How comfortable are you renting (from someone) with all the reported crackdowns on renters?

[jp10558]

It started with Wyndham (that I was aware of), now I'm seeing lots of crack down in MVC. I'm beginning to wonder how much I should be concerned about even trying to rent from someone else - do I need to completely avoid these systems? Where's Worldmark in this - my one rental was Worldmark, but the place when I got there seemed to be Wyndham... Luckily, I had no issues, but it makes me really rethink expanding to trying ebay or general TUG listings etc.

What about other systems - IDK how I'd know an HGVC rental was a home week one, and I have no idea about all the other systems.

How likely am I to end up holding the bag here, unable to check in? IDK how I'd even double check as from this forum, often the renter doesn't know if the system is going to decide "this one was 'commercial'"...

 

[emeryjre]

I am comfortable renting out my Vistana timeshares
I know the rules
I know what Vistana has said is allowable
I know how to change names
I know how to contact the front desks and talk to a supervisor before my guests check in
I am not familiar with any other system

 

[rickandcindy23]

Wyndham's crackdown was brutal. I feel like a magnifying glass is on my account at all times. I am in a new habit of emailing a contact at Wyndham to tell her, "I have a guest checking in on this date, not a blockout, not a commercial rental, just trying to use points to get some of my MF's back."

MVC and Vistana, as long as you are renting deeded weeks and not using Abound or Staroptions, it's probably just fine.

 

[emeryjre]

Using star options at a home resort for a different season can be questioned
Using star options at a non home resort such using star options from Kirkland to book at Harborside and then rent can be challenged
It is against the current rules of Vistana to do such a thing
It has been happening during the post pandemic period
But it can result in a problem
Such as the rental cancelled at the time Vistana becomes aware
I have never heard of it happening when the renter is standing at the front desk

 

[dioxide45]

We rented a few Wyndham reservations from other owners before the big crackdown and owner priority periods. If we hadn't bought Club Wyndham, we might do more rentals but these wouldn't be high value stuff. I am not overly concerned about Marriott, Hilton or Vistana really cancelling a reservation like Wyndham has forced some owners to cancel when they were sent letters.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We rented a few Wyndham reservations from other owners before the big crackdown and owner priority periods. If we hadn't bought Club Wyndham, we might do more rentals but these wouldn't be high value stuff. I am not overly concerned about Marriott, Hilton or Vistana really cancelling a reservation like Wyndham has forced some owners to cancel when they were sent letters.

Wyndham actually shut down our accounts as punishment. Two months' hand slap.

 

[AJCts411]

I do not understand the logic. As a deed owner of that week, do you have zero property rights? It's not like you are short term renting your home, the deeded week is a resort/hotel operation. Then the insane greed or need to control, how can these corporations essentially in the business of vacation sales and rentals not see the value in getting new potential customers exposed to your vacation business? And yet worse is that some how the name on a reservation makes a difference, when the owner has PAID the maintenance fees. for that week? What additional costs or fees are incurred...zero. For example, Banyan KW charges total $300 plus for someone renting their deed week...why? to change the name? The idea that somehow the renter will damage/abuse the unit is absolutely stupid. #1 on the list of should I buy, should be is how restrictive/abusive are the rules to deed week owners.

 

[CO skier]

I do not understand the logic. As a deed owner of that week, do you have zero property rights?

Deeded weeks are not at issue, at least in Club Wyndham. The restrictions are on points reservations, which are subject to the terms of the Trust. The Trust documents include a "commercial use" clause that Wyndham is enforcing.

... how can these corporations essentially in the business of vacation sales and rentals not see the value in getting new potential customers exposed to your vacation business?

In Club Wyndham, sales to existing owners outnumber sales to new owners 2:1. Existing owners who book what they want using their ownership, instead of seeing it advertised for rent when there is no availability to them as owners, are happier and more likely to add to their ownership. Plus, why would someone who can rent what they want for about $1,000/week spend $30,000 or more (plus the yearly maintenance fees) to buy enough points to book the week using an ownership?

