Hilton Grand Vacations Club review: Stay away 31

We got enticed to Las Vegas HGVC on 3/2011 to see their presentaion, about three hours of a salesperson asking all kind of personnal questions on your vacation habits. They realy paint the whole program like the eight marvel of convenience then they start with the numbers and the fees and the condo fees and the reservation fees and whatever fees, basically your are paying for a condo your never visit or never owe...etc. Then a second timeshare salesman expert comes to assist on the pitch then lower the offer price but it's still a ripoff for an 18% interest rate. The salesman made a mistake on saying it's a one time offer and will never be called againg like the Direct Buy club scam. If you you accept to their pitch presentation watch your bank or credit card account because they'll keep charging money even if you did not authorize them. The club facilities in Vegas are not that luxurious, just a regular hotel, no restaurant, no gambling, far away from the Bellagio, regular swimming pool, parking rather far from the main buildings. The area around is in the midle of nowhere only the Circus Circus is a block and a CVS drugstore is next doors.

We too got taken in during our vacation in Hawaii. No mention was made of a timeshare, just a 'presentation' we would like you to sit through. What was labeled as a 'one hour of your time' dragged on for nearly four hours! They wouldn't let us out of there. To top it off we patiently sat through this missing lunch and wanting 'time' to discuss this alone but no, they would not let you leave. It's a "now or never once-in-a-lifetime-deal'! Looking back - I wish I had forced my spouse to walk out - it wasn't a matter of the money but more the principle. Were we ever misrepresented? You betcha. It has now been 90+ days and we still haven't received our 'package' or access into HGCV. WE were never told we could sign an option to purchase and come back in 7 days and they would honour this document. The impression we got was sign now or else! Talk about business tactics, nothing demure or courteus about it. The dissatisfaction on the salesman face when we said we needed time to discuss this and get back to them was very evident that he had given up on us. He then went and got his 'boss' in to work us over. Whatever happened to the Hilton name and honour? They wouldn't even honour the deal they made with us from day one when we came back next day! They upped the price on us instead and made some excuse about all units in the first building being 'sold out'! Yeah right . . . there must be something legally we can do about all this. . .?

We had exactly the same experience. When we finally got our password and number and tried to book a vacation we found nothing available in any of the places we wanted to go - London, Tokyo, California, South Carolina you name it nothing was available. We even asked for them to tell us what was available and when but they couldn't do that. We paid $18, 000 for something we can't use. If we paid this for a car and it came with no wheels I am sure the judge would have something to say about that.

Purchased 8400 points mid Nov of 2010 and also received 12, 400 bonus points. Was told everything would be in place by first of year, and everything was, including on line reservation system. Used some of bonus points in Feb 2011 to extend a business stay in a cat 7 Hilton hotel. Had a great time. Used online system to reserve a week at a Hilton resort in Nov 11. Had a great time. Bought 6000 more yearly points at this stay and received 14, 000 bonus points. The new property we bought into should close Jan 2012 and we are eager to use some of the Elite perks we now have.

The online system did have a few glitches when I tried to reserve 2 suites in Breckenridge for July 2012, and I had to reserve by phone. At my request, Hilton waived phone in fees and charged the lesser on line fees.

Absolutely no problems here.

STAY AWAY, I agree.
We are Gold Members and had not encountered any problem until we booked our 8 days 2011 Xmas vacations in Hilton Grand Waikikian Tower. We were booked facing the BLUE ALAKAI TOWER though we requested a lagoon-westside unit. We were told only ELITE MEMBERS can request and hold -and have priorities to better units. We were quickly adviced if we want to speak to a SALES COUNCILOR to UPGRADE & become ELITE members - that means doling out additional $50k PLUS $2000 yearly maintenance. It is clearly a Hilton HGVC ”PLOT” to pressure one to ”UPGRADE” and invest more money.
We just saw 1864 - a unit facing lagoon vacated yesterday but was told it was assigned (conveniently ?) to an Elite member. How interesting would it be if we found out that the occupants were not Elite members after-all? One can only ponder how embarassment this would be for Hilton - if they truly care for ALL owners.

