Staroptions lockoff question

[RebelR]

I am thinking about picking up a Westin Kierland 2 bed gold lockoff unit. I am a little confused on how the 81,000 staroptions work for booking another Westin property with a lockoff. For example, if I look at the staroptions chart, I can book a 2 bed lockoff at Westin Lagunamar but then can I lock it off and book two consecutive weeks or must they be concurrent? If not how would I book this to achieve that result? I searched but couldn’t find any similar questions but please feel free to just link any that I may have missed.

 

[vacationtime1]

You would reserve a one bedroom at Lagunamar for a week and then a studio for the next week. Or you could reserve 13 days in a one bedroom unit.

But realize that if you own an 81K Kierland, you would be able to do either during low season only.

 

[RebelR]

You would reserve a one bedroom at Lagunamar for a week and then a studio for the next week. Or you could reserve 13 days in a one bedroom unit.

But realize that if you own an 81K Kierland, you would be able to do either during low season only.

Ah so they aren’t tied to week long usage like with a Marriott lockoff, thank you, very helpful!

 

[Ken555]

It's good to remember that the maintenance fee remains consistent for any 2-bd WKV. This makes the 148k weeks a better choice for staroption use, even though they come with a higher purchase price.

 

[RebelR]

It's good to remember that the maintenance fee remains consistent for any 2-bd WKV. This makes the 148k weeks a better choice for staroption use, even though they come with a higher purchase price.

Oh so then gold isn’t a smart purchase? Is there any scenario where it would be smart? I am just trying to get out of the cold for a couple weeks in December or January

 

[vacationtime1]

@Ken555 makes an excellent point about MF's and seasonality; high season weeks have a much more favorable $/SO ratio.

You could also consider a one bedroom Plat+ Kierland week. It comes with 81K SO's, costs about $7K in the current market, and MF's are $1,324 this year vs. $2,157 for a 2bd in either season. Plus, it can be rented at a substantial profit and you will probably get your capital back when you sell it.

 

[RebelR]

@Ken555 makes an excellent point about MF's and seasonality; high season weeks have a much more favorable $/SO ratio.

You could also consider a one bedroom Plat+ Kierland week. It comes with 81K SO's, costs about $7K in the current market, and MF's are $1,324 this year vs. $2,157 for a 2bd in either season. Plus, it can be rented at a substantial profit and you will probably get your capital back when you sell it.

Great suggestion! I’ll look into this, thank you!

 

[RebelR]

One more question if I may, if I own one Marriott week and one Westin week do I get the 13 month booking priority or does it need to be 2 of the same brand and is there any booking priority for staroptions?

 

[Hindsite]

There's 13 month booking in Abound for everyone and in the MVC weeks reservation system if you own 2weeks that can be booked consecutive or concurrent.
There's nothing to give 13 month privilege across the different brand weeks reservation systems.

 

[dioxide45]

One more question if I may, if I own one Marriott week and one Westin week do I get the 13 month booking priority or does it need to be 2 of the same brand and is there any booking priority for staroptions?

Vistana weeks primarily can only be booked at 12 months prior to checkin. You can't combine a Vistana reservation with a Marriott reservation to book two consecutive weeks. Only Marriott has a 13-month booking rule for consecutive or concurrent week long reservations.

 

[dioxide45]

An alternative to WKV gold would be to buy a Platinum 2BR dedicated Sheraton Vistana Villages Bella or Key West. They come with 81,000 StarOptions. The MFs will be cheaper but the purchase price will be a little higher. The main issue is finding them resale as they are not as common as they used to be.

 

[RebelR]

Thanks both, I will have to evaluate my next move then and maybe just buy getaways in the winter or double down with Marriott and pick up a second grand chateau week

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks both, I will have to evaluate my next move then and maybe just buy getaways in the winter or double down with Marriott and pick up a second grand chateau week

The problem is that escaping winters usually means traveling during peak season. For Lagunamar the only realistic way to use 81,000 StarOptions is for January. This also makes competition for January reservations harder as the points price is cheaper and more people want to book. The desert in winter is also peak season with all the snowbirds. Those weeks cost much more or you will be using the 2BR to book a 1BR. It isn't the best option. If you are looking for a lower upfront cost, SVV is perhaps the best option. I would avoid gold season WKV as a StarOption generator.

 

[RebelR]

What are your thoughts on buying at the Lagunamar directly? Seems like the 2 bedrooms are lockoffs so I could book 2 consecutive weeks at 12 months for a little over $2000 in maintenance fees?

 

[dioxide45]

What are your thoughts on buying at the Lagunamar directly? Seems like the 2 bedrooms are lockoffs so I could book 2 consecutive weeks at 12 months for a little over $1000 in maintenance fees?

You can book one of the weeks at 12 months out then the second week again at 12 months out. You can't do it all in one call or at the same time. You need to do it at the 12-month mark for each week. I don't know the current maintenance fees for a 2BR, but they are certainly more than just $1000.

 

[RebelR]

Sorry that was s typo, I edited the fees in the post but looks like you were too fast lol

 

[byeloe]

What are your thoughts on buying at the Lagunamar directly? Seems like the 2 bedrooms are lockoffs so I could book 2 consecutive weeks at 12 months for a little over $2000 in maintenance fees?

That's a good strategy if you only want Lagunamar as the resales don't come with Staroption usage. You would need to purchase a 2bd Gold season unit in order to book 12 months out in January

 

[WorldT]

That's a good strategy if you only want Lagunamar as the resales don't come with Staroption usage. You would need to purchase a 2bd Gold season unit in order to book 12 months out in January

II with vistana preference will still be an option though.