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

[DavidnRobin]

First refusal for these MF-delinquent units only, correct? Not every year, unless it's negotiated?

Just being nosey here, but I would love to know what weeks were available?

Why couldn't we have put them up for sale through real-estate companies that handle re-sales? Even if we sold them through MLS for a reasonable amount?

So with turning these over, back to I assume Starwood, should our MF decrease dramatically next year (or for 2018) since we are no longer covering delinquent units?

There is no ROFR for WSJ-VGV - anyway, these were not put on open market.

Did you read section of Phil/Bob email on this?
They decided that this was best approach to get these weeks back into hands of someone to cover the MFs (vs. delinquent or foreclosed upon)
They bought them all. Sales of these weeks prevent our MFs from increasing due to delinquencies. Proceeds of sale going to HOA budget.

IMO - It is highly unlikely these were Plat+ villas as these VOIs have substantial value (as shown in resale prices - and prices for those ones being sold on-site at WSJ). A person that had their Plat+ VOIs foreclosed on them had to be really trying. Plat+ 3Bd weeks are selling for $20K+ - especially now that they get 257K SOs - making the MF/SO some of lowest in the resale system as a SVN Mandatory resort. I suspect most of these VOIs were Gold+ (low) season.

If you want to know which were sold - there are 2 ways I can think of that may get that info 1) write Phil/Bob and request that info, 2) look at USVI site that deals with deed transfers.

me...? I do not care - I am happy that our HOA has been diligent at trying to keep our MFs down (decrease over 5 years from highest), adequate Reserves (increasing), and conditions at VGV appropriate for the MFs and location (for the most part).
IMO

Added - I recall the SVO-WSJ already owned ~10% of VGV VOIs. Not sure of the % increase with these additional 112 purchased (can't recall total VOIs for VGV) - but significant.

 

[GrayFal]

My reservation for 2017 showed up automatically today, with a message indicating that the status is unconfirmed.

Me, too

2016 M/F has been posted now:

Mine is 2BR Hillside

The reservation this year seemed to coincide with the maintenance fee posting. Interesting.

 

[Helios]

There is no ROFR for WSJ-VGV - anyway, these were not put on open market.

Did you read section of Phil/Bob email on this?
They decided that this was best approach to get these weeks back into hands of someone to cover the MFs (vs. delinquent or foreclosed upon)
They bought them all. Sales of these weeks prevent our MFs from increasing due to delinquencies. Proceeds of sale going to HOA budget.

IMO - It is highly unlikely these were Plat+ villas as these VOIs have substantial value (as shown in resale prices - and prices for those ones being sold on-site at WSJ). A person that had their Plat+ VOIs foreclosed on them had to be really trying. Plat+ 3Bd weeks are selling for $20K+ - especially now that they get 257K SOs - making the MF/SO some of lowest in the resale system as a SVN Mandatory resort. I suspect most of these VOIs were Gold+ (low) season.

If you want to know which were sold - there are 2 ways I can think of that may get that info 1) write Phil/Bob and request that info, 2) look at USVI site that deals with deed transfers.

me...? I do not care - I am happy that our HOA has been diligent at trying to keep our MFs down (decrease over 5 years from highest), adequate Reserves (increasing), and conditions at VGV appropriate for the MFs and location (for the most part).
IMO

Added - I recall the SVO-WSJ already owned ~10% of VGV VOIs. Not sure of the % increase with these additional 112 purchased (can't recall total VOIs for VGV) - but significant.

I agree with David. I seriously doubt they would have had Plat+ inventory in the HOA sale. And, if they did, the prices would not have been better than what you can get in the resale market. Wondering what the Starwood price will be on premium weeks. My guess a pool villa week 52 will be above $100,000.

 

[Helios]

I got my MF as well. I had prepaid the projected MF about a month ago and my balance is now negative. Anyone has experience with this situation? Should I follow up with Starwood or just let the negative balance stay there. I don't really care about getting it back now since it is only $42.

 

[SMHarman]

For the time to deal with it you are best to leave it with them and reduce your 2017 bill!

 

[Helios]

For the time to deal with it you are best to leave it with them and reduce your 2017 bill!

I think that's what I'll do.

 

[DavidnRobin]

So, the rep may be right this time and the 14 months reservation period may have really gone away, and the auto booking who knows. I guess VG owners will have to wait and see what happens. Hopefully VGV owners report what their experiences are moving forward.

Re: Fix week reservations...

From SVO website:

FIXED WEEK VOI OWNERS
Your Fixed Week VOI is tentatively reserved for you, pending confirmation during your Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, which is 12 to 10* months prior to the check-in date of your Fixed Week VOI. At 10 months prior to your check- in date, if you have not confirmed the reservation with Owner Services, it will be automatically cancelled. If the reservation is cancelled, you can still request reservations for an available Floating Week within your Season and Villa type at your Home Resort 10 to 8 months in advance of your requested arrival date, as available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you purchased a specific villa number, it will also be tentatively reserved with your Fixed Week VOI.

* Sheraton Vistana Resort Courts, Falls, Springs, Palms and Spas Owners’ Fixed Week and Fixed Villa are automatically booked and must be confirmed by calling Owner Services 12 to 8 months in advance or the vacation period is automatically released to the floating pool. Sheraton Vistana Resort Falls and Springs Owners may float their week beginning 8 months or less.

