Converted Staroptions to Club Points

[lprstn]

This is my first time doing this type of transfer and don't know if it's going to work more frequently for me.
It only allowed me to do the coming year - not current year

How far in advance should we book?
Is there a benefit for picking up last minute check in to push points further?

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

Like with SO, in Abound the top/most popular resorts have to be booked 12 months in advance. There are usually last minute (within 60 days) 'Escapes' available at mainly US resorts and 'off season' where you can get nights in a Studio/1BR/2BR for 60/120/180 Abound points per night (3,4 and 7 night stays are what's usually advertised).

 

[sponger76]

This is my first time doing this type of transfer and don't know if it's going to work more frequently for me.
It only allowed me to do the coming year - not current year

The deadline for electing Club Points for a given use year is always during the prior year. The exact date depends on your ownership level.

 

[daviator]

This is my first time doing this type of transfer and don't know if it's going to work more frequently for me.
It only allowed me to do the coming year - not current year

How far in advance should we book?
Is there a benefit for picking up last minute check in to push points further?

The deadline for election is September 30 of the prior year, unless you are Presidential or Chairman's Club level, in which case it’s October 31.

 

[Eric B]

Is there a benefit for picking up last minute check in to push points further?

For someone with Executive benefit level, there is a 25% discount in the number of points needed for a booking within 30 days of arrival. For someone with either Presidential or Chairman's Club benefit levels, the discount is 30% within 60 days of arrival.

 

[daviator]

For someone with Executive benefit level, there is a 25% discount in the number of points needed for a booking within 30 days of arrival. For someone with either Presidential or Chairman's Club benefit levels, the discount is 30% within 60 days of arrival.

But it’s worth noting that once you get within 60 days of checkin, those nights belong to the developer and they can (and do) rent them out for cash or monetize them in other ways. It’s my impression that they only make them available for owner bookings within 60 days when they think they won’t be able to monetize them or they have a lot of inventory for the specified dates.

I would expect to see a general reduction in available inventory as you move from day 61 to day 60. But I haven’t done any work to prove or disprove that, it’s just a hypothesis.

All that said, if you can book something inside of 30 or 60 days and take advantage of the discount, go for it!

 

[Hindsite]

But it’s worth noting that once you get within 60 days of checkin, those nights belong to the developer and they can (and do) rent them out for cash or monetize them in other ways.

They may be able to dual list such inventory

 

[daviator]

They may be able to dual list such inventory

Yes, perhaps, and they might. They want to fill the rooms, but I imagine they’d rather fill them with cash-paying guests if they can. I imagine they have algorithms which determine exactly what they offer and where.

 

[Eric B]

But it’s worth noting that once you get within 60 days of checkin, those nights belong to the developer and they can (and do) rent them out for cash or monetize them in other ways. It’s my impression that they only make them available for owner bookings within 60 days when they think they won’t be able to monetize them or they have a lot of inventory for the specified dates.

I have managed to book the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco within 60 days for the discount. I've also booked Mayflower in DC within 60 days; there wasn't much available but the night I needed for dinner in the District was. My preference is to plan further out for now as I'm still working, but I am ever the opportunist.

 

[DavidnRobin]

For someone with Executive benefit level, there is a 25% discount in the number of points needed for a booking within 30 days of arrival. For someone with either Presidential or Chairman's Club benefit levels, the discount is 30% within 60 days of arrival.

As Chairman level, I use this 30% discount at <60 days quite often for weekday stays at Las Vegas Grand Chateau. Great deal for a studio using WKV P+ points - at ~$63/nt for a studio (and no resort or parking fees).