HGV Max Upgraded Travel Portal

[Eric B]

Looks like the HGV Max Upgraded Travel Portal is active now. Just checking it out now, particularly the luxury homes and villas portion. So far the prices seem quite steep; I found an availability at the Ritz Carlton St Thomas in a 2 BR in December that would cost 181,416 Club Points, or ~$18,142 for my ownership if I had that many points available to blow on a week for a low season week running December 9-16, 2023, in a 2 BR Residence unit. April 6-13, 2024, would be 222,850 or ~$22,285. For comparison, my costs to get a week there through ThirdHome would be ~$3,000, and through Marriott would be ~$2,500. I figure I'll poke around and see if there is anything less than 100,000 points for a week as this seems about as bad as the old homes & villas.

 

[HaberHGV]

And also with the luxury home rentals, it doesn't account for the daily cleaning fees that are hundreds of dollars a day as well

 

[Eric B]

Most of the homes and villas in the system for Los Cabos, Mexico are timeshares that you could get through Interval International (e.g., Vista Encantada and Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas). It doesn't show any availability so I couldn't figure out the pricing.

 

[HuskerATL]

Looks like the HGV Max Upgraded Travel Portal is active now. Just checking it out now, particularly the luxury homes and villas portion. So far the prices seem quite steep; I found an availability at the Ritz Carlton St Thomas in a 2 BR in December that would cost 181,416 Club Points, or ~$18,142 for my ownership if I had that many points available to blow on a week for a low season week running December 9-16, 2023, in a 2 BR Residence unit. April 6-13, 2024, would be 222,850 or ~$22,285. For comparison, my costs to get a week there through ThirdHome would be ~$3,000, and through Marriott would be ~$2,500. I figure I'll poke around and see if there is anything less than 100,000 points for a week as this seems about as bad as the old homes & villas.

it is the Villas of Distinction and the Regency Collection like in the Legacy Elite program?

These?

 

[HuskerATL]

Also, this one for RCI priority access:

 

[Eric B]

Guided vacations have a few choices. Here are the terms:

Guided Vacations​

HGV Max Travel Services’ guided vacation options offer excellent flexibility to redeem HGVClub Points towards a guided vacation.

Experience the history, culture and cuisine of your destination through expert guides, immersive excursions, exclusive access and custom itineraries.

Guided Vacations on HGV Hub​

Browse HGV Max Travel Services guided vacation options on HGV Hub by clicking the link below.
See below for applicable fees and point redemption details.
LEARN MORE >


When you’re ready to book or if you have questions, connect with an HGV Max Travel Services counselor by calling:

• Toll-Free (U.S. and Canada): 888-494-4482
• International: 407-722-3722

When redeeming points towards a guided vacation, there is a fee due at time of booking, which varies by HGV Max tier:

• Member: $104
• Preferred: $79
• Preferred+: $54
• Premier, Premier+, Centum+: Complimentary

Instant Redemption

Guided vacations utilize the instant redemption option, allowing you to instantly redeem points towards a portion of the cost of a guided vacation. You can see availability and estimate the number of point required on HGV Hub, our new travel services platform. Points can be redeemed to cover a percentage of your accommodation according to your HGV Max tier.

• Member: $0.07 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Preferred: $0.08 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Preferred+: $0.08 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Premier:
  • Jan 1 – Mar 31: $0.09 per point up to 100% of the cost
  • Apr 1 – Dec 31: $0.09 per point up to 30% of the cost
• Premier+:
  • Jan 1 – Apr 30: $0.10 per point up to 100% of the cost
  • May 1 – Dec 31: $0.10 per point up to 30% of the cost
• Centum+:
  • Jan 1 – May 31: $0.10 per point up to 100% of the cost
  • Jun 1 – Dec 31: $0.10 per point up to 40% of the cost

Note: Enhanced Redemption is not available for guided vacations.

Use current year, saved or borrowed ClubPoints and/or Bonus Points, cash or any combination of these currencies to plan your next guided vacation.

Guided vacation reservations using current-year ClubPoints may be made, based upon availability, for travel throughout the balance of the current year.

Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance of departure date.

If you have any questions about your reservation or to obtain cancellation information, please contact us:

• Toll-Free (U.S. and Canada): 888-494-4482
• International: 407-722-3722

Well in advance of international travel, please obtain required documentation. Per the current U.S. government guidelines, your travel documents must be valid through the dates of your travel and for six months thereafter.

