posted 01-29-2005 02:17               

We have just booked our return trip to International Drive, Orlando for October 2005, but are looking to return again in May 2006..............(then give Orlando a miss in 2007 with a trip to Hawaii, Los Angelas and Las Vegas).

The HGVC Handbook states that "RCI weekly exchanges confirmed with current year's Clubpoints may be used for travel reservations in the following two years, if requested prior to the expiration of the allotted Clubpoints".

Can we request a search with RCI now for a vacation in May/June 2006?

posted 01-29-2005 07:30               

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Lisa C

posted 01-29-2005 07:46               

If you want to say that the quality of RCI resorts is not always equivalent to HGVC resorts, I would agree, but I would also say that there are probably RCI resorts of HIGHER quality than HGVC resorts. With several thousand affiliated properties, the range with RCI is much greated than the HGVC portfolio.

Since I have more than one timeshare in my portfolio, I maintain an RCI account in addition to my HGVC account, so I can search and reserve via RCI and, if I chose, I could deposit my HGVC affiliated (not HGVC owned) property with RCI directly. I don't know how this would differ if my property were HGVC owned.

Even without an RCI account, I could search the RCI site (not availability) and be able to specify to HGVC which resorts are "acceptable" to me for any specific exchange.

True, I would not have access to RCI bonus weeks, but I certainly have access to their myriad of rental options, just as any other non-owner does.

Finally, my trading power in dealing with RCI through HGVC is significantly better than dealing directly, since all HGVC requests have priority with RCI. RCI does not get an HGVC week until the request is fulfilled. It's not like they have my week and they don't have to worry about giving my exchange any sort of priority in order to get it. To me, that makes HGVC a much more valuable option.

By the way, I also have the option of "overriding" any sort of VEP restrictions when I trade through HGVC. In order to do that, however, I have to make a specific request with HGVC (and it might require repeated calls) to include specific resorts in my search parameters. Normally, HGVC excludes resorts of "lesser" quality, but I believe the filter is less selective than RCI's VEP filters.

I also find that the HGVC reps are better to deal with than the normal RCI VG.

Just my HO,

Tom

posted 01-29-2005 08:31               

But I don't agree that we can't get good exchanges.

In 2004, I exchanged into the Aviawest Rosedale on Robson and The Legacy Golf Resort. Both were very good properties and excellent exchanges. Because the Rosedale is city unit it was smaller, but clean, modern and nice. The Legacy was larger than the HGVC units I have stayed in in Las Vegas (I have been in all three 1 & 2 bedrooms).

I do agree that it would be nice if we could get more hotel (Marriott/Hyatt etc) timeshares in RCI, but that seems unlikely. But Fairfield, Club Intrawest & Worldmark for example have some great resorts in great locations.

Another great option that has been discussed recently is using SFX. My Hilton week can pull some very good trades through them if I choose to do so.

Either way with the sheer numbers of RCI resorts available, I don't think I will run out of great trades for years and years to come!

Rick

posted 01-29-2005 09:48               

quote:

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Originally posted by eipheltower:
It is quite difficult to get a good RCI exchange through HGVC. Primarily, due to the fact that HGVC will not allow members to have RCI membership. You will not be able to search RCI on your own and you will not be able to find what bonus weeks are available either. You will get an exchange but not what you want. RCI gold crown is quite meaningless. Even if you get a gold crown resort, it will not be HGVC or Marriott quality. At least I have not been satisfied with my exchanges. I think that is one of the biggest flaws of HGVC ownership. Otherwise, HGVC is a good TS.