 

[sfcolliejr]

I am comfortable renting out my Vistana timeshares
I know the rules
I know what Vistana has said is allowable
I know how to change names
I know how to contact the front desks and talk to a supervisor before my guests check in
I am not familiar with any other system

We are Westin Flex owners (Vistana). I use Redweek. We rented 2 weeks at two different properties this summer. I call the Vistana number and have them change the name, then get a new confirmation. Redweek follows up. So far, no problems. I understand that Marriott/Vistana owners got a letter about renting but I have not received one. I'll call the Vistana number to check but so far, everything has been working.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We rented a few Wyndham reservations from other owners before the big crackdown and owner priority periods. If we hadn't bought Club Wyndham, we might do more rentals but these wouldn't be high value stuff. I am not overly concerned about Marriott, Hilton or Vistana really cancelling a reservation like Wyndham has forced some owners to cancel when they were sent letters.

And you are smart enough to not buy developer.

The salespeople are sleazy with their lies. Less rentals mean more lies.

Wyndham resorts are a mixed bag of older and newer resorts.

The older resorts can only be updated to a certain point. Think Fairfield Bay, a beautiful area, remote from most of the bigger towns, gorgeous lake, beautiful golf course, deer wandering about. It's a quaint area, the grocery store had very reasonable prices, a lovely church to attend on Sundays.

The Little Red Hen restaurant is cute and very inexpensive and has outdoor seating. The area is just so beautiful.

The units are updated to a point, and the beds are comfortable, but there is not a lot they can do with these older resorts.

The television show Ozark comes to mind when we stay there. I love it, and we are going again next April as a two-night stop on a long drive to Orlando. I will choose the Fairways, if I have any say in the matter, as those have parking spots right by the units. It's very convenient for unloading the car.

But is Fairfield Bay rentable? Nope. No one is going to rent Fairfield Bay.

It's the big, fancy resorts Wyndham watches like a hawk for rentals. They want to keep those out of the hands of the renters. And even though they have times that are blocked for guests, to me they are not nearly as strict as they should be. Nothing is blocked at Shearwater. Not much is blocked at Bonnet Creek. The entire fall season should be blocked because it's very popular.

 

[ssed115az]

Hello, I am not comfortable renting out my units nor renting other desirable units… I am sorry to say. I have attempted to rent a unit from an ad on this site, but the owners get all the protections and the renter just has to trust that the owner made the proper rental arrangements with their property. And, if you are traveling from a distance, get there late and there is a problem, well, you’re stuck. I am not willing to put myself in that situation.

As for renting my units, I am mostly concerned about the renters causing damage or having a problem that I will be responsible for. Therefore, I do neither.

 

[emeryjre]

Hello, I am not comfortable renting out my units nor renting other desirable units… I am sorry to say. I have attempted to rent a unit from an ad on this site, but the owners get all the protections and the renter just has to trust that the owner made the proper rental arrangements with their property. And, if you are traveling from a distance, get there late and there is a problem, well, you’re stuck. I am not willing to put myself in that situation.

As for renting my units, I am mostly concerned about the renters causing damage or having a problem that I will be responsible for. Therefore, I do neither.

Every body needs to do the things that keep them comfortable

 

[emeryjre]

We are Westin Flex owners (Vistana). I use Redweek. We rented 2 weeks at two different properties this summer. I call the Vistana number and have them change the name, then get a new confirmation. Redweek follows up. So far, no problems. I understand that Marriott/Vistana owners got a letter about renting but I have not received one. I'll call the Vistana number to check but so far, everything has been working.

Vistana has not changed the forms or procedures to change names on a unit
At least as of Friday July 26, 2024
Marriott has apparently changed the process to change names
I am unaware of how the Marriott process has worked in the past or is currently structured

 

[WaikikiFirst]

How likely am I to end up holding the bag

as a potential renter, simple answer: Not comfortable. The lack of wording to protect the renter from TBA upcharges and other issues is unbelievable.
Checking-in is (probably) the worst scenario, but it is not the only way the renter can be left holding the bag or the prev undisclosed charge.

 

[sfcolliejr]

Vistana has not changed the forms or procedures to change names on a unit
At least as of Friday July 26, 2024
Marriott has apparently changed the process to change names
I am unaware of how the Marriott process has worked in the past or is currently structured

Certainly seems to be the case. We rented out a week at Westin Nanea for September. Got the renter interest from RedWeek, confirmed, changed the name via a telephone call to Vistana. I got the new reservation confirmation in the renter's name that same day from Vistana. Thanks.

