Fee waivers and retroactive reimbursements???

[mindy35]

Tell me if I've got this right?

They are not making fee waivers retroactive?

In mid march We had to cancel a visit to WSJ for the end of March into early April due to canceled flights and CV-19. Asked if fees were being waived at that time and they said no way, no how! so paid I it.

Weeks later, they announced that they were waiving the cancellation fees but with parameters for re-booking (by the end of 2020 and max of 120 days ahead). I called to see if they would retroactively reimburse my fees but no way, no how.

Now I have 2 remaining bookings, one in Oct. and one in Feb. and 81,000 options due to expire in 2020. I can only hope we will be able to go on those trips but I cannot fit another in-between them. I do not want to loose use of the options.

Then, I hear that they are extending the deadline for the use of 2020 options to 2021. Called to see if I can take advantage of that, and they said no way, now how because I had paid the cancellation fee?!?!

Their only suggestion was to bank the option for an additional fee. They offered the consolation that this would enable me to used those options through 2022 and with regular 12 month/8 month booking limits.

So............. I am forced to pay 2 fees with no accommodation or fee waivers due to cancellations because of the virus restrictions, that are now being offered? All because I paid the first fee?

 

[okwiater]

You are actually in a position many others would envy. Your options are unrestricted which means you can bank them for 2 years. It’s true that you paid a cancellation fee but for most people that’s actually preferable to getting stuck with restricted options.

Oh well, the grass is always greener I suppose.

 

[tschwa2]

Are they really allowing you to bank and have unrestricted points for 2 years? Isn't the normal cancellation policy that if you are in the time period where you had to pay a fee to cancel, you are stuck with restricted points, can't bank them and have to use them by the end of the year.

 

[DeniseM]

It is a FAR better deal to pay $109, bank the unrestricted Staroptions, have their use until the end of 2022, and to be able to make your reservations 8 mos. before check-in.

What you are asking for is to only have use of the Staroptions in 2021, AND to not to be able to make your reservations until 120 days before check-in.

The only advantage to #2 is that it's free, but a free bad deal, is still a bad deal.

 

[mindy35]

It is a FAR better deal to pay $109, bank the unrestricted Staroptions, have their use until the end of 2022, and to be able to make your reservations 8 mos. before check-in.

What you are asking for is to only have use of the Staroptions in 2021, AND to not to be able to make your reservations until 120 days before check-in.

The only advantage to #2 is that it's free, but a free bad deal, is still a bad deal.

Sound advice you guys. Thanks.


I guess I was surprised that they were not making "fee" accommodations for Covid related closures and cancellations. In my case, the only waiver they are offering is the booking flexibility because the fees are the same as I would normally pay......if things were "normal".
Based on Vistana's logic, I guess I should feel fortunate. But based on how unusual the current situation is (flights canceled and resorts closed), it just seems like other companies in the travel industry are bending over backwards to waive fees AND increasing flexibility for rebooking.

It is what it is.

 

[tschwa2]

Sound advice you guys. Thanks.


I guess I was surprised that they were not making "fee" accommodations for Covid related closures and cancellations. In my case, the only waiver they are offering is the booking flexibility because the fees are the same as I would normally pay......if things were "normal".
Based on Vistana's logic, I guess I should feel fortunate. But based on how unusual the current situation is (flights canceled and resorts closed), it just seems like other companies in the travel industry are bending over backwards to waive fees AND increasing flexibility for rebooking.

It is what it is.

Did you take the offer or are you waiting until the end of June? If you didn't take it immediately, I hope you have the offer in writing.

 

[DeniseM]

it just seems like other companies in the travel industry are bending over backwards to waive fees AND increasing flexibility for rebooking.

Not other timeshare companies. They are far less flexible than companies that are selling travel products for cash, and much of that is due to the ownership structure.

 

[mindy35]

Did you take the offer or are you waiting until the end of June? If you didn't take it immediately, I hope you have the offer in writing.

Yes. I did take advantage based on the repsonses here and believe the procedure is still available to others. The whole process ( timing and fees for canceling and banking) proceeded as it would have under normal circumstances with no "time of covid" related accommodations (for which was the only reason I had to cancel). I'm good though.