HGV agrees to purchase BlueGreen Vacations

[dioxide45]

There are two threads with the same subject/topics by the same OP?

One is in the BG forum and the other in the HGVC forum. Perhaps we should have one in the HVC forum too!

 

[pedro47]

One is in the BG forum and the other in the HGVC forum. We have one in the HVC forum too!

Ok. But, they are on the same topics.

 

[dioxide45]

Ok. But, they are on the same topics.

They are, but perhaps the intent was that the one in the BG forum was from a BG perspective and the one in the Hilton forum was from a HGVC / HGV Max perspective.

 

[Eric B]

Ok. But, they are on the same topics.

They could be subtly different in how the acquisition affects the owners of the different resort systems in the different fora. It would also be somewhat likely that if they were to combine the DRI and BG versions of this thread with this one, someone else in those two fora would start new ones anyway....

 

[GT75]

They are different audiences on an important chance to their ownership so each should have their own, IMO. In fact, I think that I started the one in the HVC/DRI forum.

 

[dayooper]

Ok. But, they are on the same topics.

It was done with purpose and intent. The BlueGreen Forum post has a link to this one (and this one has a link to the BG thread). There might be BG TUG members that would never see this thread as they normally wouldn't come over here. When DRI was merged with HGVC, there was a thread on each side and it worked great. Not sure why this is an issue.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Retail purchases only. Not resale.

True, but HGV does sell a lot of intervals every quarter, so it should grow over time.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

@Eric B

HGVC owners might be considered a second priority for sales and upgrades because the value proposition is not there for MAX. I always sensed this with the DRI/HGV acquisition.

Though if you were inclined to buy retail or don't even know about resale you can still buy a regular HGV week, and end up with MAX as kind of a bonus.

I have not heard if they increased the retail purchase prices as a result of MAX.. But even then it does not really matter as a retail buyer can't avoid MAX.

For me personally i have some mild interest in the new locations, but not enough to make a new retail purchase.

If they did ever offer a way to opt-in to MAX without buying another week, i would consider that depending on the pricing. But I don't expect that to happen.

 

[Talent312]

How will they rename BG to include the Hilton name?
Will they name it BG by Hilton or HVC-B?

 

[dioxide45]

How will they rename BG to include the Hilton name?
Will they name it BG by Hilton or HVC-B?

There are already guesses in this thread as to what they may name it.

What confusing name do you think that HGV will use for BG?

What confusing name do you think that HGV will use for the new club? Hilton ___________ Vacations Club

tugbbs.com

 

[jp10558]

Doesn't it still seem like it'd be cheaper to buy another resale week in whatever system, and get you better access, that to use MAX?

If MAX is actually an RCI competitor(i.e. they're never going to actually integrate the systems, or it's impossible to do so), it seems like one of those "OK" but not compelling ad ons marketers try and use. I assume the MAX booking fee is more similar to the HGVC booking fee than RCI, so there's that. I sort of feel like if Hilton is pushing (now 4 systems) what's actually a confusing "internal exchange" they are going to have a short period where this might be a good sales pitch for "upgrades" but rather soon it's going to lose that as it's obvious it's not going to bring in new retail upgraders much - MAX is going to go to people already inclined to buy retail either new or as an upgrade, so I don't think it expands it much. On the other systems, do they also get MAX with any retail purchase now too? If so, it's not really even a upsell except to the resale market, who presumably is mostly aware of TUG and will skip it for the reasons in this thread.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

I am curious if there will be another points recalibration to bring BG and HGV in parity, similar to the point inflation that occurred with the HGV-DRI merger.

 

[dayooper]

I am curious if there will be another points recalibration to bring BG and HGV in parity, similar to the point inflation that occurred with the HGV-DRI merger.

I think there has to be. If BG is going to be in Max, I would think that they will have to make some sort of change. I’m not sure, but did they change the entire points structure for Embarc or did they just change it for Max trades? Maybe @cd5 or another Embarc member can weigh in on this.

 

[dioxide45]

I think there has to be. If BG is going to be in Max, I would think that they will have to make some sort of change. I’m not sure, but did they change the entire points structure for Embarc or did they just change it for Max trades? Maybe @cd5 or another Embarc member can weigh in on this.

Embarc isn't in Max. They were also never integrated into DRI. So not sure if they ever made changes to the points structure for them. You may be thinking about DRI/HVC integration? They didn't change the points there but they did recalibrate the points for HGVC deeds.

 

[muscae]

@jp10558 FYI, there are no booking fees in Max. DRI had no booking fees. When HGVC bought DRI, they had to put no booking fees in Max so DRI members wouldn't think HGV was taking away their benefits. It's the same reason HGVC created Ultimate Access, because DRI had a similar program.

 

[dioxide45]

It's the same reason HGVC created Ultimate Access, because DRI had a similar program.

I believe they are still the same program. HGV just carried it over when they acquired DRI. If I understand correctly, the company behind these experiences is MF Entertainment. The MF standing for Mike Flaskey, aka the former CEO of Diamond Resorts. So MF Entertainment creates the experiences and HGV sells them. I don't know what the point values are like for these on the HGV side, but a similar program that Marriott has, they are actually an excellent value for points when compared to cash prices.

 

[dioxide45]

Another reason they like these experiences is that they also require a timeshare presentation. Those presentations close at a rate three times what a normal tour flow would convert.

