I believe that the HGV Max program is such a joke. As a DRI owner, I don’t see the real value for us to buy into the program. First of all, many DRI owners have paid a lot for their timeshare. This nonsense that HGVC people paid so much more than DRI owners is a bunch on salesman gibberish. Diamond points depending on how many you have come at a pretty penny just like Hilton’s. I have been to more than one Hilton sales pitch and their asking price is high but with a lot less places to go compared to DRI. The only thing a DRI owner may be attracted to is the better quality of accommodations but if Hilton is going to rebrand then I don’t see there being a reason for a DRI owner to really buy into the HGV Max. So the salesman who said HGVC owners paid a lot of money for their timeshares to a DRI owner, needs to bring his nose down a notch of two. I am sure those DRI owners who are at Centum and Platinum levels would strongly disagree.
I look at it this way, this is a marriage made for a gain for each company. Diamond needed money and Hilton needed more locations. It’s just that simple to me. This is a marriage of convenience. I never liked Hilton because they did not have a lot of properties and the ones they had were concentrated in a few locations. Who wants to go to the same places all of the time? That would be the attraction for current HGVC owners in my opinion. The ability to travel to more destinations. However, at six months out both Diamond and Hilton owners will have difficulty in making reservations at highly demanded resorts during prime seasons. That will be the cause of lots of frustration. At six months out most inventory is gone at popular locations during highly demanded dates.
Personally, I find no value in HGV Max. I use my Diamond timeshare for places in which Marriott can only take me through a hotel. I paid for more than a hotel. I want a kitchen, space, a living room and a washer and dryer. I love DRI’s 13 and 10 month windows to make my reservations. If Hilton owners come in later, that’s no sweat off of my back. Diamond already rents units out on Expedia, Booking.com and other hotel websites before I can reserve my units at 13 and 10 months out so bring on HGVC owners at six months. I know it’s unsold inventory they are renting, but my point is it makes no difference.
Just my take on it.