Buying Bluegreen to get to MAX

[TimmyTimmy]

We're recent Hilton owners (from a family member) and brand new to TUG.

I've seen some discussions about this theory that buying a contract for Bluegreen would bump us up to MAX when it finally goes through.

Anyone have more details if they think it will actually happen that way?

Thanks for the advice and all the existing advice in topics I've been looking through over the past few weeks!

 

[escanoe]

I would start by researching MAX and seeing if it would really help you. Most people on here have found more puffery than substance to what MAX actually delivers, and if there is a benefit/access to something in MAX, there is usually a better, more affordable way to gain the benefit than making a new developer purchase.

Do you own HGVC or HVC? Buying a BG contract would not change either of those ownerships in any way that I have found to be clearly articulated. But I believe HVC may be merging with BG. DO not buy anything for an expected future benefit/change in a developer program.

 

[ljmiii]

I've seen some discussions about this theory that buying a contract for Bluegreen would bump us up to MAX when it finally goes through...

So...first off "MAX" isn't one thing. Hilton Grand Vacation Club, Hilton Vacation Club (nee Diamond), and Embarc each have their own MAX programs. So even if at some point in the future HGV decides to give new direct buyers of BG 'BG Max' status, that purchase is extraordinarily unlikely to change the status of their previously existing HGVC, HVC, and/or Embarc ownership.

It *might* help someone who already owns BG...but that doesn't sound like your circumstance.

 

[SmithOp]

The only way to get Max is a developer purchase from HGV. Nobody has been gifted it from the integration of the systems.

The 2024 HGVC rules had a fee listed of $7k for Max add on but nobody has reported being able to do it with a straight cash purchase.

Most of us feel it's not worth it for the 6 month leftover inventory.

Some people have reported Max being added from a resale HGVC purchase by mistake, and it seems to get reset then come back. It may reduce Elite benefits.

 

[GrayFal]

Here is the info updated this week from the BG owner website regarding BG and MAX

All future BG retail purchase will include Max.
For current BG owners, no one at any level will be grandfathered into Max, a new retail purchase of BG points (of unknown $$) is required to be part of the program.

and I agree with @escanoe assessment, you can get anything they are offering at a better price point (RCI exchange, etc)

HGV Max Frequently Asked Questions 11/16/24

What is HGV Max? HGV Max is a membership program that gives Members access to more properties in more destinations and discounts across the Hilton portfolio. How do I become an HGV Max Member? To become an HGV Max Member, you must make an eligible purchase. Visit a Sales Gallery on your next...

tugbbs.com

 

[TimmyTimmy]

Wow what a wealth of information! Thank you TUG community for the well thought it answers.

 

[GT75]

I moved your thread to the BlueGreen forum.

 

[santonoff]

Just came across this thread while building a timeline for a false promise upgrade to max in November 2024. We had an owner update the week of November 4th, and were promised an early release upgrade to max, that turned into a huge new loan with no new upgrade. What date was the option to upgrade to hgv max made official?

 

[cd5]

Just came across this thread while building a timeline for a false promise upgrade to max in November 2024. We had an owner update the week of November 4th, and were promised an early release upgrade to max, that turned into a huge new loan with no new upgrade. What date was the option to upgrade to hgv max made official?

They did the same thing to Embarc and Diamond members prior to the "official" launch and those members did not get Max. It was just salesperson lies to make a sale.
Believe me, Max is NOT an upgrade. It's an exchange system added to whatever timeshare points you have - at a very high price. Availability is not great as a Max member has to exchange out of their system for another Max member to get in.

 

[geist1223]

I always advise people to say no to MAX.

 

[Pat1mn]

They did the same thing to Embarc and Diamond members prior to the "official" launch and those members did not get Max. It was just salesperson lies to make a sale.
Believe me, Max is NOT an upgrade. It's an exchange system added to whatever timeshare points you have - at a very high price. Availability is not great as a Max member has to exchange out of their system for another Max member to get in.

This is actually not true. I emailed Bluegreen’s legal department asking very specific questions on Max. It’s currently not a real exchange at all! The reason it’s not an exchange is because there is no trading between clubs. The Max members in each of their respective clubs don’t have to fight each other for inventory. It’s also not leftover inventory.

Please feel free to email BG to verify, but currently all Max inventory is corporate owned inventory that is made available through different portals. These portals were: BVC as bonus time, discounted promotions, as well as seeding club member inventory. Then in RCI as Extra and Last Call Vacations, and again seeded inventory to promote actual exchanges. Lastly they had inventory go to multiple online retailers like Expedia and Booking.com.

They described Max as just a marketing tool to access this bonus corporate owned inventory.

Will it always be this way? I doubt it, but considering all new retail sales are HGV Max members they could easily change it to a real exchange when they hit their threshold goals.

Also consider that any new resorts opening might have little to no inventory to non Max members since most of it is also corporate owned and to buy there would make them Max members.

 

[cd5]

Oh but it is true. You got fed some pretty crazy stuff there. When you use your points to go to a different location in Max, you are not using corporate points. Your own points are made available for a stay for another Max member.
They "may" add corporate inventory (but very unlikely). Note that other resorts were added to Max, well before BG was purchased by Hilton and Max is not exclusive to BG - Hilton, Embarc and DRI are in it as well.
They are not using only "corporate" inventory unless that term is a convoluted way to say that once you use your points, they now belong to the developer to put into Max. One way or another, it all starts with a member/owner who uses their alottment to book something through Max or RCI or Interval or whatever else system is being used to go somewhere else.
They "may" be using BG corporate inventory at Max for the moment but they certainly don't for the others (Hilton, Diamond & Embarc).
You don't seem to understand how exchange systems work.Developer points are not the basis for these. They are "optional" and used for marketing purposes only if there is a glut of unsold inventory for specific locations.

 

[JohnnyO]

I always advise people to say no to MAX.