Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
I completed a demo of a HICV availability checker - message me if you are not an HICV member, would like to check...
I completed a demo of a HICV availability checker - message me if you are not an HICV member, would like to check availability, and would like access. I'm looking to provide my code to and/or work with someone to do the same for Wyndham and any other program with online availability checking. Ultimately, it would be great if we could all check availability in all of the major programs prior to being an owner.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Hey Guys, Planning a trip to Orlado and Coco Beach.
Hey Guys, Planning a trip to Orlado and Coco Beach. How is the Cape Canavrial location? Also which villiage is best for a family with a 12 year old daughter? Not a golfer. Thanks.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
HICV vs. Wyndham Minimum Points per Unit
HICV vs. Wyndham Minimum Points per Unit
On the HICV side, I used to purchase units as small as 45K, but due to closing costs, I established a minimum of 75K annual (150K biennial).
One of the things I've been trying to figure out is what a good equivalent points size on the Wyndham size is.
Here's my latest math:
75K HICV points = 106K Wyndham points based on RCI/DRI ratios (0.71 factor).
HICV Closing Costs = $300 ($150 deed prep + $50 county fees + $100 transfer fees)
Wyndham Closing Costs = $500 ($150 deed prep + $50 county fees + $300 transfer fees)
Assuming you want to keep closing costs / point consistent, larger closing costs = larger contract, so 106K x $500/$300 = 176K.
Closing costs are paid on both sides of the transaction - even if the seller pays them when you buy, you are getting closing costs instead of a discount.
Buying a Wyndham unit smaller than 176K annual (352K biennial) would be like buying a HICV unit smaller than 75K - something I did in the past but learned not to do in the future once I started fully taking into account transaction costs.
I've added to my detailed comparison chart (link added under Non-HICV Resources)
If anyone has experience with DRI, Mariott, Shell, Bluegreen, Hyatt, or Disney and can help fill out the chart for those systems let me know.
On the HICV side, I used to purchase units as small as 45K, but due to closing costs, I established a minimum of 75K annual (150K biennial).
One of the things I've been trying to figure out is what a good equivalent points size on the Wyndham size is.
Here's my latest math:
75K HICV points = 106K Wyndham points based on RCI/DRI ratios (0.71 factor).
HICV Closing Costs = $300 ($150 deed prep + $50 county fees + $100 transfer fees)
Wyndham Closing Costs = $500 ($150 deed prep + $50 county fees + $300 transfer fees)
Assuming you want to keep closing costs / point consistent, larger closing costs = larger contract, so 106K x $500/$300 = 176K.
Closing costs are paid on both sides of the transaction - even if the seller pays them when you buy, you are getting closing costs instead of a discount.
Buying a Wyndham unit smaller than 176K annual (352K biennial) would be like buying a HICV unit smaller than 75K - something I did in the past but learned not to do in the future once I started fully taking into account transaction costs.
I've added to my detailed comparison chart (link added under Non-HICV Resources)
If anyone has experience with DRI, Mariott, Shell, Bluegreen, Hyatt, or Disney and can help fill out the chart for those systems let me know.
The going rate for IHG points on the IHG website is $115 for 20K = $5.75/1K (using Points + Cash).
The going rate for IHG points on the IHG website is $115 for 20K = $5.75/1K (using Points + Cash).
To get points that cheap with HICV points, your maintenance has to be $3.91/1K - $391 for 100K HICV points + $69 IHG conversion = $460 for 80K (100 x 4/5) IHG points.
IHG conversion is better than not using points, but not an efficient planned use of points - if you are consistently doing this, you should really look at reducing your HICV holdings.
To get points that cheap with HICV points, your maintenance has to be $3.91/1K - $391 for 100K HICV points + $69 IHG conversion = $460 for 80K (100 x 4/5) IHG points.
IHG conversion is better than not using points, but not an efficient planned use of points - if you are consistently doing this, you should really look at reducing your HICV holdings.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Hello!
Hello! I am hopelessly looking to sell our HICV timeshare and am happy to come across a place with helpful answers and knowledgeable people.
