Other timeshare systems that work similar to SVN?

[Lettssee]

I really enjoy my ownership and I'm looking to expand. I'm thinking of a resale purchase of WKV however I am curious about the other systems. Does anyone here own in another system that trades internally similar to Vistana? I'm not so savvy to try II or the like so I have only ever vacationed within the Vistana system.

 

[sponger76]

I really enjoy my ownership and I'm looking to expand. I'm thinking of a resale purchase of WKV however I am curious about the other systems. Does anyone here own in another system that trades internally similar to Vistana? I'm not so savvy to try II or the like so I have only ever vacationed within the Vistana system.

Not exactly the same but legacy Hilton Grand Vacation Club is somewhat similar. You own a week in a particular season at a particular resort. But that week also automatically is worth a certain number of points. To book a number of nights other than a week, or outside your season/unit size, or at other resorts, you use those points but you can only do that after the home resort weeks booking period has passed (I think it's 10 months, maybe 9). One difference is that unlike Vistana, for HGVC there are no voluntary vs mandatory resorts, so no matter what resort you buy, resales will always have access to the points overlay system for internal exchange. However HGVC does have more fees for different transactions that Vistana (at least for Abound-enrolled deeds) doesn't have.

 

[Lettssee]

Not exactly the same but legacy Hilton Grand Vacation Club is somewhat similar. You own a week in a particular season at a particular resort. But that week also automatically is worth a certain number of points. To book a number of nights other than a week, or outside your season/unit size, or at other resorts, you use those points but you can only do that after the home resort weeks booking period has passed (I think it's 10 months, maybe 9). One difference is that unlike Vistana, for HGVC there are no voluntary vs mandatory resorts, so no matter what resort you buy, resales will always have access to the points overlay system for internal exchange. However HGVC does have more fees for different transactions that Vistana (at least for Abound-enrolled deeds) doesn't have.

I appreciate your feedback and I will read more about HGVC to see if that may be a better choice for me than more of the same with WKV. Do you have a preference for Hilton or Vistana? if so, why?

 

[ljmiii]

Do you have a preference for Hilton or Vistana? if so, why?

First off, I agree with what @sponger76 wrote.

The main reason to own one timeshare system or another is the location of the resort(s). "Buy where you want to stay" is in my mind the first rule of timeshares and while I sometimes use my weeks/points to stay elsewhere the best and easiest way to use a timeshare is to stay where you own. So I own Vistana and HGVC (and MVC and DVC ) because we want to stay at different resorts.

That said, legacy HGVC offers better opportunity to use your points elsewhere than most timeshare systems and many owners seldom or never stay at their home resort. It is in general (and IMHO) the best of the major timeshare systems as long as you understand its limitations and are able to plan 9 to 12 months in advance. In particular, HGVC truly excels if you want to do one of the three following things...

1) Stay at one of HGVC's major destinations - O'ahu, the Big Island, Carlsbad (CA), Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach (SC), Orlando, and maybe NYC. There is almost always plenty of availability at 276 days (~9 months) and you can just buy the least expensive deed anywhere in the system (taking into account both initial price and MFs).

2) Stay at any HGVC resort for a week at a time (usually Saturday to Saturday) in a particular unit size and season at least every other year. Because most people don't book Home Week reservations there is almost always availability at 12 months (except perhaps for the very highest of demand weeks - e.g. President's Week at a Ski Resort). For this you buy a deed for the unit, season, and resort at which you want to stay.

3) Stay in NYC or DC. Because the "by Hilton Club" (aka bHC) resorts in these locations have "Home Resort Priority" windows in addition to the "Home Week Priority" window there is a long period of time (typically 90 to 276 days in advance) during which resort owners and no one else can book short stays. In addition, only owners can make "Open Season" reservations (cash stays) and there is usually an owners lounge. You would need to buy at the resort though not necessarily the unit and season at which you want to stay.

 

[jp10558]

I also own HGVC, though only the "minimum" platnium deed for my usecase and sadly in Orlando which is kinda expensive. And that's my point - there's almost no reason to own any resort in Orlando or any particular system for staying in Orlando unless you're extremely picky about the specific resort you stay in. This also depends on time of year, but I can usually book December-January-Feb for less than MFs on my 2BR. I can usually do this via RCI Extra Vacations if I want an HGVC resort, or in Interval as a getaway if I want a Sheraton, and I can trade easily into Marriotts in Orlando with a independent trader, so while the "most expensive" it's still for me around $500 less than the HGVC fees at Seaworld. The same obtains in Las Vegas, though in that case, the locations right on the strip at the hotels can be worth it if you want to walk vs driving or ubering to everywhere. This is less relevant IMO in Orlando, you can't walk anywhere that I'm aware of.

So keep that in mind - HGVC would be amazing if they had more locations, especially ones with 2BR, but as it is, I am kinda underwhelmed.

 

[geist1223]

I have read that many people recommend acquiring a 2 bedroom Platinum at Elara in Las Vegas. But you have to double check and make sure you are acquiring a HGVC Deed. Upfront costs are more than a Gold Week but MF are the same for 2 bedroom Platinum vice a 2 bedroom Gold. You get more Points to use elsewhere with a Platinum Week.

 

[jabberwocky]

I own in both Vistana (mix developer and resale) and HGVC (resale). They are very similar in how they work and actually quite complementary in terms of geography.

I’m tempted to get another HGVC week as we’re tending to borrow from future years in that system. If you are used to Vistana it’s a very easy transition to HGVC - you’ll just have to watch out for the booking fees and “walking” reservations.

 

[sponger76]

I appreciate your feedback and I will read more about HGVC to see if that may be a better choice for me than more of the same with WKV. Do you have a preference for Hilton or Vistana? if so, why?

In terms of resort quality I think they're both good. I don't own HGVC but have stayed at a couple of their resorts. To me the biggest reason I own Vistana instead of HGVC is they happen to have more locations that I personally want to go to more often. But I can definitely see some people being more appreciative of the locations that HGVC has. And if you can afford to own in both systems, it can be a good complementary portfolio so you have more options of where to go. For external exchanging Ido prefer Vistana's access to III over HGVC s access to RCI, but as an existing Vistana owner you already have II access.

 

[timesharen00b]

Random question since topic of HGVC came up. Can buying resale deed ( let’s say Vegas) grant me access to book the Japan resorts or those completely separate?

 

[ljmiii]

Random question since topic of HGVC came up. Can buying resale deed ( let’s say Vegas) grant me access to book the Japan resorts or those completely separate?

Yes-ish. HGVC is like Mandatory Vistana in that the points come with the deed and you can book a week at your Home Resort at 12 months long before others can exchange in using points.

All HGVC owners can make Club Reservations at The Bay Forest Odawara and Beach Resort Sesoko on Okinawa at 276 days before check-out (as is the case for most but not all HGVC resorts). This will also be true for the not yet completed Tradimo Kyoto Gojo.

However, the other 'resorts' are really just hotels that have an agreement with HGVC. They are all in the places Japanese city dwellers like to vacation and not in urban locations and have a short booking window of approximately 15 to 60 days.