STAY AWAY FROM ANY HGVC LAS VEGAS STRIP PROPERTY OR ANY OTHER OF THEIR PROPERTIES FOR THAT MATTER...PRESENTATIONS...0F 3 + HRS OF HIGH PRESSURE SALES TACTICS AND COHERSION, ENTICEMENT AND DURESS AND $68, 000.00 LATER PLUS ATTORNEY FEES TO GET OUT OF THIS "NIGHTMARE VACATION RESORT" OWNERSHIP...

Purchased 3500 annual points a few years ago and used resorts in both Las Vegas and Carlsbad. Had great experience at both. Loved the HGV on the strip and the HGV at the Flamingo. The HGV Mar Brisa in Carlsbad was brand new and beautiful, it but up against Lego Land with access. A few complaints with Mar Brisa is that its not complete and under construction. The photos of the pool area on the HGV website are not for HVG but the Sheraton Resort on the same property. We were told that we could use the pool there but were turned away when we tried. This was a few years ago and I have heard there may have been changes there since it HGV started managing operations. (When we stayed there is was considered and affiliated resort managed by Pacific Resorts I think.
Went back to Las Vegas the next year and decided to upgrade to 7000 points. We have 4 children and wanted to be able to get the 3 bedroom if available. Ended up staying at the both of the Las Vegas Resorts a few times that year both with the children and other with just us. We always get at least the 1 bedroom its so much nicer then just the studio. We also tried Carlsbad again, this time Grand Pacific Palisades. This was a great resort! Even though it was not as nice and new as Mar Brisa it was just an overall better experience. There was plenty of daily activates for the kids plus there was an adults only pool area that you could relax in without all the noise. (We have tried to go back to this resort but there has not been openings when we had the time to go.
We had been so impressed with HGV that the next year we decided to upgrade again to 14, 000 annual points. With that come elite status that has a bunch of perks with it. We ended up spending New Years Eve at the HGV on the Las Vegas Strip. We had 1 bedroom plus on the 34th floor which was awesome and reserved another 1 bedroom for friends that came with us. We had other friends that came to Vegas that weekend and stayed at the hotels and paid over $750 per night with a 3 night minimum. They just had a simple hotel room and we had awesome suites with full kitchens. Needles to say it was a blast.
As you can see we have no regrets with our HGV, we look forward to a Hawaii trip this year we booked a 3 bd for 10 days plus we are using Hilton HHonors points to pay for the airfare. We have also booked a 14 day Caribbean Cruise for Nov 2012.
HHonors is another great thing, you can transfer HGV points to HHonors points that can be used at any Hilton property not just HGV, Cruises, Houseboats etc. I have an American Express HHonors card that I use for all my purchases for my business. I earned about 1.5 million HHonors points last year buying stuff that I would have bought anyway. And just to give you an example HHonors has something called Going Global where you can stay in places like Bora Bora with those villias over the water for 7 days for 300, 000 points.
I guess my point is that Hilton Grand Vacations can be great is you use it and know how it works. I know lots of owners that love it like me and some that just complain.
Another great tip so that your points never expire. Before Dec 31st convert all of your next years points to HHonors Points. HHonors never expire. Then if you want to use HGV just borrow the points from the next year. You will always be borrowing from the next year but you will never have wasted points. Our first year we wasted almost 1500 points that we could use before they expired. (You cannot convert current year points to HHonors but you can rescue them one time, then if you don't use them you loose them.)

I agree with the complaints - much of why I no longer work for HGV! It made me sick to my stomach the tactics and verbiage we were pressured to use for sales. Only thing I would recommend in favor of HGV is to take advantage of the low vacation rates and perks, but hold your ground on the 2 hour presentation, walk out and NEVER buy into their timeshares.

Don't Stay Away
SatisfiedHiltonEliteMember is now Elite Plus. We love HGVC. The reservation agents are pleasant and the online Revolutions is a great system for reservations. The time it takes to get you into the online reservation system after signing your contract is 45 to 60 calendar days, so complaining that "it's been 7 weeks now and still no access" is silly. High pressure sales tactics? You have a cooldown period after signing where you can back out. It appears that some people like to complain and not assume responsibility for their own actions.

Dear SatisfiedHiltonEliteMember, why are satisfied, do you work there, can you give concrete examples why you are satisfied, are you a HHonors elite member or an HGVC owner, how long with them? HGVnightmares agreed with basically all complaints posted, but you defended only the online reservation one issue, what about the other complaints? Please HELP, I'm being pressured to decide to yet become an HGVC OWNER soon!

