Newbie fixed week deposit - help?

[Rascalsmom]

Been reading the boards for a few months. I bought a EOY Fixed Week 52 2-BR lockoff at SVR. Deed says fixed week 52. Got it closed, and recorded at the resort. Whew! I'm ready to deposit it with RCI - it pulls great TPUs as a lockoff - and this is what happened:

Called Starwood to deposit the week at RCI...
Told her I was new, so I needed some explanation...
Asked her specifically about Week 52 being deposited since it was fixed.

Agent said even though it's a fixed week, they still deposit a random week with RCI... WHAT? When I see the RCI deposit, will it be my own week 52, and the agent just didn't know that's how it works?

Agent said they deposit the interval and I make it a "lockoff" and separate the units through a separate transaction with RCI... is that right?

I've read the sticky about the "brown path"; is this normal course of events and I jump on it as soon as RCI is back up on Monday? I thought I had all bases covered, but boy am I nervous now. Help, please?

 

[Rascalsmom]

Uuugggh.... more info

I called and talked to another agent.

My unit is fixed... my deed says fixed(!)... until 2 months before the use date. At that point it can float weeks 1-52 and that is what RCI bases the value on.

Any suggestions for what strategy to take from here?

 

[scootr5]

I'm confused - do you mean 12 months out? If not, you're still more than 2 months from week 52.

 

[YYJMSP]

I believe (based on our SVR units) that it is fixed up to 10 months in advance (you have to confirm the reservation with them, or it will automatically cancel!), then you can float within your phase from 10 months to 8 months in advance, or wait until 8 months out to float within other phases at SVR.

 

[YYJMSP]

Been reading the boards for a few months. I bought a EOY Fixed Week 52 2-BR lockoff at SVR. Deed says fixed week 52. Got it closed, and recorded at the resort. Whew! I'm ready to deposit it with RCI - it pulls great TPUs as a lockoff - and this is what happened:

Called Starwood to deposit the week at RCI...
Told her I was new, so I needed some explanation...
Asked her specifically about Week 52 being deposited since it was fixed.

Agent said even though it's a fixed week, they still deposit a random week with RCI... WHAT? When I see the RCI deposit, will it be my own week 52, and the agent just didn't know that's how it works?

If you're talking about week 52 this year (i.e. 2 months from now), it's way too late for a fixed reservation -- you have to confirm it no later than 10 months in advance.

That's probably why they're saying you'll get a floating week of their choice deposited.

 

[Ken555]

You might be able to deposit your week in 2013 at this time, though. I know with II you can deposit more than a year in advance, not sure if that is also true with RCI.

 

[Rascalsmom]

More -

Sorry, don't mean to be confusing; I'm just confused myself.

The way it looks and was explained to me today is that the Unit is fixed from 12 months before the check-in date to 2 weeks before the check-in date. Two weeks before the check-in date, it becomes floating and I can book whatever week I want.

Starwood is telling me that they will deposit my week (which at this point is fixed week 52) But RCI will not be giving me trading value (TPU's) based on my high demand week.

I only reimbursed the previous owner for the current years' membership fees, so I didn't pay a lot for the unit, but I sure was dreaming of a big bunch of TPU's for this locked-off week.

 

[YYJMSP]

The way it looks and was explained to me today is that the Unit is fixed from 12 months before the check-in date to 2 weeks before the check-in date. Two weeks before the check-in date, it becomes floating and I can book whatever week I want.

That's a new one -- I've never heard of something becoming floating 2 weeks (or months) in advance...

My understanding of weeks sold at the various phases at SVR:

If it's a true fixed week, you only get the week you own at your phase. It's automatically reserved and confirmed.

If it's a fixed/float week, you get your owned week at your phase as long as you confirm the reservation at least 10 months out. After that, it becomes a floating week within your phase up to 8 months out, or within any phase less than 8 months out. In either situation, you have to make a reservation.

If it's a float week, you float within your owned phase and season up to 8 months out. After that, it floats in any phase and season. In either situation, you have to make a reservation.

 

[gregb]

Sorry, don't mean to be confusing; I'm just confused myself.

The way it looks and was explained to me today is that the Unit is fixed from 12 months before the check-in date to 2 weeks before the check-in date. Two weeks before the check-in date, it becomes floating and I can book whatever week I want.

I believe the explanation was incorrect. From everything I have learned, all Fixed week units are fixed ONLY if you confirm the reservation between 12 and 10 months before the week. If you miss that window, the unit becomes a float. From 10 to 8 months before the week, you still get resort preference, but have lost your fixed week preference. At least that is how it works at most SVN resorts. I think it is only units with fixed week AND fixed units, that give you more time to confirm your usage.

