Converting [to Starpoints]

[fasha39]

I searched the FAQ's but I couldn’t find out if you purchased re-sale are you still able to convert them in to StarPoints?

 

[tomandrobin]

nope, only developer purchasers qualify for starpoint conversions.

Requalified units also can be converted to starpoints.

 

[fasha39]

thanks Tom.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I searched the FAQ's but I couldn’t find out if you purchased re-sale are you still able to convert them in to StarPoints?

SVO is not going to openly discuss resale units (other than when asked - they will spew misinformation)

I retro'd a unit - and I can convert.

There are three main points about retroing a SVO VOI:
1) Ability to convert SOs to SPs
2) Gaining entry into SVN exchange system
3) Increasing SVO/SVN Elite status

A resale SVO M VOI (e.g. WKORV) always comes with #2 - whereas retroing a V resorts gets both #1 and #2. Neither come with #3.

Of course - when resold - a M resort still retains the ability to use SVN, and a buyer of a resale V resort can not use SVN.

 

[Captron]

D+R

My retros got me *** so I believe that they can get your #3. I also retroed 2 Cascades EOY and a SBP week with one EOY purchase, although they have since slammed that door shut I understand.

 

[DavidnRobin]

D+R

My retros got me *** so I believe that they can get your #3. I also retroed 2 Cascades EOY and a SBP week with one EOY purchase, although they have since slammed that door shut I understand.

I probably wasn't clear - I meant the resales do not go towards Elite status - the retros do - we are 3* with our retro (but when they changed the rules - that's enough for us...)

 

[pabb56]

D+R
I am new to this site ( I wish I had discovered it years ago). I understand that you have to retro a resale unit with a a developers purchase to gain all the SVN benefits. Did Starwood just recently start to allow comingling of staroptions for the different levels of elite status? How long has it been in effect?
I own three developer bought units SVV,SV and WKOVR and I am planning on purchasing a resale as well as another developers property to retro the resale. Any predictions on how long this process will be in place?
Thanks Pat

 

[Captron]

Pat,

You never know how or when the rules will change. They changed the 5* requirement without any warning and have changed the benefits at each level so there are no guarantees... they even have reserved the right to get rid of the program completely. Basically, we have no idea and I don't think they do either.

 

[DeniseM]

I searched the FAQ's but I couldn’t find out if you purchased re-sale are you still able to convert them in to StarPoints?

Here you go:

3) What are Starpoints?

Starpoints are Starwood hotel points & they can be used for hotel stays, airfare, and other purchases from the Starwood Preferred Guests Program. Every-other-year, an owner can convert their timeshare unit into Starpoints before March 31st. Starpoints do not transfer with a resale. (A Starpoint chart is posted in the Owner Resources sticky.)​

18) Can you summarize the difference between owning a developer unit and owning a resale unit?

a. Resales can't be converted to Starpoints. (Often considered a poor value anyway.)
​

​

Also - in your title you said "StarOPTION" conversion, and in your message "StarPOINT" conversion.

Just to clarify - no resales can be converted to StarPOINTS, but a few, called "Mandatory Resorts," can be converted to StarOPTIONS. There is a list in the FAQ at the top of the board.

 

[DeniseM]

D+R
I am new to this site ( I wish I had discovered it years ago). I understand that you have to retro a resale unit with a a developers purchase to gain all the SVN benefits. Did Starwood just recently start to allow comingling of staroptions for the different levels of elite status? How long has it been in effect?
I own three developer bought units SVV,SV and WKOVR and I am planning on purchasing a resale as well as another developers property to retro the resale. Any predictions on how long this process will be in place?
Thanks Pat

Here you go:

18) Can you summarize the difference between owning a developer unit and owning a resale unit?

a. Resales can't be converted to Starpoints. (Often considered a poor value anyway.)

b. Resales at a Staroption Voluntary Resort can't be exchanged within the SVN - but Resales from Mandatory Resorts can. (See the list above.)

c. You can't combine the Staroptions from different resale weeks to make a Staroption exchange. [There has been no announcement from Starwood, but it seems that this rule was changed sometime in the summer or fall of 2008. Based on owner's reports, it now appears that Starwood does allow you to combine Staroptions from resale purchases.]
​

For lots more info. see the Starwood FAQ at the top of the board.

