By now we’re sure you’ve seen them.
 
All those slick Hilton commercials with the company’s advertising slogan: 
 
“Hilton. For the stay.”
 
Like it’s a win just to get in on some Hilton action.
 
But peruse the hundreds of comments about Hilton Grand Vacations on Reddit, and you’ll find quite a few owners who think the exact opposite is true: 
 
If you get the chance to go all in on Hilton, STAY AWAY!
 
Here’s the advice one owner shared when a newcomer asked:
 
 “What’s Your Hilton Grand Vacations Membership Experience?”
 
“Their salespeople are crooks and lie.”
 
Uh-oh. That certainly doesn’t sound like a win for the owners.
 
“They tell and sell you that the points never change. But they do.”
 
Can you give us an example?
 
“In the first year at the exact location, my 150,000 points would get me 16 days when we bought the timeshare.”
 
Given that timeshare company points tend to be a little like Monopoly money – and just as worthless in the real world – it’s hard to know whether that was a good deal.
 
But let’s play along.
 
“Last year it was 14 days for my 150,000 points; this year, it is 12 days for my 150,000 points, 
 
“And I just checked for next year, the same week every year. It is now 200,000 points to get seven days.”
 
They calculate their 150,000 Hilton Grand Vacations points are now “equal to four days.”
 
FOUR DAYS?????
 
That’s 75% fewer than when they bought into Hilton!
 
Unfortunately, this owner can see what’s coming.
 
“In two more years, you will not get any days.”
 
“Stay away.”
 
Indeed.
 
And here’s the kicker:
 
“Their maintenance fees have jumped 17%.”
 
That’s right, while Hilton’s funny money points are worth less and less, Hilton is requiring owners to pay more and more real dollars just to stay!
 
Or, in this owner’s case, stay away.
 
Sounds like the only person in for the win at Hilton Grand Vacations is CEO Mark Wang. Let’s email him at mark.wang@hgv.com and ask when he’s going to start letting owners stay at the timeshares they paid for.
 
“Hilton. For the Stay Away” isn’t exactly a winning campaign. Let’s ask Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, if he would agree. You can email him at christopher.nassetta@hilton.com.
 
Jason Gamel, the President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the trade association that represents the timeshare industry in Washington, DC, is responsible for encouraging people to stay at a timeshare. Let’s email him at jgamel@arda.org to see if he thinks Mark Wang is helping his cause.

And while we wait to hear back from any of them, let’s consider that timeshare consumers are long overdue for an official “bill of rights” that prevents them from being sold a dream and delivered a nightmare by timeshare companies like Hilton Grand Vacations.

To answer this very concern, U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) have introduced the Timeshare Transparency Act (S.3502). The Timeshare Transparency Act (TTA) sets out clear, commonsense requirements for timeshare companies, so consumers understand exactly what they are purchasing:  

• Total Cost Disclosure: Requires a single document itemizing all acquisition and maintenance costs (including fee increases).
• 14-Day Cancellation Period: Grants buyers in all states a 14-day, penalty-free period to cancel contracts.
• Exit Options: Requires clear, documented procedures for exiting ownership.
• Review Period: Allows buyers to review documents privately without high-pressure sales staff present.
• FTC Enforcement: Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these regulations. 

Importantly, the bill preserves states’ rights to enact and enforce even stronger consumer protections in the timeshare marketplace.
To be considered further by the U.S. Congress, the Timeshare Transparency Act needs more support.  If you agree, contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative.  Tell them you support the Timeshare Transparency Act (S.3502). Tell your representatives you’re tired of seeing families “misled and flat-out lied to” by an industry that seems to value profits over fairness and transparency.

• Find your Senator: senate.gov
• Find your Representative: house.gov

Having trouble with the stays at your own timeshare company? Contact your company’s leaders by using this list of ARDA VIPs.
  
Know a timeshare company others should stay away from? Help us spread the word by sending your story to us at info@timesharefacts.com 
  
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