2 HGVC Questions

[JSNC]

Two HGVC questions I still don't get. Could someone with more experience please help?

(1) Total vs. Partial Points
For instance, what are the pros/cons of purchasing 5,000 or 7,500 points at one time vs. several purchases of 2,500 points?

(2) Home Resort vs. Other Use
If you don't plan to typically go back to the same place year after year, does it matter where you purchase your points? That is, if you know you're just after points, what are the pros/cons of purchasing 5,000 or 7,500 points in Florida vs. Nevada vs. Hawaii?

Thanks!

 

[astro57]

I posted a question similar to your second question and was told for the most part that a point is a point, so find the cheapest MF's.

 

[UWSurfer]

Two HGVC questions I still don't get. Could someone with more experience please help?

(1) Total vs. Partial Points
For instance, what are the pros/cons of purchasing 5,000 or 7,500 points at one time vs. several purchases of 2,500 points?

(2) Home Resort vs. Other Use
If you don't plan to typically go back to the same place year after year, does it matter where you purchase your points? That is, if you know you're just after points, what are the pros/cons of purchasing 5,000 or 7,500 points in Florida vs. Nevada vs. Hawaii?

Thanks!

The basic thing to remember regarding your first question is each points purchase is tied to a week someplace, and that week has taxes and a maintenance fee associated with it. So if you have one unit worth 7,500 points, you have one maintenance fee. If you have three 2,500 point units, you'll have three maintenance fee's. The fee's are not based on the number of points, but rather the type of unit you own (studio, one bedroom, two bedroom....). The points are associated with the season you've bought into.

Basically if you have three MF's you'll pay quite a bit more than then person who has one.

Regarding the second question, so long as you're not trying to use your EXACT type of unit at your home resort, then there's little reason to purchase anywhere other than a location with the lowest maintenance fee's. Here's an exception though, say you want to go at a popular time at a popular location with tight inventory on a particular type of unit (ex: Kalia tower penthouse, ocean view) (which I don't know if it even exists...this is just an example), then it would be benificial to use your home resort privalage of booking up to 12 months out from your check-in date. Those of us who wish to use our points to book this prize but don't own there must wait nine months out, allowing the owners time to get first pick at their resort.

The key phrase here though is exact unit. If I own a different size or type of unit than the one I'd like to book, I'm also now in the 9 month out line.

 

[Talent312]

Surfer has it right.
The "dirty little secret" in timesharing is those MF's can greatly outweigh your purchase price over time. If you take a look-back approach, what you paid-to-buy will seem like peanuts compared to what you paid-to-keep or use.

A smaller unit (1-BR) in a higher (platinum) season will get you more points for less MF's than a larger unit in a low season. It may cost a little more up front, given the better season, but it could save you a butt-load in the end.

If you guestimate years of ownership (say 10, 15 or 20)
... multiply that by the annual MF's
... tack on the purchase price
... and then divide that sum by the unit's points
you'll have a more realistic cost-per-point comparison between units.

Yeah, paying 3-MF's for the same points as 1-MF would seem foolish... although, some here think so highly of the program that they add on points that way, nonetheless.

 

[Sandy VDH]

See this thread for more info on this topic.

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85137

Hilton has 4 seasons, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Not every location has every season. For instance Hawaii is almost all Platinum with only about 8 weeks that are Silver. There are NO Silver and Bronze in Hawaii.

In general it is better to purchase Platinum time, as it keeps you Maintenance Fees (MF) $ per point to a minimum. Avoid Silver and Bronze time as the cost per point MF will be too high.

Some locations have a price premium and also a MF premium. Hawaii has higher prices and higher MFs. If you don't need to go to Hawaii every year, then you would be better off purchasing first in Vegas, as MFs are lowest in Vegas. Orlando would be a second choice as MFs are slightly higher with insurance and hurricane issues.

Some affiliates can be obtained at decent prices, you have will to pay to join HGVC as it is not transferable from affiliates, but the fee is $399 or something like that.

The members guide can be reviewed at this link. At least it shows you by resort what weeks are what season.
http://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/mg/