Starwood Has Won [Unilateral II Changes] [merged]

[Joshadelic]

THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE TO MY EMAIL...

Thank you for contacting Sheraton Vacation Ownership. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.

We extend our apologies for any confusion that this matter may have caused. For information purposes, every owner that is eligible for the modification to the Interval International methodology is being notified regarding this matter. Notifications regarding the Interval International methodology change have been sent to every owner in the form of a newly modified and customized Interval International resort directory. Again, we extend our apologies for any confusion that this matter may have caused. Should you have additional concerns regarding this matter, please feel free to contact our offices at the toll free number listed below. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

We hope that this information was beneficial to you. Should you need further assistance, please contact Owner Services at:

Sheraton 888-SV- OWNER (786 9637)
407- 903- 4649

Owner Services is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

We appreciate your patronage and thank you for contacting Sheraton Vacation Ownership. Have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,
Enrique Fernandez
E-Communications Specialist
Owner Services

So here was MY response:

So what exactly is the "modification to the methodology"??? I have not been notified other than to dig up the information myself after SVO had already made the change and have to email you to ask what is going on afterward. I still don't know what is going on...but I do know a major change has happened and no owners were told about it ahead of time.

Am I one of the people that are "eligible" for this? When will I be receiving my new directory? Why are my 2010 weeks not available in II? Is there information about this somewhere online (like maybe on mystarcentral.com - "my 24 hour ownership resource")? I appreciate your apology, but I just would like to know the answers to those questions.


And their response:

Thank you for contacting Sheraton Vacation Ownership. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.

We apologize for any inconvenience you may be experiencing regarding the new methodology for depositing weeks with Interval International (II). This change was made to benefit owners like yourself when choosing to deposit your week with II. We have included these benefits below:

Prior to or within the use year, you are able to reverse an
eligible assignment with II and travel with SVO.

As an owner of a two bedroom lock-off you will no longer have to
decide how you would like your ownership week to be deposited, as
two one-bedrooms or one two-bedroom.

Once the assignment is done, you may contact II immediately to
start a search as opposed to waiting a minimum of 72 hours.

The expiration date of the assignment is always the same
regardless of when you contact us within the use year to deposit
the week. You are now allowed more time to utilize your
assignment with II. The request first assignment will always
expire on June 30 two use years in the future of the assigned week
i.e. assigned week is i 2009 so it will expire June 30, 2011.

Should you need further assistance, please contact Owner Services at:

Sheraton 888-SV- OWNER (786 9637)
407- 903- 4649

Owner Services is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Sincerely,
Kristy Sandelin
E-Communications Specialist
Owner Services

 

[Twinkstarr]

I love this part:

As an owner of a two bedroom lock-off you will no longer have to
decide how you would like your ownership week to be deposited, as
two one-bedrooms or one two-bedroom.

Now what does this exactly mean? You don't get to lock-off your units and make 2 deposits.

Or the fact that Starwood will take all the thinking of locking off out of our hands, because it's just way to stressful for us to understand.

 

[Joshadelic]

I love this part:

As an owner of a two bedroom lock-off you will no longer have to
decide how you would like your ownership week to be deposited, as
two one-bedrooms or one two-bedroom.

Now what does this exactly mean? You don't get to lock-off your units and make 2 deposits.

Or the fact that Starwood will take all the thinking of locking off out of our hands, because it's just way to stressful for us to understand.

When I look at my II account, it gives me the option to use the whole 2br or only one side. I think they mean that you will be able to decide within II when you're searching.

 

[James1975NY]

I love this part:

As an owner of a two bedroom lock-off you will no longer have to
decide how you would like your ownership week to be deposited, as
two one-bedrooms or one two-bedroom.

Now what does this exactly mean? You don't get to lock-off your units and make 2 deposits.

Or the fact that Starwood will take all the thinking of locking off out of our hands, because it's just way to stressful for us to understand.

I understand this to mean that you can simply request an exchange and when you get the exchange Starwood will deposit a week appropriate to what was confirmed....one or two bedroom....

Something along those lines anyway....basically, you do not have to pre-plan this thought - "do I deposit one side or both?"

 

[Twinkstarr]

I understand this to mean that you can simply request an exchange and when you get the exchange Starwood will deposit a week appropriate to what was confirmed....one or two bedroom....

Something along those lines anyway....basically, you do not have to pre-plan this thought - "do I deposit one side or both?"

So no more snagging that 2br with the small 1br side of a lock-off?

