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Starwood Offer

mlpmd56

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
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Location
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Hi Tuggers,
I got an offer in the mail over the weekend for WKORV island view studio for 5nights/6days, 7000 starpoints (or $75 resort certificate), and $185 toward an Avis car rental. $849. No mention of having to sit through a presentation. However, it did state ONLY for my husband & me, and we are EOY owners. Do you think this is a reflection on owners not paying maintenance fees, and they are trying to rent out the units? Did owners of other properties get this? Also, $100 less if you arrive BEFORE December 15 this year. My girlfriend and I are going to the Maui Schooner Nov 6-13, almost makes me want to put in for a request first trade through II and see if I can get WKORV. Opinions? Marcy
 
Hi Tuggers,
I got an offer in the mail over the weekend for WKORV island view studio for 5nights/6days, 7000 starpoints (or $75 resort certificate), and $185 toward an Avis car rental. $849. No mention of having to sit through a presentation.

Sounds like the standard "owner refers a non-owner to sit through a presentation" package (we've had two or three couples take advantage of these over the years), but you got this as an owner?

Unless they're targetting EOY owners to try to sell them another half unit somewhere?
 
look for any strings attached

Typically a sales presentation... They will probably tell you when you make the booking.

The first people who took the offer referred through us had to sit through a sales presentation.

The last people didn't have to sit through a presentation based on their province of residence -- they were told this when they made the booking.

Only thing to note was that you had to sit through the presentation to be eligible for the $75 credit or 7000 SPG points. If you didn't attend, you didn't get that part of the offer...


For the car booking, they were just given a web URL to book through, and it automatically discounted whatever car they wanted by the $185. They chose to book a more expensive car and pay the difference, but there's nothing that says you can't stick to the $185 or less if you can.
 
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This offer has been available for years - in the past, you have NOT had to do a presentation, but they will offer you a $100 resort credit to do so. They are probably selling WPORV and Lagunamar, since Maui is long sold out.

My girlfriend and I are going to the Maui Schooner Nov 6-13, almost makes me want to put in for a request first trade through II and see if I can get WKORV. Opinions?

Are you going to use the Maui Schooner week? If so, you don't really have anything to lose, since you have your confirmed Ressie if you don't get the exchange.
 
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I've gotten a boatload of these. A few weeks ago, I receive one inviting me to visit WLR for a song and a dance. I let that one expire.

Currently, I have two offers, both which expire on 9/16: One to visit Kauai for $849, which includes 5 nights, $75 resort credit or 7000 SPs. No car. $100 discount if I go before the end of the year.

The other offer is to visit WMH for 4 nights + 7000 SPs for $389 + 100 discount if I go before the end of the year.

I'm mulling over the latter one because I wouldn't mind going to Palm Desert in the winter.

No presentation seems to be required. Here's the fine print on the WMH offer:

Details of Participation:

This special invitation is offered by Westin Vacations.

Eligibility – Only the person(s) whose name appears on the front of this email invitation may redeem this offer. Offer is not transferable. Your name will be verified with our guest roster. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Groups (two or more affiliated couples traveling together), previous participants in a Westin or Sheraton Vacation Services getaway within the past year, all employees and their immediate family members of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, inc., its affiliated entities, and Owners at any Starwood Vacation Ownership resort are not eligible for this offer. One offer per family.

Offer – Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion. Travel must be completed within 12 months of package purchase date. To save $100 off package price, you must book to arrive by December 15, 2010. Offer cannot be modified. All currency mentions are US Dollars.

Cancellations must be made in writing within fifteen days of the package purchase date or package purchase price is not refundable. A refund will be issued within fifteen days of the receipt of notice of cancellation. Cancellation notices must be sent to Westin Cancellations, 74000 Country Club Drive – D – Palm Desert, CA 92260.
Starpoints – If selected must be authorized within 24 hours of arrival at the Concierge Desk in the lobby of the resort. Allow 4 – 6 weeks for posting of Starpoints. Redemption of Starpoints is subject to the Starwood Preferred Guest® program terms and conditions, which are subject to change without notice. Starwood Preferred Guest terms and conditions can be viewed on our website at SPG.com. Approximate retail value is $245.00.

