Surrendering Vistana

[vistanapita]

Have you thought about keeping what you own, reserving a studio and one bedroom, and renting each side of the lockoff for a little over MF's?

Also, did you consider going to the Free Timeshares forum here to give your week away? It's not mandatory SO's and those won't transfer to a new owner, but at least attempt to give it away without giving it back to Marriott. They will just sell it for a huge amount of money. Might as well give it away to someone who would love to own the deed.

I am considering making reservations at whatever dates I can get then renting them for cents on the dollar. I'm also considering offering it up for auction to my daughter's school PTA - they do a big fundraising thing each year. May I'll even get a tax deduction ! But as I think has been mentioned, I'm concerned that I won't be able to change the name on the reservation once it's made, which would be a total mess.

 

[vistanapita]

Have you thought about keeping what you own, reserving a studio and one bedroom, and renting each side of the lockoff for a little over MF's?

Also, did you consider going to the Free Timeshares forum here to give your week away? It's not mandatory SO's and those won't transfer to a new owner, but at least attempt to give it away without giving it back to Marriott. They will just sell it for a huge amount of money. Might as well give it away to someone who would love to own the deed.

Agreed that giving it back would be a last resort. The StarOptions I have left over from 2024 are enough to get me 5 nights + a little resort credit, so I'm hoping to either use them myself or gift them to a friend.

 

[vistanapita]

That was exactly my experience. I documented it previously in this thread.

Thank you, I just got that confirmed on today's 1hr call with Resolution Services Dept. Since I also have usage left over from 2024, I transferred my 2026 StarOptions to Marriott Bonvoy where I'll have 2 years to use the value. I had been told on a previous call that any value transferred to MarriotBonvoy would disappear when my deedback closes, but I was today assured that this would not be the case. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[vistanapita]

Update on my situation. After being on hold + passed around a string of departments for ~45 minutes, I finally got to speak to someone in the 'Resolution Services Department' who explained the language used by the Exit Services Team (ie Wanda). If you parse Wanda's words precisely, then they are not lying. Net, net,

I MUST make a reservation using my banked StarOptions (from 2024) before Nov 23, 2025, or I will forfeit them. I cannot access this usage online so I need to call. Once I make a rez, it cannot be changed.

After I pay my 2026 fees, I'll have access to my allocation for 2026. I am allowed to bank these StarOptions for future use. I am allowed to transfer this value to Bonvoy Points.

I forgot to ask if their was any limitation once I transfer them to Bonvoy Points, eg will they disappear once my deedback process completes ? So I'll need to spend another hour on the phone.

And it seems that the any reservations you make cannot be changed.

Correction to above - I am NOT allowed to bank by 2026 StarOptions.

Update (11/3) - 'spent another hour on the phone to pay my 2026 fees + transfer those StarOptions to Bonvoy Points. I was assured that they would not disappear when deedback process closes. I guess I'll find out.

 

[dioxide45]

Correction to above - I am NOT allowed to bank by 2026 StarOptions.

Update (11/3) - 'spent another hour on the phone to pay my 2026 fees + transfer those StarOptions to Bonvoy Points. I was assured that they would not disappear when deedback process closes. I guess I'll find out.

I don't see why the Bonvoy points would disappear. Your Bonvoy account is separate from Vistana. Once the points are transferred they should follow the rules of the Bonvoy propram and not expire as long as you maintain some level of activity in Bonvoy.

 

[daviator]

I don't see why the Bonvoy points would disappear. Your Bonvoy account is separate from Vistana. Once the points are transferred they should follow the rules of the Bonvoy propram and not expire as long as you maintain some level of activity in Bonvoy.

I agree. Bonvoy points can’t be taken from your account by MVC, they don’t control them. I actually think that MVC only has the ability to add points to your Bonvoy account (they buy them) and I doubt they have the ability to subtract them.

 

[Cornell]

Thank you, I just got that confirmed on today's 1hr call with Resolution Services Dept. Since I also have usage left over from 2024, I transferred my 2026 StarOptions to Marriott Bonvoy where I'll have 2 years to use the value. I had been told on a previous call that any value transferred to MarriotBonvoy would disappear when my deedback closes, but I was today assured that this would not be the case. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Yeah, I owned three different Vistana deeds. Did a deedback of 2 of 3. My deedback process, with the endless phone calls, disconnects, transferring, talking to people who had no idea, etc., confirmed my decision to return these 2.

Ultimately I was relieved that Vistana took them back but they didn't make it easy. 2026 is my first year of single ownership and it's a relief.

 

[tomandrobin]

Besides Harborside resort, what other resorts are not being taken back? Or is it only Harborside?

 

[Kathy-Parker]

Started process to give this back to Marriott. They were very prompt on accepting it back for free, surprise! 400.00 fee, 120 days to complete, will update as it goes along.

Glad to hear it’s going smoothly! The $400 fee isn’t ideal, but it’s good they took it back without much hassle. Keep us updated!