We love HGVC so much we bought a second timeshare two years later. So far, every vacation has been incredible and we're preparing to spend a week in Carlsbad for Christmas. I always recommend Hilton to my friends and family and only wish I would have purchased one sooner. I'm a little caught off guard by all the criticism. We went to probably 5 timeshare presentations before making a decision and finally decided that they wouldn't be getting any less expensive and that we probably wouldn't stop taking vacations. Now we know what type of accommodations to expect each and every time. So far, no disappointments.

Good luck on trying to book at Carlsbad during Christmas! It is NEVER available. It is like that at most of the places. I even have two timeshares at Flamingo Vegas and I can't even book during New Years. The night of new years is never available and this is my home resort and I have a Platinum account. How is that possible?

I have two platinum condos at the Flamingo, Las Vegas. I can't even book them during New Years and it is my home resort. Good luck booking anything in California... Carlsbad is NEVER available.

I had someone try to call me and offer me a trip to one of there clubs. The girl was nice enough but really pressured me into booking the package. I have health issues and so do other family members and money does not allow for things like this, plus I couldn't see myself wanting to take a trip to Vegas in the first place. I should have hung up but I was being polite, and unfortunately I gave in. After not even 10 minutes I got the email confirmation and then the red flags started popping up. The price was higher then the quoted price, I couldn't login to the website to look at dates, and things just seemed fishy. Then I found this site and many others. I knew I had to cancel, but how? I finally came across information stating that there was no refund policy and that I wasn't getting my money back. Like heck I wasn't. I sent emails to the website, to their Facebook, to Hilton's website, emails, Facebook etc for hours and finally got a response back. I let every single person I contacted know that I was getting my money back one way or another. I also let them know that I wanted my phone number removed and I wanted NO ONE to contact myself or my family ever again. I regularly stay at Hilton Hotels but never signed up for HGV. I guess my very straight forward approach worked because it only took one email back for them to refund me.

"Good afternoon
I would like to start off by apologizing on behalf of Hilton Grand Vacations.
We will be looking into this matter and making sure that this does not happen again.
Upon your request, your Hilton Grand Vacations Club Package has been cancelled .
The full amount of $298.48 has been refunded back to your Visa.
Please allow a few days for the amount to post.
We do apologize for any inconvenience this matter might have caused.
Please contact me if you have any questions or need further assistance.
Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

Danny"

Danny Mesa
Hilton Grand Vacations
6355 Metro West Blvd Suite 700, Orlando FL 32835
Guest Service Specialist
Monday – Friday 10.00am – 6.00 pm Eastern Time
Phone [protected] ext. 4533
dmesa@hgvc.com

Anyone having issues, try contacting Danny above. He was good, quick, and extremely helpful!

Hi we're British and on honeymoon in May 2013 at Florida Hilton sea world we bought into a hilton grand vacations club we deposited money to them via credit card since our return they have taken money out of my husbands account monthly we've paid out loads for maintenance n taxes ect but we now got a huge bill for £800 odd pounds it's for same thing all taxes n maintenance ect we realize from reading these comments and many others we've been miss sold.
We've had nothing in return we spent ages trying to access the site only to be told were not reg yet then finally we get on the site (if u can call it that) it's rubbish. We cannot book a holiday or nothing we feel we have been conned n trapped and as we're in Englad we cannot afford the cost of calling and hanging on the line and we have e-mailed them
several time and only get a reply to say e-mail another person or read your contract it's diabolical PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP US GET OUT OF THIS SCAM we are British and need to know what to do

Received a call last night from Hilton vacations and could not believe the sales tactics to have me purchase a stay in Hawaii. They wanted $1300 right then over the phone. Are you kidding me? I asked for the offer in writing but the sales lady proceeded to make me a better offer. In addition, I expressed that I wanted to consult my husband and asked for a number to call her back. The sales lady wanted me to place her on hold while I call my husband. That was the last straw on our conversation. I dropped the call. I cannot believe Hilton condones this type of sales campaign.

