Starwood Resales

[SC1214]

I currently own at St John. I am thinking of buying Starwood resale. How does the star options work in a resale? Also can the star options be used at any resort the same as my purchase from the developer?
What disadvantages are there to buying a Starwood resale?
Thanks

 

[DavidnRobin]

There is a stickie in Owner Resources - above - that answers many of these questions.
The basic answers are easy.
SVN Mandatory resorts (like WSJ-VGV) have StarOptions that transfer to new owner (mandatory ), SVN Voluntary resorts (like WSJ-BV) do not transfer upon resale.

The only thing lost at upon resale of a SVN Mandatory resort is the ability to convert SOs to StarPoints (SP) - generally not a good value from a cost standpoint.

To answer your questions for you and your family adequately - need more info because this is more complicated than the basic questions answered above.

You want to buy WSJ resale - which phase? What season? What size?
Or are you asking about other resorts?

 

[sjsharkie]

I currently own at St John. I am thinking of buying Starwood resale. How does the star options work in a resale? Also can the star options be used at any resort the same as my purchase from the developer?
What disadvantages are there to buying a Starwood resale?
Thanks

Check out the stickies at the top of the Starwood forum. They will answer your questions.

In summary, if you are buying resale for SOs, you must buy a mandatory property. The SOs can be used at any resort within SVN, the same as your purchase from the developer.

There are some differences in buying resale, but they are relatively minor. They don't contribute towards SVOs elite status, they can't be converted to Starpoints, etc. For all details, see the stickies.

-ryan

 

[tomandrobin]

I currently own at St John. I am thinking of buying Starwood resale. How does the star options work in a resale? Also can the star options be used at any resort the same as my purchase from the developer?
What disadvantages are there to buying a Starwood resale?
Thanks

On resales, only Mandatory resorts have staroptions that transfers with the sale. Resale staroptions work exactly the same for booking rooms, etc. You lose the ability to convert into starpoints (not a big deal in most cases).

Disadvantage.....not many. They do no count towards elite status unless you retro them into the system. You save a lot of money vs buying direct.

 

[SC1214]

David, thanks for your information here. So I need to purchase with the 5 mandatory, are they still, Maui, Atlantis, Vistana, Kierland and St. John. Is this still correct?
I am more looking for options than resort. Does it matter to worry about season and phase? Size would determine number of options.
Thanks again

 

[DeniseM]

David, thanks for your information here. So I need to purchase with the 5 mandatory, are they still, Maui, Atlantis, Vistana, Kierland and St. John. Is this still correct?
I am more looking for options than resort. Does it matter to worry about season and phase? Size would determine number of options.
Thanks again

Yes - the 5 resorts listed in the FAQ are correct - note that only 2 of the phases at SVV are mandatory.

The deeded season also determines the number of Staroptions.

If you want to buy for Staroptions, that really narrows it down to WKV and the mandatory phases at SVV - the other 3 resorts are just too expensive to be viable candidates.

WKV: More expensive upfront - lower maintenance fees
SVV: Cheaper upfront - more expensive maintenance fees.

At the top of the forum we have a sticky with maintenance fees.

 

[DavidnRobin]

WKV Plat - profitable renter.

 

[LisaRex]

Now that they've upped the SOs that you get in platinum season, a platinum unit at WSJ-VG should be considered as well.

The upfront cost will be much higher than SVV and the MFs will be higher than WKV, but if going to St. John interests you, then I'd consider this as well.

 

[alexadeparis]

David, thanks for your information here. So I need to purchase with the 5 mandatory, are they still, Maui, Atlantis, Vistana, Kierland and St. John. Is this still correct?
I am more looking for options than resort. Does it matter to worry about season and phase? Size would determine number of options.
Thanks again

To be clear for anyone new that may stumble across this thread:
Vistana VILLAGES - Bella and Key West Phases ONLY;
The entire Vistana Resort and the St Augustine and Amelia phases of Vistana Villages are voluntary and therefore do NOT come with staroptions
Westin St John - Virgin Grand phase ONLY; the other phases Bay Vista and Coral Villas are voluntary
As for Maui, the WKORV and WKORV-N are mandatory; the new building will be voluntary.

 

[DavidnRobin]

WPORV is also voluntary, a major reason the resale price is at 10% of SVO price.
But, should own WPORV (and reserve at the 12 month) if you want the villas with the non-IV - you can get in easily via SVN and II (less so), but unlikely to get top villas even with status. That is... if you like paying the premium to own WPORV of course.
Otherwise... YMMV

 

[sjsharkie]

As for Maui, the WKORV and WKORV-N are mandatory; the new building will be voluntary.

Do we already know that the new building will be voluntary? I didn't know they had published this information -- where did it come from?

Thanks
-ryan

 

[DeniseM]

Do we already know that the new building will be voluntary? I didn't know they had published this information -- where did it come from?

