Introducing HGV Max — Our New Membership Program (Official announcement from HGVC)

[Ralph Sir Edward]

An interesting stew. . .

It looks like the Affiliates will come out the best in this. HVC does not have ROFR on affiliate properties. Only the properties themselves do. So those with fixed weeks, will be able to keep their fixed weeks without worrying about HGV "front-running" their weeks. Bay Club has a similar protection, they open their booking window significantly before the 12 month window of HGVC.

So as long as you are <not> a member of HGVC, HGVC and its add-ons can't diddly you out of your week choice. (So if you bought where you want to go, year after year, you will still be able to, with minimal worries. . . )

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

We were initially excited about the possibilities of HGV Max. Specifically the Sedona location, which is only 4 hours away. Having just purchased resale in December, we were quoted $16,000 for an upgrade, one week after officially closing on the initial purchase. Inconceivable, and the 6 month booking window makes it all the less useful. The Diamond owners are going get more aggressive with bookings at the 7 month mark, then you're going to complete with the HGV Max people on anything remaining.

We've decided to go with Club Wyndham Sedona, for a 13 month booking window. We'll get far more out of that than HGV Max, being able to pick exactly what we want.

I don't think HGV Max is a bad deal for those who want to buy more retail anyways, or who have excessive ownership and are flexible with off season deals. But if you have your heart set one or two Diamond locations, perhaps consider alternatives.

 

[Mongoose]

We were initially excited about the possibilities of HGV Max. Specifically the Sedona location, which is only 4 hours away. Having just purchased resale in December, we were quoted $16,000 for an upgrade, one week after officially closing on the initial purchase. Inconceivable, and the 6 month booking window makes it all the less useful. The Diamond owners are going get more aggressive with bookings at the 7 month mark, then you're going to complete with the HGV Max people on anything remaining.

We've decided to go with Club Wyndham Sedona, for a 13 month booking window. We'll get far more out of that than HGV Max, being able to pick exactly what we want.

I don't think HGV Max is a bad deal for those who want to buy more retail anyways, or who have excessive ownership and are flexible with off season deals. But if you have your heart set one or two Diamond locations, perhaps consider alternatives.

If you haven’t already look at Hyatt and Arroyo Roble. Both are nicer and have better locations IMO.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We have a discounted stay/presentation for Hyatt Pinion Point for next year. We look forward to checking out Sedona and hiking. May rent a few days at HGV Sedona Summit to check it out too.

 

[dioxide45]

We have a discounted stay/presentation for Hyatt Pinion Point for next year. We look forward to checking out Sedona and hiking. May rent a few days at HGV Sedona Summit to check it out too.

Actually, won't that be a HVC Sedona Summit?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@dioxide45 Gah!! LoL Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Bacon and Spam, Spam and Bacon, Spam, Spam and Bacon with Spam. Pick your HGV, HVC, HGVC. Max HGV, Max HVC By Hilton Club, The CLUB, Club, Club

 

[terces]

This was just posted in the HGVC Elite FB group that talks about some of this:

Quick on MAX. I talked live to a salesperson today. She said she is not sure why the $7000 price to get in is published in the club guide becssue they are not selling that. She said the only way to get into MAX Is to buy a new deed or to upgrade an existing one. And minimum investment is $25,000. This is a minimum new investment. She didn’t give a minimum cost if you go upgrade route. She also said she has no idea where the paying $450 or $1000 per deed to get in came from. She said this was not accurate.
Also that MAX is a deeded thing. It’s not just points like I thought and some others had posted. Buying a deed now will get you into MAX. It’s your ‘ticket’ to get in. Also if you get into max it doesn’t shorten your 9 month booking window for the HGV deeds you currently own. The 6 mo th window is just for ‘cross pollination’. Meaning HGV that wants to book Diamond or vice versa.
Last. The booking window. She said it was not intended to take benefits away from legacy owners. It was to help owners from having to go in constantly to check for availability. I don’t think I agree with this. As I asked her in theory then. If a 17000 point owner who gets 1 request and the property is available during that 9-10 month window. Then they are automatically booked and get it and how is that not detrimental to us. And She said the search is no guarantee. (In theory it’s like when we put a search in for RCI). So I said in theory then if I an elite premier doesn’t get into max then the lowest level of elite in max could theoretically get a property before HGV legacy. And she agreed yes, This could happen. She said that the hard to get properties will still be hard to get whether it is in a 10 month search or a 9 month booking window. My jury is still out on this. I think this hurts all legacy owners who choose not to go to max.
Just thought I’d share what I heard. Not trying to stir the pot.

So if we extrapolate this statement a bit further "I think this hurts all legacy owners who choose not to go to max.", we can take this to mean that all resale buyers will be hurt, and why? If I buy a used condo, or any other form of real estate my Bundle Of Rights stays intact by law.

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

If you haven’t already look at Hyatt and Arroyo Roble. Both are nicer and have better locations IMO.

I didn't look into Arroyo Roble, but it looks like a very relaxing resort. I don't see any resale on Ebay or Tug, but an old promo video on their website quotes resale $7,000 starting.

We did consider Hyatt. It does look nicer, and location wise, it is right across the street from our wine club. We decided against it because of the Sunday weekend pricing, and the limited number of resorts. We would likely stay 4 nights per trip, and feel compelled to fly somewhere if points were remaining. Hilton already covers that type of vacation. There is a film fest in February, and a wine fest in September, so the 5 weeknights at Wyndham made more sense.