Like many of you, we too own a HGVC timeshare that is truly a waste of money! We paid in full when we bought it and did not receive all of the so-called promotions when we did! We too felt the huge shift in how they treat a prospective buyer and an owner - owners are not valued & actually treated like second class citizens. We have not only continued to pay and pay nickel & dime fees for rescue/point stretching, but also hefty maintenance & dues. The sad thing is that after having the timeshare for over 3 years, we finally used a few points for a couple of days in New York, but got socked with high housekeeping fees for a short stay & would have been better off using hilton honor points at a hotel. We can honestly say that this was the worst investment that we ever made and the biggest waste of thousands of dollars! Don't be fooled by HGVC's salespeople - they are good at what they do, but the HGVC timeshare program is not worth the years of frustration after you own it.

My husband and I got a call two days ago from HGV with offer to stay at either Las Vegas property of New York property and listen to a presentation. We really like Hilton Hotels and have been Honors members for many years (Diamond for a number of those), so we asked for a day or two to consult our schedules, check airfare etc. Like others have stated, we were given a strong pitch that we had to book the cheapest option now to hold the offer and could upgrade to the more expensive NY option when we called to schedule our visit. We were also offered other perks for this visit so said yes and gave a credit card number for the 3 night Las Vegas stay ($149 + Tax). We did our research and called back 2 days later to book the NY property and were told the price had gone up from $249 to $400. Asked for a manager who promised to pull taped call and get back to me. Never heard from her. Very angry and very very disappointed that Hilton lets this go on again and again. Really changes my view of the company and the stock whcih I was thinking of buying. Looks like I will file a complaint with my credit card company and the BBB and curtail my enthusiasm for (and stays with) Hilton properties.

We are just not rescinding our contract with HGVC, and I will see to it that we get our down payment back even if it requires contact the State Attorney of Hawaii. There are too many complaints from owners, and a firm that has integrity would not allow customers to express such a high degree of dissatisfaction and overt dishonesty toward the sales end and buying and use end of a timeshare.

I paid $199 for the Carlsbad vacation. Foolishly, I thought Hilton was reputable. A few days ago, I asked for a 3-day "vacation " for July 29, 30, 31. This is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I was told nothing was available in July. The saleswoman forgot to tell me that. Now I am trying to get my $199 refunded. I know that won't be easy. I don't care. I don't like being taken by Hilton like this. This is a scam.

1. We have every odd year ownership at HGVC Kingsland (Hawaii), but have to pay "club fees" (around $130 - $140) for the even year which we don't have any thing to do with it, I didn't know it when I bought it several years ago. We owned a even year week from another timeshare, never pay any fee on the odd year.
2. In the maintenance fees we paid to HGVC, there are Real Estate Taxes and Hawaii GE Tax included, but every times I used my own week (which we owned and paid taxes), we have to pay another $50 - $60 tax (trancient tax?) when checking out, but when I used timeshare exchange to stay in other resorts (not Hilton) in Hawaii, they didn't ask for any tax at all.
Is there any possibility to start a class action litigation against HGVC due to any or both of these two reasons?

We are Elite members and own at the Valdora Breckenridge, which is a great property, even though we've stayed just two times there. Just always looking for warm weather on our vacation. We have mostly been very happy, but feel a little limited on property choice if you aren't a big Las Vegas or Hawaii (inaccessible due to airfare). We've stayed numerous times at all Orlando Resorts, and our favoritye there is Tuscany, but Parc Soleil is nice a quiet, yet a little removed until more building happens. We really love the NY Club. Have stayed at South Beach (OK but no ammenities..typical of area), Villamaura (Portugal...very very nice), Flamingo Las Vegas..little dated at the time, but heard it was redone..great location. Indian River Plantation (dated..nice beach, but only recommend in high season cuz area very boring...could be better remodeled..more patched up..2.5 star at best.). One Marco property (average..just good beach, but really could be so much nicer.) Love the Club Intrawest - Sandestin when you can get in. Here is my big beef: The process of reserving in Sanibel, Marco, Club Intrawest, Mexico, is awful...You literally have to call in daily if not hourly to check inventory...awful process, and terrible process given how much they market the availabllities of these properties...they should pay members for all the time it takes to try to get into these properties. Also, we get this very nice Elite brochure every year highlighting nice properties we have access too (HA HA), and one year, the Napa property was on the first pages. I tried booking into this property for years, and it NEVER came up...most that ever came was one day if I could travel two days later. I ever worked with supervisors to call the property and they couldn't get it...So Hilton needs to stop promoting ANY property that isn't readily accessible to members. This is just not classy and is false advertising. I also think they need more Florida Beach Resorts...a new Hilton Hotel property on Longboat Key should be a vacation club. Look at Singer Island, and I have major Marriott Vacation Club Envy, or Siesta Key and I have major Hyatt Club envy. Also, the conversion points for HGVC to Hotels is AWFUL...I never use points..unless you want to blow 5000 on one Hilton hotel night. Hawaii properties look nice, but unless you are on the West Coast, flights now are never under $1000 so forget that. And too many properties are in Las Vegas. looking forward to Hilton Head and opening of Tuscany. Also agree that most of the RCI properties (except Club Intrawest) and just risky to stay in...just not luxury anymore...I'm sure there are some, but you can't trust the Crown ratings anymore. So, bottom line, we haven't been Unhappy, but wish we were more happy.

