Hyatt-bottom line, do owners like/love/dislike Hyatt system?

[Mongoose]

If you plan to use the week you own year after year, then Hyatt requires very little work. If you want flexibilty to use a differest week or resort, Hyatt is the most inflexible system. We own almost every brand (except Disney) acquired over almost 30 years of timesharing. Hyatt is an antiquated system with the most inflexible rules requiring too much time to manage. You will find yourself checking a calendar constantly to plan your vacation. Maintenance fees goes up every year higher than others even while some timeshare brands reduced fees during 2020 with resorts closings impacted by the pandemic. Hyatt nickel and dime for everything, such as reservation fee and cancellation fee. Hyatt sales big selling point for the Portfolio system is how much simpler it is to go where you want and no fees. Even sales people agree how complicated the system is.

While I’m not thrilled to pay more, I think it’s reasonable. The split week fee is annoying.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

The system is really, really, really simple.

The problem is that it was designed by engineers who gave everything screwy names like "Home Resort Preference Period." And then they turned it over to a bunch of game show hosts to sell it.

I sold hundreds of weeks when I worked there, because I can explain the entire system in 15 minutes. And even buying from the developer, and paying the maintenance fees, it is 100% possible to save a ton of money compared to "not timesharing." I've been getting 2-to-5 weeks from my single week every single year. My week paid for itself many times over already. And I could walk away from it right now, content in the knowledge that I got more than my money's worth.

If they would get rid of the OPCs and the prizes and all of that song-and-dance, it would be the perfect system.

I so agree, I think the system is really simple, and I have enjoyed my ownership that I purchased resale. I stay in locations cheaper then if I had to purchase accommodations on my own

 

[Kal]

Hyatt, if you will take make the effort to learn to use the "system" and the Wb Site.

Also: Re: SW FL. Take a look at buying into Hyatt Residence Club (Resale of deeded week only) , Coconut Plantation, in Bonita Springs FL.. Half way between FT Myers and Naples FL.

I am concerned about the future of Coconut. With all the new construction, they will substantially exceed the reasonable capacity of the infrastructure.

 

[Kal]

I briefly owned a Hyatt week in Key West. No matter how many times Tuggers explained it to me, no matter how much I read, I could never figure out how to use the points system. I found Marriott Vacation Club and Vistana’s point systems to be easy and intuitive. I also overpaid for my Hyatt week on the resale market because the resale broker got me to believe the resale value was higher than it was. Overall, I had a bad experience with Hyatt and never used my fixed week or points. After a year or so, I sold it to Marriott for not a terrible price fortunately. Overall I lost about $3000 on Hyatt between re-selling it lower than I paid and paying MFs when I did not use it. I was just grateful to unload it to MVC since it was not selling on the resale market.

Maybe someone can explain the Hyatt point system in a simple way. I am still curious about how it works.

The best way to understand the system is simple. At the first day of the week you own, you receive a new set of points called CUP points. You can spend them any way you prefer over the next 12 months. With those points for the first 6 months, you have the exclusive right to reserve the unit you own. This is called HRPP. You have to inform Hyatt you want to stay in your unit and those CUP points are consumed. If you take no action to reserve the owned unit, or use the points elsewhere, that exclusive right goes away. After 12 months, the balance of points remaining in your account goes into LCUP. Those points have limited use and last for 6 months.

 

[Sapper]

We know the ins/out of Marriott and HGVC. But no idea about Hyatt. We’re Considering picking up one (resale) for retirement usage. We're on East Coast. Do owners on TUG like/love/dislike Hyatt system? and why? We'd likely use internal exchange system. Thanks, Elaine (ps-I was considering picking up another HGVC SW FL property like Sanibel Island, but with new HGV MAX, I'm holding off for a few years to see how it shakes out).

Personally, I really like the Hyatt system. There are a few things I dislike, however, all totaled between the different major systems I looked at per-purchase (resale), Hyatt was and is still the best system for me / my family.

 

[Mongoose]

Personally, I really like the Hyatt system. There are a few things I dislike, however, all totaled between the different major systems I looked at per-purchase (resale), Hyatt was and is still the best system for me / my family.

I agree. I was just hoping for some new locations with the Welk purchase. I wonder now if Legacy Hyatt will get stagnant and they will only grow the new HVC.

 

[Kal]

I agree. I was just hoping for some new locations with the Welk purchase. I wonder now if Legacy Hyatt will get stagnant and they will only grow the new HVC.

