Explorer Package

Troopers · Jan 4, 2008

Can someone explain the Explorer Package? I occasionally see reference to it in threads but I can't seem to get my arms around what it actually is.

THanks.

SDKath · Jan 4, 2008

My understanding is that it is a package for about $1600-$1999 that gives you 5 nights at a TS that has to be used up within 12-18 months. It's a marketing tool to get you to come back and think again about a purchase. If you decide to purchase during that time, the price is credited toward the purchase, making your stay free. You also receive additional Starpoints (50,000 is what I heard last) when you purchase. If you don't buy, you got your 5 nights for the price they charged you ($1600-1999).

I do have a couple of questions regarding this: do you have to be a previous owner to get this. And do you have to be on site to buy or can you get it from telesales?

Thanks! Katherine

linsj · Jan 4, 2008

I had one of these packages a couple of years ago. It was offered after I went to an onsite presentation and said no to buying. I can't remember what the price was, but I did the math and it was worth it for the nights and points.

pointsjunkie · Jan 5, 2008

there is a big part you are missing--- if you decide not to go to the resort for a stay but you are buying a developer timeshare at any of the resorts for sale than you get a humungous amount of starpoints over the sales incentive amount AND the amount of the explorer package example $2000 is deducted from the purchase price of the timeshare( if you have paid it off) . less $99 or close to it for administrative fees.

that's why you keep hearing about explorer package.

oneohana · Jan 5, 2008

I have bought explorer packages over the phone with no intent of going to a resort. I bought it for the extra starpoints.
Before buying any developer unit, buy an explorer package. I think someone here bought one and even used it on the same day.
Starpoints are your best bargaining tool. You will not get a discount on the purchase price, but you can bargain for more *points.

Nicole D. · Jan 7, 2008

We bought the explorer package in Feb 2003 at Maui because we opted not to buy at the time. It cost $1500 to come back and tour the villas because they were not open in 2003. We stayed at the Westin Maui when we went back in Dec of 2004. It was over the 18 months to return but I was pregnant at the 18-month mark so they gave me a complementary extension. Plus, we got 50,000 starpoints.

Troopers · Jan 7, 2008

Nicole D, did you get the 50k starpoints without purchasing a TS? If so, it sounds like the explorer package is a great deal!

Troopers · Jan 9, 2008

oneohana said:
I have bought explorer packages over the phone with no intent of going to a resort. I bought it for the extra starpoints.
Before buying any developer unit, buy an explorer package. I think someone here bought one and even used it on the same day.
Starpoints are your best bargaining tool. You will not get a discount on the purchase price, but you can bargain for more *points.

Do you know if you can an explorer package over the phone 1) as a existing owner and 2) for any property assuming sales are available?

oneohana · Jan 9, 2008

I don't know what qualified me to purchase an explorer package. I just asked for one.

arlene22 · Jan 9, 2008

We did an EP at VV, and part of the deal was that the price was frozen until you came back (protecting against any price increases in the interim). Not sure if it is the same at other resorts.

SDKath · Jan 12, 2008

Can you go anywhere?

Hi there,

Just curious, if you get the EP, can you go to any of the resorts where they have sales offices, or just the one you went to originally.

So if we get the EP at WKV, for example, can we take it to WKORV a year later?

Thanks.

Katherine

DeniseM · Jan 12, 2008

The Explorer Pkgs. I have been offered were for the specific resort where I was staying. However, if you buy from the off-site office, this might be different?

DavidnRobin · Jan 12, 2008

SDKath said:
So if we get the EP at WKV, for example, can we take it to WKORV a year later?

No - would need to be used at WKV - there terms are specific for the resort and comes from that resort.

SDKath · Jan 12, 2008

Good to know, thanks. So basically, we need to send parents to WKORV this year and BACK again next year if they want to buy using the EP.

I bet they wouldn't complain.

Katherine

DeniseM · Jan 12, 2008

Don't forget that many people think the best use of the EP is towards the cost of purchase. If you use it for a vacation, you can't use it towards the purchase price.

DavidnRobin · Jan 12, 2008

The extra perk of the ExpPkg is okay IF you have already decided at some point to use it to buy a VOI from SVO, but be careful about giving so much value to get extra SPs.

If you take you time you can but resale first (eg WKV) go to your use week - do the owners update - find your best deal that involves requal of your resale - decide that deal works for you (but don't tell them...) - walk out - go to the exit interview (EP person) - and get the EP there - then do the deal they offered.

I think this is the best approach. Beyond this - it would get complicated.

arlene22 · Jan 12, 2008

DeniseM said:
Don't forget that many people think the best use of the EP is towards the cost of purchase. If you use it for a vacation, you can't use it towards the purchase price.

Denise,
I don't think I understand what you mean? We had an EP for VV. While we ultimately decided against purchasing when we returned, they would have deducted the purchase price of the EP if we did buy. Is there an extra benefit to buying an EP and not returning to the resort?

