Juli, do you have any insight into whether Hilton does bulk deposits with SFX? As I posted, they get bulk deposits from Vidanta; my limited experience is that it happens the second half of February for the calendar year.
Typically if SFX gets any Hilton bulk deposits for Hawaii, it's for Kingsland or Bay Club on the Big Island.
I don't know if they get a lot (if any) for Honolulu (not even RCI gets a lot--it'll be leftovers about 45-60 days before the due date if Hilton deposits any Lagoon Tower into RCI).
I've suggested to SFX that they introduce some sort of "matching" program. By that I mean this:
Let's say you're looking for a 1 BR Big Island resort.
SFX "knows" (by virtue of the fact that us members list what our resorts are) which members either own or have access to say, Hilton Bay Club.
SFX then emails those folks asking if they'd like to deposit the week/unit you're looking for.
Then we deposit that week and maybe get a little "extra" in return (maybe some Vacation Cash or a reduced cost bonus week or something).
Although when I deposit with SFX I normally do my 2400 point Las Vegas Flamingo unit, but occasionally I'll ask if they have a specific request and try to match that if the deposit offer is good enough.
Otherwise, they kinda depend upon what gets deposited like other companies (DAE, RCI, II, etc.):
An owner deposits something and that's that. You hope that what gets deposited is what you wanted.
Although I typically use my SFX deposits for Vida resorts in Mexico, and my luck has been very good. Since I own with Hilton I'll use my Hilton for Hawaii (well when I went a few weeks ago). Caribbean is tough with SFX (although with the hurricanes pretty much ruining the VI/BVI for a while, not sure I'll be going any time soon).
Every timeshare/Exchange company has their pros/cons. Find what works best *for you*. I know that Hilton has its weaknesses (Caribbean/Mexico/Maui). But I like it and it works for me.
IF you're interested in SFX I strongly suggest taking advantage of the free membership first before buying into the membership plans. Full disclosure, I'm a diamond lifetime member, so I get the free unit upgrades (if available) and reduced exchange costs, which have more than paid for my membership fee. But I may be the exception.
Again, try it, and if it doesn't work out, look at others. I've had good luck with RCI as well, but only used them 3 times. I just hate the RCI fees and lack of quality resorts (Maui in particular). I wish I had II access. (Marriott/Hyatt). But so far, things are going well.
--Kevin