Timeshare Traveler Episode 111... Dec 2022 HGVMax Owner Update

[Clifbell]

With all the travel I am doing staying in timeshares full time, I get a lot of opportunities for Owner Updates. This is good especially with regards to Hilton and HGVMax as they are going thru a lot of changes. Today's video is from my December 2022 owner update.

The sales team is expecting that the status features will be implemented in the first quarter of 2023. These benefits include the Open Season credit, the Lyft credit, and the searches. There was some debate if the features on the Diamond Resort would become the platform for HGVMax or if the Current Hilton site would be the platform. This was interesting but clearly speculation from the Sales Team.

I continue to enjoy upgrades in late 2022 as an elite member. It seems that the introduction of Diamond Resorts owners in HGVMax has not reduced upgrades although that may happen as more people join HGVMax.

Timeshare Traveler Episode 111... Dec 2022 HGVMax Owner Update

Map of all my timeshare reviews

 

[HuskerATL]

Thanks for the video Cliff. I wonder if the availability issue is whether folks have joined Max with those units. So a DRI person would see DRI properties for folks who have not joined Max but a HGVC person would only see the weeks available from folks on the DRI side who have joined Max and vice versa. If this is working like an exchange, then weeks would not be added to the exchange unless they have joined it which would align to what sales folks are saying, that more will come but they will come as more people join.

 

[GT75]

So a DRI person would see DRI properties for folks who have not joined Max but a HGVC person would only see the weeks available from folks on the DRI side who have joined Max and vice versa. If this is working like an exchange, then weeks would not be added to the exchange unless they have joined it which would align to what sales folks are saying, that more will come but they will come as more people join.

That makes sense to me and hopefully is how it works. To me, it certainly is crazy that all HGVC properties are available to HVC/DRI Max members but only a few HVC properties are available to HGVC members (unless your statement is true).

 

[singlemalt_18]

With all the travel I am doing staying in timeshares full time, I get a lot of opportunities for Owner Updates. This is good especially with regards to Hilton and HGVMax as they are going thru a lot of changes. Today's video is from my December 2022 owner update.

The sales team is expecting that the status features will be implemented in the first quarter of 2023. These benefits include the Open Season credit, the Lyft credit, and the searches. There was some debate if the features on the Diamond Resort would become the platform for HGVMax or if the Current Hilton site would be the platform. This was interesting but clearly speculation from the Sales Team.

I continue to enjoy upgrades in late 2022 as an elite member. It seems that the introduction of Diamond Resorts owners in HGVMax has not reduced upgrades although that may happen as more people join HGVMax.

Timeshare Traveler Episode 111... Dec 2022 HGVMax Owner Update

Map of all my timeshare reviews

Be aware that such optimistic and positive opinions are considered by many here to be heresy? Negative sentiment for the DRI acquisition must not be questioned.

 

[mjm1]

We spoke with a sales manager yesterday during a courtesy discussion (non-incentivized), since we are resale owners. He confirmed that we must spend at least $25k per resale deed to get into HGV Max and that our resale points would not count toward Elite status. The reason is they don’t want to anger retail owners who would have paid much more to attain their Elite status Should they hear of this “back door” option. Besides the fact that we don’t have much interest in former Diamond resorts, this is a non-starter for us. Why would we invest $25k per deed if we can’t get Elite status too, unless we really want 6 month access to Diamond resorts. Marriott and Vistana have allowed resale owners to count their deeds toward status with a qualifying purchase. While we find HGVC very flexible with regard to resale owners in most areas they have drawn a line here.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[HuskerATL]

We spoke with a sales manager yesterday during a courtesy discussion (non-incentivized), since we are resale owners. He confirmed that we must spend at least $25k per resale deed to get into HGV Max and that our resale points would not count toward Elite status. The reason is they don’t want to anger retail owners who would have paid much more to attain their Elite status Should they hear of this “back door” option. Besides the fact that we don’t have much interest in former Diamond resorts, this is a non-starter for us. Why would we invest $25k per deed if we can’t get Elite status too, unless we really want 6 month access to Diamond resorts. Marriott and Vistana have allowed resale owners to count their deeds toward status with a qualifying purchase. While we find HGVC very flexible with regard to resale owners in most areas they have drawn a line here.

Best regards.

Mike

First, the $25k per resale is a big lie. We have been offered to upgrade our Blvd for $7k to get in Max and if you follow along on FB and here on TUG, there have been a range of offers from $7k to $50k. Also, there aren't Elite in Max. There are Tiers. With each Tier, there are more benefits. Elite is in HGVC Legacy. Plus, there is the $7k option that is supposed to come out at some point but that would probably be for retail owners, not resale owners.

