Your experiences with resale points systems

[win555]

I'm curious which points system people recommend if you like locations in Hyatt, Wyndham, Vistana and HGVC. Which one is better for resale buyers?

• Constrained to school holidays but can book well in advance
• Prefer 2 BR or bigger units but 1 BR ok as well
• Flexibility for cancellations
• Value for money, paying more for better quality is fine, or paying less for lower quality
• Ease of buying/selling

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
Not interested in any single location regularly other than Disney Orlando and California. I would like points systems so I can go to various places in CA, AZ, UT, CO, FL, HI.

2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Don't want a home resort.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
CA, AZ, UT, CO, FL, HI.

4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
4

5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
school schedule

6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
yes

7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
sometimes. Want to travel long weekends to stretch our vacation time. We can do a week in summer and a week for Xmas

8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
3 and above

9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
10k

10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
2k per week

11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
yes

12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
yes. I only want to buy stuff that would be easy to sell when I'm done.

 

[qlaval]

I think that the cost of renting a week for 2 or 3 years would be a much better choice and trouble free.

 

[win555]

I think that the cost of renting a week for 2 or 3 years would be a much better choice and trouble free.

I like being able to book exact dates/unit I want. I plan to travel on some long weekends as well and not travel the whole week. That's why I'm looking at points systems only and avoiding weeks type systems.

 

[bizaro86]

You should fill in the survey in the new to timeshares forum. Where you wish to travel makes a big difference, for example.

 

[win555]

You should fill in the survey in the new to timeshares forum. Where you wish to travel makes a big difference, for example.

done in first post now.

 

[geist1223]

Where you live can make a difference. While Worldmark has some locations in Texas and East of the Mississippi most are West of the Mississippi. Other than not being able to Book directly through Club Pass into Wyndham Resorts or into Wyndham South Pacific resell Worldmark has pretty much the same benefits as a Developer purchase. You have full access to the 90+ Worldmark locations which include British Columbia, Hawaii, Mexico, and Fiji. You have full access to Bonus Time, Inventory Specials, and Monday Madness. These are 3 different cash options to Book Worldmark. Each of these have their own separate rules/parameters. The Booking Window opens 13 months to the day for 7 day or longer stays. It opens at 6am Pacific Time Online and 8am for telephone calls. You can also have for pending Wait List Requests at anytime.

OOOPS just read your profile info. You already own Worldmark.

 

[PigsDad]

As a resale HGVC owner, you have all of the features and access as a retail buyer with no restrictions. The only difference is that resale purchases (usually) do not count toward Elite levels, but the Elite benefits are not that big of a deal. If the HGVC system and properties would work for you, resale is the best way to go w/o losing any benefits of membership vs. retail.

Kurt

 

[bnoble]

I've always thought that owning Wyndham would be a good complement to a WorldMark ownership. But with your specific destinations in mind, it seems WorldMark would have sufficient coverage. What about WorldMark isn't satisfying things for you? If it is just a matter of not owning enough to meet your needs, just buy more. But, if it is something else, what is it?

 

[rickandcindy23]

As a resale HGVC owner, you have all of the features and access as a retail buyer with no restrictions. The only difference is that resale purchases (usually) do not count toward Elite levels, but the Elite benefits are not that big of a deal. If the HGVC system and properties would work for you, resale is the best way to go w/o losing any benefits of membership vs. retail.

Kurt

This is a great idea. I like the idea of Hilton. Reasonable fees, beautiful resorts, and pretty inexpensive to buy.

I would also consider exchanging with weeks that have good trading power. The ones I recommend most are Sheraton Desert Oasis and Sheraton Broadway Plantation. But those do not have points when you buy resale. I would buy lockoff units only with SBP. SDO are all 2 bedroom lockoffs, unless you just buy a 1 bedroom. Two trades with one low fee. So a lockoff is about $1,200 in fees for either one of those. The trading power is pretty great for even the smaller side of the lockoffs. Trading into other resorts is $154. Upgrade fees do apply for 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom ($118 but $59 if you are platinum with Interval International). I would buy one, really they are free, and play around with it.

When a friend asks me what to buy to get the best trades, this is always my advice. I would never steer a friend wrong.

But I do love Hilton. Don't own Hilton, but I do love it.

I think you can trade your WorldMark into II resorts. Have you tried that?

 

[win555]

OOOPS just read your profile info. You already own Worldmark.

I like WM.

I've always thought that owning Wyndham would be a good complement to a WorldMark ownership. But with your specific destinations in mind, it seems WorldMark would have sufficient coverage. What about WorldMark isn't satisfying things for you? If it is just a matter of not owning enough to meet your needs, just buy more. But, if it is something else, what is it?

