Westin St John [Master Thread] - Part 2 (June 2014 and forward)

[DavidnRobin]

Interesting. The rep told me that they will not allow bookings before 12 months. And, she said it is supposed to autobook. After that, I had to call before 10 months to confirm. Calling before 10 months has always been SOP I believe.

Your approach about waiting to book (or confirm booking right before 10 months) seems like a good idea. I will give that a try.

Did you ever ask if the unit is suppose to autobook? I know you cannot trust the reps because you can get different answers from each of them.

As said - They have booked my week 16-18 months out, but only when they asked if I wanted to book.
10 months is the last chance to call (supposedly 14 months is soonest)

 

[DavidnRobin]

On a related note, has anyone tried to drop a night from their fixed week/unit resie. I was told that if you do this, you could end up in a different unit.

What does this mean - drop a night and get SOs back?
That would become a SVN exchange... dropping your week and getting 6 days.

Otherwise - just come in day late or leave day late...

 

[GrayFal]

Has anyone experienced problems not getting you VGV reservations auto booked 365 days before check in.

Mine did not get booked this year and I had to call. Owner's resolutions is looking into into. Last year it was booked 18 months before.

Mine has never auto-booked, but it has been booked by me at 16-18 months out a few times when I have called OS for other things.

In the future (2017...), I am not going to book until 10 months out (last day) - because... as I understand it - once officially reserved and then unreserved (for whatever reason...), it cannot be gotten back - even if that occurs prior to the 10-month mark.
As example - If I reserve our weeks (wk23-24) at 14 months, then plans my change at 12 months and I want to try and use SOs for a SVN exchange, but change my mind (SO reservation cannot be made), then try and get my weeks (wk23-24) back - I cannot because they were effectively surrendered. If I wait for 10 months, then I retain my flexibility to reserve or use SOs.
YMMV
At least that is how I understand it.

It does not "auto-book" but it is/was there at 18 months out and you had to click on a link to confirm it. You did not need to call in, it was just there waiting for you to confirm the Resie.

When I look at "Your Upcoming Stays" my February 2017 is not listed as it was last year by this time. This is definitely a change since the switch away from My Star Central to Starwood Vacatiin Network/Dashboard website.

Agree about not needing to confirm until right before the 10 month mark -keeps all options open. However, once I have my airfare, I would confirm.

 

[Helios]

What does this mean - drop a night and get SOs back?
That would become a SVN exchange... dropping your week and getting 6 days.

Otherwise - just come in day late or leave day late...

If you have a 7 night resie, and call to make it a 6 night resie. So your interpretation is correct. It would be and SVN exchange. But, how about if you do this when the whole place is fully booked. Shouldn't they just leave you in your unit. Of course, this is hypothetical, why would you reduce your stay there?

 

[Helios]

It does not "auto-book" but it is/was there at 18 months out and you had to click on a link to confirm it. You did not need to call in, it was just there waiting for you to confirm the Resie.

When I look at "Your Upcoming Stays" my February 2017 is not listed as it was last year by this time. This is definitely a change since the switch away from My Star Central to Starwood Vacatiin Network/Dashboard website.

Agree about not needing to confirm until right before the 10 month mark -keeps all options open. However, once I have my airfare, I would confirm.

The link, or the ability to reserve my unit, was not there for me this year. In fact, it is still not there and I am within the 1 year window now. If I look for my unit check in, I get no availability.

 

[GrayFal]

The link, or the ability to reserve my unit, was not there for me this year. In fact, it is still not there and I am within the 1 year window now. If I look for my unit check in, I get no availability.

Well that is NOT good. Thanks for the heads up, I will look for your update.

 

[Helios]

Well that is NOT good. Thanks for the heads up, I will look for your update.

Rep said I would hear from them by tomorrow. We'll see...

 

[Markus]

Confirmation button

Mine were all there about 13 months before check in.

Mark

 

[DavidnRobin]

It does not "auto-book" but it is/was there at 18 months out and you had to click on a link to confirm it. You did not need to call in, it was just there waiting for you to confirm the Resie.

