Hilton Club NY Lounge access no longer available to RCI Exchangers

[taterhed]

HI-larious.

I didn't even bother reading all the posts.

"....Listen lulu-bell; somewhere, you can hear an HGVC salesman getting his 'wings' as he reads this freaking thread and laughs his A** off!" :hysterical:

Such a joke.

The property either makes money--or it doesn't. More demand equals less frills. Less demand; more frills.

People won't book Waiohai because they KNOW which units MR points users and (non-owner) exchangers get.

Well, if you don't like the policy......don't exchange for the unit.

JM2c. IMHO, YMMV, etc...etc

 

[MelanieB]

Your key phrase is "equal value" exchange.

So using your logic, then why don't HGVC owners get access to your RCI, DVC or Starwood Elite benefits and lounges when we stay on your property? Where's the quid pro quo? (and please don't tell me a kitchen is an "elite benefit.")

I did not say that all exchanges should be of "equal value". What I said was that exchanges have historically been simple trades, and if you don't think you're getting equal value for the exchange - and this matters to you - then the obvious solution is to not trade.

To answer your question:

You don't get my "elite" DVC benefits when you trade into DVC because they are funded by the developer, as a sales incentive of direct purchase, NOT paid for out of maintenance fees. They are not an amenity of the property, and are not incorporated into the operating costs of the resort. In fact, DVC has recently restricted those very same benefits to resale purchasers. And they are only legally able to do that because they are developer funded perks. Moreover, if DVD (the developer of DVC properties) goes bankrupt tomorrow, or stops selling timeshare units, or just doesn't feel like it anymore, those perks will immediately disappear for everyone, because nobody will be paying for them.

This is fundamentally different from a lounge funded by owner maintenance fees, and considered part of the operating cost of the property. And that is exactly the point I was trying to make.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I did not say that all exchanges should be of "equal value". What I said was that exchanges have historically been simple trades, and if you don't think you're getting equal value for the exchange - and this matters to you - then the obvious solution is to not trade.

To answer your question:

You don't get my "elite" DVC benefits when you trade into DVC because they are funded by the developer, as a sales incentive of direct purchase, NOT paid for out of maintenance fees. They are not an amenity of the property, and are not incorporated into the operating costs of the resort. In fact, DVC has recently restricted those very same benefits to resale purchasers. And they are only legally able to do that because they are developer funded perks. Moreover, if DVD (the developer of DVC properties) goes bankrupt tomorrow, or stops selling timeshare units, or just doesn't feel like it anymore, those perks will immediately disappear for everyone, because nobody will be paying for them.

This is fundamentally different from a lounge funded by owner maintenance fees, and considered part of the operating cost of the property. And that is exactly the point I was trying to make.

So just because the DVC accountants put it under developers fees and HGVC sticks it to the owners this entitles exchangers to the elite benefit? Last I checked both DVC and HGVC are for-profit companies so they will make their return one way or the other.

Your argument further supports that there is and UNEQUAL value exchange. No only is there no quid pro quo (because of a "developer fee" technicality), you paid how much for your timeshare and it is currently worth how much resale?

New York is different. Why? Because owners pay more than most timeshare owners in maintenance fees (which includes the cost of lounge services) and paid $15,000 - $100,000+ more for their deed. Condos across the street sell for $3000/sq foot per the WSJ this week. (That's $3.6M for a 1,200 sq ft unit my friends - one of the highest in the world.)

If you don't like it, don't trade. Simple. But please stop this attitude of entitlement and expect others to subsidize your vacation meals, especially when you don't offer the same.

(I am now going to have some danish and bad wine...)

 

[buzglyd]

So just because the DVC accountants put it under developers fees and HGVC sticks it to the owners this entitles exchangers to the elite benefit? Last I checked both DVC and HGVC are for-profit companies so they will make their return one way or the other.

Your argument further supports that there is and UNEQUAL value exchange. No only is there no quid pro quo (because of a "developer fee" technicality), you paid how much for your timeshare and it is currently worth how much resale?

New York is different. Why? Because owners pay more than most timeshare owners in maintenance fees (which includes the cost of lounge services) and paid $15,000 - $100,000+ more for their deed. Condos across the street sell for $3000/sq foot per the WSJ this week. (That's $3.6M for a 1,200 sq ft unit my friends - one of the highest in the world.)

If you don't like it, don't trade. Simple. But please stop this attitude of entitlement and expect others to subsidize your vacation meals, especially when you don't offer the same.

(I am now going to have some danish and bad wine...)

Maybe once it goes Owners only they can up the quality of the snacks and wine.