 

[jp10558]

I see most people are talking about renting out their owned units. What I was more interested in was being the renter - renting from other owners. I guess all the people renting out owned weeks must also be generally comfortable renting others weeks themselves.

 

[Wanderlustgrl]

I am comfortable renting out my Vistana timeshares
I know the rules
I know what Vistana has said is allowable
I know how to change names
I know how to contact the front desks and talk to a supervisor before my guests check in
I am not familiar with any other system

I called a front desk last week to do a name change and they said they are no longer allowed to do this anymore. I have done this several times and is the first I have encountered since the guest form 30 day rule! Have you tried to call recently

 

[emeryjre]

I called a front desk last week to do a name change and they said they are no longer allowed to do this anymore. I have done this several times and is the first I have encountered since the guest form 30 day rule! Have you tried to call recently

Are you talking about calling for a Marriott Timeshare or a Vistana Timeshare
They are still two different operations
The one I was referring to is a Vistana Timeshare
The other person was referencing a Westin Nanea Timeshare
Which is under the Vistana umbrella as well

 

[dazzlingheart]

Hello, I am not comfortable renting out my units nor renting other desirable units… I am sorry to say. I have attempted to rent a unit from an ad on this site, but the owners get all the protections and the renter just has to trust that the owner made the proper rental arrangements with their property. And, if you are traveling from a distance, get there late and there is a problem, well, you’re stuck. I am not willing to put myself in that situation.

As for renting my units, I am mostly concerned about the renters causing damage or having a problem that I will be responsible for. Therefore, I do neither.

Smart

 

[montygz]

I see most people are talking about renting out their owned units. What I was more interested in was being the renter - renting from other owners. I guess all the people renting out owned weeks must also be generally comfortable renting others weeks themselves.

I would have no issues renting. I would make sure the person renting knows what they are doing and not offering a blocked-out date, for example.

I have rented units more than 50 times over the years, although not as much recently because I now own two timeshares.

As for the "fear factor," that works both ways, there's a reason why it's cheaper to rent than to go directly to Marriott or Disney.

There is a reason Redweek offers "Verified and Protected."

Some people aren't comfortable renting timeshares just like some people aren't comfortable flying, investing in the stock market, or trying a new restaurant.

It's a personal decision.

I would also say that while it may feel "safer" to book directly from a major hotel company, that is no guarantee that things still won't go sideways. It's always good to have a Plan B in your back pocket.

 

[Wanderlustgrl]

Are you talking about calling for a Marriott Timeshare or a Vistana Timeshare
They are still two different operations
The one I was referring to is a Vistana Timeshare
The other person was referencing a Westin Nanea Timeshare
Which is under the Vistana umbrella as well

I called Vistana villages. They said it went into effect the week before and I had to call owner service

 

[emeryjre]

I called Vistana villages. They said it went into effect the week before and I had to call owner service

You do the name change for the Vistana family of resorts at their website
Vistana Signature Experiences
or by calling Owner Services
I do not have the number handy
I have never used a resort front desk for a name change
Maybe another member here can post the Owner Services Number for Vistana Signature Experiences

 

[LeslieDet]

I called Vistana villages. They said it went into effect the week before and I had to call owner service

Calling the front desk of the resort has never been an approved means to change the name on a reservation. Folks have definitely done that, and sometimes staff may bend the rules and let people get away with it, typically when it is an owner whose kid or spouse is joining them, but that is simply not supposed to ever be allowed because the front desk staff do not have access to ownership records.

 

[dioxide45]

You do the name change for the Vistana family of resorts at their website
Vistana Signature Experiences
or by calling Owner Services
I do not have the number handy
I have never used a resort front desk for a name change
Maybe another member here can post the Owner Services Number for Vistana Signature Experiences

Though it doesn't necessarily apply here, if it is II exchange/getaway, buy a guest cert through II.

 

[cd5]

Embarc members have the right to rent their bookings at our clubs (in our Master Declaration) so no risk of cancellation there.