How difficult is it to internally trade into High Sierra Lodge in the fall?

[klpca]

I know that "points are points" in the Hyatt system. I think that I had previously asked about trading into HSL in the summer and was told not to plan on having much success. How about the fall? Can I get a 7 day block? Or is the fall an easy II trade? I'm thinking about redoing our ts ownerships but my husband says that I can't add a new one until I get rid of one or two others so I am trying to figure out what to buy and what to sell. Thanks.

 

[Sapper]

Inventory at this location increases after September. Much easier to book a unit post September vs July and August.

 

[sjsharkie]

I know that "points are points" in the Hyatt system. I think that I had previously asked about trading into HSL in the summer and was told not to plan on having much success. How about the fall? Can I get a 7 day block? Or is the fall an easy II trade? I'm thinking about redoing our ts ownerships but my husband says that I can't add a new one until I get rid of one or two others so I am trying to figure out what to buy and what to sell. Thanks.

Historically easy, assuming the astronomical season definition of Fall. As Sapper points out, it is much easier to book in Tahoe when the weather is colder but not quite cold enough to allow ski resorts to open.

That being said, we've seen bizarre things happen with COVID and there may be increased demand this season due to people wanting to get away.

-ryan

 

[klpca]

Inventory at this location increases after September. Much easier to book a unit post September vs July and August.

Historically easy, assuming the astronomical season definition of Fall. As Sapper points out, it is much easier to book in Tahoe when the weather is colder but not quite cold enough to allow ski resorts to open.

That being said, we've seen bizarre things happen with COVID and there may be increased demand this season due to people wanting to get away.

-ryan

While we love, love Tahoe I hate crowds and after this last week we decided to try to visit after summer in the future. It was just nuts and honestly a bit warm for me. And while the Marriott in SLT was nice we *still* don't enjoy the location. So we have decided to concentrate our efforts on Incline. In looking at the prices it doesn't seem to make much sense to buy a fall week and only get 1400 points, so I am thinking of trying to pick up a week with more points somewhere else (probably Sedona) and exchange back in to HSL in the Sept/Oct timeframe. As long as it has a reasonable chance of success I am willing to try. Do you think this will work? Do I even need the extra points? Can I do much of anything with an extra 480 points for example?

 

[travelhacker]

While we love, love Tahoe I hate crowds and after this last week we decided to try to visit after summer in the future. It was just nuts and honestly a bit warm for me. And while the Marriott in SLT was nice we *still* don't enjoy the location. So we have decided to concentrate our efforts on Incline. In looking at the prices it doesn't seem to make much sense to buy a fall week and only get 1400 points, so I am thinking of trying to pick up a week with more points somewhere else (probably Sedona) and exchange back in to HSL in the Sept/Oct timeframe. As long as it has a reasonable chance of success I am willing to try. Do you think this will work? Do I even need the extra points? Can I do much of anything with an extra 480 points for example?

Yeah, I wouldn't buy a fall week at High Sierra. Really the only time it makes sense to own High Sierra is probably the summer time since that's when it is in high demand.

480 can stretch pretty far. For example, you could get 4 nights at a 2 bedroom in one of the Colorado resorts during the summer. It'll almost get you a 1 bedroom 4 night midweek stay in diamond season.

I haven't ever let a point go to waste in Hyatt...hopefully I can keep that streak going.

 

[klpca]

Yeah, I wouldn't buy a fall week at High Sierra. Really the only time it makes sense to own High Sierra is probably the summer time since that's when it is in high demand.

480 can stretch pretty far. For example, you could get 4 nights at a 2 bedroom in one of the Colorado resorts during the summer. It'll almost get you a 1 bedroom 4 night midweek stay in diamond season.

I haven't ever let a point go to waste in Hyatt...hopefully I can keep that streak going.

Thanks for that information. That's very helpful.

 

[sjsharkie]

While we love, love Tahoe I hate crowds and after this last week we decided to try to visit after summer in the future. It was just nuts and honestly a bit warm for me. And while the Marriott in SLT was nice we *still* don't enjoy the location. So we have decided to concentrate our efforts on Incline. In looking at the prices it doesn't seem to make much sense to buy a fall week and only get 1400 points, so I am thinking of trying to pick up a week with more points somewhere else (probably Sedona) and exchange back in to HSL in the Sept/Oct timeframe. As long as it has a reasonable chance of success I am willing to try. Do you think this will work? Do I even need the extra points? Can I do much of anything with an extra 480 points for example?

I agree with you. South Lake Tahoe is much busier, especially where MGR/MTL are located. They are convenient for skiing Heavenly (walk to gondola) and nightlife in SLT is much better than the sleepy north side. But we enjoy the quiet of Incline + personally, I hate driving US-50 during the winter.

I'd recommend Gold or higher if you are looking to trade in. Gold will get you 1880 points at a reasonable buy-in price. Pinon Pointe has the lowest fees, but Wild Oak is not far off, and even buying at HSL in a season is OK too. Just know that Hyatt does nickle and dime for everything -- reservation fee for club use is $41, split week fee for short stays are $39 (at most properties). So incorporate that into your math.

-ryan

 

[sjsharkie]

I haven't ever let a point go to waste in Hyatt...hopefully I can keep that streak going.

You are better at it than I am. I always seem to end up with 100 points or less going into EEE.

-ryan

 

[heathpack]

We own a Gold week (week 22) at High Sierra. It’s late May/early June, worth 1880 points. I’ve traded into Sept weeks at High Sierra a couple of times but for one reason or the other wound up cancelling. We’ve never actually stayed there (yet- we are staying this year over Memorial Day weekend in our actual owned unit).

My impression is that trading into High Sierra in Sept is not that hard.

Absolutely though buy a 2000 pt or ideally 2200 pt week. You pay MF by unit size, not by points equivalents. So you’re better off buying a unit with the most number of points you can afford. Mid week stays at Hyatt properties are a bargain, if you can use them. For example, I just booked a 2BR Tues-Sat stay at Pinon Pointe in Oct for 800 points. Likewise, you get a Big Bang for your buck in II with Hyatt points (the II is part of your MF)- I just booked a 1BR full week for next Labor Day at Marriott Mountainside for 740 points.

So- if you get a 2200 pt week, and spend 1400 at High Sierra every year, you’d be left with 800 points. Enough for either of those trades I just mentioned.

The only other thing to consider is: if you’d use the unit every year, there is a logic to buying the exact unit and week you want and just using it. It would be pretty cheap to buy.

@bdh used to sell at High Sierra, he could give you an idea of the best units to own there.

 

[wilma]

Yeah, I wouldn't buy a fall week at High Sierra. Really the only time it makes sense to own High Sierra is probably the summer time since that's when it is in high demand.

480 can stretch pretty far. For example, you could get 4 nights at a 2 bedroom in one of the Colorado resorts during the summer. It'll almost get you a 1 bedroom 4 night midweek stay in diamond season.

I haven't ever let a point go to waste in Hyatt...hopefully I can keep that streak going.

The problem with buying a summer week is the cost--upwards of $15K.