[2009] Hyatt Highlands Inn Point Allocation Change! Increase for All Units

[heathpack]

Unless Carmel is your home resort, you don't have a property interest in the Carmel timeshare and therefore do not have standing. For those that do, their interest has NOT been devalued, in fact, their value has increased. You won't see them complaining.
The fact that other members of the HGV were able to use the point system to stay at other properties within HGV is a perk and a marketing tool, not a guaranteed right.

Thanks, Optimist for replying-- every opinion on this subject is very interesting to read.

If the ability to use the HCV points system is indeed a perk and a marrketing tool- then California law will not regulate this aspect of HVC. However, by California law, if members are required to participate in and pay for a benefit, then it is not what is termed "an incidental benefit." Note that Hyatt refers to the annual fees we all pay as "club dues" and not "maintenance fees." If Hyatt collects club dues for members to belong to a required Hyatt Vacation Club and the currency of that club is points, then changes to the points system is likley in fact governed by California law.

While I disagree that the points-aspect of the system is not an integral part of HVC sale, really right now this is just my opinion. If I were to read a CA contract, then I could do more than formulate an opinion. I'm not the type of person who is going to stick to my postion no matter what. If I can tell from a purchase contract and I am wrong, I will be posting back here in a second to let ya'll know.

I also hear what you are saying about Carmel owners being happy. And they'll stay happy until Hyatt decides Aspen is way better than Carmel and triples the points requirements there.

H

 

[jbercu]

While I disagree that the points-aspect of the system is not an integral part of HVC sale, really right now this is just my opinion. If I were to read a CA contract, then I could do more than formulate an opinion. I'm not the type of person who is going to stick to my postion no matter what. If I can tell from a purchase contract and I am wrong, I will be posting back here in a second to let ya'll know.

H

H:
I completely agree with your approach. Less speculation and more facts!
Upon a cursory review of the different documents that I signed when I bought a week at Hyatt Highlands Inn from the developer, there are a few documents that define the Club membership. The most direct reference to the item in question is a document called “Single-Site Purchaser Disclosure” that I had to sign.
This document states that “You are purchasing an interest in a single-site timeshare project only. This means that you have no guaranteed right to reserve or to use a site other than this one, which is the only site that has been qualified by the Department of Real Estate“ … “Your right to use the other sites is speculative only, however, your membership in the program and payment of the related fees are mandatory.”
Another interesting aspect of the deed for a specific week and unit is that the club reserves the right to deny membership and also no guarantee that the resort will remain affiliated with the club. There is so much doubletalk to cover all possibilities. There is also an on-sale clause that triggers a non transfer of the club-membership.
I have not heard of the club ever denying membership to a resale purchaser once the unit passes ROFR, nor have I heard of resale purchaser having to sign the Single-Site Purchaser Disclosure.
Typically, the deed transfer on a resale does not include the documents referred to in the deed.
There is a lot of good will involved in a purchase. As is with most timeshares, voting with your feet is a lot more practical than a legal fight, or a proxy vote.
J

 

[heathpack]

The most direct reference to the item in question is a document called “Single-Site Purchaser Disclosure” that I had to sign.
This document states that “You are purchasing an interest in a single-site timeshare project only. This means that you have no guaranteed right to reserve or to use a site other than this one, which is the only site that has been qualified by the Department of Real Estate“ … “Your right to use the other sites is speculative only, however, your membership in the program and payment of the related fees are mandatory.”
J

Thanks J.

The phrase "single-site" is a reference to a specific category of timeshares as defined by the DRE. In California, this means that the timeshare you are buying into is just a single property and not a part of a timeshare system. You are therefore entitled only to use of that single property. However, reading on this issue suggests that the Carmel property would more properly be categorized as a "multi-site timeshare plan with specific timeshare interest." This is a system where you buy a week at one locale and also mandatory membership in a club to which you are required to pay dues.

It may not really matter, however. I think the only thing that will matter is whether you are buying points, as changes to points requirements would then be regulated by the CA DRE.