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HGVC enjoys a very unique relationship with RCI. The trading power HGVC owners have is possibly the strongest you can get. I can safely say this because I have done many successful trades within RCI using my HGVC points. The requests I place with RCI are always in high demand high season resorts and I have vitually secured every trade I put in for. Some within a couple of days and others after a six month wait. The resorts I have traded into have been mostly on par with HGVC.. few have been lower in standard and some have been higher in standard. Below is a list of my trades.
Whisky Jack at the Tyndall Stone Lodge - Spring Break 2002 (2 Bedroom and loft)

Kings Creek Plantatation June 2002

Caribe Tropical Punta Cana Dom. Rep June 2002 (1 Bedroom)

Worldmark Denarau Island Fiji August 2003 (2 Bedroom)

Dona Lola Club Marbella June 2004 (2 Bedroom)

Anfi Beach Club Canary Islands June 2004 (2 Bedroom)

Sheraton Buganvilias Puerto Vallarta July 2004 (2 Bedroom)

Grand Pacific Palisades CA August 2004 (2 Bedroom)

Park Plaza President's Week 2005 (2 Bedroom)

Anfi Palace Murren Switzerland Spring Break 2005 (1 Bedroom)

Aparthotel Helvetia Crans Montana Switzerland Spring Break 2005 (2 Bedroom)

Leoniki Residence Crete June 2005 (2 Bedroom)

Ridge Tahoe President's Week 2006 (2 Bedroom)

Grand Mayan Riviera Maya Spring Break 2006 (1 Bedroom)

Villas at Chayofa Country Club June 2006 (3 BR villa with private pool)

I have also spent some very memorable weeks at Hilton resorts around the world including the Hilton Cavalieri Rome, Ach de Triomphe Paris Hilton, Cairns Hilton (Great Barrier Reef) and London Hilton (all of which included upgrades to the Executive Floor)

posted 01-29-2005 11:50               

Some of the Trades: Santabarbara yacht club: only one they could come up with in the entire Ft.Lauderdale area: TRULY BAD RESORT
Palm beach resort: OK, not great
Club la Costa, Malaga, Spain: OK (I will try Dona Lola Club in Marbella next time!! Good to know.)
I also did not like HGVC South beach. Too small for two people in One-BR. Simply no good.

My experience is OK with HGVC Orlando. I do not exactly regret buying HGVC and I would not sell my 7000 points but I would not buy any more either. When we bought HGVC , we thought it would be like buying a Mercedes! It has not been.

quote:

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Originally posted by workout_lisa:
I am an HGVC owner and I disagree that it is difficult to get a good exchange. It can be done quite easily, if you are diligent and use resources like the TUG sightings board.

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posted 01-29-2005 14:03               

quote:

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Originally posted by eipheltower:

I also did not like HGVC South beach. Too small for two people in One-BR. Simply no good.

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posted 01-29-2005 15:54               

[This message has been edited by Jim and Cindy (edited 01-29-2005).]

posted 01-29-2005 18:49            

quote:

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Originally posted by iiderman:
I have also spent some very memorable weeks at Hilton resorts around the world including the Hilton Cavalieri Rome, Ach de Triomphe Paris Hilton, Cairns Hilton (Great Barrier Reef) and London Hilton (all of which included upgrades to the Executive Floor)

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It's normally hard to find award availablity for these resorts at the Hilton website, especially Hilton Cavalieri and the new Arch de Triomphe in Paris. Did you reserve these hotel stays thru the regular HGVC desk? I'm wondering if HGVC has a separate pool of award availability. How far in advance did you book your hotel stays? I would love to go back to the Cavalieri we spend our honeymoon there using my HHonors points long before HGVC existed. I was a Gold HHonors member at the time and we were upgraded to the Executive Floor.

Normally upgrades to the Executive Floor are not granted to Silver HHonors members. Are you a Gold or Diamond HHonors member or is this a special perk for HGVC Silver members?

Thanks for your help

posted 01-30-2005 05:38               

quote:

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Originally posted by phyllisnnj:
It's normally hard to find award availablity for these resorts at the Hilton website, especially Hilton Cavalieri and the new Arch de Triomphe in Paris. Did you reserve these hotel stays thru the regular HGVC desk? I'm wondering if HGVC has a separate pool of award availability. How far in advance did you book your hotel stays?

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I booked all of the reward stays myself either online at HHonors or by calling HHonors directly. I have never used HGVC for my reward stays. I also don't let Hilton print out my certificates instead I do it myself online closer to my travel date.

quote:

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Originally posted by phyllisnnj:
I would love to go back to the Cavalieri we spend our honeymoon there using my HHonors points long before HGVC existed. I was a Gold HHonors member at the time and we were upgraded to the Executive Floor.

