Surprise upgrade to HGV Max

[kewldoh]

I am one of those that keeps switching back to Max. I have to call in, get them to switch me to Elite Premier, then overnight some system process switches me back into Max. I tend to do a lot of "premier things" the same day as a result, like booking multiple reservations (with upgrades), converting points, etc.... It's a pain for sure.

Do Hilton ever charge you at lump sum or take your benefits back when switching you back and forth between Max and Legacy Premier?

 

[HuskerATL]

I am one of those that keeps switching back to Max. I have to call in, get them to switch me to Elite Premier, then overnight some system process switches me back into Max. I tend to do a lot of "premier things" the same day as a result, like booking multiple reservations (with upgrades), converting points, etc.... It's a pain for sure.

A person on FB is the same. She is not happy since she is already Max from the Diamond side. She commented that she doesn't get the upgrade screen when booking like before. They told her to call in, get them to change back to EP, and then make the reservation. The problem is, that upgrades don't happen until later not that day so if she is switched back, it may not happen.

 

[HuskerATL]

Do Hilton ever charge you at lump sum or take your benefits back when switching you back and forth between Max and Legacy Premier?

They probably lose their unlimited free guest certs, but sure what else. It probably depends on the Max level since EP is 54k points, which is similar to Premier but benefit wise, EP is similar to Premier+ and Centum

 

[brp]

I am one of those that keeps switching back to Max. I have to call in, get them to switch me to Elite Premier, then overnight some system process switches me back into Max. I tend to do a lot of "premier things" the same day as a result, like booking multiple reservations (with upgrades), converting points, etc.... It's a pain for sure.

Yeah, I guess you have to let it be, call in when you need to do something premiery that day, and then let it go until next time.

Cheers.

 

[Lodemia]

Do Hilton ever charge you at lump sum or take your benefits back when switching you back and forth between Max and Legacy Premier?

Nope. I just call the elite line and they say, "Sorry about that Mr. Lodemia, I'll make the change for you.."

 

[Lodemia]

A person on FB is the same. She is not happy since she is already Max from the Diamond side. She commented that she doesn't get the upgrade screen when booking like before. They told her to call in, get them to change back to EP, and then make the reservation. The problem is, that upgrades don't happen until later not that day so if she is switched back, it may not happen.

Same. I also call in and change it on check-in day. It's a pain... I also do all sorts of points shenanigans - moving to honors, etc. I like the freedom of being EP because it loses a lot of the arbitrary "rules". We have a big portfolio (169,880) of points that we share as a family

 

[HuskerATL]

Same. I also call in and change it on check-in day. It's a pain... I also do all sorts of points shenanigans - moving to honors, etc. I like the freedom of being EP because it loses a lot of the arbitrary "rules". We have a big portfolio (169,880) of points that we share as a family

The problem is that some upgrades come at different times. We almost always get upgrades at W57th and the Quin but it is a week or so before check in

 

[Lodemia]

I haven't noticed a difference in upgrades but it's always quire arbitrary anyway.....

 

[kewldoh]

This just happened to me today.
I bought a resale to be added to my other resale property account, there was a system glitch with the transfer, (Hilton had kept sellers previous contract active), they informed me they will change my new contract (delete one and add one with new contract number), and after everything was finished, I was somehow a Max member.
I am thinking of keeping it for now.

My Max is gone after about a week.

 

[Reddart]

To those who have been surprise upgraded, have you had to pay the Max dues, or just your normal legacy dues?

 

[letsgobobby]

To those who have been surprise upgraded, have you had to pay the Max dues, or just your normal legacy dues?

good question. what are the different dues? I posted a few months ago i was getting billed again for AI and because of how and when I had paid I was told it was just AI. But now I'm wondering. Here's the thread. Maybe unrelated.

Thread 'Is there a way to view or print my fees and payments going back 2-3 years?'
https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/i...ees-and-payments-going-back-2-3-years.358421/

I've been Max for quite a while now, I've seen no use for it though.

 

[HuskerATL]

good question. what are the different dues? I posted a few months ago i was getting billed again for AI and because of how and when I had paid I was told it was just AI. But now I'm wondering. Here's the thread. Maybe unrelated.

