teddyo333
TUG Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2012
- Messages
- 219
- Reaction score
- 133
- Points
- 253
- Location
- Upstate NY
- Resorts Owned
-
Vistana:
Westin Kierland (x2)
WKORV - OV (x2)
Desert Oasis (x6)
Vistana Villages - Bella
Vistana Villages - Key West
Sheraton Broadway Plantation (2BR Lockout)
Marriott:
Marriott Grande Ocean
I would like to thank everyone on this thread who recommended purchasing a mandatory property to gain access to staroptions. Here is some background for my need for StarOptions:
I have several timeshares (SBP, Marriott Sunset Point & SDO) but wanted a way for my wife and I to have an annual trip to Hawaii (Stayed at the Ritz Kapalua for the first time this year and fell in love with Maui). I researched the cost of renting or just paying out right every year (ranged from $3000 to $5000 per stay depending on number of bedrooms and season). Based on what I've read and recommendations my wife and I decided to pursue 148K StarOptions (not via developer of course ).
We narrowed our selection down to Westin Kierland since we love staying in Scottsdale but we were a little taken back by the cost (We did not want to spend $14K (2 Bedroom Plantinum) and then $1600 in Maintenance every year). In the end we were able to find a 81K Platinum Westin Kierland 1 Bedroom Premium for $7K (including Fees and 81K for this year which I already rented to recoup $1K of the cost). Based on the recommendations of several Tuggers we also looked into purchasing Vistana Villages Bella to make up the difference in points. We were able to find a tugger that was giving away a 67K Gold Plus 2Bed for just closing costs. I know we are paying @ $500 more per year in maintenance but we saved at least $8K of upfront cost. And we have the flexibility we wanted (We've already reserved our anniversary vacation in May (WKORV Ocean Front Premium 1 Bedroom and it only cost 95K StarOptions). We will be able to bank the remaining for a 2 Bedroom the following year.
Thanks again for showing that being flexible and patient really pays off.
I have several timeshares (SBP, Marriott Sunset Point & SDO) but wanted a way for my wife and I to have an annual trip to Hawaii (Stayed at the Ritz Kapalua for the first time this year and fell in love with Maui). I researched the cost of renting or just paying out right every year (ranged from $3000 to $5000 per stay depending on number of bedrooms and season). Based on what I've read and recommendations my wife and I decided to pursue 148K StarOptions (not via developer of course ).
We narrowed our selection down to Westin Kierland since we love staying in Scottsdale but we were a little taken back by the cost (We did not want to spend $14K (2 Bedroom Plantinum) and then $1600 in Maintenance every year). In the end we were able to find a 81K Platinum Westin Kierland 1 Bedroom Premium for $7K (including Fees and 81K for this year which I already rented to recoup $1K of the cost). Based on the recommendations of several Tuggers we also looked into purchasing Vistana Villages Bella to make up the difference in points. We were able to find a tugger that was giving away a 67K Gold Plus 2Bed for just closing costs. I know we are paying @ $500 more per year in maintenance but we saved at least $8K of upfront cost. And we have the flexibility we wanted (We've already reserved our anniversary vacation in May (WKORV Ocean Front Premium 1 Bedroom and it only cost 95K StarOptions). We will be able to bank the remaining for a 2 Bedroom the following year.
Thanks again for showing that being flexible and patient really pays off.