Westin St John [Master Thread] - Part 2 (June 2014 and forward)

[farsighted99]

Getting value out of Starpoints depends on what hotel you are going to stay in, when you are traveling, and how much you can get it elsewhere. I just went on a trip to Asia: stayed in Bangkok at the St. Regis. Booked it through Amex (Platinum Card) and got a 4th night free and a free dinner in their Italian restaurant. Rates were way lower than points. Then stayed in the Le Meridien in Chiang Mai and booked it using points through Chase Ultra Rewards (Sapphire Reserve). Then the Marriott in Hong Kong used Marriott points since that was the best deal. All 3 hotels are SPG hotels. Got upgraded in all 3 hotels, with breakfast included. Haven't touched my Starpoints yet, but probably will soon. I have a lot of them thanks to Vistana. However, I wouldn't buy any unless I had plans to use them soon and they worked out to be worthwhile. Oh, and expiring in 6 years in not very appealing. Miles sent to airlines isn't too bad, but if your airline is United it's not a good exchange (2 starpoints for 1 united).

 

[YYJMSP]

so here's a thought -- what happens to all of the WSJ Explorer packages out there that you can no longer return on?

 

[dioxide45]

so here's a thought -- what happens to all of the WSJ Explorer packages out there that you can no longer return on?

They will likely just extend the deadline to use them.

 

[Helios]

Getting value out of Starpoints depends on what hotel you are going to stay in, when you are traveling, and how much you can get it elsewhere. I just went on a trip to Asia: stayed in Bangkok at the St. Regis. Booked it through Amex (Platinum Card) and got a 4th night free and a free dinner in their Italian restaurant. Rates were way lower than points. Then stayed in the Le Meridien in Chiang Mai and booked it using points through Chase Ultra Rewards (Sapphire Reserve). Then the Marriott in Hong Kong used Marriott points since that was the best deal. All 3 hotels are SPG hotels. Got upgraded in all 3 hotels, with breakfast included. Haven't touched my Starpoints yet, but probably will soon. I have a lot of them thanks to Vistana. However, I wouldn't buy any unless I had plans to use them soon and they worked out to be worthwhile. Oh, and expiring in 6 years in not very appealing. Miles sent to airlines isn't too bad, but if your airline is United it's not a good exchange (2 starpoints for 1 united).

You do need to be aware of bad conversion rations and figure out what airline has the most advantageous point requirements for your desired route/cabin.

 

[Helios]

so here's a thought -- what happens to all of the WSJ Explorer packages out there that you can no longer return on?

tada...

 

[Helios]

I only checked on the conversion for one hotel in Waikiki. We haven't traveled to Europe, so I have never checked anything there. I did convert SPG points for airfare once. I don't remember being savvy enough to determine if it was the best value, it was just nice not "paying" for airfare to St. Thomas. (We didn't upgrade to 1st class.)

Thanx for your input!

Re: value, I'll give you an example that maximizes your ROI. Buy the $110K points for $1,815, say you have 5K SPG points (value those at $0.0165/SP or $82.5), then convert them to Aeroplan miles in two batches (60K and 55K). You will get 140K miles for $1,897.50. Get a Lufthansa ticket from the US to Europe (saver mileage) for 140K miles and ~$1,266.60 CAD. Your total cost would be approximately $1,897.50 plus $1,015 = $2,912.50 USD. Sounds like a lot, probably/it depends...but this tix out of pocket can be more over $18,000. I know you won't earn miles...

No fuzzy math here. I just picked a good example to illustrate the value that can be achieved if the points are properly used. I realize this is not for everyone. There are other ways to get an even higher ROI...

 

[NNerland]

so here's a thought -- what happens to all of the WSJ Explorer packages out there that you can no longer return on?

We have a package - we had reservations for January. We were able to cancel, before they cancelled everyone's automatically. I was told they would basically do whatever to make it work and they are kicking out there a few years. They basically use hotel inventory or unsold inventory so it shouldn't mess things up too much. But obviously they sell them to get you back and they want you back. They have been great to work with thus far. Package will be paid off this year, not a bad vacation at interest free. Not a STEAL by any means like I first sold myself on; but nothing to be ashamed of. Basically in our case a bit cheaper than the dues one would pay and much cheaper if we get to be in the new Sunset phase (which ironically has the most damage)

 

[ksqdomer]

They will likely just extend the deadline to use them.

they have, two years.

 

[YYJMSP]

they have, two years.

