NEW CANCEL POLICY - Restricted Star Options are good until end of 2021 and 120 day advance use.

[ValleyGirl]

We had a non-refundable room for 1 week during Spring Break at Westin Riverfront Resort (Hotel) and cancelled the day before arrival on-line (could not get through on phone).
We had to call the next day or the day after that (can't remember) and they refunded the entire amount.

We also cancelled a 2BR at Riverfront Villas and they gave us restricted options but so far no extension past 12/31/20. However we could deposit the restricted options as a credit against on property expenses on select VSE resorts through EO 2021. The rate is 9.00/1000 SO. So 148,100 = 1,333 not quite the MX fee of 2,086 but if you can't use this year you can exchange through the EOY

 

[DeniseM]

Does it show on your dashboard or did you try a fake reservation between 61-120 days out?

I cancelled a real reservation, searched for a new reservation that was 119 days out, and went through the steps to reserve it, up to the last step.

 

[SVOForever]

I cancelled a real reservation this morning, searched for 80 days out, and it would not let me book it :-(

 

[dioxide45]

I cancelled a real reservation this morning, searched for 80 days out, and it would not let me book it :-(

After you cancel, they need to go back in and update the record for your options to have them show as 120 days. It isn't automatic and they have said it could take up to 45 days for it to be updated correctly.

 

[SVOForever]

Ah I see. I thought it happened automatically for DeniseM, which would have been nice. If I call, do you think they could do it for me manually - the "update your options" part?

 

[dioxide45]

Ah I see. I thought it happened automatically for DeniseM, which would have been nice. If I call, do you think they could do it for me manually - the "update your options" part?

I don't think a rep can do it. What I suspect they are doing is creating some kind of database script to run against the reservations and update them behind the scenes in the database to update the impacted StarOptions.

 

[GrayFal]

I cancelled a real reservation, searched for a new reservation that was 119 days out, and went through the steps to reserve it, up to the last step.

Were you able to cancel online and this automatically (120 days) happened?
I have a Harborside May resie.

 

[GrayFal]

I don't think a rep can do it. What I suspect they are doing is creating some kind of database script to run against the reservations and update them behind the scenes in the database to update the impacted StarOptions.

Gotcha. I have time before I need to cancel so will wait 7ntil it is automatically happening online b

 

[emeryjre]

The Vistana rep can book a reservation with restricted options that is withing the 120 day period. The rep will put you on hold while it is happening. Not sure what is going on behind the scenes, but the rep will come back with a confirmation number. Of course they have to be open and manning the phones. Redid the reservation I was bitching about in an earlier post. Got Maui yesterday for early July. Since I had turned off the TV and stopped listening to the news, I was checking every 30 minutes for reservations. One popped up, hit speed dial, got through and got it.

It would be wonderful if all this stuff was happening automatically, but just happy the website is working.

 

[okwiater]

Another option, for those who have other StarOptions available to them, is to book the reservation online using unrestricted options then use the website to send an email to owner services. Using this method I was able to grab two Hawaii weeks in July. I received confirmation this morning that both reservations were updated to use my restricted options.

 

[SMH1968]

I'm new to ownership and am very confused by the language and was hoping someone could translate Vistana-ese into plain English for me. If I cancel my 4 night trip on 5/10 to Lagunamar (39 days from now), it appears that I will not receive a cancellation fee and will wind up with "restricted StarOptions." Here's my confusion: Will I need to use them in the next 120 days, or will they be good until 12/31/2021? OR does this mean I just need to book a reservation in the next 120 days for a trip that concludes before 12/31/2021? Please translate!

As of March 12, 2020, due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 situation, we are extending the 60-day restriction on StarOptions to 120 days.

Reservations cancelled within 60 days of arrival will be returned as Restricted StarOptions and can be used for a future reservation within 120 days of arrival date. This change will take approximately 14 days to process. The expiration date of those restricted StarOptions has also been extended for use through December 31, 2021. This extension will be visible in your online account within 45 days. Additionally, cancellation fees are waived due to COVID-19.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm new to ownership and am very confused by the language and was hoping someone could translate Vistana-ese into plain English for me. If I cancel my 4 night trip on 5/10 to Lagunamar (39 days from now), it appears that I will not receive a cancellation fee and will wind up with "restricted StarOptions." Here's my confusion: Will I need to use them in the next 120 days, or will they be good until 12/31/2021? OR does this mean I just need to book a reservation in the next 120 days for a trip that concludes before 12/31/2021? Please translate!

As of March 12, 2020, due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 situation, we are extending the 60-day restriction on StarOptions to 120 days.

Reservations cancelled within 60 days of arrival will be returned as Restricted StarOptions and can be used for a future reservation within 120 days of arrival date. This change will take approximately 14 days to process. The expiration date of those restricted StarOptions has also been extended for use through December 31, 2021. This extension will be visible in your online account within 45 days. Additionally, cancellation fees are waived due to COVID-19.

