Hilton Grand Vacations Club®

Submitted by: A. L.

Copyright 2003, 2004

 

Updated May 2004

 

DISCLAIMER:   The intent of this article is to provide you with a general understanding of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club® ("HGVClub"® or the "Club") system and how it operates.  The information contained in this article is available in HGVClub’s handy annual member guide, which sets forth all the club rules, points charts, benefits and current fees; you may find some of the information at http://hgvc.com as well.  I only try to highlight the key rules and benefits of ownership in a HGVClub resort; I have deliberately omitted many of the details.  The information presented here is believed to be accurate at the time of this writing.  Please practice due diligence and verify the information before you join the Club, as the Club rules may be modified at any time.  I am not a current or former employee of any of the affiliated Hilton companies; nor have I received any financial compensation for writing this article.  I am a happy owner of one of the HGVClub timeshares.  I make this article available on the Internet for reference by members of the Timeshare Users Group (TUG) at http://www.tug2.net/.  Please do not copy any portion of this article for commercial use without authorization.

COMPANY BACKGROUND:  Hilton Grand Vacations Company, LLC (HGVC) markets and operates the Club, which is a flexible points-based vacation ownership, reservation and exchange system. HGVC also provides management services to Club resorts. HGVC and its affiliated companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Hilton Hotels Corporation.

HGVClub services can be reached through 800-932-4482 (from the U.S. and Canada) or 407-521-3141 (worldwide).  Its website, located at http://www.hgvc.com/, contains descriptions of each of the Club member resorts, including the type of units available, photos, seasons and local contact information; it also offers virtual tours for some of the resorts.

RESORTS:  The Club resorts can be generally divided into two categories: (1) "Hilton built" resorts are resorts built and developed by HGVC since 1994; and (2) "HGVClub affiliated" resorts are resorts built and developed by other companies --these resorts have entered into an agreement to participate in the Club. HGVC manages most of the affiliated resorts. All of the HGVClub affiliated resorts have earned the RCI Gold Grown Resort designation; all of the affiliated resorts which are also affiliated with II have earned the Five Stars designation.

Currently, there are 30 Club resorts in operation. Of the 30, only the following 7 were built by HGVC:  HGVClub at SeaWorld International Center in Orlando, FL; HGVClub on International Drive in Orlando, FL; HGVClub South Beach in Miami, FL; HGVClub Flamingo in Las Vegas, NV; HGVClub Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, NV; HGVClub on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, NV; and HGVClub at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Oahu, HI.  (Note:  There is a second development at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, officially called “HGVCLub at the Kalia Tower.”  Since it is located at the same site, I consider it, along with the HGVClub at Hilton Hawaiian Village, as one Club resort.) 

The Club resorts are:

COLORADO   Valdoro Mountain Lodge, Breckenridge   FLORIDA    Central & East Coast:   HGVClub at SeaWorld International Center, Orlando HGVClub on International Drive Plantation Beach Club at Indian River Plantation, Hutchinson Island HGVClub South Beach, Miami   Gulf Coast:   The Cottages at South Seas Resort, Captiva Island Plantation Bay Villas at South Seas Resort, Captiva Island Plantation Beach Club at South Seas Resort, Captiva Island Plantation House at South Seas Resort, Captiva Island South Seas Club at South Seas Resort, Captiva Island   Seawatch On-the-Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach   The Charter Club of Marco Beach, Marco Island Club Regency of Marco Island, Marco Island Eagle’s Nest Beach Resort, Marco Island The Surf Club Resort, Marco Island   Casa Ybel Resort, Sanibel Island Hurricane House Resort, Sanibel Island Sanibel Cottages Resort, Sanibel Island Shell Island Beach Club Resort, Sanibel Island Tortuga Beach Club Resort, Sanibel Island

HAWAII   HGVClub at Hilton Hawaiian Village & HGClub at the Kalia Tower, Oahu The Bay Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort, the Big Island   NEVADA   HGVClub at the Flamingo, Las Vegas HGVClub at the Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas HGVClub on the Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas   MEXICO   Fiesta Americana Vacation Club, Cancun Fiesta Americana Vacation Club, Los Cabos   SCOTLAND   Hilton Coylumbridge, Inverness-shire  Hilton Craigendarroch, Royal Deeside  Hilton Dunkeld, Perthshire