My husband and I bought the 55,000 points package back in 2015 and just haven't gotten the use out of it that we thought. What are our options for selling? We absolutely know that we won't get anything close for what we bought it for. Where have people had success selling? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Lauren
My husband and I bought the 55,000 points package back in 2015 and just haven't gotten the use out of it that we thought. What are our options for selling? We absolutely know that we won't get anything close for what we bought it for. Where have people had success selling? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Lauren
Sunday, July 1, 2018
I added the Wyndham and HICV resorts from the attached RCI points guide to the RCI tabs of the Wyndham and HICV...
I added the Wyndham and HICV resorts from the attached RCI points guide to the RCI tabs of the Wyndham and HICV consolidated points spreadsheets.
https://www.rci.com/static/docs/en_US/points-grid.pdf
Wyndham
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qg7jd4yPldw-HPWaPkVk1E68KsETwoIuyBFnJPulkgw/edit?usp=sharing
I then added the annual RCI point totals next to the annual Wyndham and HICV point totals and compared the totals against all units that had RCI point values and just the cheapest 2BR unit from each resort that I was using previously (there was only a 3% difference - the numbers below are just the 2BRs, which work out slightly better for Wyndham).
Here are the results:
RCI: Wyndham = 1:3.34
RCI: HICV = 1:2.37
which makes
Wyndham:HICV = 3.34:2.37 = 1:0.71
Prior to finding this RCI Rosetta stone, I used median 2BR points values in Florida to determine that the median Florida properties were Orange Lake for HICV (7.2M) and Bonnet Creek/Sea Garden for Wyndham (9.1M) and was trying to determine whether the points difference was due to HICV points being more valuable than Wyndham points or the median Wyndham resort being valued higher than the median HICV resort. The annual RCI point values for these properties are 3.6M for HICV and 3.15M for Wyndham, which suggests that the HICV points are worth even more than Wyndham points than my initial analysis showed due to the median HICV resort being valued higher than the median Wyndham resort. That makes the scaled Wyndham point values for these properties 10.4M, and the ratio 1:0.69, which is very close to the program-wide numbers above.
This is extensible to other programs that have RCI point values in the chart above if anyone is interested in putting them into a spreadsheet.
I only buy HICV points units with maintenance in the $5-$6 - this makes the comparable range of Wyndham units $3.55-$4.26, which are pretty tough to find.
https://www.rci.com/static/docs/en_US/points-grid.pdf
Wyndham
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qg7jd4yPldw-HPWaPkVk1E68KsETwoIuyBFnJPulkgw/edit?usp=sharing
I then added the annual RCI point totals next to the annual Wyndham and HICV point totals and compared the totals against all units that had RCI point values and just the cheapest 2BR unit from each resort that I was using previously (there was only a 3% difference - the numbers below are just the 2BRs, which work out slightly better for Wyndham).
Here are the results:
RCI: Wyndham = 1:3.34
RCI: HICV = 1:2.37
which makes
Wyndham:HICV = 3.34:2.37 = 1:0.71
Prior to finding this RCI Rosetta stone, I used median 2BR points values in Florida to determine that the median Florida properties were Orange Lake for HICV (7.2M) and Bonnet Creek/Sea Garden for Wyndham (9.1M) and was trying to determine whether the points difference was due to HICV points being more valuable than Wyndham points or the median Wyndham resort being valued higher than the median HICV resort. The annual RCI point values for these properties are 3.6M for HICV and 3.15M for Wyndham, which suggests that the HICV points are worth even more than Wyndham points than my initial analysis showed due to the median HICV resort being valued higher than the median Wyndham resort. That makes the scaled Wyndham point values for these properties 10.4M, and the ratio 1:0.69, which is very close to the program-wide numbers above.
This is extensible to other programs that have RCI point values in the chart above if anyone is interested in putting them into a spreadsheet.
I only buy HICV points units with maintenance in the $5-$6 - this makes the comparable range of Wyndham units $3.55-$4.26, which are pretty tough to find.
Monday, June 25, 2018
I am buying two 87,500 hicv point units (7000x2 marcus) at Lake Geneva on reale.
