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SVN Elite – Other Benefits Besides SPG Platinum

nodge

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We just returned from WKORV. Very, very nice. What more can I say.

There is lots of talk here on TUG about 5 Star Elites getting SPG Platinum Status, but does anyone have anything to say about the other benefits of SVN Elite Status?

For example, I’m really impressed with the complementary room upgrade benefit. Here is what I was recently able to do with that one:

I used my requalified resale Sheraton Desert Oasis’ (SDO) 81,000 StarOptions to book the Westin Kaanapalli Ocean Resort Villas (WKORV) way less than 8 months out. We reserved a large one-bedroom for 81,000 StarOptions. As a lowly 3 star SVN elite member, I called 30 days out to try to “upgrade’” my room to a better view and floor. I also tried to upgrade my villa to a 2 bedroom. SVN said they would enter my view and floor requests, but no guarantees. They also said that since the 2 bedroom is considered 2 units, I’m not allowed to upgrade to it from a large one bedroom.

However, a couple of days before we left, they allowed me to downgrade my reservation to the small one-bedroom (67,100 StarOptions) and then they instantly confirmed a complimentary upgrade back to the large one bedroom. The net result was that our large one bedroom only “cost” 67,100 StarOptions for the week. Very cool. We now have 13,900 extra StarOptions to burn this year on an overnight somewhere.

The only downside in doing this was we lost our original reservation time and date stamp, so we went to the bottom of the view/floor request heap. Accordingly, we were expecting a 1st floor unit in the “highway villas” (Building 4) facing the highway, but were pleasantly surprised to receive an ocean view unit on the 5th floor of building 2 (North - construction side) directly across from WKORV-N’s nearly completed pirate ship pool.

FYI, most of the exterior construction of WKORV-N that is adjacent to WKORV is nearly complete. They were roofing the last building in the row from the ocean to the highway. Accordingly, construction noise wasn’t a problem for us, but the sight of that empty pirate ship pool was more than our toddler could bare. Also, WKORV’s pool temp was A-OK. Not bath water, but not too cold either.

FYI,
-nodge
 
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formerhater

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Thanks for sharing your experiences. We are 3* and will be staying at WKORV in a studio in about a month (we'll be calling next week to request an upgrade).
 

nodge

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Hi Formerhater,

I unsuccessfully tried to upgrade at 30 days, 15 days, and 7 days before our departure date, but was only successful 2 days before our departure date. You have to call them each time.

If SVN says no, keep trying.

Good Luck,
-nodge
 

formerhater

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Hi Formerhater,

I unsuccessfully tried to upgrade at 30 days, 15 days, and 7 days before our departure date, but was only successful 2 days before our departure date. You have to call them each time.

If SVN says no, keep trying.

Good Luck,
-nodge


Good to know. Thanks for the tip.
 

DeniseM

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Was this availabe at less than 8 months out or some benefit of Elite status.

Less than 8 mos. out means between 1 to 8 mos. out. 8 - 12 mos. out would be MORE than 8 mos. out. Anyone with Staroptions can try to make a Staroption Exchange from 8 - 1 mos. out.

When we were at the WKORV in July there was 100% occupancy and I stood in line with several angry Elite owners who assumed they would get an upgrade and didn't. Some of them were positively rude.
 
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Henry M.

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The chart of Elite benefits is here.

The ones I find most useful besides SPG Platinum and villa upgrades are:

- Early check-in (2:00 pm instead of 4:00 pm)
- Late checkout (12:00 pm instead of 10:00 am - My Maui flight usually leaves around 5:00 pm)
- SVN membership fee waived - worth about $103/unit in Maui)
- SVN secure waitlist priority while holding prior reservation (good to secure at least one location while you try to get into another one)
- You can decide as far out as May 31 if you want to convert to Starpoints (I'll probably never convert, but it is just a little extra flexibility)
 

nodge

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When we were at the WKORV in July there was 100% occupancy and I stood in line with several angry Elite owners who assumed they would get an upgrade and didn't. Some of them were positively rude.

We noticed that WKORV now has a separate check-in desk and area (immediately to the right once inside the main entry door of the lobby) for 4 and 5 star elites. I thought it was there as a courtesy to the elites, but it must also be there to protect the regular owners and exchangers from objects thrown during elite owner hissy fits. :D

ELITE OWNERS PLEASE TAKE NOTE: We did all of our elite upgrade work way BEFORE arriving in Hawaii. I've found that acting stupid works wonders with SVN. "I see in this elite brochure that I'm entitled to request an upgrade, what does that mean?" works way better than "I'm an elite and I demand an upgrade!" Please do not be an Ugly Elite on check-in. By the time you arrive at the check-in counter, your lot has already been cast.

We did no negotiating on check-in. We didn't even know we had a view room until we opened the door to our villa.

