First Purchase question [Vegas Paradise Silver 3500 pt package]

[brettskyg]

I had won an ebay auction to buy a Vegas Paradise Silver 3500 pt package for $75.00 (odd years)

After further research I saw that this is only good for 6 weeks of the year of which 4 of those weeks I am actually not permitted to use as vacation days. Vegas also does not thrill me. I much prefer FLA, CALI, or Hawaii.

Therefore, my question is, whether it is worth buying something when you know you will NEVER EVER use the home resort because the 75.00 is dirt cheap, or should I instead purchase a 5,000 point package for a Gold Season in Orlando where I am likely to want to spend some time?

Secondly, if you have a 5,000 pt Gold Season package, how likely is it that you would be able to book the 2BR Gold Season property in Hawaii or other HGVC locations? I am very nervous that I will be stuck at the home property? I was offered the 5,000 points for 2,500 at the Tuscany Village HGVC.

Please help!

i know that I will never make money resellingthe time share, but I am seeing some nice value in the usage of it. I am just looking for some help and advice before I commit to anything.

 

[hurnik]

I had won an ebay auction to buy a Vegas Paradise Silver 3500 pt package for $75.00 (odd years)

After further research I saw that this is only good for 6 weeks of the year of which 4 of those weeks I am actually not permitted to use as vacation days. Vegas also does not thrill me. I much prefer FLA, CALI, or Hawaii.

Therefore, my question is, whether it is worth buying something when you know you will NEVER EVER use the home resort because the 75.00 is dirt cheap, or should I instead purchase a 5,000 point package for a Gold Season in Orlando where I am likely to want to spend some time?

Secondly, if you have a 5,000 pt Gold Season package, how likely is it that you would be able to book the 2BR Gold Season property in Hawaii or other HGVC locations? I am very nervous that I will be stuck at the home property? I was offered the 5,000 points for 2,500 at the Tuscany Village HGVC.

Please help!

i know that I will never make money resellingthe time share, but I am seeing some nice value in the usage of it. I am just looking for some help and advice before I commit to anything.

I've never ever booked a home resort location, nor do I plan to. I own in Vegas because MF are the "lowest". I've been to Vegas and don't really care to go back (too much smoke for my liking).

If you want 5,000 points you should be able to buy resale in Vegas (lower MF than Florida) for $2500 as well. Plus closing costs.

I did own in Orlando, but the MF were a bit more for less points than Vegas.

 

[brettskyg]

I guess I am primarily concerned about my ability to use it elsewhere. Have you ever encountered difficulty booking outside of your home location?

How are the Mexican resorts? Are they up to a Hilton Quality and are they more difficult to get as they are not managed by HGVC?

I am thinking that the 5,000 points is most likely what I would want. The maintenance for the 2BR is not much more than the 1BR, and it would give me greater flexibility for the usage. Although I am single and a 1BR would probably suffice, it would defintily be nice to have the ability to invite friends/family to join me.

 

[brettskyg]

Was I dumb for cancelling the 3500 points for 75 bucks? Yes, closing costs will be just under 1000, and maintenance is around 900. I am just concerned that I would be buying soemthing with no ability to use at that location/time frame and I would be better off spending more up front (2500 versues 75) for more points and a home resort/weeks that I could fit into my schedule.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I would not worry too much about the home resort. but i suggest you look at the higher point value weeks... The MF are similar, and you have a lot more options on booking.

You mention wanting to travel to HI, there is no Silver season in HI, most of the year is Platinum, and a few weeks are gold. I think you would be pretty limited with just 3500 points..

You should probably look at the points required for the places your most interested in and try to see what work with your travel schedule..

The closing costs, etc will be the same, so it may well be cheaper long term to pay a higher price for more points...

 

[presley]

It's only hard to book other locations if you are going to Oahu and you book at less than 9 months notice. Other locations are very easy to book unless you are looking for a holiday week.

Home resort location only matters if you are booking exactly what you own in the 12 - 9 month ahead of time range. Once 9 months hit, booking is the same for everyone. Booking exactly what you own means you book that size unit during the season you bought at your home resort for a Sat. - Sat. stay.

 

[brettskyg]

So would you consider 2500 for 5000 points in Orlando to be a fair market price? Or should I counter at a lower price?

 

[GregT]

So would you consider 2500 for 5000 points in Orlando to be a fair market price? Or should I counter at a lower price?