 

[SmithOp]

So if we extrapolate this statement a bit further "I think this hurts all legacy owners who choose not to go to max.", we can take this to mean that all resale buyers will be hurt, and why? If I buy a used condo, or any other form of real estate my Bundle Of Rights stays intact by law.

The only people hurting are sales when folks realize what a bag of hot air this Max is right now.

Sent from my Lenovo 10e using Tapatalk

 

[dioxide45]

The only people hurting are sales when folks realize what a bag of hot air this Max is right now.

Sent from my Lenovo 10e using Tapatalk

Given that timeshare salespeople can spin full developer pricing of timeshare as a great value proves that they can sell just about anything. I am sure their sales will be doing fine.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I am now rethinking attending a presentation until the ink is dry on the Max program. What's the point?

I heard on a Diamond board that they are requiring Diamond Owners to pay $40-$50k in retail to participate in MAX. There is a greater value prop on the DRI side - access to Hilton Honors, access to HGVC quality resorts so a higher price makes sense. However, if this level of investment is true, this will severely limit the number of DRI owners opting for MAX. And just because a DRI owner opts into MAX that doesn't make them elite with 10-month reservation windows.

 

[dioxide45]

What's the point?

The entertainment value!

 

[Mongoose]

I am now rethinking attending a presentation until the ink is dry on the Max program. What's the point?

I heard on a Diamond board that they are requiring Diamond Owners to pay $40-$50k in retail to participate in MAX. There is a greater value prop on the DRI side - access to Hilton Honors, access to HGVC quality resorts so a higher price makes sense. However, if this level of investment is true, this will severely limit the number of DRI owners opting for MAX and using the theoretical 10-month window. And just because a DRI owner opts into MAX that doesn't make them elite with 10-month reservation windows.

I might try calling someone from corporate to get at the real options.

 

[dioxide45]

I might try calling someone from corporate to get at the real options.

Or fill out the inquiry form online

 

[Mongoose]

Or fill out the inquiry form online

lol, we all know what you get with that. I imagine there are some senior leaders in HGVC that are proud of HGVMax and would be annoyed to learn sales are misrepresenting it or at least poorly selling. Might find out the truth about the $7k. Local sales is using the buzz to simply push new sales.

 

[escanoe]

The entertainment value!

Or content generation for a timeshare YouTube channel

I would tune in to see @CalGalTraveler as a guest.

*******

I actually view HGV Max as pay dirt (pixie dust) for sales. It adds a fair amount of sizzle with perhaps a meager thread of stake …. I suspect once someone makes a purchase and then discovers TUG they will be harder to convince they should rescind.

 

[90_Min_Sales_Pitch]

Given that timeshare salespeople can spin full developer pricing of timeshare as a great value proves that they can sell just about anything. I am sure their sales will be doing fine.

I haven't been following one of the Facebook group closely in a couple of weeks, but I did notice more people opening up to Max. Maybe it was just a niche group of people on a particular thread. The repeat reasoning: not wanting to miss out on their current ownership.

What if Hilton buys Bluegreen or Westgate, do we get "HGV Ultra Max"?

 

[brp]

The repeat reasoning: not wanting to miss out on their current ownership.

HGVC are selling FOMO. And it's working.

Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Or content generation for a timeshare YouTube channel

I would tune in to see @CalGalTraveler as a guest.

ROFL...aka "The tire-kicker from hell" Politely asks too many hard questions which wastes reps time, and doesn't buy. (But gladly accepts the gifts for attending!)

 

[PigsDad]

What if Hilton buys Bluegreen or Westgate, will they buy into "HGV Ultra Max" too?

Exactly! HGV hung their existing owners out to dry on this deal, I have no doubt they will do so again in the future. Extremely disgusted with them right now!

Kurt

 

[HuskerATL]

Here is a link to the Elite Max benefits on their website versus the pictures taken at the sales meeting.

Discover Hilton Grand Vacations | Vacation Membership

See how Hilton Grand Vacations evolved vacation membership to offer one of the most innovative and flexible products in our industry. Learn more!

www.hiltongrandvacations.com

 

[Arimaas]

Where have I seen this X with an arrow like that before? It looks very familiar, but I can't figure out why;
View attachment 51569

FedEx?

 

[HuskerATL]

Someone put this on the FB group and I am curious of your thoughts. I have not seen this written down anywhere and may just be a sales tactic.

"Resale purchases made after 4/01/22 will not qualify for the last minute open season cash benefit in clubs."

 

[CalGalTraveler]

First: We need to see this in writing. Sounds like a sales tactic.

Second: Even if true, OS is based on the owner not the unit and is for additional cash rentals. If you own resales (or retail) prior to 4/02/22 and buy another resale that shouldn't disqualify the owner because you either qualify or not. It could affect new resale buyers without a purchase prior to 4/02.

 

[tombanjo]

Someone put this on the FB group and I am curious of your thoughts. I have not seen this written down anywhere and may just be a sales tactic.

"Resale purchases made after 4/01/22 will not qualify for the last minute open season cash benefit in clubs."

And how exactly could that possibly work ? They would need to add some exceedingly complicated logic to the website to sort out what deeds are eligible. So you bought one Elara deed retail and one on eBay - how do you block and allow at the same time this person ? Yes you can have nested permissions, but still, the back end would be a nightmare.

I am not going to bother reading my deed to see if open season is allowed or not, but if it is, they would need to amend the deed and what right do they have to unilaterally do that based on the existing deed ?

And in the end, exactly what benefit would there be to do this ? Open Season is another word for "can't get rid of" and to limit access is not really a great idea as if someone has a deed, they can borrow points in any case.