DeniseM
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I think we need a FAQ to supplement the longer and more complex Starwood article. I'm going to throw out some ideas. Please feel free to add to them and make suggestions. My goal is to put together something that will answer 10-15 of the most common newbie questions.
1) I just bought a Starwood Timeshare from the developer and I'm having second thoughts - what should I do?
While you are still in the rescission period, you should rescind - a completely legal way to get out of your contract & get your deposit back. Be sure you follow the directions in your sales packet EXACTLY and within the time limit stated in the instructions. Then you can do your homework and make a decision without any pressure. If you decide you want the original deal after all, it will still be available next week, next month, and probably even next year, and you can negotiate a better deal that you will be comfortable with!
2) What are Staroptions? - Staroptions are the exchange value of a Starwood timeshare within the Starwood Vacation Network. Each timeshare is assigned a Staroption value by Starwood, and Staroptions can be used for exchanges to other Starwood timeshares. Staroptions cannot be used outside the Starwood network. (A Staroption chart is posted in the Owner Resources sticky.)
3) What are Starpoints? Starpoints are Starwood hotel points & they can be used for hotel stays, airfare, and other purchases from the Starwood Preferred Guests Program. Every-other-year, an owner can convert their timeshare unit into Starpoints before March 31st. Starpoints do not transfer with a resale. (A Starpoint chart is posted in the Owner Resources sticky.)
4) Can I buy/sell/rent/barter/deposit Staroptions - NO
5) Can I roll Staroptions over to the next year? - No, they expire at the end of the calendar year.
6) Can I borrow Staroptions from the next year? - Yes, but you have to pay the maintenance fee for the next year in advance, and the Staroptions can only be used for reservations made 90 days out.
7) If I buy a Starwood timeshare, resale, can I exchange it for other Starwood timeshares using the Starwood Vacation Network? - Only if you buy it at one of five "Mandatory" Resorts.
8) 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 (most sections)
* Westin St. John (most sections)
* Westin Ka'anapali & Westin Ka'anapali-North
* Westin Kierland Villas
b. If a resort is Staroption "Voluntary," it means that the Staroption value of the week DOES NOT transfer to the new owner when it is resold, and the new owner DOES NOT have the right to exchange his timeshare in the Starwood Vacation Network.
9) If I buy a voluntary week, resale, can I pay a fee and buy into the Starwood Vacation network? - NO
10) What does it mean to requalify/retro a resale?
In simplest terms:
a. Someone purchases a Starwood Timeshare, resale, at a voluntary or mandatory resort.
b. Then they purchase a timeshare directly from Starwood.
c. As part of the negotiation for purchase, Starwood requalifies/retros the resale week, giving it all the rights/benefits of a week as if purchased directly from Starwood.
*For all the details, see the "Yes you can requalify/retro as a Direct Sale," sticky.
11) Can I deposit a resale/developer week with an exchange company? Yes - both resales and developer weeks can be deposited.
12) How do I deposit a Starwood week with an exchange company?
Interval International (II) - Call Starwood Owner Services and let them know that you want to deposit your week with II. Starwood will choose the week that is deposited and make the deposit for you. (Detailed info. here.)
Independent Exchange Companies - Reserve a popular week at your home resort exactly as you would if it was for your own use. Contact your independent exchange company to complete the transaction.
13) If I can't use my week this year, can I rent it, trade it, deposit it, or let friends or family use it? - YES
14) How do I make a reservation?
To make a reservation at your home resort, call owner services during the Owner's Preference Period, 12-8 mos. out from the date of arrival. Best practice: Call exactly at 12 mos. out at 9:00 a.m. ET.
To make a Staroption exchange, call owner services 8 - 0 mos. out from the date of arrival.
Best Practice: At 12 mos. out, reserve your home resort week as a backup. At exactly 8 mos. out at 9:00 a.m. ET, call and see if the exchange you want is available. If it is, you can cancel your home resort and reserve the exchange.
Reservations for less than a full week can be made 3 - 0 mos. out, if available.
Reservations canceled within 60 days of the check-in date, can only be used to make future reservations at 60 days out from arrival date and Starwood may charge a cancellation fee.
15) What is an Elite Owner? An Elite Owner owns multiple Starwood timeshare units and receives "perks" from Starwood based on his Elite level.
16) What do all those acronyms and abbreviations mean? - It can be confusing! Check out David's List of Starwood Terms.
