HGVC Points

[simon.fisher.2]

Why does HGVC attach a season to points? If points are points - why is it necessary to say that certain points are Gold vs. Platinum? If I understand correctly it pertains to your maint. fees however why not keep them all the same? The season imho seems to be confusing at first for people to understand if they are not a timeshare expert or frequent tug'er.

 

[JSparling]

Point values (seasons) have nothing to do with MF's. If you own a 2BR silver at Resort A you have the same MF's as the person who owns a 2BR platinum also at Resort A.

Points are the Hilton currency. It doesn't seem realistic to charge the same points for a night in the off-season, mid-week as you would during peak season, on the weekend.

 

[Shmiddy]

Points are points, seasons pertain to the property and time of year - Gold seasons require less points than Platinum, etc.
Example

Kingsland 2BR Premier
Platinum requires 14,000 points for a week
Gold requires 10,500 points for a week

Seasons vary by resort and are based on demand - one way of stretching points is to buy less and book in off seasons like late summer or fall when kids are in school.

 

[presley]

Platinum = highest demand weeks. Most people want to stay at the property during the platinum weeks. These cost more because of supply and demand.

Gold = next highest demand time. Usually a shoulder season which is when people like me want usually want to stay somewhere (less crowded).

Silver and Bronze = least wanted weeks. Most people won't want to travel during these times and therefore the cost/points are lower.

 

[SmithOp]

Why does HGVC have seasons? Simple, so they can sell the less desirable weeks cheaper to people with lower income. Then when they find out there arent enough points for a summer vacation its time to upsell more points.


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[seagila]

Points are points only during Club Reservation Period (9 months out). During Home Week Period (12 - 9 months out), you can use your points to reserve your Home Week at your Home Resort ahead of others who don't own at your resort. This is an advantage for highly sought-after resorts (e.g. Hilton Hawaiian Village in Oahu).

Whether points are Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze just gives others an indication of whether the week you own is during prime season at that resort (peak demand times) or shoulder season (less demand). So by saying "I own 8,400 Platinum in HHV Lagoon Tower", others more familiar with the system can already determine that I own a two-bedroom, Ocean view unit, during prime season in HHV Lagoon Tower. It's sort of short-hand for members when talking about their HGVC ownership.

Another point that several people have already made, for the same type of unit at the same resort, you will pay the same MFs, regardless of the color of your points. So for ~$1,600 in MFs, I get 8400 points for my Platinum 2 bd+, while a Gold 2 bd+ owner will only get 5800. If these Platinum and Gold owners used all their points to book their Home Week at their home resort 12 - 9 months out, they'll get the same accommodations (i.e. two-bedroom, ocean view), except Platinum owner gets to go during high season and Gold owner only during low season. But if these Platinum and Gold owners want to go somewhere else and try to book during Club Reservation Period, Platinum owner has more points (currency) to book more days (or larger room, or better views) than the Gold owner, all for the same ~$1,600 they each paid in MF.

That's why Platinum deeds are more expensive than Gold ones. Because if you plan on staying with HGVC in the long-term, you lose out on the MFs as a Gold owner, since you pay the same amount whether Platinum or Gold (or Silver or Bronze).

 

[simon.fisher.2]

Interesting - so say I wanted to use two years worth of points to book during platinum season at my home resort as a gold owner. Would I need to wait for 9 months out or would I be able to at 12 months?

 

[alexadeparis]

Interesting - so say I wanted to use two years worth of points to book during platinum season at my home resort as a gold owner. Would I need to wait for 9 months out or would I be able to at 12 months?

9 months. At 9 to 12 months you can only book the SAME style size and season you own.

 

[alwysonvac]

Why does HGVC attach a season to points? If points are points - why is it necessary to say that certain points are Gold vs. Platinum? If I understand correctly it pertains to your maint. fees however why not keep them all the same? The season imho seems to be confusing at first for people to understand if they are not a timeshare expert or frequent tug'er.

I see that you own DVC. DVC has seasons as well. It works the same way with Hilton.
DVC calls it Adventure Season, Choice Season, Dream Season, etc.
HGVC calls it Platinum Season, Gold Season, etc

 

[alwysonvac]

If you're very familiar with how DVC works, here's an old comparison that I wrote back in 2013.

Since you're familiar with DVC you might find this comparsion helpful as you begin your HGVC research.

Similar to DVC, HGVC has a home resort booking period (12 months prior to checkout for HGVC vs 11 months for DVC) then everything opens up for booking at any resort (9 months prior to checkout HGVC vs 7 months for DVC).