Phyllis

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We just spent New Years at the Cavalieri and this was our best trip yet! We checked in 12/26 and checked out 1/1 and used 175,000 hhonors points. We were upgraded to the Exec Lounge. I booked the stay about 10 months before check in. We were travelling with friends and they too were staying on a reward reservation (not HGVC owners, just HHonors Gold members) The Cavalieri is not always available, but if you are flexible you can get dates. A few weeks ago they showed availability for May and June 2005. The Arc de Triomphe Hilton is much easier to obtain. We were there for Thanksgiving and I booked it during the summer months prior. At the time even the Paris Hilton was available for New Year's which I was incredible to see.

quote:

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Originally posted by phyllisnnj:

Normally upgrades to the Executive Floor are not granted to Silver HHonors members. Are you a Gold or Diamond HHonors member or is this a special perk for HGVC Silver members? ?

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We are HGVC Elite members and have enjoyed the HHonors Gold VIP privileges for the last two years.

posted 01-30-2005 17:30            

quote:

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Originally posted by iiderman:
The Arc de Triomphe Hilton is much easier to obtain. We were there for Thanksgiving and I booked it during the summer months prior. At the time even the Paris Hilton was available for New Year's which I was incredible to see.

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Thanks !!

I was able to book a room today for the Arc de Triomphe for August using the GLONP2 award. I checked last year during late Summer & Early Fall and nothing was available at the new Arc de Triomphe hotel but the Paris Hilton had plenty of availability. We've stayed at the Paris Hilton twice and loved the view of the Eiffel tower from our balcony but I really wanted to stay at the newer hotel. I'll have to try for the Cavalieri next year.

Thanks again !!

posted 01-31-2005 05:56               

quote:

---

Originally posted by phyllisnnj:
Thanks !!

I was able to book a room today for the Arc de Triomphe for August using the GLONP2 award. I checked last year during late Summer & Early Fall and nothing was available at the new Arc de Triomphe hotel but the Paris Hilton had plenty of availability. We've stayed at the Paris Hilton twice and loved the view of the Eiffel tower from our balcony but I really wanted to stay at the newer hotel. I'll have to try for the Cavalieri next year.

Thanks again !!

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Congratulations.. you will be happy with your choice. While the Paris Hilton is better located (one block from metro), this hotel is new, fresh and very attractive. It has a nice health club and Spa which the other Hilton does not. Your closest metro stop will be Courcelles or the Arc de Triomphe/Etoile (ten minute walk). Also there is a bus stop directly in front of the Hilton (I forget the number) but it goes to several sights without having to transfer.. For example we took this bus to the Musee d'Orsay.. it stopped at the museum entrance. Otherwise you can take it and transfer to go anywhere.. Enjoy!

posted 02-02-2005 12:21               

1st Choice - HGVC on International Drive, Orlando (6309)
2nd Choice - Sheraton Vistana Villages, Orlando (6059)

1st Choice at our Home Resort is to use our Bonus Points (see earlier thread).
Nothing appeared to be available today (after waiting 20minutes on the phone) so we will wait and see if this requirement is filled.

How long should be wait before contacting HGVC again?

posted 02-03-2005 09:31               

HGVC usually yeilds really good trades when I do use it. However I rarely use it for RCI because in HGVC you GET what you PAY for. No free upgrades!!!!! Yet that is not the case in RCI in general.

HGVC does regularly deposit weeks into the RCI system, but only for the HGVC specific built resorts (Orlando - both, Vegas - all 3, Miami and the Scotland properties) Bay Club does show up in bulk deposits, but the rest of the affiliates are pretty rare. There is some units always deposited for West Florida but these are for weeks in September. I have found some in points and some in weeks.

HGVC usually only deposits about 6 - 8 months in advance of usage. They seem to dump about 2 - 3 months worth and then don't deposit again for a few months.