Yup, just got the email on ours this morning -- extended to Dec 15, 2019

 

[cubigbird]

I’m curious on how a SA could apply for phases such as Sunset Bay that are in active sales by the developer. Wouldn’t the developer still have to pay their share on developer owned units?

As Denise mentioned in another thread, it’s not popular, but due to hurricane and completely unexpected, how much could it be to prevent owners from walking and how could it affect owners in a phase in active sales?

 

[SMHarman]

I’m curious on how a SA could apply for phases such as Sunset Bay that are in active sales by the developer. Wouldn’t the developer still have to pay their share on developer owned units?

As Denise mentioned in another thread, it’s not popular, but due to hurricane and completely unexpected, how could it affect owners in a phase in active sales?

Yes the developer still owns those shares so would be paying their share. Just like they pay the HOA MF on those shares.

I'm more curious about owners that closed but their first use year is 2018. They didn't pay MF for use during the period the event occurred in and the developer has a warranty of habitation under law so surely the developer should be paying to make those weeks habitable again.

 

[Helios]

I'm more curious about owners that closed but their first use year is 2018. They didn't pay MF for use during the period the event occurred in and the developer has a warranty of habitation under law so surely the developer should be paying to make those weeks habitable again.

I'll post on this as this is exactly my case.

 

[DavidnRobin]

WSJ-VGV 2018 (proposed) annual fees just arrived in mail

2018 WSJ-VGV MF (proposed)
Studio: $1458.19
1Bd: $1944.34
2Bd TH: $2430.07
2Bd Prem: $2916.40
3Bd Pool: $2916.60

IMPORTANT
Note at bottom states:
This is only proposed and needs to be approved.
That the MFs will NOT be as high as proposed due to H. Irma
November 10 is the date for approval of the actual budget (MF).

It is interesting to note that the 2Bd TH MFs increased by ~$30. That is 5-6 years in row that MFs have stayed relatively flat (w/o Irma impact)

 

[okwiater]

I assume the 3BR pool villa MF of $1916.60 is a typo?

 

[DavidnRobin]

I assume the 3BR pool villa MF of $1916.60 is a typo?

Oops - corrected - thanks

 

[DavidnRobin]

Question for WSJ Owners that took offer to buy SPs for 1.65c/SP.

Anyone been successful in actually purchasing them?
Twice now - they have given me delay excuses (2 different ones...)

 

[Helios]

Question for WSJ Owners that took offer to buy SPs for 1.65c/SP.

Anyone been successful in actually purchasing them?
Twice now - they have given me delay excuses (2 different ones...)

I intend to buy it but haven’t gotten around to call. What kind delay excuses are they giving you?

 

[Markus]

I am going go buy also. These will be of good use in Europe. I just burned off quite a few in Greece, and found very good value.

Markus

 

[OCsun]

I called and purchased points yesterday. They said it could take up to 72 hrs to show. Is that not the case?

 

[canesfan]

I was just reading an article about tourism on the VIConsortium FB and it was listing all the resorts with projected open dates. It has WSJ as October 2018.


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[ksqdomer]

What’s the phone number for booking at the 8 month out date?

 

[SMHarman]

What’s the phone number for booking at the 8 month out date?

https://www.vistana.com/contact-us

Or use the website at midnight EST

1-888-847-8262

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Hours of Operation:
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST Saturday, Sunday

Closed Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Sheraton Vacation Club
1.888.SV.OWNER (1-888-786-9637) or direct at 407-903-4649

Westin Vacation Club
1.888.WV.OWNER (1-888-986-9637) or direct at 407-903-4635

Harborside Resort at Atlantis
1-877-782-7496 or direct at 407-903-4893

Lakeside Terrace and Vistana Beach Club
1-800-847-8262 or direct at 407-903-4640

 

[DavidnRobin]

What’s the phone number for booking at the 8 month out date?

I’d suggest to book online. Opens evening before phone reservations.


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[DeniseM]

What’s the phone number for booking at the 8 month out date?

For example, tonight (Oct. 22) at midnight eastern, you can reserve June 23. Here in CA, that's 9:00 pm.

For popular resorts/dates, if you wait and call the next day, you will find that there is nothing left.

***If you have never made an online reservation, you should practice in advance so you are quick and efficient. Even if you accidentally make a reservation, you can immediately cancel it online with no penalty.

 

[ksqdomer]

Just saw on a Facebook thread that United has canceled all STT flights into April 2018