OWNERSHIP, KEY MEMBER BENEFITS AND SOME CLUB RULES:

Introduction:  This is the area where the distinction between HGVC built resorts and HGVC affiliated resorts becomes important.  Slightly different types of ownership and rules may apply, depending on where you own.  For example, most of the southwest Florida HGVC affiliated resorts were sold as fixed week timeshares; whereas all of the HGVC built resorts are sold as floating week timeshares.  Also, some of the floating week timeshares at the southwest Florida HGVC affiliated resorts have floating weeks that fall within different Club seasons.  For those owners, the number of Club Points they can obtain each year varies, depending on which week they manage to reserve and turn into the Club.  In contrast, all owners of HGVC built resorts receive a fixed number of Club Points each year, based on the size of the unit and season they own.  Additionally, many of the southwest Florida HGVC affiliated resorts are dually affiliated with both of the main independent exchange companies:  RCI and II.  However, the HGVC built resorts are currently only affiliated with RCI and a smaller exchange company called SFX.  Further, owners at HGVC affiliated resorts do not have to join the Club; if they decide to become a Club member, they would have to pay an enrollment fee (which is currently $399).  In contrast, owners of HGVC built resorts are automatically members of the Club; those owners cannot choose to "withdraw" from the Club.

I know this sounds a bit confusing.  Because I own at a HGVC built resort, I am not familiar with the particular rules that may apply to owners at HGVC affiliated resorts.  This section will attempt to describe ownership, rules and benefits that apply generally to all Club members.  If you are interested in a HGVC affiliated resort, you should ask existing owners and/or HGVClub for the specific rules that may apply to those resorts.  Many owners at HGVC affiliated resorts have answered questions on the TUG BBS, accessible through http://tug2.net.  You should search the old threads on the Hotel Based Timeshares board for helpful information or post new questions on the BBS.

Vacation Ownership:  Owners own a deeded fee simple one-week interest in a specific property in a particular season.  For HGVC built resorts, that one-week interest is assigned a fixed annual allotment of Club Points based upon the type of accommodations (e.g., the number of bedrooms) and season owned at the home resort.  There are four Club seasons:  Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.  The particular weeks that fall within these seasons vary depending on the resort and location.  The Club Points values for the weeks, seasons, and unit sizes for each Club resort are fixed.  The size of the unit determines the maintenance fees; therefore, a one bedroom in the Platinum Season will be assessed the same amount of maintenance fees as a one bedroom in the Bronze season.  See below for a Club Points use chart and a Club resort seasons chart.

Usage:  The Club is a points-based reservation and exchange system.  Club seasons are the four referenced above.  The system was designed to be very flexible for owners.  There are many ways to use the annual Club Points.  For example, I can use my Club Points in the traditional timeshare week manner:  reserve a one week stay at my home resort during the home season in the unit size purchased (e.g., one bedroom).  Alternatively, I can break up my Club Points for multiple less-than-one-week stays at the home resort or any Club resort, reserve units that are bigger or smaller than the one I own, or reserve units in a different season.  By staying at a smaller unit during a lower demand season, thus using up fewer Club Points, I can extend my one-week ownership into two weeks worth of vacations.

Let’s say I only have enough annual Club Points to reserve a one bedroom unit for one week during the Gold season at HGVClub Flamingo.  However, I plan to have a two week vacation in a one bedroom unit at the Flamingo during the Gold season in 2005.  Therefore, I need additional points for 2005 use.  I can borrow from my 2006’s Club Point allotment and use the points for the 2005 reservation (which I may book in 2004).  There is no charge for borrowing.  What if I do not think I could use my 2005 Club Points?  I have the option of depositing my 2005 Club Points into my 2006 account for future use.  HGVClub currently charges a $69 fee for this transaction.  I may also use my Club Points for exchanges into more than 3,500 RCI resorts worldwide.  Regular RCI exchange fees apply.  See below for a RCI exchange points values chart.