So if the original owner confirmed the reservation early this year, you should have a fixed week 52 reservation. If they didn't, then you have a float unit and need to make a reservation ASAP before you lose this year's points. (Oh yeah, I forgot about the points bank.)

Greg

 

[YYJMSP]

If they didn't, then you have a float unit and need to make a reservation ASAP before you lose this year's points. (Oh yeah, I forgot about the points bank.)

StarOptions banking only applies to 4* and 5* Elite right now. It's open to everyone else as of 2012 use year.

Assuming the OP bought a resale week at SVR, it woudn't have SO's anyways.

 

[DeniseM]

Is this a TRUE fixed week, or a fixed/float week? I own a true fixed week at SVR and the week is automatically reserved for me every year - no reservation required.

I do not have any option to float to another week.

Whether I call or not, that week is reserved for me and locked in.

When I deposit it, I am allowed to deposit that specific week.

Either the week referenced above is a fixed/float week, or someone is giving you the wrong info.

When you go to mystarcentral.com and look at reservations, what do you see?

This is what I see for my true fixed week (I already used the 2012 week - but with a true fixed week, you can deposit two years out.):

Sheraton Vistana Resort
Sunday, April 21, 2013 to Sunday, April 28, 2013 (7-night stay)
Home Resort Reservation – Confirmation Number: XXXXXX
Villa Type: 2 Bedroom Falls, Unit Number: XXXX
Guest Name: DENISE M

 

[grgs]

Is this a TRUE fixed week, or a fixed/float week? I own a true fixed week at SVR and the week is automatically reserved for me every year - no reservation required.

Since the OP unit is a LO, it must be a Cascades or Lakes unit. This would put it in the fixed/float category. You may want to review the last two posts in this prior TUG thread:

http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=828585#post828585

Glorian

 

[DeniseM]

Thanks Glorian for clarifying the type of unit - fixed/float weeks are considered floating weeks under the II/Starwood trading rules.

There are more details about this in the II FAQ at the top of the forum.

 

[VacationForever]

Sorry, don't mean to be confusing; I'm just confused myself.

The way it looks and was explained to me today is that the Unit is fixed from 12 months before the check-in date to 2 weeks before the check-in date. Two weeks before the check-in date, it becomes floating and I can book whatever week I want.

Starwood is telling me that they will deposit my week (which at this point is fixed week 52) But RCI will not be giving me trading value (TPU's) based on my high demand week.

I only reimbursed the previous owner for the current years' membership fees, so I didn't pay a lot for the unit, but I sure was dreaming of a big bunch of TPU's for this locked-off week.

Rascalmom is correct. My SVR (Lakes) works this way too. Fixed automatically 12 months before... I receive a courtesy email that it's been automatically reserved. If I don't call to confirm, it will be released 2 weeks before check-in. If I want to use the week to say, deposit into II, I have to first "Unrelease" the week before I can deposit. If I release it and then want to use within SVR, it becomes a float week throughout 1-52.

 

[YYJMSP]

Rascalmom is correct. My SVR (Lakes) works this way too. Fixed automatically 12 months before... I receive a courtesy email that it's been automatically reserved. If I don't call to confirm, it will be released 2 weeks before check-in. If I want to use the week to say, deposit into II, I have to first "Unrelease" the week before I can deposit. If I release it and then want to use within SVR, it becomes a float week throughout 1-52.

Bizarre -- neither our Cascades week nor our Spas weeks work this way.

SVO automatically makes a reservation for each of our weeks at least one year out for the designated week. I've seen the automatic reservation as much as ~18 months in advance.

For each of those 3 units, we have to confirm no later than 10 months out (not 2 weeks) that we want that reservation. Otherwise, it is automatically cancelled at 10 months out, and we have to make a floating reservation.

Floating reservations in the respective phase are available from 10 months to 8 months in advance of the desired date. Floating reservations in any other phase are available at 8 months in advance of the desired date.

If I want to deposit the week, convert to SPG points, or use it within SVN with StarOptions, I have to first release any reserved week.

 

[Rascalsmom]

Bizarre - yes

Thank you sptung for sharing what you know. Have you had success exchanging with II?

The Users Guide says:
"If you are an owner of a 2BR Lockoff Villa at the Lakes phase of Sheraton Vistana Resort, you own a Fixed Vacation Period. Your VVC Home Resort Priority Period extends from 12 months until 14 days prior to the first day of the Fixed Week owned. This means that your Fixed Vacation Period is automatically held for you each Use Year until 14 days prior to your check-in date....

...Owners of Lockoff Units may elect to access the VVC and obtain their VVC rights at any time. Owners of Lockoff Units may release their Fixed Week and "float" their week as early as 12 months in advance."

So it appears that I own a lovely high-demand Fixed Week worth A LOT of tpu's, held for my exclusive use 50 weeks of the year, but if I want to trade it, Starwood gives RCI my good week and they only give me credit for an average one.

