Upgrading to Hilton but need some advise

neworder71 · Mar 25, 2014

Quick about me...I had a fixed week in Vail for about 9 yrs and RCI points for 7. Hilton locations and availability appear to fit our desires. I plan to sell Vail and purchase 7000+ Hilton points. My primary desired Hilton destinations are: Breckenridge (during ski season), Park City (during ski season), Vegas Elara (any time) and Sandestin Intrawest (May and Sept). I've been lurking, but I haven't gotten precise answers to some of my questions.

1. I'm not sure I understand why 1BR of Platinum is better than 2BR of Gold at the same points level. Are the points worth anything different? (my experience is RCI pts where it doesn't matter). Do using gold points limit accessing platinum weeks? Or is the preference all down to how MFs are distributed, meaning bigger units have more MF and higher taxes?

2. I think I read that taking your home week doesn't involve a booking fee, which I assume means every other week does. Correct? How about if you buy a floating week, just your chosen float week won't have a fee?

3. If you buy every other year, do you pay anything in your off years to maintain your membership? Is there any down side to alternating years besides less points that I'm missing? I'm assuming I can book in my off years using on year points that I have left/borrow.

4. Given the resorts I've listed is there one in particular that is tough to trade into so I should buy there? Otherwise I've heard Vegas and Orlando have lower MFs in general. Is a particular property that has a good MF/pts ratio?

5. What is the down side of buying 2 weeks to get the points I need instead of one larger week?

Thanks in advance

neworder71 · Mar 25, 2014

I just read alwysonvac's overview (Thanks!) and I think I understand the answers to 2 and 3.

Bill4728 · Mar 25, 2014

1 bd gold vs 2 bd platinum. YES they both generate about the same number of points but all 2 bd units at a resort pay the same MFs even though the platinum units get many more pts than the gold or silver units. So if you buy a 1 bd platinum each year you'll receive about the same number of points as a 2 bd gold but pay ~20% less in fees (MFs) .

neworder71 · Mar 25, 2014

Bill4728 said:
1 bd gold vs 2 bd platinum. YES they both generate about the same number of points but all 2 bd units at a resort pay the same MFs even though the platinum units get many more pts than the gold or silver units. So if you buy a 1 bd platinum each year you'll receive about the same number of points as a 2 bd gold but pay ~20% less in fees (MFs) .

Got it. Thanks!

neworder71 · Mar 25, 2014

I'm slowly reading more and more and realize I want to book most of my trips for <1 week. So that is the club period, which would mean I don't know if I'll ever get teh advantage of a home resort booking.

This changes question 4 a bit....how hard is it to get club bookings of less than a week for Breckenridge and Park City?

I know with RCI points I have never seen either available, but I understand that HGVC doesn't deposit the best weeks into RCI.

alwysonvac · Mar 25, 2014

neworder71 said:
I'm slowly reading more and more and realize I want to book most of my trips for <1 week. So that is the club period, which would mean I don't know if I'll ever get teh advantage of a home resort booking.

This changes question 4 a bit....how hard is it to get club bookings of less than a week for Breckenridge and Park City?

Yes, that's correct. For home week reservations, you have to book the full week, in the exact unit size/type/season on the designated check-in date (no flexibility). However, during the club reservation window there will be lots of competition during ski season especially weekends, holidays and school breaks.

Park City is still pretty new and still in sales mode so it might be a little easier to book for the next few years :ponder:

Valdoro is an older affiliated resort and was sold a little differently see these old threads regarding availability.
(NOTE: Valdoro sold fixed and float weeks).

Valdoro reservations in ski season? (2012) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167885
Open season Valdoro and Park City availability during ski season (2013) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201190
Question to Valdoro (CO) owners - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166122
Newest Valdoro owner (2012) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166268

alwysonvac · Mar 25, 2014

neworder71 said:
5. What is the down side of buying 2 weeks to get the points I need instead of one larger week?

Maintenance Fees.

It's the pay more upfront (purchase price) vs pay more ongoing (maintenance fees).
You need to consider the ongoing annual maintenance fees that will continue to rise.
Here's an example of my HGVC MFs over a ten year period - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179539

PigsDad · Mar 25, 2014

neworder71 said:
I'm slowly reading more and more and realize I want to book most of my trips for <1 week. So that is the club period, which would mean I don't know if I'll ever get teh advantage of a home resort booking.

This changes question 4 a bit....how hard is it to get club bookings of less than a week for Breckenridge and Park City?

I know with RCI points I have never seen either available, but I understand that HGVC doesn't deposit the best weeks into RCI.

