Walking a Reservation - Tips and Tricks

[Tyrael-36]

I'm doing research on how to properly "walk a reservation" and it's been a little more challenging than I expected. I am planning on walking a 60-day window for one of the more exclusive Club locations for the summer. I see that there are sometimes issues with walking across Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, and that you cannot walk a reservation using cash instead of points, or using bonus points. Are there any other tips and strategies that I should keep in mind? Is the time of day important in the daily reservation change? Do I pay the cancellation protection, and will that roll over for each update? Is the customer service line more helpful, or should I avoid it if I have challenges? Any insight is appreciated.

 

[HuskerATL]

You can look at the HGVC portal guide on this page. There is a section about walking.

https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/2025-hgvc-hcny-hgv-max-club-rules-fees-and-tips.347868/

CS can add days for you. Typically, walking is at the 9 month window since you are walking the nights as they are becoming available in the club reservation window. At 60 days, you can't walk. No changes are allowed within 61 days. You can only cancel and rebook. Any reservation under 9 months, you can just book the whole stay.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

When you mention "Club" are you referring to NYC bHCs? Most of those cannot be walked in the traditional sense with a 3 night reservation block other than to book an additional night at midnight ET when the 60 day window opens. Unlike Club which has 3 night minimums many if not all of the bHCs have only a 1 night minimum.

 

[Tyrael-36]

When you mention "Club" are you referring to NYC bHCs? Most of those cannot be walked in the traditional sense with a 3 night reservation block other than to book an additional night at midnight ET when the 60 day window opens. Unlike Club which has 3 night minimums many if not all of the bHCs have only a 1 night minimum.

This is exactly what I was looking at. I wanted to get a 1 BR suite in NY for the July 4 holiday week. I didn't realize that I could not walk a 60-day window opening in the traditional manner. I am so glad I posted this now. I am shooting for June 30-July 5. So what is the best strategy? Wait until May 5 to book? It's my first time trying to book something that competitive. I was even hesitant to post this.

 

[Tyrael-36]

You can look at the HGVC portal guide on this page. There is a section about walking.

https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/2025-hgvc-hcny-hgv-max-club-rules-fees-and-tips.347868/

CS can add days for you. Typically, walking is at the 9 month window since you are walking the nights as they are becoming available in the club reservation window. At 60 days, you can't walk. No changes are allowed within 61 days. You can only cancel and rebook. Any reservation under 9 months, you can just book the whole stay.

Thank you for the link and the info. I did not see this in my search.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

No point booking earlier. Book each night at midnight ET and pick less popular rooms and properties. Be flexible. Note that W57 has an extra housekeeping charge for stays less than 4 nights. The other properties don't so if you can only get 2 nights in 1 unit type and then next 2 nights are a different unit type, then you would have 2 x $85 housekeeping fee.

Can you change a NYC res inside 60 days without another reservation fee? IDK because I own NYC and don't have these fees or limitations. If you cannot change, then you might end up with a reservation fee for each day?

Better to look at Central (typically more availability) or Quin. They might have an longer booking window than 60 days to enable you to change before the 61 day mark but I am not certain.

 

[GT75]

2025 HGVC, HCNY, HGV Max Club Rules, Fees and Tips

2025 HGVC, HCNY, HGV Max Club Rules, Fees and Tips (1) Hilton Grand Vacations Club (HGVC) 2025 Club Rules & Fees & Resorts Club Point Charts and Open Season Rates - Post #2 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Fee Change Comparison - Post #3 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Open Season Rate Change Comparison -...

tugbbs.com

 

[GT75]

@Tyrael-36, do you own Elara, by Hilton Club? It looks like you do, then your booking window would start at 104 days from check-out

 

[ljmiii]

@Tyrael-36, do you own Elara, by Hilton Club? It looks like you do, then your booking window would start at 104 days from check-out

Do you know this to be true? My understanding is that only owners at the Central at 5th, The District, The Quin, and The Residences can use the reciprocal bHC window. In particular, I found that my W57 bHC points wouldn't get me into the District between 91 and 104 days and the CSR who tried to help me said they couldn't make the reservation either.