Further, membership in Hilton Hotel Corporation’s loyalty program, Hilton HHonors® program, at the Silver VIP level, comes with the HGVClub membership.  Every year, I have the option of converting my annual Club Points to HHonors points.  HGVClub currently charges $69 for this transaction.  The conversion values are fixed depending on the season and unit size owned, at a rate of 23 HHonors points to one Club Point.  (For example, a 1BR Gold 3400 Club Points ownership converts to 78,200 HHonors points.)  Members may use HHonors points for a variety of goods and services, including hotel stays at Hilton owned and affiliated hotels worldwide and frequent flyer miles at partner airlines.  Members may also use HHonors points for Club reservations.  In addition, members may make reservations in participating HHonors hotels using Club Points directly without converting them to HHonors points.  For more details on the HHonors program go to its website at http://www.hiltonhhonors.com/.  The Club Points to HHonors conversion benefit transfers to owners who purchase resale from sellers other than HGVC.  (In comparison, a person who buys a Marriott Vacation Club® timeshare resale through private resale not handled by Marriott Vacation Club’s resale department would not have the option of converting his timeshare week to Marriott Rewards® points.)  

Reservations:  All Club transactions are handled through the HGVClub services desk.  In other words, owners call one number to make a reservation at their home resorts.  They call the same number to make a reservation at any other resort within the Club.  And they call the same number to make an RCI exchange.  Many experienced timeshare owners have remarked that the HGVClub counselors are some of the nicest and most patient vacation counselors they have ever encountered.  Owners will know immediately whether their requested vacation dates and Club resorts are available during the call.  There are no waitlists; Club reservations operate on a first-come-first-serve basis.

There are three Club reservation periods:  (1) Home Resort Season reservations; (2) Club Season reservations; and (3) Open Season reservations.  The Home Resort Season reservations period provides members with a priority reservation period when they want to use exactly what they own:  (i) a one-week vacation (ii) at the home resort (iii) during the home season (iv) in the size unit that they own (v) with the home resort check-in date (e.g., Saturdays).  For these reservations, owners can call and reserve as early as one year prior to the start of the home season (not the desired check-in date), but no earlier than 15 months in advance of the desired check-in date. This priority reservations period ends nine months prior to the preferred check-in date. There is no fee for such reservations.  The Club Season reservations period allows members to reserve stays at any Club resort for any number of days (with three-night minimum) for any size unit with any check-in date.  For these reservations, members can call and reserve as early as nine months prior to the desired check-in date. This reservations period ends 30 days prior to the desired check-in date.  HGVClub currently charges $49 for each Club Season reservation.  The Open Season reservations period basically deals with last minute inventory in the Club resorts.  Members can make reservations from 30 days before the desired check-in date up to the day before the check-in date.  The key differences between this reservations period and the Club Season reservations period are:  (i) only a two night minimum stay is required for Club resorts; (ii) members can use HHonors points for Club resorts; and (iii) members can rent units at special members-only rates. Currently, the Open Season rental rates are as follows:  studios cost $60/night weekdays (Sun.- Thurs.) and $80/night weekends (Fri. & Sat.); regular (as opposed to “plus or premier units”) one bedrooms cost $80/night weekdays and $100/night weekends; regular two bedrooms cost $100/night weekdays and $120/night weekends; and regular three bedrooms cost $130/night weekdays and $150/night weekends.  HGVClub currently charges $49 for each Open Season reservation using Club Points.

** Unused Club Points expire at the end of each calendar year. Therefore, if a member thinks that she will not be able to use all of her Club Points for a particular year, she should decide, before the applicable deadlines, whether she ought to convert the Club Points into HHonors points (for a fee), deposit the Club Points into the following year’s account (for a fee), or use Club Points for RCI exchanges.

Some other relevant fees:  Annual club dues for 2004:  $85 for U.S. or Canada residents and $105 for residents of other countries.  The annual club dues include membership in RCI.  However, this membership is limited for HGVClub-RCI exchanges.  Owners must maintain a separate RCI account for all non-HGVC timeshares.  When a person buys a HGVC built timeshare through private resale, HGVClub currently charges a $200 membership transfer fee.  Club memberships for HGVC affiliated resorts are non-transferable.  Guest reservations in family member’s names are complimentary; reservations in the names of all other guests cost $49.

