Newbie with a few questions [Starwood/RCI points]

Hello all I hope that you all can help me with a few questions. I recently purchased Sheraton Vistana Cascade 2 bdr/2 bath resale it also came with 58,600 RCI points. I'm not really sure how the rci points work with this unit. I assume that instead of trading the "week" I own I can use the points instead for a trade is that correct? I did pay to have the points transferred to an account for myself. I was wondering also if I also should join II since there is a Starwood preference for exchanges. I will be looking to trade periodically but will spend most time at the home resort. I received an email from timeshare closing company stating that the timeshare has been transferred into my name I'm wondering what the next step for me should be. I received a phone number in the email that I can call if I'd like to start planning my vacation. I'd like to know when I would have access to starwood ownership website and what information I need to register. Thanks so much for your help and expertise. I am still reading alot on this forum and trying to educate myself more. Please forgive me if I seem like I'm rambling I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. Thanks for any help you can give

This timeshare is registered in RCI points, but you don't have to continue with that if you don't want to. However, if you un-enroll it, there will be a high fee to join again, so I would not do so, until you really understand what you want to do with this timeshare.

There are yearly membership fees to keep your RCI membership active, so you will want to call RCI, and see when the next membership fee is due. (If you don't make the payment, you will be automatically un-enrolled.)

If it's enrolled in RCI points, you can't deposit it in II (at the same time.)

If it were me, I would get used to using my home resort, and RCI, and see how that works out, before I look at II.

Did the transfer company say the deed has been registered with the county records office, OR that it has been registered with Starwood? They must both be completed before you have access to your timeshare.

Is this a fixed or floating week? Have you made a 2015 reservation? Have you set up your Starwood Acct. at www.mystarcentral.com?

Hello Denise thanks for your input I guess I'll stick with RCI since I've already paid the membership and fee to have points transferred. The deed was recorded with Orange County Records Office and I did look it up and had them send me a copy of that. The email didn't state that it was registered with Starwood but states that Starwood recognizes me as the owner. It is week 29 at Cascades but floats if not reserved within 10-12 mo in advance.

So you need to go to www.mystarcentral.com and set up your Starwood Acct.

You also want to set up your RCI Acct. (if you haven't.)

Are you using week 29, or your points this year? You want to decide soon, and go to work on a reservation. In the timeshare world, it's "late" to start thinking about a 2015 reservation.

I was wondering if I needed the deed in hand to register on star central or some other info to do so. I mostly plan on using the home resort for vacations with my grand kids and from time to time maybe go elsewhere with my husband. We already have our vacations planned for this year so I didn't plan on using the timeshare this year. I believe that the rci points can be banked and added to next years points Is that correct?

You do need the deed to set it up online, and the closing company should have sent it to you, already. If not, call Starwood Owner Services and ask for help: 888.986.9637 or 407.903.4635.

Yes, you can bank the RCI points, and start searching for your 2016 reservation - never too early to get started on that, for the best results.

Thanks Denise you have been very helpful. I will get on this right away

My pleasure! Welcome to TUG!

I received the deed to the property and am now able to log into mystarcentral. I am waiting on the membership items from RCI the closing company paid the transfer fee along with the annual RCI fee ($224.00) for membership from the escrow account so I'm waiting on the RCI membership info to come. Do you have to deposit your week with RCI in order to use points or do you just reserve any week using your allotted points?