RCI points into HGVC

I have traded weeks into HGVC Vegas Strip before and loved it (but 1 in 4 rule applies in weeks). Was thinking of buying HGVC but then relaized they are RCI point resorts. What is the availability of HGVC in points? (vegas or otherwise?)

Not all HGVC resorts are in RCI Points. Some are still considered weeks. The ones that I know of that are in Points are:
LV Hilton, LV Strip, Orlando International Drive, Orlando Sea World, South Beach, West 57th St.

There may be others but they rarely if ever show up on the Points side. Of these, South Beach and W 57th St I've seen before, but are not common. The Las Vegas ones (Hilton and Strip) come up rather frequently and you shouldn't have a problem reserving them, especially if you do it at the 10 month window. Also, the Orlando ones are pretty easy to get and should have no problem at the 10 month window. If you only care about these locations, you may be able to get by in RCI Points, but if you want access to all the HGVC resorts, you'll be out of luck.

To give you an example of points allocation, HGVC @Las Vegas Hilton currently has availability in July for Studio (27K), 1 BD (55 K) and 2 BD (82 K).

Thanks! My guess was avaiability for HGVC probably doesn't vary greatly between points and weeks for exchanges. Perhaps points would have an advantage since less than full week stays are possible.

BTW... If you did decide to buy into HGVC, you could book RCI with no 1-in-4 restriction. HGVC members get a portal into RCI thru Hilton's corporate account and when you book using HGVC, RCI does not check to see what you own.

What is the 1 in 4 rule for HGVC?

I've seen this mentioned a few times but not totally sure what it means. If you book a room at a HGVC resort with RCI points you can only do this once every 4 years? So, if I want to stay at a HGVC as part of my points lease (if I actually do that this year), I'd better decide which HGVC I really want, huh?? Is this right? Thanks!

advocatemom said:

I've seen this mentioned a few times but not totally sure what it means. If you book a room at a HGVC resort with RCI points you can only do this once every 4 years? So, if I want to stay at a HGVC as part of my points lease (if I actually do that this year), I'd better decide which HGVC I really want, huh?? Is this right? Thanks!

Click to expand...

The RCI 1 in 4 rule is for people using RCI weeks.

The current info here on TUG, is if you are using "RCI points" the RCI 1 in 4 rule doesn't apply.

Thanks for that info on weeks/points for that rule. Makes more sense now and it does not look like we'd be impacted if we use just points.

cr4909 said:

Also, the Orlando ones are pretty easy to get and should have no problem at the 10 month window.

Click to expand...

Our family is planning a two week DisneyWorld vacation for 2010 (I know it's too far out to do a search) the two weeks after Thanksgiving and I was wondering if you've ever seen availability for the HGVC resorts during this time? And if so, is it possible to reserve two weeks using RCI Points.

We are timeshare newbies and are going to be buying into the RCI Points system very, very soon but are not yet members.

I appreciate any help you, or anyone else, can offer.

Thank you,
Piscesqueen

Piscesqueen said:

Our family is planning a two week DisneyWorld vacation for 2010 (I know it's too far out to do a search) the two weeks after Thanksgiving and I was wondering if you've ever seen availability for the HGVC resorts during this time? And if so, is it possible to reserve two weeks using RCI Points.

Click to expand...

Yes and Yes. HGVC Sea World usually has more availability than HGVC International Drive. However, that time (late Nov/early Dec) is usually dead time for travel and I doubt you'd have much trouble at either (no guarantees of course). Yes, you can get 2 weeks as long as you have the points, but you may not be able to reserve 2 weeks when the 10 month window opens up, as you may need to wait another week for the 2nd week to become available. You could always make 2 consecutive weekly reservations and add an extra $124 exchange fee if you don't wish to gamble.

I'd start looking at the 10-month window of availability. However, for HGVC they don't always release their inventory at 10-months out, so don't panic if you don't see anything. Just check every day and it should show up eventually.

cr4909 said:

Yes and Yes. HGVC Sea World usually has more availability than HGVC International Drive. However, that time (late Nov/early Dec) is usually dead time for travel and I doubt you'd have much trouble at either (no guarantees of course). Yes, you can get 2 weeks as long as you have the points, but you may not be able to reserve 2 weeks when the 10 month window opens up, as you may need to wait another week for the 2nd week to become available. You could always make 2 consecutive weekly reservations and add an extra $124 exchange fee if you don't wish to gamble.

I'd start looking at the 10-month window of availability. However, for HGVC they don't always release their inventory at 10-months out, so don't panic if you don't see anything. Just check every day and it should show up eventually.

Click to expand...

Thank you so much for this valuable information; I truly appreciate your help!

I was actually hoping to get into the Seaworld location because I've read that it is funner for children with more planned activities, so that works out perfectly!

I have another couple questions if you don't mind (or anyone else), do you know how many points it would be for a 2 bed (1 week) at any HGVC for this time of the year in Orlando?

Also, does this season ever come up for Last Minute Exchanges in Orlando (early Dec.)? Preferrably HGVC but any other Gold resort would be okay as well, I also think Orange Lake looks like a fun place for the kiddies!

~*Don't worry, I'm not going to gamble on a Last Minute vacation for a two week vacation; I'm going to plan WAY ahead. I'm just curious.*~

Has anyone ever seen 3 bd available during this time of the year (not Last Minute)?

Thanks,
Piscesqueen

Believe a 2BR is 83K until week 48 when it drops to 62.5K for weeks 48-50.

With a strong weeks trader on the RCI weeks side, I can see 3 BR units for next fall.

Piscesqueen said:

Thank you so much for this valuable information; I truly appreciate your help!

I was actually hoping to get into the Seaworld location because I've read that it is funner for children with more planned activities, so that works out perfectly!

I have another couple questions if you don't mind (or anyone else), do you know how many points it would be for a 2 bed (1 week) at any HGVC for this time of the year in Orlando?

Also, does this season ever come up for Last Minute Exchanges in Orlando (early Dec.)? Preferrably HGVC but any other Gold resort would be okay as well, I also think Orange Lake looks like a fun place for the kiddies!

~*Don't worry, I'm not going to gamble on a Last Minute vacation for a two week vacation; I'm going to plan WAY ahead. I'm just curious.*~

Has anyone ever seen 3 bd available during this time of the year (not Last Minute)?

Thanks,
Piscesqueen

Click to expand...

krj9999 said:

Believe a 2BR is 83K until week 48 when it drops to 62.5K for weeks 48-50.

With a strong weeks trader on the RCI weeks side, I can see 3 BR units for next fall.

Click to expand...

Thank you very much for this quick response; I appreciate it. I did go to the RCI website and finally seen the points chart (thanks to another TUGger's post). I now have a good idea of how many points I'll be looking at.

Thanks!