My Survey - HGCV Insight Please!

[slgarcia77]

Looking for any strategy, advice, insight on HGVC. We have been to multiple presentations and have never bought in, but would like to consider resale options. Current Hilton Diamond card members, we’d prefer to stay within the Hilton brand. Half of our travel is just 2 of us, but often we are 4 up to 6 together, no ‘home’ resort needed, as we’d prefer the flexibility of locations (as in, whenever our college / young adult kids are, ha!). Any direction about deeded versus trust, recommendations, etc very, very appreciated.

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where? No, no set ‘home’ location preferred

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time? Trade more than half the time, flexibility is key

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself? Typically 2 to 4, but up to 6

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule? Travel anytime

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance? Yes, but also want the flexibility of shorter notice short trips for 2

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time? Yes

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars? 3 to 4, preferably 4

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing? Negotiable.

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year? $1500-$2000, preferably

 

[elaine]

HGVC sounds like a good fit. With most resale HGVCs, you are limited to their legacy resorts (mainly East/West coasts, Hawaii, and a few in Europe). You can also deposit into RCI for more options. We have been very happy with HGVC resale. We have also used their 30 day "open season" reduced(cash) pricing for getaways. It's usually overbuilt areas like Orlando, Vegas, etc. But, if you can piece together days, it's a great deal.
I suggest reading (on TUG) about MAX-you won't get it with resale (except in a few situations). I have legacy HGVC and see no reason to have MAX unless free/low cost (which it isn't). I have a post asking other TUG HGVC owners if they think MAX is worth it-so you can see others' views on MAX.

 

[heitmullerj02]

I also have legacy HGVC, bought resale and did not want Max, don’t miss it either. 7k in my pocket rather than theirs. Most of the resorts can be gotten on RCI and none of them are new. That 7k will cover a lot of extra vacations on RCI.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Welcome to TUG. It sounds like you want to follow your kids which might involve Hilton hotels, however the best value is using HGVC and/or trading in DeX for timeshares.

If you primarily want Hilton Hotel access, the 1:32 bHCs (District units best MF of the bHCs, check the MF/pt spreadsheet at the top of the HGVC forum) will give you the best ratio, however I would not buy HGVC just for Hilton hotel access because the 1:32 remains constant while the Hilton points have massively devalued over the past few years. This will be a shrinking benefit that will get worse over time, whereas the timeshare values for trading remain basically steady.

If you want timeshare location flexibility, Craigendarroch Lodges, Bay Club Hawaii, and some Florida Gulf locations will provide access to HGVC and DeX for trading. They also will give you HGVC point access and Hilton 1:16.

Provide your most desired locations and we can assist you better.

 

[elaine]

If you want timeshare location flexibility, Craigendarroch Lodges, Bay Club Hawaii, and some Florida Gulf locations will provide access to HGVC and DeX for trading. They also will give you HGVC point access and Hilton 1:16.

Can you explain how DEX works with resale (if not in MAX)?