Timeshare Options - Hyatt Points versus 2 bedroom II EXchange

[E24828]

I'm looking to purchase a timeshare to begin travelling after I retire next year. I've been focusing on Key West Hyatt timeshares with a minunum of 1880 points but preferably 2200 points. Being retired I'll be enable to travel during off peak times so I should be able to leverage the points into at least 2 weeks of vacation. I think that I'd be happy with any of the Hyatt Key West timeshares but really like the Sunset Harbor location as a home location. I'm trying to stay within a $2500 purchase price including closing and transfer fees. If I'm patience I'm confident that I'll be able to purchase Hyatt with points in this range, but I'm questioning whether I'll regret not purchasing a unit at Sunset Harbor. I'd like to at least visit Key West every other year, but look forward to visiting numeruous other areas. How important is picking the right home location?

Another lower cost alternative would be to purchase a 2 bedroom premier rated TS with a decent TDI rating and trade it as a 1 bedroom and studio with II. This option has a lower entry cost and overall MF. Is this a better way to get started with a timeshare purchase, or would you recommend staying with the Hyatt option?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!!!

 

[travelhacker]

I would recommend asking this question in the Hyatt Sub Forum. I wonder if a Moderator can move it.

Sunset Harbor is the hardest Key West property to trade into in the Hyatt system, but most weeks are pretty manageable if you get yourself on the wait list.

I own multiple Hyatt weeks and it has worked out really well for me. I wouldn't expect to trade into the Hyatt Key West resorts during peak season Christmas - March, but other times of year are pretty manageable for a trade.

$2500 might be possible for a Key West Week, but a bit tricky with transfer costs at $650.

Picking up an annual SDO or Marriott trader are good options and given your budget that may be best for you. SDO can often be picked up for closing costs and platinum Grande Vista weeks can be had for about $2500 all in.

 

[AJCts411]

I think which Hyatt resort in Key West depends on what your vacation preferences are while in Key West. If you are more into lazying around the pool sort of vacation then any of the locations will be good. If you want to be able to quickly, easily (walking) be within all of the music, bars, restaurants, the LOOP, sunsets, and relax around the pool, then Hyatt Sunset is the place. I'm thinking you may have to raise your budget up. (5000.00 ??) At Sunset the HOA has some units for sale keywestfltimeshare.com is where they are listed.

 

[alexadeparis]

Having been to KW many times, I prefer the SH location because we can walk to old town. WP is by the airport which is convenient and BH is right at the “entrance” which I don’t mind. That being said, I don’t think your price point is going to get you there. Depending on your flexibility, which as you mentioned you are retired, I would buy a 2200 point unit anywhere in the system with your price point and book into KW. I don’t own in KW and have managed to get into SH about 1/3 of the time, but as long as we are in KW we are happy. It’s the only place in Hyatt that we go. I like SH for location, WP for resort itself, and BH is just ok. If your heart is set on SH, you need to up your price point to about $10,000 at least.

 

[Brianhillmaui]

Since you are flexible with your dates of travel, I’d consider taking the two free listings at Pinion pointe. One is an annual contract with 1,300 points annually. The other is EOY with 1,240. By splitting the points on the EOY contract, you’d have 1920 points each year. the only advantage of having a home week at Sunset is your guaranteed unit and week. Since your flexible with dates, that’s a non-issue. Food for thought.

I'm looking to purchase a timeshare to begin travelling after I retire next year. I've been focusing on Key West Hyatt timeshares with a minunum of 1880 points but preferably 2200 points. Being retired I'll be enable to travel during off peak times so I should be able to leverage the points into at least 2 weeks of vacation. I think that I'd be happy with any of the Hyatt Key West timeshares but really like the Sunset Harbor location as a home location. I'm trying to stay within a $2500 purchase price including closing and transfer fees. If I'm patience I'm confident that I'll be able to purchase Hyatt with points in this range, but I'm questioning whether I'll regret not purchasing a unit at Sunset Harbor. I'd like to at least visit Key West every other year, but look forward to visiting numeruous other areas. How important is picking the right home location?

Another lower cost alternative would be to purchase a 2 bedroom premier rated TS with a decent TDI rating and trade it as a 1 bedroom and studio with II. This option has a lower entry cost and overall MF. Is this a better way to get started with a timeshare purchase, or would you recommend staying with the Hyatt option?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!!!

Having been to KW many times, I prefer the SH location because we can walk to old town. WP is by the airport which is convenient and BH is right at the “entrance” which I don’t mind. That being said, I don’t think your price point is going to get you there. Depending on your flexibility, which as you mentioned you are retired, I would buy a 2200 point unit anywhere in the system with your price point and book into KW. I don’t own in KW and have managed to get into SH about 1/3 of the time, but as long as we are in KW we are happy. It’s the only place in Hyatt that we go. I like SH for location, WP for resort itself, and BH is just ok. If your heart is set on SH, you need to up your price point to about $10,000 at least.

 

[alexadeparis]

Since you are flexible with your dates of travel, I’d consider taking the two free listings at Pinion pointe. One is an annual contract with 1,300 points annually. The other is EOY with 1,240. By splitting the points on the EOY contract, you’d have 1920 points each year. the only advantage of having a home week at Sunset is your guaranteed unit and week. Since your flexible with dates, that’s a non-issue. Food for thought.

Good advice in general, except for the fact that the odd unit can't really easily be split - technically, you COULD straddle use years, but that's WAY above the pay grade of a beginning Hyatt user. I would take your original budget price point and get at least 1880 somewhere, anywhere and go from there. I have never NOT been able to get into KW, maybe not in sunset Harbor, but in KW, nonetheless.

 

[HenryT]

I think it really depends on how strongly you feel about location. Sunset Harbor is the only Hyatt in Key West I would consider going to because of the location. That's why I purchased there. The other factor to consider with trading in is you won't have any say on the unit it that matters to you. I purchased a fixed week penthouse waterfront unit so I know exactly what I will be getting.

If you don't care about the week or the unit then you should be able to trade into Sunset Harbor.

Redweek.com currently has a waterfront penthouse week 35 unit at Sunset Harbor for $3,288. The only problem is week 35 is a Silver season week and in general it's best to get a unit with at least 1880 points. Redweek also has a number of 1,880 and 2,000 point units for under %5,000 though.

 

[Brianhillmaui]

Good advice in general, except for the fact that the odd unit can't really easily be split - technically, you COULD straddle use years, but that's WAY above the pay grade of a beginning Hyatt user. I would take your original budget price point and get at least 1880 somewhere, anywhere and go from there. I have never NOT been able to get into KW, maybe not in sunset Harbor, but in KW, nonetheless.

I do this with Hyatt and Hilton. In each program, I have one annual contract and one EOY. During the EOY, I borrow from the annual contract to complete the booking this year. Hyatt makes you prepay the maint fee...that’s okay with me since I’m going to pay it anyway.

As an example, I own a annual at Tahoe (1400) and a EOY odd at Piñon (1300). In 2021, I’ll use my 1300 points and borrow a few from Tahoe to complete my booking if needed.

I love the midweek bookings (4-5 nights) for less points. I can easily stretch these two contracts into 3+ trips if needed.

 

[Bill4728]

Personally, I'd buy a Marriott 2 bd lock-off TS in AZ or Palm springs with low MF and the ability to lock-off and do 2 trades every year. Be sure to buy the highest season week.

 

[Brianhillmaui]

Personally, I'd buy a Marriott 2 bd lock-off TS in AZ or Palm springs with low MF and the ability to lock-off and do 2 trades every year. Be sure to buy the highest season week.

that’s a great idea too!!