 

[pabb56]

How long has starwoods been allowing the retro/requal of a resale unit along with the purchase of a a developers unit?
Thanks pat

 

[DavidnRobin]

How long has starwoods been allowing the retro/requal of a resale unit along with the purchase of a a developers unit?
Thanks pat

See the original post by 'duke' - perhaps before this, but duke was first to make public.

 

[jerseygirl]

Since at least 2002 ... that's when they first offerred it to me. Back then, there were no restrictions (you could retro multipls resales with one EOY purchase).

 

[fasha39]

Also - in your title you said "StarOPTION" conversion, and in your message "StarPOINT" conversion.

Just to clarify - no resales can be converted to StarPOINTS, but a few, called "Mandatory Resorts," can be converted to StarOPTIONS. There is a list in the FAQ at the top of the board.

OK got it, thanks. We purchased re-sale @ WKV & WKORV Platinum and understood the difference between Mandatory and non but didn't realize that you could not convert to StarPOINTS. We are going to WKV in October (Gold season), will have leftover StarOPTIONS and I wanted to convert them to StarPOINTS. But, as you say it's not great value so we'll probably try to rent out the other "1/2" of our entitlement.

Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[pabb56]

Does anyone have experience with buying an EOY 1 bedroom 81,000staroptions with a minimum purchase price of $20,000 (US and mexico) to requal an EY 2 bedroom L/O 148.100 staroptions . Does it work?
Thanks Pat

 

[DeniseM]

OK got it, thanks. We purchased re-sale @ WKV & WKORV Platinum and understood the difference between Mandatory and non but didn't realize that you could not convert to StarPOINTS. We are going to WKV in October (Gold season), will have leftover StarOPTIONS and I wanted to convert them to StarPOINTS. But, as you say it's not great value so we'll probably try to rent out the other "1/2" of our entitlement.

Thanks for setting me straight.

Renting is a good option, but with the economy, it's not as easy as it used to be and rental prices are down. I would recommend March (MLB Spring Training) or the week before or after Easter (April 12) for strong rentals.

You can also use the Staroptions to reserve a popular week at another resort, and rent it.

Also - are you aware of the 3 day priority on II for other Starwood resorts? That means that Starwood owners can see and reserve other Starwood resorts for 3 days, before non-Starwood owners, on II. If you make an instant on-line exchange, you can often even exchange a Starwood 1 bdm. for a Starwood 2 bdm. The 3-day priority also counts with on-going searches - but only for units of the same size. Recently, Tuggers have gotten exchanges into all the Hawaii resorts, and Lagunamar using this method. If you want to take another vacation, you could deposit with II and have up to 2 years after the check-in date to do an exchange through II.

For complete info. see the Starwood and II article under Exchanging, in Owner Resources at the top of the board.

 

[SDKath]

Does anyone have experience with buying an EOY 1 bedroom 81,000staroptions with a minimum purchase price of $20,000 (US and mexico) to requal an EY 2 bedroom L/O 148.100 staroptions . Does it work?
Thanks Pat

Yes. Riverfront is an example. For now, they would let you buy an EOY over $20k and retro an EY resale. That may change though (and soon from what some sales folks have said but then again it's hard to know if that is sales talk or a true change).

Katherine

 

[LisaRex]

OK got it, thanks. We purchased re-sale @ WKV & WKORV Platinum and understood the difference between Mandatory and non but didn't realize that you could not convert to StarPOINTS.

If you are only using half of your lock-out, I'd consider depositing the other half into II, the earlier the better. You'll have two years (I think) to trade into another location. With your studio or 1 bdrm deposit, you might be able to snag another 1 or 2 bdrm at WKORV or WKV and bring another family along with you.