New Member - HGVC and TimeShare Question

[rickandelisa Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rickandelisa]

Hello everyone,

I just registered today after having read some of the threads and seeing so many knowledgeable people on this site. I am hoping that you'll be able to answer some questions I have. I do not currently have a timeshare but am interested in HGVC. I'd appreciate any responses to the following:

1. If I am not interested in the actual deeded property and more so of the points, should I be looking at the resort that provides the most HGVC points for the price? Is there any importance of a home resort other than getting preferred reservation?
2. If I purchase a resale HGVC property, do I get full rights as I would if I had purchased from Hilton directly? Including membership and access to RCI?
3. How important is the season? Is there a benefit to the Platinum season vs. Gold if I am not interested in a home resort?
4. Is there a difference in how the HGVC points convert to HHonors points depending on your home resort and season?

I think those are it for now. Thanks in advance for your responses.

Rick

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

Welcome! I will give a shot at answering your questions.

If I am not interested in the actual deeded property and more so of the points, should I be looking at the resort that provides the most HGVC points for the price?

HGVC is not a points system in that respect. You purchase a week at a resort, and that week is worth X amount of points based on the unit size and season of the week. You cannot "just buy points" -- you need to purchase a week.

Is there any importance of a home resort other than getting preferred reservation?

At your home resort, you can reserve your "home week" 12-9 mouths out. Your home week is a week in the unit size and season that you bought. Other members can reserve weeks at your resort at 9 months out, so if you absolutely need a specific week at a popular resort (Hawaii, mostly), then you should consider buying at that resort. Otherwise, points are points.

If I purchase a resale HGVC property, do I get full rights as I would if I had purchased from Hilton directly? Including membership and access to RCI?

The only difference between buying resale and retail is that resale purchases will not count toward any "elite" status (which starts at 14,000 points). The general consensus is that perks the elite members get are not worth the $10K+ you would spend purchasing retail.

How important is the season? Is there a benefit to the Platinum season vs. Gold if I am not interested in a home resort?

The yearly maintenance fee is based on your week's unit size and resort. If, for example, a 2BR week in Las Vegas had a $800 maintenance fee, then the owner of a Platinum 2BR week would get 7000 points for that $800 MF. But the owner of a Gold 2BR week in that same resort would only get 5000 points for the same $800 MF. Gold weeks generally cost less up front, but depending on how long you plan on owning, Platinum weeks may be less expensive in the long run, on a per-point basis.

Is there a difference in how the HGVC points convert to HHonors points depending on your home resort and season?

No. The same conversion rate applies no matter the season that you own.

Cheers,
Kurt

[rickandelisa Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rickandelisa]

Kurt,

Thanks for your replies. They are very helpful.

So for someone like me who is not interested in any one particular property, it sounds like I should look for a week at a property that equates to the same point value but at less purchase cost. So for example, don't look at purchasing a week in HI if I do not intent to visit there and choose one in LV or FL since those appear to be selling for less.

Is my thought process correct? Thanks again.

Rick

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

Yes, you have the right idea. LV generally has the lowest maintance fees, with FL a close second. Generally, if you can plan ahead and book right at the 9-month point, you can get the reservation you want at most of the HGVC properties. It is a great system, and you can search around here and over at TUG for more info before you make a purchase decision. I have been an owner for almost 5 years now, and have been very happy with our ownership.

Good luck!
Kurt