It is no secret that purchasing Hilton Grand Vacations on the resale market will provide you with huge savings. However, something you may not know, is that buying direct from retail can provide you with Elite Status, once you reach 22,400 ClubPoints or higher. You may find yourself wondering what the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Elite benefits are, and more importantly, are they worth the price of buying retail?
What is Elite Status, and Who Qualifies?
Elite Status occurs when someone purchases enough Hilton Grand Vacations Club points directly from the developer. Elite Status provides extra benefits to owners, and is broken up into multiple tiers.
As of February 24th, 2022, all HGV ClubPoints values were increased by 60%. This means 1 ClubPoint was increased to 1.6 points for both the number of ClubPoints existing owners receive each year, and the number of ClubPoints it takes to book a reservation.
In light of that recent change, Hilton has also adjusted the thresholds for Elite tiers to scale proportionally.
| Membership Tier | Before Adjustment | After Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 0 to 13,999 ClubPoints | 0 to 22,399 ClubPoints |
| Elite | 14,000 to 23,999 ClubPoints | 22,400 to 38,399 ClubPoints |
| Elite Plus | 24,000 to 33,999 ClubPoints | 38,400 to 54,399 ClubPoints |
| Elite Premier | 34,000 ClubPoints and Up | 54,400 ClubPoints and Up |
Again, all of the points will need to be purchased directly from HGV in order to qualify for Elite Status. Since it is more expensive to purchase direct, this means that Elite Status is given to only the most expensive HGV owners.
What Are Elite Status Benefits?
Benefits vary depending on the Elite Status tier that you buy into. For the purposes of this article, we will be sharing the benefits that owners receive at the standard Elite Status, which is granted at 22,400 direct points. The more points, the more benefits owners can expect, but the more money they can expect to spend as well.
| Offer | Elite 22,400 ClubPoints |
Elite Plus 38,400 ClubPoints |
Elite Premier 54,400 ClubPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to RCI Select Exchange Opportunities | |||
| Dedicated team of Elite Specialists | |||
| Exclusive Elite Experiential Offers | |||
| Dedicated Elite section on the Club Website | |||
| Elite check-in area and room key at select Club locations | |||
| Hilton Honors Membership | Gold elite | Gold elite | Diamond elite |
| Annual Lyft credit | — | — | $250 |
| Discounted upgrade fee on additional vacation ownership purchases at select properties | — | 50% | 100% |
| Convert any number of annual allotment of current year ClubPoints to Hilton Honors points at 1:16 ratio | — | ||
| Upgrades to next-best available unit type, within the same suite size, for Club and Home Resort reservations (when available) | — | ||
| Reduced Hilton Grand Vacations Club reservation fees using Club Points | Save $10 Online Online = $49 (regularly $59) Phone = $99 |
Save $20 Online Online = $39 (regularly $59) Phone = $99 |
Save up to $99 Online and Phone fees are complimentary |
| Reduced Hilton Grand Vacations Club reservation fees using Bonus Points | Save $10 Online Online = $69 (regularly $79) Phone = $109 |
Save $20 Online Online = $59 (regularly $79) Phone = $109 |
Save up to $109 Online and Phone fees are complimentary |
| Reduced Hilton Grand Vacations Club Saved Points transaction fees (Jan-Aug) | — | Save up to $30 Online Online = $84 (regularly $104) Phone = $114 |
Save up to $114 Online and Phone fees are complimentary |
| Waived Reservation Fee for 7-night incremental stays at Hilton Grand Vacations Club properties | |||
| Access to Kings’ Land on-site amenities while staying at Kohala Suites or The Bay Club | |||
| Special pricing on additional vacation ownership purchases | |||
| Open Season discount | 10% | 15% | 30% |
| Elite Advantage reservation windows at Club Affiliated Resorts | |||
| Luxury vacation exchange opportunities via The Registry Collection | — | — | |
| 10% discount on Hilton Grand Vacations Club merchandise at select HGV Club resorts | — | ||
| Access to Villas of Distinction – Ability to utilize ClubPoints and cash on a selection of thousands of luxurious villas in more than 50 destinations around the world |
Elite-Only Booking
One of the benefits of being granted an Elite Status is the ability to book your Hilton Grand Vacations Club property by using the Elite only website or the Elite only phone line. Both the website and the phone line are dedicated solely for Elite usages so you are able to book an HGV reservation with shorter wait times.
When checking in, there is also an Elite only check in area for those with this exclusive membership. When checked in, owners will also have an Elite only room key for select Hilton properties.
Discounts
Elite owners will be eligible for discounts on various items including:
- Merchandise on the HGV online store
- Select HGV partner services such as guided tours or cruises
- Discounted club dues
- No fee for booking a seven consecutive night stay
- 10% off Open Season reservations
King’s Land Clubhouse
For those who enjoy staying at Waikoloa Beach Resort and The Bay Club at Waikoloa, having an Elite Status will grant owners access to the King’s Landing Clubhouse during their stay on the property.
Is Elite Status Worth the Price?
Deciding whether or not Elite Status is worth the cost is ultimately a personal choice. On one hand, purchasing the points directly will allow for you to take advantage of every benefit the resorts have to offer, if you do not have much of a concern about the considerable higher cost up front. The value of Elite Status is not in monetary savings but more in the benefits.
Unless you are planning on purchasing 22,400 points or more, you will not qualify for Elite Status regardless of whether you buy HGV retail or resale. However, buying your HGV contract on the resale market will always save you a considerable amount of money on your initial purchase price, sometimes up to 60-70% Hilton’s direct pricing. Many HGV buyers would prefer the best value when purchasing the ownership, opposed to paying much more for added benefits that are not guaranteed, and have historically changed through time.
Conclusion
Now that you understand exactly what benefits come with Hilton Grand Vacations Elite Status, you can better make your decision on whether purchasing direct or resale is the right choice for you. If you wish to know more about Elite Status benefits versus the savings of purchasing an HGV resale, fill in a contact form and talk to one of our licensed agents who will be happy to assist you!
