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Timeshare Traveler Episode 79... HGVMax Owner Update

HuskerATL

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Can't you reuse the wristbands at different resorts you visit? I know that is how the Marriott Vacation Club bands work.
Maybe, your room number is embedded, as well, as credit card info for purchases so it would be the same as taking a key card to another resort to see if they can reprogram it. I suspect they would not want to but maybe.
 

dioxide45

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Maybe, your room number is embedded, as well, as credit card info for purchases so it would be the same as taking a key card to another resort to see if they can reprogram it. I suspect they would not want to but maybe.
Is it really embedded though? I would think the wristband just has an RFID chip in it the same way that a physical key card does. You tap and it just charges to your room? Then your room charges are paid by credit card at checkout. The Marriott bands work the same way as a key card, there is nothing embedded in the band itself other than an RFID chip which can be associated to a different folio later at the same or different property.
 

letsgobobby

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HuskerATL

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Is it really embedded though? I would think the wristband just has an RFID chip in it the same way that a physical key card does. You tap and it just charges to your room? Then your room charges are paid by credit card at checkout. The Marriott bands work the same way as a key card, there is nothing embedded in the band itself other than an RFID chip which can be associated to a different folio later at the same or different property.
Yes, that is correct. Bad language on my part...I was just using the word "embedded" to mean programmed. They work the same by tapping the central part of the wristband to the door lock, like the non-sliding/tap key cards work. Same for paying for things at the restaurant/bar...if they have that system. I will say for the ones that we have used, you have to literally put the central part of the wristband right over the door lock for it to work versus close to it.
 

HuskerATL

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At $25k per resale interest, I am sure my wife would prefer a Tiffany rose gold bracelet with 2.05 carats of embedded diamonds that she can wear every day of the year rather than a plastic one she has to return when she checks out of her timeshare.

LOL....maybe I will encourage my wife to keep her wristband next time and wear it around all the time...:)

There are other perks but, for me personally, not worth $25k. I did it via resale for much less...not Max but Elite Premier.
 

Clifbell

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dioxide45's post is correct.
A resale buyer of HVC (DRI) only gets access to HVC (DRI).
A resale buyer of HGVC only gets access to HGVC - not to Max or HVC.
The only way to get Max is to buy new or trade up (see Clifbells's post).

But the initial question should be: Is it worth the extra $$?
For Clifbell and others who want it all-in-one basket - Yes.
For me and others content to remain legacy owners - No.
Whatever floats your boat.
.
I agree completely. What I did was right for me. Not right for everyone. I enjoy the free upgrades (Just got a free upgrade in Maui) and the new perks in being all in. My purpose is only share what I understand to help others do what is best for them. Just like this post states what is best for Talent312!!! Couldn't have said it better.
 

Clifbell

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Can't you reuse the wristbands at different resorts you visit? I know that is how the Marriott Vacation Club bands work.
Yes, you can reuse them... Imagine how many I would have if I didn't with all the Hilton stays I do. Perhaps I can start a resale business for used wristbands :cool: ?
 

HuskerATL

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Yes, you can reuse them... Imagine how many I would have if I didn't with all the Hilton stays I do. Perhaps I can start a resale business for used wristbands :cool: ?
So, when you check in a new resort, do you hand it to them and they program it? We just hand ours in back in.
 

Smclaugh99

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I actually like the wristbands, in lieu, of a key card but you also turn them back in and I assume they are reused like key cards. Or, at least, we have turned ours back in each time.
You definitely don’t have to give the wristbands back. I have entire Ziploc bags full of them. If you’re worried about waste, you can machine wash them and bring them with you for each subsequent visit and front desk can re-key them for re-use.

Sean
 

HuskerATL

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You definitely don’t have to give the wristbands back. I have entire Ziploc bags full of them. If you’re worried about waste, you can machine wash them and bring them with you for each subsequent visit and front desk can re-key them for re-use.

Sean
Do you think that the ones that are turned back in are reused? We don't really have a need for them so have given them back but if they are not reused, then maybe it would be better to keep them and personally reuse them. Would need to wash them though because they can get a little stinky. I basically put them on and leave it on for the week...removing for shower and bed but they go in the ocean and pool.
 

Smclaugh99

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Do you think that the ones that are turned back in are reused? We don't really have a need for them so have given them back but if they are not reused, then maybe it would be better to keep them and personally reuse them. Would need to wash them though because they can get a little stinky. I basically put them on and leave it on for the week...removing for shower and bed but they go in the ocean and pool.
Yes the wristbands at the check-in are most assuredly reused. They probably go through some sanitation process. It’s very easy for them to rekey the RFID. I would do it more often but keep forgetting to bring my old wristbands with me. Hence the huge collection.

Sean
 

dioxide45

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These seem like they are cloth? The Marriott ones are solid rubber. So no need to really wash them unless they show visible dirt.
 