Certificate - If selected, resort certificate(s) must be picked up by the guest within 24 hours of arrival at the Concierge Desk in the lobby of the resort. Retail value of Resort Certificate is face value and is redeemable for activities, dining, shopping, and spa services. Certificates may not be applied to valet parking or alcoholic beverages. Applicable sales taxes and gratuities not included. Certificate not redeemable for cash and is not transferable

Room Reservations – Room reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance and are on a space-available basis. Holiday and special event periods are excluded. Do not purchase airfare until your arrival dates are confirmed. Accommodations are for a maximum of two adults and two children under the age of 18 at The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas. Accommodations are a one bedroom deluxe villa with queen size bed and full size sleeper sofa. After scheduling room reservations, a confirmed, written reservation will be sent and must be presented at check-in. Stay must be continuous nights. Once reservations are made, any change or revisions are subject to a $50 nonrefundable fee. This offer must be used prior to the expiration date. Purchase price must be paid using a major credit card. A credit card is also required at check-in. Reschedule requests within 30 days of arrival will forfeit package and package price. If you elect to park a vehicle(s) on site during your stay, you will be charged $7.00 per day, per vehicle upon check out. You may also incur other incidental fees that are not included in your package cost, such as telephone charges, roll-away bed fees, transportation, meals, tickets, taxes, tips, housekeeping and other charges of a personal nature if you request these services. Retail value is based on high-season rates.
 
email offers

I am interested in those special offers. what do I need to do to get these special invite emails? thanks
 
The other offer is to visit WMH for 4 nights + 7000 SPs for $389 + 100 discount if I go before the end of the year.

I'm mulling over the latter one because I wouldn't mind going to Palm Desert in the winter.

No presentation seems to be required.

We're there from Dec 28th :D and were told we have to attend the sales presentation if we want the bonus points, but we booked it back in mid-Apr, so it might have been a slightly different offer.
 
November in Maui

Yep, I am going to Maui regardless. And I really do love the Schooner, but it might be fun to try to stay at the Marriott or Westin. I now own at WKORV so I know I am getting deal if I trade there (DOUBLE my Schooner maintenance fees!). I'm going to check with my girfriend and see if she has a preference. Marcy
 
SVO Preview Offers in "Interval World" magazine

Here are the preview offers SVO posted in the lastest issue of "Interval World" magazine:

SVOPreviewDeals.jpg


No mention in the fine print about having to attend a timeshare pitch.

Lots and lots of other fine print though -- "Not transferrable" (yeah right . . . from whom? It's an advertisement in a magazine -- I guess you can't transfer it once you book it in your name maybe?)

Certificates must be picked up at the concierge desk at the resort within 24 hours of arrival at the resort . . . so they can pressure you into attending the pitch while you are still there.

Reservations must be made 30 days in advance and are for "studio villas." Must book this deal and travel by December 15, 2010.

etc.

I think that armed with this ad and those phone numbers you can call SVO and pretty much ask for any available deal at any SVO resort. The call should go something like this . . . ..

"Hi . . . I saw an ad in a timeshare magazine . . . . and it had a deal for Maui/St. John/Rancho Mirage. . . .I think . . . . but I wrote down this phone number and then left the ad at work so I don't recall the details. Anyway, I was interested in learning more about that deal. I recall it was something about 6 days and a car for $800 . . .. Can you help me ( . . .and earn the commission . . . ) or should I call back ( . . and give the commission to another agent . . . .) when I have the ad in front of me?"

"You can help me? Great!" "What are the current deals for [Insert your desired SVO destination resort here even if it isn't one of the four listed in the ad above and watch what happens]?"

-nodge

Oh yeah, that web address (www.starwoodvillas.com/discover) posted in SVO’s ad is inoperable . . . at least when one attempts to view it from here in Oregon. Shocker. -n
 
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Thanks, Nodge, for your help. I just wish I have read your post about that starwood survey a couple months ago before I did mine. If I have done what you have done and paint myself as highly gullible, I think I would have receive an invite to one of the preview package by now. thanks again
 
But perhaps Nodge is really highly gullible ....
:whoopie:

Could be.

I'll ask that Nigerian Prince that keeps e-mailing me after he wires me my reward money for helping him. He seemed really smart even though he is such a poor speller for such an educated guy.

-nodge

Oh yeah, I think my timeshare preview deal-getter strategy will work equally well when calling in a pizza order and claiming to have a coupon. -n
 
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