Buying HGVC for points or location

[Garynoon1]

Hi everybody! I’m considering buying a resale in either Hawaii or Las Vegas but I’m not limited to those locations. I’ll probably never use the Las Vegas location. I don’t have a good sense for trade ability of the points, but I’ve heard Las Vegas may be the best option since their maintenance fees are lower. Also I don’t understand if I really need to buy platinum points. I’m thinking I need at least 13,000 to 17,000 points to be able to vacation for about a week in high-demand HGVC locations. To get that many points I probably would need to buy 2 Las Vegas weeks at 8000 points each. Alternatively, I’ve seen just under 14,000 points in Hawaii in a two bedroom plus platinum. Appreciate your input!

 

[Sandy VDH]

It really depends on where you intend on going and when. If you need an event week or a very high priority week, or you have verify limited flexibility then getting a unit at the resort you need home access to might help. If you are flexible then buying with lowest MF is better.

Lagoon tower holiday weeks are the hardest to get units in Hawaii. If you have extra points then getting any of the other options in Oahu are easy enough. Big Island is even easier to get into.

Ski weeks in general, and ski holiday weeks are the hardest to get weeks generally in the system.

What size unit and location are you thinking of trying to get?

 

[Garynoon1]

It really depends on where you intend on going and when. If you need an event week or a very high priority week, or you have verify limited flexibility then getting a unit at the resort you need home access to might help. If you are flexible then buying with lowest MF is better.

Lagoon tower holiday weeks are the hardest to get units in Hawaii. If you have extra points then getting any of the other options in Oahu are easy enough. Big Island is even easier to get into.

Ski weeks in general, and ski holiday weeks are the hardest to get weeks generally in the system.

What size unit and location are you thinking of trying to get?

Thanks so much for your reply Sandy! Yes, flexibility is pretty important as we may go to Japan one year, Hawaiian another year, Charleston another year. My questions really surround what’s more important for that flexibility, points/season, or my home resort. I realize that may be distinctions between requesting through RCI or HGVC and that can add some complexity. We would need at least two beds, but it looks like two bedroom units generally come with more points.

Thanks again for your input!
Gary

 

[SmithOp]

IMO it's better to pay a little more up front to get a platinum season week, it provides the most points for the same annual fees as the gold season.

 

[GT75]

Welcome to TUG. I moved your thread to the HGVC forum. We have wonderful HGVC TUG members who love to help (which certainly includes @SmithOp & @Sandy VDH )

 

[GT75]

IMO it's better to pay a little more up front to get a platinum season week

That is my opinion also. Another benefit to platinum season weeks are they should be much easier to unload when you are done with them.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Another option to consider, beside Platinum Season as a must, is that at some resorts the Plus and premier units have the same MF as the standard units in the same size. That could also bring down your MF$ per point costs. When I picked up my units there were pretty much only standards units, as this was just as HGVC was starting points.

Elara for instance charges he same for PLUS units as standard. Onlly caveat for Elara is not all units are Hilton, so be careful. Former Westgate units can not become Hilton units. Kings'Land does the same AFAIK, so premium units are often a great MF $ per point.

 

[Garynoon1]

This is great information! thanks so much everyone. Are all platinum weeks equal? I’ve actually seen some weeks that are listed as platinum, but don’t even have summer weeks included. Will a platinum week in Las Vegas exchange as well as a platinum week in Hawaii? Am I right that I would probably need more than 1000 points to go to high demand resorts like in Japan?

 

[buzglyd]

This is great information! thanks so much everyone. Are all platinum weeks equal? I’ve actually seen some weeks that are listed as platinum, but don’t even have summer weeks included. Will a platinum week in Las Vegas exchange as well as a platinum week in Hawaii? Am I right that I would probably need more than 1000 points to go to high demand resorts like in Japan?

Points are points once you're in the 9 month booking window. I would say get a minimum of 11,200 which is a 2 bedroom platinum week.

 

[brp]

This is great information! thanks so much everyone. Are all platinum weeks equal? I’ve actually seen some weeks that are listed as platinum, but don’t even have summer weeks included. Will a platinum week in Las Vegas exchange as well as a platinum week in Hawaii? Am I right that I would probably need more than 1000 points to go to high demand resorts like in Japan?

If you are not using your home resort, the season doesn't matter for trading, only for number of points at a given MF (as compared to, say, Gold). Points are points and the type of week does not matter per se. And, yes, you will need more than 1000 points for most stays. Look at point charts on the web for examples.

Cheers.

 

[DazedandConfused]

I think the best plan is to try to buy the highest point unit in the platinum season with the lowest annual dues. For example, buy a 1 bedroom plus or premier over a standard 1 bedroom.

 

[Garynoon1]

If you are not using your home resort, the season doesn't matter for trading, only for number of points at a given MF (as compared to, say, Gold). Points are points and the type of week does not matter per se. And, yes, you will need more than 1000 points for most stays. Look at point charts on the web for examples.

