posted 04-11-2005 12:55            

I've been lurking here for a couple of months, and between that and experiences I've had with other family members' timeshares, I'm beginning to focus on learning about Hilton's point system. I've concluded that I'd only be interested in a resale situation and have gone to a couple of the resale sites suggested here at TUG. As I understand it, you buy a number of points at a given Hilton resort. Assuming I bought with Hilton, I would likely get one of the Vegas resorts as a "home" resort. (I live in SoCal - they're fairly close.)

So, let me give you an example of two resale listings and the questions:
Listing 1: Platinum 2br/2ba 4800pts - $8500 $1.77 per point
Listing 2: Gold 2br/2ba 5000pts - $8000 $1.60 per point

Question 1: Is Listing 2 the better deal?
When I look at hgvc.com, there is a redemption table that seems to imply that all points are created equal. It does not imply a platinum point is better than a gold point.

Question 2: If I decide to bank and trade my points, is there an expectation that I could actually get into the Hawaii resort? Or am I insane for asking?

Question 3: Do the maintenance fees relate to the # of bedrooms for the timeshare bought, or the number of points?

I apologize if this is pretty simple stuff. I appreciate any help you could give me. Trying to learn as much as I can...

Robert

posted 04-11-2005 13:52               

quote:

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Post on a Hotel-based board By Bill4728

IMHO, most questions about HGVC arise from people not understanding what they are buying or bought.

Most Hilton - affiliated owners understand that they did not buy points. They bought a 1 or 2 bd, floating/fixed unit at a single location, during a season of travel. That is what is on their deed. That is what they own. That is what their MFs are based on. Not points.

Most HGVC owners don’t seem to understand that that is what they have as well. They bought a 1 or 2 bd, floating unit at a single location, during a set season. That is why HGVC owners can reserve their “home unit” 12 –15 months before travel. That is why people pay 2 –3 times more for Hawaii than LV or Orlando.

Points help you understand the internal trading system of HGVC. Points get you into other seasons, other locations, other size units and other length of stays not possible with just your “home unit”. You also pay for that privilege by paying dues to HGVC and paying the HGVC exchange fees.

It great, if your buying HGVC so you can access the many benefits of point exchanges within the HGVC locations. That’s why I looked at Hilton. But understand that a Hilton purchase is a deeded week, size, season and location. Not just a number of points. That’s why a 3 bd Orlando units (with 7000 gold points) pays different MF than a 2 bd LV unit (with 7000 platinum points). Their week of TS is a different location and a different size.

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Also

quote:

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By ryoung8918

So, let me give you an example of two resale listings and the questions:
Listing 1: Platinum 2br/2ba 4800pts - $8500 $1.77 per point
Listing 2: Gold 2br/2ba 5000pts - $8000 $1.60 per point

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Question 1 Which is a better deal?

Listing 1 isn't a 2bd/ba but a 1bd/ba -- 4800 platinum points is a 1 bd not 2bd unit.

Listing 2 I've seen these listed on Seth's web site for $1000 less $7000 vs $8000 Seth's site is http://www.sellingtimeshares.net

Which is better? IMHO probably #2 but see above about the higher MF with #2

Question 2 Going to Hawaii?
as long as you don't go during peak times like summer & winter vacations and you call exactly 9 months before you want to travel you should have little problem going to Hawaii.

Question 3 How are MF determined.

MFs are based on unit size not points.

Good Luck

PS You've done the smart thing by spending some time here learning. Most of us wish we had done it first, instead of buying from the developer.

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Bill

posted 04-11-2005 14:32               

Bill gave you good advice. I'd recommend you scroll down the board and post questions on the Hotel board.

I would also recommend you check out Seth's website www.sellingtimeshares.net oe email him with our questions at sethnock@hotmail.com He knows the system in and out. He knows the price levels and is very competitive and honest.

I think the only weeks you would have troublwe getting into hawaii would be New Years and Christmas.
If you want Hawaii for Summer, you will need to book 9 monhts in advance.
You also have the option of trading your points via RCI, and Hilton has top trade power in RCI. 4800 points will get you a 2bd peak red time in RCI.

I also live in So Cal and the main reason I bought HGVC is to use for short trips to Vegas. I will typically take 3 or 4 weekend trips a year. And another great thing about HGVC, if you ruin out of points or dont want to use them. You can book rooms within 30 days of checkin for cash rates (2 night minimun). Weekends are $120/nt for a full 1bd. Vegas weekends rates in a hotel are going for crazy prices.

good luck, email me if you have anymore questions
Dave

posted 04-11-2005 14:53               

MFs are the same price at a single resort for the same type of unit. A 2BR platinum pays the same maintenance fee as a 2 BR silver. So your MFs per point will be more for the silver week than for the Platinum week because you have less points to spread them over.

To give you an example I own Seaworld 2 BR Platinum MFs + taxes are about $690 in the phase that I am in. Now I get 7000 points for this unit. So about 9.9 cents per point. But if I had a silver unit I would still pay the same $$ but I would only receive half the points 3,500, thus doubling the cost per point of MFs and taxes to about 19.8 cents per point.

You need to consider long term. You may pay more initially for a Platinum unit, but over time you could pay far more for a silver or gold unit. Look at your total cost of ownership over a 5 - 7 year window. That might help you decide the better deal.