Starwood preference @ II- advice needed

[mscarboroughusa]

so I bought Westin Mission Hills nearly 10 years ago (and a couple of SVV resale units since then...thanks TUG) but have NEVER used II for deposit or exchange - Ive always had good luck trading to St. John , Harborside, etc and also have plenty of Starpoints that I use if I want to go to other locales, so never really needed it. Until now it seems. I've read a lot re: the Starwood pref period with II and I am thinking it would make obvious sense from a Staroptions standpoint to deposit my (2) 2-BR VVillages units for (2) 2-BR units at either Westin Kaana or Westin Princeville - my goal is to take a large family trip to Hawaii, but I don't want to deposit these units if I can't get (2) 2-BR units as an exchange - is there a link that explains a bit more about the pref period - my goal is to deposit my (2) 2012 units and score (2) units for sometime during the summer months of 2012 - any help, advice, experience would be appreciated - apologies in advance if I posted in the wrong area. - for the record, I have been to WKaa but not westin princeville (but have stayed at the Princeville hotel) - again, thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

Hi - You will want to read the II FAQ at the top of the forum.

RE: The Starwood Preference Period- Whenever Starwood deposits units in II, Starwood owners have priority for the exchange for the first 30 days. The best way to capatailze on this is to have your request in place 12 mos. or more in advance, so that it's in place BEFORE the deposits come in. You are already past the 12 mo. mark, so you will want to get this done quickly.

Since the rules changed in 2009, ALL Starwood deposits are "request first" so you don't lose your deposits unless you get the exchange - however, since you need two units for the same week, you may get one and not the other. (It will be difficult to get 2 for the same week.)

One option is to trade for one unit, and then use your Staroptions for the other.

Princeville is a much easier exchange so if you put all 3 resorts on the request - expect to get Princeville.

See the FAQ for more info.

 

[tschwa2]

I think it would be nearly impossible to get two 2 bedrooms for the same date during the prime summer at either. Last year I requested 15 months in advance using a two bedroom to two bedroom starwood to Hawaii. I did get one 2 bedroom in Maui for week 33 which was the Aug 13. I had requested June 12-Aug 15.

There were weeks that made it to the sighting board for the last week in August. I was confirmed about 6 months prior. It is difficult too because you never know if or when and then you freak out about missing airfare sales.