[update] Sheraton Flex upcoming changes

bizaro86 said:

If you put hyatt deeds in flex, it doesn't matter whether Hyatt owners want Sheraton or not. Flex owners would be booking their owned weeks, not trading Sheraton weeks for Hyatt weeks.

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Exactly. I agree. Hyatt owners wouldn't have a choice. Though it doesn't mean they wouldn't be mad that the "low class" Sheraton owners (we own SVV) are staying at their resort. Just like the Marriott DC program owners having access to the Ritz Carlton properties through the Marriott program.

dioxide45 said:

No reason at all they can't convey some of the Hyatt properties to the Sheraton Flex Trust. Then flex owners can book in to Hyatt at 12 months.

I just really don't see this happening. Aren't all the properties that are in the Sheraton flex a major step below most of the Hyatt properties? Are Hyatt owners going to want to be able to book in to Sheraton properties? Maybe, but it would be a small percentage if you ask me. There would be lots of Sheraton people clamoring to book in to Hyatt though.

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No doubt HRC Corporate deeded weeks could be put into a trust for a pure points system - but HRC Corporate doesn't own a boat load of weeks as the majority of the Hyatt properties are mature/sold out. When you go thru the list of HRC properties, Hyatt only has active sales at a few properties as they have little inventory to sell. The only two properties that are not fully built are Coconut Plantation and Wild Oak - ILG/HRC could re-energize the build out at Coconut and Wild Oak, but there hasn't been any construction activity at either one for at least 8+/- years.

Note that the typical HRC TS property development model has been that Hyatt provides the brand & management while an outside development partner funds/constructs the buildings and own the weeks. The developer's profit comes from selling weeks, so the developer wants weeks sold in lieu of putting them into a points trust. HRC could buy the developer weeks, but seems like odd math for HRC to buy $45K to $100K weeks at Maui to put into a points trust.

While Hyatt has been randomly exercising ROFR for the past year, they have not amassed a stock pile of deeded weeks. And some of the KW weeks they've ROFR'd, they've turned around and sold on the open market for a $10K per week profit.

FWIW: Hyatt properties have always taken the "boutique" approach (Sunset Harbor has only 40 units) in lieu of the mega program like Marriott used - so Hyatt does not have 500,000 owners/members. Totally agree that few HRC owners will participate in a Sheraton/Hyatt points program for access to Sheraton properties.

As a Hyatt owner, one reason we bought Hyatt was the ability to exchange into other Hyatts (similar to why we bought a platinum plus WKV). If this changes or becomes more difficult to do, we will likely sell our Hyatt unit. As some have surmised, we have little to no interest in exchanging into Sheratons in the FLEX program. How many owners at WKORV (oceanfront) would be happy if Vistana decided to let all voluntary owners have access to their units using SOs? This may be Vistana's next move...Similar to Marriott, Hyatt owners should be allowed to buy into FLEX at a nominal cost.

lizap said:

As a Hyatt owner, one reason we bought Hyatt was the ability to exchange into other Hyatts (similar to why we bought a platinum plus WKV). If this changes or becomes more difficult to do, we will likely sell our Hyatt unit. As some have surmised, we have little to no interest in exchanging into Sheratons in the FLEX program. How many owners at WKORV (oceanfront) would be happy if Vistana decided to let all voluntary owners have access to their units using SOs? This may be Vistana's next move...Similar to Marriott, Hyatt owners should be allowed to buy into FLEX at a nominal cost.

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Re: exchange for WKORV OF... this is at <8 months out (VSN exchange), not 8-12 months (HomeResort) You can already get WKORV/N OF at 8 months out as VSN exchange. So, this is not the issue as long as timestamps rules still apply.
It will become an issue when my location is impacted - and no evidence to the contrary in 10 years of using our OF.

There is a thread in the "Other Timeshare Systems" forum regarding a Hyatt owners update, with similar information shared about Hyatt moving toward a trust points system and talk of cross access to VSE.

Appears the rules are being re-written to the detriment of owners who purchased into the Hyatt and Starwood (SO) systems. If you visit the resort you purchased every year, I don't think the new rules will hurt you. Conversely, if you have been using the internal exchange systems, you could well be adversely impacted. Would not be surprised to see resale values drop at Hyatts and mandatory VSE resorts..