I'd like some higher quality resorts with nicer locations. Something right on the beach or with nice pools and amenities. WM resorts always have something off: either too difficult to book, limited amenities, very plain units. I know there are presidential units but the common areas of those resorts are still very plain and not very resorty.

As a resale HGVC owner, you have all of the features and access as a retail buyer with no restrictions. The only difference is that resale purchases (usually) do not count toward Elite levels, but the Elite benefits are not that big of a deal. If the HGVC system and properties would work for you, resale is the best way to go w/o losing any benefits of membership vs. retail.

Kurt

Thanks.. I will look into HGVC. I like the FL, HI, CA locations.

 

[win555]

This is a great idea. I like the idea of Hilton. Reasonable fees, beautiful resorts, and pretty inexpensive to buy.

I would also consider exchanging with weeks that have good trading power. The ones I recommend most are Sheraton Desert Oasis and Sheraton Broadway Plantation. But those do not have points when you buy resale. I would buy lockoff units only with SBP. SDO are all 2 bedroom lockoffs, unless you just buy a 1 bedroom. Two trades with one low fee. So a lockoff is about $1,200 in fees for either one of those. The trading power is pretty great for even the smaller side of the lockoffs. Trading into other resorts is $154. Upgrade fees do apply for 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom ($118 but $59 if you are platinum with Interval International). I would buy one, really they are free, and play around with it.

When a friend asks me what to buy to get the best trades, this is always my advice. I would never steer a friend wrong.

But I do love Hilton. Don't own Hilton, but I do love it.

I think you can trade your WorldMark into II resorts. Have you tried that?

no, I haven't. Partly because we travel peak seasons and sometimes for long weekends only. I need to learn more about it.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

HGVC would work for everything except Arizona and Disneyland (unless you don't mind an hour+ drive from Carlsbad/Legoland). You would need to trade RCI for these (Note: I've never seen anyone get a DVC trade for Disneyland Grand Californian Lodge). We have traded RCI for Peacock (Shell, 3+), there is also Dolphins Cove. Worldmark/Wydham Anaheim looks fantastic but spotty to get a trade from HGVC. Alternatively, use Worldmark direct or II.

For Utah, Colorado and Oahu (not BI) during school schedule you would need to book 9 months out at midnight but doable. Presidents's day ski weeks, and Christmas/New Years and July/Aug on Oahu may be not be possible unless you own those locations but otherwise fine to trade-in using points.

 

[rickandcindy23]

no, I haven't. Partly because we travel peak seasons and sometimes for long weekends only. I need to learn more about it.

Weeks are all we do and all we have done for nearly 40 years of owning and exchanging. I figure if I can exchange into a 2 bed five-star Marriott in Orlando for $700 in MF"s + $154 exchange fee and a $59 upgrade fee, I am happy with that, so that is why I love Sheraton, but only the 2 bedroom lockoffs at SDO and SBP. Those are systematically great traders.

I agree about most of the WorldMark resorts. Most are a bit plain and all of the great ones are very tough to get, unless you book right on the mark of 12-13 months out. WorldMark Anaheim is really nice, though. I loved it there. We had a view of the Disneyland fireworks.

You might also consider a ski week at Sheraton, only a 2 bedroom lockoff. That would give you something nice to stay yourselves once in a while.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

BTW...If you own Worldmark, could you trade into RCI to use HGVC properties? It does involve a resort fee of about $25/day but might be more cost effective than buying HGVC. May not get school holidays though because you would fall behind HGVC points traders in priority. Suggest checking out RCI availability for HGVC before spending more money.

 

[dayooper]

I can only speak for HGVC as I haven’t stayed in the other systems. HGVC is a very good system for resale buyers. @PigsDad says above. They treat their owners very well, even their resale ones. The booking windows are exactly the same as a developer bought deed. I have booked Ocean 22 at 9 months and got an incredible room. Before we canceled (we were supposed to be checking in today) we booked a great 3 bedroom and borrowed from next year's points to do so. Since borrowing is free, it only cost me the booking fee. If you buy properly, the MF's are low compared to other points systems. There are some properties where the home resort booking window is needed, but most resorts are bookable at 9 months or even later.

The ease of long weekends is a great bonus as well. You can as little as 3 days at a time. That makes for great getaways. You can use the open season to book at 30 days out using cash. It's not the deal it used to be, but that may be a way to extend vacations or get more weekends.

The limited number of resorts I have been to have been fantastic! HGVC on the Boulevard has great rooms and a wonderful pool area. Ocean 22 is awesome as well. Become a member here at TUG ($15) and you can get access to all of the member-driven resort reviews. They are about as unbiased as you can get. I highly recommend a TUG membership for this reason alone.

One negative about HGVC is the fees. I'm not bothered by them, but there are fees to do almost everything. You have the club dues ($182,) club booking fees ($67), save fees ($115) and a fee to issue a guest certificate ($56). If you are a borrower, you will never have to pay to save points till the next year. If you want short stays, the club booking fees can add up.

