Can exchangers into WKORV request room preference?

[luv_maui]

Can an exchanger (non Starwood owner) into WKORV request a room preference? If so, how would you make this request? Would Gold SPG status help in any way?

 

[oneohana]

It never hurts to ask, just call the resort. You never know what will happen. Good Luck, *wood elites are not officially getting upgraded rooms when available. Gold status has no bearing.

 

[LisaRex]

Can an exchanger (non Starwood owner) into WKORV request a room preference?

If you exchanged with the owner directly, you'll be assigned the view he/she has, provided he/she reserved the unit during the 8-12 month priority window. As their guest, your shot at getting an upgrade is on par with the owner's shot at getting an upgrade but we're currently in the dark as to whether anyone, elite owner or otherwise, will receive complimentary upgrades in the future.*

If you exchanged via II then you'll unfortunately be at the back of the pack in terms of what upgrade opportunities may or may not exist, most certainly behind Maui owners, then non-Maui SVN owners, then folks who booked directly with WKORV (and paid their astronomical rates). However, it never hurts to ask, it never hurts to say that you're there to check out the property and possibly buy, and it never hurts to be really nice to the front desk folks.

*As oneohana said, Starwood recently sent a letter to their multi-unit owners saying that they would not receive complimentary upgrades. We don't have any anecdotal evidence to answer the question as to whether they will stick to that policy. If they do, the chances for anyone getting an upgrade seems remote.