New Starwood Owner

[tomandrobin]

An Every Other Year unit gives you use of the unit every even year
(2008, 2010, 2012, etc) and odd year usafe (2009, 2011, 2013, etc).

Oh, I forgot to mention that the maintenance fees are half every year.

 

[123traveller]

ok i read the thread but i still don't get it. Sorry.

I want to the flexibility to convert to starpoints so I buy a resale for Kierland and an EOY from a developer and ask them to requalify my kierland purchase??? If it's 20,000-$25,000 for Kierland how much would an EOY be at Harborside? Would I then have the StarOptions for both properties to convert to Starpoints? What is an inexpensive EOY?

Thanks so much. The information and advice from everyone has been incredible.

Caroline

 

[123traveller]

That's what we bought in Maui- $36,900 for every other year and $975 maintenance fees every year.

Caroline

 

[calgarygary]

That's what we bought in Maui- $36,900 for every other year and $975 maintenance fees every year.

Caroline

This is why you need to rescind and then educate yourself so that you will know in the future not to pay more than twice what you would on the resale market. You can view resales on ebay through this thread. You will quickly realize that you paid more than twice what some have. Buying from the developer for the purpose of renting (which I thought you mentioned in an earlier post) is not a financially viable idea. Buying for the purpose of using starpoints (not staroptions) is also a poor plan as you can expect future devaluations of their value.

After you have educated yourself about the in/outs of timeshares and Starwood then you can decide if SVN is best for you and finally decide which resale will best meet your needs.

 

[123traveller]

This is why you need to rescind and then educate yourself so that you will know in the future not to pay more than twice what you would on the resale market. You can view resales on ebay through this thread. You will quickly realize that you paid more than twice what some have. Buying from the developer for the purpose of renting (which I thought you mentioned in an earlier post) is not a financially viable idea. Buying for the purpose of using starpoints (not staroptions) is also a poor plan as you can expect future devaluations of their value.

After you have educated yourself about the in/outs of timeshares and Starwood then you can decide if SVN is best for you and finally decide which resale will best meet your needs.

That's what I'm doing Thanks to this board

Caroline

 

[Ken555]

Wow, this is a lot for a new t/s buyer to understand quickly. Hopefully, you've started the cancellation process. I would suggest you focus on that process, make sure you get it done right (yes, send the cancellation multiple ways to SVN - postal/FedEx (signed return receipt), FAX, email, more). Make sure you're prepared for the sales rep to call you and pressure you to stay - JUST SAY NO.

Once you complete the process, then take some time and read everything and learn more about the options. There are plenty of choices, and I think everyone here will agree you've picked a great time to buy - it's a buyer's market for t/s resales right now.

Good luck!

 

[SDKath]

ok i read the thread but i still don't get it. Sorry.

I want to the flexibility to convert to starpoints so I buy a resale for Kierland and an EOY from a developer and ask them to requalify my kierland purchase??? If it's 20,000-$25,000 for Kierland how much would an EOY be at Harborside? Would I then have the StarOptions for both properties to convert to Starpoints? What is an inexpensive EOY?

Thanks so much. The information and advice from everyone has been incredible.

Caroline

YES! You got it. There is a price list here http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=488890&postcount=11 so you can look at all the options. You need to spend $20,000 with Starwood in order to requalify a resale. You don't have to buy Kierland if you are gonna requalify. Kierland is mandatory so it's more expensive in general. But if you requalify it, it doesn't matter if it's M or V that you own.

Let's say you buy WMH Platinum. That is also 148,100 SOs. You can buy that for around $10,000. Then requalify it with an EOY purchase (or actually any purchase over $20,000) from Starwood and all of a sudden you have SPs and SOs for both units.

Hope that makes sense! Katherine

 

[123traveller]

YES! You got it. There is a price list here http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=488890&postcount=11 so you can look at all the options. You need to spend $20,000 with Starwood in order to requalify a resale. You don't have to buy Kierland if you are gonna requalify. Kierland is mandatory so it's more expensive in general. But if you requalify it, it doesn't matter if it's M or V that you own.

