How and why to book Bluegreen Vacations resorts through Choice Hotels
Bluegreen Vacations, an American private vacation ownership brand owned by Hilton Grand Vacations, is best known for its timeshare properties. But you don't have to purchase a timeshare to stay at a Bluegreen Vacations resort — you can book 15 Bluegreen Vacations properties through Choice Hotels. You can even redeem Choice Privileges points for your Bluegreen Vacations stay.
These 15 Bluegreen Vacations properties are great for families and groups of friends, as they offer apartment-style multibedroom units with full kitchens and resort-style pools. So here's what you need to know about booking Bluegreen Vacations properties through Choice.
What is Bluegreen Vacations?
You can buy timeshare properties or interests through Bluegreen Vacations. Bluegreen Vacations holds timeshare presentations at many properties, which travelers can attend in exchange for discounted nights and other benefits.
Most Bluegreen Vacations resorts offer studio suites to three-bedroom condos. Each unit usually has a full kitchen, living room, dining area, balcony or porch and washer and dryer.
Bluegreen Vacations also has resorts all around the U.S. You can buy a timeshare interest in these resorts, but you can also book stays at them through Choice Hotels, even if you have no interest in buying a timeshare or attending a presentation.
Related: Why I bought a timeshare — and am really happy about it
Bluegreen Vacations locations you can book through Choice
You can currently book the following 15 Bluegreen Vacations locations through Choice Hotels:
- Banner Elk, N.C.: Blue Ridge Village, an Ascend Resort
- Big Bear Lake, Calif.: The Club at Big Bear Village
- Chicago, Ill.: Hotel Blake, Ascend Hotel Collection
- Dennis Port, Mass.: The Breakers Resort and The Soundings Seaside Resort
- Gordonsville, Va.: Shenandoah Crossing, Ascend Resort Collection
- Las Vegas, Nev.: Club 36, Ascend Resort Collection
- Lincoln, N.H: South Mountain, Ascend Resort Collection
- Myrtle Beach, S.C.: Harbour Lights, Ascend Resort Collection
- Orlando, Fla.: The Fountains, Ascend Resort Collection
- Peoria, Ariz.: Cibola Vista Resort and Spa
- San Antonio, Texas: Eilan Hotel and Spa, Ascend Resort Collection
- Williamsburg, Va.: Parkside Williamsburg and Patrick Henry Square, Ascend Resort Collection
- Wisconsin Dells, Wis: Christmas Mountain Village
The Banner Elk in North Carolina location is great for visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Big Bear Lake resort is perfect for skiing and the Orlando location is ideal for a theme park trip with the family. In addition to the above properties, Bluegreen Vacations has other accommodations that aren't bookable through Choice Hotels.
Related: 10 ways to use points to book vacation home rentals
How to book Bluegreen Vacations through Choice
Booking a Bluegreen Vacations property through Choice Hotels is similar to booking a hotel. You start on the standard search page and search for a stay in one of the destinations with a Bluegreen Vacations property. Alternatively, you can start on the specific property's Choice Hotels landing page.
I expect most travelers who want to book a Bluegreen Vacations property through Choice will have a specific property in mind. I recommend starting on that property's landing page (you can click through to each property from the list of Bluegreen Vacations properties on the Choice Hotels webpage if you'd like).
Ideally, you'd be able to click through the calendar for a specific property to see which dates are available for booking with cash or points. But I've found these calendars often show no availability even when availability exists. Instead, check all the dates you might be interested in booking.
Unfortunately, you can only redeem Choice points for stays within the next 100 days and book paid rates for stays within the next 50 weeks. As such, availability may be difficult to find at some properties on some dates.
Many Bluegreen Vacations properties also have unpublished minimum stay requirements when you book through Choice Hotels, so try searching for stays of different lengths if your travel plans are flexible. Based on my searches, many properties require you to stay for at least two nights.
Once you find a Bluegreen Vacations property you want to book that has availability through Choice Hotels, check the room types you can book with points. You may find multibedroom units that can sleep a large family (or a group of friends) for the same points cost as a studio suite or one-bedroom unit.
It's also worth checking paid rates, which are reasonable for some properties on some dates. Consider the following two-night stay at the Bluegreen Vacations Fountains, Ascend Resort Collection.
You could redeem 30,000 points per night for either room type. But you could pay $357 total for a two-bedroom unit with two single beds and one queen bed or $374 for a two-bedroom unit with a king bed and two double beds, giving you a redemption rate of 0.59 to 0.62 cents per point. TPG's July 2024 valuations peg the value of Choice points at 0.6 cents per point, so you might want to book a paid stay if you don't have many Choice points and can typically redeem Choice points at a higher rate.
As of publishing, award rates are the same for each Bluegreen Vacations property you can book through Choice Hotels. Specifically, Sunday through Thursday nights cost 25,000 points, and Friday and Saturday nights cost 30,000 points through Sept. 15. Then, from Sept. 16 to Nov. 30, all nights cost 20,000 points per room. Choice hasn't announced award rates for stays from Dec. 1 onward yet.
You can earn Choice points through credit cards such as the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® ($0 annual fee) or Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® ($95 annual fee). You can also buy Choice points or transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou points and Wells Fargo Rewards.
But — especially if you don't need a multibedroom unit and aren't traveling on peak dates — you might come out ahead by booking a paid rate and earning Choice points on your Bluegreen Vacations stay. Be sure to enroll in any current Choice Privileges promotions before your stay to maximize your earnings.
The information for the Choice Privileges and Choice Privileges Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Even if you aren't interested in purchasing a Bluegreen Vacations timeshare, you might enjoy staying at one of its resorts. Luckily, Choice Hotels' partnership with Bluegreen Vacations lets its members book stays through Choice Hotels, including with Choice points.
You won't need to attend a timeshare presentation when you redeem Choice points or book a standard rate through Choice Hotels. But you'll occasionally see promotions offering discounted rates that do require attendance at a timeshare presentation — so be sure to read the fine print on the rate you're booking if you don't want to spend part of your vacation in a timeshare presentation.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.