Upgrading to 4* elite

[Louie38]

Hello all I’m new to this forum. My question is, is it worth it to add more star options to get to a 4* elite member? Currently I am a 3* elite member. I have a home resort at the Nanea for a 2 bed for 2 weeks resort view
I only need about 63,000 more star options to reach 4* elite. Wanted to know if you guys think the 4* elite was worth it. I know with the 3* elite I am a gold member for Marriott bonvoy. I heard that when they plan to combine everything by the end of 2021 that a 4* elite would put me as a platinum with Marriott. Here were a few options I was thinking of

Buy 63,000 points for $23,000 - this would put me at 4* elite

Buy event week148,100 star options for $56,000 - would put me at 4* elite and have the option for Christmas and New Years.

Buy regular week 148,000 star options for $47,000 - puts me at 4* elite and 3 weeks total

Change my resort view to ocean front for $72,000 - this would put me at 4* and I would have priority for the 2 bed and 3 bed ocean front.

Don’t think I would buy another regular week. Might as well spend a little more to get the event week. What do you guys think of the ocean front. Do you think it’s worth the money?

Is upgrading to 4* elite even worth it for the price. I’m so close with point right now. Just hate to not do it and when Marriott finally merges, I don’t want it to be even more points later on. I know once I become a 4* that can’t be taken away. Hopefully this makes sense. I’m still new to the whole timeshare thing and wanted to be able to talk to current timeshare holders and not the sales people.

 

[Mulege]

I am 4* and I say no way. You are throwing your money away. The benefits are not that great. It is simply a marketing tool to get more of your money.

 

[cubigbird]

You don’t get Marriott Bonvoy platinum unless you are 5* elite.

 

[okwiater]

At those prices, it wouldn’t even be worth it to become 5*.

 

[Louie38]

Ok thank you everyone. I kinda had that feeling also but then talking to them had me thinking about it more. Especially knowing they are here to sell. That’s the reason I wanted to ask. Thanks everyone again.

 

[Negma]

Only buy if it is something you can and will use. Are you a planner and are you locked in to school schedules. The side benefits can be nice bonuses but NOT the reason to buy ( I can go on and rationalize this for a long time).
As you will read here the best cheapest way is resale, and the Marriott merger has many unknowns. BUT, if you have a long term strategy, that may add a twist. Personally we bought too many early from the developer without knowing about resale, ended up 5* and then purchased additional resale through open market and through Westin. That was 16 years ago we started. 12 years or so as 5*. Now the benefits will never equal the extra we paid, BUT, yes a lot of buts, we have had some nice perks along the way, and now Titanium for life.
We use our options all the time (pre-covid of course). I am now retired at 61 and we now go to Hawaii twice a year for 3 weeks each time. Never would do that without the timeshares. We love it and it worked for us, your results may vary.

 

[controller1]

OK, it looks like something is missing for the math to be right on just changing your view. If all you own is 2 weeks of 2-bedroom Nanea Resort View then you own 296,200 Home Options (StarOptions equivalent). That leaves you needing 62,800 Home Options or StarOptions to achieve 4-Star Elite.

To change your ownership to OceanFront at Nanea would provide you with 353,400 Home Options which is still 5,600 Home Options or StarOptions short of 4-Star Elite.

 

[DeniseM]

You have received excellent advice here. If you want to own more Staroptions on Maui, the best value/lowest maintenance fee is an ocean view or ocean front (center) unit in the original south phase, on the RESALE market. No need to buy from the developer at all.

If you are flexible about when you go to Hawaii, many people buy Vistana deeds with Staroptions at other resorts on the resale market (these are *mandatory resorts) which gives them a significantly lower maintenance fee, and then use them to make Maui reservations with the Staroptions:

9) What do *Mandatory and Voluntary mean?

a. If a resort is Staroption "Mandatory," it means that when the week is sold to a new owner (resale) the Staroption value of the week transfers to the new owner, and the new owner has the right to exchange his timeshare in the Starwood Vacation Network. These resorts are Staroption Mandatory:

* Harborside at Atlantis
* Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases only) - lowest resale purchase price, but higher maintenance fee
* Westin St. John (Virgin Grand - Hillside only)
* Westin Ka'anapali & Westin Ka'anapali-North
* Westin Kierland Villas - lowest maintenance fee, but higher resale price

 

[Louie38]

OK, it looks like something is missing for the math to be right on just changing your view. If all you own is 2 weeks of 2-bedroom Nanea Resort View then you own 296,200 Home Options (StarOptions equivalent). That leaves you needing 62,800 Home Options or StarOptions to achieve 4-Star Elite.