Again, I am not going through the process of trying to understand this because I think a lawsuit would be fruitful or relevant to me personally. My immediate purpose is to write a well-informed, reasoned letter of complaint to Hyatt. My secondary purpose is to try to figure out if I should cut my Hyatt losses sooner rather than later. My tertiary purpose is a public discussion that might influence the basic information available here on TUG about the facts of the Hyatt system. HVC is very much discussed as a points-system and if it is actually a traditional timeshare system-- well, that would be a great thing for people to know when they turn to TUG to educate themselves.

H

 

[heathpack]

Have now read the CA Timeshare Act of 2004...

...Yes, all 63 pages of that scintillating piece of legislation.

I think there actually may be some legal irregularity to Hyatt's actions in CA-- if I am able to read a Carmel purchase contract, I'll post more.

It may take me a little bit of time to get a good letter of complaint composed (as I'll try to hold out until I can read a Carmel purchase contract), but I'll post that as well once its done.

This really is a precedent that all Hyatt owners should be concerned about- why the lack of buzz here on the TUG board, do you think?

H

 

[optimist]

...
This really is a precedent that all Hyatt owners should be concerned about- why the lack of buzz here on the TUG board, do you think?

H

I had wondered why the same thing myself, not vis a vis this change but generally, and posted a thread to that effect.
There never seems to be a lot of response to Hyatt posts.

 

[Steve]

Although I've never actually purchased a Hyatt week, I have considered it several times and studied up on the various resorts and the exchange system. Resorts I seriously considered purchasing a week at include Coconut Plantation, Beach House, and High Sierra Lodge. I also looked into buying at Pinon Pointe and Main Street Station.

From my research, I have always understood Hyatt to be a fixed week, fixed unit product that uses a point system for internal exchanges. I never got the impression that a Hyatt purchase would be a points purchase or that I would be buying anything other than a single resort ownership. At Main Street Station, the fixed weeks come with additional floating time during the off season...but that time is still deeded only to that single resort.

However, if I had purchased a Hyatt week somewhere with the intent of exchanging into Highlands Inn on a regular basis, then I would be very upset with the recent change in point values. I also think that it is a cause for concern for any Hyatt owner, or potential owner, as it establishes a terrible precedent. What is particularly unfortunate in this situation is that Hyatt is changing the point values of an existing resort...rather than just requiring higher point values for any new resorts as many other developers have done.

This is yet another powerful reminder of the importance of purchasing at the specific resorts where you want to vacation. The terms of exchange programs are always subject to change. In fact, it is almost inevitable that they will change...and usually not for the better.

Steve

 

[ral]

...Yes, all 63 pages of that scintillating piece of legislation.

I think there actually may be some legal irregularity to Hyatt's actions in CA-- if I am able to read a Carmel purchase contract, I'll post more.

It may take me a little bit of time to get a good letter of complaint composed (as I'll try to hold out until I can read a Carmel purchase contract), but I'll post that as well once its done.

This really is a precedent that all Hyatt owners should be concerned about- why the lack of buzz here on the TUG board, do you think?

H

I am very concerned about the change in point values at Highlands Inn. I never expected Hyatt to change point values for established properties. All timeshare owners should be concerned about this. Just recently, Disney also made changes to point values at its various properties. If I am not mistaken, Disney's contracts state that they can rearrange point values for various seasons and days, but the original total number of points must remain the same for the individual property. That certainly is not the case with the Hyatt Highlands Inn change.

 

[heathpack]

I had wondered why the same thing myself, not vis a vis this change but generally, and posted a thread to that effect.
There never seems to be a lot of response to Hyatt posts.

Yes, I had read your thread. But, ironically, I did not reply...

H

 

[heathpack]

From my research, I have always understood Hyatt to be a fixed week, fixed unit product that uses a point system for internal exchanges. I never got the impression that a Hyatt purchase would be a points purchase or that I would be buying anything other than a single resort ownership. At Main Street Station, the fixed weeks come with additional floating time during the off season...but that time is still deeded only to that single resort.

