Help! How to use 30,0000 option pts by 2008

[kellbell]

We have 30,650 option pts to use by end of 2008. We live in Pittsburgh, have kids (ages 7 & 11), and looking to do last minute trip with minimal flight costs, etc. Any recommendations on favorite kid friendly resorts in November or December?
Ps. I am pregnant so skiing is probably not an option.

Thanks for help!

 

[LisaRex]

The only resort in easy driving distance would be Sheraton Broadway Plantation. You have enough for a week stay in a 1 bdrm premium unit.

Personally, I'd see if you can find some cheap flights to Orlando and book a long weekend at one of the Orlando resorts. You could get a 1 bdrm unit from Saturday-Wednesday, for instance. Of course, you could probably get a 2 bdrm II Getaway for practically nothing, too....

Or, heck, leave the kids at home with Grandma (if that's an option) and the two of you head to Arizona for a long weekend.

I'm afraid that there aren't many options for folks like us who live in the east.

 

[pointsjunkie]

if it doesn't work out, make a wish is another option.

 

[malyons]

is it possible to reserve that SBP 1BR using staroptions and then just bank it with II? I know they have the power to bank whatever week they want, but at least it would be something you could trade (if only in the flexchange period) either in the future or closer to home. I'm new to SVN this year and used my points so have never tried or asked the question. That would seem too easy so I"m sure the answer is no, you can only do a week for week exchange through II, but thought I'd throw it out there and let someone more knowledgeable than myself answer.

One thought on other options if you do decide to fly....if it comes down to Orlando or Scottsdale, remember that once in Orlando if you decide to do all of the parks and whatnot that adds a significant amount to the price of the trip. In the Scottsdale area there are many outdoor activities to do that are inexpensive if not free...a day trip to Sedona or a climb up Camelback mountain comes to mind. I know where I"m from (midwest) flights to Phoenix can be had for about the same as Orlando, and no more than $100 more per ticket, which could be saved by not spending hundreds in the theme parks. I visited both cities this year and spent much less money per day on activities in Scottsdale, although my wife might argue otherwise after seeing my golf bills

Good luck and enjoy your trip whatever you decide

good luck!

 

[DeniseM]

is it possible to reserve that SBP 1BR using staroptions and then just bank it with II?

No - you cannot deposit something you don't own. Starwood may deposit something for you that you don't own, but an owner has to deposit a full week from their home resort. It sounds like the OP doesn't have a week left. If the OP has enough Staroptions to make a 7 day reservation at their home resort, then they could deposit that.

In the Scottsdale area there are many outdoor activities to do that are inexpensive if not free...a day trip to Sedona or a climb up Camelback mountain comes to mind.

In her original post the OP said she is pregnant...

 

[malyons]

my wife was pregnant on our trip to scottsdale and had a blast. many of the sedona activities you can drive to and require minimal walking. there is of course hiking for the serious hiker there too, but also many ways to enjoy the city without doing anything too strenuous (although clearly would depend on just HOW pregnant).

just for clarification, lets say you are an owner at SBP and have the 30,000 staroptions left...could you then reserve a 1BR and deposit the week w/ II? If it was your home resort and you had enough options?

 

[bizaro86]

It doesn't sound like you'll be able to do an II trade, but what about one of the independents like Redweek? You could book the one bedroom or one bedroom premium for sometime until the end of the year, and see how many redweek points they'll give you. Then you can save them for sometime you have more funds to fly, or choose something closer to you.

Michael

PS You can get Redweek to quote how many points they'd give you for a deposit without having the week reserved if you're a redweek member, but since you only have 30k left it looks like your choices are SBP, PGA, or the mountain choices.

 

[bizaro86]

As an update to my previous post:

I was planning to check how many redweek points some of the OPs choices would get, so they could consider it without having to buy a redweek membership if she didn't have one. However, redweek only accepts deposits more than 90 days before check in, so this option really isn't an option after all. Sorry

Michael

 

[SDKath]

Can't she do a partial week someplace for a few days given that it is less than 90 days now? Kath

 

[bward]

If it were me, I'd use the options at Broadway Plantation.

True, you won't get to the beach, but there are so many other things to do nearby that you won't get bored.

You might actually get to relax for some of the trip.

Or, I'd go for Orlando...one of the Vistanas. But there isn't much relaxing in Orlando!

Have fun!

bward

 

[James1975NY]

We have 30,650 option pts to use by end of 2008. We live in Pittsburgh, have kids (ages 7 & 11), and looking to do last minute trip with minimal flight costs, etc. Any recommendations on favorite kid friendly resorts in November or December?
Ps. I am pregnant so skiing is probably not an option.

Thanks for help!

I would suggest to think of a trip that you WANT to take and not one that you can "fit in" with what you have left for 2008. This suggestion is based on the assumption that the 2009 use year will likely have a lot less traveling for you that you normally do with a newborn (newborn cannot fly). Perhaps you would consider keeping enough StarOptions for a summer trip to Myrtle Beach via car (not sure how many StarOptions you own).

Just something to consider...basically what I am saying is if you have this many StarOptions left for this year, how much traveling (by air) are you really going to do next year?

 

[James1975NY]

I would suggest to think of a trip that you WANT to take and not one that you can "fit in" with what you have left for 2008. This suggestion is based on the assumption that the 2009 use year will likely have a lot less traveling for you that you normally do with a newborn (newborn cannot fly). Perhaps you would consider keeping enough StarOptions for a summer trip to Myrtle Beach via car (not sure how many StarOptions you own).

