Newbie here: Help me decide!

[slypher25]

I am new to all of this so bear with me. I’ve been to timeshare presentations with HGV before but luckily always resisted. Last year I learned about how cheap “point” are selling for on eBay and I was shocked how much I could save. But I still have questions. So to start, here’s my answers to “the survey”.

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?

I’m in Southern California so my partner and I like to go to Las Vegas as an easy getaway.

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?

I could see going either way.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Hawaii, New York, Mexico, Miami, the Caribbean

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?

Usually 2, but possibly might have 2 kids with us every once in awhile.

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

Anytime.

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?

Possibly, but I can only submit PTO officially up to 6 months in advance.

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?

4 stars

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

I’m comfortable with up to $2k (but those free listings sure sound nice!)

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?

I’d like to stick with under $1k

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?

Usually

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?

Yes, but that’s why I’m here!

 

[CO skier]

An 8,000 points ownership with Hilton Grand Vacations will get you into your top 5 locations (off-season for some) for about $1,200/year maintenance fees.

Timeshare Vacation Resorts | Hilton Grand Vacations

Learn about the upscale timeshare vacation resorts and destinations that Hilton Grand Vacations has to offer. Explore vacation ownership today.

www.hiltongrandvacations.com

Hilton South Beach Info: Points Charts, Booking Windows, Amenities

Learn more about this Hilton Grand Vacations resort. Get Hilton South Beach resales, points charts, booking windows, resort amenitites, overview & more

sellingtimeshares.net

HILTON GRAND VACATION CLUB, ON THE BOULEVARD, 8,000 POINTS, ANNUAL, TIMESHARE | eBay

Hilton Grand Vacations Club On The Boulevard. Hilton Grand Vacation Club. Now, you can A magnificent "Desert Deco" design is showcased throughout the resort's towering architecture and dramatic d cor.

www.ebay.com

 

[slypher25]

I should also mention that we’ve stayed a couple times at the HGV Elara in Vegas and LOVED it, so it would be nice to have that as my “home” property unless that doesn’t make as much sense as somewhere else.

 

[Passepartout]

I should also mention that we’ve stayed a couple times at the HGV Elara in Vegas and LOVED it, so it would be nice to have that as my “home” property unless that doesn’t make as much sense as somewhere else.

That might be a great place for you. The annual nut is a little above your target, and you'd be kind of in the HGV/DIA orbit of resorts. Nothing 'wrong' with that, but it's a little restricting. (imo). For the heck of it, see if you can book a week at Tahiti Village in Las Vegas. It might be a step down from Elara, but could cost less as well. I've seen these (even 2BRs) for free. Might be 'same church, different pew' kind of deal, and then you'd be exchanging via an exchange company (RCI iirc).

Happy hunting for 'the one'. Have fun with it, shop around. Try several systems. Each has their strong or weaker points, but honestly- except for Wastegate- there isn't a bad choice.

JIm

 

[slypher25]

That might be a great place for you. The annual nut is a little above your target, and you'd be kind of in the HGV/DIA orbit of resorts. Nothing 'wrong' with that, but it's a little restricting. (imo). For the heck of it, see if you can book a week at Tahiti Village in Las Vegas. It might be a step down from Elara, but could cost less as well. I've seen these (even 2BRs) for free. Might be 'same church, different pew' kind of deal, and then you'd be exchanging via an exchange company (RCI iirc).

Happy hunting for 'the one'. Have fun with it, shop around. Try several systems. Each has their strong or weaker points, but honestly- except for Wastegate- there isn't a bad choice.

JIm

I appreciate the input. I’d rule out Tahiti Village though… we like to be “on the strip”. Elara isn’t technically on the strip, but it’s connected to Planet Hollywood/Miracle Mile and we love the convenience.

Question: if I got a different HGV property, I can always use the points to stay at the Elara, correct?

 

[Passepartout]

Question: if I got a different HGV property, I can always use the points to stay at the Elara, correct?

Based on availability and having enough points for the unit/view, yes. That comes down to booking early enough (before the thundering mob) for desirable weeks.

I am not an HGV owner, but the above holds true for timeshares in general.