If you are still there, take that back to them to see what they say. The $7k upgrade fee for us was in Orlando in July.

 

[HuskerATL]

I did a quick scan for upgrade and Max on one of the FB groups and here is what I mean, from different folks:

-5440 points at Ocean Enclave for the low low price of $24k for max

-It was going to cost another $20k to upgrade for max

-$11,750 for 2,500 annual points and max

-We have 13440 every year and we told him we didn’t want to buy anything else, so… he offered (to get me into max) to lower my points to 6400 a year, give us max, cut our yearly maintainence in half and it would only cost us 7200$

-He then briefly explained Max and offered a deeded property for about $12k

 

[buzglyd]

I just don’t see enough sizzle in the DRI portfolio to be tempted. Cabo Azul is probably the nicest property. Everything else is just legacy resorts.

 

[mjm1]

First, the $25k per resale is a big lie. We have been offered to upgrade our Blvd for $7k to get in Max and if you follow along on FB and here on TUG, there have been a range of offers from $7k to $50k. Also, there aren't Elite in Max. There are Tiers. With each Tier, there are more benefits. Elite is in HGVC Legacy. Plus, there is the $7k option that is supposed to come out at some point but that would probably be for retail owners, not resale owners.

If you are still there, take that back to them to see what they say. The $7k upgrade fee for us was in Orlando in July.

I just don’t see enough sizzle in the DRI portfolio to be tempted. Cabo Azul is probably the nicest property. Everything else is just legacy resorts.

Thanks for the insights. Whether they call it Elite or Tiers is just semantics. $7k would still be too much just to access DRI resorts, as we agree with @buzglyd regarding their resorts. To some it may be worth it. Not so much for us.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[HuskerATL]

Thanks for the insights. Whether they call it Elite or Tiers is just semantics. $7k would still be too much just to access DRI resorts, as we agree with @buzglyd regarding their resorts. To some it may be worth it. Not so much for us.

Best regards.

Mike

Just to be clear, I wasn't saying that you lie.... But the sales person. That $25k fee has been tossed around by a few of them.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I just don’t see enough sizzle in the DRI portfolio to be tempted. Cabo Azul is probably the nicest property. Everything else is just legacy resorts.

I am with you on that. Originally i was pretty certain i was interested, ideally by paying a fee to enroll my current setup. But the more I look the less excited i become.

Between my current HGV and MVC portfolio, i have access to most of the destinations i was to regularly visit. Max would give me a few new interesting locations, but i really have to think about how often i would visit those..

 

[SmithOp]

-$11,750 for 2,500 annual points and max

Wow, take this stinky contract with low points and pay us $11.75k for the privilege of using those expensive HGVC points in lower rated resorts ( if there is anything decent left at 6 months ).

 

[HuskerATL]

Wow, take this stinky contract with low points and pay us $11.75k for the privilege of using those expensive HGVC points in lower rated resorts ( if there is anything decent left at 6 months ).

oh, when you read some of the deals that are being pitched, they are terrible and I feel bad because some folks don't know and buy it......then regret it. And, of course, the FB community piles on to make them feel even worse.

 

[Clifbell]

Be aware that such optimistic and positive opinions are considered by many here to be heresy? Negative sentiment for the DRI acquisition must not be questioned.

I am an optimistic person and tend to make the best of a situation. So... Good point.... So far it has been very positive... New Years eve reservation in Scottsdale at a DRI property is a good thing...

 

[Clifbell]

I did a quick scan for upgrade and Max on one of the FB groups and here is what I mean, from different folks:

-5440 points at Ocean Enclave for the low low price of $24k for max

-It was going to cost another $20k to upgrade for max

-$11,750 for 2,500 annual points and max

-We have 13440 every year and we told him we didn’t want to buy anything else, so… he offered (to get me into max) to lower my points to 6400 a year, give us max, cut our yearly maintainence in half and it would only cost us 7200$

-He then briefly explained Max and offered a deeded property for about $12k

It is hard to keep track of all the options... End of the day they want to sell you "something"... I never know what I will get... I do the best I can... As we all do.

 

[Clifbell]

That makes sense to me and hopefully is how it works. To me, it certainly is crazy that all HGVC properties are available to HVC/DRI Max members but only a few HVC properties are available to HGVC members (unless your statement is true).

I just got an upgrade in Myrtle Beach to an Oceanfront at Enclave (still there)... If that is an indication of availability, then me getting an upgrade says the DRI folks are not stopping me from getting a complimentary upgrade. It is off season here in Myrtle Beach (but 70 degrees on the Ocean, so I'm not complaining.

 

[Clifbell]

I am with you on that. Originally i was pretty certain i was interested, ideally by paying a fee to enroll my current setup. But the more I look the less excited i become.

