HGVC + Worldmark owners - Questions Please

[presley]

I got kingsland with wm in march during last years bulk. Just keep in mind with Hilton exchanges you have the one in four rule so for me I'm going to kingsland this year. I can't go back until after four years has past.

The OP owns Hilton. She probably won't need to deal with one in four.

 

[Yamabachi]

I will if I use WM to trade into HGVC, since doing so will be cheaper than using HGVC points at a property like KL. That's actually something to think about.

 

[presley]

I will if I use WM to trade into HGVC, since doing so will be cheaper than using HGVC points at a property like KL. That's actually something to think about.

You can trade back into HGVC with HGVC for less points, too. Any 2bedroom in RCI is 4800 points, even if same unit is 9600 points booking through Hilton.

Using WM to trade back to HGVC, you can put in a request up to 2 years early for Hilton weeks deposits. You won't be able to get RCI points deposits via WM resale, but those are only bookable 10months out and you can't do a request first.

 

[alwysonvac]

The OP owns Hilton. She probably won't need to deal with one in four.

It's my understanding that the one in four rule applies to everyone (including HGVC owners).

 

[alwysonvac]

You can trade back into HGVC with HGVC for less points, too. Any 2bedroom in RCI is 4800 points, even if same unit is 9600 points booking through Hilton.

Using WM to trade back to HGVC, you can put in a request up to 2 years early for Hilton weeks deposits. You won't be able to get RCI points deposits via WM resale, but those are only bookable 10months out and you can't do a request first.

HGVC normally does bulk RCI deposits for their Hawaii resorts more than 9 months out. HGVC has a restriction in place that doesn't allow HGVC owners to see RCI availability at HGVC developed resorts more than 9 months out. As a result, getting a HGVC Hawaii resort for 4800 points via RCI is very unlikely unless it an exchange cancellation or last minute deposit.

See this old post for more information - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1535839&postcount=3

 

[alwysonvac]

Thanks again! Your posts have definitely made me more excited about trading using WM - I was primarily focused on in-network resorts and perhaps an occasional trade using II. It now occurs to me that with some flexibility, I could use WM as a more economical means to get into HGVC Kingsland, and to trade into DVC, both of which would likely give me a better bang for the buck than using the WM resorts in those areas.

Yes, I've also used my WM credits to book DVC and HGVC Hawaii resorts whenever possible. The one in four rule is per resort. So you can book a different tower each year at HHV.

 

[Yamabachi]

Hmm. Thinking that maybe I should dump HGVC and just own WM.

 

[easyrider]

I bought a few Worldmark resale accounts and have sold one because it is easy enough to rent points from other members or brokers to make as many reservations as you need. I keep all of my points in one account by transferring points and house keeping tokens to this primary account.

The reason I didn't combine my WM accounts was for bonus time usage. With separate account numbers you can hit more bonus time, especially week ends. I think I could get by with 2 accounts on the bonus time dealio so I might be selling another one of the accounts. The bonus time works great for me as we live near many WM locations.

You can also combine smaller accounts to reduce you mf fee. There is a mf to point breakdown on wmowner.com.


My wm usage is mostly for family trips and through renting points I have been able to reserve 9 2 bed units at Seaside in mid August which is the hardest week to get at this resort. All rooms were top floor with view.

Trades within RCI have been great for me. WM has its own RCI link and rep that allows you to do confirm first reservations meaning you can see whats in the inventory as opposed to just waiting for a request. However, every time I have deposited a WM week into RCI , I have been lucky enough to get my request within a month or so. The last deposit took 10 days for a request of the Manhatten Club.

Sorry, I don't really have any info on HGVC except what you gave me on my request for info.

Bill

 

[alwysonvac]

Hmm. Thinking that maybe I should dump HGVC and just own WM.

I guess it depends on how you use HGVC.

There is some advantages to owning HGVC. You would be giving up
(a) Open Season Rental Rates
(b) Direct booking for all of the HGVC Club Resorts
(c) The flexibility to check-in any day of the week for a three night minimum at any HGVC Club resort. (This comes in handy when trying to book the best airfare or when you want a few extra nights with vacation booked outside of HGVC (for example before/after a cruise leaving Miami, before/after a stay on Maui/Kauai))
(d) Access to RCI Points (NOTE: There are some RCI resorts that offer peak season weeks via RCI Points only. http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199733)

Using RCI via WM to stay at a HGVC resort has it's disadvantages.
(1) You could only stay a week at a time at a HGVC resort via a RCI exchange (check-in normally Fri/Sat/Sun)
(2) You can only stay at a HGVC resort via a RCI exchange once every four years (although with HGVC having multiple resorts in the same location, you still have options)
(3) You can't pick the week you want to visit. Your travel dates will depend on what's deposited in the exchange company and your ability to get a match via the exchange queue.
(4) Exchange fees will continue to rise. RCI is already steep at $199 per week.

 

[Yamabachi]

Another helpful post . I probably won't end up dumping HGVC, but I do now kick myself for not thinking to use RCI to get into Hilton in NY when I used to live within driving distance. I do wish that HGVC would have an internal wait list like WM does.

 

[PassionForTravel]

At this point even though I own a bunch of WM I wouldn't think of dropping my HGVC account. It's the second most flexible that I own. One of the things we've figured out that we really like when visiting a different Hawaiian island for a week or two is to spend 3 or 4 nights in Waikiki at the beginning or end of our trip. There's a sweet spot in the point charts that really work well for us doing this kind of thing.

