OK - now I need SVO advice... from WKV

[DavidnRobin]

what do you think? (from those who undersand my sickness...)

$24.3K for WPORV EOY
Requal our OF WKORV (148.1K SOs)
100K SPs as incentive
3* Elite {what is the difference between this and Gold?)

of course they needed to check on the requal of EOY with an EY - but if true...? (of course I will get it in writing)

I am assuming they will give me credit me for
148.1K SOs, plus 1/2 of 148.1K SOs (74050) = 222,150 SOs
toward my Elite status points.

Explorer package was everything sated by pointsjunkie except it is 4 nites

 

[Denise L]

We definitely need a pill for this addiction of yours, ha ha. I wish I owned 3 SVO weeks and was contemplating another!

Do you plan to use your Kauai week? Does this mean that every other year you get an extra week off ? If so, then why not?

Will they convert the resort to mandatory if you buy, since all your other resorts are mandatory :rofl: Maybe you, of all people, can convince them of the value of mandatory?

That's a good amount of Starpoints for an EOY purchase!

 

[DavidnRobin]

We definitely need a pill for this addiction of yours, ha ha. I wish I owned 3 SVO weeks and was contemplating another!

Do you plan to use your Kauai week? Does this mean that every other year you get an extra week off ? If so, then why not?

Will they convert the resort to mandatory if you buy, since all your other resorts are mandatory :rofl: Maybe you, of all people, can convince them of the value of mandatory?

That's a good amount of Starpoints for an EOY purchase!

The EOY would be odd - so not until 2009? or would I owe something for 2007?

WPORV is going to be V no matter what
- but nice try.

I don't know if they would go thru with the offer (EOY for an EY requal?), but if I could get it in writing...?

 

[Transit]

Sounds real good .Having both islands a big plus.with all thoses extra SO's you can travel nicely and use some for rentals. (help with those maint fees)Try to squeeze for more starpoints and good luck. Can you post the complete details on the explorer package Pointsjunkie mentioned. All Starwood developer purchase owners get a gold SPG membership. The differance between this and 3* elite is some small Starwood perks the most important being this: " Three-star Elite Membership
Upon request, the Elite Owner Services Team may upgrade Three-star Elite Members to a larger villa, based on availability. Upon making your reservations, you may request a floor and a waterfront or water-view preference. To request an upgrade, you may contact your Elite Owner Services Specialist at 888.786.3548, between 30 to 10 days prior to your arrival. Upgrades are based on availability, and some restrictions may apply"

 

[DavidnRobin]

Sounds real good .Having both islands a big plus.with all thoses extra SO's you can travel nicely and use some for rentals. (help with those maint fees)Try to squeeze for more starpoints and good luck. Can you post the complete details on the explorer package Pointsjunkie mentioned. All Starwood developer purchase owners get a gold SPG membership. The differance between this and 3* elite is some small Starwood perks the most important being this: " Three-star Elite Membership
Upon request, the Elite Owner Services Team may upgrade Three-star Elite Members to a larger villa, based on availability. Upon making your reservations, you may request a floor and a waterfront or water-view preference. To request an upgrade, you may contact your Elite Owner Services Specialist at 888.786.3548, between 30 to 10 days prior to your arrival. Upgrades are based on availability, and some restrictions may apply"

What are the WPORV MFs and resort charges? I wrote them down at some point, but not with me at WKV. I recall a resort charge to use the Princeville Hotel amenities.

So your 'Gold - if you buy from SVO and 3* Elite if you get to 159K SOs (from SVO) - correct?

It wasn't about the 3* benefits entirely. It was about... doing this deal as described - and then using the Explorer Pkg in the future for the requal of our WKV (81K SOs) with another EOY (even) within a 18 month reservation period (essentially putting off the purchase for 2 years - and 1010 occupancy).

does that make sense???

