Best way forward

[daddyrit]

Just joined TUG. We own Westin Princeville 2B 1.5 weeks from Starwood/Vistana since 2008. Makes us 3 *. Usually go to WKORVN. Looking to increase time at WKORVN and looking at options of purchasing WKORVN or just cheapest StarOptions. If we purchase at WKORVN - resales makes most sense but would like to get to 4* - also if we purchase resale do we get the 12 month reservation window - but only for the WKORVN purchased time?

Appreciate any help and advice -Thanks

 

[okwiater]

What are your goals for 4*? Benefits are pretty minimal for the spend, especially since the Elite waitlist doesn’t work.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Just joined TUG. We own Westin Princeville 2B 1.5 weeks from Starwood/Vistana since 2008. Makes us 3 *. Usually go to WKORVN. Looking to increase time at WKORVN and looking at options of purchasing WKORVN or just cheapest StarOptions. If we purchase at WKORVN - resales makes most sense but would like to get to 4* - also if we purchase resale do we get the 12 month reservation window - but only for the WKORVN purchased time?

Appreciate any help and advice -Thanks

If you want to go to WKORVN most of time - then buy WKORVN resale (especially if location is important, and ability to reserve is desired). The price difference is not worth 4* (not even close).


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[daddyrit]

What are your goals for 4*? Benefits are pretty minimal for the spend, especially since the Elite waitlist doesn’t work.

No special goals - maybe just a bigger discount at the resorts. Is it a big jump from 4* to 5* and is that worth anything?

 

[daddyrit]

If you want to go to WKORVN most of time - then buy WKORVN resale (especially if location is important, and ability to reserve is desired). The price difference is not worth 4* (not even close).


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ok thanks - seems looking at current resales posted on TUG - an every year 2BR about $11k or so. Are there any issues getting it into the Vistana reservations? Do most of the seller or agents know the dance? We would always use the 148.1K options at WKORVN - could we reserve oceanfront during the 12 month window.

 

[DavidnRobin]

ok thanks - seems looking at current resales posted on TUG - an every year 2BR about $11k or so. Are there any issues getting it into the Vistana reservations? Do most of the seller or agents know the dance? We would always use the 148.1K options at WKORVN - could we reserve oceanfront during the 12 month window.

If you want OF - buy OF. We wanted OF - so we bought OF resale (thanks to TUG) back in 2006.

I own resale weeks and have never experienced a difference. WKORV/N are Mandatory resorts - so can use SOs as well, but best to have Home Resort period (8-12 months) and pay the premium if you have the disposable income.




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[DavidnRobin]

5* is not inexpensive- spend lots of time researching the cost and future value - versus the benefits.
Certainly much more costly now than ‘back in the day’ see SDKath famous thread in the Stickies above
Make sure you have lots if disposable income now and in future. 5* has real benefit, but at a cost - including the other costs associated with traveling.


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[okwiater]

No special goals - maybe just a bigger discount at the resorts. Is it a big jump from 4* to 5* and is that worth anything?

I became 5* for the SPG Platinum, 10% SP bonus, and Elite Waitlist. The SPG Platinum benefits are fantastic and we have gotten a lot of tangible and intangible value from it at hotels. However, with the SPG/Marriott Rewards program consolidation coming in 2019, it's tough to say how much value there will be going forward. The 10% SP bonus is nice, but I've never actually converted my ownerships since I can typically rent them for more than the value of the SPs. As for the Elite Waitlist? Well, it's been proven here on TUG that it doesn't actually work.

Although I'm happy with my mix of developer and resale ownerships, and feel I have gotten good value from my Elite benefits, if I were considering 5* today with the knowledge I have now, I would recommend against it. Whether it's going to continue to be worth the tens of thousands it will cost to get there in addition to the ongoing maintenance fee bill is hard to say.