casts a doubt on the demand for these weeks. I was looking at a platinum week (9600 points) for around 9K or a week 51 for around 12K. Looking at ebay, I wonder whether I am overpaying for these weeks ?.

On the other hand , a vegas paradise week can be obtained for around 7 K. Availability of big island during club season is the big concern buying this week.


Greatly appreciate any insights.

rahulgopi said:

How is the availability in Big Island during club season ? Do I have to book exactly at the 9 month window or does availability exist say 3 or 6 months down the line for 7 or more days.

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There seems to always be good availability on the Big Island during club season. It is always best to book at the 9 month window to get exactly what you want (dates/room) but I do see good openings at less than 9 months if you are more flexible. Now weeks 51/52 are more difficult to get. These weeks are event weeks at Kohala Suites & Kings Land.

If you own there, you will be allowed to book the deeded room size/type during its deeded season (platnum,gold,etc) in the 9-12 month window (for only week). If you don't book your deeded room in the 9-12 month window, then you can use your club points anywhere else during club season (most places that is 0-9 month window).

If it me, I would purchase the cheaper maintenance fees, and book the Big Island using club points during club season.

Unless you want to book exactly what you own ( a Saturday thru Saturday stay in the exact room type that you own at the location that you own), it isn't necessary to buy on the Big island. The 12 month priority goes away if you want to book anything other than what you own. So, you couldn't check in on a Friday and you couldn't point stretch by staying in a smaller room, etc.

For booking 3 - 6 months out, it can be done, but don't count on it for the highest travel demand times. That goes for anywhere, other than Vegas or Orlando.

Don't forget to add the ever rising "Exchange fee" that HGVC charges to use your points for a reservation at a different resort than your own. Also, remember one of the first rules of time sharing. Legally, you own what you own, everything else is a benefit. Benefits can change, ownership cannot.

Booking Big Island is pretty easy. The lower point Kingsland units disappear first.

Waikoloa seems to always have availability.

Thank you very much for all the insights. I guess getting Vegas might be the better thing to do rather than buying Waikoloa since availability is not a big issue. The 9600 points Waikoloa units are selling above 10K with around $1650 in MF.

rahulgopi said:

Thank you very much for all the insights. I guess getting Vegas might be the better thing to do rather than buying Waikoloa since availability is not a big issue. The 9600 points Waikoloa units are selling above 10K with around $1650 in MF.

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If you want to stay in the 9600 point WKL unit then the 7000 Vegas points will be a problem. As Buzz pointed out the cheaper WKL units go fast at start of club season, bookng 3-6 months is going to cost you more points.


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As others have pointed out, availability is very good on the Big Island. Even closer to check-in, space is there, just in the higher point rooms. I booked a 2BR at Kings Land across Presidents Day weekend, but had to book in a 12,600 point room. It was worth it to make the trip come together, but it was pricey.

Best,

Greg

Thank you. Is there another cost effective way to get around 10 K points every year but still under HI MF?.

rahulgopi said:

Thank you. Is there another cost effective way to get around 10 K points every year but still under HI MF?.

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I think $1650 is cheaper than 2 Las Vegas 5K with mf around $2k.

Have you looked into buying Bay Club? The buy in is very low and if you buy a unit that isn't already converted to HGVC, you may only pay a thousand or 2 for the unit and then something like $500. to convert it to HGVC. Even if you don't convert it, you still stay on the same property in the same units that people who bought a HGVC Bay Club do.

You'll still have Hawaii MFs, but the buy in is so much lower that it won't matter.

Thank you very much for all the insights. I have 2 kids that love the Hilton pools. We have stayed at Bay Club and Kings land. Waikoloa , I felt was a good alternative with access to Hilton Village and Kingsland pool (even thou just for 1 day .. ) . I am not getting a read on the resale price on Waikoloa, no ROFR details to gauge the floor. I wonder whether the premium will sell under a $/ point.

rahulgopi said:

Thank you. Is there another cost effective way to get around 10 K points every year but still under HI MF?.

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You could buy a couple of units that add up to around 10K. You would have multiple MF each year, but depending on what you buy it might be less or similar to the HI fees.

A couple of 4800 point deeds would be just under 10K points.

1Kflyerguy said:

You could buy a couple of units that add up to around 10K. You would have multiple MF each year, but depending on what you buy it might be less or similar to the HI fees.

A couple of 4800 point deeds would be just under 10K points.

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Thank you for all the great insights.