II Exchange—MF Due for 2013 Before Designate for Exchange?

[Quiet Pine]

I own an EOY SDO, usage 2013, and this morning I phoned Starwood to “designate for exchange” in II. The rep told me I’d have to pay my estimated 2013 MF first, and then I could designate it for exchange. That’s $513 (2BR 2BA Lockoff), and I told her I’d think about it.
Next I went to the TUG Sticky about II exchanging (thanks, Denise!) and read instructions about designating for exchange on MyStarCentral. I completed that (apparently you must go through the process twice for a lockoff, once for each side), and now wonder—was the Starwood rep correct that nothing is valid until I pay my estimated 2013 MF, or is my unit really ready to exchange? I won’t travel until 2013, and my MF will be paid before then—although I might confirm an exchange before the end of this year.

 

[scootr5]

You don't have to prepay the SDO maintenance fees to deposit, but you do at SBP.

I just deposited my 2013 SDO online through MSC a couple weeks ago, and received the email confirmation a day or two later from Starwood - I have not paid the 2013 fees yet.

 

[siesta]

just designate your unit for exchange online at mystarcentral.com, no need to even talk to an easily confused rep.

I have my 2013 week deposited with II, and i didnt pay those MF yet. Its an annual SDO

 

[Quiet Pine]

Y... to deposit, but you do at SBP.

...2013 SDO online through MSC ...

What's SBP? What's MSC? Thanks.

 

[siesta]

What's SBP? What's MSC? Thanks.

SBP - Sheraton broadway plantation, myrtle beach SC

MSC - my star central or mystarcentral.com

 

[scootr5]

Sorry, siesta's got it right. I was typing in a hurry. Designating it for exchange online through mystarcentral.com is definitely quicker, and you get a nice electronic record of it. The procedure is in the FAQ: Sign in > using your ownership > click on the resort name > request a reservation > request your vacation now > request an exchange > answer the questions.

 

[jerseygirl]

Regarding paying mutual funds before depositing, I remember seeing the topic on the agenda for the annual HOA meeting at one of my resorts, so wouldn't be surprised if that requirement is slowly added to other resorts ....

 

[DavidnRobin]

What's SBP? What's MSC? Thanks.

There is an acronym list in owners resources' sticky
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60852

DM - you should update the 5* SO requirement in this list before someone goes jarta on you.

 

[TravelMamma]

I had to prepay my maintenance fees before I could designate my 2013 week for exchange with II. It does seem as though, different resorts have different policies. It didn't matter though in my case whether or not I did it online at mystarcentral or talking with a Starwood Rep., both stated I had to prepay my maintenance fees before relinquishing my week. The reasoning was, if your account was not in good standing (maint.fees not paid up to date of the use year), than why would they let you trade your week. Stinks, but made sense to me. On the positive side, they are already paid and I won't have to worry about paying them Jan 2013 when they would have been due.

 

[saluki]

Regarding paying mutual funds before depositing...

Mutual funds, maintenance fees, whatever. Just don't let that other MF word slip in.

 

[jerseygirl]

Mutual funds, maintenance fees, whatever. Just don't let that other MF word slip in.

Lol -- guess I was bringing my work home with me again! And, yep, about those other MFs ... someone brought them up already this week if I recall. :hysterical:

I do the same thing with WSJ -- some days my brain reads "Wall St Journal," and other days my brain reads "Westin St John!"

I need a vacation!!

 

[Twinkstarr]

DM - you should update the 5* SO requirement in this list before someone goes jarta on you.

:hysterical: about spew coffee on the computer on that one.

 

[Twinkstarr]

just designate your unit for exchange online at mystarcentral.com, no need to even talk to an easily confused rep.

I think in my 5yrs of ownership I've called in once for reservations or to designate my week to II. Always us mystarcentral.com.

Never have had to prepay MF's for Lakeside Terrace before assigning unit to II.

 

[hefleycatz]

Lol --

I do the same thing with WSJ -- some days my brain reads "Wall St Journal," and other days my brain reads "Westin St John!"

OMG I thought I was the only one who did that. Since I found tug I think Westin before Wall St.

lee

 

[djyamyam]

just designate your unit for exchange online at mystarcentral.com, no need to even talk to an easily confused rep.

I have my 2013 week deposited with II, and i didnt pay those MF yet. Its an annual SDO

In all the time I have owned, I have never done this. :annoyed:

Ok. So I found where it's located. I have a question. If I want to assign my lockoff as 2 separate units, do I go through the process twice, first assigning the small side and then again with the large side?

 

[DanCali]

Looks like it's becoming official

Just got this email today:


Dear XXX,

There is important new information regarding External Exchange that will affect your future requests through Interval International® and RCI®*.

Beginning March 21, 2012, your annual assessment must be paid in full when you request to assign your week for a current or future Use Year. This is part of an ongoing effort to maintain the financial health of your Owners' Association.

What you need to know:

* Annual assessments must be paid in full to assign your week to your External Exchange company
* If you have an available week assigned with Interval International prior to March 21, then your annual assessments must be paid in full at the time you begin a new exchange request
* Any External Exchange requests that are in progress or confirmed vacations with either Interval International or RCI prior to March 21 are not affected

Should you have any questions, please call Owner Services toll free at 800-847-8262, or direct at 407-903-4640 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time, or Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Sincerely,

SVO Management, Inc.

 

[siesta]

Just got this email

* If you have an available week assigned with Interval International prior to March 21, then your annual assessments must be paid in full at the time you begin a new exchange request

I see that meaning, even if you beat us to the punch and deposited, we wont let you exchange unless its paid.

I wonder if i should exchange into wkorvn today, and stick it to them one last time.

At the end of the day, it is a better policy though.

 

[Quiet Pine]

Today is the last day--I guess

I hurried up today and requested an Oregon Coast exchange for 2013. Not sure about dates or resorts, but I felt under the gun. I hope I can make changes later without incurring fees from II. Apparently I won't incur Starwood fees since I beat their deadline.