Few HGVC questions

[damianinpa]

All,
Got the call to go to the Elara in Vegas for practically nothing. Nothing than 2 hr timeshare presentation. LOL I did this last year and with the knowledge I have, I certainly turned down the offer to buy. But, I did like the program offered compared to Starwood where I own now. So, another trip to Vegas for me (First time at Elara, last time I was at different property..very excited) and unless they match resale prices, there will be no purchase. Still a great getaway for my wife and I. My questions:
I see Hilton has Gold and platinum weeks with points assigned. If I buy resale and get a gold week with say 5000 points..does that mean I can use this at any Hilton in the network, even during Platinum weeks? I assume I won't have enough points for a full week that is a platinum week, but, is this allowed if I take a shorter stay?
Basically, I'm asking if the Hilton program is all just based on points and how many you own will translate into staying at any of their resorts for any unit you want (Studio/1BR/2BR) but possibly for less than 7 days? Is that correct? Does gold vs platinum really matter when purchasing?
Also, if I didn't plan on necessarily using at the 'home resort', would it make sense to try and find a resale with the lowest maintenance fees and then just trade within Hilton to go anywhere? I know they deal with RCI, but, that is a different path I think and I'm referring more to the Hilton Vacation network of properties. Anyone know which properly has the lowest fees for say a full 1 bedroom (Not studio)?

My goal is to consider an EOY purchase from Resale. (I can use my Every Year Starwood and own this as extra) Is there a points amount I should be zoning in on to get a 1 week / 1 bedroom stay at most HGVC resorts?

Damian

 

[Jason245]

This might answer most of your questions

http://tug2.net/timeshare_advice/hilton-grand-vacation-club-timeshare-information.html


Points is points Buy resale, save thousands...

Most people target either 1BR 4800 pt packages or 2BR 7000 point packages.

MF are based on unit so a 1BR MF whether gold silver or plat is the same, which means that the annual cost/point is more for silver verse plat.

 

[presley]

You can use gold points in the platinum season. At the 9 month mark, you can book any property in any season with HGVC.

Make sure you do lots of research before you buy. For some people, buying 5K gold points makes the most sense. Others prefer buying 4800 platinum points. You have to crunch the numbers of the buy in + 10 or 20 years of MFs, or however long you plan to use them.

For a single purchase or a first time purchase, I do not recommend buying an EOY. The reason is that it takes away benefit of the bank/borrow. For example, if you want to go to Hawaii for a long stay, you can use your 2015, 2016 and 2017 points combined for a 2016 reservation. If you owned EOY, you'd have less years to combine to maximize your vacation. You would however be able to bank 2015 and borrow from 2017 to vacation in 2016. It just limits your options and make leftover points at the end of the year more annoying.

 

[weems637]

We bought retail, then added additional points from resale. Points owned are "gold" season. With our allocation of points we are able to any number of combination of stays, even easier with the borrowing options. Points are points, regardless of the "home resort". Home resort give your a 12 month booking option, other than that, the lower the maintenance fee the better!

 

[Talent312]

If I get a gold week with say 5000 points, does that mean I can use this at any Hilton in the network, even during Platinum weeks? I assume I won't have enough points for a full week that is a platinum week, but is this allowed if I take a shorter stay?

Eggsactly so. You can use your points to book a stay for anyplace and anytime. Your "club" reservation window runs from 276 days before check-out to 1 day before check-in, regardless of season or size, with a minimum stay of 3N (2N for last-minute cash booking starting 30 days out). You just need to have enuff points and find an available spot -- it pays to be flexible.

Does gold vs platinum really matter when purchasing?
Maintence Fees are based on size of unit, not season, so higher seasons will get you more points for the same MF-$ in the same unit.

If I didn't plan on necessarily using at the 'home resort', would it make sense to try and find a resale with the lowest maintenance fees and then just trade within Hilton to go anywhere?

That's what I'm sayin'.

Anyone know which properly has the lowest fees for say a full 1 bedroom (Not studio)?

LV-Strip or other Vegas and Orlando properties.

Is there a points amount I should be zoning in on to get a 1 week / 1 bedroom stay at most HGVC resorts?

Many folks say you won't be happy with less than 4800 pts.
But some, who don't use HGVC exclusively (the horror), are.
.