Costs don't seem terrible and the exchange rate isn't too bad, but as a Premier member I would only be able to use points for 100% in the winter. Might be ok for going to someplace in Central America, but seems like cheaper going independently.

 

[Eric B]

it is the Villas of Distinction and the Regency Collection like in the Legacy Elite program?

These?
View attachment 80840

View attachment 80841

View attachment 80842

Thanks; couldn't remember the name of the old one - Villas of Distinction was an option for HGV Max previously but just disappeared. I didn't have Registry through HGVC before, but think it's available for Premier + and Centum +.

Also, this one for RCI priority access:
View attachment 80843

RCI Select is available for HGV Max up to Preferred + at 6 months in advance and from Premier up at 12 months in advance.

 

[Eric B]

Cruises have these terms:

Cruises​

HGV Max Travel Services’ cruise options offer excellent flexibility to redeem HGV ClubPoints towards a cruise vacation. Centum+ Members have an added one-time annual redemption benefit to provide added value and flexibility.

Set sail for incredible destinations. Explore a wide selection of cruises across all major cruise lines and enjoy a best-price guarantee.

Cruises on HGV Hub​

Browse HGV Max Travel Services cruise options on HGV Hub by clicking the link below.
See below for applicable fees and point redemption details.
LEARN MORE >


When you’re ready to book or if you have questions, connect with an HGV Max Travel Services counselor by calling:

• Toll-Free (U.S. and Canada): 888-494-4482
• International: 407-722-3722

When redeeming points towards a cruise, there is a fee due at time of booking, which varies by HGV Max tier:

• Member: $104
• Preferred: $79
• Preferred+: $54
• Premier, Premier+, Centum+: Complimentary

There are two types of point redemptions for cruise: Instant and Enhanced. Read more about each option below.

Instant Redemption

Cruises with the instant redemption option allow you to instantly redeem points towards a portion of the cost of a cruise booked through HGV Hub, our new travel services platform. You may book cruises and immediately redeem points to cover a percentage of your accommodations according to your membership level.

• Member: $0.07 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Preferred: $0.08 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Preferred+: $0.08 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Premier:
  • Jan 1-Mar 31: $0.09 per point up to 100% of the cost
  • Apr 1-Dec 31: $0.09 per point up to 30% of the cost
• Premier+:
  • Jan 1-Apr 30: $0.10 per point up to 100% of the cost
  • May 1-Dec 31: $0.10 per point up to 30% of the cost
• Centum+:
  • Jan 1-May 31: $0.10 per point up to 100% of the cost
  • Jun 1-Dec 31: $0.10 per point up to 40% of the cost

Enhanced Redemption

Cruises with the enhanced redemption option offer an especially great value through a higher redemption rate per point. You can use points to pay for a percentage of the cost at the time of booking and receive an enhanced points redemption rate, that varies according to your HGV Max tier. These cruise selections offer a “Best Available Rate” guarantee and are subject to terms and conditions.

• Member: $0.20 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Preferred: $0.20 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Preferred+: $0.20 per point up to 20% of the cost
• Premier: $0.30 per point up to 30% of the cost
• Premier+: $0.30 per point up to 30% of the cost
• Centum+: $0.40 per point up to 40% of the cost

Centum+ One Time Annual Cruise Redemption
In addition to Instant and Enhanced Redemption options for cruises, Centum+ Members have the option to pay for up to 100% of a cruise at $0.20 per point, once per calendar year. This point redemption is complimentary and has no fee.​

Use current year, saved or borrowed ClubPoints and/or Bonus Points, cash or any combination of these currencies to plan your next cruise.

Cruise reservations using current-year ClubPoints may be made, based upon availability, for travel throughout the balance of the current year.

Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance of departure date.

If you have any questions about your reservation or to obtain cancellation information, please contact us:

• Toll-Free (U.S. and Canada): 888-494-4482
• International: 407-722-3722

Well in advance of international travel, please obtain required documentation. Per the current U.S. government guidelines, your travel documents must be valid through the dates of your travel and for six months thereafter.

 

[Eric B]

Overall, this supports my longstanding belief that the best use of timeshare points is going to timeshares. There might be some okay deals, but none seem enticing. YMMV.

