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General availability for booking stays with StarOptions

N

ncaahockeyfan

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Location
MN
Resorts Owned
Breckenridge Grand Vacations, Hyatt Residence Club
Are there any properties that are nearly impossible to book at the 8 month window (assuming that's correct) with StarOptions?

It sounds like the Hawaii properties have pretty good availability 8 months out - not too surprising given the significant number of units across the three properties. What about the Riverfront Mountain Villas during prime ski season (Feb/Mar)?

We had been shopping for a pair of Hyatt resale contracts, but with the recent II devaluation, I am thinking one Hyatt and possibly one Vistana (mandatory).
 
Maui can be booked at 8 months if not picky about which property and unit size. Kauai Westin Princeville property can be booked at 8 months. Sheraton Kauai seems more difficult. Westin St John during high season is near impossible for a full week. Westin Kierland can be difficult during spring break time. 1 or 2 bedroom at Westin Lagunamare can be difficult.
 
The Westin Riverfront in prime ski season will be next to impossible with StarOptions unless you just get lucky and catch after a cancellation. There are only 34 lockoff units. But the Sheraton Mountain Vista, which is a 5 minute walk away, is reasonably easy to book with StarOptions.


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the Arizona properties are very difficult during spring training (most of March).
 
Honestly agree with all the ones above, it can be difficult but that is hit or miss depending on peak season. Several times we have just tried the next week - week after and have always been able to get into St Johns, Hawaii, Arizona, and yes Westin Riverfront even in the summer can be tricky (and we own there!) We have harder time with our Marriott properties, but always end up getting in maybe not our 1st choice but at least do get in.
 
What about owners getting into their home property during the same peak seasons? Is Kierland as difficult to book during March as an owner 12 months out?
 
CVC said:
What about owners getting into their home property during the same peak seasons? Is Kierland as difficult to book during March as an owner 12 months out?
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You will need to be on your computer at the stroke of midnight EST to make that reservation. My success rate is about 95% when I do, Yes, it's absurd.
 
Helpful thread since I am a longtime Vistana owner but never booked using SOs. How is availability at 8 mos with Sheraton Steamboat? Especially 1 bdrms.

Also if you book a studio at Lagunamar (or other property) one week and the following week a 1 bdrm comes available, how fast are the SOs redeposited and available to use if you cancel the prior week to book the one bdrm? (I understand some properties go fast.)

Is there a limit to how much you can speculatively book and cancel? For example, if I book a studio the prior week and then use the 1 bdrm side of my lockoff SOs to book a 1 bdrm the following week, then cancel the studio and rebook it somewhere else prior to 61 days there are not cancellation or booking fees, correct?

What is the SO banking deadline if one is Select Elite?
 
Last edited:
CalGalTraveler said:
Helpful thread since I am a longtime Vistana owner but never booked using SOs. How is availability at 8 mos with Sheraton Steamboat? Especially 1 bdrms.

Also if you book a studio at Lagunamar (or other property) one week and the following week a 1 bdrm comes available, how fast are the SOs redeposited and available to use if you cancel the prior week to book the one bdrm? (I understand some properties go fast.)

Is there a limit to how much you can speculatively book and cancel? For example, if I book a studio the prior week and then use the 1 bdrm side of my lockoff SOs to book a 1 bdrm the following week, then cancel the studio and rebook it somewhere else prior to 61 days there are not cancellation or booking fees, correct?

What is the SO banking deadline if one is Select Elite?
Click to expand...
No cancel or booking fees. Sometimes if you have more than one reservation with the same VOI, they will add a nominal housekeeping fee.
 
CalGalTraveler said:
Helpful thread since I am a longtime Vistana owner but never booked using SOs. How is availability at 8 mos with Sheraton Steamboat? Especially 1 bdrms.

Also if you book a studio at Lagunamar (or other property) one week and the following week a 1 bdrm comes available, how fast are the SOs redeposited and available to use if you cancel the prior week to book the one bdrm? (I understand some properties go fast.)

