HGVC Points for Cruises

[TheDude]

I know this an inefficient way to use HGVC points, but does anyone know the value of a HGVC point when booking a cruise?

 

[HuskerATL]

Calculate your MF/pt and multiply it by the number of points required to see your cost. You can then compare to the cost for that same cruise with cash. If you are paying a loan, you could consider the total annual cost/pt as well but I use MF/pt since we have cheap resales.

 

[SmithOp]

I would price it as worthless since there are lots of discount cruise web sites. I use my casino rewards card, which gives me a free inside cabin, then pay to upgrade to balcony. Less than $1000 for a 7 day cruise.

 

[TheDude]

Calculate your MF/pt and multiply it by the number of points required to see your cost. You can then compare to the cost for that same cruise with cash. If you are paying a loan, you could consider the total annual cost/pt as well but I use MF/pt since we have cheap resales.

But is there a set conversion rate from HGVC points to the cost of a cruise? E.g., 8,000 HGVC points equals $1,000 towards a cruise? I know the value I will get will be way worse than staying in a timeshare, but a cruise might be my best option for next year since my travel schedule is pretty full and I have saved points and live 15 minutes from a cruise port. Just trying to figure out my best options for 2024.

 

[HuskerATL]

They used to post it on the website before Max but now you have to call. With Max, the tiers get different values from their points so it isn't the same for everyone.

 

[alwysonvac]

Years ago, it was 10 cents. For example, 5000 points would give you ~ $500 in credit towards a cruise.
With the latest HGVC point conversion, 5,000 points became 8,000 points, so it might be 0.0625 cents per point or lower.

It's best to price a cruise for cash and call to compare the cost using ClubPoints

 

[letsgobobby]

rent your home week and use the proceeds to purchase a cruise?

 

[hawaiibabe]

Years ago, it was 10 cents. For example, 5000 points would give you ~ $500 in credit towards a cruise.
With the latest HGVC point conversion, 5,000 points became 8,000 points, so it might be 0.0625 cents per point or lower.

It's best to price a cruise for cash and call to compare the cost using ClubPoints

I was just quoted my 49280 legacy points (not max) would purchase $3080 towards a cruise. That comes out to the .625 mentioned above plus taxes & exchange fee.If there was actually a discount on the price of a cruise thru HGVC it might be ok but their prices aren't discounted as far as I can tell. Since HGVC probably puts my points back into circulation why should I do that for them?

 

[HuskerATL]

Cruises through HGVC are a terrible use of points. Compare the cost of the required points to the cost of buying it through a discount cruise company or directly.

 

[alwysonvac]

I was just quoted my 49280 legacy points (not max) would purchase $3080 towards a cruise. That comes out to the .625 mentioned above plus taxes & exchange fee.If there was actually a discount on the price of a cruise thru HGVC it might be ok but their prices aren't discounted as far as I can tell. Since HGVC probably puts my points back into circulation why should I do that for them?

Yes, it’s best to use ClubPoints for timeshare stays.

All other options such as cruises, escorted tours, etc, just allow members to apply their ClubPoint towards the overall cost. It was not designed to save owners money.

 

[dazzlingheart]

So far, I think any converting points is a ripoff. I intend to use all of our points just for booking resort stays. I think that is the only best value. I'd even go so far as to say that, if I had points left over, which I hopefully will not if I do my booking efficiently, I would probably let them expire as any converting fee would probably be equal to or more than the value of my leftover points. Why pay for the points twice, I would say.