Fixed vs float

[ckelly14]

Just starting to look into SVO after taking the timeshare tour at Princeville last week. I was browsing Redweek when a few questions popped into my head that I haven't been able to adequately answer scanning the forums:

1. Fixed vs. float- really not sure what the practical difference is. If I own fixed week 7, and it is also the platinum season, do I automatically get this week unless I tell them I'm not coming, or do I call between months 12-8 like everyone else? Is it possible to "float" in your assigned season even though you have a fixed week? For example, is it possible to get say, week 8 or week 3?

2. Specified views vs. varied: Do I automatically get this view, and is it possible to get a better view then you are assigned a lesser view? How are room views, types, buildings actually assigned?

Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

WPORV was sold as 1-50 floating weeks & weeks 51 & 52 were sold as event weeks. If you find a TRUE fixed week, it is going to be a week that the buyer paid a premium to fix. They are very rare. All of the deeds at WPORV have a number on them - that's just for recording purposes - it doesn't mean it's a fixed week. So when you see a deeded week number in an Ad, it doesn't mean anything. There are no seasons at WPORV.

As far as view, there is only one deeded view at WPORV - they are all "Island View," so there is no guaranteed view. The quality of your view will depend on 1) how early your make your Resv. 2) what you request 3) how busy the resort is the week that you are there 4) how many Elite Owners are staying there the same week with more pull than you have.

That being said - I would not buy at WPORV - it is a beautiful resort, but the maintenance fee is way too high, and it's easy to trade in with an inexpensive trader through Interval International.

I also wouldn't buy at WPORV because the Staroptions don't transfer on a resale - which makes the high maintenance fees even less appealing.

I'd buy an inexpensive Starwood resale and trade in through Interval International - For instance - you can buy a 2 bdm. Gold Plus week at Sheraton Desert Oasis for less than $1,000 up front, and less than $1,000 per year, and use it to trade in through II, as long as you don't need holiday weeks. In other words, with exchange fees and everything, you can trade in for under $1,200 a year - into a TS where the maintenance fee is about $2,500 a year.

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks Denise. I actually became interested in SVO due to my time in Princeville, but I am not actually interested in buying at WPORV. Sorry about my confusing post!

I am looking at mandatory resorts, including WSJ, Sheraton Vistana and Maui. Some of these are fixed vs. floating, and some have definite views assigned.

There are some confusing posts in TUG regarding fixed weeks. One person said that he needed to let Starwood know by the 10 month mark if he was coming, or the reservation would be released. Another person said the reservation is automatically held until 2 weeks prior to arrival. Not real sure what the truth is.

 

[DeniseM]

It depends on if the week is in the SVN or not (has Staroptions or not.) If it's not in the SVN and it's a true fixed week - then you can only use that week. If it is in the SVN then the rule you mentioned applies. There are also fixed/float weeks - but I don't have one so I will let someone else explain how they work.

WSJ has both fixed and floating weeks.
Sheraton Vistana Resort and Sheraton Vistiana Villages have both fixed and floating weeks.
Maui has 3 deeded views (island, ocean view, ocean front) 1-50 floating weeks, and 51-52 event weeks.

At resorts with deeded view, you are entitled to your view IF AVAILABLE, if you reserved from 12-8 mos. before check-in. If you reserve at 12 mos., it usually is available, but ocean front completely booked up early in the day at 12 mos. out for President's week next year at WKORV, so it does rarely happen.

Assuming you make your home resort Resv. from 12-8 mos. out, then you will get your deeded view - but the resort will assign the specific location, and the factors I listed above apply.

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks again, Denise.

Only looking at mandatory resorts right now. Still don't understand if I have a fixed week, do I need to confirm early (i.e. at 10 months) or is it automatically reserved and I only need to call 2 weeks before check in? Also, if I don't use the week, can I use staroptions to book early (8-12 months) at the same resort (same season), or do I need to wait until the 8 month mark?

Anyone that can clarify would be appreciated!

 

[Fredm]

Thanks again, Denise.

Only looking at mandatory resorts right now. Still don't understand if I have a fixed week, do I need to confirm early (i.e. at 10 months) or is it automatically reserved and I only need to call 2 weeks before check in?

Anyone that can clarify would be appreciated!

It is not possible to answer your question without first knowing the resort you are considering.

Reservation rights are defined in the resort Governing Documents, which vary.

Generally speaking, the resorts acquired from Vistana have different reservation rules for fixed weeks than those resorts developed by Starwood.

Among the Starwood developed resorts, reservation rules differ for "ULTRA Premium", "ULTRA", "Fixed", and "Event" weeks. All fix the week, but have different reservation/confirmation rules. To further confuse the matter, not every resort has all of these ownership categories.

Unless you plan to occupy a fixed week almost always, you are probably better off buying a floating use.

 

[ckelly14]

Got it. Hence the varied responses on the boards. Will look for float weeks if possible...

 

[DeniseM]

When you find a specific Ad you are interested in, post the details, or post a link to the Ad, and we can probably give you a more accurate answer.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Thanks again, Denise.

Only looking at mandatory resorts right now. Still don't understand if I have a fixed week, do I need to confirm early (i.e. at 10 months) or is it automatically reserved and I only need to call 2 weeks before check in? Also, if I don't use the week, can I use staroptions to book early (8-12 months) at the same resort (same season), or do I need to wait until the 8 month mark?

Anyone that can clarify would be appreciated!

As stated, depends...
Our Mid-June WSJ VG villa (fixed) is automatically reserved - 2013 has been on MSC since Jan/Feb. Same thing happened for 2012.

 

[ckelly14]

As stated, depends...
Our Mid-June WSJ VG villa (fixed) is automatically reserved - 2013 has been on MSC since Jan/Feb. Same thing happened for 2012.

Hi David. What is MSC?

 

[clsmit]

MSC is Mystarcentral.com, the website for Starwood Owners to see their reservations and pay Maintenance Fees (but not make reservations).

 

[bobpark56]

MSC is Mystarcentral.com, the website for Starwood Owners to see their reservations and pay Maintenance Fees (but not make reservations).

What makes you say that? I have made reservations on MSC...at least twice. Everything worked just fine.

 

[DeniseM]

What makes you say that? I have made reservations on MSC...at least twice. Everything worked just fine.

Because the other big companies have real-time online reservation systems where owners can directly interact with the reservation system, and make reservations themselves. Starwood doesn't have that capability. When you want to make a high-demand holiday reservation, or get the time stamp for a good view, the current system is ineffective.