HuskerATL

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These seem like they are cloth? The Marriott ones are solid rubber. So no need to really wash them unless they show visible dirt.
Yes, these are a stretchy fabric versus rubber
 

ocdb8r

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Yes the wristbands at the check-in are most assuredly reused. They probably go through some sanitation process. It’s very easy for them to rekey the RFID. I would do it more often but keep forgetting to bring my old wristbands with me. Hence the huge collection.

Sean
I don't believe that is the case for HGVC wristbands (at least not at Kings' land). When we tried to return them on check-out they told us to keep them and use them for our next stay "otherwise they will just get thrown away". They are also certainly reprogrammable as we re-used ours at both Maui and Tuscany Village in Orlando.
 

1Kflyerguy

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I agree completely. What I did was right for me. Not right for everyone. I enjoy the free upgrades (Just got a free upgrade in Maui) and the new perks in being all in. My purpose is only share what I understand to help others do what is best for them. Just like this post states what is best for Talent312!!! Couldn't have said it better.

You do travel differently than we do, but I also know we have very different travel priorities than many other Tuggers.. I do appreciate your enthusiasm for the new program.
 

CalGalTraveler

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If you can afford it and it brings you joy, that's all that matters. One could make the same argument for premium RVs and boats. Has anyone priced these lately? They are not cheap and they don't hold their value either.

@Clifbell I appreciate your posts. Please keep sharing your experience as the Max website rolls out to help us understand how this works.
 

Clifbell

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So, when you check in a new resort, do you hand it to them and they program it? We just hand ours in back in.
Yes.... That is what I did when I stayed at all the Hiltons on the Big Island.
 

PigsDad

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I don't believe that is the case for HGVC wristbands (at least not at Kings' land). When we tried to return them on check-out they told us to keep them and use them for our next stay "otherwise they will just get thrown away". They are also certainly reprogrammable as we re-used ours at both Maui and Tuscany Village in Orlando.
We were just at Kingsland in May, and when we returned the wrist bands they most certainly didn't say that to us. Maybe it was just during the height of the Pandemic? I know they reuse them, because I have gotten ones that are frayed a bit, so definitely used.

Kurt
 

PigsDad

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There are other perks but, for me personally, not worth $25k. I did it via resale for much less...not Max but Elite Premier.
We have Elite Premier as well, so Max doesn't really add much for us (except access to the DRI properties at six months, which does not interest me as it will just be the leftovers at that point). We already get free upgrades, the same Lyft credit, and an unlimited 30% discount on Open Season, which I will contend is better than the credit amount they give as a perk for the Max Premier+ level, since it has been reported that there are limits on the credit amount that you can use with each OS reservation -- it certainly does not get you your first $700 in reservations for free; you will need to spend a whole lot more to use up that full $700 credit.

Kurt
 

HuskerATL

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We have Elite Premier as well, so Max doesn't really add much for us (except access to the DRI properties at six months, which does not interest me as it will just be the leftovers at that point). We already get free upgrades, the same Lyft credit, and an unlimited 30% discount on Open Season, which I will contend is better than the credit amount they give as a perk for the Max Premier+ level, since it has been reported that there are limits on the credit amount that you can use with each OS reservation -- it certainly does not get you your first $700 in reservations for free; you will need to spend a whole lot more to use up that full $700 credit.

Kurt
Now, if what the sales person told us in July at Tuscany is true, then you get both...the EP and Premier + benefits so it would be 30% and $700 credit....I don't buy it but that is what he said.
 

PigsDad

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Now, if what the sales person told us in July at Tuscany is true, then you get both...the EP and Premier + benefits so it would be 30% and $700 credit....I don't buy it but that is what he said.
Yeah, I'd want to see that is writing. I highly doubt it is true.

Kurt
 

youppi

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DRI bracelets are in rubber.
We always give them back but I will ask next week when we will check-out if we can keep them.
I suppose HGV will change all the bracelets during the next few years due to the DRI logo on them.
1660157483228.png
 
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escanoe

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Now, if what the sales person told us in July at Tuscany is true

If “ifs and buts” were “beers and nuts” HGV Max might be one heck of a party.

We’ll eventually find out.
 

HuskerATL

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Yeah, I'd want to see that is writing. I highly doubt it is true.

Kurt
and I specifically asked him about the 30% and $700 credit and he said yes. I didn't buy it but the problem is that there really isn't much listed for benefits in the reference guide, it is mainly on the website and nothing officially published for Max yet...only unofficial pictures that folks have gather from updates.
 

HuskerATL

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DRI bracelet are in rubber.
We always give them back but I will ask next week when we will check-out if we can keep them.
I suppose HGV will change all the bracelets during the next few years due to the DRI logo on them.
View attachment 62173
here is the HGVC Elite bands. Not my arm, belongs to @Seagila from a prior post on TUG.

1660158203732.png
 
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