Looking to join the Hyatt Vacation Club? Buying resale points can save you thousands of dollars! However, HVC’s point system can be a bit confusing for first-time buyers. If you’re confused about portfolio vs. platinum points, and how they apply to Hyatt Vacation Club resales, you’re not alone. Let’s break down the ins and outs of Hyatt vacation ownership.
The Ins and Outs of Hyatt Vacation Club Resale
The HVC is in the middle of a merger, and there are many kinks to work out. So here are some pitfalls to be aware of when buying Hyatt Vacation Club resale points.
Platinum vs Portfolio
The Hyatt Vacation Club is actually a rebranding of two other vacation clubs: the Hyatt Residence Club and Welk Resorts. These brands merged in 2021, and both fall under the Hyatt Vacation Club banner. Yet, despite sharing an owner, a name, and many benefits, they’re two distinct vacation ownership programs.
Hyatt Vacation Club now splits its offerings into two collections: Heritage and Platinum. The Heritage Collection consists of most former Hyatt Residence Club resorts. The Platinum collection includes the former Welk resorts, along with a few extras. Each of these collections has its own associated point system: Portfolio for the Heritage Collection, and Platinum for the Platinum Collection.
Here’s the first pitfall you might run into: Portfolio and Platinum points are not directly interchangeable. They’re just rebrandings of the point systems that Hyatt Residence Club and Welk Resorts used before the merger, and use completely different point charts.
If you look at our marketplace, you might see Platinum Points going for mere cents each; a fraction of the price of Portfolio points. However, it costs considerably more points to book a stay at a Platinum Collection resort than it does to stay at an equivalent Heritage resort. It might help to think of Platinum Resorts’ prices in cents rather than dollars.
Exchanging HVC Points
If you want to use your Platinum points to book a stay at a Heritage resort (or vice versa), you need to exchange them via Interval International. Membership in II is included as a benefit of your ownership, even if you buy resale. However, you’ll still need to pay a transaction fee.
So why all the extra hoops? The reason is that Platinum and Portfolio points don’t have a set exchange rate. To understand the value of a specific point, we need to know the home resort it’s linked to, the use year, and whether it’s part of an annual-use timeshare or one that can only be used in even or odd years. That’s before we get into legacy ownership styles, such as fixed-week stays.
Hyatt Vacation Club Heritage Resorts
The Hyatt Vacation Club Portfolio program includes properties in Sedona, Key West, and San Antonio, among many others.
Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe
Sedona, AZ, is a popular wellness retreat thanks to its fresh air, inspiring vistas, and pleasant weather. Many believe the area is home to vortexes of energy, whether that is electromagnetic fields or the spirit of the earth itself. Because of this, Sedona has become a hub of new-age wellness, and you’ll often find people meditating, practicing yoga, and engaging in spiritual and metaphysical practices.
While there’s no scientific evidence of healing energy vortexes, the belief in them is part of the city’s vibe. People believe the land has restorative, mood-boosting qualities, and cultivate an atmosphere that supports those things. So even if you don’t believe in vortexes, Sedona is a great place to relax and take some time for yourself.
Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe is located in the heart of Sedona, with spectacular views of the red sandstone peaks that surround the area. This Hyatt resort featured pueblo-inspired architecture, perfectly in tune with the surrounding landscape. Inside each suite and villa, you’ll find additional southwest-inspired accents that pay tribute to the region’s beauty and history.
Villas are available in one- and two-bedroom options, with a full kitchen, large living area, spa tub, private balcony or patio, and a fireplace. There are also studios available for shorter stays. Outside of your room, you can bask in the vortex of a whirlpool spa or admire the Arizona skies by the pool.
Hyatt Vacation Club at Beach House
Key West, FL, is the southernmost point in the continental United States, just 90 miles from Cuba. Perhaps because of this extremity, Key West is like a world of its own, something which locals eagerly embrace.
Back in 1982, Key West held a mock secession from the United States in protest of a Border Patrol roadblock that was disrupting local tourism. The new “micronation” was called the Conch Republic, and immediately declared “war” on the United States by breaking a stale loaf of Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a naval uniform. A minute later, the “prime minister” (actually the Mayor) surrendered and requested a billion dollars in foreign aid.
The whole secession was just a publicity stunt. Key West remains a part of the United States, as it ever has. But the Conch Republic story has endured through local legend, kitchey souvenir shops, and the occasional spot of good-natured civil disobedience. Now it’s a symbol of the island’s off-beat culture.
The Hyatt Vacation Club at Beach House is one of several Heritage Collection resorts on Key West, situated right where the Gulf meets the Atlantic. The name Beach House isn’t just a fancy descriptor. This resort is a Key West-style beach house writ large, with the signature wrap-around verandas and pastel colors.
The vibes continue inside, where spacious rooms are decorated in an elevated, Conch-style. Clean whites and ocean blues intermingle, with light gold accents evocative of Florida’s famous beaches. Coffee tables are adorned with island maps, while circular mirrors feature accents evocative of a porthole or a life preserver. It’s a subdued, nautical style: undeniable, yet comforting rather than overwhelming—the perfect place to call home during your vacation time.
Hyatt Vacation Club Platinum Resorts
Many Platinum Collection properties were formerly Welk Resorts. These tend to be in popular vacation spots like San Diego, Cabo, and Lake Tahoe.
Hyatt Vacation Club at The Welk
The Welk has an unusual history. Originally a simple motel and motor home community, TV Bandleader Lawrence Welk purchased the property in 1964. Welk would stage performances at the new property, which soon grew into a popular tourist destination. By the 1980s, Welk’s son had turned the resort into a pioneer in the vacation ownership industry.
