Planning a family "bucket list" vacation for a week in July to Hawaii (our first time) and this seems to be the consensus pick for our party of 8, needing 2 rooms. Using the current cash rates, the initial math appears to show that the 30% room rate discount with the Grand Wailea Elite Membership for 2 rooms nets out slightly positive in just this visit compared to something like the 7th night free discount, for a base-level room. So thinking about paying the $2,725 ($2,500 join fee + $225 annual fee) to save a few bucks on the overall room rate and get the other benefits like the 20% off in the restaurants and shops (I already have Diamond status, so the Gold Status isn't a benefit.) If it winds up just being a one-and-done trip, then I cancel before the next annual renewal.
Anyone know if the cost of the membership would also get me the max 34x Hilton points on my Hilton Aspire card, or would it just be the 14x Hilton purchase rate because it's not a "stay"?