Vistana Signature Experiences - Best Practices Requested

[The Colorado Kid]

Hi all - fairly new to timeshares and Vistana Signature Experiences. I know that every person owns and uses their timeshare portfolio in a highly personalized fashion so there are not any pat answers.

I am looking for general best practices to use our 81K annual Star Options most effectively. Due to our slow start in using the program we have about 175K SO's currently.

Home resorts are all Westin:
Riverfront
Kaanapali
Kaanapali North
Princeville
Nanea Ocean
Kierland
Mission Hills
Palm Desert

I sincerely do not want to waste anyone's time or expertise here if answers to these questions are easily found in the forums/TUG....but my current searching is bringing me nothing.

Does a Best Practices Guide / Pro Tips or FAQ document exist here on TUG for VSE?

I am going back through all the Vistana online resources but its a slog.

Really appreciate answers to any of these questions:

1) Using our Star Options in less than 7 day chunks enables us to take multiple smaller vacations than using them all for one week annually. Am I missing something important?

2) Looks like fairly significant restrictions exist on renting out any un-needed Star Options?

3) Can Star Options less than a full week's worth be rented?

3) Purchasing additional resale Star Options for our portfolio is possible but we need to purchase from specific home resort locations to ensure the SO's we buy are fully usable for us?

4) Are resale Star Option's we purchase put into our existing VSE account or is another account started?

5) Does it even make sense to purchase additional resale Star Options due to the accompanying MF's?

6) What are best practices/Pro Tips on how to manage MF's?

7) Are VSN Select/Escapes a good use of our Star Options?

8) What are the main differences between Kaanapali and Kaanapali North resorts?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom!

Vince

 

[jabberwocky]

Hi all - fairly new to timeshares and Vistana Signature Experiences. I know that every person owns and uses their timeshare portfolio in a highly personalized fashion so there are not any pat answers.

I am looking for general best practices to use our 81K annual Star Options most effectively. Due to our slow start in using the program we have about 175K SO's currently.

Home resorts are all Westin:
Riverfront
Kaanapali
Kaanapali North
Princeville
Nanea Ocean
Kierland
Mission Hills
Palm Desert

I sincerely do not want to waste anyone's time or expertise here if answers to these questions are easily found in the forums/TUG....but my current searching is bringing me nothing.

Does a Best Practices Guide / Pro Tips or FAQ document exist here on TUG for VSE?

I am going back through all the Vistana online resources but its a slog.

Really appreciate answers to any of these questions:

1) Using our Star Options in less than 7 day chunks enables us to take multiple smaller vacations than using them all for one week annually. Am I missing something important?

2) Looks like fairly significant restrictions exist on renting out any un-needed Star Options?

3) Can Star Options less than a full week's worth be rented?

3) Purchasing additional resale Star Options for our portfolio is possible but we need to purchase from specific home resort locations to ensure the SO's we buy are fully usable for us?

4) Are resale Star Option's we purchase put into our existing VSE account or is another account started?

5) Does it even make sense to purchase additional resale Star Options due to the accompanying MF's?

6) What are best practices/Pro Tips on how to manage MF's?

7) Are VSN Select/Escapes a good use of our Star Options?

8) What are the main differences between Kaanapali and Kaanapali North resorts?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom!

Vince

Do you own Westin Flex? I take it from the resorts you’ve listed that you do.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Do you own Westin Flex? I take it from the resorts you’ve listed that you do.

Yes Westin Flex

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Yes Westin Flex

If this also matters:
VILLA TYPE
FLOATING
USE RIGHTS
ANNUAL FLOAT
VSN MEMBER
YES

 

[The Colorado Kid]

When booking for example a stay at the Westin Kaanapali Villas - same date and number of days comes up with varying number of required Star Options....is this due to the higher Star Options options (ha) having a better view or what?

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Curious if anyone has been able to get an upgrade close to arrival or at check-in to a higher villa style for the same amount of star options?

Best ideas on how to guarantee a certain view prior to arrival?

 

[vacationtime1]

At WKORV it could be unit size (studio vs. one bedroom) or view (ocean front vs. everything else).

 

[jabberwocky]

The best use of Westin Flex is to book your home resort 8-12 months in advance (they are called HomeOptions at that point). You will have priority over others in the VSN system. In contrast to a traditional week you can book a partial week or have your vacation start on any day of the week.

At the 8 month mark your HomeOptions become StarOptions. They can be banked (which it sounds like you’ve done) or you can use them to book at one of the non-home resorts (eg Sheraton’s or WSJ or Lagunamar in Mexico).

I’d suggest you start here to read up on the system. It is a good one but will take some learning. Once you’ve read through feel free to ask any remaining questions.
https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/v...inding-4-flex-options-5-villa-descrip.205516/

 

[jabberwocky]

Curious if anyone has been able to get an upgrade close to arrival or at check-in to a higher villa style for the same amount of star options?