Also - we could spend about $90K right now (buying VV Amelia? a 3bd LO and EOY VV-A something... ? sorry too many numbers flying around) - and requal all of our resales (three for a total of 296.2K SOs)) and get to 5* and therefore Plat.

 

[Transit]

I think your going to need a vacation to think about it.

 

[Westin5Star]

I hope that you are enjoying your week in at Kierland. I have forgotten the MF at Princeville but I think that I remember it being less than Kaanapali by several hundred dollars for a LO. I have been told that you cannot use a EOY week to requal a EY week according to Starwood policy. A EY week at Lagunamar is only about $25k or so direct from Starwood and that could definiely requalify your one week. I don't see a huge benefit to 3* but 5* is another story. If you have the $ and time then I would go the 5*route as the benefits are great!

 

[pointsjunkie]

are all of your svo's resales? if you purchase the princeville eoy and requal 1 resale make sure you get it in writing that if you choose you can upgrade princeville within 12 months at the same price as an ey at today's price. your explorer package can be used then, find out if they will requal another at that time. so then you will be at 2 requals and then you could get a cheap VV or aruba or?? to requal the last one.
you have the same ts sickness as me. i don't know you but we have so much in common.will they let you have an explorer package now, pay it off and make the same deal all in one day? you can rake in the sp(my favorite)

 

[DavidnRobin]

The only reason I would not just jump to 5* would be the inability to use the weeks for the next 2-3 years - this way I could do it in steps - and get usage when I need it in 2009.

I agree with the EOY to EY requal - I don't think they would follow thru - perhaps they would for our 81K SOs at WKV (ve 148.1K SOs at WKORV) since it is somewhat like having an EOY as a SO grouping. This is where they started... I asked for the WKORV requal since it is more SOs - they were pushing the SO-SP conversion for WKV being higher relatively.

I do niot want VV-A - even if it were just to get to 5* for a great price - this makes no sense. I would buy only something I would use.

 

[pointsjunkie]

5*

the goal is to get to 5* for as little money as possible.if all 3 svo's you have are resales they are going to get you for each requal. to do this right the explorer package is your best friend. if you are going to pay starwood prices then at least you can cash in on the amount of sp they will have to give you.
each time you purchase anything through starwood have a new explorer package. i am timing my next one so i will have it when aruba goes on sale. this way i will get the incentive as well as the explorer sp's. you should be able to get to 5* for $110k-????. my goal is to get there for as little as possible. let me know how you do. good luck.

 

[DavidnRobin]

The Explorer package was essentially as stated.

$1995 + $99 unrefundable fee.
Can finance for 0% interest ($300 + 14 payments of $128.14) - I haven't checked the math.

This $1995 can be used towards a purchase credit down payment for SVO week

"Preserves Eligibility for 'On Tour Benefits' Incentives at the time of Explorer Re-Tour" -- what the heck does this really mean???

4nites/5days at WKV - 18 months to MAKE reservation (upon your return visit & your refresher presentation -the SVO gift is 50K SPs (use in 6 years) - blah, blah...

This is 18 months to make reservation - not sign SVO contract (this was verbal) - also verbal was to convert the 4nites at WKV for 30K SPs (80K total)

 

[pointsjunkie]

The Explorer package was essentially as stated.

$1995 + $99 unrefundable fee.
Can finance for 0% interest ($300 + 14 payments of $128.14) - I haven't checked the math.

This $1995 can be used towards a purchase credit down payment for SVO week

"Preserves Eligibility for 'On Tour Benefits' Incentives at the time of Explorer Re-Tour" -- what the heck does this really mean???

4nites/5days at WKV - 18 months to MAKE reservation (upon your return visit & your refresher presentation -the SVO gift is 50K SPs (use in 6 years) - blah, blah...

This is 18 months to make reservation - not sign SVO contract (this was verbal) - also verbal was to convert the 4nites at WKV for 30K SPs (80K total)

the on tour benefits are the sales incentive from a new purchase, that does not include the amopunt of sp's for the explorer package.

the 18 months is to make a reservation. the quotes they gave you are good for 3 months and the ability to upgrade an eoy is 12 months. nothing coinsides. so what decisions did make?