Between my current HGV and MVC portfolio, i have access to most of the destinations i was to regularly visit. Max would give me a few new interesting locations, but i really have to think about how often i would visit those..

The DRI Resorts are not for everyone... Part of what I like is that the new locations open up driving trips to see more of the US... I can use my points and travel to more locations.... DRI may not be as nice as HGVC, but better than a hotel

 

[singlemalt_18]

It is hard to keep track of all the options... I never know what I will get... I do the best I can... As we all do.

Like a box of timeshare chocolates!

 

[dayooper]

Be aware that such optimistic and positive opinions are considered by many here to be heresy? Negative sentiment for the DRI acquisition must not be questioned.

Eh, not really the issue. I think the DRI acquisition/merger isn't a bad thing. How they have rolled it out and costs associated with it is what many here take issue with (at least I do). They are pushing something that they either they don't have the system worked out yet or they aren't fully explaining what the system is. It's why I believe that Apollo has a greater roll in this than we originally thought. MVC is taking their time (very long time) to get the interworking right while HGVC seems like it's making it up as it goes. This leaves sales to come up with extraordinary stretches of the truth and flat out lies to get people to buy (more so than usual).

While I probably would never purchase to get Max (I probably wouldn't purchase from HGVC either), there are those that have found value in their purchase. We all value different things and I do not find the entry cost into Max has value compared to what is offered.

 

[HuskerATL]

I agree and think the roll out has been a sh*tshow. They are selling a program without much documentation and basically saying, trust us, it will be worth it, yet nothing in writing. The DRI Max side has a reference guide but nothing for the HGVC Max side and when you ask questions they either don't know the answer or appear to just make it up. HGVC could have done much better with this.

 

[GT75]

I must be me, but I have a very hard time believing ANYTHING which a timeshare salesperson tells me. I need to see it in official writing. Maybe I don't have the experience that the OP has, but my experience has been that the TS salesperson gives "half-truths" at best. So, I don't believe that the buy-in price (which I wouldn't currently buy-in anyways) is now at $25K. HGV Max has now been in the works for over 11 months, so I think what the OP might be seeing is currently correct on HGVC Max access to HVC/DRI resorts (very little) {this would be correct if this is an exchange}.

I am planning on starting a thread based on actual HGVC Max experience booking into HVC/DRI resorts. I don't need more TS sales propaganda or speculation (of which I have been a part of).

 

[Clifbell]

I agree and think the roll out has been a sh*tshow. They are selling a program without much documentation and basically saying, trust us, it will be worth it, yet nothing in writing. The DRI Max side has a reference guide but nothing for the HGVC Max side and when you ask questions they either don't know the answer or appear to just make it up. HGVC could have done much better with this.

I prefer the HGV rollout even with the mess compared to 4.5 years of promises from Marriott. Maybe not great to compare one problem to another. Maybe I am just lucky. Since I have DRI, I have the material from their website. And that information is has been substantiated.

 

[Clifbell]

I must be me, but I have a very hard time believing ANYTHING which a timeshare salesperson tells me. I need to see it in official writing. Maybe I don't have the experience that the OP has, but my experience has been that the TS salesperson gives "half-truths" at best. So, I don't believe that the buy-in price (which I wouldn't currently buy-in anyways) is now at $25K. HGV Max has now been in the works for over 11 months, so I think what the OP might be seeing is currently correct on HGVC Max access to HVC/DRI resorts (very little) {this would be correct if this is an exchange}.

I am planning on starting a thread based on actual HGVC Max experience booking into HVC/DRI resorts. I don't need more TS sales propaganda or speculation (of which I have been a part of).

I need to see it in writing... I asked for the resale agreement in writing and this came in handy when corporate wouldn't approve it initially... I then sent the information I got from their own company and they then realized I had followed the rules... got the upgrade (for less because of exceptions).. I don't believe it until I see it in writing from an HGV email or a printout with letterhead (that they let me take a photo of or text to me). If they won't do it, I won't consider anything.

 

[GT75]

@Clifbell, I do appreciate your perspective. But, to me, if I am an HGVC owner trying to book into HGV/DRI properties, it seems like I would be super frustrated. This is of course based on your video/observations.

 

[GT75]

I need to see it in writing... I asked for the resale agreement in writing and this came in handy when corporate wouldn't approve it initially... I then sent the information I got from their own company and they then realized I had followed the rules... got the upgrade (for less because of exceptions).. I don't believe it until I see it in writing from an HGV email or a printout with letterhead (that they let me take a photo of or text to me). If they won't do it, I won't consider anything.

I don't understand what you are saying.