Please post all Coronavirus/Vistana discussions in this thread - thank you!

[dioxide45]

Is there some legal action we can take? Class action lawsuit? I've tried emailing the powers that be, have now snail mailed the board. These are not normal times and to insist on minor modifications to a cancellation policy created in normal times is punitive to owners during a world health disaster. Vistana should waive all restrictions, especially for those who are FORCED beyond their control to cancel within the 60 day period

You don't need to post the same statement over and over and over again. Once is enough to get the point across.

 

[JohnPaul]

The thing that surprises me is that Marriott/Vistana is trying to keep most of their resorts open. Wyndham has closed all of the resorts they manage (Worldmark, Shell, Margaritaville, Wyndham) effective no later than April 3. Hilton has closed a majority of their resorts. VI Resorts (Vacation Internationale) appears to be closing down their resorts (and closed their home offices in Washington due to the Washington State orders).

How is it that Marriott/Vistana thinks they can keep open most of their resorts?

 

[dioxide45]

The thing that surprises me is that Marriott/Vistana is trying to keep most of their resorts open. Wyndham has closed all of the resorts they manage (Worldmark, Shell, Margaritaville, Wyndham) effective no later than April 3. Hilton has closed a majority of their resorts. VI Resorts (Vacation Internationale) appears to be closing down their resorts (and closed their home offices in Washington due to the Washington State orders).

How is it that Marriott/Vistana thinks they can keep open most of their resorts?

Not sure it is a majority, looking at this list it is only 22. Far more are on the list of those that just stopped accepting new reservations.

 

[malibuboatmama]

Any majority of you deciding when you THINK you'll be able to vacation? I booked a Hawaii vacation the end of July? Do you think that will be too early? I know it's merely speculation, just wondering anyone's thoughts?

 

[Ken555]

Any majority of you deciding when you THINK you'll be able to vacation? I booked a Hawaii vacation the end of July? Do you think that will be too early? I know it's merely speculation, just wondering anyone's thoughts?

July sure, but what year?


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[okwiater]

I think things will slowly start to open in late May or early June. I fully expect restrictions and social distancing to continue, but with expanded testing and a gradual resumption of daily activities. I can’t imagine we won’t have a strategy in place by then which starts to mitigate the economic destruction that has taken place.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Any majority of you deciding when you THINK you'll be able to vacation? I booked a Hawaii vacation the end of July? Do you think that will be too early? I know it's merely speculation, just wondering anyone's thoughts?

It will not be until Maui (and likely the entire state) starts to show significant recover following the peak - which has not occurred yet. They were late to the SAH strategy.

I have a reservation for WKORV in mid-Sept. hopefully, we will know 60 days before then.


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[critterchick]

We moved our April reservation to late June (for Kauai), knowing that there’s a good chance we’ll have to cancel.

 

[grrrah]

Was thinking about aiming for Maui for Labor Day, but I think I will just try something closer.

I did just book one of the elusive 1bd at Nanea for next year. If that doesn't hold, then help us all..

 

[blondietink]

I booked for the beginning of November at WKORVN for early November for 11 days. Fingers crossed. Airfare is decent now, too.

 

[critterchick]

Was thinking about aiming for Maui for Labor Day, but I think I will just try something closer.

I did just book one of the elusive 1bd at Nanea for next year. If that doesn't hold, then help us all..

We have one of those booked for August. But haven't bought the air yet.

 

[malibuboatmama]

We are booked for end of July in Kauai but have not booked air travel yet......

 

[DavidnRobin]

Updated data (April 17) comparing NYC and Santa Clara County. Interesting.
Day 35 SAH for us.

COVID-19 NYC vs Santa Clara County

Updated April 29th, 2020.

medium.com

Note: The deaths are being under counted in SCC - reported deaths in SNFs is delayed (similar to NYC).
Seniors dying in Care Centers will become the next big numbers (and news cycles). The private ones are not required to report through same channels. But, will show up in increased deaths recorded by Coroner’s offices... eventually.


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[LisaRex]

I'd definitely book airfare now while it's cheap. If your destination is still "closed" due to the pandemic, airlines have been ordered by the DOT to issue refunds . It was also mandated that any carrier accepting bailout money must continue flying (ie not lay off workers) as a condition of them accepting federal relief money, so there's little risk to you if you choose one of these airlines. (The ten airlines who accepted money are listed in the last link below.)

PS - If you have suppressed immunity or might be fearful of traveling even after stay-at-home orders are lifted, then you might do otherwise because you probably wouldn't be covered under the COVID-specific relief policies.

Airlines Are Now Required to Issue Refunds for Flights Canceled Due to Coronavirus (Video)

The U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated airlines to refund passengers in the event flights are canceled, significant schedule changes or made, or government restrictions prevent flying due to the coronavirus outbreak. The directive, issued Friday, comes as many airlines have been...

www.travelandleisure.com

Airlines Must Refund Tickets—Not Just Offer Vouchers—For Flights Delayed Or Canceled Because Of COVID-19, Government Warns

The Department of Transportation writes it’s taking the action after a slew of consumer complaints.

www.forbes.com

Should You Buy Plane Tickets Now?

Flight prices have decreased as a result of the coronavirus pandemic—and if you’ve looked at the deals presently on offer, you may have wondered if no

lifehacker.com

Ten U.S. Airlines Agree to Covid-19 Relief Terms | AIN

In return for grants and low-interest loans, Payroll Support Program participants may not furlough workers until September 30.

www.ainonline.com

 

[controller1]

It was also mandated that any carrier accepting bailout money must continue flying (ie not lay off workers) as a condition of them accepting federal relief money, so there's little risk to you if you choose one of these airlines. (The ten airlines who accepted money are listed in the last link below.)

