Open season reservations

[levatino]

I was playing on the system with Open Season. I seem to remember reading that Open season reservations can only be made for owners (not guests). However as I went through a practice reservation it gave me the opportunity to change the guest name... Huh, that made me wonder....

So, which is it? I am sure it is in the member guide, and I did a quick search on the forum that came up empty and thought I would ask the forum.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[ricoba]

You are correct, Open Season is for owners only. When you fill out the form online you are the guest.

I haven't paid enough attention to it to answer the other part of your question about name change...

 

[Aptman]

The room can be occupied by anyone, but the person checking in must be an owner showing their ID. Thus, you can make reservations for multiple rooms (obviously not all are for you), but you have to be there at check in. Great if you live in Hawaii, Florida or Las Vegas and you have people coming in to town, not great if you live somewhere else and want to get your friend a room.

Couple of years ago I was already going to Hawaii and some friends had reservations for a lot of money at the Grand Waikikian, and I got them open season reservations there for 1/4 the cost. Since our stays overlapped and I was able to check them in, it worked out perfectly (it didn't matter that I left before they did, only that I was there at check-in).

They had even talked about flying me out 1st class just to check them in, it would have been that worth it for them. They stayed in a 2bd at the GW for $120 a night, while I stayed in a 1bd at the Lagoon for my points. Hmmm, I should've switched with them.

 

[TUGmember100]

Can Open Season Reservation Be Changed?

We just booked an open season reservation on 8/5/10 for 8/29-9/1 for a 1 bedroom as that the only available unit when we checked. Now I see a 2 BR on the same property and thinking that would be a nice splurge...can we change our original 1 BR reservation to the 2 BR? Is there a penalty or is there some waiver b/c it's a bigger unit?

 

[Talent312]

We just booked an open season reservation on 8/5/10 for 8/29-9/1 for a 1 bedroom as that the only available unit when we checked. Now I see a 2 BR on the same property and thinking that would be a nice splurge...can we change our original 1 BR reservation to the 2 BR? Is there a penalty or is there some waiver b/c it's a bigger unit?

When changing an OS reservation, you are technically be subject to the OS cancellation policy.
The penalities are 25% (30-15 days), 50% (14-6 days) and 100% (5-0 days).

But why should you be subject to a penalty when you're merely upgrading?
According to the Guide, only home resort & club reservations (booked online or with a change-fee)
can have "changeable" status. Open season reservations do not. Guide, p. 137-138

HOWEVER, it don't hurt to ask. Call HGVC to see if a CSR will have a heart and "bend the rules."
But if they won't help, try calling the resort directly to see if they'd be willing to let you switch
"in house" for the difference in OS rates (like asking an airline gate agent for a better seat).

Bottom Line: If the change is important enuff, compare the total cost including any applicable penalty, to the cost of booking the suite you want thru Hilton Hotels.

 

[PigsDad]

We just booked an open season reservation on 8/5/10 for 8/29-9/1 for a 1 bedroom as that the only available unit when we checked. Now I see a 2 BR on the same property and thinking that would be a nice splurge...can we change our original 1 BR reservation to the 2 BR? Is there a penalty or is there some waiver b/c it's a bigger unit?

I have done that exact same thing in the past -- I had a studio Open Season reservation, and about a week before my travel date, a 1BR opened up. I called customer service, and they said it was technically not allowed, but she did upgrade me for no fee (just the extra cost for the larger room).

Just call and ask. If they say no, try again with a different customer service rep.

Kurt

 

[TUGmember100]

The unit I saw was available was no longer available when I finally was able to speak to a HGVC CSR, but today an opening came up and just called to make the change w/o penalties. They refunded the full amount of our original reservation and made our new reservation for us. Thanks everyone!

 

[PigsDad]

Glad to hear they are still doing this -- that is great customer service!

Kurt