Can someone offer a strategy for maximizing HGVC points

[SFTechGeek]

My wife and I have been members for over 25 years. We have NEVER considered what time period we have chosen to visit. We just picked a location and went. But I’ve noticed that HGVC has started offering discounted points at various resorts. It seems that if one plans out the trip and the particular time to visit, one can save in the point requirements between platinum through bronze period. Honestly I haven’t looked at the week schedule in years until today.

Can anyone offer a strategy or weeks that helps maximizes points? We are pretty flexible for time and place. Or perhaps weeks not to visit due to major holidays or special events? We have 20K even year and 11K odd year. Waiting for another 8 K yearly to clear escrow. All are in HGVC. Thanks.

 

[dayooper]

My wife and I have been members for over 25 years. We have NEVER considered what time period we have chosen to visit. We just picked a location and went. But I’ve noticed that HGVC has started offering discounted points at various resorts. It seems that if one plans out the trip and the particular time to visit, one can save in the point requirements between platinum through bronze period. Honestly I haven’t looked at the week schedule in years until today.

Can anyone offer a strategy or weeks that helps maximizes points? We are pretty flexible for time and place. Or perhaps weeks not to visit due to major holidays or special events? We have 20K even year and 11K odd year. Waiting for another 8 K yearly to clear escrow. All are in HGVC. Thanks.

Great question. One of the ways I use to maximize my points is to stay more weekdays instead of weekends. A weekend day (Monday-Thursday) are half the points of a weekend night (Friday - Sunday). Example, last summer we stayed at Elara in Vegas. It was the 1st week of August so we were in gold season. We stayed 5 nights, Monday through Sunday (only 1 weekend night). We saved almost half the points if we booked 3 weekends and 2 weekdays.

This summer, we are staying at Hilton Head for 9 nights. We arrived in a Tuesday and will leave on the Thursday of the following week. We gained 2 extra days using half the points we would have if we booked 2 extra weekend nights instead of our weekdays.

 

[SmithOp]

Agree with Dayooper, maximize weekdays.

Being on West Coast we like Hawaii in gold season, April/May or Sep/Oct. I book Monday arrivals and Friday departures. The other advantage is less crowded check in since people using home weeks check in Saturdays.

Another strategy is to book Standard units versus plus or premier. We prefer the standard ground units at King's Land, easy access to the lawns and BBQ.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[brp]

We currently have more points than we can use so this has never come up

I jumped on a good deal for more points in advance of impending retirement when that equation will change. Then the weekday thing will be our biggest level. Maybe some Gold season in Hawaii as well.

Cheers.

 

[SFTechGeek]

Great question. One of the ways I use to maximize my points is to stay more weekdays instead of weekends. A weekend day (Monday-Thursday) are half the points of a weekend night (Friday - Sunday). Example, last summer we stayed at Elara in Vegas. It was the 1st week of August so we were in gold season. We stayed 5 nights, Monday through Sunday (only 1 weekend night). We saved almost half the points if we booked 3 weekends and 2 weekdays.

This summer, we are staying at Hilton Head for 9 nights. We arrived in a Tuesday and will leave on the Thursday of the following week. We gained 2 extra days using half the points we would have if we booked 2 extra weekend nights instead of our weekdays.

Great ideas. Thanks.

 

[SFTechGeek]

Agree with Dayooper, maximize weekdays.

Being on West Coast we like Hawaii in gold season, April/May or Sep/Oct. I book Monday arrivals and Friday departures. The other advantage is less crowded check in since people using home weeks check in Saturdays.

Another strategy is to book Standard units versus plus or premier. We prefer the standard ground units at King's Land, easy access to the lawns and BBQ.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

So with regards to King's Land, the plus and premier are only higher levels? They appear to be the same square footage. I didn't realize that when I stayed at KL, I either chose the 3rd floor or they automatically upgraded us. But I'll be more conscientious when I book in the future. Thx.

 

[brp]

So with regards to King's Land, the plus and premier are only higher levels? They appear to be the same square footage. I didn't realize that when I stayed at KL, I either chose the 3rd floor or they automatically upgraded us. But I'll be more conscientious when I book in the future. Thx.

Yeah, ya know. The rooms with the stuff that works costs more points...

But, yes, there are differently-appointed rooms that are the same square footage but still carry different point values. Many are the same room "type" and even have the same area, but cost differently based on location, newness of refurbishment or amenities. It's all about the booking codes for the rooms.

Cheers.

 

[weems637]

Also, to maximize your points usage, refer to the seasons in the points chart. Since you mentioned that you were flexible, off season points usage is significantly lower than high demand weeks

 

[Sandy VDH]

Look at point charts, at Kingsland there are higher point levels for larger rooms, All Phase 1 and part of phase 3, but they also have standard point tooms (standard as in the norm at most resorts) in phases 2 and part of 3.

Look for discount offers on the HGVC landing page, often there are resorts that are being offered at a discount. That happened during COVID, it may continue, that remains to be seen.

As others have said, travel midweek and travel in off season (Gold or Silver). There are so few bronze weeks in the system and they are generally weeks to be avoided anyway. Like mud season at ski locations.

 

[Nowaker]

Can anyone offer a strategy or weeks that helps maximizes points?

1. Book weekdays.
   1. Use your extra HH points or free night certificates from Amex to stay weekends at nearby hotels.
2. Book lower season.
   1. Example 1: Orlando resorts are Platinum in the summer, but there's a 2 week gap between when a typical school year ends (end of May) and when Platinum kicks in (mid-June).
   2. Example 2: MarBrisa is lower season in March making it a perfect destination for the spring break.
   3. Given the above two examples, I planned MarBrisa for March and Orlando for late May, and 2 BR for week cost me 8,000 pts each, rather than 11,200 if I did it the other way.
3. Book cheaper units.

 

[SmithOp]

So with regards to King's Land, the plus and premier are only higher levels? They appear to be the same square footage. I didn't realize that when I stayed at KL, I either chose the 3rd floor or they automatically upgraded us. But I'll be more conscientious when I book in the future. Thx.

correct, the units are identical in the same phase designation, just difference in floors. You want to own the top floor premier, then stay in the first floor standard unit. The maintenance fees are the same also, so owning premier gives you more points. There are lower point units in phase 2 and parts of phase 3 (the buildings across the street). The sq footage is lower, patio furniture is plastic, I think the maintenance fees are less also.

King's Land is a resort where view is irrelevant, all units can see the golf course. A premier unit at Lagoon Tower, Waikiki has a much nicer ocean front view than a standard unit in the back, so that resort it makes more of a difference which unit type you pick.

Sent from my Lenovo 10e using Tapatalk

 

[rock4449]

We actually book with check in on Sunday then check out on Friday. We noticed points are higher for weekends plus typically front desk is busy Friday and Saturday during check in times. We stretch our points and typically only book size of room needed to save for a splurge trip.

 

[dayooper]

We actually book with check in on Sunday then check out on Friday. We noticed points are higher for weekends plus typically front desk is busy Friday and Saturday during check in times. We stretch our points and typically only book size of room needed to save for a splurge trip.

The front desks appreciate the mid week checkin. I was at Ocean Oak the last couple of weeks and checked in on a Tuesday. They had us in our room by 2:30! They said they have 75% turnover on Saturdays. They were so accommodating. I know you can’t book home season weeks mid week, but if you can book a club reservation, it’s the way to go!