Just attended a Sales Presentation, doing research, have some questions

[korDen]

Obviously not considering retail. Here is what I was offered (Ocean Tower on the Big Island, HI):
$38900 for 7690points, ~$1800 MF
+63 free nights bonus (not sure how that even works)

Big push on OS, Demonstration account with fantastic deals for $399 for a week (which felt fake), fake call from a happy owner (was kinda cringy).

Anyway, I walked in without 0 intention to buy but I'm actually considering a resale now.

Questions: since MF are based on the sqfootage, whats the meaning/point of getting 1BD/2BD over a Studio with a ton of points? Can I get 100k points with a Studio and pay miniscule MF? How does that affect booking?

How is the availability? If I want to go 1-3 months from now, is there any inventory? Or do I need to book 11+ months in advance to get something good?

Sales rep made is sound like it doesn't matter where you buy, how true is that? Is booking at your home location any different than booking in another location?

I have a family of 5 (me, wife, 3 kids) and we go to vacation for 10-15 days every year. I don't want to go to Hilton every year, but every other year is okay. Does is makes any sense for me to get 11200+ points (I am being told that 7690 doesnt really let me use the system properly - in what way?)

Also considering Aulani DVC, possibly with subsidized fees. Has anyone owned both and can compare? Is owning both too much?

Is it a better value to get a mainlain deed that I don't plan going to but that has lower MF?

Is passing the deed down to children a "gift" or a "no thank you"? Hilton timeshare seems to be "forever" vs e.g. DVC that expires in ~40 years.

Thanks a lot!

 

[dayooper]

1-3 months is tough, especially for the larger units. With club bookings, not using your home week, 9 months is preferable or, in some cases, necessary.

If you plan on buying a mainland deed and booking Hawaii, the size of the room doesn’t matter, but the MF per points does. You also have to remember that every deed you buy will cost between $1500 and $3000 to transfer into your name and enroll with HGVC. Larger rooms generally come with more points. There are exceptions, though. You can’t determine how many points you get with your deed, they already are associated with a certain amount.

11200 points will get you 1 week in a standard 2 bedroom during platinum season. If you borrow or save your points, you can make the 2 weeks every other year work for you.

The biggest issue is if you can book at 8-9 months. If you can’t, then timeshares might not be for you. If you can, take a peek at the spreadsheet @GT75 compiled every year of the best MF’s in the system and go from there. I own 2 platinum 2 bedroom deeds in Vegas and get great “mileage” out of them.

Here’s the link to the spreadsheet (it’s on the post):

2025 Hilton Grand Vacations Maintenance Fees

* Please limit this thread to only the MF specifics and take discussions/commentary to the discussion boards. Thank you! * Owners, please report your Weeks MF's as they are billed (NOT proposed/estimated) in this format: Resort Name/Unit Size Operating Fee Reserve Fee Property Taxes (or note...

tugbbs.com

 

[Chris-ATX]

Welcome to TUG!
congrats on not buying retail and finding your way here.

I'm still fairly new to the group, but here are my thoughts:

Obviously not considering retail. Here is what I was offered (Ocean Tower on the Big Island, HI):
$38900 for 7690points, ~$1800 MF
+63 free nights bonus (not sure how that even works)

> 63 free nights? wow, that's new. I assume they are backing into via "bonus points" and booking the absolute cheapest booking possible in the least desirable time in the year. Yes, bonus points can be good, but it's just a discount on the deed. Oh, and they get you used to having more points so you will then "want more".

> 7690 isn't nearly enough points for a 5 person family.


Big push on OS, Demonstration account with fantastic deals for $399 for a week (which felt fake), fake call from a happy owner (was kinda cringy).

Anyway, I walked in without 0 intention to buy but I'm actually considering a resale now.

Questions: since MF are based on the sqfootage, whats the meaning/point of getting 1BD/2BD over a Studio with a ton of points? Can I get 100k points with a Studio and pay miniscule MF? How does that affect booking?

> the points per room config are limited. There are seasons (silver, gold, platinum) and these will be more points for the same room. Sometimes there are "premier" rooms (e.g., 1 bedroom premier" which can be more points. However, there is an upper limit of points for a given room at every location. So, you couldn't actually get 100K points on a small studio.


How is the availability? If I want to go 1-3 months from now, is there any inventory? Or do I need to book 11+ months in advance to get something good?

> depends where you want to go. You do tend to need to make plans further in advance. Or at least we do. Yes, there are times you can get something closer in. But generally, make the reservation as far in advance as you can to ensure best opportunity. Remember, your "home location" will have earlier booking than other locations. We've generally found what we look for, though sometimes it's not exactly what we want....

Sales rep made is sound like it doesn't matter where you buy, how true is that? Is booking at your home location any different than booking in another location?

> yep. true. Remember your home resort will have an earlier booking window. Otherwise, minimize your MF

I have a family of 5 (me, wife, 3 kids) and we go to vacation for 10-15 days every year. I don't want to go to Hilton every year, but every other year is okay. Does is makes any sense for me to get 11200+ points (I am being told that 7690 doesnt really let me use the system properly - in what way?)

> 11,200 is generally good for a 2 bedroom / 2 bath for a week. someone might end up on the sleeper sofa! You can maybe travel not-platinum season for less, but you won't go wrong with this size.


Also considering Aulani DVC, possibly with subsidized fees. Has anyone owned both and can compare? Is owning both too much?

Is it a better value to get a mainlain deed that I don't plan going to but that has lower MF?

> depends if you value getting to HI and your location. Otherwise, find lower MF in Vegas for resell.

Is passing the deed down to children a "gift" or a "no thank you"? Hilton timeshare seems to be "forever" vs e.g. DVC that expires in ~40 years.

> yeah. I don't think this is a thing. We have kids too. But I don't see them taking it. Do keep in mind how you will get out from the deed in the future. This basically translates into get platinum deeds only. Cause the resell market for pretty much anythign than those isn't good.

BTW - we really like HGVC. The properties are all quite nice. And for us (family of 4) the kitchens and extra space is so worth it. We don't go to FL, but we've enjoyed going to lots of other places - CA, SC, Chicago, DC and always enjoy it.


Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot!

 

[WaikikiFirst]

fake call from a happy owner

What? During the presentation or (how long) after?
Did you agree to get the call before-hand?
I don't think I have ever read of this? Has anyone else heard of this or is it new?

 

[WaikikiFirst]

63 free nights? wow, that's new. I assume they are backing into via "bonus points" and booking the absolute cheapest booking possible in the least desirable time in the year.

LOL. "63 free nights". I think you nailed it. UNflippinBelievable