Vistana Exchange Strategy Needed

[CPNY]

This helps answer one of my questions to CPNY...
But in addition to the size upgrade (to move from Studio to 1 bd), didn't you have to pay an exchange fee of close to $249? If not, were you exchanging through Abound?

There is no upgrade fee in interval if you're exchanging a small one bedroom Vistana unit to a large one bedroom. Most Vistana small side of a lockout is a true one bedroom, not a studio. So you are exchanging a 1 bedroom for a 1 bedroom. The way to tell the difference is by the kitchen, a large one bedroom will have a K (for full kitchen) and the small one bedroom will have an LK in the icon indicating its a limited kitchen. At WKV both sides of the two bedroom lockoff are considered 1 bedroom units.

 

[TravelAmore]

when was the last time you tried exchanging in interval with your WKV week? Either way, as long as you're exchanging in interval a large one bedroom and getting a large one bedroom and not the smaller side then it's a wash. I would still check interval as often as you can. you may be able to reserve a year out instead of waiting 8 months.

Never! This is my first....and maybe my last experience NOT using my EOY ODD WKV in an odd year. Very first time....
The original owner had banked some points, forgotten about them, and Vistana allowed her to pass them along to me in my year of purchase (2020). It was near the end of the year, so I used them with staff help to book a week in Palm Desert @ WDW. That was my first experience doing a within Vistana system "exchange". Otherwise, we've used our week every other year.

Just read CPNY's additional post: GREAT to know about Vistana small bedrooms exchanging for 1 bedrooms in Interval w/o paying a unit upgrade fee. That's clearly an advantage. Dioxide mentioned the ability to see and exchange his Marriott studio for a 1 bedroom and in that case there is a $249 exchange fee in addition to the unit-size upgrade fee (except it seems there's an Interval promo going on NOW through June 28, 2026, allowing for a "free unit-size upgrade".

So CPNY, what you seem to be saying is there is NOT a fee to exchange my Vistana unit in Interval for another Vistana unit - and, an additional advantage may be that I am able to reserve further out than 8 months! Sound correct?
I will definitely begin regularly checking Interval for WLR. Thanks!

 

[CPNY]

Never! This is my first....and maybe my last experience NOT using my EOY ODD WKV in an odd year. Very first time....
The original owner had banked some points, forgotten about them, and Vistana allowed her to pass them along to me in my year of purchase (2020). It was near the end of the year, so I used them with staff help to book a week in Palm Desert @ WDW. That was my first experience doing a within Vistana system "exchange". Otherwise, we've used our week every other year.

Since you purchased prior to August 2022, you are enrolled in abound (assuming you didn't ask to be unenrolled). Because you are enrolled in Abound, you will get free interval exchanges when exchanging into a Marriott or Vistana property. You also get free re trades, so if something else comes available such as a larger unit, a different resort, or different date you can re trade for free. This changed in 2022 with the creation of the Abound program.

Dont be so sure it's your last. You may come across a great unit in interval that you just might want to exchange into! Maybe you want to exchange into a Disney resort, another marriott, a location you dont have enough Star Options for but it's available in interval.

 

[dioxide45]

This helps answer one of my questions to CPNY...
But in addition to the size upgrade (to move from Studio to 1 bd), didn't you have to pay an exchange fee of close to $249? If not, were you exchanging through Abound?

Abound enrolled Marriott to Vistana, so $0 exchange fee. We even figured out about 30 minutes later that we wanted a different date so we actually retraded, for $0.

 

[TravelAmore]

CPNY and Dioxide45
This has been a GREAT conversation and learning experience for me. Makes some sections of those dry rules and policy documents I tried to digest on my own come to life! Puts many TUG posts into context!

I cannot thank you enough!!

 

[BRF]

In my short experience of trying to book using Star options, Lagunamar seems very easy to get within the 8 month timeframe

 

[TravelAmore]

Reviving this discussion to ask a date clarifying question. Some may note on a separate thread I asked about the current lock-off fee (because I’d been charged twice to lock-off my my Marriott DSV1 2 bedroom villa: once when I reserved the 1 bdrm and again when I reserved the “guest studio unit”. I contacted Owner Services via email, as they were closed at the time. This was in late August. Owner Services got back to me via email - first apologized for the delay. They are refunding the second lock-off fee charged. Additionally, in my email the rep noted I have the WKV ownership with 81,000 StarOptions in 2027 yet to be utilized. As a “reminder” it was mentioned if I plan to elect my 2027 Use Year as Club Points (in Abound) I needed to elect to do so by September 30, 2026.
Does this also mean if my plan is to deposit /exchange through Interval that it must be done by that date, as well??

 

[dioxide45]

Reviving this discussion to ask a date clarifying question. Some may note on a separate thread I asked about the current lock-off fee (because I’d been charged twice to lock-off my my Marriott DSV1 2 bedroom villa: once when I reserved the 1 bdrm and again when I reserved the “guest studio unit”. I contacted Owner Services via email, as they were closed at the time. This was in late August. Owner Services got back to me via email - first apologized for the delay. They are refunding the second lock-off fee charged. Additionally, in my email the rep noted I have the WKV ownership with 81,000 StarOptions in 2027 yet to be utilized. As a “reminder” it was mentioned if I plan to elect my 2027 Use Year as Club Points (in Abound) I needed to elect to do so by September 30, 2026.
Does this also mean if my plan is to deposit /exchange through Interval that it must be done by that date, as well??

No, they are saying if you want to elect Club Points you must do it by September 30th. You have until December 31, 2027 to deposit WKV 2027 use year into II.