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4 Star Elite

SGould

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Had an update this week and they really pushed 4 Star Elite. I was curious if anyone was 4 Star Elite and if they see any benefit.
 

controller1

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Had an update this week and they really pushed 4 Star Elite. I was curious if anyone was 4 Star Elite and if they see any benefit.

I'm 5-Star Elite.

First, I would certainly not make a purchase with the primary goal of attaining 4-Star or Any-Star Elite. My achievement of 5-Star Elite was prior to discovering Tug.

Benefits I find useful (and I use) as a 5-Star Elite:
  • Early check-in of 2:00 pm
  • Late check-out of 12:00 noon
  • Bank StarOptions as late as December 31
  • No fee for banking StarOptions
  • For those times I've needed to convert to Bonvoy points - no fee and a 10% bonus
  • Prior to attaining Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum it was nice to have Platinum status in the hotel program without worrying about the number of stays each year
There are other benefits but I find I do not utilize them. Another benefit is certain Vistana resorts offer discounts to Vistana Elite members and the 5-Star benefits (such as F&B discounts, spa discounts, etc) are usually higher than the 3- and 4-Star Elite benefits.
 
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Ken555

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Had an update this week and they really pushed 4 Star Elite. I was curious if anyone was 4 Star Elite and if they see any benefit.

Short answer: no.


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sjsharkie

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Agree with Ken. For the price to get to 4 star, no.

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grgs

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I'm 5-Star Elite.

Benefits I find useful (and I use) as a 5-Star Elite:
  • Early check-in of 2:00 pm
  • Late check-out of 12:00 noon
  • Bank StarOptions as late as December 31
  • No fee for banking StarOptions

How hard do you have to push to get the early check in/late check out? I agree that the extended banking deadline and no banking fee are both useful.
 

controller1

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How hard do you have to push to get the early check in/late check out? I agree that the extended banking deadline and no banking fee are both useful.

I've received it every time I've requested in Hawaii and that's been at least a dozen trips or more. I've also received it at WMH the one time I requested it. I did not receive it at Westin Riverside and my understanding is that it is rarely granted at Riverside due to their small number of villas.
 

SGould

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We were thinking, if we did this, to purchase something on the resale market and have them requalify knowing we would need a minimum spend. Has anyone had success doing this? If so, any tips?
 

canesfan

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There is a HUGE difference between 4 and 5 Star elite. My vote is no. I’m 4 and we did it before I found TUG. Luckily I could afford it and we use our ownership to it’s fullest but never would I recommend it for achieving 4 star elite benefits and I would never go for 5.


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jabberwocky

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We were thinking, if we did this, to purchase something on the resale market and have them requalify knowing we would need a minimum spend. Has anyone had success doing this? If so, any tips?

I obtained 3* via a retro+developer purchase in August. 3* was a nice addition but not the primary reason for doing so.

If considering doing this:

- Above all else buy a resale that you would want to use if the whole VSN system were scrapped.
- Next consider how many SO you actually want and can reasonably use
- It doesn't make much sense to retro in a mandatory unit since there are already SO associated with - if I intend to own for a long time my preference would be to get a cheaper voluntary resale that has a good $/SO ratio.
- Keep in mind that min spend for first requalification is $10k, each additional one in same purchase is $5k.
- Consider whether WFlex or SFlex is better for you. WFlex is a bit more expensive but will probably be easier to dispose of
- All things being equal you may want to go with a EOY flex contract vs. an annual to meet min spend given MF

Edited to add:

- I would also go through central sales rather than on onsite office. Some locations are limited in what products they can sell. Central sales can be more flexible in designing a deal that is less onerous (you'll still be paying through the nose).
 
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grgs

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I've received it every time I've requested in Hawaii and that's been at least a dozen trips or more. I've also received it at WMH the one time I requested it. I did not receive it at Westin Riverside and my understanding is that it is rarely granted at Riverside due to their small number of villas.

