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

[controller1]

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?

The result will be the same so make it easier on yourself and cancel online.

 

[DanCali]

Does anyone see the 2021 expiration date in their account balances online for these 120-day Options?

I noticed a couple of things in the past couple of weeks.

First, I am able to use these at 120 days out now.

Second, In the Account Palances page, these now show as "Banked" instead of "Restricted" with a 2020 expiration date. However, when I make a dunmmy reservation, the show up as "Restricted" with 2020 expiration (last page before confirming the reservation). Either way it's not right - maybe they are working on it... hasn't been 45 days yet.

 

[grrrah]

I'm not sure that existing unused 60-day restricted options were converted to 120 days and 12/2021 expiration (anyone confirm)?

I just know that cancelled reservations less than 60 days out were converted to 120 days. Also, cancellation fees are currently been waived. If the existing restricted options aren't converted, does it make sense to book a reservation with them and then cancel?

I had booked all of my 60-day restricted options in early Feb, and now presumably will become 120 day.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm not sure that existing unused 60-day restricted options were converted to 120 days and 12/2021 expiration (anyone confirm)?

I just know that cancelled reservations less than 60 days out were converted to 120 days. Also, cancellation fees are currently been waived. If the existing restricted options aren't converted, does it make sense to book a reservation with them and then cancel?

I had booked all of my 60-day restricted options in early Feb, and now presumably will become 120 day.

That is an option. I suspect if you cancelled before their current policies went into effect, then you will have 60 day options. Others have reported making a reservation and cancellation to get them switched over to 120 day with 2021 expiration. Though that may have been for Marriott DC points. Though what can it hurt to try, worst case you end up with the same 60 day restricted points you have now.

 

[dsmrp]

Does anyone see the 2021 expiration date in their account balances online for these 120-day Options?

I noticed a couple of things in the past couple of weeks.

First, I am able to use these at 120 days out now.

Second, In the Account Palances page, these now show as "Banked" instead of "Restricted" with a 2020 expiration date. However, when I make a dunmmy reservation, the show up as "Restricted" with 2020 expiration (last page before confirming the reservation). Either way it's not right - maybe they are working on it... hasn't been 45 days yet.

My account shows same as yours, tho on dashboard, My Account balance snapshot shows both true banked and 'restricted" options. When I click on the balance details, then they both show as 'banked' options. And my restricted ones still have a 2020 expiration date. I can reserve with them within 120 days.

 

[DanCali]

My account shows same as yours, tho on dashboard, My Account balance snapshot shows both true banked and 'restricted" options. When I click on the balance details, then they both show as 'banked' options. And my restricted ones still have a 2020 expiration date. I can reserve with them within 120 days.

I missed the thing on the dashboard but see it now. Same thing for me. Thanks... hopefully it will reflect how it's meant to be soon...

 

[carpie99]

So yesterday I cancelled my reservation for May 2 at WLR ... of course I was using some banked staroptions that were expiring in 2020.

Has anybody got clarification that Banked StarOptions that were expiring this year will also get the extension to 2021? We are hoping to use late this year but I would feel better knowing that 2021 was still an option.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

So yesterday I cancelled my reservation for May 2 at WLR ... of course I was using some banked staroptions that were expiring in 2020.

Has anybody got clarification that Banked StarOptions that were expiring this year will also get the extension to 2021? We are hoping to use late this year but I would feel better knowing that 2021 was still an option.

Hyatt is doing that and they are under the same umbrella so I would be surprised if they didn't extend.

 

[Jang]

Can the restricted StarOptions be booked for a week and then cancelled again? I would like to book something for later in the summer but in case we can't travel again, curious if there will be any issues cancelling a second time... thanks!

 

[grrrah]

Can the restricted StarOptions be booked for a week and then cancelled again? I would like to book something for later in the summer but in case we can't travel again, curious if there will be any issues cancelling a second time... thanks!

I'm not aware of anything official. But my worry would be if the hotel re-opens and you cancel anyways, the restriction policy MAY go back to 60-days and original expiration date.

 

[bobpark56]

So...We stuck with Vistana and did not cancel. Now they have cancelled us, and our reward for sticking with them and not cancelling is a **60-day** window for reusing our staroptions. Something does not seem right here.

 

[dioxide45]

So...We stuck with Vistana and did not cancel. Now they have cancelled us, and our reward for sticking with them and not cancelling is a **60-day** window for reusing our staroptions. Something does not seem right here.

My understanding is that they will go back in and adjust the expiration date and 120 days at a later date. Their system is setup automatically set the expiration date and 60 days and it takes some manual work to get it to 120 days.

 

[tborr123]

So if I cancel my June 20 home resort WKORV 2br ocean front unit now (less than 60 days) I would have SOs to use by end of 2021 booked within 120 days? What are the odds of getting an OF at the WKORV then? Slim and none?