DVC is a pure point based system. With DVC, there is no minimum night requirement. With DVC, you can book any number of nights at any time including the home resort booking period.

HGVC is a combination of a weeks and points system.

The flexible point based system doesn't apply during the home week booking period. HGVC works like a floating week system during the Home Week window which means from 12 months to 9 months before check-in, if you want to book during the home week window then you must reserve the exact unit size and type in the season that you purchased (studio, 1 bedroom plus, etc) for the full week based on the fixed checkin date at your home resort. There is no flexibility. NOTE: Only points earned in the use year can be used in the home week window. Borrowed, Rescued or Banked points can not be used in the home week window.

HGVC works like a point based system during the Club Reservation window which means 9 months before checkout (for most resorts) anyone can book any season, resort (including their home resort), unit size and/or type for any number of days (minimum of 3 nights). This means all HGVC resort owners have an equal chance at booking at any HGVC resort during the Club Reservation window.
NOTE: HGVC also offers an online changeable reservation option which allows members to change their reservations online.

In summary, HGVC has three reservation windows:
(1) Home Week window (3 month period begins 12 months prior to check-in and ends 9 months prior to check-in; requires a full week in the unit type and season owned on the designation home Week check-in date)
(2) Club Reservation window (begins 9 month prior to check-out through 1 day prior to check-in; requires a three night minimum; requires a reservation fee)
(3) Open Season Rental Reservation window (cash rentals begin 30 days before check-out through 1 day prior to check-in; requires a two night minimum; available to members for their personl use only). This excludes W57th (which is only available to w57th owners 15 days before check-in) and Grand Waikikian penthouse units (which is only available to Grand Waikikian penthouse owners 30 days before check-in).

Unlike DVC, you can't just add on a minimum of 25 DVC points. If you want more HGVC points, you have to purchase another deeded week to add points to your existing HGVC account. For this reason, some owners choose to purchase larger HGVC point packages instead of several smaller HGVC point packages. NOTE: HGVC Maintenance Fee (MF) is generally based on resort and unit size therefore a two bedroom bronze season owner (2,500 annual HGVC points) may pay the same MF as a platinum season (7,000 annual HGVC points), gold season (5,000 annual HGVC points) and silver season (3,500 annual HGVC points) at the same resort.
NOTE: Hilton manages and operates two club membership programs: Hilton Grand Vacations Club and The Hilton Club. The Hilton Club New York is a RTU (not deeded).

HGVC MFs are lower than DVC MFs. Unlike DVC, HGVC's MF is not all inclusive. The DVC's MFs are higher because it covers the onsite operational and administrative support from the Walt DISNEY WORLD Resort (i.e. member benefits such as resort transportation, package delivery from the parks to the resort, etc). DVC's MFs are also higher because it includes all administrative fees for reservations at the DVC resorts. With DVC, there are no additional club fee and no additional transaction fees (for making reservations at a DVC resort, changing reservations, banking, etc).

 

[simon.fisher.2]

That is what I am looking for. Really appreciate the summary. I understand it much better now. How is booking at the 9 month window? Is it very difficult to get reservations like some DVC resorts?

We hopefully will have a contract pass ROFR but it is for a gold 2 bedroom unit and I doubt we will be able to use it much during the gold season. I thought I could borrow points and book platinum but it looks like we will have to do that at the 9 month window.

 

[presley]

That is what I am looking for. Really appreciate the summary. I understand it much better now. How is booking at the 9 month window? Is it very difficult to get reservations like some DVC resorts?

We hopefully will have a contract pass ROFR but it is for a gold 2 bedroom unit and I doubt we will be able to use it much during the gold season. I thought I could borrow points and book platinum but it looks like we will have to do that at the 9 month window.

9 months is fine for most resorts. The difficult ones will be Oahu, NYC, the Florida beach resorts and ski resorts. You can still get all of those if you remember to book as soon as the window opens. All those are easier in gold season, but you said you want platinum season.

 

[alwysonvac]

That is what I am looking for. Really appreciate the summary. I understand it much better now. How is booking at the 9 month window? Is it very difficult to get reservations like some DVC resorts?

We hopefully will have a contract pass ROFR but it is for a gold 2 bedroom unit and I doubt we will be able to use it much during the gold season. I thought I could borrow points and book platinum but it looks like we will have to do that at the 9 month window.

How difficult is at the 9 month window?
Well, similar to DVC some locations, unit types/sizes and/or travel dates are in higher demand.
So like DVC, your first choice might not be available by the time you try to book but depending on your flexibility regarding alternate dates, resorts and unit types you can generally find something most of the time. Just don't expect XMAS and NYE. Although you might get lucky but keep in mind resort owners have first dibs if it becomes available during the home week window.

