External Exchange Resort

[bartpennington]

Hi friends! I am still researching before taking the plunge and ran across several resorts on HGV’s website that are listed as external exchange resorts. Are these resorts accessed using club points like normal club resorts? Are there restrictions? The addition of more Florida resorts sweetens the pot, as I am located in the southeast.

 

[jp10558]

Yes, they're booked with points but you may have to call to book and pay the higher booking fee, and it looks like there is extremely limited availability to me.

 

[dayooper]

Hi friends! I am still researching before taking the plunge and ran across several resorts on HGV’s website that are listed as external exchange resorts. Are these resorts accessed using club points like normal club resorts? Are there restrictions? The addition of more Florida resorts sweetens the pot, as I am located in the southeast.

If you are buying for those Florida Coast locations, you might be disappointed. Those resorts are non-voluntary. That means the owner of the week does not have to enroll them into HGVC’s point system. They either use their weeks or they rent them out for a good chunk of change. What that means is that those weeks are never available for a club booking. If you can book one, they work just like any other reservation. It costs the same and you can book at 276 days. It’s just finding the reservation. It’s not impossible, but it can be difficult. The Marco Island resorts seem to show up more than the others, but there are more units in those locations.

 

[bartpennington]

Thanks, guys. I figured these extra resorts would involve hoops!

 

[Talent312]

We book one of the Marco Island "external exchange" resorts about once a year. As said, availability is spotty, but if you're flexible, something will turn up... That's likely due to a few folks like me (who owns at another coastal affiliate) but use their points to stay elsewhere in the HGVC system.

 

[GT75]

Hi friends! I am still researching before taking the plunge and ran across several resorts on HGV’s website that are listed as external exchange resorts.

Just to ensure that we are correctly answering your questions. Which resorts are you talking about?

 

[bartpennington]

Thanks for the insight, @Talent312 Your free listing prompted my journey down this rabbit hole! @GT75 se real resorts on HGVC’s website are designated “external exchange resorts.” Here’s an example https://www.hiltongrandvacations.co...ic/plantation-club-at-indian-river-plantation

 

[GT75]

Thanks, those are the one then being discussed.

 

[Panina]

I live in the southeast and like 4-5 day mini vacations and have had good luck finding the external southern Florida vacations. Even though I usually take 4-5 days the whole week is most times available. I am flexible on dates and while on the hunt I look multiple times a day.

 

[alwysonvac]

The recent acquired Diamond and Embarc resorts have been renamed and listed on HGVC website however you might not get access via HGVC Resale (see examples in Red Font below).
See this thread regarding which HGVC resales can get access via an alternate option (DEX) instead of HGVMax - link. If you’re interested in a specific subset of resorts/locations, you’ll want to determine which timeshare system makes sense to own to gain priority access.

NOTE: HGVMax is a membership program that provides access to resorts across all timeshare systems (HGVC, Diamond, Embarc and eventually BlueGreen) under the Hilton Grand Vacation umbrella. Access doesn't transfer with resale.