• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

SVV Mandatory Resales - now considered unauthorized - Westin Flex as well?

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
Obviously I haven't been paying close enough attention to Abound changes.

Can someone verify my understanding from what I was told by Vistana chat today, buying a Sheraton Vistana Villages mandatory ownership resale is considered unauthorized and StarOptions would not transfer, and only use would be at that specific SVV property?

I logged in again and asked a second chat agent:
(3/27/2023, 2:46:27 PM): Hi I am buying a Sheraton Vistana Villages Bella phase from a current owner.
Will I have use at other Sheraton properties?
Silvina (3/27/2023, 2:47:33 PM): When you purchase externally you will be able to use the property that you are purchasing only.
 
Last edited:

vacationtime1

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
5,159
Reaction score
2,750
Points
649
Location
San Francisco
Resorts Owned
WKORV-OF (Maui)
WKV x2 (Scottsdale)
Did they specify which SVV section? Two are mandatory (Bella and Key West); the others never were.

Westin Flex has always been voluntary.
 

daviator

TUG Member
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
1,346
Reaction score
1,188
Points
373
Location
San Francisco, CA
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKORVN, WDW, Westin FLEX, Marriott's MOC, Abound (Trust) Points
Mandatory resales are still going to give you access to VSN. But they may not (probably won't) give you access to Abound unless they are requalified by making an additional developer purchase.
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
Did they specify which SVV section? Two are mandatory (Bella and Key West); the others never were.

Westin Flex has always been voluntary.
I asked that specifically and here was her answer:
Debbie (3/27/2023, 1:44:40 PM): If Un-Authorized Reslae at a Mandatory property and purchased before September 2023, you would be enrolled into the VSN and Abound by Marriott Vacation. After September 2023, you would not have access to Abount by Mariott Vacations.
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
Mandatory resales are still going to give you access to VSN. But they may not (probably won't) give you access to Abound unless they are requalified by making an additional developer purchase.
@daviator Maybe I didn't ask her the right questions? This is what she said...do you still feel mandatory would get me VSN?
Debbie (3/27/2023, 1:44:40 PM): If Un-Authorized Reslae at a Mandatory property and purchased before September 2023, you would be enrolled into the VSN and Abound by Marriott Vacation. After September 2023, you would not have access to Abount by Mariott Vacations.
 

daviator

TUG Member
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
1,346
Reaction score
1,188
Points
373
Location
San Francisco, CA
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKORVN, WDW, Westin FLEX, Marriott's MOC, Abound (Trust) Points
I asked that specifically and here was her answer:
Debbie (3/27/2023, 1:44:40 PM): If Un-Authorized Reslae at a Mandatory property and purchased before September 2023, you would be enrolled into the VSN and Abound by Marriott Vacation. After September 2023, you would not have access to Abount by Mariott Vacations.
September 2023? Not 2022? If that's accurate, then it's open season on mandatory resales through this August. But I am pretty sure the qualifying date was August 9, 2022 or something like that.
 

WatsonC2

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2017
Messages
150
Reaction score
75
Points
139
Resorts Owned
Sheraton Vistana Villages, Wyndham Grand Desert
I asked that specifically and here was her answer:
Debbie (3/27/2023, 1:44:40 PM): If Un-Authorized Reslae at a Mandatory property and purchased before September 2023, you would be enrolled into the VSN and Abound by Marriott Vacation. After September 2023, you would not have access to Abount by Mariott Vacations.
Looks correct. Note she did not say you would not have access to VSN, just abound. As previously said only Bella and Key West are mandatory at SVV...
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
Looks correct. Note she did not say you would not have access to VSN, just abound. As previously said only Bella and Key West are mandatory at SVV...
@WatsonC2 I hope you are correct...in other parts of the chat I asked her more simply if I could use the SVV mandatory to book other Sheratons and Westins and she said no...only home resort.
 

daviator

TUG Member
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
1,346
Reaction score
1,188
Points
373
Location
San Francisco, CA
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKORVN, WDW, Westin FLEX, Marriott's MOC, Abound (Trust) Points
@daviator Maybe I didn't ask her the right questions? This is what she said...do you still feel mandatory would get me VSN?
Debbie (3/27/2023, 1:44:40 PM): If Un-Authorized Reslae at a Mandatory property and purchased before September 2023, you would be enrolled into the VSN and Abound by Marriott Vacation. After September 2023, you would not have access to Abount by Mariott Vacations.
You should still have VSN, it's in the deed, that's why those properties are mandatory. If MVC could take that away, they'd have done it years ago. But Abound is essentially voluntary for all properties, so no new resales will have access to Abound unless they are later requalified.

