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Newbie Question

caryatid62

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Hi-
I have owned a week at the Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale (81,000 points) for about three years now and really love the resort there. However, my wife and I were interested in trying a different resort in the SVO network in 2009.

Here's the problem: We are both teachers and like to use our week to go someplace warm during our winter break (typically weeks 51-52 in the VO calendar). When we tried to book any of the non-Scottsdale resorts during that week (as soon as we could during that 9-months-out window) everything was booked up.

I was wondering if anyone here knew of ways to either get a better jump on the booking of one of these places during the last week of the year, or possibly where we could trade our week in Scottsdale for somewhere else in the network. I've read through a few threads and the knowledge on here makes it seem like the place I should go to get some information. It would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
 

DeniseM

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Welcome to TUG! :hi:

Many of the Starwood resorts sold weeks 51 & 52 as premium fixed weeks and only the owners can reserve them. Even if it's a resort where weeks 51 & 52 are not fixed, owners at that resort can reserve them at 12 mos., so by 8 mos., there's not likely to be much left for exchangers. There is tremendous demand for week 51 & week 52 and it's just a very hard exchange.

Which resorts did you try to exchange for?
 

capjak

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Not sure about how to improve chances other than calling exactly at nine months and at I believe 9 am est, 8am for Chicago.

I would think Orlando Sheraton Vistana Villiages (not resort) would be available and a 2 bedroom there is 81000 staroptions. Disney over the holidays is cool.
 

caryatid62

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Welcome to TUG! :hi:

Many of the Starwood resorts sold weeks 51 & 52 as premium fixed weeks and only the owners can reserve them. Even if it's a resort where weeks 51 & 52 are not fixed, owners at that resort can reserve them at 12 mos., so by 8 mos., there's not likely to be much left for exchangers. There is tremendous demand for week 51 & week 52 and it's just a very hard exchange.

Which resorts did you try to exchange for?

Thanks for the welcome...

I had a feeling that was the case. Last year we called and basically asked for any other resort that was in a warm weather area and they said they were all taken. We went to Scottsdale again (just got back yesterday), but just thought it would be nice to try St. John or Atlantis or something like that.
 

DeniseM

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I hate to tell you this but St. John is nearly an impossible exchange anytime of year and there is no way you would exchange in for Christmas. Harborside is a little easier other times of the year, but not at Christmas.

The Hawaii resorts and I think Lagunamar (4 other warm weather resorts) all sold weeks 51 & 52 as fixed premium weeks.

Florida might be doable - but again Christmas week is tough.

How about Westin Mission Hills or Sheraton Desert Oasis? They might be doable at Christmas also.

You need to call at exactly 8 mos. out at exactly 8:59 a.m. EST.

Here's another idea - reserve your home resort for a popular week - maybe Easter. Rent it out, and then use the money to rent week 51 or 52 from another owner at another resort...
 
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caryatid62

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I hate to tell you this but St. John is nearly an impossible exchange anytime of year and there is no way you would exchange in for Christmas. Harborside is a little easier other times of the year, but not at Christmas.

The Hawaii resorts and I think Lagunamar (4 other warm weather resorts) all sold weeks 51 & 52 as fixed premium weeks.

Florida might be doable - but again Christmas week is tough.

How about Westin Mission Hills or Sheraton Desert Oasis? They might be doable at Christmas also.

You need to call at exactly 8 mos. out at exactly 8:59 a.m. EST.

I had a feeling that was going to be the case. Any thoughts about trying to rent my place at Kierland, then renting someone else's during that week? I'm sure I'll probably take a bit of a financial hit on that, but is it even feasible?
 

DeniseM

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Sure - many of us rent all the time. I would suggest Easter week for the highest demand. MLB Spring Training weeks rent really well too (March.)

Not sure what you mean by "take a hit?"

You might not rent it for enough to completely cover the rent at Harborside or WSJ, but you can probably get a large part of it, and renting is probably the only way to get into one of those resorts for week 51 or 52.

I am sure that some of the owners here will post what they have rented their WKV weeks for.
 
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caryatid62

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Sure - many of us rent all the time. I would suggest Easter week for the highest demand. MLB Spring Training weeks rent really well too (March.)

Not sure what you mean by "take a hit?"

You might not rent it for enough to completely cover the rent at Harborside or WSJ, but you can probably get a large part of it, and renting is probably the only way to get into one of those resorts for week 51 or 52.

I am sure that some of the owners here will post what they have rented their WKV weeks for.

By "take a hit," I pretty much meant exactly what you explained-that I wouldn't get as much for my rental as it would cost to rent at Harborside or WSJ and would have to pay out the difference. That wouldn't be a problem, of course-I figured that would have to be the case.

I'd love to know what people are renting their weeks for at WKV.
 

DeniseM

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Here are 4 Ads in the TUG Classifieds - note that these are "asking" prices, which may or may not be accurate reflections of what they will actually rent for.

www.redweek.com is also a good place to check out Comps.

*caryatid62 (Cary?) - I sent you a pm with more info. that can't be posted here.
 
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stevens397

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I'm not saying that my experience is universal but i tried to rent out week 51 at Mission Hills and week 10 at Kierland. Very reasonably priced and not one bite.

Denise is right, no harm in trying. Redweek only charges $15. But I'm constantly getting updates of more rentals available at Kierland and if you go to their site, you'll see there's loads of competition. These are not good times and it shows in the timeshare market.

On the flip side, those looking to rent should be able to do very well.
 

Westin5Star

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I would suggest trying to beat the crowds which would mean to not travel for weeks 51 &52. Have you considered taking some time off in week 49-50 or 1-3. It is generally a great time to travel to tropical locations, costs of travel (airfare and car rental) would be much less, and you wouldn't have to deal with so many crowds at the airports and resorts. Good luck with your decisions!
 

DavidnRobin

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Twice I have rented a 1Bd Plat/Prem at WKV for ~$1600 (spring training)
 

DeniseM

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I would suggest trying to beat the crowds which would mean to not travel for weeks 51 &52. Have you considered taking some time off in week 49-50 or 1-3.

Here's the problem: We are both teachers and like to use our week to go someplace warm during our winter break (typically weeks 51-52 in the VO calendar).

Teachers cannot take time off from work - it's school holidays or nothing. That's why we are discussing other options, for holiday travel.
 
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caryatid62

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Thanks for all the ideas...its been very helpful. I think I'll post it on redweek and TUG and see what happens.
 

harzim

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Try an outside trade

I traded my Kierland week for a week in Mexico (Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta) through SFX. I booked a Spring Break week at the Kierland and I traded it for a Christmas-New Year's week in Mexico. It worked out great. This is another option to consider.
 

DeniseM

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I would not depend on an exchange for a holiday week. Once you deposit your week, it's gone and if you don't get an exchange you are stuck with no timeshare and no vacation.
 
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