HGVC owners-what have been your favorite non-Hilton exchanges?

[hurnik]

Unfortunately I've never been able to exchange. Every single time I've tried to book something they never have availability at RCI. I ended up having to use my RCI points to stay at my own HGVC just to avoid losing the points!

One would think that 3-6 months out would be enough to book something, but apparently they currently have "nothing" available in Hawaii for the entire month of April or May (funny because I can book through HGVC and get rooms and I have friends w/Fairfield who can get right into RCI as well). I seriously think something's wrong with HGVC and their RCI searches or something.

 

[DeweyWhopper]

Cabo San Lucas

Any great HGVC trades into Cabo San Lucas? What is your favorite Cabo timeshare with RCI?

 

[linsj]

Bumping for more input.

 

[gshipley]

Bumping for more input.

My input would be how horrible the HGVC to RCI trade system works. I called HGVC about 6 months ago and asked to trade into Myrtle Beach, SC ANY TIME within June, July, or August of this summer and was told nothing was available. I said okay, how bout anywhere on the South Carolina coast -- response: Nothing available. Okay, how about the North Carolina coast and South Carolina coast -- response: Nothing available.

You have to be kidding me. I don't know why HGVC has such limited RCI availability. I was always told we have great trading power...... does us no good if nothing is ever available.

 

[Sherry]

We have had some really nice exchanges through HGVC. Melia in Cancun, Casa Del Mar in Aruba LaVista in St Martin, Sedona, Upcoming, Maui and currently trying to get Kaui matched up with Maui. If that doesnt work, we love the Big Island and will go back there instead.

Now there are also some exchanges that I tried to get without success.. The hard ones, like St John, certain resorts in Aruba that I wanted to try and a few other on the islands. You really have to plan ahead almost the two years. Sometimes I try to get tooo specific with my choices. That does not work well. But I try.
Sherry

 

[Shamrock]

You have to be kidding me. I don't know why HGVC has such limited RCI availability. I was always told we have great trading power...... does us no good if nothing is ever available.

Have you tred doing an ongoing search, HGVC told me you'll get what you want most of the time especially at 6 months out, if anyone has any feedback please let me know

 

[Beachlady]

Sherry - Maui exchange

Sherry,
You mentioned you have a Maui exchange coming up. Which resort. I have an ongoing search for Maui now and curious to see what resort they found for you. Anyone else have a Maui experience to share?

 

[mlsmn]

Got Club Regina Cabo 2 bed in a HGVC to RCI trade.

 

[Sherry]

Beachlady.. we have Maui Lea at Maui Hill for April 2009. But traded almost the full 2 yrs out. From what I understand that is the resort that HGVC usually lands for their owners. Dont here of any others too often. Matter fact, I got that trade one other time, but was unable to use it. It was like a Thur -Thurs and that didnt work for me at that time. Now we have a Fri-Fri.

Maui is difficult. I dont understand why HGVC does not build a club resort there instead of sooo many on Ohau or Big Island.. Let move it around.

 

[Beachlady]

Not on their Maui list now

That's interesting, I was given 8 resorts for Maui and Maui Hill is not one of them now! My request is for 2 years out also. See what happens!

 

[Sherry]

Beachlady: Good luck with your search. What type of unit are you looking for? I needed 2BR. They are usually harder as well in Maui. I almost always need 2BR as we travel with friends. That is why I start early.

 

[Sandy VDH]

My input would be how horrible the HGVC to RCI trade system works. I called HGVC about 6 months ago and asked to trade into Myrtle Beach, SC ANY TIME within June, July, or August of this summer and was told nothing was available. I said okay, how bout anywhere on the South Carolina coast -- response: Nothing available. Okay, how about the North Carolina coast and South Carolina coast -- response: Nothing available.

You have to be kidding me. I don't know why HGVC has such limited RCI availability. I was always told we have great trading power...... does us no good if nothing is ever available.

HGVC Trades great in RCI IF and that is a big IF there is availability in RCI. HGVC can't made units available if they are not there to begin with.

Now you said you were looking for Myrtle beach any time june july or aug and you are looking six months out. Are you kidding me. Very few of those units ever get deposited into RCI. People use them. If they are deposited they go as soon as they are deposited because people have on going searches. I have access to Wyndham but do not own at MB. Even searching at 11 months out, which is 2 months later than owner priority in MB, there are often NO units at the 11 month mark as owners all want summer MB. Now there is no hope that any of the units ever make the RCI deposit light of day.

So I think you have to search farther out and make a deposit to search on. You will likely never find summer beach availabiltiy sitting in RCI. HGVC window with points is 9 months at most. However RCIs window is 18 to 12 months in advance. Different windows. You need to adjust your timeframe when thinking about bookings via RCI.

Now if there is availability in RCI you will get it. I have picked up Manhatten Club for a studio 2400 HGVC points. It was available in RCI.

I have used HGVC for mainly Hawaii bookings, but also South Beach. I have only ever done 1 RCI trade mentioned above.

I have used SFX to trade into the Hilton NYC. I have used studio Wyndham deposits for both 2 BRs in HGVC Vegas and Orlando when bulk deposits were made and units were easy to obtain. Now this cost me far less then the 7000 points MF charges would be. Even with the RCI exchange fee the units cost me under $300 for a week. So it is better for me to use RCI in these cases.

I find RCI works best for long planning 2 yrs to 1 yr out, or last minute, next 30 to 60 days. HGVC is better from 9 to 3 months out. Different windows for trading.

 

[Beachlady]

Sherry - Maui

Sherry - a one bedroom would work for us, there will be 3. I have the search looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom. Actually I put the search in mid week, and received a call to see if I was interesed in 7/2/09 for Maui Sunset. Did not accept it. Bad week for us. I was really surprised in the quick call back!

 

[gshipley]

HGVC Trades great in RCI IF and that is a big IF there is availability in RCI. HGVC can't made units available if they are not there to begin with.

Now you said you were looking for Myrtle beach any time june july or aug and you are looking six months out. Are you kidding me. Very few of those units ever get deposited into RCI. People use them. If they are deposited they go as soon as they are deposited because people have on going searches. I have access to Wyndham but do not own at MB. Even searching at 11 months out, which is 2 months later than owner priority in MB, there are often NO units at the 11 month mark as owners all want summer MB. Now there is no hope that any of the units ever make the RCI deposit light of day.

So I think you have to search farther out and make a deposit to search on. You will likely never find summer beach availabiltiy sitting in RCI. HGVC window with points is 9 months at most. However RCIs window is 18 to 12 months in advance. Different windows. You need to adjust your timeframe when thinking about bookings via RCI.

Now if there is availability in RCI you will get it. I have picked up Manhatten Club for a studio 2400 HGVC points. It was available in RCI.

I have used HGVC for mainly Hawaii bookings, but also South Beach. I have only ever done 1 RCI trade mentioned above.

I have used SFX to trade into the Hilton NYC. I have used studio Wyndham deposits for both 2 BRs in HGVC Vegas and Orlando when bulk deposits were made and units were easy to obtain. Now this cost me far less then the 7000 points MF charges would be. Even with the RCI exchange fee the units cost me under $300 for a week. So it is better for me to use RCI in these cases.

I find RCI works best for long planning 2 yrs to 1 yr out, or last minute, next 30 to 60 days. HGVC is better from 9 to 3 months out. Different windows for trading.

Thank you for the information. I was not aware MB went that fast. I was able to book two resorts last year in April for a June visit and thought that was going to be the norm every year. I will start to do ongoing searches for next year.