What Exactly Are Staroptions Points?

[NYFLTRAVELER]

I am considering buying a resale floating week at Harborside Atlantis. Listing also states that you get a certain number of Staroptions points. What are the Starooints and what is the difference in owing/using the week vs points?

I am only familiar with Marriott system.

Thank you.

 

[mjm1]

Each unit is equal to a certain number of StarOptions that can be used for internal trades within the SVN (Starwood Vacation Network.) You can use them within 8 months of checkin at other Vistana resorts. Otherwise you can reserve your unit at your home resort from 12 months to 8 months plus one day before check in (priority period for owners at that resort).

Vistana is a very good system and we have enjoyed the resorts and found that it matches well with our Marriott ownership. Buying a mandatory resort on the resale market is a great way to get into the system as the associated StarOptions transfer to the new owner.

The ability to convert your unit to StarPoints (hotel points) that now convert to Marriott Reward Points (BonVoy) does not transfer to the new owner.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am considering buying a resale floating week at Harborside Atlantis. Listing also states that you get a certain number of Staroptions points. What are the Starooints and what is the difference in owing/using the week vs points?

I am only familiar with Marriott system.

Thank you.

There is a Sticky that explains the Vistana (VSE/VSN) system at top of forum.
Buying resale at Harborside has its complications, and is often better to buy VSN Mandatory resale elsewhere and SO exchange into HRA.
Under most circumstances...


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[NYFLTRAVELER]

Thank you.

What is generally the best/least expensive point of entry (acquisition cost and maint fee-wise) to acquire ownership with enough StarOptions to be able to trade into Harborside Atlantis on an annual basis for a 2bedroom unit in peak season?

 

[alwysonvac]

Here’s the link to the StarOptions chart which shows the number of SOs needed for Harborside.
https://vistana-web-static.s3.amazo...assets/pdf/charts/staroptions_value_chart.pdf

Lots of owners rent their week due to the high maintenance fee. There’s lots of competition for the leftover two bedrooms during peak summer weeks. You’ll need lots of flexible with your travel dates and you’ll have to book as soon as the reservation window opens for everyone.

If you decide to buy Harborside, here’s a thread regarding Phase 1 vs Phase 2 ownership - https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/harborside-floating-vs-fixed-week.107859/

If you decide to rent, there are various sites for owner rentals where you’ll find plenty of availability.

Here’s a sample of rentals at Redweek.com.

 

[Travelmore]

We are also considering a Harbourside resale (Phase 2 - 2 bedroom Lock-off). I thought I read that there was a special assessment in place. I can't remember if it was for one year or more. Is this still in place, how much is it and when does it end?

Thanks

 

[DavidnRobin]

Unless you plan to use during high demand weeks and/or plan to rent out - I would stay away from HRA resale.
IMO

Go to HRA using cheaper SOs (at 8-month point) - either from SVV (Mandatory phases) or WKV would likely be better choices (plus allows you to go to other VSN resorts cheaply).


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[CPNY]

Unless you plan to use during high demand weeks and/or plan to rent out - I would stay away from HRA resale.
IMO

Go to HRA using cheaper SOs (at 8-month point) - either from SVV (Mandatory phases) or WKV would likely be better choices (plus allows you to go to other VSN resorts cheaply).


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I own HRA. purchAsed a 2 Lockout platinum key west with 95K star options for that reason. Only booked Hawaii so far. It’s nice to have enough options to do something other than a week at HRA. I just picked up another 2 bedroom lockout every other year at key west 95,700 options for 500 bucks today. Bought the other key west a few years back for 900. Would do anything to get out of HRA yet book with my other options