Good to know. We're heading to WKORVN at the end of May, and early check in & late check out would be great!
 

controller1

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Good to know. We're heading to WKORVN at the end of May, and early check in & late check out would be great!

Be sure and request it online through the Vistana dashboard so it is associated with your reservation.
 

vistana101

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I'm only 3-star elite, but I've always understood the benefits of 4-star elite to be minimal.

Question for those who are 5-star, do you get the 5 suite night awards each year with Marriott Bonvoy? Or only if you stay the actual 50 nights?
 

cubigbird

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I'm only 3-star elite, but I've always understood the benefits of 4-star elite to be minimal.

Question for those who are 5-star, do you get the 5 suite night awards each year with Marriott Bonvoy? Or only if you stay the actual 50 nights?

Marriott Bonvoy is the hotel program separate from Vistana timeshares. The suite night awards are when you get 50 hotel nights. Vistana timeshares stays however, do count towards that 50.
 

vistana101

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Marriott Bonvoy is the hotel program separate from Vistana timeshares. The suite night awards are when you get 50 hotel nights. Vistana timeshares stays however, do count towards that 50.
Yes, was just wondering if by any chance being Platinum through Vistana 5-star gave you the 5 suite night awards/annual choice benefit without having to actually stay 50 nights. I had read something about that when Bonvoy first launched, but figured it was false!
 

canesfan

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Actually your timeshare nights do count now but you really need to stay on top of the situation to make sure you get credit.


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jabberwocky

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Marriott Bonvoy is the hotel program separate from Vistana timeshares. The suite night awards are when you get 50 hotel nights. Vistana timeshares stays however, do count towards that 50.

As does the 15 night credit if you have a Bonvoy card.
 

Pipercub925

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Does anyone know if there is something in writing somewhere that states benefits for being 4 or 5 star elite owners?
 

CPNY

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Good to know. We're heading to WKORVN at the end of May, and early check in & late check out would be great!
Lately I’ve been booking an extra day or try and find a cheap rate online for an extra Night. That’s the best late checkout you can get!
 

YYJMSP

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canesfan

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Interesting in that chart that they no longer offer Bonvoy status with 3 or 4 star. As we have discussed previously the waitlist feature is useless.



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controller1

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Yes, was just wondering if by any chance being Platinum through Vistana 5-star gave you the 5 suite night awards/annual choice benefit without having to actually stay 50 nights. I had read something about that when Bonvoy first launched, but figured it was false!

No. Even though 5-Star Elite provides Platinum status in Marriott Bonvoy, one must still receive 50 nights of elite credit prior to being able to choose an annual award including the 5 Suite Night Awards. Credit card 15 nights, Vistana/MVC nights and award nights do count towards the 50 nights of elite night credit.
 

YYJMSP

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Yes, was just wondering if by any chance being Platinum through Vistana 5-star gave you the 5 suite night awards/annual choice benefit without having to actually stay 50 nights. I had read something about that when Bonvoy first launched, but figured it was false!

The 5x SNAs are one of the choices of threshold gifts you can choose amongst at 50 and 75 nights credited. Those happen to be the thresholds for achieving Platinum and Titanium status through nights credited.
 

jabberwocky

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Interesting in that chart that they no longer offer Bonvoy status with 3 or 4 star. As we have discussed previously the waitlist feature is useless.

Don't you get Bonvoy Gold automatically if you have a developer purchase? I don't think it was ever a 3* or 4* benefit.
 

controller1

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Don't you get Bonvoy Gold automatically if you have a developer purchase? I don't think it was ever a 3* or 4* benefit.

Yes, any developer purchase gives you Bonvoy Gold.
 

Ken555

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The 5x SNAs are one of the choices of threshold gifts you can choose amongst at 50 and 75 nights credited. Those happen to be the thresholds for achieving Platinum and Titanium status through nights credited.

Hmm..I earned platinum again in 2019 after some years and didn’t receive any offer, option, or anything upon reaching it. I do remember receiving the 5x SNA when I reached it last time. Perhaps this is only offered once?


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