Hilton Grand Vacations has finally announced their long-awaited HGV Max program, and shed some light on it’s newest vacation membership offering. Looking for a comprehensive guide to HGV Max? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss what HGV Max is and what benefits it offers. We’ll also provide some tips on deciding if this new membership offering is for you or not. So, whether you’re just starting your research or you’re ready to make a purchase, read on for all the information you need.
What Is HGV Max?
Hilton has billed HGV Max as “its largest expansion of membership offerings since Hilton’s inception”, but what does that really mean? By purchasing HGV Max, members stand to gain access to the following benefits:
Visit More Properties In More Destinations
Since Hilton’s acquisition of Diamond Resorts International, and the subsequent adjustment of Hilton’s ClubPoint values, there has been an incredible amount of speculation as to how Hilton plans to integrate the Diamond resorts and what this would mean for owners. Now, we seemingly have some answers. Hilton has been working to rebrand a handful of Diamond Resorts to Hilton Vacation Club (HVC) resorts, and thus create an additional club under Hilton’s umbrella of vacation ownership offerings. By purchasing an HGV Max membership, an owner would gain access to both the Hilton Grand Vacation (HGV) Resorts as well as Diamond Resorts properties, which includes the newly rebranded Hilton Vacation Club (HVC) resorts under one booking system. Hilton is citing an expanded portfolio of more than 140 properties, that features access to the Diamond resorts network starting six months or less before check-out.
Also, as Hilton expands and builds additional resorts, HGV Max owners would gain access to them as they come online.
Private Concerts with Top Artists & Exclusive Events
Hilton has promised a series of private concerts with artists such as Lee Brice, Carly Pearce, Joey Fatone and Boyz II Men as well as chef dinners, meet-and-greets with celebrities and more. Hilton has over 4,000 events planned across the globe that are designed to appeal to the next generation of travelers. The Hilton brand seems to be leaning heavily on the experiential quality of travel and highlights that these events would be exclusive to HGV Max members and their invited guests.
Complimentary Guest Certificates
HGV Max members would be entitled to receive complimentary Guest Certificates allotted annually (based on Member tiers). Hilton has stated that this benefit will become available in late 2022.
Discounts On Hilton Hotels
HGV Max members would receive a discounted rate when booking Hilton hotels, providing a 10% savings off the regularly published rates on reservations at over 6,800 Hilton hotels and resorts.
HGV Max Membership Tiers
There are six tiers under the HGV Max membership:
| Member |
|
|---|---|
| Preferred |
|
| Preferred+ |
|
| Premier |
|
| Premier+ |
|
| Centum+ |
|
Is There A Way To Join HGV Max Without Buying Additional Timeshare Interests?
Currently, there are two ways to become an HGV Max member. Firstly, all new purchases of an additional timeshare directly through Hilton will be automatically opted-in to the new membership. Alternatively, owners who have previously purchased their timeshare interest directly from Hilton can pay to become a member. The following chart illustrates the costs involved in paying to become a member without purchasing an additional timeshare interest:
| Activation Fee (per contract) | $199 |
|---|---|
| Ownership Change Fee | $450 |
| HGV Max Initiation Fee | $7,000 |
If I Become An HGV Max Member, Do I Pay Any Additional Fees?
Yes, your annual Club Dues, annual maintenance fees, and some transaction fees can change due to the purchase of an additional timeshare interest. Regardless of an additional purchase of a timeshare interest, HGV Max Club Dues will be $281 annually, whereas the normal Hilton Grand Vacations Club Dues are $193, as of 2022.
How Does This Affect Current Hilton Grand Vacations Owners That Don’t Join HGV Max?
All existing benefits and features afforded to current Hilton Grand Vacations owners will continue to work exactly as before. Ownership benefits will not change at all if you decide HGV Max is not for you. Existing owners will not be penalized in any way for choosing not to become a member.
Are Hilton Grand Vacations Resales Eligible For HGV Max?
Owners who purchased their Hilton ClubPoints on the resale market are not eligible for the HGV Max program at this time.