Cheers.

Apologies… I meant to say 8000 points

 

[brp]

Apologies… I meant to say 8000 points

No worries. 8000 is doable for shorter trips, but really is on the low end, as others have noted. The 11,200 size would be better and, for more and longer stays, you'd want more going forward, I think.

Cheers.

 

[letsgobobby]

That is my opinion also. Another benefit to platinum season weeks are they should be much easier to unload when you are done with them.

i third this opinion, no matter how cheap a gold week i think over time the lower MF/pt of a plat coupled with the easier resale of a plat makes them generally smart choices.

Understand that 'buying in Hawaii' is only helpful if you plan to reserve your home week in Hawaii 9-12 months in advance. You can only reserve a home week reserving exactly the unit type you own arriving exactly on the resort arrival date in your season. For example at Lagoon even though i own, I cannot reserve a different 2br type, a different season, or arrival on Monday. All of those would require a club season reservation in which case there would be no advantage to owning at Lagoon.

That said we combined approacheds.

 

[dayooper]

I agree with the advice given above. Buy platinum deeds at resorts with better MF’s. The sticky at the top of this forum has MF’s listed for most of the HGVC properties. The 2nd post in that thread has an awesome spreadsheet that @GT75 has created that lists the best MF’s in the system.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club / HGVC

Discussions about Hilton Grand Vacation Club Timeshares and point system ownerships

tugbbs.com

The key is dividing the MF amount by the number of points (MF/points allocated) to find your cost per point. If you can keep it under $0.10 per point, you are doing well. Since these are desirable deeds, you will probably pay more for them, but the cost will even out in the long run.

The only caveat I have is if you want a hard to book location during a holiday week, than you want the home week booking advantage. These places include the Gulf Coast affiliates, ski weeks in Colorado or Utah, certain weeks in Oahu or Hilton Head. Otherwise, if you learn the system (it’s not very hard), you will be able to go just about anywhere.

 

[Garynoon1]

I agree with the advice given above. Buy platinum deeds at resorts with better MF’s. The sticky at the top of this forum has MF’s listed for most of the HGVC properties. The 2nd post in that thread has an awesome spreadsheet that @GT75 has created that lists the best MF’s in the system.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club / HGVC

Discussions about Hilton Grand Vacation Club Timeshares and point system ownerships

tugbbs.com

The key is dividing the MF amount by the number of points (MF/points allocated) to find your cost per point. If you can keep it under $0.10 per point, you are doing well. Since these are desirable deeds, you will probably pay more for them, but the cost will even out in the long run.

The only caveat I have is if you want a hard to book location during a holiday week, than you want the home week booking advantage. These places include the Gulf Coast affiliates, ski weeks in Colorado or Utah, certain weeks in Oahu or Hilton Head. Otherwise, if you learn the system (it’s not very hard), you will be able to go just about anywhere.

So, would an every other year platinum - 2bd plus at lagoon tower for $5000 be a good deal? Points = 13,440 and Maint is $1924. (.14 per point?)
I’ve seen by Elara EOY 1 bd+ resale for $1000 and 8800 points w a maintenance fee of $1000, but I guess I would need two of those to get the number of points I want. Just don’t know if I want to buy two timeshares right now - but it definitely seems to offer the best value that I’ve seen.
You folks are so helpful and I’m very thankful for your input!

 

[Panina]

1) If you are only using the week you purchase at your home resort 1 out of 3 years buy instead where you can get the most points for the least maintenance fee.

2) If it is a must to go a certain HGVC resort, that is hard to trade, into buy there.

3) Buy the highest point week you can afford instead of getting two 8000 point weeks. In the long run you will save in maintenance fees.

4) If you can't afford to purchase the higher point week (but can afford the maintenance fee) and opt to get a 8000 point week try to get it at a very desirable resort so it will at least be easy to find a home for it in the future.

5) If you don't use the week you purchased you will get points. Points are points, it doesn't matter which HGVC you purchased.

6) Realize if you do not use your home week, you will be searching manually to find the week you desire. You will be able to start looking for what you want 9 months out but for many low inventory properties it can take time to find it. Flexibility is the key.

 

[GT75]

So, would an every other year platinum - 2bd plus at lagoon tower for $5000 be a good deal? Points = 13,440 and Maint is $1924. (.14 per point?)

Do you plan to go to HI and stay at LT in a 2BR+ EOY (or most of the time) for 1 week starting on a Sat-Sat? HWs are very restrictive:

• Home Week reservations are consecutive night reservations at the Home Resort in the season
  and unit type owned, for the number of days owned, checking in on the resort’s standard or
  available check-in day (“Home Week”) {for LT this is Saturday} . Members have a priority reservation period to reserve their
  Home Week during the “Home Week Priority Reservation Window” without competing for such
  reservation with other Members other than those owning the same suite configuration and season
  at the same resort. This window lasts approximately 90 days beginning one year (365 days) prior
  to the desired check-in date and ending nine months (276 days) in advance of the desired checkin
  date.

