New Starwood Owner

[Ken555]

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?

You will always be able to book 8 months out for resorts other than the one at which you own. The only exception is if you reserve a unit and then cancel within 90 (?) days of the reservation - to then "re-use" those Options you must reserve within 90 days of the reservation.

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

StarPoints (ie. Hotel points) do not expire annually...if that's what your asking. If converting from a t/s they are available six years...if you acquire them in other ways (credit card, for instance) then there is no expiration.

 

[Ken555]

I give up. Next time I see a post directed to Katherine, I'm going to wait a full 5 minutes to see if she posts first...

 

[SDKath]

I give up. Next time I see a post directed to Katherine, I'm going to wait a full 5 minutes to see if she posts first...

OK, it's all yours, Ken. I am going to sleep. ROFL! :zzz:

Katherine

 

[123traveller]

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

Got it 3 months out is for stays shorter than 7 days. Originally I thought you meant the remaining points can only be used. So technically if avaibale, I could book 7 days at one resort and 11 days at another resort at the 8 month mark.

Thanks..again!

 

[123traveller]

okay ken, are you taking over? Katherine is going to sleep and I am still getting over jet lag so I have an hour or so more to go, even though it's 2:45a.m here

 

[Ken555]

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.

Actually, you don't have to do anything to get your StarOptions available for use elsewhere (btw, it's "SO's", not "points", as that is commonly used to refer to StarPoints for the hotel point plan). If you own a unit valued at 148,100 SO's, then each year you have that many Options available to use. If you book at your home resort, then that may use the value of your SO's and you won't have any left to use elsewhere.

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).

Exactly correct. The only concern is if there will be availability at the resort when you want to visit. I can say now you won't have any problem getting Kierland between 28-35 (it's HOT in the summer there).

FWIW, you'll probably find my posts elsewhere on this, but my use of my Platinum Kierland 148,100 SO week for 2008 is:

Princeville - Premium Studio for 1 week = 67,000 SO's
Cancun - Premium 1 Bed for 13 nights = 79,200 SO's
- this can be done by arriving on Sunday and departing on a Saturday. at first, Starwood suggested arriving on Friday, but by simply changing my arrival day I was able to extend the trip three days for less Options

In 2006 I was able to use the 148,100 at three different resorts. It's not easy to make the SOs stretch to fit, nor to get the availability - but if you're willing to travel off-season (that's the only time I travel...I hate the crowds) you'll have little problem.

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?

This is true...mostly. There is often confusion over where the resorts "get their weeks", as some can be found for rent via other sources yet not available for owners, etc. Many of the resorts have units still owned by Starwood which are typically available for others to use. But in essence, yes owners need to release their use of their week at a resort in exchange for another - which creates the mini-market of SVN owners exchanging for other units. The nice part of this is that it's all hidden from us...so we can trust SVN to do the right thing and not mess with the system. Nodge, where are you?

HTH!

 

[123traveller]

Actually, you don't have to do anything to get your StarOptions available for use elsewhere (btw, it's "SO's", not "points", as that is commonly used to refer to StarPoints for the hotel point plan). If you own a unit valued at 148,100 SO's, then each year you have that many Options available to use. If you book at your home resort, then that may use the value of your SO's and you won't have any left to use elsewhere.

Exactly correct. The only concern is if there will be availability at the resort when you want to visit. I can say now you won't have any problem getting Kierland between 28-35 (it's HOT in the summer there).

FWIW, you'll probably find my posts elsewhere on this, but my use of my Platinum Kierland 148,100 SO week for 2008 is:

Princeville - Premium Studio for 1 week = 67,000 SO's
Cancun - Premium 1 Bed for 13 nights = 79,200 SO's
- this can be done by arriving on Sunday and departing on a Saturday. at first, Starwood suggested arriving on Friday, but by simply changing my arrival day I was able to extend the trip three days for less Options

In 2006 I was able to use the 148,100 at three different resorts. It's not easy to make the SOs stretch to fit, nor to get the availability - but if you're willing to travel off-season (that's the only time I travel...I hate the crowds) you'll have little problem.

This is true...mostly. There is often confusion over where the resorts "get their weeks", as some can be found for rent via other sources yet not available for owners, etc. Many of the resorts have units still owned by Starwood which are typically available for others to use. But in essence, yes owners need to release their use of their week at a resort in exchange for another - which creates the mini-market of SVN owners exchanging for other units. The nice part of this is that it's all hidden from us...so we can trust SVN to do the right thing and not mess with the system. Nodge, where are you?

HTH!

Thanks! What's HTH? What you did with your 2008 "options" is exactly what what we would be looking at doing with ours. Trying out the various resorts. The only thing is that we would be looking to be book at March Break and Summer. (maybe sometimes during the christmas break). If you haven't read this entire post, I foolishly bought a timeshare from Westin in Maui at the new resorts. I'm cancelling but now I'm on a mission to figure out this whole time share world.