I am buying two 87,500 hicv point units (7000x2 marcus) at Lake Geneva on reale. Will these points be able to be used at any HICV property or only at Lake Geneva? I own no other points or weeks with HICV and am not a HICV member. Thanks for any answers. Hard to get real answers from HICV.
Getting ready to buy Lake Geneva.
Getting ready to buy Lake Geneva. Will the Marcus points transfer to HICV points and can those points be used anywhere in the HICV system or can they only be used at Geneva. How long are points good for.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
HICV 1M Point Quotes
HICV 1M Point Quotes
Collecting quotes on "renting" 1M in HICV reservations - terms would be paid up front (e.g. $5500 @ $5.50/1K), no expiration (available until used up), $263 per reservation guest fee and booking fee (if you don't regularly use your guest fees, that's $3000 in profit for 15 reservations).
If you don't want your quote public, please HO me.
Collecting quotes on "renting" 1M in HICV reservations - terms would be paid up front (e.g. $5500 @ $5.50/1K), no expiration (available until used up), $263 per reservation guest fee and booking fee (if you don't regularly use your guest fees, that's $3000 in profit for 15 reservations).
If you don't want your quote public, please HO me.
Orange Lake Shuttle Details
Orange Lake Shuttle Details
Can someone provide details on shuttle? How often, what hours, locations, etc?
Can someone provide details on shuttle? How often, what hours, locations, etc?
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Value of HICV Points vs. Wyndham Points -
Value of HICV Points vs. Wyndham Points -
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qg7jd4yPldw-HPWaPkVk1E68KsETwoIuyBFnJPulkgw/edit?usp=sharing
I took the annual points for the cheapest 2BR at each resort to come up with a median 2BR cost of 8.2M points (158K/week).
My interest was in comparing Wyndham point costs with HICV points costs - this compares to 6.1M (117K/week) for HICV.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HB00pcN4u116afQyKAG1iumSddSaSTmC8rf5OoeN9Yc/edit?usp=sharing
This 25% point difference matches what I saw looking at a small sample of resorts that overlap between HICV and Wyndham - what it doesn't answer is whether the median Wyndham 2BR is 25% nicer/better locations than the median 2BR HICV or whether the Wyndham points are 25% less valuable than HICV points.
If someone has experience with both clubs, it would be great to get some feedback on the quality/value of some Wyndham resorts in the 8.2M range vs. some HICV resorts in the 6.1M range. If the Wyndham units in this range are higher end units, then Wyndham overall resorts are likely just higher end. If the units are comparable, then Wyndham points are likely less valuable than HICV points.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qg7jd4yPldw-HPWaPkVk1E68KsETwoIuyBFnJPulkgw/edit?usp=sharing
I took the annual points for the cheapest 2BR at each resort to come up with a median 2BR cost of 8.2M points (158K/week).
My interest was in comparing Wyndham point costs with HICV points costs - this compares to 6.1M (117K/week) for HICV.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HB00pcN4u116afQyKAG1iumSddSaSTmC8rf5OoeN9Yc/edit?usp=sharing
This 25% point difference matches what I saw looking at a small sample of resorts that overlap between HICV and Wyndham - what it doesn't answer is whether the median Wyndham 2BR is 25% nicer/better locations than the median 2BR HICV or whether the Wyndham points are 25% less valuable than HICV points.
If someone has experience with both clubs, it would be great to get some feedback on the quality/value of some Wyndham resorts in the 8.2M range vs. some HICV resorts in the 6.1M range. If the Wyndham units in this range are higher end units, then Wyndham overall resorts are likely just higher end. If the units are comparable, then Wyndham points are likely less valuable than HICV points.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Hi all.
Hi all. My husband and I are new owners. Like less than a week owners. We booked a 2 bed suite at Holiday Inn and Suites across from Universal for 6 nights. While getting the shuttle schedule from the front desk, a worker asked us if we would like to tour the OL resort and sit through a “90 minute” presentation for a gift of $110. I knew this was a timeshare presentation, so I said no. My husband, on the other hand, said yes. I’ve been against all timeshares since my parents bought into Bluegreen about 12 years ago. They were pressured and lied to, then later just let it go because they never had enough points to use it.