Best ideas on how to guarantee a certain view prior to arrival?

Room assignments are given based on the time stamp of your reservation. Those who reserve first get the most desirable rooms. Elite status and cash bribes generally won’t get you anywhere.

you can usually put in a request with your reservation if you have some specific requirements (ie ground floor units or a particular phase). In general they have tried to accommodate as much as possible but there are no guarantees.

The only way to guarantee a view at some resorts is to book into that particular view category (OF at WKORV for example).

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Room assignments are given based on the time stamp of your reservation. Those who reserve first get the most desirable rooms. Elite status and cash bribes generally won’t get you anywhere.

you can usually put in a request with your reservation if you have some specific requirements (ie ground floor units or a particular phase). In general they have tried to accommodate as much as possible but there are no guarantees.

The only way to guarantee a view at some resorts is to book into that particular view category (OF at WKORV for example).

Thanks much....when I am booking I don't recall seeing a category choice....maybe i don't have the right status ha!

 

[The Colorado Kid]

The best use of Westin Flex is to book your home resort 8-12 months in advance (they are called HomeOptions at that point). You will have priority over others in the VSN system. In contrast to a traditional week you can book a partial week or have your vacation start on any day of the week.

At the 8 month mark your HomeOptions become StarOptions. They can be banked (which it sounds like you’ve done) or you can use them to book at one of the non-home resorts (eg Sheraton’s or WSJ or Lagunamar in Mexico).

I’d suggest you start here to read up on the system. It is a good one but will take some learning. Once you’ve read through feel free to ask any remaining questions.
https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/v...inding-4-flex-options-5-villa-descrip.205516/

Thanks much appreciate it!

 

[bobpark56]

Hi all - fairly new to timeshares and Vistana Signature Experiences. I know that every person owns and uses their timeshare portfolio in a highly personalized fashion so there are not any pat answers.

I am looking for general best practices to use our 81K annual Star Options most effectively. Due to our slow start in using the program we have about 175K SO's currently.

Home resorts are all Westin:
Riverfront
Kaanapali
Kaanapali North
Princeville
Nanea Ocean
Kierland
Mission Hills
Palm Desert

I sincerely do not want to waste anyone's time or expertise here if answers to these questions are easily found in the forums/TUG....but my current searching is bringing me nothing.

Does a Best Practices Guide / Pro Tips or FAQ document exist here on TUG for VSE?

I am going back through all the Vistana online resources but its a slog.

Really appreciate answers to any of these questions:

1) Using our Star Options in less than 7 day chunks enables us to take multiple smaller vacations than using them all for one week annually. Am I missing something important?

2) Looks like fairly significant restrictions exist on renting out any un-needed Star Options?

3) Can Star Options less than a full week's worth be rented?

3) Purchasing additional resale Star Options for our portfolio is possible but we need to purchase from specific home resort locations to ensure the SO's we buy are fully usable for us?

4) Are resale Star Option's we purchase put into our existing VSE account or is another account started?

5) Does it even make sense to purchase additional resale Star Options due to the accompanying MF's?

6) What are best practices/Pro Tips on how to manage MF's?

7) Are VSN Select/Escapes a good use of our Star Options?

8) What are the main differences between Kaanapali and Kaanapali North resorts?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom!

Vince

For us, the best practice has been to use 79,200 StarOptions for 13-night off-season stays in a 1BR unit at Westin Lagunamar. January has worked well for us, but we are going to try December this year.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

For us, the best practice has been to use 79,200 StarOptions for 13-night off-season stays in a 1BR unit at Westin Lagunamar. January has worked well for us, but we are going to try December this year.

Nice! So you parlay the one week into really 2 weeks due to the off-season?

 

[bobpark56]

Nice! So you parlay the one week into really 2 weeks due to the off-season?

Yes...with a Sunday start and Saturday end (to avoid a high-priced Sat night stay).

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Yes...with a Sunday start and Saturday end (to avoid a high-priced Sat night stay).

Thanks! These are exactly the kind of pro-tips I am looking for....much appreciated!

 

[controller1]

Thanks much....when I am booking I don't recall seeing a category choice....maybe i don't have the right status ha!

When you book 12-8 months out you typically won't see different categories or views since you will be booking in your Home Resort Period and typically
Westin Flex has only one view in their portfolio. When you book at 8-0 months out you may find different views, such as OceanFront, available. If you have enough StarOptions for that view you are able to book it.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

When you book 12-8 months out you typically won't see different categories or views since you will be booking in your Home Resort Period and typically
Westin Flex has only one view in their portfolio. When you book at 8-0 months out you may find different views, such as OceanFront, available. If you have enough StarOptions for that view you are able to book it.