Hi Steve,

Where did you do your research? For me it was here on the TUG boards, on Kal's website and by attending a sales presentation in Carmel- and I devoted a pretty good chunk of time to said research. In all of these sources, the vast majority of the discussion is about Hyatt Vacation Club's point system. Look for example at the document explaining Hyatt's system posted as a sticky at the beginning of this thread (in the "hotels-based timeshare" folder)-- that is an approximately 1500 word document. About 50 words are dedicated to the deeded week aspect of HVC and about 585 to the points system. I point this out not to criticize the document-- I can vouch for the fact that this is pretty much the ratio of the amount of time the Carmel sales pitch I experienced devoted to each of these topics.

Look as well at TUG posts over the years-- "what Hyatt should I buy?" or the like. The conversation almost always reverts back to points strategies. Yes, some people consistently mention buying a week you will use, but typically as a fall-back position and there is FAR, FAR more discussion on these boards about points.

For me, coming into timesharing with the majority of my knowledge coming from DVC, the notion that one is buying points is a concept I am completely familiar with (I'm not saying it's correct, just that it was my perspective when I start my research on the subject). So if a Hyatt sales person talks about selling me a week that is equivalent to 1880 points there is no reason that I would not take that pretty literally. For you, maybe you came with a familiarity with a more traditional timeshare model and hence you start from a place of thinking "I am buying a week" and the rest is gravy.

However, although we may have come to a different understanding of the main features of Hyatt's system, I think we see the doubling of the points requirements at HI in the same light-- as a potential slippery slope for TS owners.

Please do post if you don't mind as to where you did your research and what your Hyatt sales pitch was like if indeed you did attend one. I would be curious to know if perhaps I got a bum salesperson?

H

 

[Steve]

Hi Heathpack,

I have never attended a Hyatt sales presentation. The closest I came was when I exchanged telephone calls and emails...and received sales materials in the mail...with a Hyatt salesman at Main Street Station. I felt he was pretty clear that I would be buying a deeded ownership in Breckenridge, but as you mention, I come from a traditional timeshare background in that most of my experience has been with weeks.

The other research I have done on Hyatt has consisted of extensive reading about Hyatt on TUG, Kal's website, eBay and other resale venues, plus conversations and emails with resale agents including a very knowledgeable outfit in Key West that specializes in Hyatts. I have also visited a number of the Hyatt timeshare resorts, but I have not attended any sales presentations while there. (I really dislike timeshare presentations.)

While I tend to think that Hyatt is probably within their legal rights to make the change to the points at Highlands Inn, I agree 100% that it sets a terrible precedent. It raises a huge red flag for anyone owning or considering a Hyatt.

Steve

 

[ScoopKona]

Please do post if you don't mind as to where you did your research and what your Hyatt sales pitch was like if indeed you did attend one. I would be curious to know if perhaps I got a bum salesperson?

I gave Hyatt sales pitches for a few years, and ALWAYS mentioned the bump to bronze that Key West copper owners received in the early 2000s. I never had problems selling weeks using the tried and true pitch: "Here's how it works. Here's how much it costs. Here's how much you're currently spending on hotels."

Salespeople who used other techniques were often accused of "pitching heat" which is timeshare sales lingo for "pulling stuff out of his or her posterior in the hopes of getting a sale."

The change is definitely a 180-degree about-face in how Hyatt deals with the owner base, and is certainly ominous.

 

[jbercu]

Hi Steve,
Please do post if you don't mind as to where you did your research and what your Hyatt sales pitch was like if indeed you did attend one. I would be curious to know if perhaps I got a bum salesperson.
H

Another place to do research on Hyatt is the Yahoo Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HyattVacationClub/

The Highlands Inn points change subject is also discussed there and the group is more active than Tug on the subject of the HVC Club.
The sales pitch I got at Highlands Inn about 3 years ago was definitely geared towards selling the week and unit and not points. I think there were a few factors that affected the presentation:
1) When Hyatt first started selling the Highlands Inn property there was a large price difference between the Garden View vs Ocean View and Partial Ocean View. The garden View sold out very fast, mostly because it had the same point value as the Ocean and Partial Ocean views but cost a lot less. Once Hyatt sold out the Garden View units they had to adjust the presentation to emphasize the importance of the specific unit views so they can sell the higher cost units.
2) I was aware of the unique property before it became a Hyatt, and we went to the presentation because of the attraction to the property and not the Hyatt system, so we may have inadvertently influenced the presentation.