If you don't, then I would purchase somewhere else with cheaper MFs/pts.

but I guess I would need two of those to get the number of points I want.

If you get two then you will also need to pay two closing cost and transfer/enrollment fees.

Enrollment / Activation Fee	$695
Ownership Change Fee	$474

plus costing costs.

 

[fishwithwater]

I have always gotten into Hawaii when booking at 9 months, sometimes I had to walk the reservation a bit. Also, there are a few room types that are harder to get than others. The thing I really liked about HGVC Hawaii is that there are 1 bedroom configurations with 2 doubles beds.

Since OP mentioned they would like to go to Japan, I also go every year or every other year, but never found use of the timeshares there. There are very few properties and at locations that are not necessarily convenient. For the points needed to stay there (whether it's RCI or HGVC), I think you can find a good Japanese hotel with the equivalent amount of cash. I would not buy a timeshare liability based on the need to go there.

 

[dayooper]

So, would an every other year platinum - 2bd plus at lagoon tower for $5000 be a good deal? Points = 13,440 and Maint is $1924. (.14 per point?)
I’ve seen by Elara EOY 1 bd+ resale for $1000 and 8800 points w a maintenance fee of $1000, but I guess I would need two of those to get the number of points I want. Just don’t know if I want to buy two timeshares right now - but it definitely seems to offer the best value that I’ve seen.
You folks are so helpful and I’m very thankful for your input!

Unless I was planning on going to LT, I would not purchase this deed. You can purchase a Boulevard platinum 2 bedroom for around $6000. That’s an annual so you would get the 11,200 points every January. EoY deeds can be useful, but you lose flexibility when it’s your only deed.

 

[DazedandConfused]

i third this opinion, no matter how cheap a gold week i think over time the lower MF/pt of a plat coupled with the easier resale of a plat makes them generally smart choices.

Understand that 'buying in Hawaii' is only helpful if you plan to reserve your home week in Hawaii 9-12 months in advance. You can only reserve a home week reserving exactly the unit type you own arriving exactly on the resort arrival date in your season. For example at Lagoon even though i own, I cannot reserve a different 2br type, a different season, or arrival on Monday. All of those would require a club season reservation in which case there would be no advantage to owning at Lagoon.

That said we combined approacheds.

well, from what I have been told, if you own in Hawaii and call a week before checkin for a particular location, they said they try to accommodate Hawaii owner requests first.

 

[brp]

well, from what I have been told, if you own in Hawaii and call a week before checkin for a particular location, they said they try to accommodate Hawaii owner requests first.

We don't own in Hawaii and we have preferred rooms at Kingsland. We have gotten them the two times we called, so it can work for us scum as well.

Cheers.

 

[Garynoon1]

We don't own in Hawaii and we have preferred rooms at Kingsland. We have gotten them the two times we called, so it can work for us scum as well.

Cheers.

Sorry for so many questions, but this has been so helpful. So 11,200 points platinum should be sufficient for most 1 week vacations? Is there a way to purchase additional points? It seems on the Boulevard, Platinum doesn’t even include summer weeks - confusing to me. Does it matter?

 

[GT75]

Sorry for so many questions,

NP, we are here to help answer your questions. And the best part is, that we aren't trying to sell you anything. We just try to share our experience.

So 11,200 points platinum should be sufficient for most 1 week vacations?

Yes, this would be typical for standard 2BR. But the newer resorts, there has been point inflation which require more points for a 2BR with better views for example. For example, at Ocean Oak (2016) {Hilton Head Island} there will be a 2BR reg room platinum season 11,200 pts, 2BR+ Ocean View 13440 pts and 2BR premier (Ocean Front) 15,360 pts. For Maui, it will be much higher.

Is there a way to purchase additional points?

Certainly, purchase more deeds.

It seems on the Boulevard, Platinum doesn’t even include summer weeks - confusing to me. Does it matter?

No, if you are just buying it for the points. It will vary depending on the locations. For Boulevard.

 

[Garynoon1]

NP, we are here to help answer your questions. And the best part is, that we aren't trying to sell you anything. We just try to share our experience.

Yes, this would be typical for standard 2BR. But the newer resorts, there has been point inflation which require more points for a 2BR with better views for example. For example, at Ocean Oak (2016) {Hilton Head Island} there will be a 2BR reg room platinum season 11,200 pts, 2BR+ Ocean View 13440 pts and 2BR premier (Ocean Front) 15,360 pts. For Maui, it will be much higher.

Certainly, purchase more deeds.

No, if you are just buying it for the points. It will vary depending on the locations. For Boulevard.
View attachment 93519

Ok, I think I get it now. If I plan to go to Hawaii (probably Kings Land) every 2 to 3 years. It’s still OK to buy Vegas for the points and cheaper maintenance fee.