 

[grgs]

The Explorer package was essentially as stated.

$1995 + $99 unrefundable fee.
Can finance for 0% interest ($300 + 14 payments of $128.14) - I haven't checked the math.

The math checks out fine.

"Preserves Eligibility for 'On Tour Benefits' Incentives at the time of Explorer Re-Tour" -- what the heck does this really mean???

It means you'd still get whatever Starpoint incentive they're offering now.

Glorian

 

[duke]

David:

You need to calm down and decide what you really want to do. If your goal is to requalify to get to 5* Elite then this is NOT the least expensive way to go.

If you can confirm that an EOY will requalify an EY then your best bet is to buy VV-Key West EOY Prime 2br l/o for $14,000. The maint is about $450 each year. You get 95,700 SO's and this is MANDATORY.

You need to add up your resale staroptions and then calculate how many developer staroptions you will need to get to 5* Elite.

Oh, the starpoint incentive for an EOY VV-Key West is 105,000.

Princeville will be a superb resort. Probably their best as the Princeville hotel is 5 star and is changing to a St Regis. But the maint fees are twice that of VV. I think they are about $2,100 per year for an EY.

I purchased Princeville because I wanted to be there. But I also purchase VV to complete my 5* Elite.

Again, MOST IMPORTANTLY....Read again the Sticky....-> -> YOU NEED TO GET THE 4 DOCUMENTS RELATING TO YOUR RESALE UNITS SIGNED BEFORE YOU SIGN THE PURCHASE DOCS FOR YOUR DEVELOPER PURCHASE. SVO will NOT honor anything in writing other than these docs. Another TUGger was very disappointed when she had e-mails and other written communication about what SVO would requalify from the salesperson and the sales manager and SVO would not honor them. YOU NEED THE 4 DOCS (these relate to the original sales contracts for your resale) mentioned in the sticky signed by SVO before you sign the developer contract.

All the best,
DUKE

 

[Transit]

Brand loyalty vs Balanced portfolio

DavenRobin, I know you'll take your time and come to a wise decision being that you know the system well. As I ponder the purchase of my second T/S week I would love to dive deeper in Starwood but my conscience tells me to keep a balanced portfolio.What is feuling your decision to go full Starwood besides 5* elite?Anyone elses comments on brand loyalty vs balanced portfolio welcomed.

 

[DavidnRobin]

It means you'd still get whatever Starpoint incentive they're offering now.

Glorian

Unfortunately - I had no deal on paper - and their 90 minutes ran out - I gave them an extra 10 minutes, but they seem to have bigger fish to fry - the closer (called Inventory Person) came in and could see what was what - gave me some good options - one was the cheapest of what they were selling to get to 5*, and the other as stated - 3* requal with WPORV purchase.

The cheapest was VV-A, but I am a believer in buying where you want to go.

As I mentioned - right now we just have 3 weeks a year. In 2009 we will have 9 weeks to use (work thing) - with about 4 weeks a year for 6 more years (then retire? - barring crash, real estate bust, etc...).

So in reality - 5* doesn't work for us (answering mesa's excellent PM in part here), but if I could get 2 weeks at WPORV in 2009, along with 2weeks WKORV - and requal the WKORV OF for essentially what we would have paid SVO if we bought from them first - and get an EOY WPORV in the process.

Remember we have 2 weeks beyond these that could be requal.

I always say that if you are going to do the 5* Elite thing - buy SVO Mandatory resale first and then requal (don't we?) - so given that we are in this position of heeded our own advice - just considering our options.

The Explorer package combo (or not) with 3* as a real SVO owner with a WKV requal in the future (requal of our WSJ is useless except for 5*)- with a potential step towards 5* for retirement - OR just wait - because there will always be another bus that come along.