J

 

[bdh]

Making some (2 bdrm) Diamond weeks 2200 and other Diamond weeks 2950 is unfair. Patently unfair. That really sticks it to the owner who ponied up for a Diamond thinking he or she would be able to trade it anywhere. I'd prefer seeing a new season, like they did when they created the Diamond week. I think there would be less grumbling. (Still a lot of grumbling, but less than the current scheme.)

Other than the HI owners, I expect every HVC will be irritated with the unit/point re-alignment as it is absolutely unfair. The move seems to shake one of the basic tenets of the HVC program (that units of equivalent size and season are equal and interchangeable). I'm surprised and disappointed that Hyatt made this move - I'd love to hear their answer to "What were you thinking?" The thought that HI has more amenities and offers an overall higher end experience and justifies the point realignment can be dismissed with a multitude of comparisons to other HVC properties. And the thought that the demand for HI is so strong doesn't seem viable - while the Interval International demand index for HI is a little higher than that of Sunset Harbor, I believe that SH has the highest occupancy rate in the HVC system.

While creating another season would create essentially the same scenario as the points shuffle, there is no doubt it would not create as much grumbling and turmoil. I’m not sure how many HVC owners there actually are at this point, but I’m sure 95% of them are not aware of this change – no doubt that as the HVC membership slowly becomes aware of it, there will be many disgruntled owners. Hyatt will easily be able to withstand an occasional irate letter or phone call in St Pete, so the only real question is can the individual voices of HVC owners be unified and magnified to a level that will be troubling for Hyatt.

While I tend to think that Hyatt is probably within their legal rights to make the change to the points at Highlands Inn, I agree 100% that it sets a terrible precedent.

Not that I am trying to discourage Heathpack from his research and efforts to protest/undo the points shuffle, but I would believe that Hyatt did some homework before making the change and are well within their legal rights. Not doing the homework and having to undo it would be just as bad as the points change as they then would be caught with their pants down and look inept.

]
I gave Hyatt sales pitches for a few years, and ALWAYS mentioned the bump to bronze that Key West copper owners received in the early 2000s.

The change is definitely a 180-degree about-face in how Hyatt deals with the owner base, and is certainly ominous.

The Copper to Bronze adjustment in KW was/is not nearly as problematic as the HI change. There was an external basis for the KW change since Interval International had the Copper weeks listed as prime Red time - an II Red 2 bedroom week takes 1300 points, so it was a logical adjustment to make the 1100 point Copper weeks worth 1300 points of the Bronze weeks. IE: Copper owners did not have enough HVC points to get an II Red week even though II deemed the weeks they owned Red.

The KW adjustment leveled the playing field for a small segment of HVC owners with II – the HI adjustment skews the playing field for the entire HVC membership on an internal level.

 

[heathpack]

Other than the HI owners, I expect every HVC will be irritated with the unit/point re-alignment as it is absolutely unfair. The move seems to shake one of the basic tenets of the HVC program (that units of equivalent size and season are equal and interchangeable).

Exactly. This is what I am driving as well when I discuss what my sales pitch was like. The points system/allocation is very central to how HVC works and is marketed.

And although I hear what you are saying-- it is unlikely that I will be able to come to a better understanding of the legalities of this issue than Hyatt's lawyers have-- I think it would be silly not to try to understand the important issues from a legal/regulatory perspective. One can then write a more effective letter of complaint that addresses the aspects of all this that Hyatt (possibly) fears will come back to bite them. And you never know-- sometimes corporations convince themselves that a move they make wil be ok, only to find it causes them a very big headache down the road.

H

 

[jerseygirl]

I'm as unhappy about this change as everyone else (except the HI owners, of course), but I don't think we have a legal leg to stand on.

When I look through the "Hyatt Vacation Club Rules and Regulations" on the member website, the following clauses are repeated time and time again: .

The Club Point Chart is amended by HVOI from time to time.