But as others have noted, SVV is only mandatory for certain phases. If you buy in one of the voluntary phases, you probably wouldn't have VSN or Abound.
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
47,354
Reaction score
18,914
Points
1,299
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
I asked that specifically and here was her answer:
Debbie (3/27/2023, 1:44:40 PM): If Un-Authorized Reslae at a Mandatory property and purchased before September 2023, you would be enrolled into the VSN and Abound by Marriott Vacation. After September 2023, you would not have access to Abount by Mariott Vacations.
THis looks to be a correct statement based on my understanding. The weeks would have VSN membership, but not Abound. Even with VSN membership, they still consider them unqualified.
 

daviator

TUG Member
Joined
May 8, 2011
Messages
1,346
Reaction score
1,188
Points
373
Location
San Francisco, CA
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKORVN, WDW, Westin FLEX, Marriott's MOC, Abound (Trust) Points
@vacationtime1 I though Westin Kierland was mandatory?
Westin Flex is voluntary, so if you buy resale, you can only access the properties that are considered home resorts for Westin Flex, and only the inventory that's in the Westin Flex trust. At some properties, like WKV, the only inventory in the Westin Flex trust is the leftovers, mostly mud weeks in the spring and Fall. It's not the same as owning a deeded week at WKV.
 

grrrah

Guest
Joined
Jul 11, 2018
Messages
219
Reaction score
85
Points
88
Resorts Owned
Westin Nanea
SVV - Key West
@WatsonC2 I hope you are correct...in other parts of the chat I asked her more simply if I could use the SVV mandatory to book other Sheratons and Westins and she said no...only home resort.
She can say no based on the way you asked the question.. And her response will be "No you can't book them (silently meaning through Abound)". You and her both know you meant through VSN, but those are the extreme truth stretching that they use and can defend themselves down the line if needed.
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
She can say no based on the way you asked the question.. And her response will be "No you can't book them (silently meaning through Abound)". You and her both know you meant through VSN, but those are the extreme truth stretching that they use and can defend themselves down the line if needed.
I asked a second chat agent:

(3/27/2023, 2:46:27 PM): Hi I am buying a Sheraton Vistana Villages Bella phase from a current owner.
Will I have use at other Sheraton properties?
Silvina (3/27/2023, 2:47:33 PM): When you purchase externally you will be able to use the property that you are purchasing only.
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
47,354
Reaction score
18,914
Points
1,299
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
YOu are getting very generic responses from front line reps who don't fully understand the nuances of VSN mandatory. What you need to ask, If you think you must, is "if I purchase a VSN mandatory VOI from a current owner, will I be able to reserve other Sheraton and Westin resorts at eight months using StarOptions". They may get that one right, but I suspect they won't.
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
YOu are getting very generic responses from front line reps who don't fully understand the nuances of VSN mandatory. What you need to ask, If you think you must, is "if I purchase a VSN mandatory VOI from a current owner, will I be able to reserve other Sheraton and Westin resorts at eight months using StarOptions". They may get that one right, but I suspect they won't.
@dioxide45 Thanks much...I'd like to add resale SVV Bella/KeyWest phases to my Flex...specifically to use at Westins...but I don't want to risk being restricted to use just at those resorts if I am misunderstanding a recent change. Many owners who are selling also have no idea what is currently allowed.
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch

DavidnRobin

TUG Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
11,812
Reaction score
2,224
Points
698
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Resorts Owned
WKORV OFD (Maui)
WPORV (Kauai)
WSJ-VGV (St. John)
WKV (Scottsdale)
Problem is that often people are unaware of what they actually own vs. what they think they own.
e.g. buying Westin Flex while at WKORV, and think that you own WKORV when you own available WFlex inventory at multiple WVC resorts.

It’s quite simple:
Did you buy Vistana Mandatory resale prior to Aug9’22?
Good for you.
Was it Platinum?
Excellent!

Others?
You are/were screwed by MVC



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
47,354
Reaction score
18,914
Points
1,299
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
@dioxide45 Thanks much...I'd like to add resale SVV Bella/KeyWest phases to my Flex...specifically to use at Westins...but I don't want to risk being restricted to use just at those resorts if I am misunderstanding a recent change. Many owners who are selling also have no idea what is currently allowed.
The only thing that may make it hard to combine with your Flex is that Vistana isn't necessarily combining accounts. So it might make things messy.
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
47,354
Reaction score
18,914
Points
1,299
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
What we have found is that sometimes a mandatory VOI will get transferred and show VSN=No. That may or may not update within a few days. That said, we have found that Vistana fixes the issue when challenged.
 

The Colorado Kid

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
1,382
Reaction score
873
Points
173
Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
The only thing that may make it hard to combine with your Flex is that Vistana isn't necessarily combining accounts. So it might make things messy.
Thanks I have figured out how to work with that...do you feel that there has NOT been a change then to the mandatory property rules? Just gathering opinions...not sure how to actually verify before a purchase.
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
47,354
Reaction score
18,914
Points
1,299
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
Thanks I have figured out how to work with that...do you feel that there has NOT been a change then to the mandatory property rules? Just gathering opinions...not sure how to actually verify before a purchase.
I don't beleive there has been any change to mandatory VSN membership rules. VSN mandatory rules are actually even written into the Abound rules and FAQ. Mandatory still matters and you will get StarOptions at 8 months.
 

jabberwocky

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2016
Messages
2,829
Reaction score
2,583
Points
348
Resorts Owned
SVR, SDO, WKORV-N, Westin Flex, HGVC (BLVD)
The term “Un-authorized” has been used to describe any resale, this was true even pre-MVC.

I looked back at one of my reports that I snuck a picture of in the summer of 2022, our resales are all tagged as “un-authorized”, even though one was a mandatory (not requalified) and the other was a voluntary unit that we did requalify with a Flex purchase. All of our units were in VSN pre-08/09 of last year - so Abound eligible.

The agents likely don’t know what is going on with VSN - there is no incentive to be trained in selling it anymore. The word unauthorized sounds scary enough that I’m sure they have gotten a lot of people to drop big dollars to make it “authorized.”
 
Top