Let's say you buy WMH Platinum. That is also 148,100 SOs. You can buy that for around $10,000. Then requalify it with an EOY purchase (or actually any purchase over $20,000) from Starwood and all of a sudden you have SPs and SOs for both units.

Hope that makes sense! Katherine

Thanks! What does WMH mean?

 

[123traveller]

Wow, this is a lot for a new t/s buyer to understand quickly. Hopefully, you've started the cancellation process. I would suggest you focus on that process, make sure you get it done right (yes, send the cancellation multiple ways to SVN - postal/FedEx (signed return receipt), FAX, email, more). Make sure you're prepared for the sales rep to call you and pressure you to stay - JUST SAY NO.

Once you complete the process, then take some time and read everything and learn more about the options. There are plenty of choices, and I think everyone here will agree you've picked a great time to buy - it's a buyer's market for t/s resales right now.

Good luck!

The cancellation form has been signed and will sent registered mail tomorrow. I have until the 18th to cancel. There is no email or telephone number but I will try searching for it online. i bought in maui but it says to mail to SVO pacific in orlando. I hope I can find the email or telephone/fax number online.

Caroline

 

[capjak]

Thanks! What does WMH mean?

WMH Westin Mission Hills

 

[123traveller]

WMH Westin Mission Hills

Thanks

 

[DavidnRobin]

That's what I'm doing Thanks to this board

Caroline

perfect -

unfortunately - it is much more complicated.

why do u want to requal?
for points conversion?
then buy as cheap as possible as many points you can (and staroptions) for as cheap as possible - and consider MFs - and other values - reasle - rent - desirability.

WKV is a great resort and we own 2 VOIs there (1Bd Plat - prem 81K SOs) - but bought to stay, or SVN exchange - and even to rent as a back-up.

but...
depends on your needs...

if you are requaling for Elite status - then you need to take into how to get there as cheap as possible

then there is II exchanging - this is a science on its on...

and there is always buy where you want to go - and enjoy.

best - read and ask

 

[123traveller]

perfect -

unfortunately - it is much more complicated.

why do u want to requal?
for points conversion?
then buy as cheap as possible as many points you can (and staroptions) for as cheap as possible - and consider MFs - and other values - reasle - rent - desirability.

WKV is a great resort and we own 2 VOIs there (1Bd Plat - prem 81K SOs) - but bought to stay, or SVN exchange - and even to rent as a back-up.

but...
depends on your needs...

if you are requaling for Elite status - then you need to take into how to get there as cheap as possible

then there is II exchanging - this is a science on its on...

and there is always buy where you want to go - and enjoy.

best - read and ask

It sure is complicated! Who knew there was a whole other time share world out there!

We like the Westin product and travel extensively so we thought a starwood ownership plan would be best for us. No we are exploring how to get the largest amount of SO that can be converted to SP(for the years we decide to use thier hotels) at the best price and lowest M/F. I can see us alternating years between the bahamas, st john and arizona villas (although getting into these properties may be difficult) and using starpoints every couple of years for hotel travel.

I'm still not sure if investing in the westin product is right for us but it will sure be fun trying to figure it out. This board is crazy with information. I think i've been on here most of the day.


I believe someone else may have answered this question but was is your opinion. What is the cheapest way to get the most SO/SP with the lowest maintenance fees?


Caroline

 

[clsmit]

Hi, Caroline (Great name!)!

We're also in that same late boomer/Gen X demographic. So after you rescind, another thing to think about is to test some other timeshare companies out there by renting there. Many of them have deals where you can stay for cheap if you listen to their presentation. Or, you can just rent a property from here or ebay. Marriott's program is different from Starwood's, for example, but they have a similar combination of hotels and timeshares within their broader system. There's comparison chart in one of the stickies at the top of the Starwood board that can help you with an overview. So save your money, get the Starwood credit card if you think you're really going to stay with Starwood, and keep reading and asking questions! I'm a year into this adventure and have only just begun to learn how to work the system!

Carol (DD's name is Caroline!)

 

[jasonb]

Thanks!

The Canadian version is from MBNA that gives you one Starpoint for every $2 you spend, with no annual fee.