The number of Club Points assigned to represent the reservation power of a Club Member’s Fixed Week is based upon such factors as relative Member demand for use of the respective Club Resorts, seasonality, and Unit type. HVOI reserves the right to reasonably revise these Club Point assignments from time to time without Club Member consent in the best interests of Members as a whole.

b. Floating Club Points. Each Club Member who has the right to reserve a Floating Week or Floating Split Week shall annually be assigned, at the start of the Home Resort Preference Period (Float), an allocation of Floating Club Points to represent the reservation power of the Member’s access to the Floating Weeks or Floating Split Weeks at the Member’s Home Resort. The number of Floating Club Points assigned to represent the reservation power of a Club Member’s access to the Floating Weeks or Floating Split Weeks at the Member’s Home Resort is based upon such factors as relative Member demand for use of the respective Club Resorts, seasonality, and Unit type. HVOI reserves the right to reasonably revise these Club Point assignments from time to time without Club Member consent in the best interests of Members as a whole.

3.2 Club Point Chart. The number of Club Points required to reserve the use of a given Week or Split Week within the Club during the Home Resort Preference Period (Float), the Club Use Period or the Limited Club Use Period is set forth in the Club Point Chart. The number of Club Points required to reserve the use of a given Week or Split Week within the Club is based upon such factors as relative Club Member demand for use of the respective Club Resorts, seasonality, and Unit type. HVOI reserves the right to reasonably revise the number of Club Points required to reserve the use of the various Weeks and Split Weeks within the Club, from time to time, without Club Member consent in the best interests of Members as a whole. Pursuant to this reserved right, HVOI has the right to change the makeup of the existing seasons set forth in the Club Point Chart or create additional seasons to be set forth in a revised Club Point Chart in response to anticipated Club Member demand for a particular Club Resort, Unit type, or Week....

 

[ScoopKona]

I don't see how this change improves the system for members as a whole. HI owners certainly benefit. As will owners at other boutique resorts. (EDIT -- When Hyatt invariably* monkeys with the point system for prime ski weeks.)

I'd still prefer a "double diamond" season -- an apt name for skiiers, if nothing else.

*I assume this will be the case. I can't see why they would change just one resort.

 

[jerseygirl]

I don't see how this change improves the system for members as a whole. HI owners certainly benefit. As will owners at other boutique resorts.

That's a good point -- it's benefitting only a small minority of owners.

 

[bdh]

HVOI reserves the right to reasonably revise these Club Point assignments from time to time without Club Member consent in the best interests of Members as a whole.

Seems to me that the simple equation of the number of Highland Inn owners divided by the number of total HVC owners provides ample proof that the point realignment is not in the best interests of Members as a whole?

 

[heathpack]

When I look through the "Hyatt Vacation Club Rules and Regulations" on the member website, the following clauses are repeated time and time again: .

The Club Point Chart is amended by HVOI from time to time.

The number of Club Points assigned to represent the reservation power of a Club Member’s Fixed Week is based upon such factors as relative Member demand for use of the respective Club Resorts, seasonality, and Unit type. HVOI reserves the right to reasonably revise these Club Point assignments from time to time without Club Member consent in the best interests of Members as a whole.

b. Floating Club Points... HVOI reserves the right to reasonably revise these Club Point assignments from time to time without Club Member consent in the best interests of Members as a whole.

3.2 Club Point Chart...The number of Club Points required to reserve the use of a given Week or Split Week within the Club is based upon such factors as relative Club Member demand for use of the respective Club Resorts, seasonality, and Unit type. HVOI reserves the right to reasonably revise the number of Club Points required to reserve the use of the various Weeks and Split Weeks within the Club, from time to time, without Club Member consent in the best interests of Members as a whole. Pursuant to this reserved right, HVOI has the right to change the makeup of the existing seasons set forth in the Club Point Chart or create additional seasons to be set forth in a revised Club Point Chart in response to anticipated Club Member demand for a particular Club Resort, Unit type, or Week....

Just because Hyatt has a disclaimer in its club rules does not mean that legally said disclaimer is binding. For example, I am a veterinarian and if you leave your pet with me for surgery or hospitalization, you will have to sign all kinds of paperwork absolving me from liability should something happen... But your signing these papers does not mean you cannot sue me and win if I drop your dog on its head (don't worry, veterinarians do go to great lengths to avoid canine head trauma-- this is just meant to be an example). Veterinary disclaimers/liability waivers are commonly more over-reaching than is legally tenable. We can make you sign them but a judge may just ignore whatever over-reaches. We know this and our lawyer knows this (and now when you take your dog to the vet you know this, too).

