Vistana Waitlist

[sdtugger]

I am working on a 7 night Westin Kaanapali stay where I am missing availability for 1 night. I made a waitlist request for that night. (I also made a backup reservation for availability at the north side--but, I'd love not to have to move). I am now about 3 weeks away from the 60 day checkin. My question is whether there is any hope for the waitlist? I've tried to read everything that I can find about the waitlist on TUG. There are mixed reviews, but they are all a bit dated. I'd appreciate any insights into whether I should still hope that the one night will become available?

I've had several Hawaii waitlists cleared on the Abound side before. In fact, it appears that Marriott may go look for inventory in other places to fulfill waitlist request. I have had particularly good luck with 1-3 day requests relatively close to the time of checkin where there is no availability in Abound. My request here is similar. But, I have no experience with the Vistana waitlist. In short, is there any hope? Thanks

 

[ljmiii]

I am working on a 7 night Westin Kaanapali stay where I am missing availability for 1 night. I made a waitlist request for that night...

That's...interesting. In the past I was told by MVC CSRs that they can't do waitlist requests for the ex-Vistana resorts (I employed the HUCA maneuver as I often do when presented with such opinions). If I might ask, when did you place your waitlist request?

That said and to answer your question, I've had MVC/Abound waitlists hit about half a dozen times...but have never tried for more than one or two nights.

 

[sdtugger]

Thank you. This is a vistana waitlist using staroptions, not abound points. I have also had abound waitlists clear. I am wondering if star option waitlists work the same way?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

If you are on the waiting list and it becomes available can you cancel it if it doesn't work anymore?

 

[sdtugger]

I have learned a few things about the Vistana waitlist so far:

1. It is only available if you are chairman or presidential
2. You can only request a room size. There is no place to officially request a view, etc. However, they can put notes in the waitlist request stating a specific view.
3. If you want a specific view that is not available, but a different view in the size you want is available, they can't make a waitlist request because the system doesn't allow them to request a specific view. For example, if you want an ocean view 2 bedroom and there is an island view 2 bedroom available, they can't make a waitlist request because the system says there is a 2 bedroom available. In this instance, they can't add comments because the system will not allow them to create the waitlist request.

My remaining question is whether staroption waitlists typically are fulfilled? It would help me plan to know others' experience with the waitlist.

 

[Henry M.]

I've waitlisted and had the waitlist clear a couple of times, but that was a long time ago, pre Marriott acquisition, I believe.

 

[daviator]

I’ve had good luck with the Vistana waitlist. As others have said, it’s only for the top two tiers of ownership.

If the requested unit becomes available, they email you (and usually call you too) and you have something like 24 hours to call back and book it, otherwise it presumably goes back into inventory or to the next person waiting on the list.

”What are the odds the waitlist will come through for me?” is hard to answer, just depends on demand and whether someone with a booking at the time you are looking happens to cancel it, and whether their inventory is in the right “bucket” [VSN) to be available to you. As I said, I’m something like 4 for 5 on succeeding with waitlist requests but YMMV.

 

[remowidget]

How do you get onto the waitlist? Do you have to call?

 

[daviator]

How do you get onto the waitlist? Do you have to call?

Yes, you have to call. And unless they’ve changed it, it’s only available to owners at one of the elite OBLs, I.e. not the basic “owner” level.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes, you have to call. And unless they’ve changed it, it’s only available to owners at one of the elite OBLs, I.e. not the basic “owner” level.

Only Presidential and Chairman's Club can utilize waitlists.

 

[daviator]

Only Presidential and Chairman's Club can utilize waitlists.

I stand corrected, couldn’t remember for sure. Anyway I’ve had pretty good luck with them.