The Welk is a destination unto itself, with eight swimming pools, two golf courses, tennis courts, axe-throwing, a rec room with an arcade, a live theater, and a museum dedicated to Welk. Though you didn’t come to San Diego to stay at the hotel, did you? Attractions such as SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo are just a short drive away.
The Welk offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas with full kitchens and private outdoor areas. Rooms are well-appointed, with granite countertops and artfully placed fireplaces. Ever want a bathroom fireplace? You will after staying here.
Hyatt Vacation Club at Sirena del Mar
Located in gorgeous Cabo San Lucas, MX, this oceanfront resort is perched on the rocky cliffs above the Sea of Cortez. This seven-acre resort offers some of the most picturesque views in HVC’s catalog. You can get a relaxing couple’s massage while watching the sun sink below the Pacific, or lounge by one of two infinity pools while basking in the sea breeze. There’s even a secluded cove for those looking to spend a day at the beach.
The resort draws on Mexico’s distinctive architecture and design, combining the clean, white-linen aesthetic of a seaside resort with prominent archways and earth-tone accents reminiscent of a hacienda-style estate. Each well-appointed villa, equipped with all the elevated amenities you would expect from a timeshare, is the perfect place to rest between days relaxing by the sea.
What Hyatt Vacation Club Resale Points Should You Buy?
That depends on your preferred destinations. When buying a timeshare, it’s wise to choose a home resort you’ll enjoy staying at year after year. That will be the easiest resort to book, so a little forethought can save you a lot of heartache in the long run.
In most cases, the choice is made for you. A destination typically has either a Platinum or a Heritage resort, not both. Want to stay in Sedona? You need Portfolio points. Looking to chill in Cabo? You need Platinum points. However, there are exceptions, the most notable being in Lake Tahoe.
Both collections offer comparable accommodations and amenities, including fully equipped kitchens and private patios, so it’s really a matter of personal preference. Still not sure which to pick? We’ve got overviews of former Welk and Residence Club resorts to help you decide.
Hyatt Vacation Club Resale vs Direct: What’s the Difference?
Many vacation ownership developers include extra perks to incentivize prospective owners to buy direct, and Hyatt is no exception. There are three retail-only benefits for Hyatt Vacation Club members: World of Hyatt, Jaunts, and BEYOND.
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt is Hyatt’s rewards program, similar to Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. Members receive perks such as club lounge access, premium internet, and complimentary breakfast at select hotels. Owners who buy their points directly from the developer can convert their Hyatt Vacation Club points to World of Hyatt points and earn additional points during their stay.
Converting timeshare points to rewards points is generally a bad idea. It’s an option if your points are about to expire, but you’ll lose considerable value in the process. Many of the World of Hyatt benefits are also tailored for hotels, rather than timeshare properties. There are also alternative ways to earn World of Hyatt points, such as credit cards and standard hotel stays, so this benefit isn’t worth the added expense.
Jaunts
Jaunts are HVC’s spontaneous travel option, letting you save points when booking last-minute trips. These are sort of like vacation flash sales: discounted rates for select reservations less than 60 days away. You can find Jaunts on HVC’s ownership portal, though there’s no set pattern for their release.
This benefit runs counter to the underlying idea of timeshares: a consistent, guaranteed vacation. Many timeshare owners plan their vacations months in advance, often at the same time every year. A Jaunt can be a fun way to mix things up, but you’re not really saving money. Buying points on the resale market will save you much more in the long run than booking Jaunts, and give you much more control over when and where you stay.
BEYOND
BEYOND gives HVC owners access to curated experiences, including tours, cruises, and stays at all-inclusive resorts. You can also convert Hyatt Vacation Club points into destination credits, which you can put toward food, drinks, activities, and merchandise.
The ability to convert your points into these other experiences is nice, but it’s not exclusive to BEYOND. All Hyatt Vacation Club members receive complimentary membership in Interval International, whether they purchase direct or resale. This opens you up to a much broader range of experiential vacations than BEYOND provides.
The Power of Buying Hyatt Vacation Club Resale Points
Here’s a secret: timeshare resales are one of the best ways to get into vacation ownership. While developers can offer incidental benefits to direct buyers, these benefits are ultimately dwarfed by the high overhead costs.
Buying a timeshare on the resale market means your money can go a long way. You can often save 50% or more off the retail price. You still receive all the same amenities and accommodations that Hyatt offers, such as fully equipped kitchens, large living rooms, and multiple bedrooms with king beds. You’re just paying significantly less.
Now, it’s not all sunshine and margaritas. Hyatt timeshare resales come with a few caveats, just like any other timeshare. Most people in the resale market are looking to exit their timeshare because they can no longer afford the annual fees. Once you get the deed, you’ll be responsible for those fees, so make sure you can afford them before taking the leap.
Our marketplace highlights the annual maintenance fee for each listing, so you can be confident when including it in your calculations. We also offer a finance calculator, powered by our friends at Vacation Club Loans, so that you can figure out the monthly cost of your new vacation home. Just be aware that those calculations don’t include maintenance fees, closing costs, and transfer fees.
Sell Your Timeshare With Fidelity Real Estate
Are you looking to exit your timeshare responsibly? We can help. Fidelity Real Estate is one of the most trusted names in the timeshare resale market, with decades of experience. Our licensed real estate brokers have helped hundreds of timeshare owners like you find their timeshares a new home.
Curious? Want to learn more? Fill out the form below, or send us an email at [email protected] to get started. Or you can call us at (407) 477-7987.
We’re looking forward to helping you.