The airlines only have to agree to not layoff employees through September 30, 2020.

 

[dioxide45]

I'd definitely book airfare now while it's cheap. If your destination is still "closed" due to the pandemic, airlines have been ordered by the DOT to issue refunds . It was also mandated that any carrier accepting bailout money must continue flying (ie not lay off workers) as a condition of them accepting federal relief money, so there's little risk to you if you choose one of these airlines. (The ten airlines who accepted money are listed in the last link below.)

PS - If you have suppressed immunity or might be fearful of traveling even after stay-at-home orders are lifted, then you might do otherwise because you probably wouldn't be covered under the COVID-specific relief policies.

Airlines Are Now Required to Issue Refunds for Flights Canceled Due to Coronavirus (Video)

The U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated airlines to refund passengers in the event flights are canceled, significant schedule changes or made, or government restrictions prevent flying due to the coronavirus outbreak. The directive, issued Friday, comes as many airlines have been...

www.travelandleisure.com

Airlines Must Refund Tickets—Not Just Offer Vouchers—For Flights Delayed Or Canceled Because Of COVID-19, Government Warns

The Department of Transportation writes it’s taking the action after a slew of consumer complaints.

www.forbes.com

Should You Buy Plane Tickets Now?

Flight prices have decreased as a result of the coronavirus pandemic—and if you’ve looked at the deals presently on offer, you may have wondered if no

lifehacker.com

Ten U.S. Airlines Agree to Covid-19 Relief Terms | AIN

In return for grants and low-interest loans, Payroll Support Program participants may not furlough workers until September 30.

www.ainonline.com

Perhaps. But the airlines are playing a lot of games to not cancel flights. Consolidating routes. Cancelling only the day of the flight. Basically doing everything they can to make is to the customer has to cancel first. Forcing them to take credits, not refunds.

 

[LisaRex]

The airlines only have to agree to not layoff employees through September 30, 2020.

Yes, but if COVID is still around, or loops back around in the fall, I'd expect a second bailout. The federal government is not going to let major airlines fail. Perhaps the smaller ones, but not the legacy ones. They are essential to America.

 

[LisaRex]

Perhaps. But the airlines are playing a lot of games to not cancel flights. Consolidating routes. Cancelling only the day of the flight. Basically doing everything they can to make is to the customer has to cancel first. Forcing them to take credits, not refunds.

Yeah, but they were playing these games before COVID. I don't think I've ever booked a flight well in advance of travel date where they haven't altered my itinerary. Most of the time it's just a few minutes here or there but a few times they've changed it significantly. When it's the latter, they always allow you to cancel or re-book on another flight for free, which you can use to your advantage by calling, armed with the flight numbers you want to take. If a seat is available, they'll accommodate you. The only caveat is it has to be the same day of travel and the same airports.

The only time I've ever lost out was when one of the discount airlines (Frontier?) canceled my sweet, cheap direct flight from Cincinnati to San Francisco and re-booked me on a layover that significantly added to my commute time and would have ruined that entire day that my Cali friends and I had planned. So I canceled it and rebooked on another airline. But I found out the hard way that I only got the price of the ticket back and not the "Premium Plus" package price which upgraded me to economy plus and allowed me to pick my seat in advance.

Anyway, I'd still book now, but YMMV.

 

[grrrah]

Perhaps. But the airlines are playing a lot of games to not cancel flights. Consolidating routes. Cancelling only the day of the flight. Basically doing everything they can to make is to the customer has to cancel first. Forcing them to take credits, not refunds.

Pretty sure I saw on Alaska that any this year is eligible for cancellation with refund and waved change fees. Maybe I misread the fine print though. Originally had it for travel purchased by May 31st and I was hoping to buy some for next year with this restriction waived but they seemed to have revised it already.

For southwest, the "wanna getaway" fares were not refundable, but the regular ones were.

Edit: looks like tickets purchased for next year up to April 30th are eligible for cancellation with credit and no fees. For me, that's worth the risk of good price tickets as I fly alaska the most.

 

[cubigbird]

Now that we essentially have most if not all resorts closed, what are folks updated thoughts on maintenance fees come fall billing time? Do you speculate we should see a decrease due to closure or do you feel Vistana/Marriott will find a way to keep it as is or even push for increases?? What’s your “over/under?”

 

[SMHarman]

This is what Disney is doing.

News! Disney World Has Just Updated Their Policy For Disney Vacation Club Members | the disney food blog

Disney Vacation Club has just sent out an email to members regarding some changes to their policies! Find out more here!

www.disneyfoodblog.com

 

[tomandrobin]

This is what Disney is doing.

News! Disney World Has Just Updated Their Policy For Disney Vacation Club Members | the disney food blog

Disney Vacation Club has just sent out an email to members regarding some changes to their policies! Find out more here!

www.disneyfoodblog.com

Disney is doing a fantastic job in trying to accommodate its members. Pretty much waiving most of the rules and returning points to members accounts to be able to use after the parks/resorts reopen.

 

[Apache49]

Are Vistana still charging to bank this years option points? $100 or whatever?
I checked the web site and the Covid 19 info seems to be all about cancellations, nothing about owners being unable to travel this year to use their option points.

 

[Ken555]

Are Vistana still charging to bank this years option points? $100 or whatever?
I checked the web site and the Covid 19 info seems to be all about cancellations, nothing about owners being unable to travel this year to use their option points.

Yes. $109.


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[Mroze]

Yes. $109.


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Is $109 for Owner?
3-Star & 4-Star are usually discounted.
This year we moved to 5-Star which is supposed to be Free.