Will HGV Max Have An Impact On Availability For Club Members Who Do Not Buy Into HGV Max?
Home Week Priority reservation windows will remain completely unaltered, and HGV Max will have no impact on your ability to reserve your Home Week. Also, HGV owners with Home Resort Priority or Hilton Club Priority booking windows will not be affected. HGV Max reservations can only be made after the Club Season booking window for HGV resorts, and starting six months or less before check-in for Diamond resorts.
Should You Purchase HGV Max?
As with every purchase, you’ll have to weigh what is important to you. As an existing HGV owner, if you are dying to travel to Diamond resorts, see value in attending the events, have the large amount of money Hilton is charging for this new program, and are okay with paying higher annual fees, it may be of value to you.
The HGV resort portfolio is still regarded as Hilton’s top-tier, most-luxurious timeshare offering in their vacation ownership portfolio, whereas Diamond Resorts (soon to be rebranded as Hilton Vacation Club) is being offered as a lower-level sub-brand, which has been stated by Hilton directly. It is our humble opinion that a Hilton Grand Vacations ownership, which can be accessed through a Hilton resale for thousands less than retail prices, is still the best value you will find in Hilton’s vacation club offerings.
Learn More About Hilton Grand Vacations Resale
If you’d like to learn more about Hilton resale, feel free to contact us by filling out a form. We’ll have one of our licensed Real Estate agents reach out to you for a free consultation to determine if purchasing a Hilton Grand Vacations ownership on the resale market is right for you.
If you’d like to see Hilton’s commentary on the launch of their new HGV Max program, we’ve included their official press release on the matter below.
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 12, 2022) – Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV), the industry-leading global vacation ownership company, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and as part of this milestone HGV is announcing its largest expansion of membership offerings since its inception. This includes the addition of HGV Max, a new membership program, and HGV Ultimate Access, an experiential events platform.
HGV Max will provide members with exceptional features and benefits, including the ability to visit more properties in more destinations. HGV Max members will also have access to invitation-only special events and exclusive discounts across Hilton’s global network of more than 6,800 hotels and resorts.
HGV Ultimate Access will showcase private concerts with top artists including Lee Brice, Carly Pearce, Joey Fatone and Boyz II Men as well as chef dinners, meet-and-greets with celebrities and more. This events platform will be available exclusively to members and invited guests and is designed to appeal to the next generation of travelers. More than 4,000 events are planned for this year at HGV properties worldwide.
“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary and this exciting next chapter, we’re thrilled to launch our new membership program, HGV Max, which offers enhanced and elevated benefits to members,” said Mark Wang, president and CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations. “In addition, HGV Ultimate Access is reimagining the future of travel with exclusive access to exciting shows, beloved entertainers and experiential offerings.”
HGV’s recent acquisition of Diamond Resorts created the largest upper upscale and luxury timeshare operator with the broadest variety of global destinations in the vacation ownership industry, and HGV Max members are anticipated to have access to this expanded portfolio later this year. Starting in the first quarter, HGV kicked-off rebranding Diamond’s leisure resorts and sales centers, which will be elevated under the new Hilton Vacation Club brand. The first group of properties expected to be rebranded are in sought-after destinations such as Orlando, Scottsdale, Williamsburg and Sedona.
In celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary, HGV is also announcing its 30 for 30 campaign that will expand on the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, HGV Serves, underscoring the importance of giving back. Through 30 volunteer and philanthropic initiatives, HGV will focus on supporting organizations based on four philanthropic areas including disaster relief, homelessness, veterans and youth development. The first initiative includes the completion of a successful $50,000 matching gift campaign with the American Red Cross to assist with domestic disaster relief efforts.
“Without the support of the amazing communities we call home, this historic milestone would not be possible,” said Pablo Brizi, executive vice president, chief human resources officer & corporate affairs at Hilton Grand Vacations. “Throughout our 30th anniversary year, we’re proud to expand our efforts to provide critical resources to those in need in our communities, across the country and around the world.”