 

[GT75]

but did they change the entire points structure for Embarc or did they just change it for Max trades?

Yes, 50 to 1.

Embarc isn't in Max.

Yes it is. But an embarc member must join max for there to be any inventory (and probably also exchange in) max for there to be any inventory. In practice, I would expect very limited inventory. But that isn't the important part of HGV. The important part is to show dots on a page during a sales presentation. HGV doesn't care if anyone will practically be able to book any of those resorts.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes it is.

When did that happen? Is there a thread for it?

 

[GT75]

Is there a thread for it?

This thread has a lot of useful information on the subject. @cd5 is HGVC-Embarc board member providing detailed information. I also believe that it gives insight into HGVMax program, in general.

Current availability of HVC Max properties at 6 months from today

I recently purchased a week at The District via resale. When HGVC transferred the week to my account, my page was changed to HVC Max after I logged in. I got to have an access to the HGV Max by their mistake. I called twice to go back to the legacy HGVC status, but they haven't done it yet. I...

tugbbs.com

More information here:

Moderators: change required in the description of the HGVC and Diamond/HVC forums

I'm not sure who can do this however I just noticed that Embarc/Club Intrawest is still in the description for the Diamond forum. Should now be in the HGVC Forum. See the attached screenshot. Chantal

tugbbs.com

Also from the FAQ on HGVMax program:

If I join HGV Max, will I have access to the Embarc Collection?​

Though HGV Max is now available to Embarc Members, access to resorts within the Embarc Collection, including those that have been rebranded to Hilton Grand Vacations Club, will be phased in at a later date. Inventory within the HGV Max program is based on exchange usage among Members with HGV Max benefits to maintain the integrity of the cross-booking platform. Once all Embarc Collection resorts are available for booking to HGVClub Members with HGV Max benefits, we’ll share that with you via additional emails, our Club Traveler publications and your Club website.

 

[dioxide45]

This thread has a lot of useful information on the subject. @cd5 is HGVC-Embarc board member providing detailed information. I also believe that it gives insight into HGVMax program, in general.

Current availability of HVC Max properties at 6 months from today

I recently purchased a week at The District via resale. When HGVC transferred the week to my account, my page was changed to HVC Max after I logged in. I got to have an access to the HGV Max by their mistake. I called twice to go back to the legacy HGVC status, but they haven't done it yet. I...

tugbbs.com

More information here:

Moderators: change required in the description of the HGVC and Diamond/HVC forums

I'm not sure who can do this however I just noticed that Embarc/Club Intrawest is still in the description for the Diamond forum. Should now be in the HGVC Forum. See the attached screenshot. Chantal

tugbbs.com

Also from the FAQ on HGVMax program:

If I join HGV Max, will I have access to the Embarc Collection?​

Though HGV Max is now available to Embarc Members, access to resorts within the Embarc Collection, including those that have been rebranded to Hilton Grand Vacations Club, will be phased in at a later date. Inventory within the HGV Max program is based on exchange usage among Members with HGV Max benefits to maintain the integrity of the cross-booking platform. Once all Embarc Collection resorts are available for booking to HGVClub Members with HGV Max benefits, we’ll share that with you via additional emails, our Club Traveler publications and your Club website.

Thanks. I somehow missed that. Neither seems to be explicitly dedicated to a point realignment or being added to Max. I did also find this document when searching the web. It seems they realigned points back in April.

https://cmsprod.diamondresorts.com/sites/default/files/Embarc_2023_Points_Adjustment_Talking_Points_FAQs_EN_launch.pdf

 

[GT75]

Thanks. I somehow missed that.

NP.

IMO, this whole thing is nothing more than for sales. HGV can say that all of these dots are "available" during a sales presentation, but that certainly doesn't mean that they will be bookable practically speaking.

 

[cd5]

I think there has to be. If BG is going to be in Max, I would think that they will have to make some sort of change. I’m not sure, but did they change the entire points structure for Embarc or did they just change it for Max trades? Maybe @cd5 or another Embarc member can weigh in on this.

In April, Embarc's point structure got changed to the same one as Hilton and Diamond to make it a common one for selling Max. Our use-year dates were all staggered across the year based on when the points were bought and they've changed it to everyone's year starts in January.
As far as Max goes, yes, Embarc is part of Max in principle but as the points are 94% sold and are a finite number based on the accomodations available (no points can be added unless rooms/beds are added) the only way someone could get into Embarc with Max, is if an Embarc member gives up their points by trading into Max. Same principle as RCI or Interval or any other exchange company. My feeling is that Max exists just to facilitate points/deeds sales, to create a new "reason" to buy for more vacations, to all these "wonderful" places. The ones that are truly wonderful however are very unlikely to be available at 6 months out.

 

[dayooper]

@cd5 I agree Max is just a way of placing more locations on a map and showing potential buyers the tremendous amount of locations. Some will be available at 6 months, but none of the decent locations will be available.

 

[dioxide45]

@cd5 I agree Max is just a way of placing more locations on a map and showing potential buyers the tremendous amount of locations. Some will be available at 6 months, but none of the decent locations will be available.

Isn't what is available in HGV Max based on what a member owns? If an owner owns HGVC Kihei and uses their points in Max instead, their Kihei week should now be available in Max. It isn't necessarily leftovers that show up in Max, it is what people deposit in there to book something else.