LIFESTYLE

Is the Hilton Grand Vacation Club Worth It?: The Pros and Cons to Consider

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Today, Hilton has over 6,100 properties and more than 971,000 rooms! Whether or not you have or are considering having the Hilton Grand Vacations Club, you might wonder if it’s worth it. 

There are various pros and cons to consider to help you make this decision. Read this guide on if being part of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club is worth it. 

How an HGVC Membership Works

Before you sign up, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the HGVC cancellation policy in case you ever change your mind. Joining the Hilton Grand Vacations Club means that you’ll have deeded ownership at one of their resorts. 

It’s a points-based system. You’ll receive a yearly amount of ClubPoints which acts as your vacation currency. How much you receive will depend on how popular your home resort is. It comes down to the unit size, type of unit, and the season of your deed. 

Some benefits include: 

  • Enjoy spacious suites
  • Plan your next trip around the globe
  • Use points that carry over to the following year
  • Elite Status potential

Flexible Options

While you can choose to go back to the same place every year, you could also choose different locations. Check out the Hilton’s portfolio to use your points at any of these locations. 

Some popular options include:

  • Ocean 22 by Hilton Grand Vacations Club
  • Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacations Club
  • Grand Waikkian by Hilton Grand Vacations Club

If you don’t use all of your points this year, they carry over into the following year. You’re also able to borrow points from the following year. 

The Hilton Vacation Club locations include: 

  • Carlsbad, California
  • Big Island of Hawaii
  • New York, New York
  • Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Barbados
  • Los Cabos, Mexico
  • Pisa, Italy
  • Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
  • Charleston, South Carolina
  • Park City, Utah
  • Washington D.C. 
  • Kanagawa, Japan
  • Scotland, United Kingdom
  • Maui, Hawaii
  • Miami, Florida
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Breckenridge, Colorado
  • Vilamoura, Portugal

The Cost of Hilton Grand Vacations Club

When you buy directly from the Hilton, it can cost thousands. There are also dues and maintenance fees that you’ll need to pay.

Check out the resale market for a more affordable option. Many of them will have similar benefits and cost much less. 

Is the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Worth It?

These timeshares are meant to be used every year. If you’re not someone who likes going on vacation each year, then it might not be for you. 

You’ll also need to look at your budget and see if the maintenance fees and dues are affordable. It’s a great option for those who love to travel to different places, but if you’re not happy with it you might be able to resell it. 

Some companies will offer timeshare financing where you pay as you go. You can find out in advance how much you’ll need to pay each month. 

What Is Elite Status?

This is when you buy enough developer-bought Hilton Grand Vacations Club points. You’ll need to buy the points through HGVC to become Elite Status. 

Elite Status is given at about 14,000 points. If you’re Elite Status, you can book your vacation through the Elite phone line or website. Since it’s only open for the Elite, that means that you’ll have shorter wait times. 

You can also receive discounts such as: 

  • 10% off Open Season reservations
  • Enjoy exclusive partner services such as cruises or guided tours
  • No fee for booking a 7-night stay
  • Discount on club dues

Is Elite Status Worth It?

This comes down to personal preference. You’ll be able to enjoy the various benefits that each resort has to offer. Keep in mind that if you buy 14,000 points through resale, you won’t qualify for Elite Status. 

Elite Status is broken down into: 

  • Elite Premier-34,000 points
  • Elite-14,000 points
  • Elite Plus-24,000 points

If you become an Elite Status member, you’ll have access to the King’s Landing Clubhouse. This is a benefit at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. 

Maintenance Fees

You normally need to pay the maintenance fees by January 1st of each year. Even through a resale market, you might still need to pay for these. 

Maintenance fees go toward resort renovations and keeping it up-to-date. Even if you don’t use your timeshare that year, you’ll still need to pay for the maintenance fees. Not paying for the maintenance fees can impact your credit. 

The Pros and Cons of HGVC Membership

The cons are definitely the fees that you need to pay each year, even if you aren’t using it. The points system allows you to go on weekend getaways, long-term vacations, and more. 

Think about how many nights a year you want to travel and how much room you’ll need. You can also use what’s called Bonus Points to go toward your vacations. 

ClubPoints

ClubPoints allow you to book stays at various Hilton properties. There are also exchange privileges at Exchange Resorts. You can also use it toward their partners for guided tours, cruises, and more. 

Bonus Points

Use bonus points for specialty merchandise and to offset maintenance fees. They can be converted into Hilton Honors Points.

You can also combine them with ClubPartner Perks. Points can be used for 2 years. 

Hilton Honors Points

There aren’t fees when you make reservations with Hilton Honors Points. ClubPoints can be converted into Hilton Honors Points. 

Various Vacation Options

From checking out Machu Picchu to hiking and rafting, you have flexibility when it comes to the locations you can travel to. Take a guided journey through Yellowstone, the Nile River, and more. 

There’s even RV travel. You can even pair your RV travel with flying. Urban attractions are an option too such as San Diego, New York City, Oahu, and more. 

Yacht charters are another option no matter how experienced you are with boats. There are crewed yacht charters down to sail-it-yourself boats. You’ll be able to enjoy over 20 destinations in the Caribbean, Turkey, Greece, Croatia, the Mediterranean, and Belize. 

The RCI Exchange

Many enjoy the fact that they can exchange on the RCI. This is a vacation exchange network where you can trade your points for other resorts around the globe. This includes non-Hilton resorts too. 

Some resorts include: 

  • Holiday Inn Club Vacations
  • Disney Vacation Club
  • Bluegreen Resort Vacations
  • Welk Resorts
  • Hilton Grand Vacations Club

Keep in mind that even if they’re a part of the RCI Exchange, it doesn’t mean that they’re open to an exchange. Speak with your developer or resort to see if you’re eligible. 

You could become a member of the RCI Exchange or Interval International. The value of your ownership doesn’t equate to the value on another vacation exchange platform. RCI also has its own membership fees. 

Protect Yourself From Fraud

Many timeshare owners are being targeted by fraud. To protect yourself, avoid companies that ask for upfront fees or personal information right away. 

Avoid companies with pre-recorded messages. Any company that’ll remove your homeowner’s association fees, that’s a red flag. 

Always know what company you’re dealing with and how long they’ve been around. Never send credit card information by email since it isn’t secure. 

Only provide your credit card information online if you’re buying something. Unless you’re applying for a credit card, your social security number isn’t necessary to provide. Be careful to who you give this information. 

Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations

Enjoy the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations in Las Vegas. It’s quite unique since it has 52 stories with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Check out the Studio Suites from 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedrooms. Some even come with kitchens! 

Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations

Check out the Hilton Hawaiian Village when you stay here. There’s plenty of dining, shopping, and sailing to be enjoyed. 

There’s snorkeling, a salt-water lagoon, and a large pool. The spa offers steam baths, massages, and facials. 

Is There a Fee for the Hilton Honors?

No! When you become a member of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club, you’ll automatically be in the Hilton Honors program. The ClubPoints can be used toward travel expenses through discounts and experiences around the world. 

Exploring the Hilton Grand Vacations Club

After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club and if it’s worth it for you and your family. Take your time going through the information and the FAQs section as you determine if it’s right for you.

Would you like to read more informative articles with travel in mind? Be sure to check out our other articles today!