For in-depth information on these question and more, please see the Starwood Article posted here.
1) I just bought a Starwood Timeshare from the developer and I'm having second thoughts - what should I do?
While you are still in the rescission period, you should rescind - a completely legal way to get out of your contract & get your deposit back. Be sure you follow the directions in your sales packet EXACTLY and within the time limit stated in the instructions. Then you can do your homework and make a decision without any pressure. If you decide you want the original deal after all, it will still be available next week, next month, and probably even next year, and you can negotiate a better deal that you will be comfortable with!
2) What are Staroptions? - Staroptions are the exchange value of a Starwood timeshare within the Starwood Vacation Network. Each timeshare is assigned a Staroption value by Starwood, and Staroptions can be used for exchanges to other Starwood timeshares. Staroptions cannot be used outside the Starwood network. (A Staroption chart is posted in the Owner Resources sticky.)
3) What are Starpoints? Starpoints are Starwood hotel points & they can be used for hotel stays, airfare, and other purchases from the Starwood Preferred Guests Program. Every-other-year, an owner can convert their timeshare unit into Starpoints before March 31st. Starpoints do not transfer with a resale. (A Starpoint chart is posted in the Owner Resources sticky.)
4) Can I buy/sell/rent/barter/deposit Staroptions - NO
5) Can I roll Staroptions over to the next year? - No, they expire at the end of the calendar year.
6) Can I borrow Staroptions from the next year? - Yes, but you have to pay the maintenance fee for the next year in advance, and the Staroptions can only be used for reservations made 90 days out.
7) If I buy a Starwood timeshare, resale, can I exchange it for other Starwood timeshares using the Starwood Vacation Network? - Only if you buy it at one of five "Mandatory" Resorts.
8) 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 (most sections)
* Westin St. John (most sections)
* Westin Ka'anapali & Westin Ka'anapali-North
* Westin Kierland Villas
b. If a resort is Staroption "Voluntary," it means that the Staroption value of the week DOES NOT transfer to the new owner when it is resold, and the new owner DOES NOT have the right to exchange his timeshare in the Starwood Vacation Network.
9) If I buy a voluntary week, resale, can I pay a fee and buy into the Starwood Vacation network? - NO
10) What does it mean to requalify/retro a resale?
In simplest terms:
a. Someone purchases a Starwood Timeshare, resale, at a voluntary or mandatory resort.
b. Then they purchase a timeshare directly from Starwood.
c. As part of the negotiation for purchase, Starwood requalifies/retros the resale week, giving it all the rights/benefits of a week as if purchased directly from Starwood.
*For all the details, see the "Yes you can requalify/retro as a Direct Sale," sticky.
11) Can I deposit a resale/developer week with an exchange company? Yes - both resales and developer weeks can be deposited.
12) How do I deposit a Starwood week with an exchange company?
Interval International (II) - Call Starwood Owner Services and let them know that you want to deposit your week with II. Starwood will choose the week that is deposited and make the deposit for you. (Detailed info. here.)
Independent Exchange Companies - Reserve a popular week at your home resort exactly as you would if it was for your own use. Contact your independent exchange company to complete the transaction.
13) If I can't use my week this year, can I rent it, trade it, deposit it, or let friends or family use it? - YES
14) How do I make a reservation?
To make a reservation at your home resort, call owner services during the Owner's Preference Period, 12-8 mos. out from the date of arrival. Best practice: Call exactly at 12 mos. out at 9:00 a.m. ET.
To make a Staroption exchange, call owner services 8 - 0 mos. out from the date of arrival.
Best Practice: At 12 mos. out, reserve your home resort week as a backup. At exactly 8 mos. out at 9:00 a.m. ET, call and see if the exchange you want is available. If it is, you can cancel your home resort and reserve the exchange.
Reservations for less than a full week can be made 3 - 0 mos. out, if available.
Reservations canceled within 60 days of the check-in date, can only be used to make future reservations at 60 days out from arrival date and Starwood may charge a cancellation fee.
15) What is an Elite Owner? An Elite Owner owns multiple Starwood timeshare units and receives "perks" from Starwood based on his Elite level.
16) What do all those acronyms and abbreviations mean? - It can be confusing! Check out David's List of Starwood Terms.
For in-depth information on these question and more, please see the Starwood Article posted here.
Last edited:
And I made it #1.
! You've summed it up nicely! Hopefully it will help us to not answer the same questions over and over again in the future. Great idea!
:hysterical: