posted 03-18-2005 21:21              

I suggest everyone follow the TUG guideline to be courteous. Whether or not you think Hilton's program is a good value, there is no reason to be hostile towards each other.***

Steve
TUG Administrator

posted 03-19-2005 05:51            

I have not called anyone a name and my posts are constantly attacked and labeled lies. If the Tug rules state that only one point of view is welcome, and that unpopular speech is grounds to have my posts labeled untrue and suggestions made that I'm lying and that I can't be talking about the same places, then I don't want to be a member, you can refund my membership fee and cancel my account.

posted 03-19-2005 07:27               

quote:

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Originally posted by sb1070:
Membership in RCI with access to extra weeks and last call reservations is a far better value then wasting points on hotel reservations limiting my stay to Orlando, Vegas and Hawaii.[/B]

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Not that I agree with the tone of the above poster's remarks ...

However, I am surprised that in this thread there hasn't been more emphasis on the fact that Hilton points can be used for RCI trades (not just for extra weeks and last call reservations). This opens up the entire RCI system of timeshares for HGVC points, for which I have heard HGVC points pull well. And trading this way really gives better value for the points; i.e 3,400 point for a 1 bedrm; 4,800 for a 2 bedroom, etc. The downside is the trading fee is higher.

posted 03-19-2005 11:04               

quote:

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Originally posted by sb1070:
I don't want to be a member, you can refund my membership fee and cancel my account.

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If Tug won't refund you, I'm sure we can take up a collection and have more than enough willing participants

posted 03-19-2005 11:24               

quote:

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Originally posted by iiderman:
Wrong again epheltower! I'm only a few key strokes away.. Switzerland happens to be a world leader in high-speed "broadband" access.. Now, for the record I am neither "ranting" nor "raving".. I am simply sharing my experiences (good AND bad) as a HGVC owner...It just happens that most are good. If you are truly interested in making the most of your ownership (I'm assuming that is why you joined TUG), then listen up! Stop the personal attacks everytime a poster has something good to say about Hilton or its programs, and start asking constructive questions. There are many well informed and experienced HGVC owners on these boards willing to share their wisdom. Open up your mind, you just might be surprised.

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I always said that HGVC has both good and bad qualities and it is just a middle-of-the-road B-grade timeshare. This has been my experience as an owner. I have nothing against HGVC. At the least, they need to straighten out the exchange issue. I am a very open minded person and I continue to explore the possibilities with HGVC. I am simply not dazzled by the Hilton name and its pzaz. You can say whatever you want.

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Essie R.

posted 03-19-2005 12:33               

I'm a bit perplexed by your latest post. You seem to take my above edit as a personal attack against you. How do you figure that? I have not edited any of your posts in this thread. In fact, the post I did edit which you obviously didn't see beforehand, is one in which the poster called you, and I quote, 'an idiot'.

So, as you can see, I was defending your right to post an unpopular view and defending you against attack. Kind of ironic that you, in response, have attacked me, blasted the moderators in general, and asked to have your membership fee refunded.

posted 03-19-2005 13:52               

quote:

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Originally posted by Sam Armstrong:
I do better trading my Hilton with II.
I would be great if Hilton had more resorts and incentives for internal exchanges
Kathleen

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You can trade hilton with II?
How do you do it?

posted 03-20-2005 12:05               

quote:

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Originally posted by Sam Armstrong:
Hi derb,
I own at Surf Club. I can exchange with II. It's good one!
Kathleen

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To finish Kathleen's line of thinking.....

FYI, Many of the South West Florida Affiliate Hiltons are dual II and RCI. Many owners do not particate in either II or RCI or HGVC for that matter. Many owners use or rent them out directly, that is why SW florida is hard to obtain even via HGVC.

posted 04-04-2005 02:42               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rod222:
iiderman:
I would enjoy hearing about your Swiss travels and reviews of the resorts that you're staying in. I love Switzerland having lived and worked in Zurich. The Zurich Hilton is fantastic!!! We were treated like royalty this past October when we were there. We're Hilton Gold and the executive floor is very nice along with the private secluded checkin and the concierge service. It's nice to know that HGVC made the exchanges possible.

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Rod, we just got back. I have submitted reviews for both resorts.. check the reviews database.. it typically takes a week or so for Bruce to post them.

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"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away."

posted 04-04-2005 12:41               

Are you looking at dollar value or just subjective value?

