Outline of HGVC Elite Benefits

[Nomad420]

I get your frustration, but owning at HCNY does have some perks. Since only owners can book there, the competition for reservations is much less. And they have very spacious 2bedroom units (comes in handy if you are looking to rent it out to ‘family’ to help with MF). The points can be converted at any amount, at any time to HHonors at 50:1 (yes, It would be foolish to do so). By Hilton Club properties let you convert 50:1 but the entire allotment of your points to do so. No other properties have such flexibility. Because the HCNY points are so valuable/expensive, I would not recommend using those at any other property besides HCNY.

Sean

I know that 57th St. is also a 50:1 conversion as well. As you said even at that rate give what changes have occurred in the HH program it is still a bit of a sucker's deal. I just confirmed with my brother that he cannot book AT ALL at HCNY being a current owner at 57th. He said that in fact they tried to get him to trade into HCNY but for MORE dollars per point and denied the offer. To me, and others can chime in, it seems that if you want NYC you should only buy at the The Residence or 57th IF you plan on or already own other HGVC properties. The only good news is that it appears the resale value is pretty good so that after I use my already banked points (of course in NYC) I could dump it. I spoke with a HGVC representative and they said the change in point use was about 2 years ago so that was indeed after my purchase. Going to see if my original contract says anything, perhaps I am "grandfathered" in so that I can use other points here but I seriously doubt that. Thanks for your input and any other suggestions at this point will be taken gratefully.

 

[Smclaugh99]

I hadn't thought of this limitation for HCNY. Although the ease of short notice reservation is nice, if you are out of HCNY points, then you are stuck unless you use open season which is not cheap.

It sounds like W57 offers the best trade off of both worlds: Owner only reservations to 45 days instead of 60 days for Residences and District, plus if you are short on points you can still use your regular HGVC points within 44 days if there is availability. We used Vegas club points instead of bHC points on part of a recent visit that we planned on short notice within the 44 day window. Of course it helped that it was not high season to get the availability and we only needed a studio. W57 also has lower MF than HCNY and Residences too. Biggest problem with W57 is that there are no 2 bdrm units and no washer/dryers on site. However I believe none of the NYC properties have laundry - wash and folds around the block but takes planning to drop off and pick up during business hours.

Well you can always borrow from future HCNY points if you run out during the year. At no extra charge

Sean

 

[brp]

I just confirmed with my brother that he cannot book AT ALL at HCNY being a current owner at 57th.

I can confirm that as well. I can book everything but HCNY.

To me, and others can chime in, it seems that if you want NYC you should only buy at the The Residence or 57th IF you plan on or already own other HGVC properties. The only good news is that it appears the resale value is pretty good so that after I use my already banked points (of course in NYC) I could dump it.

Agreed. We used to own at HCNY. We sold it back to HGVC when they wanted to convert the contract types, and then bought W. 57th resale. The restrictions were nevr a problem as we would only have used the points at HCNY, so that was not the issue. W. 57th is just a consierably superior product.

I spoke with a HGVC representative and they said the change in point use was about 2 years ago so that was indeed after my purchase. Going to see if my original contract says anything, perhaps I am "grandfathered" in so that I can use other points here but I seriously doubt that. Thanks for your input and any other suggestions at this point will be taken gratefully.

Certainly look, but I can pretty much guarantee that you will not find anything. Despite what you were told, this was never the intent for the mix of bHC and HGVC points and only worked by loophole. It was not a change in policy, it was a change in the accounting and the website.

I was happy for several years to be able to use all of our Vegas points at W. 57th at 9 months. But I knew full well that I was (happily) scamming the system.
Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

At least at HCNY and Residences you get daily housekeeping and there is no <4 day housekeeping fee like W57.

Does HCNY have All Inclusive reservations? To me this is a huge value of owning NYC that only 32k Elites enjoy.

 

[Nomad420]

Agreed. We used to own at HCNY. We sold it back to HGVC when they wanted to convert the contract types, and then bought W. 57th resale. The restrictions were nevr a problem as we would only have used the points at HCNY, so that was not the issue. W. 57th is just a consierably superior product.

Yes I agree, I like the 57th property better than HCNY as well. Interestingly in the three years I have never stayed at HCNY, I have been using the bonus points, traded one years points in for HH, and currently banked/saved points to next year. However I have stayed several times now at 57th st. as the bonus points could be used there and also I think I did burn some HCNY points there. Hence I know the property pretty well.

Just curious what do you mean by convert the contract types, what happened? Did you buy preconstruction? I bought just after construction and the agent that sold me is no longer there, no surprise with that. As I mentioned they wanted to transfer my brothers property at 57th to HCNY but her refused, he also bought just after but not preconstruction.