I would study the MFs carefully -- many of us own properties that we never visit, and bought purely for the best MF/point ratio. I prefer to buy 4,800 point packages in Platinum season versus the 5,000 Gold, because it should have lower MFs.

You probably will find a 4,800 Platinum for not much more than $2,500, and a range of $0.60 - $0.70 per point was recently cited for a Platinum week.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Best,

Greg

 

[tompalm]

Was I dumb for cancelling the 3500 points for 75 bucks? Yes, closing costs will be just under 1000, and maintenance is around 900. I am just concerned that I would be buying soemthing with no ability to use at that location/time frame and I would be better off spending more up front (2500 versues 75) for more points and a home resort/weeks that I could fit into my schedule.

That is not a good deal. The smart thing to do is look at how much maintenance fees are and how many points you get. I recommend buying Vegas on the Blvd because fees are lower. There are a couple nice ones on TUG for sale right now. You can get 3400 points for $1500 and maintenance fees are less than $600. That is to use every year. 5000 point units are selling for a little more, but the cost per point each year should be about the same. So if you get 5000 points with $1000 maintenance fee, the cost per point is 20 cents per point for the years that you use it in the future. So, the 3400 point unit ends up being a better deal.

 

[Cyberc]

As you I'm also in the market for a TS.. I'm looking to max the points I buy compared to the mf i have to pay.

When you have your mind set for a location then investigate that location to see what you can get.

Also remember to do some reading here at tug, you will find it a real treasure chest.

Regards

 

[Jason245]

I had won an ebay auction to buy a Vegas Paradise Silver 3500 pt package for $75.00 (odd years)

After further research I saw that this is only good for 6 weeks of the year of which 4 of those weeks I am actually not permitted to use as vacation days. Vegas also does not thrill me. I much prefer FLA, CALI, or Hawaii.

Therefore, my question is, whether it is worth buying something when you know you will NEVER EVER use the home resort because the 75.00 is dirt cheap, or should I instead purchase a 5,000 point package for a Gold Season in Orlando where I am likely to want to spend some time?

Secondly, if you have a 5,000 pt Gold Season package, how likely is it that you would be able to book the 2BR Gold Season property in Hawaii or other HGVC locations? I am very nervous that I will be stuck at the home property? I was offered the 5,000 points for 2,500 at the Tuscany Village HGVC.

Please help!

i know that I will never make money resellingthe time share, but I am seeing some nice value in the usage of it. I am just looking for some help and advice before I commit to anything.

REad all stickys and every thread in this forum for last 6 months. Once you are 100% sure you fully understand the program and your needs, then you can consider buying.

I spent over a year researching before pulling the trigger. It is much easier to buy a timeshare then get rid of one.

 

[brettskyg]

It just seemed to be too good to be true to purchase 3,400 points for $75. Yes, it would be for a 2BR maintenance fee. the problem is the 3,400 is not really enough points for some of the places i would want to go, and the home resort is of very little interest.

 

[Jason245]

It just seemed to be too good to be true to purchase 3,400 points for $75. Yes, it would be for a 2BR maintenance fee. the problem is the 3,400 is not really enough points for some of the places i would want to go, and the home resort is of very little interest.

I bought 4800 points EOY at the bay club for $0 and then a second one for the other year for $61 (all closing costs included).

It isn't hard to find a good deal. You just need to understand what you are buying, what it can get you, and what it will perpetually cost you.

 

[presley]

It just seemed to be too good to be true to purchase 3,400 points for $75. Yes, it would be for a 2BR maintenance fee. the problem is the 3,400 is not really enough points for some of the places i would want to go, and the home resort is of very little interest.

If it is a 2 bedroom with only 3400 points, it is the lowest season. People have a really hard time unloading the silver and bronze weeks. If it was an annual contract, I'd tell you to just keep it and start using the system to see if you really need more points. I am not a fan of starting with EOY (and that is what I did) because you can't easily borrow next year's points when you want a 4200 point reservation. If you had an annual, it would be really easy to book vacations with banking/borrowing and then after a year or two, you'd know if you needed another contract.

 

[hurnik]

I guess I am primarily concerned about my ability to use it elsewhere. Have you ever encountered difficulty booking outside of your home location?

How are the Mexican resorts? Are they up to a Hilton Quality and are they more difficult to get as they are not managed by HGVC?

