SVV Lockoff Exchange

[Christinejchae]

Hi, I just purchased a SVV 2bd lockoff plat season which gives me 95700 Staroptions. What's the best way to maximize my use if I want to travel to other places?
1) use the SO points to book within the vistana network?
2) exchange the 2 bed on II for another resort?
3) split the units and make two deposits to II

 

[Hindsite]

Any of the above will be good uses, depending on where you want to go and when, there isn't a 1 size fits all answer unfortunately.

If you wanted to go to Westin St John it would be best via SOs as there's generally no inventory in II.
If you want to go to a 2-bed MVC in Hawaii you stand the best chance with depositing a 2-bed in II and putting in a request +12 months ahead.
If you want to go to Orlando DVC you are out of luck completely due to the DVC Orlando regional block.
If you want to go to an MVC in orlando almost anytime you could lock off the unit and deposit each side and stand a good chance of getting 2-beds by paying the unit size upgrade fee.

With II, the trading power requirements of where you want to go, when and for what unit size will drive the decision on whether to deposit the 2-bed or the individual parts of the lock-off.

 

[dioxide45]

It depends. The StarOptions are a powerful booking tool that give you access to more Vistana inventory than you will find in Interval International. With Vistana in Interval, Vistana controls the deposits and you may not find certain peak weeks being deposited. So relying on II for 100% of your usage may not be a good option depending on when you want to travel. The good thing about the lock off is that you can use one 1BR in II and the other as StarOptoins. They aren't considered the best StarOption generator as they have higher fees than the 1BR or dedicated 2BR Prime seasons at Bella or Key West, but you can still get some great reservations with StarOptions.

One drawback to using II is, while annual membership is included, you will need to pay for the exchange fee ($199) whenever you do an exchange. StarOption bookings cost nothing. That said, you can probably get exchanges in II that would cost more StarOptions if you were to do a straight StarOption reservation.

 

[Christinejchae]

It depends. The StarOptions are a powerful booking tool that give you access to more Vistana inventory than you will find in Interval International. With Vistana in Interval, Vistana controls the deposits and you may not find certain peak weeks being deposited. So relying on II for 100% of your usage may not be a good option depending on when you want to travel. The good thing about the lock off is that you can use one 1BR in II and the other as StarOptoins. They aren't considered the best StarOption generator as they have higher fees than the 1BR or dedicated 2BR Prime seasons at Bella or Key West, but you can still get some great reservations with StarOptions.

One drawback to using II is, while annual membership is included, you will need to pay for the exchange fee ($199) whenever you do an exchange. StarOption bookings cost nothing. That said, you can probably get exchanges in II that would cost more StarOptions if you were to do a straight StarOption reservation.

Thank you for your response. Is there an exchange fee if I exchange to another Vistana property?

 

[Christinejchae]

Any of the above will be good uses, depending on where you want to go and when, there isn't a 1 size fits all answer unfortunately.

If you wanted to go to Westin St John it would be best via SOs as there's generally no inventory in II.
If you want to go to a 2-bed MVC in Hawaii you stand the best chance with depositing a 2-bed in II and putting in a request +12 months ahead.
If you want to go to Orlando DVC you are out of luck completely due to the DVC Orlando regional block.
If you want to go to an MVC in orlando almost anytime you could lock off the unit and deposit each side and stand a good chance of getting 2-beds by paying the unit size upgrade fee.

With II, the trading power requirements of where you want to go, when and for what unit size will drive the decision on whether to deposit the 2-bed or the individual parts of the lock-off.

Thank you, that's very helpful!

 

[dioxide45]

Thank you for your response. Is there an exchange fee if I exchange to another Vistana property?

Yes, if you just purchased (not enrolled in Abound) there is a $199 exchange fee when trading to Marriott and Vistana. $239 when trading into any other property.