A primary difference between timeshares and hotels is that hotels run on about a 66% occupancy rate. That way if a late arrival or in Las Vegas' parlance, a high roller' calls late in their arrival day and needs a room for one night, a hotel can accommodate them. But a timeshare is owned by it's occupants- or 'members'. In order to keep costs down, TSs work on 7-night bookings. This reduces housekeeping and front desk help, and makes for near 100% occupancy. This results in low availability.

Again, Happy hunting.

Jim

 

[rickandcindy23]

All of my timeshares have higher than $1,000 MF's. I don't think that's very realistic.

 

[Passepartout]

^^^ What she said. $1000 annual fees is unrealistic except for off- season, very small (studio) size units. You would be very unhappy finding that is what you are entitled to, and wouldn't look forward to vacationing there.

 

[CO skier]

I appreciate the input. I’d rule out Tahiti Village though… we like to be “on the strip”. Elara isn’t technically on the strip, but it’s connected to Planet Hollywood/Miracle Mile and we love the convenience.

Question: if I got a different HGV property, I can always use the points to stay at the Elara, correct?

Yes, but it is not difficult to get a Gold Season HGV Elara with $1,000/year maintenance fees. Buy where you want to stay. Take all the negativity with a grain of salt. 5,440 HGV points

HILTON GRAND VACATION ELARA, 5,440 POINTS, GOLD, ANNUAL, TIMESHARE FOR SALE | eBay

The sleek, 52-story Elara resort boasts a premier Center Strip location. Elara: Hilton Grand Vacations. Luxurious studios, plus 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom suites. 5,440 HGVC Points. HGVC Points. 80 E HARMON AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89109.

www.ebay.com

is enough for a 4-star 1 bedroom Elara unit in Gold Season for $1,000/year mf.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club Elara - Center Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada

Learn more about Hilton Grand Vacations Club Elara. Get resale listings, maps, full amenities list, plus see how much it would cost with our Point Charts.

sellingtimeshares.net

 

[CO skier]

But a timeshare is owned by it's occupants- or 'members'. In order to keep costs down, TSs work on 7-night bookings. This reduces housekeeping and front desk help, and makes for near 100% occupancy. This results in low availability.

That was the 1980's timeshare model. Modern points systems

Comparison Chart of current major point system Timeshare developers

Oct 2024 Update! Please help us update the points/fees entries for this to bring it up to date! check out the chart below and post your maint fee or point value updates so we can get it included! We have compiled a chart that provides a great high level overview comparison of the major...

tugbbs.com

operate on a points-per-night basis. Book one night, a week, up to 30 nights at a time (details vary by system). Stretch points ownerships by booking weeknights instead of weekends or full weeks. Just look at the Elara and Hilton South Beach points charts linked in posts above.

 

[sue1947]

) What are your 5 top trade destinations?

Hawaii, New York, Mexico, Miami, the Caribbean

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

Anytime.

For your destinations, New York City will be the hardest to get via trade. Big cities tend to have fewer timeshares and that makes trading in more difficult. Look at a system that includes it. Second is Miami. The systems that have both of those are Hilton (which trades via RCI) or Marriott (which trades through II). Both of those will be above your budget. Note that this is HGVC NOT HVC which is the old Diamond timeshare. Hilton bought the latter and then changed the name guaranteed to confuse folks. Different and separate.
The 6 mo lead time will also be an issue if you want popular places at popular times. Off season, mid week will be doable, but you are competing with lots of people who will book a year out and there may not be anything left by 6 mo. So you want a system that you can book early, but cancel if you don't get your PTO. So check the booking and cancellation fees/rules for each system.
Marriott has more options and lots in Hawaii. They are associated with (but that doesn't mean you can book within Marriot); but maybe in the future) Westin, Vistana, Sheraton, Hyatt. Owners there have a priority for exchanging into other Marriotts.

 

[CO skier]

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?

Usually 2, but possibly might have 2 kids with us every once in awhile.

Insider tip: Join the exchange company associated with your timeshare -- RCI if you go with Hilton Grand Vacation Club.