Sorry - confused - what link are you talking about?
On the online booking? That has not really existed that long - especially when you add the 18 month lead time.
Or is there some other link?

Regardless - I have previously made mine far in advance, and the recent ones have shown up on MSC as upcoming. In the future, I will be calling to confirm at 10 months (+1 day) so in case plans change - I will not inadvertently lose my weeks - even when I have my airline tix which I get 331 days in advance when using FF miles).

Not sure why there is a concern that 2017 reservations haven't shown - it is still 2015. Officially, it is only suppose to be 10-14 months for fixed weeks (according to OM). The 16-18 months prior so were just done because they can.

 

[Helios]

Well that is NOT good. Thanks for the heads up, I will look for your update.

Here is the update.

This AM I got a resie for a 3BD for 10 people (196,900 SOs) without a reference of my unit number. I called to ask about missing villa in resie. Was told that my building is going through renovations during the fall and that's why the villa was not show. After pushing agent, I was assured that I would get a pool villa for 10 people, which means I would get a villa with two bedrooms upstairs (because other pool villas accommodate 8 people). Based on the SOs, I knew I was supposed to be in VG (as opposed to CV or BV). So I dropped the issue.

Fast forward to this afternoon. I call for another issue with a HRA resie. Issue was fixed after 3 calls, even though I am anoyed I will call it a victory. I asked about the Pool Villa resie, rep called his supervisor who confirmed resie should indicate my villa number. They will follow up on this and revise resie.

Rep confirmed that resies for VGV are supposed to autobook at 12 months (not before 12 months as in the old days). Owners need to confirm between 12 months and 10 months.

 

[Helios]

Mine were all there about 13 months before check in.

Mark

Apparently things have changed, autobook will happen at 12 months now.

 

[DavidnRobin]

CCRs => 14-10 months to reserve villa, and then Owners period at 8-10 months.
I guess I will see what happens in June - I will be surprised if 'auto booked' at 12 months, but I do not plan to confirm June 2017 until Aug 2016 (10 months +1 day).
I do not think auto booking is part of CCRs - and not sure if OS has this correct (wouldn't surprise me...)

 

[Helios]

CCRs => 14-10 months to reserve villa, and then Owners period at 8-10 months.
I guess I will see what happens in June - I will be surprised if 'auto booked' at 12 months, but I do not plan to confirm June 2017 until Aug 2016 (10 months +1 day).
I do not think auto booking is part of CCRs - and not sure if OS has this correct (wouldn't surprise me...)

Wouldn't surprise me either, I just got two different answers for the same question today.

About CCRs, they indicate you have to reserve it 14-10 months. So, now I am really upset because they did not let me reserve it two times between the 14-12 months. That is a legal right I have to that, isn't that right?

First world problems, I guess...St John is in the future.

Let's see what happens with my week 48, I will follow your approach and will wait to confirm at 10 months plus 1 day.

 

[Helios]

BTW, David, are the CCR in mystarcentral under the WSJ VOI? I guess I should get more familiar with them.

 

[DavidnRobin]

BTW, David, are the CCR in mystarcentral under the WSJ VOI? I guess I should get more familiar with them.

Yes - at least they use to be there.
OS certainly can make changes (like booking earlier as a service), but be careful with OS making mistakes because they are treating VGV like fixed VOIs at other resorts (e.g. auto booking), while VGV is fixed - itcan also float. That differs VGV from other SVO VOIs, and can lead to OS to give bad info for VGV (and WSJ).

Also... I can be wrong... but the last time I visited this topic - 14-10 months (no auto book) - but that doesn't mean there are not auto booking - perhaps they do as a perceived service (like booking earlier) - in their minds - 'of course, VGV want their weeks reserved....' so they consider helpful.

My caution is that once reserved, and then explore using those SOs and decide to wait until later (before 10 months) - my understanding is that the week now becomes a SVN exchange.

Regardless - it is of little importance - I am going to wait to 10 months now (why not?) - as I may be inclined to use my VGV SOs now that they are at 95.7K per week. Probably not, but...

 

[DavidnRobin]

Wouldn't surprise me either, I just got two different answers for the same question today.