Thread 'Is there a way to view or print my fees and payments going back 2-3 years?'
https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/i...ees-and-payments-going-back-2-3-years.358421/

I've been Max for quite a while now, I've seen no use for it though.

$209 for Legacy and like $290 for Max. A couple reservations make up the difference.

 

[4TimeAway]

They seem to want to force people to move.

It makes it easier for them and then they can sell you an upgrade to get back the things you lost...

 

[letsgobobby]

$209 for Legacy and like $290 for Max. A couple reservations make up the difference.

but I paid AI because I own bHC so I think it was ~$350? however I got free Max after January 1. So maybe I'd see the $290 in 2025?

 

[HuskerATL]

but I paid AI because I own bHC so I think it was ~$350? however I got free Max after January 1. So maybe I'd see the $290 in 2025?

I am not sure how that works between bHC and Max but Max may be cheaper instead of getting AI

 

[Reddart]

Will be interesting to see how you are billed for 2025 and if you retain Max….

 

[Reddart]

Now that I’m back home, I’ve checked my account via the computer webpage (as opposed to my phone while on vacation).

I appear to have access to the expanded Max properties to 6 months. For example, it appears that it will allow me to book a 2 day stay at the Point at Poipu, and for $0 reservation fee (though I did not finalize the booking), but in setting up a booking to legacy HGVC or W57th (which I just added resale and seemed to trigger the “Max upgrade”), it still has the $69 reservation fee.

So I appear to be “half Maxed” at the moment. I’d like to actually make a speculative reservation now to park my bHC points, and was planning on calling to pay for the AI option, but am waiting for now to see if I eventually get the “full Max” treatment and can book without reservation fees.

Additional edit: it appears I have the free guest certificate (per year) as well.

 

[letsgobobby]

do you have access to DC at 90 days or 104?

 

[Reddart]

Still just 90 days.

 

[Chris-ATX]

We have a big portfolio (169,880) of points that we share as a family

Wow! Are you adopting??!?

 

[Denise L]

I just noticed the HGVMax logo in the upper left hand part of my HGVC home page since my recent W57 resale purchase landed in my account.

I can't see anything else indicating Max on my account except for that logo. I have ignored Max because I was never going to join. From reading this thread, it sounds like if for some reason they stuck me in Max, there is no way to get out? Is there any benefit or is this going to be more expensive with dues? I already pay for AI with my W57 ownership, so I have 'free' reservations. I am not Elite. I am perfectly happy with my HGVC ownerships and don't like change at all.

 

[GT75]

Is there any benefit or is this going to be more expensive with dues?

It should be less expensive for you then because Max dues are $299 vs AI at $354. With Max you will get unlimited reservations. It looks like there is a reported issue with sister bHC booking windows. (IMO, that looks like a software issue which should be pointed out to HGVC).

 

[MattnTricia]

Same. I also call in and change it on check-in day. It's a pain... I also do all sorts of points shenanigans - moving to honors, etc. I like the freedom of being EP because it loses a lot of the arbitrary "rules". We have a big portfolio (169,880) of points that we share as a family

Lodemia - I would love to know if you know if you have the single largest HGVC set of points. I have never seen anyone report anything larger than your pooled membership.

Very cool

 

[ljmiii]

IMO, that looks like a software issue which should be pointed out to HGVC.

Another datapoint. My Quin points went live this week and I now have the HGVC Max logo as well. I can see HVC resorts (e.g. Point at Poipu) and go through the reservation process. BUT, it still wants to charge me for the reservation. My intention is to pay for AI membership for next next year now that I own bHC points...we'll see how that goes.

Meanwhile, I am one of those trying to track down the absence of the "by Hilton Club Priority Reservation" window (see other thread) and my CSR submitted a trouble ticket this morning.

 

[Reddart]

It is interesting all the differences we see in website functionality…I’m guessing that when people get a new property on their account, someone needs to manually activate several different functions for each account…and obviously they are not all being done correctly, or the same.

Like for some reason the “Max” button has been clicked on for some of us. And for me, I seem to have free reservations for the additional Max properties, but not for the legacy HGVC and bHC properties.