I picked up a 2 BR LO at the new HGVC on the Strip for June 05 in October 04. This is worth 5,000 points which for me is about $700 in MF and all fees. I picked it up using a blue studio Fairfield deposit, the smallest Fairfield allows, which has about $110 in total MFs. Even picking the unit up in RCI via HGVC would have used 4,800 and I would have had to pay a $149 exchange fee. Hardly a transaction I would want to have to make, personally I like my fairfield trade far far better.

Interesting enough this week showed up as a reservation in my HGVC account that I use online, but with a 0 point amount. So RCI and HGVC systems are somehow cross listed. The HGVC system knew that my booking in RCI was actually me in HGVC as well.

Fairfield via RCI allows really great unit size upgrade, but then again Fairfield within their internal point system also provides free upgrade if they are available at the 45 day mark (for me as VIP Gold).

Different companies for different purposes. My experience is that having multiple sources allows me to source units from different places, allowing me to obtain it for the cheapest MF possible. If you only have HGVC then you must live by HGVC rules.

My biggest complaint as I said, is that in HGVC you get nothing for Free, you PAY exactly for what you GET. For those hard to GET items for me that is OK, as that is the only source (Hawaii, other hard trades). But for easy exchanges (Orlando, bulk deposits) I like finding ways to stretch my points, by using other options, as these are often better choices in certain situations.

posted 02-03-2005 22:09               

Can you please explain what you mean by "bulk deposit"? Thanks.

posted 02-04-2005 00:14            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandy Lovell:

My biggest complaint as I said, is that in HGVC you get nothing for Free, you PAY exactly for what you GET. For those hard to GET items for me that is OK, as that is the only source (Hawaii, other hard trades). But for easy exchanges (Orlando, bulk deposits) I like finding ways to stretch my points, by using other options, as these are often better choices in certain situations.

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I'm not sure I understand this. Aren't the points required by RCI always less than the points you have for your HGVC property? Maybe it's just the specific situations I've been in, but I can get nearly two red weeks through RCI for my annual HGVC points quota. Or I can book a two-bedroom for about the same as the points I have for my one-bedroom.

Vicki.

posted 02-04-2005 08:41               

quote:

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Originally posted by Pronkster:
Sandy,

Can you please explain what you mean by "bulk deposit"? Thanks.

I own 3 HGVC units, and am trying to figure out if what you are saying makes sense for me.

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Any deposit into RCI for a large number of units at the same property by the managment of that property is called a bulk deposit.

HGVC bulk deposits the specific build properties with some regularity. You can pick up a unit in RCI for less points than the unit would cost through HGVC directly. Of course you must pay an exchange fee. I regularly do this but NOT with HGVC via RCI but through my seperate RCI account. I get good trades for significantly less cost than trading into HGVC directly. Now this does not work for prime Holiday and for Hilton Hawaiian Village. Those need to be booked in advance.

posted 02-04-2005 08:44               

quote:

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Originally posted by llandaff:
I'm not sure I understand this. Aren't the points required by RCI always less than the points you have for your HGVC property? Maybe it's just the specific situations I've been in, but I can get nearly two red weeks through RCI for my annual HGVC points quota. Or I can book a two-bedroom for about the same as the points I have for my one-bedroom.

Vicki.

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My point is that I can obtain those exchange even cheaper than HGVC via RCI. My other RCI account is even cheaper still than my use of HGVC points via RCI. So yes it is cheaper via RCI but I have an even cheaper route than my HGVC points.

posted 02-04-2005 23:10            

I think I see what you're saying. So for HGVC Sea World, say, you would use a non-HGVC timeshare to exchange in?

We will want to purchase a second timeshare at some point so would you advise buying a non-HGVC resort even if we will primarily want to trade back into HGVC? That way, at least we would have direct RCI access and it would probably be cheaper.

On the other hand, the idea of lifetime gold Honors membership is attractive too.....

posted 02-05-2005 01:18               

Can you actually book a HGVC unit thru RCI as an exchange using HGVC points? I asked about doing this once and the person said they didn't think you could do it. I had read it on the boards here somewhere. Can you do this for nightly stays as well?

I understand what you are saying regarding owning a property with lower MF's to make the exchange cheaper dollar wise, and saving the HGVC points for things you can't obtain thru RCI exchange.

Vicki,