Save your HGVC points and book a 2 bedroom cash option for traveling with kids, like this as just one example of dozens and dozens in the CA, NV area (2 bedroom for less than $1,000 for a week, and maybe a bit more of a "family" vacation versus a 4-star high rise in Vegas ) :

 

[CO skier]

For your destinations, New York City will be the hardest to get via trade. Big cities tend to have fewer timeshares and that makes trading in more difficult. Look at a system that includes it. Second is Miami. The systems that have both of those are Hilton (which trades via RCI) or Marriott (which trades through II). Both of those will be above your budget.

What is with all the negativity? There are 4 New York locations within the HGVC system. 5,440 HGV points ($1,000/year mf) will not get a full week (duh, it is New York City), but it will be good for a few nights without any "trade".

Second is Miami. See the HGVC South Beach points chart in post #2 above. 5,440 HGV is enough for a full 1 bedroom week in Gold season (without having to "trade"), and is right at the OP's budget of $1,000/year maintenance fees.

Third, read post #9 above for HGVC Elara where the OP really likes.

 

[GrayFal]

What is with all the negativity? There are 4 New York locations within the HGVC system. 5,440 HGV points ($1,000/year mf) will not get a full week (duh, it is New York City), but it will be good for a few nights without any "trade".

Second is Miami. See the HGVC South Beach points chart in post #2 above. 5,440 HGV is enough for a full 1 bedroom week in Gold season (without having to "trade"), and is right at the OP's budget of $1,000/year maintenance fees.

Third, read post #9 above for HGVC Elara where the OP really likes.

I am with you, the OP is a great candidate for HGVC, they just have to (or should consider) upping their (unrealistic) yearly maint fee. Ask yourself, what are you paying now for nights in Las Vegas on the strip? 7 nights all in for $1,000/$135 per night? And this is in a hotel, not condo style accommodations.

But as you say, there are options to purchase that would fit that budget, maybe a good way to get their feet wet.

 

[slypher25]

Ok I hear everyone… willing to spend around $1k for maintenance fees. Hopefully that’s more realistic?

Ideally, I’d see us as spending a few days at the Elara (definitely not a whole week) and then I’d like to go somewhere else with my remaining points.

 

[easyrider]

One thing that you should do before you buy a resale time share is to find out if they have an exit program and how their exit program works. Getting a time share is easy. Getting rid of a time share can be not so easy. I linked the responsible exit participating resort page but even if the resort is on this page a person should check.

Bill

https://responsibleexit.com/#developer-search

 

[easyrider]

Ok I hear everyone… willing to spend around $1k for maintenance fees. Hopefully that’s more realistic?

Worldmark might work. You can find these for free occasionally. Based off a 10,000 credit membership a two bed unit is 10,000 credits @ $0.114 per credit or $1,140 per week in red season for most of the WM resorts. A one unit is 8,000 credits red season @ $0.114 or $912. A studio is 6,000 credits red season @ $0.114 or $684.

Then there is bonus time for short stays and fax time that is a cash deal. Resorts all over the place but mostly in the West side of the USA.

Bill

 

[borisaurus]

Ok I hear everyone… willing to spend around $1k for maintenance fees. Hopefully that’s more realistic?

Ideally, I’d see us as spending a few days at the Elara (definitely not a whole week) and then I’d like to go somewhere else with my remaining points.

We bought into HGVC resale (Paradise Las Vegas) last summer: 8000 points with maintenance fee around $1200 (altogether it's closer to 1500$ with the club fee).

Between 2024 and 2025 (16k points total), we have booked through RCI exchange:

Club Wyndham Smoky Mountains 5 nights
Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek 5 nights
Grand Palms in Myrtle Beach 4 nights upcoming

All 2 bedrooms (i travel with family of 4) and i still have over 4k points left for 2025.

My point is...it's slightly higher than you may want to pay but I've found it's totally worth it and the Hilton system is very flexible if you can go places in off-season. As you can see i haven't even stayed at a hilton timeshare property yet.

I justified it to myself this way: if I was staying at hotels, I would be paying roughly the same or perhaps a little less to stay in accommodations that were far less impressive (it would be standard 2 queen bed rooms for the 4 of us). This way I get 2 bedroom apartments.