About CCRs, they indicate you have to reserve it 14-10 months. So, now I am really upset because they did not let me reserve it two times between the 14-12 months. That is a legal right I have to that, isn't that right?

First world problems, I guess...St John is in the future.

Let's see what happens with my week 48, I will follow your approach and will wait to confirm at 10 months plus 1 day.

If you have never used your WSJ week before (1st time as owner) - I would not assume anything and wait to last day. I have been using mine for 9 years - and aligned between databases (WSJ, SVO, SVN, USVI) - it was not always that way...

 

[Markus]

Owners Period

CCRs => 14-10 months to reserve villa, and then Owners period at 8-10 months.
I guess I will see what happens in June - I will be surprised if 'auto booked' at 12 months, but I do not plan to confirm June 2017 until Aug 2016 (10 months +1 day).
I do not think auto booking is part of CCRs - and not sure if OS has this correct (wouldn't surprise me...)

David,

Can you explain the owners period, 8-10 months. Is this when we can actually float, before the week is open to network?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Helios]

David,

Can you explain the owners period, 8-10 months. Is this when we can actually float, before the week is open to network?

Thanks

Mark

I'll jump in, and I am sure David will expand. Between 10 to 8 months other owners in your season can reserve your unit if you did not confirm before 10 months.

 

[Helios]

I think it would still be considered a home resort resie.

 

[DavidnRobin]

VGV can float within season at 8-10 months based on availability.
Not many reports of this happening, but possible.
Let's say you reserve your week by 10 months - then at 8-10 months out you can try and get another week. This has to be within season (in my understanding), but that can create logistical issues as most seasons are more that 2 month long...
Plus, someone has to give up a like villa. I assume this has to be full week, but who knows? When this was started - there were no partial weeks. I don't think OS knows - nor do I think you will get same answer from different calls.

Regardless - may be one report here of someone doing this - I assume low season.

 

[Helios]

If you have never used your WSJ week before (1st time as owner) - I would not assume anything and wait to last day. I have been using mine for 9 years - and aligned between databases (WSJ, SVO, SVN, USVI) - it was not always that way...

Last year was my first and I rented it to another owner (via a VGV website add ), sadly I already had plans. This year will be my first with week 48. Looking forward to 2 weeks back to back...

 

[Helios]

CCRs => 14-10 months to reserve villa, and then Owners period at 8-10 months.
I guess I will see what happens in June - I will be surprised if 'auto booked' at 12 months, but I do not plan to confirm June 2017 until Aug 2016 (10 months +1 day).
I do not think auto booking is part of CCRs - and not sure if OS has this correct (wouldn't surprise me...)

David - Is it possible the CCRs have changed? At quick glance, I saw a reference to resies been made at 12 months around page 20 or so. The section looks like a computer print out. I did not look at the old looking typewriter type scanned pages. I'll check them later.

 

[DavidnRobin]

lots of places discuss 12-10 month period... lots of repeats...

From 2010 CCRs:

Home Resort Preference Period means the four (4)-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending eight (8)
months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is comprised of the
Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period.
Home Resort Fixed Priority Period means the two (2)-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending ten
(10) months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period, during which each SVN Member owning a Fixed
VOI has the exclusive right to reserve the SVN Member's Fixed Vacation Period without competition from other
SVN Members, while each SVN Member owning a Floating VOI competes exclusively with other Owners of VOIs
at the SVN Member's Home Resort to reserve Floating Vacation Periods within such Member’s Season and Unit
type at the Member’s Home Resort, each subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents and the SVN Rules.

b. Home Resort Preference Period. The Home Resort Preference Period begins twelve (12) months and ends
eight (8) months prior to the Check-in Day of a given Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is
comprised of the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period. During the
Home Resort Preference Period, only 7-day Vacation Periods beginning on an established Check-In Day may be
reserved, and no SVN Member may reserve a Vacation Period in a Season or Unit type different from the Season
and Unit type of the SVN Member’s VOI.

Home Resort Preference Period means the four-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending eight
(8) months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is
comprised of the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period.