Is there a limit to how much you can speculatively book and cancel? For example, if I book a studio the prior week and then use the 1 bdrm side of my lockoff SOs to book a 1 bdrm the following week, then cancel the studio and rebook it somewhere else prior to 61 days there are not cancellation or booking fees, correct?

What is the SO banking deadline if one is Select Elite?
Click to expand...
Options are returned to your account immediately following a cancellation.
 
CalGalTraveler said:
Helpful thread since I am a longtime Vistana owner but never booked using SOs. How is availability at 8 mos with Sheraton Steamboat? Especially 1 bdrms.

Also if you book a studio at Lagunamar (or other property) one week and the following week a 1 bdrm comes available, how fast are the SOs redeposited and available to use if you cancel the prior week to book the one bdrm? (I understand some properties go fast.)

Is there a limit to how much you can speculatively book and cancel? For example, if I book a studio the prior week and then use the 1 bdrm side of my lockoff SOs to book a 1 bdrm the following week, then cancel the studio and rebook it somewhere else prior to 61 days there are not cancellation or booking fees, correct?

What is the SO banking deadline if one is Select Elite?
Click to expand...
My experience has been that the SO are returned immediately. No booking or cancellation fees - which I love!

Not sure about the 1BR at steamboat, but we’ve been able to book a 3BR at the 8 month mark. Steamboat seems to have a fair bit of inventory available.

June 30 is the banking deadline for Select Elite.
 
capjak said:
Maui can be booked at 8 months if not picky about which property and unit size. Kauai Westin Princeville property can be booked at 8 months. Sheraton Kauai seems more difficult. Westin St John during high season is near impossible for a full week. Westin Kierland can be difficult during spring break time. 1 or 2 bedroom at Westin Lagunamare can be difficult.
Click to expand...
Agree 100% on Kauai, Maui and Kierland. Not a problem at 8 months if you are a little flexible on dates.

Never been to Lagunamar so no idea there.
 
CalGalTraveler said:
Helpful thread since I am a longtime Vistana owner but never booked using SOs. How is availability at 8 mos with Sheraton Steamboat? Especially 1 bdrms.

Also if you book a studio at Lagunamar (or other property) one week and the following week a 1 bdrm comes available, how fast are the SOs redeposited and available to use if you cancel the prior week to book the one bdrm? (I understand some properties go fast.)

Is there a limit to how much you can speculatively book and cancel? For example, if I book a studio the prior week and then use the 1 bdrm side of my lockoff SOs to book a 1 bdrm the following week, then cancel the studio and rebook it somewhere else prior to 61 days there are not cancellation or booking fees, correct?

What is the SO banking deadline if one is Select Elite?
Click to expand...
I am sure availability and booking Steamboat will depend on the time of year you want to travel.

StarOptions should be returned instantly. It may not always look like it, but they are there. I have only seen one report where someone had to call in to get StarOptions returned correctly.

No limit to the number of reservations and cancellations.

You have till June 30th of the use year to bank StarOptions as a Select owner.
 
Thanks everyone. I would be seeking peak Feb to March ski season at Steamboat or Vail.

Lagunamar Jan to Mar.

Just 2 so we could get by with a studio but prefer 1 bdrm because we cook in the room for all but a night or two.
 
We’ve gotten multiple reservations at Steamboat ski season within 8 months using Staroptions.
 
One of the competitive times for Lagunamar is the short Gold Season in January. Fewer points is always attractive.

We are going this year in March and I had my choice of a 1BR or Studio. We chose the studio because it’s Oceanside. We don’t cook as much in Mexico because there is so much good food and it’s more difficult to find familiar items in the grocery stores.
 
buzglyd said:
One of the competitive times for Lagunamar is the short Gold Season in January. Fewer points is always attractive.

We are going this year in March and I had my choice of a 1BR or Studio. We chose the studio because it’s Oceanside. We don’t cook as much in Mexico because there is so much good food and it’s more difficult to find familiar items in the grocery stores.
Click to expand...
I’ll second this - we’ve been able to get two spring break reservations (8 and 7 days respectively) in March in back-to-back years. Both have been in 2BR Oceanside units.
 
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