 

[Luanne]

My biggest beef with this would be, "if" I had traded in expecting a certain level of service, then found out later I wouldn't be getting it. Worse yet is if I cancelled due to this change I would be penalized.

If it is something I know ahead of time I can then make the choice whether or not to make the exchange.

 

[holdaer]

......

(I am now going to have some danish and bad wine...)

Life is too short to have bad wine, after all this back and forth, treat yourself to the good stuff.....you've earned it.

BTW, you're right on all your points. Amazing how many here don't get it and will talk about ocean views, kitchens and other non-relevant stuff.

Yes, it's a bummer that a benefit was taken away after someone booked their vacation. Someone was going to be impacted no matter when the change gets implemented. Life goes on and Hilton Club NY is in a great location to see NYC.

Now, back to the wine.......

 

[brp]

Even if that were true, as a diamond HHonors who has gotten all these perks at hotels I can tell you that like airport lounges, they are more hype than substance.

You may not have spent much time at the British Airways First Lounges at Heathrow, then

Cheers.

 

[brp]

Yes, it's a bummer that a benefit was taken away after someone booked their vacation. Someone was going to be impacted no matter when the change gets implemented. Life goes on and Hilton Club NY is in a great location to see NYC.

Now, back to the wine.......

Not necessarily. They could have changed for all reservations booked after a certain date rather than pulling the plug on existing reservations. I, for the most part, agree with the restrictions, but not with the way they did it.

OK, off to find a nice Cabernet to pair with the New York strip that I'm about to grill

Cheers.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Not necessarily. They could have changed for all reservations booked after a certain date rather than pulling the plug on existing reservations. I, for the most part, agree with the restrictions, but not with the way they did it.

OK, off to find a nice Cabernet to pair with the New York strip that I'm about to grill

Cheers.

I call NYC location. they told me that RCI email is incorrect. All bookings Prior to June 1 2016 will allow lounge access, all bookings after June 1st, you MUST BE NYC HC Owner.

 

[brp]

I call NYC location. they told me that RCI email is incorrect. All bookings Prior to June 1 2016 will allow lounge access, all bookings after June 1st, you MUST BE NYC HC Owner.

Cool. Whether one likes the rule or not, at least it's fair warning. By the way, I assume that "all bookings Prior to June 1, 2016" means all bookings MADE prior to June 1, not all bookings for STAYS prior to June 1. Because that's a big difference.

Cheers.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Cool. Whether one likes the rule or not, at least it's fair warning. By the way, I assume that "all bookings Prior to June 1, 2016" means all bookings MADE prior to June 1, not all bookings for STAYS prior to June 1. Because that's a big difference.

Cheers.

I have a June 26 checkin that I booked last september. I called about this very thing.

They told me I would get Lounge access for my booking.

That is NOT what the RCI email said, but that is what I was told by the check in Desk at HC NYC when I called them direct to check this specific thing

 

[brp]

I have a June 26 checkin that I booked last september. I called about this very thing.

They told me I would get Lounge access for my booking.

That is NOT what the RCI email said, but that is what I was told by the check in Desk at HC NYC when I called them direct to check this specific thing

This is well done. Either it was a mistake in the RCI email, or it was correct and Hilton have retrenched and done the right thing. Either way, good news for those with existing reservations....well, as good a news as one can have for plonk wine

Cheers.

 

[Sandy VDH]

This is well done. Either it was a mistake in the RCI email, or it was correct and Hilton have retrenched and done the right thing. Either way, good news for those with existing reservations....well, as good a news as one can have for plonk wine

Cheers.

I rarely drink the wine. But I do like breakfast, and all day drinks/coffee. I have been to this resort for the last 6 years running. I will be sad when this perk goes, but I will still stay here.

 

[brp]

I rarely drink the wine. But I do like breakfast, and all day drinks/coffee. I have been to this resort for the last 6 years running. I will be sad when this perk goes, but I will still stay here.

I hear that. We're at W. 57th, and the breakfast is generally OK on the weekend when they have little quiche. Otherwise, it's things like breads and bagels and oatmeal that we don't eat. So weekdays are less useful. But being able to pop in for an espresso at any time of the day is very nice. But I would definitely not consider this a make-or-break. As others have said, the offerings are OK at best. The location is far and away the key. And they'd have a hard time taking that away

Cheers.

 

[Jason245]

You may not have spent much time at the British Airways First Lounges at Heathrow, then

Cheers.

Air France first Class lounge at cdg. . As well as lounges in Atl, miami, fll, tgl, new york..