Thanks
-ryan

Yes - It will be a Flexoption resort

I would expect ALL future Starwood developments to be Voluntary Flexoption resorts.

 

[sjsharkie]

Yes - It will be a Flexoption resort

I would expect ALL future Starwood developments to be Voluntary Flexoption resorts.

I knew it was a flexoption resort. I hadn't seen that it was voluntary and that the SVN membership would not transfer on resale.

Good to know. Thanks!

-ryan

 

[VacationForever]

I knew it was a flexoption resort. I hadn't seen that it was voluntary and that the SVN membership would not transfer on resale.

Good to know. Thanks!

-ryan

I expect Flex Option resale to be like DC points resale. Buyer will have to pay junk fees to get the same rights into the system. Otherwise there is nothing to sell and buy in the resale market.

 

[SMHarman]

I expect Flex Option resale to be like DC points resale. Buyer will have to pay junk fees to get the same rights into the system. Otherwise there is nothing to sell and buy in the resale market.

But that process should already exist?

Right now you get flex into home season and erm that's it.

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[VacationForever]

But that process should already exist?

Right now you get flex into home season and erm that's it.

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Whar is erm? But is there a process for resale? Marriott requires "education" fees, aka junk fees, as a way for make more money before allowing resale points into DC.

 

[SMHarman]

Whar is erm? But is there a process for resale? Marriott requires "education" fees, aka junk fees, as a way for make more money before allowing resale points into DC.

So I buy a WSJ BV today resale. What happens? What do I get. What junk fees. There are currently no junk fees b

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[Blaaamo]

Forgive me for butting into this thread, but I read the sticky and have a question that kind of fits in here. If I buy resale at a voluntary resort, does that mean I get NO Starpoints and my timeshare and vacations are perpetually at this location, only if I buy from the list of "Mandatory" will I get Starpoints that can then be exchanged?

 

[sjsharkie]

Forgive me for butting into this thread, but I read the sticky and have a question that kind of fits in here. If I buy resale at a voluntary resort, does that mean I get NO Starpoints and my timeshare and vacations are perpetually at this location, only if I buy from the list of "Mandatory" will I get Starpoints that can then be exchanged?

Read the stickies at the top of the forum.

In short, you are confusing Staroptions (SOs) and Starpoints (SPs). If you purchase a voluntary resort resale, you will not be able to participate in the SVN where SOs are traded. Only in mandatory resorts does this benefit transfer upon resale.

SPs are points redeemable in Starwood's hotel program.

So yes, no SOs and no ability to convert to SPs for voluntary resale purchases.

 

[alexadeparis]

So I buy a WSJ BV today resale. What happens? What do I get. What junk fees. There are currently no junk fees b

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All you get is your week at WSJ-BV. No staroptions or anything else.

 

[SMHarman]

All you get is your week at WSJ-BV. No staroptions or anything else.

I know but sptung thinks there are spurious junk education fees that don't exist!

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[DeniseM]

Forgive me for butting into this thread, but I read the sticky and have a question that kind of fits in here. If I buy resale at a voluntary resort, does that mean I get NO Starpoints and my timeshare and vacations are perpetually at this location, only if I buy from the list of "Mandatory" will I get Starpoints that can then be exchanged?

There is a lot of info. in the FAQ, and it can be hard to absorb in one reading - be sure you scroll ALL the way down to the bottom, because the last part compares buying resale - developer - mandatory - voluntary.

 

[VacationForever]

So I buy a WSJ BV today resale. What happens? What do I get. What junk fees. There are currently no junk fees b

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You still get your deeded week at WSJ BV but no staroption. If Flex Option is modeled after after DC Program, Flex Option has no rights to anything including the Flex system, until junk fees are paid to Vistana (Starwood) before the Flex Options are accepted back into the system.

 

[GrayFal]

You still get your deeded week at WSJ BV but no staroption. If Flex Option is modeled after after DC Program, Flex Option has no rights to anything including the Flex system, until junk fees are paid to Vistana (Starwood) before the Flex Options are accepted back into the system.

So using WSJ as an example, VGV mandatory with SO, BV non-Mandatory with right to reserve one week in your villa size in your season (or use of your week if it is fixed) and CV non-Mandatory Flex System with no use/nothing unless you pay junk fees to Vistana to become part of their FlexOption system.....do I have this right?
My head is spinning!

Someone has offered me a CV resale but it seems to be much more complicated then it appears....off to read the FlexOption thread.

EDIT: I now understand that there IS NO JUNK FEE at this time a la Marriott, it is just speculation

 

[SMHarman]

Everyone is making up a currently non existent junk fee.

Buy CV and you get enough points to book into anything you can book in your flex season.

There is no week the week is owned by the trust. You own a right to a share of the trust. Like a mutual fund for timeshare.

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