Home Resort Fixed Priority Period means the two (2)-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending
ten (10) months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period, during which each SVN Member owning a
Fixed VOI has the exclusive right to reserve the SVN Member's Fixed Vacation Period without competition
from other SVN Members, while each SVN Member owning a Floating VOI competes exclusively with other
Owners of VOIs at the SVN Member's Home Resort to reserve Floating Vacation Periods within such
Member’s Season and Unit type at the Member’s Home Resort, each subject to any limitations in the Resort
Documents and the SVN Rules.



b. Home Resort Preference Period. The Home Resort Preference Period begins twelve (12) months and ends eight (8) months prior to the Check-in Day of a given Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is comprised of the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period. During the Home Resort Preference Period, only 7-day Vacation Periods beginning on an established Check-In Day may be reserved, and no SVN Member may reserve a Vacation Period in a
Season or Unit type different from the Season and Unit type of the SVN Member’s VOI.
(1) Home Resort Fixed Priority Period. During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period,
SVN Members owning Fixed VOIs have the exclusive right to reserve their Fixed Vacation Periods without competition from other SVN Members, subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents and the SVN Rules.
During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, an SVN Member owning a Fixed VOI in a Lock-Off Unit may exercise a priority right to reserve the use of either portion of the Lock-Off Unit during the SVN Member's Fixed Vacation Period. Reservation requests for the remaining unreserved portion of the Lock-Off Unit will continue to be subject to the Reservation Window priorities. During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period,
SVN Members owning Floating VOIs have the exclusive right to compete with other SVN Members to reserve Floating Vacation Periods within their Season and Unit type at their Home Resorts, subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents and the SVN Rules. During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, an SVN Member owning a Floating VOI in a Lock-Off Unit may exercise a priority right to reserve the use of either portion of the Lock-Off Unit during a Floating Vacation Period. Reservation requests for the remaining
unreserved portion of the Lock-Off Unit will continue to be subject to the Reservation Window priorities.
During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, SVN Members owning Ultra Premium VOIs or Event VOIs may voluntarily give up their rights to use their Vacation Periods and compete with other SVN Members at their Home Resort to reserve Vacation Periods within their Season and Unit type at their Home Resort.
(2) Home Resort Float Period. During the Home Resort Float Period, SVN Members
have the exclusive right to reserve a Vacation Period in their Home Resorts without competition from SVN Members in other SVN Resorts, subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents. During the Home Resort Float Period, SVN Members must compete with other SVN Members owning VOIs in the SVN Members’ Home Resorts for reservations on a first-come, first-served basis for a reservation for any available Vacation
Period that the SVN Member has the right to reserve within the Member’s Season and Unit type at the Member’s Home Resorts. During the Home Resort Float Period, an SVN Member owning a VOI in a Lock-Off Unit may exercise a priority right to reserve the use of either portion of a Lock-Off Unit in the SVN Member's Home Resort during any available Vacation Period that the SVN Member has the right to reserve.
Reservation requests for the remaining unreserved portion of the Lock-Off Unit will continue to be subject to the Reservation Window priorities. During the Home Resort Float Period, SVN Members owning Ultra Premium VOIs or Event VOIs may voluntarily give up their rights to use their Vacation Periods and compete with SVN Members owning VOIs at their Home Resort to reserve Vacation Periods within their Season and Unit type at their Home Resort.

 

[Helios]

lots of places discuss 12-10 month period... lots of repeats...

From 2010 CCRs:

Home Resort Preference Period means the four (4)-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending eight (8)
months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is comprised of the
Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period.
Home Resort Fixed Priority Period means the two (2)-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending ten
(10) months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period, during which each SVN Member owning a Fixed
VOI has the exclusive right to reserve the SVN Member's Fixed Vacation Period without competition from other
SVN Members, while each SVN Member owning a Floating VOI competes exclusively with other Owners of VOIs
at the SVN Member's Home Resort to reserve Floating Vacation Periods within such Member’s Season and Unit
type at the Member’s Home Resort, each subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents and the SVN Rules.

b. Home Resort Preference Period. The Home Resort Preference Period begins twelve (12) months and ends
eight (8) months prior to the Check-in Day of a given Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is
comprised of the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period. During the
Home Resort Preference Period, only 7-day Vacation Periods beginning on an established Check-In Day may be
reserved, and no SVN Member may reserve a Vacation Period in a Season or Unit type different from the Season
and Unit type of the SVN Member’s VOI.