CLUB POINTS USE CHART

	Platinum Season			Gold Season			Silver Season			Bronze Season
	Each Mid-week night	Each Week-end night	Full Week Stay	Each Mid-week night	Each Week-end night	Full Week Stay	Each Mid-week night	Each Week-end night	Full Week Stay	Each Mid-week night	Each Week-end night	Full Week Stay
Studio	220	440	2200	160	320	1600	110	220	1100	80	160	800
1 Bedroom	480	960	4800	340	680	3400	240	480	2400	170	340	1700
2 Bedrooms	700	1400	7000	500	1000	5000	350	700	3500	250	500	2500
3 Bedrooms	840	1680	8400	580	1160	5800	410	820	4100	300	600	3000

** Notes:  Mid-week refers to Mondays through Thursdays.  Weekend refers to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Studios generally include one bed, a sleeper sofa and a kitchenette.  1, 2 and 3 bedrooms generally include a sleeper sofa, separate living and dining area and a fully equipped kitchen.  Some resorts have other accommodation categories beyond the basic 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms:  1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Plus or 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Premier.  These are villas upgraded in one of more of the following ways: location, size or view.  The Plus and Premier units require more Club Points than those stated above.

CLUB RESORT SEASONS CHART

	Platinum Season	Gold Season	Silver Season	Bronze Season
	Weeks	Weeks	Weeks	Weeks
COLORADO
Valdoro Mountain Lodge, Breckenridge	1-14, 26-35, 47-52	20-25	37-46	16-19
FLORIDA
Captiva Island
The Cottages	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Plantation Bay Villas	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Plantation Beach Club	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Plantation House	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
South Seas Club	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Fort Myers Beach
Seawatch On-the-Beach,  Fort Myers Beach	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-35, 40-42, 49-50	36-39
Hutchinson Island
Plantation Beach at Indian River	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-35, 40-42, 49-50	36-39
Orlando
HGVClub at SeaWorld International Center	6-15, 24-32, 51-52	1-5, 16-23, 33-43	44-50	None
HGVClub on International Drive	6-15, 24-32, 51-52	1-5, 16-23, 33-43	44-50	None
Marco Island
The Charter Club	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Club Regency	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Eagle’s Nest	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
The Surf Club	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Miami
HGVClub at South Beach	1-17, 23-33, 51-52	18-22, 34-50	None	None
Sanibel Island
Casa Ybel	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Hurricane House	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Sanibel Cottages	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Shell Island Beach Club	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
Tortuga Beach Club	7-13, 51-52	1-6, 14-18, 24-33, 43-48	19-23, 34-42, 49-50	None
HAWAII
The Bay Club, The Big Island	1-17, 22-35, 42-52	18-21, 36-42	None	None
HGVClub at Hilton Hawaiian Village,  Oahu	1-18, 23-35, 42-52	19-22, 36-41	None	None
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
HGVClub at the Flamingo	9-20, 36-43, 51-52	5-8, 21-36, 43-48	1-4, 49-50	None
HGVClub at the Las Vegas Hilton	9-20, 36-43, 51-52	5-8, 21-36, 43-48	1-4, 49-50	None
HGVClub on the Las Vegas Strip	9-20, 36-43, 51-52	5-8, 21-36, 43-48	1-4, 49-50	None
MEXICO
Fiesta Americana, Cancun	4-18, 51-52	26-34, 40-50	19-25, 35-39	None
Fiesta Americana,  Los Cabos	1-18, 26-34, 51-52	19-25, 40-50	35-39	None
SCOTLAND
Hilton Coylumbridge, Inverness-shire	14-15, 21-35, 40-43, 51-52	7-13, 16-20, 36-39	5-6, 44-47	1-4, 48-50
Hilton Dunkeld,  Perthshire	14-15, 21-35,  40-43, 51-52	7-13, 16-20, 36-39	5-6, 44-47	1-4, 48-50
Hilton Craigendarroc,  Royal Deeside	1, 14-15, 21-35, 40-43, 51-52	7-13, 16-20, 36-39	5-6, 44-47	2-4, 48-50

 

CLUB POINTS VALUES FOR RCI EXCHANGES