 

[DeniseM]

No - Starwood does not have to give RCI week 52 - they can give them anything they want.

Under the current rules - Starwood does not give the exchange company the week that is deposited.

Starwood probably rents your week for a profit!

Consider using II instead, where you will have the Starwood to Starwood priority.

 

[Rascalsmom]

Starwood probably rents your week for a profit!
.

:rofl: You are the best. Of course that is exactly what they will do.

I know you are a master at working the Starwood to starwood preference period. Time for me to start studying it...

 

[DeniseM]

It really is pretty easy - Starwood owners have first priority for any Starwood deposit, so just put in your on-going requests as early as possible and sit back and wait for the exchange.

 

[YYJMSP]

The Users Guide says:
"If you are an owner of a 2BR Lockoff Villa at the Lakes phase of Sheraton Vistana Resort, you own a Fixed Vacation Period. Your VVC Home Resort Priority Period extends from 12 months until 14 days prior to the first day of the Fixed Week owned. This means that your Fixed Vacation Period is automatically held for you each Use Year until 14 days prior to your check-in date....

...Owners of Lockoff Units may elect to access the VVC and obtain their VVC rights at any time. Owners of Lockoff Units may release their Fixed Week and "float" their week as early as 12 months in advance."

Good grief, another set of rules for SVR properties...

 

[Rascalsmom]

I'm sulking. I want to have a tantrum. :annoyed:

According to the RCI Deposit Calculator, locked-off, this fixed unit pulls 106 tpus. That's why I bought it and I was dreaming of lots of things to do with all that exchange power.
The week belongs to me -- But.they.won't.let.me.have.it. Not.fair.

Any other Vistana Lakes owners with suggestions to share, please feel free to PM me or post here.

*sigh* Okay, thanks for helping, TUGgers. You are an amazing resource. Moving On... to II.

 

[VacationForever]

Thank you sptung for sharing what you know. Have you had success exchanging with II?

The Users Guide says:
"If you are an owner of a 2BR Lockoff Villa at the Lakes phase of Sheraton Vistana Resort, you own a Fixed Vacation Period. Your VVC Home Resort Priority Period extends from 12 months until 14 days prior to the first day of the Fixed Week owned. This means that your Fixed Vacation Period is automatically held for you each Use Year until 14 days prior to your check-in date....

...Owners of Lockoff Units may elect to access the VVC and obtain their VVC rights at any time. Owners of Lockoff Units may release their Fixed Week and "float" their week as early as 12 months in advance."

So it appears that I own a lovely high-demand Fixed Week worth A LOT of tpu's, held for my exclusive use 50 weeks of the year, but if I want to trade it, Starwood gives RCI my good week and they only give me credit for an average one.

I think you will get most value from renting it out, although I have never rented out nor rented any TS. I used to trade thru RCI and now thru II, or alternatively I can book thru SVN as it carries 90,000 SO and it would give me 2 weeks of 1BR premium at a place like WMH during "Gold Plus" (Fall) season. My SVR is not as "powerful" a trader as SDO in II but no complaints...

These are trades that I have gotten in II using a 1BR side recently:
- 2BR WLR in May 2011 and Nov 2012
- 2BR WMH Nov 2011 and Mar 2012
- 2BR Marriott Canyon Villas in May 2012 but I had to cancel it as my travel plan changed
- 1BR Marriott Grand Chateau in Las Vegas in 2010 and 2011, had strength to exchange into 2BR but did not need 2BR
- Other crappy non-Starwood resorts

 

[YYJMSP]

SVO automatically makes a reservation for each of our weeks at least one year out for the designated week. I've seen the automatic reservation as much as ~18 months in advance.

Just noticed on MSC that one of my SVR Spas units just showed up with the Oct 2013 automatic reservation, so that's exactly 24 months in advance...

It says

Status: Unconfirmed - Action Required

This reservation is automatically booked each year. You must confirm it before Monday, February 11, 2013 to avoid cancellation. Click the "Confirm Now" button or call Owner Services at 800.847.8262 to ensure your reservation is maintained.

The Feb 2013 date is 10 months in advance.

 

[Rascalsmom]

End of the story: I decided to go with II for the Starwood preference & because of it being so close to the use week. In exchange for my Christmas Week, they gave me week 42.

 

[DeniseM]

End of the story: I decided to go with II for the Starwood preference & because of it being so close to the use week. In exchange for my Christmas Week, they gave me week 42.

That's not how it works - you shouldn't have a designated week at all - you should have the average trading power of your season. Very strange!

Does this mean that they would have deposited your Christmas week if you have reserved it? I would push this up the food chain until I got a satisfactory answer - in writing!