After the first time when you feel "special"... the glitz wears off..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[brp]

Air France first Class lounge at cdg. . As well as lounges in Atl, miami, fll, tgl, new york..

After the first time when you feel "special"... the glitz wears off..

Maybe it's just different expectations. For me it's about quality product (food and drink), and a very nice and relaxed space. It's not about feeling special. And, yes, the HCNY lounge does not provide that...but others do.

Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Life is too short to have bad wine, ...

Thanks for your kind words. Even though I live in vineyard country, I am a margarita gal...had a nice one with good tequila. Cheers.

The poster that said, "More demand equals less frills. Less demand; more frills" is correct. The lounge at the Hilton Venice Stucky was overrun with HHonors Gold and Diamond members so the fare was mediocre and limited because people were madly stuffing their pockets with food. Whereas the lounge at the Waldorf Cavalieri Rome is exceptional because it was limited. A peaceful view of Rome with all the premium alcohol you could drink and gourmet fare from the Michelin star restaurant upstairs. (BTW...They frequently run deals in the spring for $120 + 32,000 HHonors points, then buy the upgrade to the lounge that comes in email for an extra $60 a night.)

 

[brp]

The lounge at the Hilton Venice Stucky was overrun with HHonors Gold and Diamond members so the fare was mediocre and limited because people were madly stuffing their pockets with food. Whereas the lounge at the Waldorf Cavalieri Rome is exceptional because it was limited. )

Agree about the Molino Stucky. We went there (as Diamonds ), and it was just OK. Didn't see as much food theft (which is really lowbrow from my perspective) but the offerings were standard fare. We've stayed at the Cavalieri, but not been to the lounge. I don't know the rules for the Waldorfs, but the implication from your post is that Diamonds don't have status-based access. Sounds like that may be a good thing

Cheers.

 

[KathyA]

Love it!

As a HCNY owner, I'm thrilled with the change. Last time we were there (about six months ago), a couple sitting next to us in the lounge told us over and over again that they were the smart ones because they just traded into HCNY whenever they could. They paid far less for their own timeshare, and just traded into HCNY because of lounge access. Kept making the point that the owners were suckers because we pay such high maintenance fees and as traders they can get these benefits without paying the fees; that they always used the evening appetizers as dinner and just camped out there for a few hours. Sure enough, we were there a week, and every time we came into the lounge, this couple was there, usually taking up a table for four with their computers and things spread out all over the table. Needless to say, this irritated a lot of owners who complained to Hilton. That could be one reason they made the change. Plus, this policy didn't hurt W. 57th Street from being an extremely popular place to trade.

I pay a ton of maintenance fees. My maintenance fees at HCNY are two and a half times what I pay for my Caribbean timeshare, which is a 2-bedroom lockout beach front. I say good for Hilton.

 

[Denise L]

I called Hilton Club as I have an upcoming reservation. I was told by Erin that bookings made prior to June 1, 2016 will still honor that perk. Bookings made after June 1 St will be for Owners only, not even for HGVCLUB club members. Which is more like W 57th location rules.

Just catching up with this thread (back from 4 nights at W57 ). I have a HCNY exchange for October...do you think I need to call the resort to confirm that I will have lounge access due to booking prior to June 1?

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We are in New York this week and attended an owners update. Without me even mentioning anything the sales guy brought up lounge access. According to him, both West 57 and the original Hilton Club are over 95% sold so fully controlled by the HOA. He said it was each HOA and not HGVC corporate that decided to limit the access to just owners.

 

[MelanieB]

If you don't like it, don't trade. Simple. But please stop this attitude of entitlement and expect others to subsidize your vacation meals, especially when you don't offer the same.

Whoa, where on earth did you detect an "attitude of entitlement" in anything I posted? I've never been to HCNY, I'll probably never go there, and if I do, I really don't care whether or not I get access to the lounge (pretty sure I already said that upthread). The only thing I feel "entitled" to is accommodation at the unit I OWN, and whatever services relating to that unit that I pay for on an ongoing basis via my maintenance fees. The DVC example was an illustration, and an answer to your direct question. I don't feel "entitled" to those DVC perks, and I wouldn't even if I'd bought that DVC property from the developer (which I didn't). They could go away tomorrow, and there's not a thing I could do about it. You're reading emotions into my posts that just aren't there.

What I was trying to do is explain the fundamental (and legal) difference between developer-funded elite perks and services funded through the operating costs of the resort, which are paid for by all owners, whether they're "elite" or not. But since you persist on conflating the two, and clearly have no interest in trying to understand the answers to your own questions or anyone else's point of view - I'll stop.

This issue is not unique to New York. It applies to any high cost property.