So we went. The 90 minutes turned into 6 hours. They first offered us the 200,000 points for $44,000 at $825/month. Nope. They kept going down, and I kept saying no. I had no intentions of buying anything. This was our first family vacation. We live on a farm and my husband works out of state. He actually had never taken a vacation-ever-until this one. After touring the 3 bedroom villa he was sold. Our guide quickly realized I was not going to buy, so she brought the manager over for an “unbelievable” offer. During this whole time, our 5 year old is in a playroom being watched by Disney pros?! We were missing her and the fact that we had been there for 5 hours, my husband said to just tell her we will buy to get out of there.
What we bought is the smallest 50,000 package. Our income tax refund is high, so we plan to pay in off in March. I was told at purchase that we can rent points at $10/1K. No limits. Wrong. We can only rent up to 50% of our total yearly points=25K. We were also showed the book and told that the last row (weeknight points) were all we had to pay for the 5 nights total. Also wrong, that is the rate PER night, not week. It made it sound like we had bought the best package. I was wondering why in their right mind would anyone want to purchase more points then? After looking at the book when we got to the hotel, everything I was told was untrue. Just like I had expected...I should have known. I figured we are already in this thing for 11K, might as well find resale points for cheap so we can utilize this.
Questions:
1. Although we haven’t even got the member site up yet, when we buy from the 3 resorts that transfer points, do they add to our current points, or do we have to use each resort points separately?
2. Since we are allowed to rent points up to 50% of our total, when buying resale, can we rent up to 50% of our total points combined, or only the points we bought retail directly through HICV?
3. How smooth, and how long does it take for the resale to go into the member profile?
I know statuses won’t chance when buying resale, and that doesn’t bother me.
Also what is a good price for say 150,000 points from Gatlinburg or Myrtle Beach?
Note: I don’t actually plan on buying resale until our package is paid off, because our interest rate is ridiculous. And we plan to pay cash for any resale.
Thank you for taking the time to read this all.
So we went. The 90 minutes turned into 6 hours. They first offered us the 200,000 points for $44,000 at $825/month. Nope. They kept going down, and I kept saying no. I had no intentions of buying anything. This was our first family vacation. We live on a farm and my husband works out of state. He actually had never taken a vacation-ever-until this one. After touring the 3 bedroom villa he was sold. Our guide quickly realized I was not going to buy, so she brought the manager over for an “unbelievable” offer. During this whole time, our 5 year old is in a playroom being watched by Disney pros?! We were missing her and the fact that we had been there for 5 hours, my husband said to just tell her we will buy to get out of there.
What we bought is the smallest 50,000 package. Our income tax refund is high, so we plan to pay in off in March. I was told at purchase that we can rent points at $10/1K. No limits. Wrong. We can only rent up to 50% of our total yearly points=25K. We were also showed the book and told that the last row (weeknight points) were all we had to pay for the 5 nights total. Also wrong, that is the rate PER night, not week. It made it sound like we had bought the best package. I was wondering why in their right mind would anyone want to purchase more points then? After looking at the book when we got to the hotel, everything I was told was untrue. Just like I had expected...I should have known. I figured we are already in this thing for 11K, might as well find resale points for cheap so we can utilize this.
Questions:
1. Although we haven’t even got the member site up yet, when we buy from the 3 resorts that transfer points, do they add to our current points, or do we have to use each resort points separately?
2. Since we are allowed to rent points up to 50% of our total, when buying resale, can we rent up to 50% of our total points combined, or only the points we bought retail directly through HICV?
3. How smooth, and how long does it take for the resale to go into the member profile?
I know statuses won’t chance when buying resale, and that doesn’t bother me.
Also what is a good price for say 150,000 points from Gatlinburg or Myrtle Beach?
Note: I don’t actually plan on buying resale until our package is paid off, because our interest rate is ridiculous. And we plan to pay cash for any resale.
Thank you for taking the time to read this all.
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