PS: This whole situation makes me ask though...when is it good to have a time share?
So I own three Starwood resorts. All 2BR Lockoffs. I needed to take 14 ppl to Cancun for a family thing. I didn't want to give up two of my weeks for 2 2BR Lockoffs there. so I deposited the studio side from each of two units with Interval International. Then I used those for instant exchanges for 2 2BR lockoffs there. (I had already confirmed that the instant exchange was possible for what I needed)
I paid two Starwood to Starwood exchange fees with Interval. I think it was about $139 each. I have what I want there and I still have the large one bedroom side from each unit available to either stay in, trade within SVN, convert to StarPoints or now bank.
From developer purchases I had a ton of StarPoints. I also travel a LOT for business. I used these points for 11 nights in Europe this coming May. 2 nights in a Le Meriden, Barcelona, 2 nights in a Westin in Venice, 2 nights St Regis Florence and 5 nights St Regis Rome. 11 nights total, 2 rooms at each location, that's 22 room nights. Cash value of the rooms if i had to pay for them is about 15,000 Euros. Would I have spent that kind of money for the rooms, Not a chance. Makes it a bit easier to deal with the developer purchases when the fuzzy math can wipe away some of the extra $ I did spend buying!
Read here, learn about buying resale, then buying from the developer and re-qualifying your resale purchase into the SVN program with full benefits. If that's what you are looking for.
As many here say, buy where you would want to go every year, in case something changes and that's all you can do. There is no guarantee that SVN will be here next year, that the resort wont kick out Starwood, that Interval will be here. All worst case scenarios but all possible.
There are a lot of great things about timeshares. As long as you have your eyes open can be flexible and LEARN how to use them to get the most value, its a great way to vacation
YMMV
Steve