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Re: I'm interested in buying Hilton or Hyatt VC - Why have so many hit the resale market? (by Kathi L.):
lisam512-
We own a fairly new oceanfront 2 bedroom at a Marriott resort in Hilton Head, SC. We belong to II.
First, like Jayjay, I don't know much about points, since Marriott doesn't use them. But the season you own (at least in II) counts for a lot, and the 'high' season obviously changes depending on where your resort is located.
If you own at Hilton Head in Bronze season (only a few weeks a year around Christmas and first week of January), your possible trading power is very low since few people want to go to a beach location that will be fairly cool if not cold that time of year. And by the way the salesmen don't mention that you'll have some trouble trading that week if you buy it!
Silver season is a little better timewise - late Fall and very early Spring. Gold season at HH is end August til early November and mid March through beginning of June, ideal times (weather wise) at Hilton Head since humidity is low and temps are warm - great for golf (which is a big thing at HH) and usually fine for ocean water too (except March and early April). This season has pretty good trading power.
High season at HH (due to beach and summer vacations) is Platinum - early June through most of August and has the highest trading power.
But that is all at HH - at a resort in say Colorado where skiiing is the big thing, the Platinum weeks are probably the Silver weeks at HH, or perhaps the Bronze HH weeks.
So I think the season does matter, at least in the Marriott system. And, having traded into many other Marriott timeshares, I'd really suggest that you add them to your research since every one I've stayed in has been top notch and they seem to cater to families.