ahueyyou
TUG Member
We are former Diamond Owners and now HGV Max Owners. We had 50K Diamond points, Platinum Loyalty Level, Platinum Desk, 13 month or 14 month reservation window, etc. We purchased sufficient points to be Premier Plus in HGVC. Most of our points are in the Hawaiian Collection although we have more than several thousand points in the US Collection. In Diamond Resorts we have cancelled more points than we have purchased after reading contracts. And even after the letter from the Corporation stating their sales staff would not misrepresent their product. Diamond Sale’s People notoriously misrepresented their product, so we cancelled within the prescribed times.
To be frank we have thoroughly enjoyed our Diamond vacations, even though our Platinum status has been fraught with uncertainty. Availability of accommodation has always been an issue with Points. I like the theory of points however the practice of using points is the problem especially when approximately 50% ownership is Deeded. We are in our seventies now without children and I don’t know how much time we have to use our points. However, I consider it a most worthwhile vacation expense and be aware it is an expense. It is akin to rent. We chose points (rent) in lieu of Deeded weeks (mortgage). We like the option of vacationing at different resorts
I never really understood Hilton’s purchase of Diamond. How will Hilton monetize Diamond Owners. I got an understanding at our last Hilton review at the Elara, at least for Premier Plus Owners. My wife loved the place notwithstanding the construction. However, Las Vegas is a young peoples’ place. All the walking, the broken vertical transportation to bridges to cross streets, fees to park at the Casinos on the strip, it is to much for this senior. I’ll probably return kicking and screaming. Our agent indicated many Diamond Owners complained about maintenance fees. He proposed a plan to use travel sites to book time then use points to pay for the time booked. Hilton would rebate part of the maintenance because they can sale the time at a higher price. He indicated this was contingent on our equity. He kept mentioning equity, equity, equity which indicated zero on each page of his printout. He couldn’t understand the zero equity. And as all good Salesmen do he went to the back to get clarification. Of course, abracadabra mystery was solved, we had not purchased any Hilton points beyond those required for Hilton Max. We would need to buy a deeded week to activate our equity. I told him no thanks. He became very frosty, but he was never warm and fuzzy. Mister personality arrives to explain all the money had been spent with Diamond and very little with Hilton. To activate our equity, we needed to spend additional money with Hilton. I told Mr. P that the maintenance fees have never been a problem for us. I informed him that availability was our issue. Even with a 13 or 14 month reservation window was difficult to book because of deeded weeks, corporate weeks, and more point owner demand versus supply, He did not dispute the assertion. So even if I were inclined to buy more time that I may never use. It’s availability, availability, availability stupid.
So, you should beware of this sales tactic: bad salesman/good salesman. Although good may be inappropriate, when referring to salespeople.
To be frank we have thoroughly enjoyed our Diamond vacations, even though our Platinum status has been fraught with uncertainty. Availability of accommodation has always been an issue with Points. I like the theory of points however the practice of using points is the problem especially when approximately 50% ownership is Deeded. We are in our seventies now without children and I don’t know how much time we have to use our points. However, I consider it a most worthwhile vacation expense and be aware it is an expense. It is akin to rent. We chose points (rent) in lieu of Deeded weeks (mortgage). We like the option of vacationing at different resorts
I never really understood Hilton’s purchase of Diamond. How will Hilton monetize Diamond Owners. I got an understanding at our last Hilton review at the Elara, at least for Premier Plus Owners. My wife loved the place notwithstanding the construction. However, Las Vegas is a young peoples’ place. All the walking, the broken vertical transportation to bridges to cross streets, fees to park at the Casinos on the strip, it is to much for this senior. I’ll probably return kicking and screaming. Our agent indicated many Diamond Owners complained about maintenance fees. He proposed a plan to use travel sites to book time then use points to pay for the time booked. Hilton would rebate part of the maintenance because they can sale the time at a higher price. He indicated this was contingent on our equity. He kept mentioning equity, equity, equity which indicated zero on each page of his printout. He couldn’t understand the zero equity. And as all good Salesmen do he went to the back to get clarification. Of course, abracadabra mystery was solved, we had not purchased any Hilton points beyond those required for Hilton Max. We would need to buy a deeded week to activate our equity. I told him no thanks. He became very frosty, but he was never warm and fuzzy. Mister personality arrives to explain all the money had been spent with Diamond and very little with Hilton. To activate our equity, we needed to spend additional money with Hilton. I told Mr. P that the maintenance fees have never been a problem for us. I informed him that availability was our issue. Even with a 13 or 14 month reservation window was difficult to book because of deeded weeks, corporate weeks, and more point owner demand versus supply, He did not dispute the assertion. So even if I were inclined to buy more time that I may never use. It’s availability, availability, availability stupid.
So, you should beware of this sales tactic: bad salesman/good salesman. Although good may be inappropriate, when referring to salespeople.