 

[Fcast]

AH HA! This is starting to make sense to me now. I specifically bought a resale SDO week that is "true platinum" - which I requalified when I bought my SVV week. My SDO week now shows up in II with the code SI1. It also says it is a "platinum plus" week above that. I'm assuming your week that is coded SI2 says "gold plus", since those who bought floating 1-52 SDO weeks and requalified them were put in the gold plus tier no matter what week was on the deed.

Yes my week is listed as gold plus

 

[barndweller]

As an owner of a two bedroom lock-off you will no longer have to
decide how you would like your ownership week to be deposited, as
two one-bedrooms or one two-bedroom.

This sounds like it applies to SVN members. What about us non-SVN folk? I always split my L/O to get 2 exchanges or to deposit one in II and one in another exchange company. Am I going to get this new directory? Starwood hasn't answered any of the nitty gritty questions. Obviously they are going to treat all owners the same in regards to assigning points values to our units but will non-SVN owners still have the priority in II? Is the priority time going to remain at all? What the heck is the priority anymore? 3 days ...10 days....3 weeks? Who knows?

 

[Joshadelic]

So no more snagging that 2br with the small 1br side of a lock-off?

No, one of the options you have to go through when you're searching with a unit that is a lock off is that you have to decide if you want the whole unit, or unit A, or unit B. You may get unit A or B to pull a 2br - just like before. At least that's what's happening for me.

 

[barndweller]

every owner that is eligible for the modification to the Interval International methodology is being notified regarding this matter.

What?? Just exactly who are they referring to? It seems that every possible combination has in some way been affected.

 

[Twinkstarr]

No, one of the options you have to go through when you're searching with a unit that is a lock off is that you have to decide if you want the whole unit, or unit A, or unit B. You may get unit A or B to pull a 2br - just like before. At least that's what's happening for me.

After my talk with the II *wood desk early this week, all these changes don't surprise me.

 

[Politico]

Starwood response to me

I emailed Starwood through mystarcentral asking about the recent deposit changes in II and complaining about the lack of any communication. Recall that I have an SDO non-SVN week and 1 SVN FL week. Here is Starwood's response, although it is unclear to me whether they are referring to my SVN or non-SVN week (my sense is that they are referring to my SVN week because of the ability to "an eligible assignment with Interval International and travel within the Starwood Vacation Network"):

Thank you for contacting Sheraton Vacation Ownership. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.

We apologize for any confusion regarding the new exchange method. We no longer deposit your week with Interval International (II), we actually issue a Request First Assignment.

- This now gives you true trading power with II based on your home resort and season owned.

- Once the assignment is done, it is available immediately for you to contact II to initiate your search.

- Prior to or within the Use Year, the owner is always welcome to reverse an eligible assignment with Interval International and travel within the Starwood Vacation Network.

- The expiration of the Request First Assignment is always the same regardless of when you contact us with your intent to exchange. The expiration date of the new II exchange method also provides owners additional time to utilize their assignment with Interval. With the June 30 expiration, the owner has anywhere from 18 to 30 months to use with II depending on when the owner called to request the assignment. Previously, the owner had anywhere from 12 to 24 months depending on the week that was deposited for the owner.

We're sorry if you have not yet received notification. You should receive a special edition of the Interval International Directory soon. This directory also includes the new exchange enhancements.

Owner Services is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Have a pleasant day.

Sincerely,
E-Communications Specialist
Owner Services

 

[Joshadelic]

I did a search test with my small 1br SDO week 50 (plat plus - which is code SI1) and also doing the exact same search with the small part of my 2br LO SVV week 9 (plat - code SV3). They are seeing the EXACT same availability.

I think this is good news for me because I could NEVER see anything good with my SVV week. Now I can see everything my SDO week does...even with the small side of the lockoff.

Are there any other SVV owners here who can tell me what code (if any) they are seeing in II for their week? The code I'm talking about is where you would expect to see the resort code. It's now some other code that Starwood and II have come up with to denote resort and season. Anyone seeing anything different?

 

[barndweller]

Josh
I think I posted someplace on the thread that my VCC gold plus and my SDI Plat plus (both non-SVN) see exactly the same stuff. The kicker is that all my other independent resorts see that stuff, too. Doesn't appear to be any Starwood pref in effect for me.

 

[DeniseM]

There has been a change in my account!

My FIXED SVR week now shows as follows:

Unit: 2BEDSD
Float 2009 (Float)
Available
Note: Contact resort/club to obtain reservation or assignment. 1-888-9869637

Unit: 2BEDSD
Float 2010 (Float)
Available
Note: Contact resort/club to obtain reservation or assignment. 1-888-9869637

Unit: 2BEDSD
Float 2011 (Float)
Available
Note: Contact resort/club to obtain reservation or assignment. 1-888-9869637

My fixed week is now a floating week???

PLUS - I have ALREADY made II exchanges with weeks 2009 and 2010!