Your best bet is to book your desired week as soon as the 9 month window begins especially if you're traveling during high demand period and/or require one of the limited units.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Some DVC resorts are in high demand due to their location and/or shared hotel amenities so they are the first to go once the DVC booking window opens up. The same is also true for some HGVC resorts. Some units may go as soon as the 9 month windows opens up and some might eventually book up over time.
For example, Flamingo used to the highly desired resort in Las Vegas due to it's location on the strip so rooms there would eventually book up first (but I'm not sure if this is the case any more since Elara came onboard ). The Hilton Hawaiian Village is another very popular location that books up.

SPECIFIC AND OR LIMITED UNIT TYPES (in terms of SIZE, VIEW, BEDDING, AMENITY)
Some DVC units are just limited in availability (such as Jambo House Three Bedroom Grand Villas, Value Rooms and Club Level rooms) so the chance of seeing one online and actually being able to book it before anyone else might be hard depending on the time of year. The same is true for HGVC.
For example, Kalia Suites at the Hilton Hawaiian Village only has six studio units which makes it harder to book.

Here's a link to total number of units at each Club resort - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218728

PEAK TRAVEL PERIODS
Just like DVC, there is going to be more demand and competition whenever the kids are out of school - Holidays and school breaks for Spring, Summer and Winter. This is reflected in DVC's Magic and Prime Seasons. There will also be more competition for two bedroom units and larger whenever the kids are out of school.
For example: There will be more demand during peak ski season at HGVC Ski Resorts and more demand during prime summer months at coastal resorts. For HGVC resorts, most weeks were sold as float weeks but some weeks in the Club were sold as fixed weeks and are pre-reserved and only available to Club members when owners release them.

 

[simon.fisher.2]

Interesting! Great perspective - my wife and I went to a presentation this summer at Kingsland and the salesman made it sound like it was cake to use the other resorts because the majority of owners don't book their home resorts. Looks like a different story here! The key take a way is that it is still important at 9 months to book your room... I appreciate it

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[alwysonvac]

Interesting! Great perspective - my wife and I went to a presentation this summer at Kingsland and the salesman made it sound like it was cake to use the other resorts because the majority of owners don't book their home resorts. Looks like a different story here! The key take a way is that it is still important at 9 months to book your room... I appreciate it

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It really depends on where you want to go.

For example, the Orlando resorts normally have availability year round but certain size units might be booked earlier than others during peak travel periods.

 

[alwysonvac]

You'll have a better idea once you have access to the HGVC Reservation System.
For example, when you get access just take a look at online availability over a 9 month period at the Orlando, Vegas and Big Island locations compared to the locations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Also take a closer look at which locations are booking up first and which unit types are booking up first.

 

[simon.fisher.2]

You'll have a better idea once you have access to the HGVC Reservation System.
For example, when you get access just take a look at online availability over a 9 month period at the Orlando, Vegas and Big Island locations compared to the locations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Also take a closer look at which locations are booking up first and which unit types are booking up first.

Great suggestion - hoping the sale goes through but I'm afraid it will not pass ROFR... If it doesn't... Then back to the drawing board

 

[rahulgopi]

I just got my account hooked up few days back. I was looking to reserve KL BI for Christmas 2016. Got a 2 Br Plus until 24th and another 2 Br Plus from 24th till New year. I kept on checking and they do show up as I was able to initially book a 1 Br and then change it to 2 Br + etc. I believe just around the 30 day mark there will be more availability. There are 5 or 6 weeks on redweek for rent around Christmas. IF they are not rented by Nov 20ish, I would expect members to cancel the reservation and save the points for next year.

Good thing about HGVC is that the higher point units seem to stick around longer. Also there are restrictions on rentals which seem to crack down on members using it as a rental business. Some other TS systems have no such rental restrictions and availability seem to disappear the day it opens up.

 

[jehb2]

Hotels do the exact same thing. Not just with seasons but with events. That's why people who can travel in the off season. Heck airlines and vendors of all varieties do it as well.

 

[rfc0001]

This is my biggest pet peeve about HGVC's point based system compared to DVC's point based system. With DVC, if you own at a resort, you get home resort booking window regardless of unit or season. With HGVC, you only get home resort booking windows for the specific unit and season you own, which frankly is useless, since I bought the season and unit I bought based on the points and fees I wanted, not the unit I wanted to book, and the unit I want to book is obviously going to change over my lifetime (we bought when we were single, now have 2 kids, then will either grandkids someday or solo). Why HGVC does this is baffling. The result is almost nothing sells out in the home reservation window, and owners are on equal footing with non-owners at 9 months. I think they should have a second window from 7-9 months for owners to book any unit/season at their home resort).

