End of SVN Dec 31, no more upgrade credit for external ts

[CPNY]

The document being shown looks like it’s just a printed word document outlining the differences with vistana VSN deeded ownership at one resort with options being enrolled in the VSN and the new Flex program they have been selling for over a year or two. I think we can all agree cross booking may come in some sort of fashion. How it will look, not sure anyone can say definitively yet. All I do know it, I have some mandatory units for sale

 

[jabberwocky]

So Interval trades are the new currency? If so this will be a pretty big letdown.

@DagnyT was this perhaps the chart they showed you? If so this is nothing new. It already exists. All it means is that when you request an exchange you would need to deposit 110,000 FlexOptions to get a 2BR in high season. This does not sound like a conversion to DC points at all.

I'm starting to think I need to see if I can weasel my way into an update when at WKV in a couple of weeks (II Getaway for work - spouse won't be with me though so I'll see how that goes - I might just have to pass myself off as fresh meat to the sales team).

 

[jabberwocky]

So with the Flex we took 220K options and will end up overpaying a bit for what nets us around 40K more a year in options. But it works for us because we really needed to work with our existing equity and the value for us is in our usage. Not really in the position to be shopping on the resale market right now. Side note: They did take back the SMV, even after saying they wouldn't.

Saving some $$ by not starting until 2021, so skip 4 months of payments into 2020 and the $4K maintenance for 2020. Rebating maintenance for SMV for 2019 on the 2021, bill, which will push that down below $3K for year one. And then kicked us comp 250K in Bonvoy points for 2020 travel in the meantime.

Interestingly enough--we did get the Westin Flex presentation in Nov. in Steamboat. The pitch was for Princeville only and even so, there was basically no discount (10% off $75K for 185K options). I probably would have preferred WFlex, but they have not much incentive to discount at this point.

I can understand your rationale in wanting to do this deal - and it could make sense for your situation.

Did you ask to purchase WFlex? I suspect they won't sell WFlex at SVV - only SFlex (which is why I had to go through the central phone sales to use our SVV Explorer package discount when we bought our WFlex). If you're in Florida SFlex might make more sense as WFlex properties are less accessible, but if you are really wanting WFlex then you might want to see if they can redo the deal.

 

[dioxide45]

So Interval trades are the new currency? If so this will be a pretty big letdown.

Was this perhaps the chart they showed you? If so this is nothing new. It already exists. All it means is that when you request an exchange you would need to deposit 110,000 FlexOptions to get a 2BR in high season. This does not sound like a conversion to DC points at all.

View attachment 15802

I'm starting to think I need to see if I can weasel my way into an update when at WKV in a couple of weeks (II Getaway for work - spouse won't be with me though so I'll see how that goes - I might just have to pass myself off as fresh meat to the sales team).

Exactly, Interval points is just using your StarOptions to trade Flex through interval. Nothing to do with DC at all.

 

[jabberwocky]

Exactly, Interval points is just using your StarOptions to trade Flex through interval. Nothing to do with DC at all.

To me this just indicates that they aren't really that close to having this figured out. Nothing really new - just smoke and mirrors to drive current sales.

 

[controller1]

Basically, the story was this:

1. Back to the OP's point, the Vistana properties won't be used any longer to upgrade ownerships with no money down. So you would have to put new money going forward in some ways because, well, Marriott wants to get paid. Will be very curious to see if they stick to this.

I don't believe this has been available for years if ever. Yes, the property would be taken back usually at original cost as a credit towards an upgrade but it would certainly require new money. I'm not aware of a "no money down" option.

 

[DannyTS]

Judging from the developer's prospective, it makes sense to only requalify weeks and not take back contracts. I bet a lot of people were buying free silver contracts on the resale market in order to get credits when buying from the developer. When those contracts are put in the Flex trusts they degrade the trusts and increase the MF per point

 

[Ken555]

This is all good info for discussion, but I really don’t see anything surprising. In fact, I think we all discussed this type of interim exchange system possibility (using II) when the merger was first discussed.