If you're looking at subjective, then trading 7 nights in a two bedroom condo for 5 or 6 nights in a Cat. 6 or 7 hotel doesn't seem like a great trade.

If you look at the dollar value, that hotel night could be costing $200 or more per night, so that would be in the neighborhood of a $1,200 value. If you're in a situation where you can't use your timeshare, converting to Hhonors points for future hotel nights at no cost does have some significant cash value.

For instance, have you ever tried to exchange into Ireland? There's very few timeshare's there but, there are hotels and they're not exactly cheap. Using Hhonors points can make it easier to go where timeshares aren't. That is a value IMO.

Let's look at another situation. I had 14,000 points that had to be used. There were some changes at home that have affected my wifes vacation time for the next couple of years. I was not going to be able to spend 14 nights in a two bedroom condo.

So what I've done is exchanged those 14,000 points for a 4 night cruise in a cat JS cabin (junior suite cabin) with Royal Caribbean. There was no cost to us and it used up all of our points.

Looking at this subjectively, I've traded 14 nights in a two bedroom condo for 4 nights in a 235 sq ft cabin on a cruise ship with a 60 ft. balcony. Keep in mind that all our food is paid for and we will have transportation to Cozumel MX and Key West, FL.

Looking from a cash standpoint, it's pretty much a wash as far as our MF's are concerned. The cost of the cruise would be a little over $1,400 for this catagory cabin. The cost for 14,000 points would be a little over $1,300. Money wise it comes out all right, I don't lose my usage completely, I get to take my wife on a cruise which fits this years vacation mold better and I get 2 cruise credits which will boost my return guest standing with Royal Caribbean.

I think what's important here is these are all options. They are not mandatory and no one is holding a gun to your head saying you have to do them.

Hilton provides more options than a lot of developers out there. For instance, Marriott only let's you exchange for Marriott Rewards points every other year in most cases. Hilton will allow it every year. My units at Polo Towers provide a use it, deposit it or lose it option.

In short, Hilton does a good job of providing options which give owners a larger degree of flexibility and personally, I like that. If you don't, then don't use those options. It's as simple as that.

posted 04-04-2005 22:46               

quote:

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Originally posted by gshermy2:
Can someone explain the exchange rate for converting HGVC tO HHonors. I own 7000 pts. What does that exchange too??

Thanks

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The conversion rate is 23 for 1 if done in the prior year (ie. if you trade 2006 HGVC points for HHonors points) or if you trade current year points (2005)in order to use a 150,000 or 175,000 point VIP award for travel this year (2005). It is only 20 for 1 if you trade current year points for any other award. Many of my buyers trade for points to book the Hilton in Rome, Paris or London. Summer nights at these hotels cost between $400 and $1000 per night (6 nights being $2400 - $6000). I do want to make sure that everyone is aware that it is only 20 for 1 if you are trading current year points for any award other than the VIP awards.

posted 04-05-2005 03:58               

quote:

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Originally posted by sethnock:
The conversion rate is 23 for 1 if done in the prior year (ie. if you trade 2006 HGVC points for HHonors points) or if you trade current year points (2005)in order to use a 150,000 or 175,000 point VIP award for travel this year (2005). It is only 20 for 1 if you trade current year points for any other award. Many of my buyers trade for points to book the Hilton in Rome, Paris or London. Summer nights at these hotels cost between $400 and $1000 per night (6 nights being $2400 - $6000). I do want to make sure that everyone is aware that it is only 20 for 1 if you are trading current year points for any award other than the VIP awards.

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I didn't even know you could trade current year points. The last time I asked about doing that, the vacation concultant told me I couldn't. Next time I'll argue a little more.

Europe is a great example of how Hhonors can work out very well. Hotels in major European cities can be very expensive. Trying to find a timeshare close to major tourist cities in Europe isn't very easy either. By converting to points, one can stay in town at almost any major city in Europe without having to cough up $1,000 to $2,000 for a hotel room, plus airfare, plus meals.

In order to take my wife on one of her dream trips, Ireland, I've had to convert 2 years worth of stays to points through Marriott plus use our Marriott Rewards Vise for virtually every purchase we've made over the last 4 years. This pays for a little more than just the hotel. It also will cover the FF miles to pay for the airline tickts to get there.

posted 04-05-2005 07:37               

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"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away."

Anonymous

posted 04-05-2005 11:05               

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Essie R.

Edited to delete attacks which are not permitted under TUG posting rules. Dave M]