Buy where you don't intend to stay?

[Gwendyc]

We're realizing we need more points than our platinum EOY gets us. We own at SeaWorld but I am a little worried about the Florida fees going up, based on some mailings I have seen, so I am a little hesitant to buy more Florida, even if we go there quite a bit. I have seen people suggest Vegas, but we aren't likely to go there except maybe once. Does it matter in the HGVC system if you buy where you want to stay/buy where you never plan to stay?

Also, we have 2 elementary school-aged kids, so I know we are only a few years away from a 1 bedroom feeling too small. Is it a better strategy to add on a smaller deed now and another smaller one 3 or 4 years from now to save maintenance fees on points we don't need at the moment, or with HGVC transfer fees, etc. is it better to get one bigger deed? Are there any fees that apply only to first-time members that we wouldn't see on a second or third deed? Thanks!

 

[Sandy VDH]

No, buy where the MFs are lower.

Only reason to buy where you own is because it is difficult to obtain that booking at club season. So some holiday weeks and say places like Ocean Oak are harder to get. Only if you are inflexible and need the Home week advantage, then buy elsewhere.

For example I am acquiring a W57th because I go to NYC frequently and annually, and I would like a more reliable access to that inventory. Regular HGVC access is too restrictive.

 

[GT75]

Where/When do you see yourself traveling? So you will be locked into the school schedule (unless you home-school). In general because you didn't give us specifics, I agree with @Sandy VDH statements above. I own a LV Boulevard deed and have never been to Vegas.

 

[Gwendyc]

Where/When do you see yourself traveling? So you will be locked into the school schedule (unless you home-school). In general because you didn't give us specifics, I agree with @Sandy VDH statements above. I own a LV Boulevard deed and have never been to Vegas.

Spring break South Carolina (I was diligent about booking right when reservations opened and this year got Ocean Oak; we've also enjoyed Myrtle Beach, though), fall break (October) Florida, summer Chicago or Washington DC (never been to the DC property yet, so not sure how hard to book). Maybe a November or December Florida trip, and hope to make it out to Breckenridge, Marbrisa, and Hawaii sometime. Likely on a school break, though we have taken kids out of school for 3-5 days and homeschooled one year.

 

[GT75]

Ok. Since you already understand HGVC bookings during club season, I would suggest looking for at least 11,200 pts platinum seasons deed at Elara, Boulevard or Craigendarroch.

 

[dayooper]

Ok. Since you already understand HGVC bookings during club season, I would suggest looking for at least 11,200 pts platinum seasons deed at Elara, Boulevard or Craigendarroch.

This exactly.

 

[h2oflyboy]

No… I buy in the areas I want to go to - several times a year. NYC, Cabo, & Maui. I’m done with Disney’s HIGH $COST$ and restrictive reservation’s policies. I spent my first 4 years of ownership doing 4 day mid-week trips to Orlando. You don’t need a unit there for guaranteed space - there are way too many units.

Ownership in NYC comes with free breakfast.

 

[Eric B]

Ownership in NYC comes with free breakfast.

"free" = "pre-paid" of course. It's in your maintenance fees. TANSTAAFB. Still a good deal.

It also comes with free hors d'oeuvres and beer/wine in the evening.

 

[brp]

I’m done with Disney’s HIGH $COST$ and restrictive reservation’s policies.

A bit of a diversion, but I'm curious about the Disney comments, specifically the restrictive reservation policies. We have DVC since 2008 and never found them any more restrictive than HGVC (and fewer, i.e. no, nickel and dime fees). Also, on a vacation per MF basis, I find them competitive with HGVC.

Cheers.

 

[TolmiePeak]

"free" = "pre-paid" of course. It's in your maintenance fees. TANSTAAFB. Still a good deal.

It also comes with free hors d'oeuvres and beer/wine in the evening.

Agreed. Also which NYC deeds allow you to waive the booking fees? Still even with that you would have to make tons of bookings in order to break even with the higher maintenance fees.

 

[brp]

Agreed. Also which NYC deeds allow you to waive the booking fees? Still even with that you would have to make tons of bookings in order to break even with the higher maintenance fees.

All of them allow it. But not something to buy just for this. Buy if you want to stay there and then the MFs are reasonable compared to equivalent accommodations.

