If my purpose was to exchange I always felt that booking a prime week to get best trading power was "gaming" they system ... and I was thankful to the people on TUG who showed the way!
Are you Catholic or Jewish?
Just kidding (from a guilt-ridden Catholic!). You were not gaming the system, you were simply doing what each and every owner had the right to do if he/she so wished. I agree about the great people on TUG!
I bought SDO because I like the Starwood resorts/locations and the II priority suggested that I'd be able to exchange into other Starwood resorts. It now appears that we're not sure about the II priority either. For me, this is an even bigger issue than reduced trading power. ..
The priority period was in fact a gift (not in the CCRs but part of a contract negotiated between Starwood and II) and unfortunately Starwood can take it away. I've enjoyed its benefits for many years, but there are so many wonderful non-Starwood resorts available in II. I'll miss it if it's gone, but my vacations won't suffer. I'll just spend my $ at non-Starwood locations!
Starwood might want to hope that those who trade in under the new rules spend as much money onsite as those who no longer have preference (the Harborside bar and Atlantis casino will suffer if I can no longer trade in!).
With hindsight, I should have probably bought a mandatory unit ... live and learn!
I think that's a toss-up. I did buy mandatory resorts for those I wish to visit every year, but I paid pennies for my voluntary units. If their benefits go away, it's no great loss.
This is my main problem with Starwood right now, if they are going to keep this mandatory/voluntary SVN, non-SVN come up with a system that can work for both sets of owners.
Amen!!! Uh oh, two religious references in one post -- hope I don't get banned.
Why can’t they have it both ways? Why can’t SVO enforce the same rules to all owners and provide additional benefits (SVN) to owners of mandatory resorts or direct purchasers?
I ask because I don’t know the answer…no agenda here.
If there were truly benefits involved, there wouldn't be an issue. But, this new system is not fair to non-SVN owners who previously had the right to book and deposit any week within their seasons. Blended trading power means lower trading power for those who were saavy enough to book and deposit prime weeks. And, it was completely within our legal rights to do so. I've been stuck with lousy trading weeks when I've failed to be the "early bird" and didn't confirm reservations until late in the year. I didn't cry foul -- I knew it was my own fault for not reserving earlier. To attempt to reward those who procrastinate at the expense of those who act early is simply unfair and contrary to the deeded rights.
Okay – off my soapbox and back to work!