There will be no new HRC properties.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

For the inconvenience of the fees, you get an

Personally, I really like the Hyatt system. There are a few things I dislike, however, all totaled between the different major systems I looked at per-purchase (resale), Hyatt was and is still the best system for me / my family.

Definitely agree!

 

[heathpack]

I like my Hyatts a lot, and the HRC system.

I like the resorts, the flexibility, the ease of use.
I don’t like the fees, the unfriendliness to owners, the loss of Aspen, nor the audacity of HPP.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

I like my Hyatts a lot, and the HRC system.

I like the resorts, the flexibility, the ease of use.
I don’t like the fees, the unfriendliness to owners, the loss of Aspen, nor the audacity of HPP.

Agree with all, except I have not experienced the unfriendliness, actually the opposite. We lately have used our points in Maui and they bend over backwards for you. Same in Breckinridge. Sedona, it depends who you get.

 

[heathpack]

Agree with all, except I have not experienced the unfriendliness, actually the opposite. We lately have used our points in Maui and they bend over backwards for you. Same in Breckinridge. Sedona, it depends who you get.

Sorry, I don't mean customer service, I agree that is excellent throughout the system.

I mean lots of fees and little hassles baked into the system- fees for making a reservation, fees for cancelling a reservation, the inability to book something in the future for which you will have points at the time of travel but don't have points at the time of making the reservation, no banking, no realistically viable borrowing, the need to pay annual club fees for every unit you own, the inability to trade into Hyatt through II, high transfer fees, known website glitches that have not been fixed even though known for many years, etc.

 

[Kal]

Another issue for CUP usage is that you need to pay maintenance fees long before the end of the year. That's the case for "forward pay" resorts. Some resorts are "back pay" where your CUP points book fine when you pay M/F at the end of the year.

 

[ScoopKona]

the inability to trade into Hyatt through II

This was purposeful -- A 1300 point Bronze owner could book a 2bd ski week. I'm not going to begrudge Hyatt protecting their Diamond owners.

 

[heathpack]

This was purposeful -- A 1300 point Bronze owner could book a 2bd ski week. I'm not going to begrudge Hyatt protecting their Diamond owners.

Yes all of it is purposeful. One way or another, it serves Hyatt’s purposes.

But I agree with you that the II issue is the least annoying. Although they could “fix” the issue by simply using the HRC points chart (instead of the II points chart) for Hyatt to Hyatt II exchanges. It would encourage using the Club for exchanges because you don’t need to pay the II exchange fee when you do, but still make the II deposits available to Hyatt owners. It would “protect” the Diamond owners. Seems like an easy fix to me.

 

[ivywag]

We like almost everything about the system. Our pet peeve is having to pay an Interval International membership fee for each of our units.

 

[ScoopKona]

Yes all of it is purposeful. One way or another, it serves Hyatt’s purposes.

But I agree with you that the II issue is the least annoying. Although they could “fix” the issue by simply using the HRC points chart (instead of the II points chart) for Hyatt to Hyatt II exchanges.

I think that's a solution in search of a problem. How often does it happen that the week you want is in II and not on the HRC site? (Asking because I never see any inventory because I have only the one week.)

As for the fees, I shrug them off. I get roughly three weeks of travel on my week every year. (Some years more. Some years less. 21 nights is a fair average.) So, let's say $2,000 per year in various fees -- that's less than $100 per night. And I'm getting considerably better accomodation than any $100 hotel will offer. Even bargain AirBnBs have trouble comparing to that kind of bang for the buck.

Pandemic aside, we travel a great deal. Hyatt is just one tool in the toolbox. But it's a tool I reach for often.

 

[heathpack]

I think that's a solution in search of a problem. How often does it happen that the week you want is in II and not on the HRC site? (Asking because I never see any inventory because I have only the one week.)

You never see inventory because you own a Hyatt week. Hyatt owners do not see the Hyatt weeks.

It happens regularly- ie a few times a year, which is relevant because most of us travel a few times a year- that there’s a Hyatt week available on II that I’d book if I could. I can see them with my Marriott and Sheraton accounts even if I don’t have a Marriott or Sheraton deposit.

It’s great for you if you don’t mind the fees. I prefer the DVC model, low fees, cancel and rebook reservations as you like. Book a reservation for next April if you will have points available next April. If you don’t pay your MF, DVC just cancels your reservation. Ditto for Marriott- cancel and rebook if you’d like. No biggie. Most of it is done online anyway, so it involves zero effort for the timeshare company.

I guess I perhaps have a more complicated schedule than you do. I frequently can’t be 100% sure 9 or 11 months out that I won’t have a conflict with the reservation I just booked. Paying to obtain the reservation, then paying to cancel it, then paying to book another reservation is stupid annoying.

 

[ScoopKona]

It’s great for you if you don’t mind the fees. I prefer the DVC model, low fees, cancel and rebook reservations as you like.

And that's fine -- but there isn't a single place in the Disney portfolio which interests me. Hyatt, at least, has a few locations I can use as "blow my leftover points" locations. And then the ability to trade like a madman with II.

My wife and I don't give each other gifts for birthdays/anniversary/etc. We gift each other travel. At least a dozen times, each, we have called our spouse's employer, "Look, you can't say a word. Not a word. I'm taking my wife to Paris and Venice for her birthday. I need you to give her two weeks off without anyone knowing about it. She'll sign whatever paperwork you put in front of her after the fact. I've already packed her bags."

1) No employer ever said "no." We found this to be a reliable way to get vacation time.
2) There is nothing on Earth like thinking you're going to work and instead hopping on a plane to Iceland/Beijing/Berlin/etc.
3) We both have two go-bags packed at all time -- warm weather destinations, cool/cold weather destinations. I just grab the bag as needed. It's already packed.

This is typically how I use my Hyatt week.

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

While I’m not thrilled to pay more, I think it’s reasonable. The split week fee is annoying.

Interesting, how much is a split week fee?

We purchased Hilton Grand Vacation Club in December, a 1 week package, that we can squeeze 2-3 weeknight getaway per year ($59 fee per reservation). We've already booked Myrtle Beach and Waikiki, and are so far happy with the program.

The only thing missing was access to Sedona, utilizing timeshare on road trips within our state. Specifically there are a couple festivals we would like to start attending, for film and wine, without the expensive hotel rates. I eyeballed this thread, and glanced at an overview of Hyatt. We ended up buying Club Wyndham for the larger portfolio of resorts, and 5 night weekday rate. No doubt the Hyatt resort is nicer, and a program I assume with a better reputation (at least from the presentations). Being able to stay 10 nights a year, split between two trips, for $1,070, was too good to pass up.

I am curious what pros and cons we avoided with this decision, given that it was the closest contender.

 

[alameda94501]

And that's fine -- but there isn't a single place in the Disney portfolio which interests me. Hyatt, at least, has a few locations I can use as "blow my leftover points" locations. And then the ability to trade like a madman with II.

My wife and I don't give each other gifts for birthdays/anniversary/etc. We gift each other travel. At least a dozen times, each, we have called our spouse's employer, "Look, you can't say a word. Not a word. I'm taking my wife to Paris and Venice for her birthday. I need you to give her two weeks off without anyone knowing about it. She'll sign whatever paperwork you put in front of her after the fact. I've already packed her bags."

1) No employer ever said "no." We found this to be a reliable way to get vacation time.
2) There is nothing on Earth like thinking you're going to work and instead hopping on a plane to Iceland/Beijing/Berlin/etc.
3) We both have two go-bags packed at all time -- warm weather destinations, cool/cold weather destinations. I just grab the bag as needed. It's already packed.

This is typically how I use my Hyatt week.

Wow, I think I have to live vicariously through your posts, @ScoopLV ... I was wondering how you could maximize use of a single bronze week in our system but it sounds like you and your wife have ideal timeshare DNA, nice!

As for the fees @heathpack I hate fees too, but a silver lining is that there's not a lot of fast paced swapping going on. E.g. even with the "you have three minutes to complete your transaction", I've always had time to leisurely chat with my family / friends to coordinate and come back and the potential reservation is still there. I imagine that would be less the case with $0 frictionless reservations and cancellations. Seems a bit more civilized for our family's slow pace, but I've definitely gotten caught with the wrong reservation or forgotten request list entry before, yuck!

 

[heathpack]

@ScoopLV I am a veterinarian. We need the hospital covered 100% of the time, with rare exceptions. There are times I plan a trip a year out and my colleagues father is diagnosed with cancer, for example, and she needs to be gone unexpectedly. *Could* I still go on my trip? Yes, my employer wouldn’t like it but they generally let me do what I like. *Should* I still go on my trip? No. We have patients who need us specifically (we are specialists and our owners can’t just see someone else). And part of the reason my employer would always let me go even if the service wasn’t covered is because I’m responsible about it. They expect I will only go on a pleasure trip if I have the service covered or I *really* need to take the trip and there is no alternative. I’m pretty sure if I went off on a whim and left the service uncovered, there would eventually be a “rule” about such things and I’d be SOL in the future. So it’s definitely in my interests to be responsible about it. Which means long-standing plans must be changed sometimes.

Also- my main hobby is not travel. I compete with my dogs in various events, and those events are scheduled on a time frame much shorter than most timeshare reservations. So it’s not rare that a dog event crops up that results in me cancelling a timeshare reservation.

These details aren’t important- suffice it to say, for some folks travel isn’t the main thing they do for fun and not all jobs are the kind where one can always go off with travel as the first priority over work.

So for me, the cancel and rebooking fees are annoying. For you, not so much. Good on you!

However we do travel a lot- this year we have 8 weeks of travel planned, not including long weekend trips (I have a three day work week). We also can leverage our Hyatt weeks into a boatload of travel. One of our weeks is a DVC exchange- with a TUGger, into her condo in Bend OR over 4th of July. DVC is great to use at DVC, it can be exchanged outside of exchange companies (albeit rarely), but the best way to “exchange” it is to covert it to cash by renting it, and then rent an AirBnB wherever you want. Owner friendly booking and cancellation rules means that works really well, in a way that Hyatt does not.

 

[ScoopKona]

@ScoopLV I am a veterinarian. We need the hospital covered 100% of the time, with rare exceptions.

Then Hyatt isn't for you. When I book a week, we're going. I've never cancelled a trip. And the only way I ever would is if one of us was too sick or too injured to travel. And then I'd chalk it up to "oh well, no use crying over spilled milk."

Our Bronze week was upgraded to Gold a few years back. But the only change that gave us was "woo-woo, extra week!" So now instead of 2-3 weeks of vacationing with a couple split week Hyatt drive-to trips, it's 3-4 weeks. For the same reason I don't buy something thinking about returning it, I don't book a vacation thinking about canceling.

 

[heathpack]

Then Hyatt isn't for you. When I book a week, we're going. I've never cancelled a trip. And the only way I ever would is if one of us was too sick or too injured to travel. And then I'd chalk it up to "oh well, no use crying over spilled milk."

Our Bronze week was upgraded to Gold a few years back. But the only change that gave us was "woo-woo, extra week!" So now instead of 2-3 weeks of vacationing with a couple split week Hyatt drive-to trips, it's 3-4 weeks. For the same reason I don't buy something thinking about returning it, I don't book a vacation thinking about canceling.

Lol thanks for your input. Somehow even though “Hyatt isn’t for me” I’ve made it work for years. So I guess your take is that whatever Hyatt does is fine. If it’s user unfriendly, then the user is wrong. Couldn’t possibly be that the system could be improved! Your perspective is duly noted!

 

[heathpack]

Wow, I think I have to live vicariously through your posts, @ScoopLV ... I was wondering how you could maximize use of a single bronze week in our system but it sounds like you and your wife have ideal timeshare DNA, nice!

As for the fees @heathpack I hate fees too, but a silver lining is that there's not a lot of fast paced swapping going on. E.g. even with the "you have three minutes to complete your transaction", I've always had time to leisurely chat with my family / friends to coordinate and come back and the potential reservation is still there. I imagine that would be less the case with $0 frictionless reservations and cancellations. Seems a bit more civilized for our family's slow pace, but I've definitely gotten caught with the wrong reservation or forgotten request list entry before, yuck!

Well DVC reservations might get snapped up quickly, there’s no cost to book and no cost to cancel. So the DVC version of talking to the family is: book the reservation, talk to the family, if you decide it doesn’t work, just release it. It’s nothing but a few keyboard strokes.

 

[ScoopKona]

Lol thanks for your input. Somehow even though “Hyatt isn’t for me” I’ve made it work for years. So I guess your take is that whatever Hyatt does is fine. If it’s user unfriendly, then the user is wrong. Couldn’t possibly be that the system could be improved! Your perspective is duly noted!

My perspective is that it's set up to trade fairly. Snapping up a week, holding it and canceling without penalty takes that week away from someone else who has no intention of canceling.

That's what the fees are for -- to dissuade people from hogging inventory. You see a bug. I see a feature.