Thanks mesa - always the voice of reason. btw, did you see the WKV Plat (148.1K SOs) on eBay go for $21K

"The bus came by, and I got on - that's when it all began..."

btw, Robin says 'go for it' - I love her so much... really, I am the luckiest guy in the world.

 

[pointsjunkie]

obviously,i have brand loyalty and purchased all through the developer.but got harborside pre-construction at a great price. if i plan on buying others they will be with starwood. but this time it will be one resale and then two developer so i can requal. at that point i will be 5* and platinumi have checked out marriott and did not love their system.so i will wait for starwood aruba.

 

[DavidnRobin]

David:

You need to calm down and decide what you really want to do. If your goal is to requalify to get to 5* Elite then this is NOT the least expensive way to go.

If you can confirm that an EOY will requalify an EY then your best bet is to buy VV-Key West EOY Prime 2br l/o for $14,000. The maint is about $450 each year. You get 95,700 SO's and this is MANDATORY.

You need to add up your resale staroptions and then calculate how many developer staroptions you will need to get to 5* Elite.

Oh, the starpoint incentive for an EOY VV-Key West is 105,000.

Princeville will be a superb resort. Probably their best as the Princeville hotel is 5 star and is changing to a St Regis. But the maint fees are twice that of VV. I think they are about $2,100 per year for an EY.

I purchased Princeville because I wanted to be there. But I also purchase VV to complete my 5* Elite.

Again, MOST IMPORTANTLY....Read again the Sticky....-> -> YOU NEED TO GET THE 4 DOCUMENTS RELATING TO YOUR RESALE UNITS SIGNED BEFORE YOU SIGN THE PURCHASE DOCS FOR YOUR DEVELOPER PURCHASE. SVO will NOT honor anything in writing other than these docs. Another TUGger was very disappointed when she had e-mails and other written communication about what SVO would requalify from the salesperson and the sales manager and SVO would not honor them. YOU NEED THE 4 DOCS (these relate to the original sales contracts for your resale) mentioned in the sticky signed by SVO before you sign the developer contract.

All the best,
DUKE

Thanks Duke (as always) - don't worry - I am cool. And I have read the Sticky more than once (I plan to get it everything in writing along with all docs). Just pondering our options - if you read what I just wrote - I am going over options (90% not changing anything), but considering our 10% with regards to short and long-term goals.

I would unlikely buy anything that I wouldn't consider going to (so FLA is out), but I hear you - this is why WPORV (along with Poipu in the future) suits us even withe the premium (we bought OF WKORV afterall).

As I just wrote - if they were to give me and EOY at WPORV for an EY WKORV resale - thrown in the SPs from this - along with the 50K SOs (or 80K) for the Explorer - and the $1995 towards this price - that is worth considering (along with other options).

No way they go thru with it - but if they want to offer - for another $24.3K now - and whatever later... have to think it thru - with the help of the diverse TUG opinion.

 

[DavidnRobin]

DavenRobin, I know you'll take your time and come to a wise decision being that you know the system well. As I ponder the purchase of my second T/S week I would love to dive deeper in Starwood but my conscience tells me to keep a balanced portfolio.What is feuling your decision to go full Starwood besides 5* elite?Anyone elses comments on brand loyalty vs balanced portfolio welcomed.

We will likely stick with SVO/SVN - it is a complete package for us - this is how it began in the first place. Altough, I do understand, but I will keep a diverse portfolio for our investments - as for our vacations - I do not consider these real investments - other wise I would not be in TSs - this is about vacation for us (along with staying at really sweet reosrts in the locations we want to go...)

 

[saluki]

I always say that if you are going to do the 5* Elite thing - buy SVO Mandatory resale first and then requal (don't we?) - so given that we are in this position of heeded our own advice - just considering our options.

David-

Just trying to clarify this requal thing in my mind...

The cheapest route for starting from scratch would be to first buy a Voluntary Resale & then have it qualified with a developer mandatory, right?