I am thinking that the 5,000 points is most likely what I would want. The maintenance for the 2BR is not much more than the 1BR, and it would give me greater flexibility for the usage. Although I am single and a 1BR would probably suffice, it would defintily be nice to have the ability to invite friends/family to join me.

If you book outside your home resort, you can only book 9 months out (AFAIK). I have only ever had "difficulty" one time and that was booking Hawaii, however, I was at the 6-month window and I was specific about dates.

IMO, the Festiva Americana are OK, (based only upon pictures/reviews), but are not as easy to book because you have to call Hilton, you can't book online. Same thing with club Intrawest and the Sandestin, and non-Miami/Oralando resorts, I believe.

To be honest, I've only ever booked within HGVC to Orlando (easiest, IMO), Vegas (for exchange purposes) and Valdora (Colorado) for my sister. Depending upon *when* you want to go and how much advance notice you have, kinda dictates success.

I have plans on going back to Hawaii, once the Maui location opens up.

But if you want to stay in Hawaii a lot and aren't flexible on travel, then I'd consider home resort there. But your MF are going to be quite high (although apparently your MF/point ratio can be low).

Hope this helps!

P.S. For the almost $900 in annual MF, even though the $75 for 3400 was "good", I'd almost want a 4800/5000 point for MF around $800. BUT I have not run the numbers (in other words, you're only $200 more on MF but you paid SO much less, how many years until you would've broke even). Remember you can rescue points into next year and borrow future year, so I believe you could actually use 10,200 points if you did things right (but you'd only have that once/3 years)

You can always rent out Orlando, although probably only get about $720/week for a 1 BR unless it's around Christmas.

 

[brettskyg]

I am now seeing some EOY for 500-600 for 5000 pts in Orlando.

Has anyone ever seen an annual package in that range? Or a deal where seller is paying the closing costs?

 

[presley]

I am now seeing some EOY for 500-600 for 5000 pts in Orlando.

Has anyone ever seen an annual package in that range? Or a deal where seller is paying the closing costs?

That is quite a dive from last year. Last year, I sold an EOY Orlando 5000 points for $1800. I have never seen an annual at that price, but there are some bad sellers on ebay that sell for much less than everyone else because they have such a bad reputation. Some of the sellers do pay closing costs, but that shows up in the ROFR and is taken into consideration in the overall cost.

If you are bidding on ebay, just put your max bid in and don't be emotionally attached. It may take a few weeks or months, but if you are diligent, you will probably get what you want.

 

[clotheshorse]

I bought 4800 points EOY at the bay club for $0 and then a second one for the other year for $61 (all closing costs included).

It isn't hard to find a good deal. You just need to understand what you are buying, what it can get you, and what it will perpetually cost you.

Great deals. Was the Bay Club already converted to points?

 

[Jason245]

Great deals. Was the Bay Club already converted to points?

As a new owner you need to enroll units in hgvc in all cases.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[cyseitz]

It just seemed to be too good to be true to purchase 3,400 points for $75. Yes, it would be for a 2BR maintenance fee. the problem is the 3,400 is not really enough points for some of the places i would want to go, and the home resort is of very little interest.

What would be the amount of points you think you need to be flexible enough to go to the places you want and would you buy Platinum?

 

[newportbeach]

The guest asks some interesting questions-
How many points is enough relates to your desired season and size of unit. I prefer either 4800 or 5,000 and that depends if your favorite unit location uses 4800 or 5000 for a one bedroom. Oh yes a one bedroom, because then I contact hilton's RCI department and make a waitlist request using 4800 points and requesting a 2 bedroom for a $100+ exchange fee. I give a lot of dates and locations and I have never been disappointed.

For some people they know they only want a 2 bedroom and they want to go to a particular location more or less a particular time. Some buy 7,000 pst, and call up Hilton 9 months in advance and book the location. I also do this and I have no problem except if it is Christmas Week at Waikiki.

Like someone said buy the location you want to always go to. Ok, I never have because the cost or the mf was too much, so I save money and I go to the same location. Sounds strange at first but it works.

The cost vs. the location is not difficult. Some mentioned buying the Bay club at less than hundred dollars acquisition and $1100 mf. Someone else says buy Las Vegas at $5,000 and $900 of MF. ok- do you fall into the group that wants to save $2500 out of pocket or pay $200 less in mf. Figure 25 years of difference until you break even. Well are you 30yrs or 65yrs? At 65 I might vote for no out of pocket expense this year. Some would argue that Las Vegas is a better resale than the Bay Club? Maybe or maybe not be when I am 90 yrs old I will not be concerned with resale, and hopefully someone else will enjoy my unit even if free.

