Open Season Rates for 2016

[Tamaradarann]

In late 2014 we found out that the Open Season Rates starting in January 2015 were going to be raised via a sliding scale. It seemed at the time only the Hawaii resort open season rates were effected by this change. Tuggers led the petition to HGVC management to have the rates rolled by to the pre-existing rates for 2015.

As we come to the end of 2015 does anyone know what the plans are for 2016?
One of the issues that I brought up, contrary to what HGVC was stating, was that the availability of units to reserve during open season was inventory that was not reserved by members/owners during the Club Reservation Window. Therefore, this inventory should be available to members/owners at the current vastly reduced rates not subject to the market rack rates in the location which non member/owners are subject to on Hilton.com.

 

[alwysonvac]

Does anyone know what the plans are for 2016?

Sorry, I don't know.

Just my two cents...I'm hoping they listened and will keep Owner inventory separate from Hotel Inventory (the inventory that HGVC Owners actually give back to the Club in exchange for other benefits or Partner Perks). They should manage their Hotel Inventory on their Hilton.com website. They can easily setup a Hilton.com discount code for HGVC members that varies based on hotel demand and leave HGVC Open Season rates unchanged.

For those who don't know the story...

Early December 2014
Multiple Tuggers discovered that HGVC significantly increased 2015 Open Season rates when they tried booking during the Open Season Window.
Studio $60 - $290/night (previously $60 - $145)
One Bedroom $80 - $580/night (previously $80 - $290)
Two Bedroom $105 - $750/night (previously $105 - $375)
Three Bedroom $160 - $880/night (previously $160 - $430)

HGVC posted the following on their facebook page
Open Season Rental rates remain flexible based on location, season, day of the week and demand. Beginning in 2015, some nightly rates remain similar to those of the previous year, and some increased rates are based on the location, season or day of the week that are historically in higher demand by our Club Members.

The intention of this update was to offer these accommodations during the 30 day booking window at a percentage-off of what can be found on Hilton.com, which primarily offers the inventory that HGV Owners actually give back to the Club in exchange for other benefits or Partner Perks such as cruises, RV rentals, houseboats, etc. Previous rates were not reflective of the specific marketplace: for example, a 1-bedroom in Orlando does not equate to the same as a 1-bedroom in Honolulu. These recent updates to the Open Season rates chart remedy such discrepancies.

We will continue to monitor the markets in which we operate HGV resorts, and offer seasonally adjusted Open Season rates in an effort to provide the most desirable offers to our Owners.

Late December 2014

HGVC posted on their Facebook page
As we regrettably did not provide ample notice regarding changes to the Open Season fee structure for the year ahead, we are committed to easing any inconvenience by rolling back the rates to the 2014 levels throughout the first quarter of 2015.

Early January 2015

HGVC reversed their decision and posted on their Facebook page
"...the rates for the popular last-minute Open Season reservation privilege for Club Members will remain unchanged for the rest of 2015"

OPEN SEASON CHANGES OVER THE YEARS
- Changed Open Season to Cash only (2 night minimum)
- Changed Open Season to accommodate rates for weekends vs weekdays
- Changed Open Season to accommodate rates for the various seasons (In 2012, HGVC only had Platinum broken out and Silver/Gold together)

 

[Tamaradarann]

HGVC has yet to make a Decision

I just received a reply from Barbara Riggs Senior Director of Club Member Services that HGVC has yet to make a decision on Open Season Rates for 2016. If I hear anything I will post it.