FYI,
-nodge
 

DeniseM

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We noticed that WKORV now has a separate check-in desk and area (immediately to the right once inside the main entry door of the lobby) for 4 and 5 star elites. I thought it was there as a courtesy to the elites, but it must also be there to protect the regular owners and exchangers from objects thrown during elite owner hissy fits. :D


When we were there in July it was extremely busy, and Fri., Sat., and Sun. had long check-in lines, so they were sending all owners to the Elite check in desk - the Elites weren't to crazy about being in line with all us peons, either! :D
 

Pedro

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When we were there in July it was extremely busy, and Fri., Sat., and Sun. had long check-in lines, so they were sending all owners to the Elite check in desk - the Elites weren't to crazy about being in line with all us peons, either! :D
I never noticed the lines for elites, and I was there in June. Is that something new?
 
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DeniseM

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I never noticed the lines for elites, and I was there in June. Is that something new?

It was a free standing podium on the right side of the lobby, just as you come in the door. It said Elite check-in on a plaque. It was there when we were there in July 2006.
 

Henry M.

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I didn't notice the Elite check-in desk last July until a couple of days after I arrived. It was only a podium right by the entrance and is easy to miss. It could pass for some sort of bellman or concierge stand.

I only noticed it when I was looking for a particular person and she happened to be standing at the podium a couple of days after my arrival. I don't recall seeing it in January of last year so perhaps it was brand new in early July.
 

DavidnRobin

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It was a free standing podium on the right side of the lobby, just as you come in the door. It said Elite check-in on a plaque. It was there when we were there in July 2006.

It was there in November - there was a bottle of DomP sitting on the podium (got my attention...).
 

myip

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Not a benefit

I am trying to make a President week 2008 reservation. I waited 15 minutes in elite telephone line but no answer. I have another line call directly to normal reservation at the same time. It got pick up in 10 minutes but the agent won't do the reservation because I am elite and transfer me to elite line. I have been waiting over 25 minutes and still noone answer.
 

Cathyb

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Denise: What are EOY (own only one week)Platinum owners at Rancho Mirage; are we 3 star Elite or what? We bought before all these fancy things happened and honestly haven't kept up on them. Thanks in advance!
 
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saluki

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Denise: What are EOY (own only one week)Platinum owners at Rancho Mirage; are we 3 star Elite or what? We bought before all these fancy things happened and honestly haven't kept up on them. Thanks in advance!

Here are the requirements for SVN Elite Status. emuyshondt posted the link earlier in this thread that shows the benefits.

3 Star Elite: Two-weeks or more of interval ownership with a combined value of 159,000 StarOptions

4 Star Elite: Interval ownership with a combined value of 359,000 StarOptions

5 Star Elite: Interval ownership with a combined value of 559,000 StarOptions
 

Pedro

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Here are the requirements for SVN Elite Status. emuyshondt posted the link earlier in this thread that shows the benefits.

3 Star Elite: Two-weeks or more of interval ownership with a combined value of 159,000 StarOptions

4 Star Elite: Interval ownership with a combined value of 359,000 StarOptions

5 Star Elite: Interval ownership with a combined value of 559,000 StarOptions
Keep in mind that EOY ownerships only count for half the value of Starpoints when relating to Elite status. A WMH platinum 2-br. L.O. ownership will result in 74,050 Starpoints rather than 148,100 for calculating your elite status.
 

Cathyb

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Thanks! Looks like the early bird that bought when the shovels were just starting to dig (and take the risks) gets deeper in the hole when Prioriity status is established. Thank you Starwood :(

Glad we own many other timeshares. Just returned from Marriott Phuket!!!
 

formerhater

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FYI- Called at 30 days (3*) out and no upgrade available. Called again about a week later and was upgraded from studio to 1BR at Ka'anapali.
 

nodge

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Hi Formerhater,

I see from another post that you are at WKORV right now. Please let us know what floor/view they put you in, and how much charm it took on check-in to get it.

Thanks,
-nodge
 

formerhater

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Fifth floor, ocean view, 1 BR in building 2 facing pool. Clear views of plenty of ocean. No charm needed.
 

ketamine

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Hi Formerhater,

I unsuccessfully tried to upgrade at 30 days, 15 days, and 7 days before our departure date,


We are 3* with 2BR LO Deluxe Island View at WKORV (purchased before building was up). For 2 years now we have stayed in the large 1 bedroom. Since there is no larger room to upgrade to we have asked (no begged) tp upgrade view with a res booked 11.5 months out. NEVER been successful so for us the upgrade is of no value..I didn't throw a hissy in the lobby this past January but I was sure disappointed. :(

We have tried to upgrade our view but buying up but have been told there is not enough $$ differential to do it. We are not happy about this.:( :(

Dr K
 

oneohana

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We are 3* with 2BR LO Deluxe Island View at WKORV (purchased before building was up). For 2 years now we have stayed in the large 1 bedroom. Since there is no larger room to upgrade to we have asked (no begged) tp upgrade view with a res booked 11.5 months out. NEVER been successful so for us the upgrade is of no value.

When were you there? Was the resort full?
 

ketamine

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When were you there? Was the resort full?

I guess i know where you're going on this ....yes the resort was full And it Was late January. However my point was that for all we brought to the table; owners; early reservation (11.5 mo out); 3* elite and unable to upgrade to a larger room since we were already there, the advantage all those things are supposed to give, added up to look as if we had none of those. IOW's, nada, nothin', zip!!

I guess we'll just have to solve this another way.
 
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