Purchase

[Bigbird130]

I think I understand the points thing but would like some guidance.
I think I would be better off to buy a week with 5000 pounts than a week with 3500 points.
They are fixed weeks but I understand that with the higher points for the one week I'll have better trading power?
I don't plan on staying there the week that I buy but plan to use it to trade
Hope I have this right.
Thanks for all the help from Tugers!

 

[Bill4728]

First read the HGVC summary http://www.tug2.net/advice/hgvc.htm

IMHO, I'd buy a plat 1 bed ( 4800 pts) or a Plat 2 bd (7000 pts). Maybe a 2 bed gold ( 5000 pts) but I'd stay away from any unit which I got only 3500 pts.

Remember you do not buy pts but you buy a unit size and season. (Then that unit is worth so many pts. )

 

[Bigbird130]

OK sounds like I sort of have it right.
I was thinking a gold 2 Bdrm 5000 point week would br a better buy than a silver 2 Bdrm 3500 point week-
Hopefully I have it right.
I read the link you gave me but I'll have to read it about a dozen times before it all sinks in.
The replies I get here are a lot quicker.
Thanks again.

 

[linsj]

They are fixed weeks but I understand that with the higher points for the one week I'll have better trading power?

Hilton's currency is points. You own a week on paper only. The more points you own, the more nights/larger units you can book per year. Plus you can borrow points from the next year or rescue points you don't use this year to have for next year.

 

[Zac495]

You need to think about what you want on vacation. How often do you want to go? one or two bedrooms? What season? These things will help you decide how many points to buy. If you post answers, we can give you more guidance.

 

[pianodinosaur]

Hilton is very flexible and easy to work with. Your trading power will certainly be much greater with a 5000 point purchase than with a 3500 point purchase. You will also find yourself in a position to take cruises by moving points around if you purchase at the 5000 point level.

 

[Bigbird130]

I plan to get a 2 Bdr unit 5000 point week whatever time of year that puts me in.
I plan to use to use it almost very year but occasionaly trade.
Thanks again for all the help-it makes for a lively discussion about what we are going to do.

 

[Zac495]

I plan to get a 2 Bdr unit 5000 point week whatever time of year that puts me in.
I plan to use to use it almost very year but occasionaly trade.
Thanks again for all the help-it makes for a lively discussion about what we are going to do.

Realize this - a 2 bedroom 5000 pt will NOT give you 2 bedrooms during certain seasons. If you want to travel during peak (platinum) time, you need 7000 points. Don't be confused by buying something that says 2 bedroom.

My 5000 pts is 1 bed platinum. I can get 2 bedrooms during gold with that for one week. Or I can get 2 bedrooms for less than a week. Be sure you understand the point system.

 

[Bigbird130]

I understand that a 5000 point unit will not make peak times of the year available and that is ok.
I'm looking at use in early spring Apr-Jun after the winter use and in the fall-Sep-Nov.
I think that will work from what I saw on the weeks list.

 

[yumdrey]

You can do many things with 5000 points
Usually I don't have a full week's vacation, so 5000 points are enough to get 2BR during platinum season (if it is needed) except for the home resort. If you buy a platinum 4800 points (1BR), you can pay less maintenance fee though. MF is decided by the unit size, so 5000 points has higher MF than 4800 points in the same resort.
If you plan to travel during non-peak season, and if you want 2BR, 5000 points is ok. Good luck!

 

[Zac495]

I understand that a 5000 point unit will not make peak times of the year available and that is ok.
I'm looking at use in early spring Apr-Jun after the winter use and in the fall-Sep-Nov.
I think that will work from what I saw on the weeks list.

Then you are right on! By the way, Seth Nock is a GREAT broker and gets great prices. I have NO affliliation with him - just bought from him a couple of times. He's well respected on this board.

 

[pianodinosaur]

RCI with Hilton

4800 HGVC points will get you a two bedroom red season RCI exchange. RCI is a not as certain as a club reservation but I usually get my 1st or second choice.

 

[Sandy VDH]

See this link for a discussion on purchase price vs ongoing MF prices....

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81082

In general buying Platinum weeks and not gold weeks are cheaper long term, even though the purchase price is slightly higher.

 

[derb]

Two points:

1. Always buy platinium, why--Hilton charges maintenance fees based on unit size, not points. A one bedroom Plat @4800 pts costs the same MF as a 1 br silver(2400 pts).

2. You can get a 2 br plat week using a 1 br plat. You ask the hilton CS agent to book you a two bedroom thru RCI. Sure you pay an extra amount to do the RCI exchange but its worth it. A Hilton CS agent showed me how to do this several years ago.