Caroline

 

[Ken555]

You probably have the impression by now that there are lots of rules at SVN (as at any t/s system). One of the goals of this board is to find the best way to maximize your use of your ownership. So... learn the rules!

One of the SVN reservation rules is that you cannot book at a SVN resort other than your home resort until eight months from the date of arrival, as you know. BUT... that's just for the arrival date itself. If you want to stay longer than a week you may make just one reservation for the entire stay ahead of time. So, my Cancun reservation for later this year was made just after the week opened up...but the second week was not. In other words, if there's a particular week you must be somewhere and your schedule is flexible enough to handle it, you could arrive early and get easy confirmation for a busy week, etc.

You'll find lots of ways to use the system to your advantage, if you work at it.

That said, I suggest you also look into the other t/s systems before deciding on Starwood. I stayed at a Marriott and visited several before choosing Starwood. Each system has its benefits, and there are owners that believe their own is the best. Then, there are many who own at multiple systems rather than buying more at the same. Marriott, for instance, has considerably more locations than Starwood. Check them all out.

 

[Ken555]

Thanks! What's HTH?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hth

What you did with your 2008 "options" is exactly what what we would be looking at doing with ours. Trying out the various resorts. The only thing is that we would be looking to be book at March Break and Summer. (maybe sometimes during the christmas break).

Yeah...good luck with that plan. The only good news is that March break occurs at different times for different parts of North America (see, I'm inclusive! ). Depending on which week you have available will determine if you have a good chance or almost no chance at getting a reservation at one of the popular resorts. Summer is difficult everywhere (except Mission Hills and Kierland). Christmas is most likely hard everywhere. So, to me this means you should own at one of your preferred holiday destinations so you can make that reservation 12 months out in the years you want to use it there. The rest of the time you'll be taking your chances with everyone else...

If you haven't read this entire post, I foolishly bought a timeshare from Westin in Maui at the new resorts. I'm cancelling but now I'm on a mission to figure out this whole time share world.

Yes, excellent! It's not foolish, though. You recognized that a t/s may fit nicely with your vacation plans, yet didn't know you could save $$$ by buying resale. You would have been foolish had you not rescinded!

 

[123traveller]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hth

It does help. Thank You.

March Break is usually the 2nd or 3rd week of March..not sure how that fits in with everyone else. We have breifly reviewed the Marriott product- they really do have many more carribean and warm weather destinations but the Westin is so much nicer, IMO.

Now we are going to look at buying Harborside re-sale (it's a mandatory resort which means that we can use it on the SVN network- see I have been listening). Not sure if its right yet but we will do all our homework.

I'm also going to explore the whole re-valuing options to get the most bang fro my buck. Any advice/information on re-valuing?

Caroline

 

[Ken555]

March Break is usually the 2nd or 3rd week of March..not sure how that fits in with everyone else. We have breifly reviewed the Marriott product- they really do have many more carribean and warm weather destinations but the Westin is so much nicer, IMO.

You've just stated the reason I bought Starwood. However, I will gladly stay at a Marriott. I've been and exchanged to their resort in Lake Tahoe and it's fantastic, and I really want to return to Custom House in Boston.

Now we are going to look at buying Harborside re-sale (it's a mandatory resort which means that we can use it on the SVN network- see I have been listening). Not sure if its right yet but we will do all our homework.

Harborside is great (I was there in 2007) but they have high maintenance fees. And, as they are going to start building another phase I suspect availability will get easier over time. If you plan on going there often (I know, easier flight for you, etc) then it's worth buying there.

I'm also going to explore the whole re-valuing options to get the most bang fro my buck. Any advice/information on re-valuing?

I haven't requal'd any of mine...yet. I suggest you try to figure out how many weeks you need before even thinking of it. Once you have that number, you'll be able to better create a purchase plan. Everyone has different goals with their ownership and that will impact how and where you purchase.

For example, I bought simply to force myself to get out of LA (as I often tell friends, I try to leave LA at the slightest excuse...and a prepaid trip is a great excuse!). However, I often work while away so my needs will probably be different than yours. And now that Starwood reduced the value of the Elite program considerably, I have absolutely no desire to pay for it. So, there's little reason for me to acquire more Starwood weeks. But if I did, I would purchase the least expensive mandatory resort with the least expensive maintenance fees...as my schedule is very flexible, I've only reserved at the eight month mark (I've never reserved at my home resort at 12 months).

 

[123traveller]

Thanks again.

It's time for bed now. I'm sure I will be back with more questions.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

 

[tomandrobin]

Good Morning!

I think that if you want Starpoints and have ownership that will allow you to get the most bang for the buck, talk to SDKath. She was able to get to 5 star elite (which gets you Platinum For Life in the Starwood system), she has the ability to convert to around 330,000 starpoints, and she did it all for a little over $50,000 in 3-4 months.

Tom

 

[esk444]

FYI, March and X-Mas is the absolute peak season for the Carribean. Exchange opportunities into these locations are rare. People who own these weeks rarely exchange them and if they can't go they usually rent them.
If you want to go there in peak season, you really need to buy a resort located in the Carribean. In fact, the only decent resorts that I can regularly find exchanges, except in last minute situations, in the Carribean for March are the Marriott Aruba resorts (not my favorite island) and the Morritts resorts in Grand Cayman (RCI).