The bigger issue with the legal approach is that Hyatt has full-time lawyers and the general public does not. So suing a corporation is problematic. Complaining smartly to the corporation is better. Complaining to a state regulatory agency may work. Influencing the corporation's reputation to its customer base may work. Hundreds of HVC members doing all of the last three options will probably be most effective.

H

 

[jerseygirl]

I don't disagree with either of the above posts, but do think this challenge could be a legal "stretch" unless the "best interests of members as a whole" argument is successful. I'm pretty familiar with the clauses big corporations put into contracts ... have sat through plenty of arbitrations where my own company's have been challenged ... sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. C'est la vie.

I just think that the ability to change point values is crystal clear in the contract and would be held up. Again, however, I find the "members as a whole" aspect a plausible argument that this particular change was unfair.

We have developer issues over on the Starwood board right now (one has to do with Starwood's attempt to control II deposits for non network accounts). I tried the letter writing route, requesting legal justification for their position, and received a boiler-plate response. So, I then involved a state regulator and the issue is reportedly being investigated. I don't know if I'll be successful, but I'm all for "fighting the fight." But, since I'm not a frequent user of Highlands Inn (sent my brother's secretary there for 2 nights over Thansgiving), I can't bring myself to take on this fight as well. But, I do wish all of you west coasters luck with whatever you decide to do.

Oh, and heathpack, please don't drop the dogs on their heads. Regardless of whether or not your contract would be held up, it can't possibly be good for them or your business!

 

[heathpack]

Oh, and heathpack, please don't drop the dogs on their heads. Regardless of whether or not your contract would be held up, it can't possibly be good for them or your business!

No worries. I really like dogs. I wouldn't drop them on their heads even without a liability waiver.

H

 

[Divot]

It is as it is....

I think many you are missing the point. We buy timeshares to travel (vacation) more and stay in nicer (larger) digs. We get to invite friends and family to join us. We prefer to own rather than rent. We save $ by purchasing resale. We add up the costs of renting (rooms) and compare that to owning (our deeds). Our purchase "forces" us to use what we've paid for. (vacation). Hotel room rates go up, as does everything else over time. Is there one HVC owner that now can't use exactly what they purchased? No. If I own week 1 in Carmel, and I purchased it to use that week - nothing has changed. If I purchased week 2 in Sedona - same deal. If anything, I would be very concerned that Hyatt would start selling "points" to allow other HVC owners the ability to use Carmel. Look at the mess called Wyndham. Resale points are less than $.05 Read some of the posts from those poor owners. Ouch. Look at Marriott Rewards or Gold Passport points - more points to get into the best resorts. Same deal. Frequent flier miles - same story again.
My advice: read the contract and if the deal doesn't pencil out for how you can (not might) use it, - walk.

PS - I'm in Carmel this week and it feels like Tahoe, without the snow.....

 

[DeweyWhopper]

Hyatt's response to points increase at HI

I emailed the Hyatt at concierge@hyattvacationclub.com

Here is the response I received and my original outgoing email. I hope they speak truthfully, and that there are no current plans for point changes. Who knows what the future holds though:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Good Afternoon Mr. Dewey;

A quick review of your account tells us that you indeed make the most of your purchase. Your travel patterns tell us you understand and appreciate the Hyatt Vacation Club system.

Rest assured, the value of your Hyatt Beach House purchases remains the same. Your 2200 and 2000 points will still bring you premium accommodations.

The Hyatt Vacation Club rules do provide the ability to adjust point values from time to time based upon demand analysis. That stated, there is no plan to make any adjustments to any other properties.

We don't see that you have experienced the Highlands Inn - if the Carmel area becomes of interest to you, let us assist in finding availability.