Ian

 

[Yamabachi]

At this point even though I own a bunch of WM I wouldn't think of dropping my HGVC account. It's the second most flexible that I own. One of the things we've figured out that we really like when visiting a different Hawaiian island for a week or two is to spend 3 or 4 nights in Waikiki at the beginning or end of our trip. There's a sweet spot in the point charts that really work well for us doing this kind of thing.

Ian

A little OT, but what do you end up doing on Oahu? I ask because I've done all the worthwhile things to do there, and it never occurs to me to spend any more time there. Neither I nor DH are big fans of Waikiki at this point in our lives. I want to get to the outer island where I am going and stay there. For that reason, I never thought I would want to trade into HHV or GW, for example, but if I had even the slightest reason (must-do restaurant, maybe?), I sure would like to give them both a try (I've stayed at the hotel at HHV, and I do admit it's fabulous).

 

[PassionForTravel]

We like to people watch and spend time in the water on the beach during the day. Waikiki is pretty unique in that it has a pretty good beach and it's right in the middle of a city so there are lots of people on the beach from all kinds of different cultures.

But what we really love is to go around to the different hotels during happy hour and listen to Hawaiian Music. We can usually keep ourselves busy from about 5-9pm going from one bar to another having a drink and appetizers. It's also not very expensive. No other island has this so readily available, all within walking distance. A favorite of ours is the Westin Moana. The musicians are usually pretty good and most nights it's accompanied by hula. I also enjoy having a beach vacation and not having to drive at least for a few days.

Ian

 

[Yamabachi]

Convinced! I may just have to add a few days in Oahu during the next trip!

Thanks!

 

[GregT]

My wife and I are huge fans of Waikiki.

We love the shopping and the restaurants, and HHV is just a special place to stay. We took our children last June for the first time, and they loved the water features of Waikiki.

So access to HHV is definitely valuable, and I would not recommend trying to trade into it. That's a major reason why we own HGVC. We have had great success trading into the Big Island using Worldmark, but that's a different situation.

Good luck with your analysis!

Best,

Greg

 

[SmithOp]

A little OT, but what do you end up doing on Oahu? I ask because I've done all the worthwhile things to do there, and it never occurs to me to spend any more time there. Neither I nor DH are big fans of Waikiki at this point in our lives. I want to get to the outer island where I am going and stay there. For that reason, I never thought I would want to trade into HHV or GW, for example, but if I had even the slightest reason (must-do restaurant, maybe?), I sure would like to give them both a try (I've stayed at the hotel at HHV, and I do admit it's fabulous).

We like to book Memorial Week.

http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/


Sent from my iPad Gen 4 using Tapatalk HD

 

[alwysonvac]

My wife and I are huge fans of Waikiki.

We love the shopping and the restaurants, and HHV is just a special place to stay. We took our children last June for the first time, and they loved the water features of Waikiki.

So access to HHV is definitely valuable, and I would not recommend trying to trade into it. That's a major reason why we own HGVC. We have had great success trading into the Big Island using Worldmark, but that's a different situation.

Good luck with your analysis!

Best,

Greg

I'm not sure why you wouldn't recommend trading to HHV.
I'm assuming you're thinking that HHV will assign the worst rooms to folks exchanging in but that is not true. Based on the reviews/comments, HGVC has been very good to exchangers across all of their resorts.

Honestly, I think it's more likely that a HGVC member will get assign room xx68 than an exchanger. Why?
(1) Exchangers are new meat for the sales force. They want to encourage exchangers to go on a sales tour during their visit.
(2) They want to continue to receive good ratings from RCI exchangers.

 

[GregT]

I'm not sure why you wouldn't recommend trading to HHV.
I'm assuming you're thinking that HHV will assign the worst rooms to folks exchanging in but that is not true. Based on the reviews/comments, HGVC has been very good to exchangers across all of their resorts.

Honestly, I think it's more likely that a HGVC member will get assign room xx68 than an exchanger. Why?
(1) Exchangers are new meat for the sales force. They want to encourage exchangers to go on a sales tour during their visit.
(2) They want to continue to receive good ratings from RCI exchangers.

I definitely agree with your room assignment comments. My reluctance to trade into HHV is probably a personal one -- there are specific weeks in February and June that I schedule for travel to HHV, and I've found the bulk banks are spotty in depositing those weeks. You are correct, however, that someone who can be more flexible with travel times should be able to trade in.

Thanks!

Greg

 

[alwysonvac]

I definitely agree with your room assignment comments. My reluctance to trade into HHV is probably a personal one -- there are specific weeks in February and June that I schedule for travel to HHV, and I've found the bulk banks are spotty in depositing those weeks. You are correct, however, that someone who can be more flexible with travel times should be able to trade in.

Thanks!

Greg

Thanks Greg
Yes, I agree if you need specific weeks then booking directly with HGVC is the best way.

Phyllis

 

[alwysonvac]

For those who are curious about the possible dates available to exchangers....

Check-in dates are listed in these previous TUG sightings
Sighting for stays in 2013 - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168975
Sighting for stays in 2012 - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146423
Sighting for stays in 2011 - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117244
Sighting for stays in 2010 - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98728

TUG sightings for stays in 2014
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191012
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191890

NOTE: As stated earlier under post #30 above, HGVC members only have access to HGVC Hawaii weeks in RCI within the 9 month booking window.