The Catch-22 is that the nicer properties in the Carribean have very high Maintenance Fees, so it makes it makes it painful to trade. Plus it will be difficult to trade one Carribean resort for another (i.e. Marriott St. Kitts for Marriott Frenchman's Cove) during peak season.

You should also read the reviews in TUG for Harborside. I was surprised that they many were very critical of the resort. It's not for everyone. I personally love it, but I could see how it could disappoint others.

 

[capjak]

Just to make things more complicated?

Flexibility is a desire of many that want to travel to various destinations that a timeshare is not available. Many people believe use of a timeshare to convert to hotel stays is not financially prudent, others believe that there is value in flexibility and use in high rate hotels (mostly in Europe).

This creates an issue when buying resale and not getting hotel conversion flexibility.

Some, to overcome this Resale purchase "shortcoming", have:

1. Bought timesahare and use cash for hotel
2. Bought timeshare and rent it for cash when wanting to go to a hotel destination
3. Bought timeshare that allows conversion (Hilton Grand Vacation Club)
4. Don't buy anything and rent Timeshares and pay cash for hotel

and others go the Destination Club route (belief easier to go to various destinations without exchanging) and pay cash for hotel stays

If you are sure you want Starwood for their timeshare, you may consider a combination purchase. Purchase starwood resale for the timeshare stays and Hilton Grand vacation club for both timeshare and hotel conversion.

This could be done with two EOY purchases or any combo for likely less than you original Westin purchase.

HGVC 7000 TS points for every year can be purchased resale for $12,500 (EOY for 60-70% of EY) including costs and can be converted to 175,000 hilton honor points.

 

[123traveller]

Rescinding

Good Morning and thank you everyone for the additional information.

First order of business this morning-sending in my recession.

Do we sign the cancellation notice and copy it then send it by fedex or do we copy the cancellation notice and then sign it so we send it with original signatures? or does it not matter?

The wording is mail a signed copy to SVO in Florida or send a telegraph.

There is no telehone number or fax and I can't find anything online. Should I make a follow up phone with anyone at Starwood after I have mailed it?

My apologies if this should have posted on the newbie board.

Thanks,

Caroline

 

[clsmit]

Send Starwood the original signatures and keep a copy of everything you send for yourself. Fedex that packet (with the rescision letter and other required documetation), and use the tracking number to know when it gets there. You can also fax it to 407-903-4641 (the general Starwood Vacation Ownership fax number), but the Fedex ensures you can track receipt.

I believe you would get a confirmation that your contract is terminated. Depending on how you paid, you should also check those sources to make sure you get your money back.

Then the real fun can begin!

 

[123traveller]

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say thank you for all the information you have provided me with. We sent the letter fedex, called SVO today and spoke with Xavier who confirmed that they received it and it already showed cancelled on thier systems. We should expect our refund in 3 weeks. No call from our salesperson as of yet. It won't seem finalized though until we actually get our deposit back.

Now off to all the research I must do!

Caroline

 

[tomandrobin]

And your refund will take the whole 3 weeks to get back to you.

 

[123traveller]

Does anyone know if the RIU Hotels are part of any timeshare program?

Thanks!

 

[DavidnRobin]

We paid the deposit by credit card - and it was returned almost immediately. I only sent a fax and made a single phone call for our rescinding without issue.

This happened after I found TUG by using the following Google search term "Timeshare Nightmares" as recommended by a friend when he found out we bought OF WKORVN during our presentation at the Sheraton Poipu (for ~$74K!!!). His friend was one of the SVO Sales people at Poipu - so he didn't want to say directly "Don't do this!". It was DeniseM and Denise L who first responded to my very first TUG post [I was DeniseM 1000th post - Aww - the good old days... ] Saved us $10,000s and yet cost us $10,000s...

 

[clsmit]

Saved us $10,000s and yet cost us $10,000s...

But the "cost" $$$ are SOOO much better than the "saved" $$$$!!!!

 

[SDKath]

We paid the deposit by credit card - and it was returned almost immediately. I only sent a fax and made a single phone call for our rescinding without issue.

This happened after I found TUG by using the following Google search term "Timeshare Nightmares" as recommended by a friend when he found out we bought OF WKORVN during our presentation at the Sheraton Poipu (for ~$74K!!!). His friend was one of the SVO Sales people at Poipu - so he didn't want to say directly "Don't do this!". It was DeniseM and Denise L who first responded to my very first TUG post [I was DeniseM 1000th post - Aww - the good old days... ] Saved us $10,000s and yet cost us $10,000s...

That's a good story!

 

[123traveller]

I hope ours is returned as quickly as yours.

 

[tomandrobin]

Does anyone know if the RIU Hotels are part of any timeshare program?

Thanks!

I did a search and came up empty. I don't think they sell timeshares or are linked to a timeshare program.