I would however caution that 3400 or 3500 points usually comes with a relative high maintenance fee and that amount of points restricts the size and season you can trade into.

With regard to Mexico, much better idea for an area like Cabo, is don't stay at the Hilton affiliate, but call hilton/rci and exchange 4200 points and get a 2 bedroom ocean view at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach and pay a $150 exchange fee. Don't like Cabo, RCI has a lot of Mexican Exchanges and many are nicer than Hilton affiliates. I just feel Hilton USA and Hilton Affiliate Mexico have two different operating manuals.

 

[cyseitz]

The guest asks some interesting questions-
How many points is enough relates to your desired season and size of unit. I prefer either 4800 or 5,000 and that depends if your favorite unit location uses 4800 or 5000 for a one bedroom. Oh yes a one bedroom, because then I contact hilton's RCI department and make a waitlist request using 4800 points and requesting a 2 bedroom for a $100+ exchange fee. I give a lot of dates and locations and I have never been disappointed.

For some people they know they only want a 2 bedroom and they want to go to a particular location more or less a particular time. Some buy 7,000 pst, and call up Hilton 9 months in advance and book the location. I also do this and I have no problem except if it is Christmas Week at Waikiki.

Like someone said buy the location you want to always go to. Ok, I never have because the cost or the mf was too much, so I save money and I go to the same location. Sounds strange at first but it works.

The cost vs. the location is not difficult. Some mentioned buying the Bay club at less than hundred dollars acquisition and $1100 mf. Someone else says buy Las Vegas at $5,000 and $900 of MF. ok- do you fall into the group that wants to save $2500 out of pocket or pay $200 less in mf. Figure 25 years of difference until you break even. Well are you 30yrs or 65yrs? At 65 I might vote for no out of pocket expense this year. Some would argue that Las Vegas is a better resale than the Bay Club? Maybe or maybe not be when I am 90 yrs old I will not be concerned with resale, and hopefully someone else will enjoy my unit even if free.

I would however caution that 3400 or 3500 points usually comes with a relative high maintenance fee and that amount of points restricts the size and season you can trade into.

With regard to Mexico, much better idea for an area like Cabo, is don't stay at the Hilton affiliate, but call hilton/rci and exchange 4200 points and get a 2 bedroom ocean view at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach and pay a $150 exchange fee. Don't like Cabo, RCI has a lot of Mexican Exchanges and many are nicer than Hilton affiliates. I just feel Hilton USA and Hilton Affiliate Mexico have two different operating manuals.

Thank you for the insight. Would you get Platinum points or does it really matter?

 

[lake123]

As a new owner you need to enroll units in hgvc in all cases.

Finally, i am now an official HGVC TS owner. I received the deed this week for a 5K points @MarBrisa. The deed seems so weird. It states in the schedule 1 for "One (1) Annual Float Week / Floating Unit", nothing about 5K points. The escrow person said it is equivalent to 5K, and I will have 5K when I registered with HGVC club on-line. Is that true?

They didn't give me any instructions on how to signup on HGVC club. Can you please tell me where do i begin? The on-line site wants the club# to register for the new account. Where do i get the club#? It's not on the deed!

Thank you so much,

Lake N.

 

[Ron98GT]

A 2-BDRM Gold, Weeks 1-21 and 43-50, is 5K Points.

You need to check the HGVC Member Guide.


http://multimedia.hiltongrandvacations.com/mg/images/member_guide_2012/eng/pdf/ios.pdf

 

[lake123]

A 2-BDRM Gold, Weeks 1-21 and 43-50, is 5K Points.

You need to check the HGVC Member Guide.


http://multimedia.hiltongrandvacations.com/mg/images/member_guide_2012/eng/pdf/ios.pdf

Thank you, RON. I made the mistake buying it. It was advertised as 5K platinum points and i was focus on points and season. On the deed it said, 1BR /1BA unit Type B. Nothing at all about points or season. The escrow lady said it is the same. I am confused!!! How could they advertize as points and season and deed is the number of BR / BD and Type? Is type B = platinum!?

I found it... .On the last page of the 5 pages deed, it said "All for a Float Use Week during Platinum Season in each Use Year upon the condition...".