To change your ownership to OceanFront at Nanea would provide you with 353,400 Home Options which is still 5,600 Home Options or StarOptions short of 4-Star Elite.

Yes. Sorry I was just going over what they told me. After looking at you post and doing the math, you are correct. I won’t have enough points to be a 4*. Thank you

 

[Louie38]

You don’t get Marriott Bonvoy platinum unless you are 5* elite.

They were telling me that the 5* elite will move to titanium and the 4* will be platinum.

 

[cubigbird]

They were telling me that the 5* elite will move to titanium and the 4* will be platinum.

That’s currently not the case. 0-4* gets you Bonvoy Gold and 5* will get you Bonvoy Platinum. Maybe that will change under any new program but who knows. That’s the way it stands now.

 

[controller1]

They were telling me that the 5* elite will move to titanium and the 4* will be platinum.

I was told in September 2019 that 5-Star Elite would be Titanium by year-end 2019 to synch with MVC's Chairman status. Once again, the salesperson's lips were moving!

 

[cubigbird]

I was told in September 2019 that 5-Star Elite would be Titanium by year-end 2019 to synch with MVC's Chairman status. Once again, the salesperson's lips were moving!

Maybe under any new merged system.

 

[Louie38]

Maybe under any new merged system.

Yes. They were talking having that switch by the end of 2021. That’s when they said they plan to merge the Marriott properties and Vistana properties to be able to book with our points instead of using II.

 

[Louie38]

Only buy if it is something you can and will use. Are you a planner and are you locked in to school schedules. The side benefits can be nice bonuses but NOT the reason to buy ( I can go on and rationalize this for a long time).
As you will read here the best cheapest way is resale, and the Marriott merger has many unknowns. BUT, if you have a long term strategy, that may add a twist. Personally we bought too many early from the developer without knowing about resale, ended up 5* and then purchased additional resale through open market and through Westin. That was 16 years ago we started. 12 years or so as 5*. Now the benefits will never equal the extra we paid, BUT, yes a lot of buts, we have had some nice perks along the way, and now Titanium for life.
We use our options all the time (pre-covid of course). I am now retired at 61 and we now go to Hawaii twice a year for 3 weeks each time. Never would do that without the timeshares. We love it and it worked for us, your results may vary.

Yes we are planners. We would usually have our plans for big trips a year or more in advance and work out the details a little later. Now with the little ones (6 and 2) we will mainly be traveling during times they are out of school. As of right now I think our 2 bed for 2 weeks should be good for the year. With the kids in school and the wife only having a certain amount of time off 2 weeks should be good but we do have weekend trips mainly in hotels. I currently have the Marriott bonvoy CC and it would be nice to be able to stay a platinum. I would like to be a 4* and a platinum for the peaks but not sure if it’s worth the money. Won’t even know what that will really get me because everything is kinda just talks. Just hate be only 63,000 points away from being a 4* compared to maybe later on once they merge then it could be way more points to become a 4*. Decision, decision, decision. Lol. But weighing most of the options the 4* might not even be worth it for that amount of money. I think I’m just going to keep what I have and in the future get points for longer stays than just trying to get to a different status. Thank you everyone. I will look into resale points but have to research it more.

 

[cubigbird]

I am Marriott Platinum and the perks are somewhat limited. I don’t usually get upgrades (pre-COVID). The only amenity I have received consistently is welcome points/drink coupons, late checkout, and a higher % points earn. I would compare platinum in there with silver status on an airline

 

[Negma]

Yes we are planners. We would usually have our plans for big trips a year or more in advance and work out the details a little later. Now with the little ones (6 and 2) we will mainly be traveling during times they are out of school. As of right now I think our 2 bed for 2 weeks should be good for the year. With the kids in school and the wife only having a certain amount of time off 2 weeks should be good but we do have weekend trips mainly in hotels. I currently have the Marriott bonvoy CC and it would be nice to be able to stay a platinum. I would like to be a 4* and a platinum for the peaks but not sure if it’s worth the money. Won’t even know what that will really get me because everything is kinda just talks. Just hate be only 63,000 points away from being a 4* compared to maybe later on once they merge then it could be way more points to become a 4*. Decision, decision, decision. Lol. But weighing most of the options the 4* might not even be worth it for that amount of money. I think I’m just going to keep what I have and in the future get points for longer stays than just trying to get to a different status. Thank you everyone. I will look into resale points but have to research it more.