Thank you,
Hyatt Vacation Club Concierge
Monday to Friday, 9am -5pm EST

-----wrote: -----
To: "CONCIERGE@HYATTVACATIONCLUB.COM" <CONCIERGE@HYATTVACATIONCLUB.COM>
From:
Date: 11/26/2009 11:15AM
Subject: New Point schedule at HVC Highlands in Carmel

Dear Hyatt,

I am writing to share my disappointment with your recent decision to increase the points needed at the HVC Highlands Inn in Carmel, CA. By arbitrarily assigning more points to current owners at that property, you have diminished the value of every single other owner at Hyatt Vacation Club.

As an owner of a Diamond week and a Platinum week, the Hyatt point system was the most important factor in my choosing to buy. I sincerely hope you do not change the point value system for other properties.

Respectfully,

Dewey

 

[ral]

Thank you for sharing your communication with Hyatt Vacation Club.

I find particularly interesting the sentence "Rest assured, the value of your Hyatt Beach House purchases remains the same." While the job of the Concierge is to put your mind at ease, it’s simply illogical to state that the value of your purchase, with its associated points, has remained the same when a major change in the value of Highlands Inn owners’ purchases has occurred. All non-Highlands Inn HVC owners have seen a devaluation of their points when compared to Highlands Inn owners.

Beginning in 2010, Hyatt Vacation Club owners with 2200 points are no longer able to reserve a 2 bedroom unit at Highlands Inn for a week’s stay.

Unfortunately, the value of all non-Highlands Inn HVC owner purchases has not remained the same. And the phrase “Rest assured” does not change that.

I could understand a realigning of points with respect to the various seasons, resulting in the original number of points assigned, but to increase point value for every season is a dangerous precedence. One of the most important reasons for my purchase with Hyatt was the equality of the weeks in the Hyatt Vacation Club system. One has an initial higher or lower purchase price based on one’s staying at a particular location, season, floor plan, etc. If one chooses to give up his/her home unit, the playing field is level when using the internal trade system of the Club. That is what encouraged me to purchase with Hyatt. With the change in point structure at Highlands Inn, it would seem that members of HVC can only hope for the best.

 

[jkc22]

I find particularly interesting the sentence "Rest assured, the value of your Hyatt Beach House purchases remains the same."
...
Beginning in 2010, Hyatt Vacation Club owners with 2200 points are no longer able to reserve a 2 bedroom unit at Highlands Inn for a week’s stay.

Unfortunately, the value of all non-Highlands Inn HVC owner purchases has not remained the same...

Why should the value of a given week remain the same for an owner for all other HVC resorts, other than that for the deeded week at the home resort an owner has purchased (or purchased via resale)? Just because someone bought a resale at the lowest dollar per point relative to all properties in HVC is no longer able to use 2,200 points for a two-bedroom at Highlands Inn, because he did not purchase Highlands Inn in the first place, it doesn't make HVC in the wrong. The buyer should have bought Highlands Inn in the first place if he wishes to count on using it year after year.

As others have maintained, it is clearly written in the HVC contracts that anything beyond an owner's deeded week at the owner's home resort the owner has purchased are a "privilege," and as such are subject to change anytime.

I completely agree that this is a bad precedent set by HVC, but what can you do? I am in Aspen now enjoying a two-level penthouse four-bedroom condo with a pool table, private hot tub, and a private elevator for a mere 1,280 points midweek. Will I care if the point requirement triples to 3,840? You bet, since it will exhaust 60% of my point allotment for the year; but, considering what this unit is selling for right now ($290K) for a deeded week plus 10 floating days, I think it’s completely justified. Like many others, I purchased resale weeks, but I purchased at locations I envision myself going to year after year. Aspen is nice and it's a nice perk to be able to get in cheaply via my weeks at other HVC resorts. Should the point requirement for Aspen (or for that matter, all other Colorado ski resorts) increase three, four, or five fold, and if I really like Colorado that much, I will buy a deeded week there to be able to go there year after year. Perhaps those who like Highlands Inn and want to go there year after year should start looking for a resale week there.

The playing field needs to be leveled for the cheaper resorts vs. the more expensive ones, and the ways to do it are to add in more premium seasons or to add in more unit classifications, and HVC is fully within its right to do the above as long as it has maintained the points required for owners for their deeded week at their home resorts.