Obviously, in your case, you already have the resale mandatory weeks & can requalify them as desired.

 

[DavidnRobin]

David-

Just trying to clarify this requal thing in my mind...

The cheapest route for starting from scratch would be to first buy a Voluntary Resale & then have it qualified with a developer mandatory, right?

Obviously, in your case, you already have the resale mandatory weeks & can requalify them as desired.

With lots of caveats -- first is if the desire is to get to 5*.

Also the premium consideration - I would always consider location, and M vs. V resorts as part of the TS equation (the one that states your mileage may vary...)

We will pay a premium for value because that is available for us (e.g. buying a BMW/Lexus/Benz because they keep their value although they cost more) - WPORV has value even with the much higher MFs and premium cost. The 'M' resorts have a higher value, but I do know if this holds true for WPORV - this could be a V resorts that has value because of location with little ability for expansion (except Poipu - which we would prefer)

So buying an EOY WPORV and requal EY WKORV, and then on the Ex Pkg - get Poipu wand requal WKV - and we are 1 requal away from 5* and we own incredible TSs that we would want to have Home privledges at.

 

[Westin5Star]

Has anyone heard that Starwood is only offerring 2000 5*s? This is probably a sales ploy but I find it odd that I heard it from 3 different Starwood Reps at 3 different locations independently all saying the same thing. The last update I heard is that at the current pace Starwood will sell out of 5* towards the end of 2007. If this is true, however, they would likely have to create another level to offer to future multi week clients as a sales ploy.

 

[duke]

$24.3K for WPORV EOY
Requal our OF WKORV (148.1K SOs)
100K SPs as incentive
3* Elite {what is the difference between this and Gold?)

of course they needed to check on the requal of EOY with an EY - but if true...? (of course I will get it in writing)

David:

I was just thinking.....SVO salesperson may have quoted you the wrong price for EOY princeville!!!

The price they quoted you was 50% of the EY price. This is ONLY available to members of SVN. That is someone who has already purchased DEVELOPER.

I think he mistakenly assumed your RESALE weeks were from Developer.

They will catch this and reject your purchase. Make sure you are getting the correct price.

DUKE

PS: If you are planning to use the Explorer refund against your Poipu purchase make sure you can buy Poipu from WKV salesoffice. SVO usually sells the initial pre-construction resort sales from only that resorts sales office and I am not sure a WKV Explorer pkg will apply. You must get it in writing.....

 

[DavidnRobin]

David:

I was just thinking.....SVO salesperson may have quoted you the wrong price for EOY princeville!!!

The price they quoted you was 50% of the EY price. This is ONLY available to members of SVN. That is someone who has already purchased DEVELOPER.

I think he mistakenly assumed your RESALE weeks were from Developer.

They will catch this and reject your purchase. Make sure you are getting the correct price.

DUKE

PS: If you are planning to use the Explorer refund against your Poipu purchase make sure you can buy Poipu from WKV salesoffice. SVO usually sells the initial pre-construction resort sales from only that resorts sales office and I am not sure a WKV Explorer pkg will apply. You must get it in writing.....

They actually said this was 50% of the EY price and that it was normally only for SVO Owners (vs. 65%) - so they knew. Anything that happens will be succinctly written. But, tbh, probably nothing is going to happen.

Re: Poipu - I had thought about this. I have come to realize that they only sell limited product from a resort like WKV. e.g. not selling certain VR weeks that are available - instead, only pushing VV-A (and not even selling silver WKV weeks that they still have available). Therefore, if I did the Explorer at WKV - not all resorts would be available. Definitely a down-side.

I agree overall - I don't think they would follow-thru. My prediction is that they will offer to requal our WKV (for reasons expalined above), and not WKORV.

 

[Kildahl]

Wporv

..... I have forgotten the MF at Princeville but I think that I remember it being less than Kaanapali by several hundred dollars for a LO.....

If I recall my presentation correctly, the MF is $1113.