 

[Tyrael-36]

Do you know this to be true? My understanding is that only owners at the Central at 5th, The District, The Quin, and The Residences can use the reciprocal bHC window. In particular, I found that my W57 bHC points wouldn't get me into the District between 91 and 104 days and the CSR who tried to help me said they couldn't make the reservation either.

I have found the same. The New York bHC locations are only 90 days out in the system while all others are 104 days out. BUT W57 is only 60 days out and that's the one with a 1 bedroom available for the week, and I actually have the right amount of points. I'll probably call the reservation system tomorrow to see if there is a workaround.

 

[GT75]

Do you know this to be true?

No I don't. I was just reading the info in our Sticky.

 

[GT75]

Do you know this to be true? My understanding is that only owners at the Central at 5th, The District, The Quin, and The Residences can use the reciprocal bHC window. In particular, I found that my W57 bHC points wouldn't get me into the District between 91 and 104 days and the CSR who tried to help me said they couldn't make the reservation either.

@ljmiii, I looked at the rules and reread our Sticky information. I think you are completely correct about the rules. I misinterpreted our Sticky. Thanks for correcting my misunderstanding.

Here are the rules:

Hilton Club Priority exchange is a reciprocal priority exchange window where owners at select “Hilton Club” branded properties may exchange into each other’s property during a fifteen (15) day reciprocal exchange window without competing with Members who do not own an interest at those resorts. Hilton Club Priority exchange reservations may only be made using ClubPoints. The time period of The Hilton Club reciprocal priority window is subject to change or adjustment based on user demand. After the Hilton Club Priority window ends, Members may still make a Hilton Club Priority reservation, subject to availability.

• A Hilton Club Priority exchange window currently exists between The Residences, a Hilton Club, The District, a Hilton Club, The Central at 5th, a Hilton Club and The Quin, a Hilton Club beginning 104 days prior to check-out and ending 90 days prior to checkout.​

Note: I added the bolding for emphasis.

 

[Tyrael-36]

Update on my situation: Good news, we are going to New York! Bad news, I didn't get a 1 bedroom option at any of the locations because the July 4 week ended up with holes in availability before I could even reserve (looking at you W57).

Being proactive, I called our friends at The Residences and asked if I could potentially get a roll-away bed for a studio (as they are attached to the main/standard Hilton). They stated (roughly), that's not something they have access to at the vacation properties. I completely understood and let him know that I was traveling with my daughter and I was hoping to find some sort of workaround, but we can make a studio work. Then the amazing guy on the phone said that the Studio Premiere Plus rooms at The Residences have a pull out couch with a bed and it's not listed online! I immediately thanked him and made our reservation for the week in the larger studio room. I'll be sure to verify this on here after the trip. I hope it wasn't a sell. Worst case scenario we get a twin air mattress for the week, but this was news I thought I would share. If anyone has experiences with this specific room (or other guidance), please share and alleviate some anxiety! Cheers!

Oh, and any July 4 week in New York City advice is appreciated too; it's our first time there. Heading to the MET, MoMA, Ellis Island/SoL, Broadway play (still undecided), and possibly a Met's game.

 

[GT75]

Then the amazing guy on the phone said that the Studio Premiere Plus rooms at The Residences have a pull out couch with a bed and it's not listed online!

Interesting because the stated occupancy is listed as 2.

 

[brp]

Oh, and any July 4 week in New York City advice is appreciated too; it's our first time there. Heading to the MET, MoMA, Ellis Island/SoL, Broadway play (still undecided), and possibly a Met's game.

I'm not as much a fan of MoMA, but that's a personal taste thing. If the topic is of interest, I do recommend the American Museum of Natural History. New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is great, although it is outdoors and July is, well, July.

For the Met, also consider the Cloisters in northern Manhattan. A very different experience, and the bulk of the Unicorn Tapestries are there.

The Highline is great, but go early because, well, July

Even as someone born and raised in NYC, I found the Circle Line cruise around Manhattan Island quite interesting.

For SoL, if you are early enough to get Crown tickets (assuming that they still do that), it's very much worth doing. Lots of stairs, though.

Those are just a few things that come immediately to mind.

Cheers.