I paid $199.00 for a Myrtle Beach vacation, which we used last November. After attending the mendatory 2-hour presentation, we were given the $200.00 "Spend a night on us" gift certificate. No problems so far. However, after spending two nights at a Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, Massachussets, last January, I submitted the gift certificate along with the hotel's invoice for my refund. I just received their answer today. I do not qualify for a refund for two reasons: "the offer is valid at a Hilton hotel only" and "the offer is valid in United States only". On the certificate, it said "good at ANY Hilton Hotel in the US; to me, this means at any hotel part of the Hilton family. As far as I know, Springfield, MA, is in the United States. If you don't believe me, get a map of the United States out and verify. After receiving this type of answer and reading all of the above complaints, I am kind of really upset. I will now consider the Hilton name as a "FRAUD" and make sure I never do business with them any more. I have been a regular customer at Hilton hotels for years during my travels, but NEVER AGAIN. I will also send my story to French and English Consumer magazines throughout Canada.

I have been an owner since 1998, originally in 1998 at South Beach, went a presentation at the HGVC Las Vegas on the strip, and unfortunately upgraded to that property. Things were pretty good until Blackstone took over Hilton, and then the nickle and dimming started. It now cost me $59 to make a reservation at my own property, and that is on line. They are nothing but a bunch of PROSTITUTES that try to get everything they can out of you. I own several timeshare with various companies, Starwood, Diamond, Shell, Grand Pacific Resorts, VRI, and Marriott--By far Hilton is the WORST of all since Blackstone bought them out. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT BUY HILTON if you really want a timeshare. Make sure to check ALL the fees that they do not tell you about. BETTER YET, JUST GO TO "REDWEEK.COM", and buy a resell for a 10th of what they want to charge you. BETTER YET--JUST STAY AWAY FROM HILTON----PERIOD!