Brad, thanks so much for pointing this out - as a Canadian owner (almost - in escrow) this will come in very handy, I think we will switch our cards over.

Jason
(Canadian Tug'er)

 

[Troopers]

It sure is complicated! Who knew there was a whole other time share world out there!

It's partially complicated because Starwood allows requals and retro's. Unlike other timeshare programs, Starwood give owners these benefit opportunities, thus the need for "strategy". There's certainly a lot to learn...my honest suggestion, BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO GO (this is timesharing principle 101).

Good luck.

 

[123traveller]

It's partially complicated because Starwood allows requals and retro's. Unlike other timeshare programs, Starwood give owners these benefit opportunities, thus the need for "strategy". There's certainly a lot to learn...my honest suggestion, BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO GO (this is timesharing principle 101).

Good luck.

but what if you want to go everywhere? A different villa every year or at lease alternating between every 3 years. Would this really be possible for peak periods (march Break, Christmas, Summer) if it isnt your home resort? The information I have been gathering is it is not.

Caroline

 

[Troopers]

but what if you want to go everywhere? A different villa every year or at lease alternating between every 3 years. Would this really be possible for peak periods (march Break, Christmas, Summer) if it isnt your home resort? The information I have been gathering is it is not.

Caroline

You are right. I think Starwood's system is not tailored to fit your needs. That's not to say that it can't be done but it requires some "work" (others here may call it a hobby) and additional dollars.

I'm a "basic" Starwood owner and it works great for me. What I mean by basic is that I bought where we want to go every year. I have no plans on going to others places (in lieu of my WKORV TS). I simply want to go to my one week Maui trip year after year. I love the product. I have been looking for a second resale WKORV week and have been holding out. I do not intend to retro/requal my week(s) nor trade it via II. Thus, it's a very simply system (for me).

 

[SDKath]

but what if you want to go everywhere? A different villa every year or at lease alternating between every 3 years. Would this really be possible for peak periods (march Break, Christmas, Summer) if it isnt your home resort? The information I have been gathering is it is not.

Caroline

It's definitely possible. Marriott on the other hand is a nightmare. If you don't call at 6am at EXACTLY 12 months out, you don't get your own resort reservation! How crazy is that?

Starwood is MUCH more flexible. However, the exceptions are Harborside and St. John. If you want to go there during a peak week, you should consider owning there. I would say own at St John because Harborside is going to be expanding and availability will open up a lot in the coming years. But peak season at other resorts is readily available. For example, I had no trouble booking a week at Kierland in AZ for March 2009 just now. I don't own there and called at 8 months out. Easy. So far, Princeville and Lagunamar are proving easy to get into as well. WKORV is now much easier too due to the HI flight issues. Orlando is almost always readily available. So I would say you are safe as far as wanting to travel all over the place.

K

 

[califgal]

You can't go to the Maui resort during the Chirstmas and New Year holiday unless you buy those specific weeks which cost a premium..someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

Generally, it's not worth trading your staroptions into starpoints. Let's say you own a Maui 2 bdrm. lockoff unit worth 148,100 staroptions. When you trade into starpoints you get 81,000. These days a basic , small , no view ,hotel room runs 12,000-15,000 for a resort property, sometimes depending on the area ,you'll pay 10,000, if you're lucky. Remember you are also paying high maint. fees for the maui unit. So you can see , generally,it's not a good value. Occasionally it might be worth the splurge.

 

[123traveller]

I have another question if anyone is still reading this post

When we went to the presentation the salesperson said that if we didnt want to go to our home resort that year then we call and ask to have our points deposited (148,100) into our starwood bank and then book the resorts we want through the starwood rep. From reading these posts, the word exchanging comes up a lot. We thought it would be easy to call up and use our 148,000 points to book various resorts throughout the year. For example- 25,800 for a 1 bedroom in kierland during weeks 28-35, 44,000 for a 1 bedroom in st john during weeks 21-42 and 67,100 for a 1 bedroom weeks 1-17. (these rates are all from the package we received). I'm getting the impression it's not like booking a hotel room but instead exchanging it with other owners. So first those weeks have to be released by the owners, then 8 months out I have to call to see if these weeks are available by other owners, if they are not then not only have I lost the places i wanted to visit but also lost the reservation at my home resort...correct?

