Can someone explain what do they mean by Points are Points ?

[mz3bo]

Also, can someone explain what they mean by POINTS are POINTS with HGVC ? Let say I am trading inside hilton system (no RCI). If I own 7000 points in vegas and want to trade most of the time to Mexico on Hawaii, do I have less chance because I own Vegas and not somewhere else. In another word, what is the difference if you have 7000 points in vegas or 7000 points in hawaii when comes to exchaning on hilton network ?

Thanks

 

[SmithOp]

If you own Hawaii you can book your owned unit type at 12 months, if you don't own there you have to wait for the 9 month club season to open up. There may not be a vacancy if you wait for high demand weeks like summer and holidays.

If you are willing to get online right at 9 months you can usually book anywhere you want to go (with exception of event weeks), so therefore points are points.

 

[tschwa2]

So 7000 points in Hawaii (or anywhere else) will only help you with earlier booking at the exact resort you own at, during your season. Hawaii points won't make any difference when booking Mexico, or even a different Hawaiian property or even the same property during a different season. At 9 months points are points.

Another exception is if you buy points outside of the main resorts in an affiliate resort, they may have different rules about prepaying MF's, etc but at 9 months the actual points will be the same as the same number of points at any other resort in terms of ability to book within the system.

 

[ronparise]

I use "points are points" to describe my points in the Wyndham system, not Hilton(I dont own Hilton) so I hope my comment is relavent. If not I apologise for confusing you further


Points are the currency in my timeshare system They are symbolic of my ownership and what I use to make reservations

Its just like the money in my bank account where I might say a dollar is a dollar. The money is symbolic of the work I have done and of what I own. and its what I use to trade for things I want. When it comes to writing a check, it doesnt matter how the individual dollars got there. In my case, some came from my social security direct deposit, some came from a retirement check from a job I once had, some came from the rent I collected from real estate I own... But when I go to spend that money the grocery clerk doesnt care where that money comes from...all he cares about is that the little terminal says "approved" when I swipe my card.

Same thing with your points it doesnt matter which resort in your system thay came from. and long as you have enough of them you should be able to exchange them for a vacation somewhere else.

 

[MelanieB]

I'm kind of repeating what others have already said here, but I'll say it a slightly different way.

There are two sorts of reservations you can make with points within the Hilton system. Per Hilton's club rules: "Home Week reservations are consecutive night reservations at the resort at which a Member has an ownership interest in the season and unit type owned, for the number of days owned, checking in on the resort’s standard check-in day (“Home Week”)." In other words, if you own a 2 bedroom platinum week at a resort with a Saturday check-in, then 7 nights in a 2 bedroom unit during platinum season starting on Saturday at that resort is what you can book as a home week. Nothing else. *Any* other booking is a "club reservation". Sunday check-in? Club reservation. Gold season? Club reservation. 8 night stay? Club reservation.

There are exactly two advantages to making a home reservation. First, you don't have to pay the reservation fee (~$50 online or $70 on the phone), and second, you can make a reservation as much as 12 months in advance. Club reservations may only be made 9 months in advance. So if availability is an issue, the home booking window can be important. Whether availability in the club booking window is an issue depends on the resort and the season.

One caveat about home reservations that I think is frequently overlooked is that home reservations must be made using current year points. IMO this completely kills the flexibility of the system. So, for example, suppose in 2015 you decide to take an 8-day vacation instead of a 7-day vacation. So you borrow a few points from 2016. Well, now your 2015 reservation must be made as a club booking (because it's not the number of days you own), and any 2016 reservation you make must also be a club reservation (because you don't have the full year's points available to make a home reservation). Now you're either taking a shorter vacation in 2016, or you're borrowing again from 2017. (Borrowing is good, by the way. It's free and automatic, and ensures you don't waste points.) If you choose the shorter vacation and you don't happen to use exactly the number of points remaining in 2016, then you're either wasting points or rescuing them into 2017 (for a fee). Now in 2017 you might make your home week booking, but you're still left with those rescued 2016 points you have to use - and odds are that the reservation you want to make are not going to add up to exactly the number of points you have left, which leaves you in a "waste or borrow" position again.

So, what all of this means is that many people tend to forget about home week entirely and make club reservations most (or all) of the time. When booking a club reservation, it makes no difference where your points come from. Whether you're booking at your home resort or not, you are given the same priority and treatment as anyone else making a club reservation. It's an even playing field. Thus, unless you are routinely making home week bookings… points are points.

 

[UWSurfer]

Within the HGVC system, HGVC Points are the same whether they originate from a Las Vegas, Hawaii, Florida or other HGVC system property. It's a form of currency used within the system for exchanges. Hence the saying "Points are Points", "A buck is a buck", "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"....

(Ok, maybe the Vegas saying doesn't apply to HGVC, I'm just saying.):rofl:

 

[buzglyd]

So 7000 points in Hawaii (or anywhere else) will only help you with earlier booking at the exact resort you own at, during your season. Hawaii points won't make any difference when booking Mexico, or even a different Hawaiian property or even the same property during a different season. At 9 months points are points.