Home Resort Preference Period means the four-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending eight
(8) months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is
comprised of the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period.

Home Resort Fixed Priority Period means the two (2)-month period beginning twelve (12) months and ending
ten (10) months prior to the Check-in Day of the Vacation Period, during which each SVN Member owning a
Fixed VOI has the exclusive right to reserve the SVN Member's Fixed Vacation Period without competition
from other SVN Members, while each SVN Member owning a Floating VOI competes exclusively with other
Owners of VOIs at the SVN Member's Home Resort to reserve Floating Vacation Periods within such
Member’s Season and Unit type at the Member’s Home Resort, each subject to any limitations in the Resort
Documents and the SVN Rules.



b. Home Resort Preference Period. The Home Resort Preference Period begins twelve (12) months and ends eight (8) months prior to the Check-in Day of a given Vacation Period. The Home Resort Preference Period is comprised of the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period (12-10 months) and the Home Resort Float Period. During the Home Resort Preference Period, only 7-day Vacation Periods beginning on an established Check-In Day may be reserved, and no SVN Member may reserve a Vacation Period in a
Season or Unit type different from the Season and Unit type of the SVN Member’s VOI.
(1) Home Resort Fixed Priority Period. During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period,
SVN Members owning Fixed VOIs have the exclusive right to reserve their Fixed Vacation Periods without competition from other SVN Members, subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents and the SVN Rules.
During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, an SVN Member owning a Fixed VOI in a Lock-Off Unit may exercise a priority right to reserve the use of either portion of the Lock-Off Unit during the SVN Member's Fixed Vacation Period. Reservation requests for the remaining unreserved portion of the Lock-Off Unit will continue to be subject to the Reservation Window priorities. During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period,
SVN Members owning Floating VOIs have the exclusive right to compete with other SVN Members to reserve Floating Vacation Periods within their Season and Unit type at their Home Resorts, subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents and the SVN Rules. During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, an SVN Member owning a Floating VOI in a Lock-Off Unit may exercise a priority right to reserve the use of either portion of the Lock-Off Unit during a Floating Vacation Period. Reservation requests for the remaining
unreserved portion of the Lock-Off Unit will continue to be subject to the Reservation Window priorities.
During the Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, SVN Members owning Ultra Premium VOIs or Event VOIs may voluntarily give up their rights to use their Vacation Periods and compete with other SVN Members at their Home Resort to reserve Vacation Periods within their Season and Unit type at their Home Resort.
(2) Home Resort Float Period. During the Home Resort Float Period, SVN Members
have the exclusive right to reserve a Vacation Period in their Home Resorts without competition from SVN Members in other SVN Resorts, subject to any limitations in the Resort Documents. During the Home Resort Float Period, SVN Members must compete with other SVN Members owning VOIs in the SVN Members’ Home Resorts for reservations on a first-come, first-served basis for a reservation for any available Vacation
Period that the SVN Member has the right to reserve within the Member’s Season and Unit type at the Member’s Home Resorts. During the Home Resort Float Period, an SVN Member owning a VOI in a Lock-Off Unit may exercise a priority right to reserve the use of either portion of a Lock-Off Unit in the SVN Member's Home Resort during any available Vacation Period that the SVN Member has the right to reserve.
Reservation requests for the remaining unreserved portion of the Lock-Off Unit will continue to be subject to the Reservation Window priorities. During the Home Resort Float Period, SVN Members owning Ultra Premium VOIs or Event VOIs may voluntarily give up their rights to use their Vacation Periods and compete with SVN Members owning VOIs at their Home Resort to reserve Vacation Periods within their Season and Unit type at their Home Resort.

Thanks for posting

 

[DavidnRobin]

looks like there is nothing about autobooking - or reserving at 14 months
that may have been set by SVN as a service to owners