I think I should call Starwood and have them "assign" me two more 2009 and 2010 weeks so I can do 2 more exchanges!


When I click on the "exchange" icon, it asks me to put in my check-in date?

I put in the 2010 check-in date, & it is letting me proceed on to an exchange. ??? (This week has already been exchanged with II.)

If I wasn't worried about screwing up the exchange I made for my Bro and SIL - I'd do it!

The good news is that I also see these buttons:
Vacation Exchange
Cruise Exchange
Short Stay Exchange
Place Request
Deposit

So it looks like I have all my online functions available?

BTW - I can search for 2 years out with the undeposited SVR 2010 week and 2011 week, and the deposited 2010 SDO week. (All non-SVN.)

 

[SDKath]

My Units (should be Week 52 Falls for 2010 only)...

Sheraton Vistana Resort
VIO

Unit: 2BEDSD
Float 2009 (Float)
AvailableThis unit is available to deposit and exchange immediately, use to place an exchange request, or exchange at a later date.
Place Request

Deposit

Note: Contact resort/club to obtain reservation or assignment. 1-888-9869637


Unit: 2BEDSD
Float 2010 (Float)
AvailableThis unit is available to deposit and exchange immediately, use to place an exchange request, or exchange at a later date.
Place Request

Deposit

Note: Contact resort/club to obtain reservation or assignment. 1-888-9869637


Unit: 2BEDSD
Float 2011 (Float)
AvailableThis unit is available to deposit and exchange immediately, use to place an exchange request, or exchange at a later date.
Place Request

Deposit

Note: Contact resort/club to obtain reservation or assignment. 1-888-9869637

 

[gmarine]

I just returned from a 2 week vacation during which Starwood canceled an online deposit of my SBP reservation. It took a few minutes but I eventually got a supervisor to deposit my exact reservation. A supervisor came on the line pretty quick after I asked the rep if she was able to do a conferance call. When she said yes, I gave her the number to the Executive offices . The supervisor also agreed that as a non-SVN member I have a right to deposit with II any week I have a reservation for.

I've had it with all this non-sense of Starwood trying to control deposits they have no right to control. I'm going to call the Executive offices Monday and see if I can get some answers.

Not being able to control our reservations isnt acceptable. We own the units. It is our right. If it takes collecting names and trolling every timeshare message board on the internet to get thousands of owners to complain to Starwood then I will be first in line to start the ball rolling if Starwood doesnt stop this non-sense.

 

[billymach4]

Was looking for a Starwood property to buy. ... Not anymore

I have been looking to purchase a Starwood property. However will all of this turmoil with Starwood, and the reservations issue, I am on hold until the dust settles.

 

[lily28]

I tried to deposit my vistana resort week 52 2009 in II today; I was told that starwood has to cancel my reservation and then try to look for an available week for deposit. when I protest that this is a non svn week, I was told by the supervisor that the new deposit rule went into effect 8/18 and I can't deposit the week I have reserved already. what should I do?

 

[DeniseM]

I tried to deposit my vistana resort week 52 2009 in II today; I was told that starwood has to cancel my reservation and then try to look for an available week for deposit. when I protest that this is a non svn week, I was told by the supervisor that the new deposit rule went into effect 8/18 and I can't deposit the week I have reserved already. what should I do?

Right now, no one knows. I am holding off on doing anything until I get more solid info.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I just returned from a 2 week vacation during which Starwood canceled an online deposit of my SBP reservation. It took a few minutes but I eventually got a supervisor to deposit my exact reservation. A supervisor came on the line pretty quick after I asked the rep if she was able to do a conferance call. When she said yes, I gave her the number to the Executive offices . The supervisor also agreed that as a non-SVN member I have a right to deposit with II any week I have a reservation for.

I've had it with all this non-sense of Starwood trying to control deposits they have no right to control. I'm going to call the Executive offices Monday and see if I can get some answers.

Not being able to control our reservations isnt acceptable. We own the units. It is our right. If it takes collecting names and trolling every timeshare message board on the internet to get thousands of owners to complain to Starwood then I will be first in line to start the ball rolling if Starwood doesnt stop this non-sense.

George, good for you! I am right there behind you, too. I won't rollover and let Starwood change the rules, right before our eyes. TUG members are a small percentage of owners, and how many owners really battle to get a prime season week?

The odd thing, to my mind, is II is going to get a bunch of bum weeks from us as depositors, when they had prime inventory from us before. They don't find a July 4th week to be more exchangeable, therefore more money for them, than a week in early March, or later in October for SBP?

