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Questions on a Westin resale purchase

astjohn

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I am considering purchasing a Westin timeshare in Princeville, Kaui however I am told that this resale doesn’t come with star options. What exactly does this mean? Am I going to be able to trade at other Vistana properties? And can I still bank or roll if unused?

Also, when you book your dates what happens if you wish to change it? Are there fees associated with changes?

Any other advice for someone brand new to this topic?
 

DeniseM

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Am I going to be able to trade at other Vistana properties? And can I still bank or roll if unused?

No - you will not be able to bank or trade it within the Vistana system. You can deposit it with Interval International, an outside exchange company, and trade that way, but with Interval, you will not have nearly as much access to Vistana exchanges.

However, this is a very expensive resort to own - the maintenance fee is very high, so I would not buy it, unless I wanted to go there just about every year. It's too expensive to use as a trader. Depositing it in Interval is like depositing your Mercedes in a pool of Chevys.

Also, when you book your dates what happens if you wish to change it? Are there fees associated with changes?

There is no fee to change, but you may not be able to get what you want. At this resort, Princeville owners can make their reservations from 12-8 months before check-in. At 8 months, all Vistana owners with Staroptions can make reservations, so if you wait until after 8 months, and try to change your reservation, it may be booked solid.

Any other advice for someone brand new to this topic?

Don't rush into a purchase - take you time and do some research here on TUG.

1) Vistana FAQ: https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php...-to-timesharing-or-starwood-start-here.63224/

2) Take this survey to help focus your wants and needs: https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/what-to-buy-questions-for-newbies.208742/
 

astjohn

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Thank you Denise! How would I be able to see which resorts through interval international I could exchange it for if I’m not an II member? So star options allow you more flexibility to exchange?
 

DeniseM

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You can't see what resorts you can trade into if you aren't a II member, and you can't really see them even if you are a II member - you have to put in an ongoing search for the resort(s) you want - which is kind of like waitlisting, and then see what you get.

Staroptions allow you to trade for other Vistana timeshares within the Vistana internal trading system - which has far, far more Vistana inventory than Interval.

If you are looking for a Vistana Trader, there are other Vistana resorts that have Staroptions, even when purchased resale, that are much less expensive to own. See the FAQ that I posted above for all the details.
 

astjohn

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One more question- so can we roll it within the same resort if our year is up or do we have to roll into interval international if unused that year?. The one we were looking to purchase is a 2 bedroom every other year however we were thinking to split it and use it yearly for a 1 bedroom/studio alternately.
 

DeniseM

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No - without Staroptions you can't bank you week with Vistana or exchange with Vistana - you can only use Interval International.

How often do you plan to go to Kauai? Have you been to this resort?
 

DeniseM

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[I am inserting Dave's response manually, from a duplicate thread - DeniseM]

---------------------------

DavidnRobin:

I own WPORV, and even bought an EOY odd preconstruction from SVO (now VSE) knowing and already owning resale WKORV, WSJ-VGV, and WKV. A classic thread from 2007.

Buy WPORV to use (resale), and not to exchange out of), and if prime villa location is important by getting a top timestamp by reserving exactly when reservation window opens (meaning being able to plan 12 months in advance).

This is what I do - and have been extremely happy (since 2009). Almost bought a fix/fix (and traded in my EOY Float), but the 10%+10% was too much. Also, I do not like the studio (Q bed...) - so I use studio for 6 nites in 1 Bd (using SOs at 8 months as an adjacent stay). Or, have friends come along. Advantage of buying from VSE (but not worth the cost).

Otherwise - pass. MFs are too high and can exchange into relatively easy (but won’t get a prime location most likely).

Good luck.
Others here tend to disagree with me about owning WPORV. But, with caveats above, it is a great resort and certainly location.

- David

-------------------------
 
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astjohn

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No - without Staroptions you can't bank you week with Vistana or exchange with Vistana - you can only use Interval International.

How often do you plan to go to Kauai? Have you been to this resort?
Hi Denise- Yes we just came back from that resort in April and loved it but I don't want to go there every year. Hoping to travel to different places/Starwood timeshares. Is there a key for all of the acronyms in David's post? I'm not sure what they are. Also is thee a place or way to find out on average how far you need to book at various resorts? We'd consider buying at another resort with staroptions and trading it (like Atlantis). Thanks so much for your help! Looking on here has given me more info than I have been able to gather so far!
 

DeniseM

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Also is thee a place or way to find out on average how far you need to book at various resorts? We'd consider buying at another resort with staroptions and trading it (like Atlantis).

With Staroptions, you have to make your reservations exactly at 8 months in advance, when the Staroption reservation window opens, because the popular resorts fill up fast.

Since you want to trade frequently, don't buy a Hawaii resort - it's too expensive to use as a trader. The least expensive mandatory resale (resale with Staroptions) Is Sheraton Vistana Villages: Bella and Key West phases only.
 

astjohn

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Thanks Denise. That's what I'm seeing. Do you know anything about combing staroptions? Life if I purchsed 2 units for say 44,00 staroptions, I can combine right? Do I do this when I am booking at another resort? Also, if we have extra staroptions can we book multiple units at the same resort at the same time to travel with friends or family?
 

vacationtime1

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Thanks Denise. That's what I'm seeing. Do you know anything about combing staroptions? Life if I purchsed 2 units for say 44,00 staroptions, I can combine right? Do I do this when I am booking at another resort? Also, if we have extra staroptions can we book multiple units at the same resort at the same time to travel with friends or family?

Yes, yes, and yes.
 
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