It means that sometime before 12/31/2021 you need to make a reservation using the StarOptions. At the time you make the reservation, you can only reserve for a checkin sometime within the next 120 days. You can't checkin after 12/31/2021. Not sure what really happens if your reservation overlaps 12/31/2021 with some of the days being in 2022.

 

[SMH1968]

It means that sometime before 12/31/2021 you need to make a reservation using the StarOptions. At the time you make the reservation, you can only reserve for a checkin sometime within the next 120 days. You can't checkin after 12/31/2021. Not sure what really happens if your reservation overlaps 12/31/2021 with some of the days being in 2022.

Thank you! You should get a job as a copy writer for Vistana!!!

 

[DavidnRobin]

...Not sure what really happens if your reservation overlaps 12/31/2021 with some of the days being in 2022.

I would assume it would be based on when the reservation starts - similar to how annual weeks are handled.
Week 52 (and 53) can include days in the beginning of the year. Of course, at many resorts these weeks are Premium, so personally I would not recommend waiting to this point unless you go to resort where Holiday time is not popular.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mrpaulytx]

What's the best strategy? Do I need to bank my 80K Star Options by July 1st and pay fee OR just book something then cancel it later and use restricted (120 day window) by 2021. Or how long does bank options work, sorry I have 5 properties and I will need to bank something for the first time this year.

 

[dioxide45]

What's the best strategy? Do I need to bank my 80K Star Options by July 1st and pay fee OR just book something then cancel it later and use restricted (120 day window) by 2021. Or how long does bank options work, sorry I have 5 properties and I will need to bank something for the first time this year.

Are your 80K StarOptions still unrestricted? If so, best to just pay the banking fee and they will be good until December 2022. Are you sitting on a reservation with those StarOptions? If so, that may change everything. Need more details on what that 80K really consists of.

 

[mrpaulytx]

Hi Dioxide45! Yes, I have about 80K unused at the moment. I also have 3 trips for HRO Bahamas reserved planned in June, July, and August for approximately 95K points each. So I am expecting maybe one or more of those HRO will be cancelled. So, based upon that would be better to bank SO on the 80K and use Covid-19 restrictions on the possible cancellations for HRO?

 

[dioxide45]

If you expect any of the other reservations to cancel, you would be best to do so and bank them too. As long as those reservations are outside of 60 days, you can cancel and get full SOs back that you can bank. You pay the banking fee each time you bank. So if you bank 80K now and later want to bank more, you pay the fee again.

 

[mrpaulytx]

If you expect any of the other reservations to cancel, you would be best to do so and bank them too. As long as those reservations are outside of 60 days, you can cancel and get full SOs back that you can bank. You pay the banking fee each time you bank. So if you bank 80K now and later want to bank more, you pay the fee again.

Got it! Thanks so much for the help! Banking gives me one extra year and 8 month window. Just need to cancel within 60 days.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[tmschmal]

Hey, maybe I missed this detail. For reservations planned for while the resorts are closed, is Vistana refunding the full SOs with an extended expiration? Or are they making them restricted still, even when the resort is closed?

 

[VacationForever]

Hey, maybe I missed this detail. For reservations planned for while the resorts are closed, is Vistana refunding the full SOs with an extended expiration? Or are they making them restricted still, even when the resort is closed?

See subject title of this thread. 120 days restriction, good until Dec 2021.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

FYI...Just saw this in the travel blogosphere:

How Marriott Vistana Is Failing Their Owners During Covid-19

I had a reader reach out to me to discuss how Marriott Vistana is failing their owners during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is their timeshare company.

milestomemories.com

 

[grrrah]

See subject title of this thread. 120 days restriction, good until Dec 2021.

Do you guys think they may go back to 60 days if/when things settle, say next year?

I'm wondering if I can book something now using home or star options for next year, then 120 days out, if available switch to my stock of restricted options that I just got back. And Being more than 60 days, the former would return as regular star options. But if Vistana returns back to 60 days reservation, that would be tough.

 

[VacationForever]

Do you guys think they may go back to 60 days if/when things settle, say next year?

I'm wondering if I can book something now using home or star options for next year, then 120 days out, if available switch to my stock of restricted options that I just got back. And Being more than 60 days, the former would return as regular star options. But if Vistana returns back to 60 days reservation, that would be tough.

Once issued as 120 days restriction, they won't shorten it to 60 days. Your strategy will work IF the unit is still available when you cancel the regular reservation.

 

[blondietink]

Southwest cancelled our flight to ARizona scheduled for May 2nd with nothing available for 3 days either side of the original flights. So, I will have to cancel our Kierland reservation. Should I do that online or should I call?