Best advice you'd give yourself if starting over? (Poll included)

[Eric B]

Vistana voluntary resale has an Interval Fee.

Are these free Vistana mandatory exchanges that are 0? (but must pay annual fees?)

Having been studying TUG prior to the integration of Vistana in Abound, we picked up enough mandatory resales for a song to be Chairman’s Club when integrated. They are all enrolled, including a couple Lagunamar weeks I got for free after the integration and requalified.

 

[Eric B]

The same is true for MVC resale weeks (unless you enroll them in which case they are covered by your MVC annual dues).

I assume II Vistana to Marriott/Vistana trades on retro'd Vistana resale weeks are free (or at least covered by the annual dues) but don't actually know.

They are.

 

[Zenichiro]

Own 11,200 Platinum Vegas. Happy with the amount—wouldn’t change it.

If I could go back, I would’ve been more patient and waited for a BHC 1:32 HH conversion at the right price. Never been to my home resort, and I’ve never used RCI.

I would’ve started using HGV every other year—using the current year’s points plus borrowing from the next, then using Hilton Honors points the year after. That would’ve stretched the value more.

I also would’ve signed up for 2 Aspire and 2 Surpass cards much earlier. The credits help cover maintenance fees, and we earn 4 Free Night Certificates plus solid points throughout the year.

For sales presentations, I always ask for 80K–100K Hilton points. Never accept less. If they’re not offering that, I don’t go.

Wouldn’t change the brand or point amount—just would’ve been more strategic from the start.

 

[Sully0316]

YMMV This is what works for our travel patterns and budget. You may have different locations, budgets and quality preferences.


Would you go back and change your "home" location?
We bought retail 10 years ago and regretted that. We bought resale and have benefited greatly. Currently have 5.5 weeks across HGVC and Vistana because you cannot have just one.

We sold 1 resale VOI to adjust our portfolio to a better one.

Would you buy more/less points?

I am pretty happy with our current mix. Currently playing with Interval International (II) and Vistana SO points that were more recently acquired and may sell a Vistana that we use due to high MF because we are tiring of the location, it is too expensive to trade, and we are on the verge of having too many.


Would you use RCI more/less often?
We have gotten a few gems e.g. Four Seasons Vilamoura Portugal but mostly trade in-system points, DEX and II. RCI has gotten increasingly expensive with resort fees tacked on making in-system trades a better value for the quality. RCI has a lot 3 star resorts including Wyndham vs. HGVC 4 star. Why trade your Cadillac for a VW Golf?

Would you sign up for the Hilton credit cards to get more HH points?

Yes. And we pay MF for these. Great for augmenting trips with extra nights.


Would you attend more/less sales presentations to try and get more free points in your HH account?

Fewer. We were using these to get discounted stays but now realized that with our resale timeshares that trade in II and DEX that we can get better value exchanging and then take HHonors or other offers as they arise at the resort. Pretty high bar for us these days.

Would you use a different company (not use Hilton) for your TS travels?

We own both HGVC deeds and Vistana with SO points and II trading. These systems complement each other with different locations. II trading is valuable to access Marriott, Hyatt Disney properties. SO points is best for in-system Westin and Sheraton trades.


What would be your ideal starter point/location deal?

HGVC Vegas or Craigendarroch Lodges Scotland for HGVC deeds
We also own NYC because we like to go there so would pickup a resale there.

Outside HGVC to complement:
(free) Sheraton Desert Oasis to trade in II for MVC and Vistana if you can vacation for a week at a time. IMHO II Is better than RCI because you can access Marriotts and some Hyatt and Disney.
Westin Kierland (mandatory SO points) for use in the Vistana system (costs money)


If you want to discuss any of these options in detail, please PM me.

I started with something we loved which was a resale in Kona. Love the property and the price was good but MF are, no doubt, high. The remainder of our purchases have been Craig Lodges where we have seen the absolutely best bang for our buck. Great consistent price, low closing fees, MF that are among the lowest, qualify for Elite status, AND great flexibility with access to both DEX and RCI, in addition to HGVC. I don’t regret where we started but I have toyed with the idea of selling the Hawaii we started with as we don’t often book our homeweek.