 

[GrayFal]

I just returned from a 2 week vacation during which Starwood canceled an online deposit of my SBP reservation. It took a few minutes but I eventually got a supervisor to deposit my exact reservation. A supervisor came on the line pretty quick after I asked the rep if she was able to do a conferance call. When she said yes, I gave her the number to the Executive offices . The supervisor also agreed that as a non-SVN member I have a right to deposit with II any week I have a reservation for.

I've had it with all this non-sense of Starwood trying to control deposits they have no right to control. I'm going to call the Executive offices Monday and see if I can get some answers.

Not being able to control our reservations isnt acceptable. We own the units. It is our right. If it takes collecting names and trolling every timeshare message board on the internet to get thousands of owners to complain to Starwood then I will be first in line to start the ball rolling if Starwood doesnt stop this non-sense.

George,
My 2 non-SVN SBP deposits are still showing in my account.

I would be interested in writing a letter - could u post or PM me the contact info for the executive officer you have been dealing with?
TIA

 

[Pit]

I tried to deposit my vistana resort week 52 2009 in II today; I was told that starwood has to cancel my reservation and then try to look for an available week for deposit. when I protest that this is a non svn week, I was told by the supervisor that the new deposit rule went into effect 8/18 and I can't deposit the week I have reserved already. what should I do?

Of course, this is BS. They don't need to search for availability, because you already have a reservation. You may want to contact their executive offices or legal counsel and request a written explanation for why Starwood is interferring with your usage rights, as defined in your CCR documents.

 

[Denise L]

My accounts' status

Hello,

I was brave enough today to log into my various II accounts to see if anything is going on.

My SVN account (for my $45K WKORV week) says that I own NOTHING and am not eligible to do anything (that generic banner message). Luckily, I would never use this account to exchange my high MF weeks and Staroptions...but still! What in the world is Starwood doing? I pay for this account in my hefty MFs! I should be able to see what I own, at the very least.

My non-SVN account still only shows deposits from 2008 and 2009 . I spoke with an agent today who said that on her end, it doesn't even show that I can deposit my 2010 weeks, and that it doesn't list my resorts even though I paid to have my resorts added and have a 5-year membership, so she said that I should wait a couple of days and call back .

My Hyatt account (never used) looks just fine . I'll never use it, but at least it knows me .

A leftover Starwood account from a resale week I bought, which had been extended by II Customer Service to expire in November, was "closed by my home resort"

 

[rickandcindy23]

We need to brainstorm and figure out what unknowns are here, before we write our letters.

For one thing, I would like to know how deposits will be handled with alternative exchange companies, including RCI. I will deposit weeks into Trading Places Maui, SFX and HTSE, way before I would deposit to RCI, but we need to know how our deposits to other companies would be affected. If this is just II, then we may be okay with the others.

My second question would be: Will all deposits have good trading power, equal to a top deposit, or will all deposits be averaged together?

Third, are we going to have any opportunites to trade up to a 2 bedroom from a 1 bedroom in II? Sounds like the answer to this is no to that one. If we just get a code, and we choose a 2 bedroom unit, sounds like we must use both halves of the lockout. I would be okay with that, for an exchange to Maui, but not for an exchange to Orlando, where I can get 3 bedroom unit exchanges during off-season with a 2 bedroom Foxrun.

 

[Joshadelic]

We need to brainstorm and figure out what unknowns are here, before we write our letters.

For one thing, I would like to know how deposits will be handled with alternative exchange companies, including RCI. I will deposit weeks into Trading Places Maui, SFX and HTSE, way before I would deposit to RCI, but we need to know how our deposits to other companies would be affected. If this is just II, then we may be okay with the others.

My second question would be: Will all deposits have good trading power, equal to a top deposit, or will all deposits be averaged together?

Third, are we going to have any opportunites to trade up to a 2 bedroom from a 1 bedroom in II? Sounds like the answer to this is no to that one. If we just get a code, and we choose a 2 bedroom unit, sounds like we must use both halves of the lockout. I would be okay with that, for an exchange to Maui, but not for an exchange to Orlando, where I can get 3 bedroom unit exchanges during off-season with a 2 bedroom Foxrun.

It appears to me (and these are only guesses on my part) that the answer to your second question is that you are going to get the same code as anyone else in your ownership season and unit size. So that code should show equal exchanges for anyone in the same category as you.

On your third question (also guessing, but doing actual searches in II to back up my guess), I think you should be able to pull a 2br from a 1br deposit. You can only request the same number of occupants as your deposited week will hold, but you may see weeks you can exchange for that are 6/2/6, 8/2/8, etc. even though you only have a 4/1/4 deposited. At least that's what I'm seeing with my deposited weeks in II right now. They can show you MORE occupancy, but NOT LESS.