Valdoro, used to be the SW FL properties but then that has ended but recently GT75 was at Charter Club and the sales lady there said that they do count, can't verify that. I have heard similar for Marbrisa but can't verify that. Coy used to and still does for current owners but not new owners. There may be others.
We purchase in 2011 and the basic rules are still very much the same. A few have been changed such as change reservation (now >= 61 days) but I think that cancel reservation and get all of your points back is the same (>= 31 days). Fees have increased.
Pure Legacy HGVC is much the same. But the various forms of elite are all new, Max is new, how to optimize things if buying (or selling) resale it is much more complicated, and there are many more options, with the addition of the Club properties and the multiple acquisitions.
HGVC seems to be the outlier in the industry in how it allows resale buyers access to the club booking system. There may be others but most resort systems don't permit it or only allow club access on a limited basis, like Vistana mandatory or HICV only having a few properties that get point access. For the most part most timeshare systems have many more restrictions. Even Disney Vacation Club is implementing internal exchange restrictions at new properties. For most HGVC owners that are out buying resale, they aren't getting Elite status, which probably isn't worth the added cost for most.
True, Max is new but we didn't have it before and I don't have it now (and I don't want Max). Elite is still the same and only applies to Legacy HGVC owners. Max tier levels are new and only applies to Max owners.
I think it is only mandatory for the HGVC owned properties and maybe managed but not even all managed do. For instance, the SW FL, Bay Club, Craig Lodges, and suspect the GPP properties, etc. are all voluntary membership. You can own there, use your week, and just not participate in the HGVC program/exchange...and trade in II or similar. If you want access to the HGVC system though, then you do have to join HGVC and pay the one time points activation fee when you buy the resale week. Craig, for example, you just need to pay the closing fee of 195 pounds when you buy a week. That is it. You can use the week, rent it out via their rental service, trade in II or maybe SFX, rent out on your own, or join DEX EU. There isn't a requirement to be in HGV to join DEX EU and many owners there don't join HGV. Now, if you want access to the HGVC exchange, benefits like Elite, and RCI, then you need to pay the one time points activation fee.
Just a minor point, but we bought back in 2005. I don't recall any mention of elite status at the time.
Elite started later and they pushed it hard until Max came around... Now they basically ignore it like an ex-girlfriend that you don't really want to talk to but also don't want to be rude...
They were rude to @JohnnyO (& many others) & did not give the wristbands to EPs ('only for Max', higher Tiers) at many places...Now they basically ignore it like an ex-girlfriend that you don't really want to talk to but also don't want to be rude...
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That is true...They were rude to @JohnnyO (& many others) & did not give the wristbands to EPs ('only for Max', higher Tiers) at many places...
More than just ignoring us but we get it
BTW, just sent them an email through the portal contact page that they pushed elite very hard until Max came out and now they basically ignore it. I gave the example of the wristbands and that the least that they can do is have corporate send an email out to the properties, that offer wristbands, saying that they should give elite members the Max wristbands if they are no longer offering the elite wristbands. We will see what they say.They were rude to @JohnnyO (& many others) & did not give the wristbands to EPs ('only for Max', higher Tiers) at many places...
More than just ignoring us but we get it
Use them instead of a door key or for the towel cabinets at the pool. They are nice for beach and pool properties so that you don't have to keep up with keys. You just pass them out and everyone wears them to come and go.
If you have wristbands from a previous stay, could you get the front desk to just program those when they program your regular room keys?
*Was saying 'rude' in the context of @HuskerATL 's comment comparing treatment of HGVC Elites as 'ex-girlfriend', of not wanting to talk to & not being 'rude'....
Yes and we have a bag of them that we take with us. Most properties will do it, others won't, if they have moved away from them.
I know what you meant. Was agreeing with you. Think about what the nickname is for “Richard”. I was being a smartass.
We love you & your sarcasm!
Hope this one is a nice view & nice amenities! Look forward to your take on it!
Wristbands only for Elite or Max? That just sounds weird if I understood correctly. When I go to Embarc, they ask which you prefer if they have both wristbands and keys. It's not specific to the "type" of membership you have, everyone can get one if that property has them. Isn't that the case at Hilton locations?
Yes, Embarc is different. Embarc owners get owner wrist bands and guest get a guest one that doesn't give them the same perks, at least at Sandestin. In HGVC and in the past, only went to Elite members and would allow you to open your door with them and, at places like Ocean 22, open the towel cabinet at the pool plus any external gates. Since Max started, they now issue them for owners in Max (for HGVC and HVC) but not-non Max. Some properties have stopped carrying the Elite wristbands and only carry Max ones. Depending on the property, they may or may not give a Max one to an Elite member who isn't in Max. We have gotten the Max one at The Cove. Some properties don't use them at all though, like we were just at Fairway Forest and it was just the plastic key card but for there, there really wasn't an area to use them, like the pool or beach so it was fine. There you have a common amenities areas that, I think, belongs to the town, and you get an activity card allowing you to use the amenities for free.
I didn't get a wristband at Embarc Panorama, just regular key cards. I will ask about them in a few days during check-in