Just something to consider...basically what I am saying is if you have this many StarOptions left for this year, how much traveling (by air) are you really going to do next year?

If you do not want to borrow, you can do a Monday to Saturday in Orlando in weeks 48-50.

 

[DeniseM]

just for clarification, lets say you are an owner at SBP and have the 30,000 staroptions left...could you then reserve a 1BR and deposit the week w/ II? If it was your home resort and you had enough options?

You can't deposit a Staroption exchange. Let's say that the OP has a 2 bdm. lock-off and used the 1 bdm. side already and has the studio left. They could deposit the studio, because they own a studio as one half of their lock-off. I don't think you can deposit a different size unit than the one you own, because it would be a Staroption exchange.

 

[bizaro86]

I would suggest to think of a trip that you WANT to take and not one that you can "fit in" with what you have left for 2008. This suggestion is based on the assumption that the 2009 use year will likely have a lot less traveling for you that you normally do with a newborn (newborn cannot fly). Perhaps you would consider keeping enough StarOptions for a summer trip to Myrtle Beach via car (not sure how many StarOptions you own).

Just something to consider...basically what I am saying is if you have this many StarOptions left for this year, how much traveling (by air) are you really going to do next year?

This is probably a good point. Maybe you could borrow from next year to get something you'd prefer, or borrow from next year and get something really good to rent out, then keep the the money to pay for flights in your next use year? Lots of creative ideas in this thread!

Michael

 

[James1975NY]

You can't deposit a Staroption exchange. Let's say that the OP has a 2 bdm. lock-off and used the 1 bdm. side already and has the studio left. They could deposit the studio, because they own a studio as one half of their lock-off. I don't think you can deposit a different size unit than the one you own, because it would be a Staroption exchange.

Denise, you are correct. The best way to look at it is like this....

- In order to make a deposit with II (or RCI) you need to have enough StarOptions that are the equivalent to a full week of what you are deeded.

- If you are deeded a two bedroom lock-off rated at 81,000 StarOptions, you need to have 44,000 StarOptions remaining in order to deposit the large side or 37,000 StarOptions remaining in oder to deposit the small side.

- If you own a two-bedroom stand alone at 81,000 StarOptions, you will need to have the full 81,000 available to you in order to make a deposit with II (or RCI)

 

[kellbell]

Thanks for replies

Wow, you guys are great! Very creative and knowledgable!

We own at wkorvn even years and used only large bedroom in our 2 BR lockout this summer extending our stay an extra 3 days thus the odd number of option points left of 30,650.

Can we borrow option points from 2010? if so how can we rebuild those so we can use our 2 BR lockout in 2010?

Thanks
Kellbell

 

[DeniseM]

Wow, you guys are great! Very creative and knowledgable!

We own at wkorvn even years and used only large bedroom in our 2 BR lockout this summer extending our stay an extra 3 days thus the odd number of option points left of 30,650.

Can we borrow option points from 2010? if so how can we rebuild those so we can use our 2 BR lockout in 2010?

Thanks
Kellbell

You can't rebuild the Staroptions. If you use the 2010 options in 2008, you will be short in 2010 - plus you have to pay the 2010 MF when you borrow the Staroptions. That doesn't appeal to me at all. I think I'd go with SBP.

 

[clsmit]

I also vote SBP. The beach might be too cool for the kids to swim, but SBP has an indoor heated pool. Broadway at the Beach has a number of things to do. My kids are about the same age and really enjoyed magiquest (www.magiquest.com) an adventure/computer game like event you do with each person as a character. There are also tons of discount tickets for Nascar go carts, putt putt, outlet shopping, and the Hard Rock theme park. It's a pretty easy drive to get there. We live in Cleveland and could do it in 1 long day or 2 shorter days.

 

[LisaRex]

Since SVN members are automatically given a membership in II, I'd highly recommend checking out "Getaways." These are cash deals where you can book TSs for pennies on the dollar (e.g. $250/week!) Some of the deals you can get, especially during low season (which is now), are phenomenal. I'd check out Hilton Head or Williamsburg, both TS hotbeds, and within driving distance.

 

[DeniseM]

Just curious - did you consider using both sides and staying for 2 weeks or adding more nights and using up all your Staroptions? With such a long flight from Pittsburg, it would have been nice to stay a little longer. It might have been a little tight for one week in the studio, but doable with kids the age of yours.

 

[kellbell]

Denise
Supposedly both parts of our lockout was not available due to changes in our travel plans even though the studio sat empty for the entire week. We were planning on shifting to sheraton oceanfront suite for the final 3 nights but decided not to because relatives were staying at WKORV. So we used our options instead of points. Not sure if it was the best decision?!

What is II?

Thanks
Kelly

 

[DeniseM]

What is II?

Thanks
Kelly

An exchange company - Interval International.

 

[James1975NY]

Denise
Supposedly both parts of our lockout was not available due to changes in our travel plans even though the studio sat empty for the entire week. We were planning on shifting to sheraton oceanfront suite for the final 3 nights but decided not to because relatives were staying at WKORV. So we used our options instead of points. Not sure if it was the best decision?!

What is II?

Thanks
Kelly

II - Interval International - It is your external exchange company that you will have a membership to via your SVN dues. They have excellent deals on getaways from inventory that is not confirmed to exchange weeks or through an agreement with a resort to get rooms filled.

 

[Catazog]

We were just in Scottsdale last week. One fun activity for kids and adults alike is miniature golf. My husband and I did a Scottsdale Mini-Golf Open and played four separate courses. One location had four 18 hole courses, all very fun. If anyone is interested in specific names of courses, let me know. We had a blast!