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

So if I cancel my June 20 home resort WKORV 2br ocean front unit now (less than 60 days) I would have SOs to use by end of 2021 booked within 120 days? What are the odds of getting an OF at the WKORV then? Slim and none?

You never know. Maybe early Dec when there are more openings. Mid winter would be difficult. There will be a lot of folks in the same boat though, all the April, May and June cancellation with the same restrictions

 

[dyi27308]

So if I cancel my June 20 home resort WKORV 2br ocean front unit now (less than 60 days) I would have SOs to use by end of 2021 booked within 120 days? What are the odds of getting an OF at the WKORV then? Slim and none?

So just curious as to what your thoughts are. I have a 2 bed OF Deluxe and a 2 Bedroom OV reservation booked for Aug 1. I made the reservations exactly 1year out and both are my home resorts. I am getting very close to the 60 day window, which is June 1 and now I am hearing that Hawaii may extend the 14 day quarantine past May 31. I know my chances are slim to none in getting similar view reservations via staroptions. Is it worth gambling that Hawaii will relax their COVID restrictions enough to be able to enjoy Maui or just bank them for 2021 use.

 

[dioxide45]

So just curious as to what your thoughts are. I have a 2 bed OF Deluxe and a 2 Bedroom OV reservation booked for Aug 1. I made the reservations exactly 1year out and both are my home resorts. I am getting very close to the 60 day window, which is June 1 and now I am hearing that Hawaii may extend the 14 day quarantine past May 31. I know my chances are slim to none in getting similar view reservations via staroptions. Is it worth gambling that Hawaii will relax their COVID restrictions enough to be able to enjoy Maui or just bank them for 2021 use.

In the end, only you can really make the decision to gamble. How things will go is really just a guess at this point.

 

[jabberwocky]

So just curious as to what your thoughts are. I have a 2 bed OF Deluxe and a 2 Bedroom OV reservation booked for Aug 1. I made the reservations exactly 1year out and both are my home resorts. I am getting very close to the 60 day window, which is June 1 and now I am hearing that Hawaii may extend the 14 day quarantine past May 31. I know my chances are slim to none in getting similar view reservations via staroptions. Is it worth gambling that Hawaii will relax their COVID restrictions enough to be able to enjoy Maui or just bank them for 2021 use.

We faced a similar dilemma (set to arrived June 27). I ended up canceling at day 62 before check-in to avoid having them become restricted.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to bank restricted options but if you cancel before your banking deadline in June you at least have the (not sure if you are 3* in which case the later deadline applies).

While I’m of the personal opinion that they will start opening up in July - it really depends on your risk tolerance. For me the OF/OV priority won’t matter much if you have to spend 14 days confined to your unit.

 

[JohnPaul]

For me the OF/OV priority won’t matter much if you have to spend 14 days confined to your unit.

For me the OF/OV would become even MORE important if I was going to spend the whole time in the unit.

It could be a beautiful, quiet and restful time.

 

[dyi27308]

Thank you for your input. I just cancelled my reservations and have banked my star options. I hope Hawaii is better in 2021 because I have a lot of staroptions to use.

 

[beachlynn]

I had rented out my WKORVN this year for the dates 6/28-7/5. Gov Ige has said the quarantine is to be extended to June 30th. The renters have pulled out and we will accommodate them at a later date. I thought that we would go use the villa but now that doesn't seem possible. So since we would be holed for 14 days I will cancel the week. Since I won't be able to use my villas in the way it was meant to be used am I still limited to restricted star options to be used by 2021?

 

[DeniseM]

Yes - not great, but a definite upgrade from the pre-Coronavirus rules. Previously, you would have to use the SO's in 2020, and you wouldn't be able to make the reservation until 60 days before your desired check-in date. You may want to use these Staroptions to make a new Resv. for your guest in 2021.

 

[beachlynn]

I will use the Staroptions for sure and they were made aware of the 120 day time limit. It sure throws out the booking 1 year ahead at 9 pm PDT to ensure a better villa out the window. My WKORVN is an oceanfront unit and that likelihood seems grim especially for the summer. I also had a Princeville week that I was able to rebook from 6/28 to a week in Aug. I hope that doesn't become a problem. The view category is not as much of an issue there. I heard they opened up the little shopping center in Hanalei. That doesn't help the people who have to quarantine for 14 days. The Mayor of Maui had a YouTube video which had some bizarre thoughts of limiting tourism going forward. It is a very unusual time and I hear of some not wanting to return to Hawai'i anytime soon because of the harsh comments written by locals. Hopefully, it is a vocal and limited group of people.

 

[DeniseM]

Friendly reminder: Let's avoid "us vs them" comments, like "harsh comments written by locals."

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

Are restricted options a one time deal or can you cancel a reservation made with restricted options and get them back a 2nd/3rd time as restricted? I realize that cancellations now will get the 120 day restriction and in future that will return to a 60 day restriction.

 

[DeniseM]

There is no reason why you can't cancel and rebook multiple times - you have always been able to do that with restricted Staroptions.