Caroline

 

[123traveller]

You can't go to the Maui resort during the Chirstmas and New Year holiday unless you buy those specific weeks which cost a premium..someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

Generally, it's not worth trading your staroptions into starpoints. Let's say you own a Maui 2 bdrm. lockoff unit worth 148,100 staroptions. When you trade into starpoints you get 81,000. These days a basic , small , no view ,hotel room runs 12,000-15,000 for a resort property, sometimes depending on the area ,you'll pay 10,000, if you're lucky. Remember you are also paying high maint. fees for the maui unit. So you can see , generally,it's not a good value. Occasionally it might be worth the splurge.

yes, the fee did not include christmas and new years.

 

[SDKath]

I have another question if anyone is still reading this post

When we went to the presentation the salesperson said that if we didnt want to go to our home resort that year then we call and ask to have our points deposited (148,100) into our starwood bank and then book the resorts we want through the starwood rep. From reading these posts, the word exchanging comes up a lot. We thought it would be easy to call up and use our 148,000 points to book various resorts throughout the year. For example- 25,800 for a 1 bedroom in kierland during weeks 28-35, 44,000 for a 1 bedroom in st john during weeks 21-42 and 67,100 for a 1 bedroom weeks 1-17. (these rates are all from the package we received). I'm getting the impression it's not like booking a hotel room but instead exchanging it with other owners. So first those weeks have to be released by the owners, then 8 months out I have to call to see if these weeks are available by other owners, if they are not then not only have I lost the places i wanted to visit but also lost the reservation at my home resort...correct?

Caroline

Still reading. You cannot get partial weeks unless you book less than 3 months out. You can imagine how much less availability there is when you are trying to get peak season rooms at 3 months out. You can book 1 week stays (or longer) at 8 months out (or 12 months if you own at the resort). Some folks get 11-12 days in a 1BR instead of getting a 2BR LO. This is a great feature.

I am about to call to get a longer stay in Lagunamar for next March for Spring break (8 months out) doing this exact technique. We don't need a huge 2BR LO right now so we'd rather have a longer vacation in a 1BR.

These weeks don't need to be "released" by owners. If you have the points and there is availability at the resort, the room is yours. So it's not like an exchange with II, where someone gives up a room before you can have it.

Katherine

 

[123traveller]

Thanks Katherine. Some clarification on booking partial weeks until 3 months out. Does breaking up your points over various weeks mean partial weeks? For example- 8 months out, I can book my StarOptions at another resort based on availablilty but I only use 100,000 so I can only begin booking for the additional 48,000 3 months before the desired booking date? So really I book what I want and what is available at 8 months out and the balance of my points can only be booked 3 months out?

Just out of curiosity if you are using starpoints are these based on a time system also.

Thanks,

Caroline

 

[SDKath]

Thanks Katherine. Some clarification on booking partial weeks until 3 months out. Does breaking up your points over various weeks mean partial weeks? For example- 8 months out, I can book my StarOptions at another resort based on availablilty but I only use 100,000 so I can only begin booking for the additional 48,000 3 months before the desired booking date? So really I book what I want and what is available at 8 months out and the balance of my points can only be booked 3 months out?

Just out of curiosity if you are using starpoints are these based on a time system also.

Thanks,

Caroline

Yes, you can use up most of your points and book a week at 8 months out and then use the remaining points for 3 month short term booking elsewhere. But they have to be used up THAT year and don't carry over. You can book stays more than 7 nights using SOs at 8 months too. So for example you can call Starwood at 8 months and book 11 days at Kaanapali in a 1BD (you don't have to wait till those last 3 months to book the additional days). But if your stay is less than 7 days, you can only book it 3 months out. Clear as mud, right?

StarPoints are literally points. If there is an available room in any Starwood hotel, you can book the room for as little as one night or as long as 25 nights (or close to that). You can book a year in advance or the day before. No blackout dates, which is great too. You can also use Starpoints for airline miles and some services at resorts (lounge chaise rental...).

They expire in 6 years so they are very flexible. Katherine