 

[sue1947]

I like WM.



I'd like some higher quality resorts with nicer locations. Something right on the beach or with nice pools and amenities. WM resorts always have something off: either too difficult to book, limited amenities, very plain units. I know there are presidential units but the common areas of those resorts are still very plain and not very resorty.

"Want to travel long weekends to stretch our vacation time. We can do a week in summer and a week for Xmas"

I merged two of your posts. Your limitation on traveling during school holidays or weekends means you will have difficulty booking anywhere. Most people want school holidays and weekends so those times will have the most competition including from those renting. You will need to be realistic about what is possible/probable. If you want high end resorts, then look at Marriott, Hilton etc, but focus on booking requirements and whether you can realistically get that summer or weekend beach location.

Sue

 

[bizaro86]

I would have suggested WM, but you already own that. I think the best system for your needs is probably HGVC points as noted by others above.

The next best fit seems to be Marriott DC points purchased resale. I suspect your budget would get you ~2000 DC points. That isn't tons, but the MVC resortd are nice and they have the biggest variety in locations of the high end brands.

You could use WM to trade for week long vacations in II or RCI and use the MVC for your weekends.

 

[bnoble]

I'd like some higher quality resorts with nicer locations. Something right on the beach or with nice pools and amenities. WM resorts always have something off: either too difficult to book, limited amenities, very plain units. I know there are presidential units but the common areas of those resorts are still very plain and not very resorty.

In light of that I would rule Wyndham out, and instead look to one of the hotel brands (Sheraton/Marriott, HGVC). My sense is that Wyndham is a small step up from WorldMark, and some are a bigger step up than others. But, maybe not enough to satisfy this particular need.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

A Vistana Mandatory Trader such as a free/low cost Vistana Villages 81k or 95k point 2bdrm might also fit your budget. Make sure you buy a mandatory unit (Bella or Key West Only). Other mandatory's might fit but the WKORV/WKORVN Hawaii MF may be over your budget of $2k MF (about $2400+ - $2800 and will likely increase this year). Non-mandatory Vistanas make good II traders but are not points as you desire and are full week trades.

Vistana has AZ, Palm Springs, HI, CO, Florida but no Disneyland or UT. It trades in II week to week.

 

[bizaro86]

A Vistana Mandatory Trader such as a free/low cost Vistana Villages 81k or 95k point 2bdrm might also fit your budget. Make sure you buy a mandatory unit (Bella or Key West Only). Other mandatory's might fit but the WKORV/WKORVN Hawaii MF may be over your budget of $2k MF (about $2400+ - $2800 and will likely increase this year). Non-mandatory Vistanas make good II traders but are not points as you desire and are full week trades.

Vistana has AZ, Palm Springs, HI, CO, Florida but no Disneyland or UT. It trades in II week to week.

If that 10k could be stretched just a bit a 148k Westin Kierland unit might be a good fit.

 

[win555]

Thanks everyone for the input. I will read up on this. Which system is easy to buy and sell and likely to keep value?

I plan to keep worldmark so I will have access to those locations as well.

 

[bnoble]

Assuming this is not a short-term (5 years or less) interest of yours, it might make more sense to base the decision on which resort portfolio is more attractive vs. exit strategy. You just need to have one--and I would expect with any of the hotel-branded options, that shouldn't be too hard.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Westin Kierland holds its value, as does Hilton, if you buy resale.

 

[jjking42]

I have owned HGVC, Marriott , Wyndham , vistana , hyatt , and some traditional week traders.

My needs have changed over the years and points are best for us now.

The old rule of thumb is by somewhere you would like to visit every year because rules for trading can always change.

I still have the Wyndham points because it gives me access to all RCI and Wyndham. I have the hyatt points and vistana points to give me access to Hawaii , AZ, and II.

I have always found the resorts in AZ have a good point value to MF cost. Probably because they dont deal with hurricane etc.

When my kids were younger and we needed two bedroom spring break and summer weeks the HGVC points worked well. Of course most of our trips were to Orlando or the beaches of SW Florida.

For CA use HGVC, Wyndham ,hyatt
For AZ use Vistanna , Wyndham ,hyatt
For CO use Vistanna, hyatt , hgvc
For UT NA
For Orlando they all work
For Hawaii Vistanna , HGVC , hyatt , Wyndham all work

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[win555]

Assuming this is not a short-term (5 years or less) interest of yours, it might make more sense to base the decision on which resort portfolio is more attractive vs. exit strategy. You just need to have one--and I would expect with any of the hotel-branded options, that shouldn't be too hard.

I was hoping to use up resorts in each system and move on to the next one. Hyatt/Vistana don't have too many locations. So maybe I should first start with HGVC since it has more locations and most recommendations.