Newbie Question

Hi,

I'm a new member having just bought 9300 points at Kingsland and am trying to learn the ropes.

I'd like to book a week, Jan 1st - Jan 7th at the Grand Waikikian, preferably a 2 bedroom on a high(ish) floor.
What is the likelihood something will be available?
Say I make the reservation this March, can I use 2010 points or does it have to be 2011 points?

Aloha,
Adrienne

Adrienne said:

Hi,

I'm a new member having just bought 9300 points at Kingsland and am trying to learn the ropes.

I'd like to book a week, Jan 1st - Jan 7th at the Grand Waikikian, preferably a 2 bedroom on a high(ish) floor.
What is the likelihood something will be available?
Say I make the reservation this March, can I use 2010 points or does it have to be 2011 points?

Aloha,
Adrienne

Click to expand...

That week is called an event week. Those are usually sold as fix weeks so, unless someone gives up their week, you may not be able to get it. Also, fix weeks are automatically reserved for the owners.

However, with the economy the way it is and most likely not all the rooms have been sold for that week, you could have a chance. Just make sure to write back on the board in March if you get your week.

BTW you will use your 2011 points unless you pay to move your 2010 points forward.


Good Luck.

Deros

Adrienne said:

Hi,

I'm a new member having just bought 9300 points at Kingsland and am trying to learn the ropes.

I'd like to book a week, Jan 1st - Jan 7th at the Grand Waikikian, preferably a 2 bedroom on a high(ish) floor.
What is the likelihood something will be available?
Say I make the reservation this March, can I use 2010 points or does it have to be 2011 points?

Aloha,
Adrienne

Click to expand...

If your first day is Dec 31,2010, it would be 2010 points. If your check in is Jan 1,2011, it is 2011 points. Take that into account when you choose your dates.

Adrienne:

DEROS is a master of the HGVC system. If you go to the HGVC website and login you will find your points outlined over a three year period. This is a very easy way to keep track of what you are doing.

Are you planning to use your 2010 allotment in 2010? If not, you then have several options to avoid loosing them. First 2010 points cannot be deposited for for Home Resort reservations, Club Reservations, or Club Parner Perks into 2011 after December 31, 2009. So it is too late to deposit those points for that purpose at this time. However, the 2010 points can be Rescued for reservations at Club Resorts during the Club reservation window from the date of rescue through December 31, 2011. Furthermore, 2010 ClubPoints may be deposited into RCI, which would give you two years to play with them before they expire.

I went to the Red Wolf Lake Side Lodge in Lake Tahoe in October 2009 using points that had been deposited into RCI. I will be going to The Residences at the Cane in Barbados in October 2010 using points that had been deposited into RCI.

You do have the option of depositing your 2011 points into 2012 at this time if you so desire. There are many circumstances where that would be to your advantage depending upon your travel plans. The current HGVC member guide is available on the HGVC website and explains in detail "Stretching" Your ClubPoints.

Wow this is complicated. Who knew I'd need a Ph.D to take a vacation?

Anyway, thanks for the help; I think I'm getting the gist...which is PLAN IN ADVANCE.

So....the '10 points which we bought in January, and couldn't access till a few days ago, can't be used for a Jan '11 home week vacation in Kingsland. Can I rescue them and use them at Kingsland but for less (or more) than a week in Jan '11? Would I be able to utilize that owners' three month (home) window?

Brain cells dying from overload as I type, trying to contemplate....

The thing to know about "home week" bookings are you have 12 months out from the desired check-in date and you must book into the exact size unit that you own. Thus if you have a 2 bdrm and only need a one, you wouldn't get the one under home week. As noted though, event weeks can be a bit different and I have no knowledge or experience with those weeks.

That said, you have access to the full inventory of HGVC resorts and RCI locations provided there is availalbility and you have enough points.

Looking at Waikoloa HGVC's, the farthest out I can see is through mid-November (9 months) and all three resorts have pleanty of availability through October to mid-November. I know it's not the first week of January but in another 8 weeks or so, January will reveal itself and you could use your points to book availibility then.

Points are points within the HGVC system so you don't have to book your season or home resort with them...they are the currency which can be spent within the HGVC system as you please. It's because of that flexibility which makes for a learning curve with HGVC. You'll find your groove before too long. And yes, advance planning, very far in advance makes getting the dates you want so much easier.

1. Who knew I'd need a Ph.D to take a vacation?
... For now, just read the Members Guide 3 - 4 times ('skip the Hilton Club - NY stuff).
Focus on the Reference Section b4 taking the entrance exam (don't worry, its open-book).

2. Can I rescue [2010 points] and use them at Kingsland but for less (or more) than a week in Jan '11?
... You can rescue them and use them to book a stay of 3 or more days (or even 7) during any month in 2011, but only as a Club Reservation. OTOH, you could use your 2011 points to make a Home Week reservation now, and rescue your 2010 points for a Club reservation later.

3. Would I be able to utilize that owners' three month (home) window?
... Only if you use 2011 points for a 2011 "home week" stay; not if you're using rescued points.