Another exception is if you buy points outside of the main resorts in an affiliate resort, they may have different rules about prepaying MF's, etc but at 9 months the actual points will be the same as the same number of points at any other resort in terms of ability to book within the system.

Affiliates don't always work like a regular HGVC resort in some cases (mine at least)

I can already use my 2015 points at my 7000 point Waikoloa Beach Resort.

However, my Seapointe reservation can't be made until 12 months. I own a fixed week 35 (which is odd that I have to make a "reservation" anyway for a fixed week) and I won't be able to get my 2015 points (6200 points) for this week until week 35 of 2014 when I'm 12 months out.

It makes borrowing a little more difficult since my week is so late in the year.

 

[Kajeda]

I have a question concerning this topic as well. I've seen HGV resale points listed as Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. I know that this restricts the ability of the owner to book during certain periods of the year. Does this restriction apply only during the "Home Week" period?

So if I bought resale points (I assume cheaper) on a bronze package, would I have the same shot at making reservations during the Club reservation period vs. someone who had the same amount of platinum points during the Club reservation period?

 

[Sandy VDH]

I have a question concerning this topic as well. I've seen HGV resale points listed as Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. I know that this restricts the ability of the owner to book during certain periods of the year. Does this restriction apply only during the "Home Week" period?

So if I bought resale points (I assume cheaper) on a bronze package, would I have the same shot at making reservations during the Club reservation period vs. someone who had the same amount of platinum points during the Club reservation period?

Yes true. But with a bronze package you likely pay a higher MF per point fee than a platinum owners.

Most of the timeshares have the same MF based on unit size, well Platinum pays the same for a 2 BR that a Bronze owners does. But gets significantly more points. So their MF $ per point is much less.

So you could both book the same clue season reservation, but it would cost the Bronze package holder a higher MF $, since the MF per Point is higher.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Platinum costs less than Bronze and then some

Yes true. But with a bronze package you likely pay a higher MF per point fee than a platinum owners.

Most of the timeshares have the same MF based on unit size, well Platinum pays the same for a 2 BR that a Bronze owners does. But gets significantly more points. So their MF $ per point is much less.

So you could both book the same clue season reservation, but it would cost the Bronze package holder a higher MF $, since the MF per Point is higher.

I agree with the way you look at it costing more in maintenance fees to make the same reservation owning Bronze than its does owning Platinum. Another way of looking at it is that if you own a standard 7000 point 2 BR Platinum week you can go on a standard 2 BR Platinum vacation every year. If you own a standard 2 BR Bronze week you may only be able to go on a 2 BR Platinum vacation about every 3 years, although you could go on a standard 2 Br Bronze week vacation every year if that location and time of the year is desirable.

 

[mz3bo]

This is GReat Info ! Many thanks..

Ie... Let say I am getting HGVC 7000 Platinum week in Vegas, can someone tell me by experience if I have a chance of getting something in Mexico (fiesta) with platinum week when Open season starts (like at the 9th month) ? My concern is about the inventory availability from real life owners who has tried. Now that I understand the point = point system

 

[buzglyd]

This is GReat Info ! Many thanks..

Ie... Let say I am getting HGVC 7000 Platinum week in Vegas, can someone tell me by experience if I have a chance of getting something in Mexico (fiesta) with platinum week when Open season starts (like at the 9th month) ? My concern is about the inventory availability from real life owners who has tried. Now that I understand the point = point system

I think you mean Club season?

Open Season is a 30 day window for cash reservations.

Club Season is really good for nearly all resorts. Oahu in prime season is the most difficult at the 9 month window but you can do it if you know exactly what you want and act quickly.

 

[Kajeda]

Yes true. But with a bronze package you likely pay a higher MF per point fee than a platinum owners.

Most of the timeshares have the same MF based on unit size, well Platinum pays the same for a 2 BR that a Bronze owners does. But gets significantly more points. So their MF $ per point is much less.

So you could both book the same clue season reservation, but it would cost the Bronze package holder a higher MF $, since the MF per Point is higher.

Do the different packages (i.e. Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) have certain maximum points that you can buy in each? For instance, is the Platinum package the only one that allows you to purchase 7000 points or more or can I only purchase 4800 points in a Platinum or Gold package and Silver and Bronze have lower maximum points?

Do you figure the cost of purchasing points into the MF per point cost?

 

[Tamaradarann]

Each Week Points vary by Season

Do the different packages (i.e. Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) have certain maximum points that you can buy in each? For instance, is the Platinum package the only one that allows you to purchase 7000 points or more or can I only purchase 4800 points in a Platinum or Gold package and Silver and Bronze have lower maximum points?

Do you figure the cost of purchasing points into the MF per point cost?