Cheers.

 

[TolmiePeak]

All of them allow it. But not something to buy just for this. Buy if you want to stay there and then the MFs are reasonable compared to equivalent accommodations.

Cheers.

I stayed at W 57th in February and booked another trip next month. Doesn't seem hard to book.

 

[Eric B]

I stayed at W 57th in February and booked another trip next month. Doesn't seem hard to book.

February in NYC is typically very easy to get and often has discounted stays. IMHO, owning in NYC is worth it for hard-to-get reservations like Thanksgiving, US Open, etc., or if you want to stay in the penthouse units there. The owners lounge is a great perk - though not really free, it does come in at a good price if you use your ownership going there based on what the budgeted costs are for the food/drink service and the fact that HGVC is covering their share for unsold inventory (who don't consume much).

Also which NYC deeds allow you to waive the booking fees? Still even with that you would have to make tons of bookings in order to break even with the higher maintenance fees.

As mentioned, all of the NYC deeds allow you to pay the all inclusive annual fee, which is a bit higher than the regular HGVC dues and includes reservations. Similar to the breakfast/hors d'oeuvres, it's not really free but instead paid as part of the dues. It's not just the NYC deeds but all the bHC deeds, which include some at Elara, The District, Liberty Place, and some others. There will be break even points for it for the higher maintenance fees as well as for the higher annual dues, but it does allow you to more freely make speculative reservations that you aren't positive you will be using.

As far as the higher maintenance fees goes, it really depends on what you're comparing them to. My bHC costs for a studio penthouse at The Quin are about $0.1038 per point, which doesn't seem too bad compared to other non-bHC resorts outside of Las Vegas and Scotland. I wouldn't feel terrible about using those points at a regular HGVC resort even though I bought them to use in NYC. My 1 BR penthouse there comes in at $0.1745 per point but I only use it there for the specific week and unit I own.

 

[brp]

I stayed at W 57th in February and booked another trip next month. Doesn't seem hard to book.

I assume that you're staying in STP? They are usually pretty easy to book. And, if you're OK with STP, maybe no reason to buy there.

Cheers.

 

[TolmiePeak]

STP? Not sure what that is. We stayed in a 1 bedroom last time and I booked a studio for May. We like to stay midweek because the museums and shows are less crowded that on the weekends. So that helps with availability.

 

[brp]

STP? Not sure what that is. We stayed in a 1 bedroom last time and I booked a studio for May. We like to stay midweek because the museums and shows are less crowded that on the weekends. So that helps with availability.

STP is the standard studio. STX is the premium studio. 1BR are harder to get, so great that you got it. And, yes, midweek helps. And it's fewer points, too

We now do midweek. But we like the STX unit, and they are harder to get as there are few.

Cheers.

 

[h2oflyboy]

"free" = "pre-paid" of course. It's in your maintenance fees. TANSTAAFB. Still a good deal.

It also comes with free hors d'oeuvres and beer/wine in the evening.

AND BACON!

A bit of a diversion, but I'm curious about the Disney comments, specifically the restrictive reservation policies. We have DVC since 2008 and never found them any more restrictive than HGVC (and fewer, i.e. no, nickel and dime fees). Also, on a vacation per MF basis, I find them competitive with HGVC.

Cheers.

Honestly - I was commenting on someone's post! I have no idea why I did not include this info, but to address the point about the restrictive reservation's policies - that had to do with park admission. Yes, in this context - I went off onto some bizarre rant! AHA - you took a small portion of my comment out of context - the OP wrote about Florida and I went for Orlando as why I wouldn't buy there.

Oh, the places you'll go!

 

[h2oflyboy]

deleted

 

[brp]

Honestly - I was commenting on someone's post! I have no idea why I did not include this info, but to address the point about the restrictive reservation's policies - that had to do with park admission. Yes, in this context - I went off onto some bizarre rant! AHA - you took a small portion of my comment out of context - the OP wrote about Florida and I went for Orlando as why I wouldn't buy there.

Oh, the places you'll go!

I actually thought that might be the case. Thanks for clarifying. I actually disagree about the restrictiveness of Disney park admission and reservation policies as well. But that is definitely too far afield for this thread and forum.

Cheers.