If you can plan 9 months out (start of Club Season reservations) and are not expecting to book Christmas/New Years/President's Day, you should be able to get what you want most of the time. Especially if you can be flexible between the two locations. Not to say that you can't get high-demand dates, but just don't expect to every year. Checking often also helps, because several of the unit/weeks were sold as fixed weeks, and their owners may cancel their reservations 31 days out and still receive their full point allotment for their week.

Also, the Park City resort is new and has many more Plus and Premium rooms vs. Valdoro. You may want to consider that when deciding on how many points you might want to buy, as staying in Park City may cost you more points if no standard room is available.

BTW, I just got back from a 5-night stay at Park City in a 1BR Premium -- fantastic and huge condo!

Kurt

neworder71 · Mar 26, 2014

Thanks PigsDad and Alwysonvac. Some good stuff in the threads provided.

Sounds like for my current needs going for the best value will work for me for now, as decent ski time is available at 9 months out.

One thought I had on question #3, biennial units, buying 14,000 might make sense since the MFs will likely be less than an annual 7000 pt unit and might offset the off yr HGVC membership fee. Just have to worry about paying to bank the points...might be more hassle than it is worth.

Sandy VDH · Mar 26, 2014

neworder71 said:
Thanks PigsDad and Alwysonvac. Some good stuff in the threads provided.

Sounds like for my current needs going for the best value will work for me for now, as decent ski time is available at 9 months out.

One thought I had on question #3, biennial units, buying 14,000 might make sense since the MFs will likely be less than an annual 7000 pt unit and might offset the off yr HGVC membership fee. Just have to worry about paying to bank the points...might be more hassle than it is worth.

Since you can bank and borrow, and use open season, I believe you have to pay the Membership fee every year. But I could be wrong, as I only own annual weeks.

NewTSerInFL · Mar 26, 2014

Sandy VDH said:
Since you can bank and borrow, and use open season, I believe you have to pay the Membership fee every year. But I could be wrong, as I only own annual weeks.

Yes, you pay the Club dues each year.

Will

neworder71 · Mar 27, 2014

Important question my DW just asked...how many people can I add as owners to avoid guest fees?

Thanks

alwysonvac · Mar 28, 2014

neworder71 said:
Important question my DW just asked...how many people can I add as owners to avoid guest fees?

Thanks

I don't know the answer to your question. But before you go down that path read the discussion in these old threads to determine if it's really worth it.
On one hand that can avoid the guest fee and will get access to open season cash rental rates but on the other hand their on the hook for the timeshare.

New HGVC ripoff? Guest fee for family member (2011) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147038
HGVC title question (2010) - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114788

neworder71 · Mar 28, 2014

I understand that. But it is my elderly parents, so I'm not too worried about it.

sjuhawk_jd · Mar 28, 2014

neworder71 said:
Quick about me...I had a fixed week in Vail for about 9 yrs and RCI points for 7. Hilton locations and availability appear to fit our desires. I plan to sell Vail and purchase 7000+ Hilton points. My primary desired Hilton destinations are: Breckenridge (during ski season), Park City (during ski season), Vegas Elara (any time) and Sandestin Intrawest (May and Sept). I've been lurking, but I haven't gotten precise answers to some of my questions.

1. I'm not sure I understand why 1BR of Platinum is better than 2BR of Gold at the same points level. Are the points worth anything different? (my experience is RCI pts where it doesn't matter). Do using gold points limit accessing platinum weeks? Or is the preference all down to how MFs are distributed, meaning bigger units have more MF and higher taxes?

2. I think I read that taking your home week doesn't involve a booking fee, which I assume means every other week does. Correct? How about if you buy a floating week, just your chosen float week won't have a fee?

3. If you buy every other year, do you pay anything in your off years to maintain your membership? Is there any down side to alternating years besides less points that I'm missing? I'm assuming I can book in my off years using on year points that I have left/borrow.

4. Given the resorts I've listed is there one in particular that is tough to trade into so I should buy there? Otherwise I've heard Vegas and Orlando have lower MFs in general. Is a particular property that has a good MF/pts ratio?

5. What is the down side of buying 2 weeks to get the points I need instead of one larger week?

Thanks in advance

I am assuming you are not trying to buy directly from Hilton.

Based on what are you asking, what you need is a 8400 or 9600 points, annual contract. Do not buy two, MFs are going to be very high.

Best resorts to buy are Marbrisa and Grand Pacific Palisades (Hilton converted) points in prime summer season. MFs may be slightly higher than Las Vegas, but the purchase price can be significantly lower.

Upgrading to Hilton but need some advise

TUG Review Crew: Elite