Each week's points values vary by Season and Size from about 1000 points for a Studio Bronze to 28,000 points for a Platinum 3 BR Penthouse. From memory I don't know the exact point values of each but you can project that Platinum goes from 2200 points for a Studio to 28,000 points for the 3 BR Penthouse and that the point values of Gold, Silver and Bronze is about 70%, 50%, and 35% respective of Platinum for the size of accommodations if available. I say if available since Silver and Platinum are only available in a few resorts.

 

[Tamaradarann]

The 28,000 3 BR Penthouse at the Grand Waikikian

Each week's points values vary by Season and Size from about 1000 points for a Studio Bronze to 28,000 points for a Platinum 3 BR Penthouse. From memory I don't know the exact point values of each but you can project that Platinum goes from 2200 points for a Studio to 28,000 points for the 3 BR Penthouse and that the point values of Gold, Silver and Bronze is about 70%, 50%, and 35% respective of Platinum for the size of accommodations if available. I say if available since Silver and Platinum are only available in a few resorts.

I just thought again about the statement of 28,000 points for the 3 BR Penthouse which is at the Grand Waikikian, there may be 3 BR Penthouses at other resorts that don't have such high point values since they are not in a premium resort like the Grand Waikikian.

 

[Ron98GT]

I just thought again about the statement of 28,000 points for the 3 BR Penthouse which is at the Grand Waikikian, there may be 3 BR Penthouses at other resorts that don't have such high point values since they are not in a premium resort like the Grand Waikikian.

Actually, a Platinum week is 28,750 points , but who's counting

You can get a 3-BR Plus Platinum week in the Lagoon tower for 9,600 points, but it's not a penthouse

 

[mz3bo]

Well.. since the type of metal only affect the points by percentage of xxx ... then points are points are just what counts the most...

 

[Tamaradarann]

Thanks for the correction but I hope the message was correct

Actually, a Platinum week is 28,750 points , but who's counting

You can get a 3-BR Plus Platinum week in the Lagoon tower for 9,600 points, but it's not a penthouse

\\

Ron, Thanks for the correction, I hope the message was correct with respect to the points for each metal type.

 

[alwysonvac]

Actually, a Platinum week is 28,750 points , but who's counting

You can get a 3-BR Plus Platinum week in the Lagoon tower for 9,600 points, but it's not a penthouse

It's a penthouse unit. All of the 3 BR Plus units are all two story penthouse units on the top floor (24th) in the Lagoon Tower.

A 3 bedroom plus can either be a 3 bdrm oceanfront penthouse or 3 bdrm oceanview penthouse (determined by the front desk)
NOTE: I'm assuming HHV owners are assigned the oceanfront units.

See post #4 in this old thread for more info on the penthouse units - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132850

From my 2012 photos:

 

[Seth Nock]

The 3 bedroom Lagoon Tower can also be Diamond Head View.

 

[alwysonvac]

The 3 bedroom Lagoon Tower can also be Diamond Head View.

Yes, the penthouse rooms facing the rainbow tower can see Diamond Head

 

[Ron98GT]

\\

Ron, Thanks for the correction, I hope the message was correct with respect to the points for each metal type.

Not really a correction, just kidding around

 

[Ron98GT]

It's a penthouse unit. All of the 3 BR Plus units are all two story penthouse units on the top floor (24th) in the Lagoon Tower.

A 3 bedroom plus can either be a 3 bdrm oceanfront penthouse or 3 bdrm oceanview penthouse (determined by the front desk)
NOTE: I'm assuming HHV owners are assigned the oceanfront units.

See post #4 in this old thread for more info on the penthouse units - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132850

From my 2012 photos:

Nice for everyone to know. In the HGVC Member Guide, they label the Lagoon Tower 3-BR only as a "3 Bedroom Plus". Whereas they label the Grand Waikikian 3-BR as a "3 BR Penthouse".

That's what I get for kidding around, get myself in trouble - again

 

[brp]

So 7000 points in Hawaii (or anywhere else) will only help you with earlier booking at the exact resort you own at, during your season. Hawaii points won't make any difference when booking Mexico, or even a different Hawaiian property or even the same property during a different season. At 9 months points are points.

The exception to this are the New York properties - Hilton Club and W. 57th St. These are much more limited for people getting in. I think it might not even be possible for W. 57th St. As we own in New York (just bought W. 57th resale and selling HCNY back to Hilton), I don't know the full details of what is, and isn't, possible from the outside, but I do know it's different from other properties.

Cheers.

 

[Kajeda]

Yes true. But with a bronze package you likely pay a higher MF per point fee than a platinum owners.

Most of the timeshares have the same MF based on unit size, well Platinum pays the same for a 2 BR that a Bronze owners does. But gets significantly more points. So their MF $ per point is much less.

So you could both book the same clue season reservation, but it would cost the Bronze package holder a higher MF $, since the MF per Point is higher.

So then if I were to purchase lets say, 4800 resale points for the LV Flamingo, and I didn't plan on using the Flamingo as my "Home Resort", would there be an advantage to buying Platinum points vs Gold points if the MF costs were identical but the cost of the points were higher for the Platinum points?