DavidnRobin said:

Re: exchange for WKORV OF... this is at <8 months out (VSN exchange), not 8-12 months (HomeResort) You can already get WKORV/N OF at 8 months out as VSN exchange. So, this is not the issue as long as timestamps rules still apply.
It will become an issue when my location is impacted - and no evidence to the contrary in 10 years of using our OF.

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lizap said:

Appears the rules are being re-written to the detriment of owners who purchased into the Hyatt and Starwood (SO) systems. If you visit the resort you purchased every year, I don't think the new rules will hurt you. Conversely, if you have been using the internal exchange systems, you could well be adversely impacted. Would not be surprised to see resale values drop at Hyatts and mandatory VSE resorts..

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Let's remember: This thread is based on speculation from an Owners (Sales) Update.

DavidnRobin said:

Let's remember: This thread is based on speculation from an Owners (Sales) Update.

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But what is interesting is the ILG has said they want to switch Hyatt to "pure points." Then you have the OP's report of an owners update that indicates it may include Hyatt with points. Then we have a Hyatt owner's update saying very similar things (http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243975). So while it's speculation, the evidence suggested that *something* is happening to somehow combine Hyatt and Sheraton - points? Access? Something?

Of course something will happen. I'm sure Interval had a plan when they bought Hyatt, and another when they bought SVN. None of us should be surprised by changes, and I'd suggest saving any outrage over such changes until we know exactly what they will be. So far, I agree with David...just speculation.


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Keep in mind Hyatt has a "points" system. Our week(s) are worth so many points and allows us to exchange into other resorts...

LurkerBee said:

But what is interesting is the ILG has said they want to switch Hyatt to "pure points." Then you have the OP's report of an owners update that indicates it may include Hyatt with points. Then we have a Hyatt owner's update saying very similar things (http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243975). So while it's speculation, the evidence suggested that *something* is happening to somehow combine Hyatt and Sheraton - points? Access? Something?

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I agree something will happen - just that speculation here sometimes tends to be considered factual.
One fact. They can essential force what they want as long as deemed proftable by the organizations and HOAs - which they control. And Legal - which is often a gray area. All based on Risk/Reward - from their perspectives, with benefit to them (over us).

I called vistana. They told me that there are absolutely no plans to put hyatt into the flex program. I think your emotions are clouding your thought process here. You want it to happen so badly that you will believe these rumors when the home office denies it.

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rickspenceresq1 said:

I called vistana. They told me that there are absolutely no plans to put hyatt into the flex program. I think your emotions are clouding your thought process here. You want it to happen so badly that you will believe these rumors when the home office denies it.

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Who exactly did you talk to?

rickspenceresq1 said:

I called vistana. They told me that there are absolutely no plans to put hyatt into the flex program. I think your emotions are clouding your thought process here. You want it to happen so badly that you will believe these rumors when the home office denies it.

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Actually, think it is opposite - they desire NOT to have it happen. The OP stated that it was in a Sales presentation they saw - that would be a level up from rumor...

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1903339&postcount=44

Why would they not want it to happen and have more vacation options? Why would the home office deny it if it was happening? If this was happening the home office woukd use it as a marketing tool.

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rickspenceresq1 said:

Why would they not want it to happen and have more vacation options? Why would the home office deny it if it was happening? If this was happening the home office woukd use it as a marketing tool.

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Who is 'they'? based on thread - many would not be happy with combining Hyatt and Flex (personally I do not care as I would never exchange my VSE VOIs to Hyatt). Of course - it would be used as Marketing tool - but you are not reading whole thread. Who knows why one group (Sales) would say it is happening while Corp office says 'No'.

DeniseM asks who did you talk to - and no response...
The OP stated it was in Sales presentation - read thread.

Bottom-line - it is all speculation until it becomes fact.

rickspenceresq1 said:

Why would they not want it to happen and have more vacation options? Why would the home office deny it if it was happening? If this was happening the home office woukd use it as a marketing tool.

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I'd still like to know who you are quoting.

If the "home office," is the entry level person who answered the phone when you called owner services, that is definitely not an authoritative source of information, and they are often the last to know.

Entry level people would not know about a change, until after the change had been implemented, and they received training on the new procedure.

I have been able to independently verify that you cannot make Hyatt reservations with Sheraton Flex Options.

So, it sure makes you wonder about that sales presentation!

It would be nice if they did it, but they will only do it if it in someway benefits them.

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