I’m still happy with SVN (err...VSN) and have no intention of making any changes. Also, I see even less of a reason to give Marriott *more* money when there are still many ways to vacation for less. (As an aside, I may have to bank most of my options for 2020 since I have so many other trips planned already I may not have any time to use them...there really are other vacation opportunities out there and I’m pleased I’ve diversified my travel types).


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[CPNY]

This is all good info for discussion, but I really don’t see anything surprising. In fact, I think we all discussed this type of interim exchange system possibility (using II) when the merger was first discussed.

I’m still happy with SVN (err...VSN) and have no intention of making any changes. Also, I see even less of a reason to give Marriott *more* money when there are still many ways to vacation for less. (As an aside, I may have to bank most of my options for 2020 since I have so many other trips planned already I may not have any time to use them...there really are other vacation opportunities out there and I’m pleased I’ve diversified my travel types).


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I’m the same situation. Have so many options with three europe trips planned. Anyone want some mandatory SVV resorts? Lol

 

[dioxide45]

This is all good info for discussion, but I really don’t see anything surprising. In fact, I think we all discussed this type of interim exchange system possibility (using II) when the merger was first discussed.

I’m still happy with SVN (err...VSN) and have no intention of making any changes. Also, I see even less of a reason to give Marriott *more* money when there are still many ways to vacation for less. (As an aside, I may have to bank most of my options for 2020 since I have so many other trips planned already I may not have any time to use them...there really are other vacation opportunities out there and I’m pleased I’ve diversified my travel types).


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Hey, we agree on something The deciding factor on timeshare isn't only about renting vs owning. There was a time when the MFs were a great value compared to many other vacation options. The common sale like was "you can cook in the unit and save money". That is still true, but when you compare timeshare to AI or cruising, the latter are becoming a better and better value IMO. We still don't do AI, but have a couple cruises lined up for the next couple of years. We are actually having trouble finding ways now to use our II deposits.

 

[Ken555]

Hey, we agree on something The deciding factor on timeshare isn't only about renting vs owning. There was a time when the MFs were a great value compared to many other vacation options. The common sale like was "you can cook in the unit and save money". That is still true, but when you compare timeshare to AI or cruising, the latter are becoming a better and better value IMO. We still don't do AI, but have a couple cruises lined up for the next couple of years. We are actually having trouble finding ways now to use our II deposits.

Yes, exactly. I have four (or maybe five) weeks banked, plus options. In 2020 I have four cruises booked totaling 57 nights, plus timeshares...


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[blondietink]

This is all good info for discussion, but I really don’t see anything surprising. In fact, I think we all discussed this type of interim exchange system possibility (using II) when the merger was first discussed.

I’m still happy with SVN (err...VSN) and have no intention of making any changes. Also, I see even less of a reason to give Marriott *more* money when there are still many ways to vacation for less. (As an aside, I may have to bank most of my options for 2020 since I have so many other trips planned already I may not have any time to use them...there really are other vacation opportunities out there and I’m pleased I’ve diversified my travel types).


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Exactly like us. We have diversified our vacations greatly but we still love to use our options at Lagunamar at least once every 12-18 months. Last year we went on a 12 days cruise. This next year we are going to Disney World in January, SDO in early April, Switzerland in September and Hawaii in October. We will hopefully fit another cruise in there somewhere. However, my vacations are kind of limited because there are 4 of us adults as 2 of my adult children are disabled and we need to always take them with us and that adds to the cost. We will most likely bank quite a few options into 2021. Hopefully by then Bonvoy will have it all figured out.

 

[goaliedave]

yup buy sell, diversify, try different ts companies and locations. I'm 6 months Nov-April in southern USA ts, 6 different companies this year, couple new ts in AZ and Kauai I'm excited about.

I could never do the cramped cruise rooms after getting used to ts size... plus I still primarily golf and hike so maybe when my health fails things will change

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