SDKath · Jan 12, 2008

I am a little confused too. So you can get an EP on your first visit for X dollars that can be applied to a future purchase. Can you not come back to the resort using that EP within the year's time AND still apply it toward your purchase (if you do decide to buy from the dev. the second time around)?

I would think this woudl be the best deal. Unless you are ready to buy right away, in which case get the EP, and apply it right away to the purchase that day. Otherwise, if you are fairly certain you will buy from the develover, but not right away, get an EP, get another trip (essentially free) to go back to the resort and redo the sales pitch, and then purchase and apply the $$ from your EP to your purchase price. Right?

Katherine

SDKath · Jan 12, 2008

What is a reasonable price for a 2BR LO platinum here by the way? the prices at places like Redweek are all over the place.

K

dss · Jan 12, 2008

Yes, the price of the explorer package can be applied to the purchase price of the VOI. There is a 10% cap that means the amount applied to the purchase cannot exceed 10% (it simply caps the amount past 10%).

The only difference I am aware of in terms of taking the vacation associated with the Explorer package is that there is an unpublished benefit that offers you more SPG points if you purchase the unit without taking the vacation. In Hawaii right now, the explorer package is $2500 and includes 7 nights at the Westin Maui Hotel (they added two hotel nights and removed the rental car recently) and 50k spg for showing up. If you do not use the hotel nights but decide to move forward with the purchase, they will give you 100k SPG instead.

snk4evr · Jan 12, 2008

Starwood Explorer Package

Just returned from Westin Maui on one of the $749 packages. Toured the Villas and decided not to buy but purchased the Explorer Package. It is now priced at $2495 for 50K points and 7 nights at the Westin Maui (the hotel) and a mandatory 'refresher' timeshare presentation. The $2495 applies if you buy then from the developer, and you get a 90 day price lock from the time you first toured the units. Then they added a $199 "processing fee" at the last minute. WE have since CANCELLED the transaction. (you have 7 days to rescind). Why? Resale prices are way cheaper than the developers. If you're a starwood preferred member (free) you can buy points for $35 per 1,000, and earn them for free with a Starwood American Express, and since you didn't buy, they will continue to send you offers like the one we went on ... $749 for 5 nights, $75 resort credit, $185 toward car rental ...

Work it, my friend!

tomandrobin · Jan 12, 2008

Registered member for 2.5 months and finally your first post! Welcome to Tug as a poster, not just a lurker.

arlene22 · Jan 12, 2008

dss said:
Yes, the price of the explorer package can be applied to the purchase price of the VOI. There is a 10% cap that means the amount applied to the purchase cannot exceed 10% (it simply caps the amount past 10%).

The only difference I am aware of in terms of taking the vacation associated with the Explorer package is that there is an unpublished benefit that offers you more SPG points if you purchase the unit without taking the vacation. In Hawaii right now, the explorer package is $2500 and includes 7 nights at the Westin Maui Hotel (they added two hotel nights and removed the rental car recently) and 50k spg for showing up. If you do not use the hotel nights but decide to move forward with the purchase, they will give you 100k SPG instead.

Okay, I get it now. Never knew that. Thanks!

Nicole D. · Jan 12, 2008

R Chen said:
Nicole D, did you get the 50k starpoints without purchasing a TS? If so, it sounds like the explorer package is a great deal!

R Chen, sorry for the late reply. We got the 50,000 starpoints when we returned in December. We thought it was a good deal. However, there was one thing that I was certain about. I was under the impression that the Explorer package froze everything, the price, the incentives, ect. But when we returned, our sales lady, said that it did not freeze the prices. We weren't going to buy anyway.

tonyh · Jan 20, 2008

arlene22 said:
I don't think I understand what you mean? We had an EP for VV. While we ultimately decided against purchasing when we returned, they would have deducted the purchase price of the EP if we did buy. Is there an extra benefit to buying an EP and not returning to the resort?

Yes, you typically receive an extra 30-50k Starpoints.

SDKath said:
I am a little confused too. So you can get an EP on your first visit for X dollars that can be applied to a future purchase. Can you not come back to the resort using that EP within the year's time AND still apply it toward your purchase (if you do decide to buy from the dev. the second time around)?

I would think this woudl be the best deal. Unless you are ready to buy right away, in which case get the EP, and apply it right away to the purchase that day. Otherwise, if you are fairly certain you will buy from the develover, but not right away, get an EP, get another trip (essentially free) to go back to the resort and redo the sales pitch, and then purchase and apply the $$ from your EP to your purchase price. Right?
Katherine

I think the value of the EP is not the trip but the extra SPs you will receive essentially free (other than $100-200 processing fee), if you've already decided to buy from the developer at some point before the EP expiration date.

BTW, you don't necessarily have to use the EP for the intended resort as stated in the EP. You can use it for any SVN resort if you do buy from the developer.

Explorer Package

TUG Review Crew: Veteran