 

[brp]

Just curious what do you mean by convert the contract types, what happened? Did you buy preconstruction? I bought just after construction and the agent that sold me is no longer there, no surprise with that. As I mentioned they wanted to transfer my brothers property at 57th to HCNY but her refused, he also bought just after but not preconstruction.

The contract we had at HCNY had an expiration date (don't remember what it was). They have now changed to the "in perpetuity" type and they wanted to buy back all of our type to resell.

Cheers.

 

[JohnPaul]

We are fortunate to have Prestige Platinum benefits with Vacation Internationale even though much of our ownership is resale (long story). At that level, it's one of the few elite programs with what I consider real benefits.

10% additional points (Prestige Points) with no MF
50% off points cost for reservations within 60 days.
Bonus time at 40 days instead of 15.
Half off bonus time - so $45 per night for a two bedroom unit.
Hot weeks at 100 days out at 50% off - 2 bedroom unit for $250 for a week (internal exchange program)
Ability to do Advanced Reservation Waitlist (request 390 days from checkout vs normal 365 days from check in) for $20 vs $200
Prioritized room prep for arrivals.
Early check in/late checkout when possible.
50% off point rental
Extra year of points saving.

With that perspective I have a hard time getting excited about most of the other elite benefit offers I see.

 

[Tamaradarann]

At least at HCNY and Residences you get daily housekeeping and there is no <4 day housekeeping fee like W57.

Does HCNY have All Inclusive reservations? To me this is a huge value of owning NYC that only 32k Elites enjoy.

What do you mean by "All Inclusive Reservations". I didn't know that any of the Hilton Resorts had All Inclusive "benefits" like those in Mexico and part of Caribbean. Also, I didn't know anything about the 32K Elite Benefits.

 

[Smclaugh99]

What do you mean by "All Inclusive Reservations". I didn't know that any of the Hilton Resorts had All Inclusive "benefits" like those in Mexico and part of Caribbean. Also, I didn't know anything about the 32K Elite Benefits.

“All Inclusive Reservations” mean that there are no reservation or booking fees at any time. It is available to owners of some bHC properties and is a set annual fee. But when booking is $69 and you are making multiple reservations per year, it makes sense.

Sean

 

[Cyberc]

“All Inclusive Reservations” mean that there are no reservation or booking fees at any time. It is available to owners of some bHC properties and is a set annual fee. But when booking is $69 and you are making multiple reservations per year, it makes sense.

Sean

Yes we pay an additional $120 for AI which includes unlimited bookings with no fees, booking over the phone at no fee. We also have a dedicated phone number for reservation( not that I know it)

Wonder if bHC members at the district also enjoy these benefits?

 

[brp]

Yes we pay an additional $120 for AI which includes unlimited bookings with no fees, booking over the phone at no fee.

To add a bit more to this- the "no booking fees" applies both to bHC reservations as well as regular HGVC reservations.

Cheers.

 

[Tamaradarann]

“All Inclusive Reservations” mean that there are no reservation or booking fees at any time. It is available to owners of some bHC properties and is a set annual fee. But when booking is $69 and you are making multiple reservations per year, it makes sense.

Sean

Wow, I wish I could get that for HGVC. With 34,600 points I spend more for reservation fees than $120 even though I am Elite. So I would go for it.

 

[rdw95]

We had 10,000 points, and looked into the HGV Resales in SW Florida. We got a summer week at Tortuga for 5K through the HGV Resale office there, and that put us over the amount for Elete. It took a couple of calls to get it sorted out as originally the home office said that we bought "resale", but we let them know it was through one of the three HGV authorized resale offices (2 in SW Florida, 1 in Scotland) that counted toward HGV ownership. The contacted us back and now it is up on the site. Plus - we chose a summer week in Florida even though we live just outside Orlando as we can pack up the car and go - no airlines, etc.

 

[Nomad420]

“All Inclusive Reservations” mean that there are no reservation or booking fees at any time. It is available to owners of some bHC properties and is a set annual fee. But when booking is $69 and you are making multiple reservations per year, it makes sense.

Sean

FWIW, I vaguely remember being told that I have that option but I have not pulled the trigger on that deal as I am not booking that many stays annually at my HGVC properties. I can't remember what the set annual fee was but can inquire for those that may be curious. At this point I am still reeling from the fact that I can't book at HCNY with virtually any other HGVC property points. My next "up-date" meeting will be interesting to be sure.

 

[brp]

FWIW, I vaguely remember being told that I have that option but I have not pulled the trigger on that deal as I am not booking that many stays annually at my HGVC properties. I can't remember what the set annual fee was but can inquire for those that may be curious.

As posted above it's $120 above Club Dues. It pays for itself on the second reservation.

Cheers.

 

[Nomad420]

As posted above it's $120 above Club Dues. It pays for itself on the second reservation.

Cheers.

Thanks much brp, I assume that applies to HCNY or is that "carved out" as well. As of now I book two HGVC trips a year so it is probably a wash for me anyhow.