 

[HuskerATL]

Thanks; couldn't remember the name of the old one - Villas of Distinction was an option for HGV Max previously but just disappeared. I didn't have Registry through HGVC before, but think it's available for Premier + and Centum +.

RCI Select is available for HGV Max up to Preferred + at 6 months in advance and from Premier up at 12 months in advance.

do you get the early booking windows in the Mexico properties? I know Elite Premier can book a year out.

 

[HuskerATL]

Overall, this supports my longstanding belief that the best use of timeshare points is going to timeshares. There might be some okay deals, but none seem enticing. YMMV.

There are some interesting global ones in the Regency collection. There are some in Asia and South Africa plus Europe that I find interesting.

 

[HuskerATL]

Cruises have these terms:

They are just following the DRI guidelines. Have you looked at the latest DRI club rules? They outline all of this also so the HGVClub with HGV Max benefits are following those DRI benefits.

 

[Eric B]

There are some interesting global ones in the Regency collection. There are some in Asia and South Africa plus Europe that I find interesting.

Did you mean Registry Collection? I have access there through a different ownership - there are some decent ones available through there. I've done better in ThirdHome, though, because of the interaction with vacation homes as opposed to just timeshares/fractionals.

 

[HuskerATL]

Did you mean Registry Collection? I have access there through a different ownership - there are some decent ones available through there. I've done better in ThirdHome, though, because of the interaction with vacation homes as opposed to just timeshares/fractionals.

yes, thanks...typo. Registry Collection....I have seen some in it that look interesting in Kruger national park.

 

[GT75]

Overall, this supports my longstanding belief that the best use of timeshare points is going to timeshares. There might be some okay deals, but none seem enticing.

That is my opinion also when I have looked.

 

[escanoe]

Out of curiosity, for MAX owners, how do the discounted rates for booking Hilton hotels compare to the H Honors rates?

 

[HuskerATL]

Out of curiosity, for MAX owners, how do the discounted rates for booking Hilton hotels compare to the H Honors rates?

I have seen a few discussions about this on FB. It appears to be property specific on how good the deal is. Some are the same as the HH discount and some are a little better but not much.

 

[drucifer]

Out of curiosity, for MAX owners, how do the discounted rates for booking Hilton hotels compare to the H Honors rates?

I still haven't noticed anything better than my AARP rate. Not that I've done an exhaustive search across the properties, though.

 

[HaberHGV]

Out of curiosity, for MAX owners, how do the discounted rates for booking Hilton hotels compare to the H Honors rates?

Really doesn't move the needle on pricing when the two are compared, in my experience.

 

[HuskerATL]

I still haven't noticed anything better than my AARP rate. Not that I've done an exhaustive search across the properties, though.

What is the AARP rate? I was in for a year, never used it, and didn't renew. We don't pay cash much, since we have so many HH points, but good to know.

 

[drucifer]

What is the AARP rate? I was in for a year, never used it, and didn't renew. We don't pay cash much, since we have so many HH points, but good to know.

It's usually equal to or better than the HHonors rate - maybe $5-10 less generally, depending on the property. I use it frequently on business travel (I stay at Hilton properties about 30 nights a year for work, roughly).

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I still haven't noticed anything better than my AARP rate. Not that I've done an exhaustive search across the properties, though.

In my experience the discounts for hotels and cars are often better for larger groups. Groups like AAA, AARP etc probably have more members that HGV and can therefore deliver a better discount. When i book cash, i usually check if my employer has a discount, (usually only good at hotel near one of our big offices), then AAA and AARP. Often the AAA and AARP rates are the same or very close.

 

[drucifer]

In my experience the discounts for hotels and cars are often better for larger groups. Groups like AAA, AARP etc probably have more members that HGV and can therefore deliver a better discount. When i book cash, i usually check if my employer has a discount, (usually only good at hotel near one of our big offices), then AAA and AARP. Often the AAA and AARP rates are the same or very close.

I think it's also a function that they know that AARP members may be cross-shopping Hyatt, Marriott, and Intercontinental, etc. where HHonors discount assumes that the customer is already connected to Hilton with a firmer customer relationship.

 

[escanoe]

I think it's also a function that they know that AARP members may be cross-shopping Hyatt, Marriott, and Intercontinental, etc. where HHonors discount assumes that the customer is already connected to Hilton with a firmer customer relationship.

I seldom see an AAA or AARP rate better than HHonors. And in the rare circumstance I do, it is not by much.