STAY FAR AWAY from ANY Hilton Grand Vacation Club ownership! I cannot emphasize enough what a HUGE financial mistake it is to purchase so called "ownership". You own absolutely nothing but a bunch of points which are a big headache and hassle to manipulate. We made the bone-headed mistake of signing a contract while in Orlando Parc Solei. The spider Salesman spun a sticky web for us, by quickly jotting down a bunch of numbers meant to illustrate how hotel ownership was much better than simply renting, and how we would come out ahead in the long run, but didn't say exactly how long that would be. The presentation is intended to make you believe that you can travel all over the world and stay in top notch Hilton Resorts, that as an owner you are treated as a VIP, get the finest rooms in the hotel, and an assortment of amenities. They try to sell you on the flexibility of the program, stating that you can travel anywhere you want and at anytime, simply by logging in to the website and in a few clicks, viola, your vacation is all set. They never tell you how little or nonexistent the room availability is in their best locations, or how you have to book 9-12 months in advance, and be disappointed even then. Or how you have to settle for much lesser quality hotels, and not know what you will get. And then there are the endless fees, for EVERYTHING you try to do. There is a fee for making a reservation, for changing the date, for cancelling, for letting someone else use your timeshare, for exchanging with RCI, for converting your points, borrowing your points, rolling over your points, rescuing your points, stretching your points, it goes on and on. Who needs this hassle of worrying about manipulating or losing your points every year? Don't believe any numbers the salesperson puts in front of you, the salespeople are well trained machines, programmed to decieve, connive, brainwash and manipulate the innocent consumer. When I finally pulled out my contract at home and did some number crunching, I was shocked and appalled at what a truly disasterous financial arrangement it was! The salesman's numbers looked nothing like the reality of what I'd be paying. Here are the cold hard numbers: 7000 points for a purchase price of $45, 000 (that was supposed to be a discounted price, the list price was $50, 000). This I was told would buy me 7 nights In a one bedroom suite during prime weeks. Mind you that prime weeks are considered all summer months as well as thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and spring break months, in other words, the only times my husband and I can get time off to travel. I put $5, 100 down payment, financed the rest with Hilton at 10.75% for 5 years. Yearly maintenance was at $1350. Payments came out to $865 per month, equaling $10, 385 per year. Let's look at a 5 year scenario: After 5 years I would have paid $57, 037 which includes my initial down payment. Add to that another $6, 750 for 5 years of maintenance fees and I'm at $63, 787. This does not even include all the other fees mentioned above, or the yearly club membership fee, or the fact that the maintenance fee is sure to increase each year. So, assuming I went on a 7 night vacation each year for the next 5 years (and used all my 7000 points), $63, 787 divided by 35 nights, it would cost me a whopping $1, 822 per night for the room alone! I stretched these same numbers out over a 10 year and 20 year period, and increased the maintenance fee to $1450 for years 5-10 and $1650 for years 10-20. Using these numbers and assuming I spend 7 nights in a hotel every year, after 10 years I would have paid $1, 015 per night and after 20 years, $625 per night. At these rates, it's easy to see that for many years to come you could easily book a fabulous hotel for the vacations of your dreams, including airfare, food, beverage and entertainment for less than "vacation ownership". And best of all, you can travel whenever and wherever you want with no lifetime (and beyond) commitment, no rules, regulations, requirements, restrictions, no complicated point system, no hidden fees. Just the freedom to travel, or not, as you please, thank you!
Now for the BEST part of my story: I thank God every day, that I read my contract and was within the 10 day cancellation period, and rescinded just in the nick of time. I urge anyone who already signed a contract and still has time to cancel to really do their math and see what the true costs will be, not only in dollars but in the stress and aggravation and time spent trying to work this crazy point system, and being bound to a lifetime of maintenance fees, etc, whether you use it or not. If you strongly feel after much consideration that you want to own a points based time share, please don't buy from the hotel and get badly scourged. Look into the secondary market, as so many others have said. And remember that your time share has practically no value if you try to sell it, and becomes part of your estate when you pass, and your children will inherit a financial burden. God bless all!

We purchased a Time Share in Las Vegas in 2013. We bought property in Mar Brisas, Carlsbad, California. We have enjoyed our vacations every time we have used our points. We take time to research the locations we reserve and have been very happy thus far. We stayed in Hawaii, Las Vegas (Elara), Carlsbad, Intrawest Ixtapa, Mexico - (my absolute favorite). Is it worth all the money we are spending? Sometimes I wonder? Some of these locations you would have to spend $300-$500 a night for 7 nights. The maintenance fees are unreasonably high, but we love the amenities that come with a full kitchen. So there are pluses and minuses. I would agree that once the sale is made, you are on your own to resolve any problems. That's when I get very upset with Hilton; typical sales organization. Every year they contact us with another upgrade, for additional money, with more bonus points, and higher maintenance fees. You have to know how to use their system, how to select non seasonal locations and I suppose it helps that we are retired. We probably would have never used this time share while we were working...so you may want to think about that. Your family annual income certainly should be considered when making this decision. We have used our timeshare with our grandchildren and they love it. I admit that we love our Vacation Timeshare, but it is very painful to have to work with the organization to make reservation changes and financial dept is a pain in the ### when there are discrepancies. Lets face it folks, Customer Service in this country is not what it used to be! I hope this helps your decision to purchase.

I was hard sold a deal and since then I have not even been able to get in touch with anyone. It cost me around $800 and now they are saying its out of date apparently (via my Credit Card who I went to for help) - I am at my wits end. Emails have been sent, I have never received any further information other than the pushy sales person phoned me and took the money from my Credit Card. If anyone can help at all then I would appreciate your contact.