 

[simon.fisher.2]

Why HGVC does this is baffling. The result is almost nothing sells out in the home reservation window, and owners are on equal footing with non-owners at 9 months. I think they should have a second window from 7-9 months for owners to book any unit/season at their home resort).

I agree entirely. I got excited about our purchase and didn't fully understand the home booking window. I thought it was like DVC. With my wife being a teacher I am most likely never going to be able to use the "gold" window at Kohala Suites. Platinum is what we need. I thought that we would have the priority during the 9-12 months and would just need to use more points. If our deal falls through, I will be disappointed, but I think I will look for another resort with comparable points but smaller MF considering I will never be using the 9-12 month window.

The more I get into timesharing - the more I like how DVC functions. It was our first purchase, so perhaps we are biased, but it was well thought out.

 

[knagel]

I just check on HGVC web site because this sparked curiosity with his question. I own a 2BR 14000 Pt at Kingsland. I just checked 12 months out and I am able to see availability for the 1 BR and 3BR. I guess I never tried to book it but I am able to see availability. But then again I check availability at Lagoon Tower and i can see 12 months out too. Not real sure why.

 

[knagel]

This was a main reason we bought at the Grand Islander wast to get the 12 month booking window but we weren't interested in using all of our points to stay in a penthouse LOL, we were just looking for 2 Br stays. Guess we will see when the time comes what we can do as far as booking a lesser size at 12 months out.

Kevin

 

[seagila]

This is my biggest pet peeve about HGVC's point based system compared to DVC's point based system. With DVC, if you own at a resort, you get home resort booking window regardless of unit or season. With HGVC, you only get home resort booking windows for the specific unit and season you own, which frankly is useless, since I bought the season and unit I bought based on the points and fees I wanted, not the unit I wanted to book, and the unit I want to book is obviously going to change over my lifetime (we bought when we were single, now have 2 kids, then will either grandkids someday or solo). Why HGVC does this is baffling. The result is almost nothing sells out in the home reservation window, and owners are on equal footing with non-owners at 9 months. I think they should have a second window from 7-9 months for owners to book any unit/season at their home resort).

I think the perceived advantage of DVC is due to its purely "Points-Based System" with a chosen Home Resort vs. HGVC which is a hybrid system (week & points) with a Home Resort. One can argue that with DVC, owners at a resort usually jump at the lower-point rooms to stretch their stay, leaving the higher point rooms for other members (which I view as a disadvantage). I actually prefer HGVC's Home Week Reservation Period because I can pretty much guarantee I will get the unit type I own, without jockeying for position to grab it every year.

HGVC adding the Home Resort Reservation Period you're proposing (7-9 months out for owners at that resort) is actually an advantage I wouldn't mind having. But that's because I own at a highly sought-after resort (HHV). I can imagine peak seasons would be sold out and taken by platinum and gold owners of HHV. That leaves only the shoulder season available to other HGVC members when it open at 7 months. I think that dilutes the appeal of HGVC's points system.

My $.02

 

[simon.fisher.2]

I think the perceived advantage of DVC is due to its purely "Points-Based System" with a chosen Home Resort vs. HGVC which is a hybrid system (week & points) with a Home Resort. One can argue that with DVC, owners at a resort usually jump at the lower-point rooms to stretch their stay, leaving the higher point rooms for other members (which I view as a disadvantage). I actually prefer HGVC's Home Week Reservation Period because I can pretty much guarantee I will get the unit type I own, without jockeying for position to grab it every year.

HGVC adding the Home Resort Reservation Period you're proposing (7-9 months out for owners at that resort) is actually an advantage I wouldn't mind having. But that's because I own at a highly sought-after resort (HHV). I can imagine peak seasons would be sold out and taken by platinum and gold owners of HHV. That leaves only the shoulder season available to other HGVC members when it open at 7 months. I think that dilutes the appeal of HGVC's points system.

My $.02

I see the logic you are suggesting and I admit you have increased my thoughts about the HVGC system. Essentially if you book your home week you will get the reservation you desire... if you choose to book in the 9 month window everyone has an even playing field.

I agree that it would be nice to have a period where you have the "home resort" similar to Disney.

You make a solid point that DVC is more advantageous for LARGE points owners as most will use value accommodations when able. It is promising to see more studios being built (PVB)