Thanks much!

 

[bogey21]

The only way I know to guarantee a view is to buy Fixed Weeks/Fixed Units. I not only did this bybuying Weeks at a number of Independent HOA Controlled Resorts but also at Marriott Monarch when I bought my Crown Suite Week. But I think the other Monarch Fixed Weeks are also Fixed Units...

George

 

[The Colorado Kid]

The only way I know to guarantee a view is to buy Fixed Weeks/Fixed Units. I not only did this bybuying Weeks at a number of Independent HOA Controlled Resorts but also at Marriott Monarch when I bought my Crown Suite Week. But I think the other Monarch Fixed Weeks are also Fixed Units...

George

Thanks so much!

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Hi Vistana TUGgers!

Learning as much as I can about using resales to add to our Vistana Star Options Portfolio (SOfolio!)

Since there are weeks assigned, would the SO's be restricted in any way for my use?

Looking for opinions on this one on eBay:

148,100 Star Options Harborside Resort Atlantis I Timeshare Bahamas Week 14
Harborside Resort Atlantis I
Usage Annual 2 bed lock off Platinum
Float Unit: 2 bedroom 2 bath, sleeps 8, Lock Off, Full Kitchen
Worth 148,100 StarOptions
Float week: 1-17 & 50-52 Platinum Season
$3,236.20 Annually January 1st

148,100 Star Options Harborside Resort Atlantis I Timeshare Bahamas Week 14 | eBay

Harborside Resort Atlantis I. It also features one of the world's largest marine habitats and the famous Mayan Temple waterslide. Harborside Resort at Atlantis Phase II. Float week: 1-17 & 50-52 Platinum Season.

www.ebay.com

 

[CPNY]

Hi Vistana TUGgers!

Learning as much as I can about using resales to add to our Vistana Star Options Portfolio (SOfolio!)

Since there are weeks assigned, would the SO's be restricted in any way for my use?

Looking for opinions on this one on eBay:

148,100 Star Options Harborside Resort Atlantis I Timeshare Bahamas Week 14
Harborside Resort Atlantis I
Usage Annual 2 bed lock off Platinum
Float Unit: 2 bedroom 2 bath, sleeps 8, Lock Off, Full Kitchen
Worth 148,100 StarOptions
Float week: 1-17 & 50-52 Platinum Season
$3,236.20 Annually January 1st

148,100 Star Options Harborside Resort Atlantis I Timeshare Bahamas Week 14 | eBay

Harborside Resort Atlantis I. It also features one of the world's largest marine habitats and the famous Mayan Temple waterslide. Harborside Resort at Atlantis Phase II. Float week: 1-17 & 50-52 Platinum Season.

www.ebay.com

Maint fee ratio
3236 / 148100 = 0.0218

If you purchased (2) SVV key west 2 bedroom platinum units
Maint fee for both 2400 / 162000 SO = 0.0148 per star option.

you’re missing the fact that it’s insanely expensive at harborside resort. If you want 148,100 SO, WKV 2 bedroom (even buying I’m at 10K) will even out in a few short years is a better option.

or

lower SVV purchase price (compared to WKV) but less cost per MF per SO. I would only recommend buying HRA IF that’s where you want to go every year.

 

[controller1]

I would only recommend buying HRA IF that’s where you want to go every year.

This!

 

[CPNY]

Since there are weeks assigned, would the SO's be restricted in any way for my use?

weeks are assigned for deeded purposes only in many cases. In HRA phase 1 and some phase 2 (if the contract was up this way) there are fixed/float ownerships. It means at 12-10 Mo you confirm your deeded week. 10-8 mo you can float in your season with other season owners. At 8 mo the star options can be used anywhere in network like everyone else.

most phase 2 with the exception of the ones I just mentioned were set up at floating units. At 12-8 Mo you can book any week in your season. At 8 Mo they can be used within network.

as long as youre purchasing a mandatory resort which HRA is, the star option usage is the same for you as it was the original owner.

again, look for an alternate mandatory resort. The maint fee here is very high. Unless you want to go there every year, you’ll be paying for it !

 

[DannyTS]

Also if I am not mistaken the transfer processes is costly and the resort is not hard to book with Staroptions so you can just book with cheaper alternatives

 

[CPNY]

Also if I am not mistaken the transfer processes is costly and the resort is not hard to book with Staroptions so you can just book with cheaper alternatives

That’s right. 7 trillion dollars haha. Seriously, over 1500 just for the Bahamian lawyer to sign off on the deed! @The Colorado Kid; the closing, transfer and Bahamian lawyer fee is being PAID BY THE SELLER. That should tell you all you need to Know!