New 2018 Club Rules and Fees has been released.

[jestme]

Really, what does it matter how long open season is when the prices are getting so outrageous? It’s not the bargain it used to be. Instead of extending the season, they need to reduce the prices. Then owners might use it more for last minute/impulse trips.

Maybe they have noticed that the Open Season revenue has down considerably since they raised the rates to the currently ridiculous high level so they are hoping to grab back more of that cash by making the season longer? Reducing the rate would probably make the Open Season more usable and actually increase their revenue. Making the room prices consistant (like they used to be) would also be nice. Now, with all the new room categories, the re-classification of rooms at Open Season time, it is always a mystery to find out how much you will pay for a night, then they add about 14% for "taxes" to that. For example, I own at the Kalia, and when I use points, it is a "Studio", but during Open Season, it gets re-classified as a "Studio Plus", with a higher dollar rate than a studio. .

 

[CalGalTraveler]

+1 @Mosescan Agree that open season rates are not a great deal anymore. We can usually find better rates at hotels using hotel points and cash, or credit card anniversary free nights (Hilton/IHG/Hyatt) for short personal stays e.g. we recently used a free night and points for a weekend at the Waldorf Beverly Hills which runs $800/night - it was very nice to receive a bill for $0! In addition, we can make points reservations at hotels months in advance rather than gambling room availability at the last minute.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

If this hasn't already been posted in the stickys here is a pamphlet from the HGVC website that provides more details on Hilton Club Ownership rules (based on 2017 rules).

The pamphlet indicates that Residences and District Owners can make 60 day reservations at each property when they are a non-owner, but must wait until 44 days prior to checkout to book West 57th (same as club). This means that W57 owners enjoy a longer Home Resort Priority Window so owners are able to secure more close-in reservations (9 mo. to 45 days), but don't have early 60 day access to Residences or DC. Open Season for Owners at Res and DC starts at 30 days prior to checkout which is more reasonable, W57 15 days - but given the discussion, Open Season doesn't matter much anymore because it is not a bargain.

 

[alwysonvac]

Hmmm....I wonder what they intend here as this could mean a bunch of things e.g.

1) Owners can allow guests to use open season.
2) HGVC can offer open season units on Hilton.com
3) HGVC can offer promotions to non-Hilton Club HGVC members - in Hilton Club open season rates are only available to NYC/DC owners
...

When I read it, I immediately thought of #3 for January and February in NY & DC.

 

[jestme]

When I read it, I immediately thought of #3 for January and February in NY & DC.

My reading of those is, if HGVC members can book for guests, then fewer actual HGVC members will have access to those rooms, especially if the member doesn't have to be present for their guests to check in. Also, there will be "room brokers" who will buy 1 unit (probably resale), then rent out 100 rooms from open season. Also, if HGVC members are also going to have to compete against the general public on HILTON.COM for Open Season, we lose even more availability again.
I hope I'm reading it all wrong.

 

[Mosescan]

I read it an non Hilton Club...I.e. Hilton Grand Vacation Club members may be able to use open season instead of just using points in the 45 day window.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Although logical to extend Hilton Club Open Season to rest of HGVC, it appears at odds with the Hilton Club Handbook that I just posted i.e.

Perhaps they intend to offer Open Season only to other Hilton Club owners to increase HGVC incentive to buy/upgrade to urban properties as they expand this program? i.e. W57 owners can buy open season at Residences or District and visa versa?

I read somewhere that 55% of timeshare developer sales are to people who already own timeshares.