How to get rid of a Vistana / Westin Flex Ownership?

[baileyr4msu]

I have a paid for Vistana / Westin Flex EVEN year timeshare and I just want to dump it. It's worth next to nothing and it's more cost effective to stop using it and stop paying the yearly fees, than trying to continue to use it.

I'm sure this post is on here a million times, but i struggled to find the answer. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TUGBrian]

have you contacted vistana to see if you could simply give it back using their exit program?

 

[echino]

If it's fully paid off (no loan), then Westin Flex is easy to give away, it may even have some resale value if it's a big enough contract. Compare to Sheraton Flex, which is worth zero and very difficult to get rid of.

 

[DeniseM]

We have a forum on TUG where owners can give away timeshares at no cost to the owner:

How can I give away my timeshare on TUG for Free?

Before you pay an upfront fee to someone to "take your timeshare off your hands," please consider giving your timeshare away to a private individual who would like to own it. Why? -You can give it away yourself for nearly no cost. -You can control the transfer process to make sure it is truly...

tugbbs.com

 

[VacationForever]

I am very sure that you can give it back to Vistana for free, i.e. free deedback.

 

[dioxide45]

It depends on how fast you want to unload and if you are concerned about getting money out of it.

I am of the believe that you are better to try and give it away for free to another willing taker on TUG vs. deeding it back to Vistana who will just turn a massive profit on it when they resell it. It may also have some resale value. Depending on the size of the deed, you may be able to get a few thousand for it by listing it in the TUG Marketplace or on Redweek.

 

[iftravel]

Why is Westin Flex more valuable than Sheraton Flex? Much cost effective?

 

[dioxide45]

Why is Westin Flex more valuable than Sheraton Flex? Much cost effective?

It has 12 month access to multiple Westin properties which can be harder to reserve with StarOptions at 8 months. Mainly those in Hawaii and perhaps Kierland. There is little reason to own Sheraton Flex unless you want access to some Sheraton ski season bookings.

 

[DeniseM]

The Sheraton properties are are not as desirable as the Westin properties.

 

[kozykritter]

It has 12 month access to multiple Westin properties which can be harder to reserve with StarOptions at 8 months. Mainly those in Hawaii and perhaps Kierland. There is little reason to own Sheraton Flex unless you want access to some Sheraton ski season bookings.

Maybe little reason for you to own Sheraton Flex but others like myself enjoy it so can't agree with that blanket statement.

 

[dioxide45]

Maybe little reason for you to own Sheraton Flex but others like myself enjoy it so can't agree with that blanket statement.

I am not sure it is a bIanket statement as I did point out a certain use case where Sheraton Flex may be better than a deeded week with StarOptions. I am sure there are other use cases where owning Sheraton Flex is advantageous, perhaps Interval Exchanges with Abound enrolled Flex contracts is another. As there are some exchanges that cost less HomeOptions in II than the same booking would cost through VSN.

Perhaps you should share some of the other benefits of Sheraton Flex as I am not really seeing them.

 

[VacationForever]

I am not sure it is a bIanket statement as I did point out a certain use case where Sheraton Flex may be better than a deeded week with StarOptions. I am sure there are other use cases where owning Sheraton Flex is advantageous, perhaps Interval Exchanges with Abound enrolled Flex contracts is another. As there are some exchanges that cost less HomeOptions in II than the same booking would cost through VSN.

Perhaps you should share some of the other benefits of Sheraton Flex as I am not really seeing them.

One that I can think of is that the MF per point is lower for Sheraton Flex compared to Westin Flex. If you want to exchange in II, it is better value.

 

[dioxide45]

One that I can think of is that the MF per point is lower for Sheraton Flex compared to Westin Flex. If you want to exchange in II, it is better value.

Sure, as compared to Westin Flex. I am wondering as compared to a deeded week with StarOptions. Maintenance fees seem to be higher than the better mandatory deeded weeks.

 

[VacationForever]

Sure, as compared to Westin Flex. I am wondering as compared to a deeded week with StarOptions. Maintenance fees seem to be higher than the better mandatory deeded weeks.

I would agree that owning mandatory deeded week is superior in almost all situations.

 

[Powderday]

I am not sure it is a bIanket statement as I did point out a certain use case where Sheraton Flex may be better than a deeded week with StarOptions. I am sure there are other use cases where owning Sheraton Flex is advantageous, perhaps Interval Exchanges with Abound enrolled Flex contracts is another. As there are some exchanges that cost less HomeOptions in II than the same booking would cost through VSN.

Perhaps you should share some of the other benefits of Sheraton Flex as I am not really seeing them.

Steamboat during ski season.

 

[bethd]

It has 12 month access to multiple Westin properties which can be harder to reserve with StarOptions at 8 months. Mainly those in Hawaii and perhaps Kierland. There is little reason to own Sheraton Flex unless you want access to some Sheraton ski season bookings.

I am looking to buy a resale at Westin Kierland. However, now your post if making me nervous. Is it hard to book in Hawaii 8 months out? We are usually pretty flexible and just like to go between June-September.

Have you tried renting yours out with success?

 

[bethd]

I have a paid for Vistana / Westin Flex EVEN year timeshare and I just want to dump it. It's worth next to nothing and it's more cost effective to stop using it and stop paying the yearly fees, than trying to continue to use it.

I'm sure this post is on here a million times, but i struggled to find the answer. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Which property do you own? What size unit?

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

I am looking to buy a resale at Westin Kierland. However, now your post if making me nervous. Is it hard to book in Hawaii 8 months out? We are usually pretty flexible and just like to go between June-September.

Have you tried renting yours out with success?

There is spotty availability for 7 days in early June 2025 across all 3 Maui resorts if you don't mind a weekday check-in. Typically the 4th of July hasn't been available and probably won't be available at 8 months but since the fire demand has been down and you'll be able to find something in the June-September window. That might change of course in the future.