With little ones that will soon be in grade school is the reason we went to timeshares. A great way to travel. Just make sure you do not OVERBUY and cant use the options. Those kids will get involved in things that may slow down travel, so think that part through. On the other hand, you would have status for a long time. We have had upgrades, but there are other things too based on how you travel. One big one for us was lounge access, free breakfast at SOME hotels has saved us a lot (not enough to make up a extra purchase fees of course). We always felt we PAID for the little extras that made travel a little nicer, but it is like buying nicer wheel rims on a car, the car doesn't drive better but you ENJOY the way it looks.

 

[bobpark56]

You have received excellent advice here. If you want to own more Staroptions on Maui, the best value/lowest maintenance fee is an ocean view or ocean front (center) unit in the original south phase, on the RESALE market. No need to buy from the developer at all.

If you are flexible about when you go to Hawaii, many people buy Vistana deeds with Staroptions at other resorts on the resale market (these are *mandatory resorts) which gives them a significantly lower maintenance fee, and then use them to make Maui reservations with the Staroptions:

9) What do *Mandatory and Voluntary mean?

a. If a resort is Staroption "Mandatory," it means that when the week is sold to a new owner (resale) the Staroption value of the week transfers to the new owner, and the new owner has the right to exchange his timeshare in the Starwood Vacation Network. These resorts are Staroption Mandatory:

* Harborside at Atlantis
* Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases only) - lowest resale purchase price, but higher maintenance fee
* Westin St. John (Virgin Grand - Hillside only)
* Westin Ka'anapali & Westin Ka'anapali-North
* Westin Kierland Villas - lowest maintenance fee, but higher resale price

Are the Virgin Grand pool villas not mandatory? I thought they were.

 

[DeniseM]

Yes - they are part of Virgin Grand - Hillside.

 

[Louie38]

You have received excellent advice here. If you want to own more Staroptions on Maui, the best value/lowest maintenance fee is an ocean view or ocean front (center) unit in the original south phase, on the RESALE market. No need to buy from the developer at all.

If you are flexible about when you go to Hawaii, many people buy Vistana deeds with Staroptions at other resorts on the resale market (these are *mandatory resorts) which gives them a significantly lower maintenance fee, and then use them to make Maui reservations with the Staroptions:

9) What do *Mandatory and Voluntary mean?

a. If a resort is Staroption "Mandatory," it means that when the week is sold to a new owner (resale) the Staroption value of the week transfers to the new owner, and the new owner has the right to exchange his timeshare in the Starwood Vacation Network. These resorts are Staroption Mandatory:

* Harborside at Atlantis
* Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases only) - lowest resale purchase price, but higher maintenance fee
* Westin St. John (Virgin Grand - Hillside only)
* Westin Ka'anapali & Westin Ka'anapali-North
* Westin Kierland Villas - lowest maintenance fee, but higher resale price

Thank you for your advice. I didn’t really think about resale option. Don’t know much about it yet. I have to go and do my research and look at other option I might be able to do. I’m glad I found this forum. I don’t have much friends that have timeshare and I’m still new to it. Just like to know all my options out to make the best choice possible my my family. It helps to hear other people’s opinions that have been doing this for awhile. I know I’ll be checking in here more especially when we get closer to know more about the merger. Thank you

 

[Louie38]

I am Marriott Platinum and the perks are somewhat limited. I don’t usually get upgrades (pre-COVID). The only amenity I have received consistently is welcome points/drink coupons, late checkout, and a higher % points earn. I would compare platinum in there with silver status on an airline

Thank you for advice. It’s something I’ll take into consideration to to see the cost will be even worth it. I will see whenwe get more info with the merger. Thank you.

 

[Louie38]

With little ones that will soon be in grade school is the reason we went to timeshares. A great way to travel. Just make sure you do not OVERBUY and cant use the options. Those kids will get involved in things that may slow down travel, so think that part through. On the other hand, you would have status for a long time. We have had upgrades, but there are other things too based on how you travel. One big one for us was lounge access, free breakfast at SOME hotels has saved us a lot (not enough to make up a extra purchase fees of course). We always felt we PAID for the little extras that made travel a little nicer, but it is like buying nicer wheel rims on a car, the car doesn't drive better but you ENJOY the way it looks.

Yes it’s hard to determine how much we plan to use it with the kids being in school. I think I’m going to wait until we hear more on what’s going to happen with the merger. Thanks for you advice.

 

[cubigbird]

Thank you for advice. It’s something I’ll take into consideration to to see the cost will be even worth it. I will see whenwe get more info with the merger. Thank you.

I have received value from the Oct 1 SO banking deadline vs the July deadline. It allows me more time in the year to plan trips vs have everything decided by July. YMMV of course