 

[Helios]

Re: Fix week reservations...

From SVO website:

FIXED WEEK VOI OWNERS
Your Fixed Week VOI is tentatively reserved for you, pending confirmation during your Home Resort Fixed Priority Period, which is 12 to 10* months prior to the check-in date of your Fixed Week VOI. At 10 months prior to your check- in date, if you have not confirmed the reservation with Owner Services, it will be automatically cancelled. If the reservation is cancelled, you can still request reservations for an available Floating Week within your Season and Villa type at your Home Resort 10 to 8 months in advance of your requested arrival date, as available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you purchased a specific villa number, it will also be tentatively reserved with your Fixed Week VOI.

* Sheraton Vistana Resort Courts, Falls, Springs, Palms and Spas Owners’ Fixed Week and Fixed Villa are automatically booked and must be confirmed by calling Owner Services 12 to 8 months in advance or the vacation period is automatically released to the floating pool. Sheraton Vistana Resort Falls and Springs Owners may float their week beginning 8 months or less.

That's what the rules say, but that is not what happened with my resie. Not sure if it was a glitch. My resie was not tentatively reserved for me.

Earlier in the year Starwood made a different resie and took partial SOs from my WSJ Pool Villa. I called and asked to reassign the SOs. Also, I specifically asked them to make sure the Pool Villa SOs were back as a single unit SOs (because I had seen problems when the SOs were not reassigned to form an "intact'" week). Hopefully that caused the glitch in my case. I am not happy they did put back the WSJ SOs but it all worked at the end.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Perhaps... just saying...

I have never had it reserved for me unless I requested (but they brought it up 18 months in advance) I have never called to reserve or reserved WSJ online. Now, I want flexibility and not reserving anymore until the 10th month mark.

I have never split SOs, and have only used SVN once (WKV for WKORV). We use our weeks - or rent.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Booking airfare to St. John

A question to those of you that have been traveling to St. John for a number of years. When is the best time to book your flight? I have noticed some mentioning they book 300+ days out. I just read an article on MSN travel that said:

How early you buy is the biggest factor in whether you get a good price. The sweet spot is about two months before departure. The study found the lowest-priced economy tickets for a flight within North America were sold, on average, 57 days before departure.

For trips from North America to the Caribbean, the cheapest day to buy was 77 days in advance, on average. Trips within Europe showed their lowest price at 140 days before departure. And from North America to Europe, the lowest prices were available, on average, a whopping 176 days before takeoff. That means that right now would be best time to book early summer trips to Europe.

In the past I have booked my airfare as soon as I could, but has anyone consistently booked a better fare by waiting? The flights to STT are so limited that I thought booking ASAP was better. I wish Southwest would fly into STT, instead of just to SJU. Trying to coordinate the flight from SJU to STT seems like more of a hassle than it's worth just to get the free bags from flying Southwest.

Thanx-

 

[DavidnRobin]

using FF miles - which we use on AA for SFO-STT - 331 days ahead is when seats open.
(same for SFO-OGG using UA miles). So best seat choices and sometime better rates.
We got return 1st class tickets on AA STT-MIA-CLT-SFO for 30K AA miles each (converted SPs)

of course - airline change conditions all the time - plus competition... e.g. more flights to STT

IMO - it depends on your pain threshold. If I can fly Economy for $900 RT SFO-MIA(ATL)-STT - I know that is the approx median cost.

It is a risk to wait - good to know what is median cost from your area for your dates, and shoot for that amount.

btw - I take what is published with a grain of salt. One factor is getting the flights you want versus one that is cheaper, but (for example) arrives or departs from STT too late/early - especially if going to StJ/WSJ

go with the least hassle

I have tracked in past - and found my flights SFO-STT (cash) for June usually best around 4-5 months out. I no longer go thru SJU (hassle factor).

 

[Bill4728]

We just bought tix for a June flight $250 one way from seattle to STT and $500 for the return

 

[NNerland]

I always look the first day I can -- as I book 12 months out for my trip. We have planned 6 trips and if I see what I like for airfare 331 days out I book it.

From Minneapolis if I can get for $650 or less I lock in -- and have been successful. If their first shot is $900 plus I wait it out a bit as that is typically on the high end for January and usually they go down.

My experience is on American as Delta never gets down below $900 from MSP - but American rarely is above $800-900

I don't get greedy at $650 either....can too easily go up many more dollars than down.

 

[okwiater]

Agree that it is helpful to know the median, high, and low costs for flights from your area so you know what you stand to gain or lose by waiting. I managed to snag flights for $387 round trip around 8 months out. The same flights quickly jumped to over $600. You definitely want to shop schedule, though, since many cheap flights depart STT around 8am which is way too early to make it across the car ferry from St. John.

 

[dsmrp]

What a coincidence, about this recent discussion on airfares. I was going to post about the recent hike in airfares I saw this week from Seattle to STT.
I occasionally looked up airfares eod, even before I knew I could get a TS stay, just to get an idea of price range...guess I have just too much free time to kill on my work transit commutes Anyway prices were looking good early last week and we bought for about $680. This is the earliest (7+ months) ahead that I've ever bought plane tickets.
(We're doing a stop-over for a few days in San Juan PR on the way back, so my fare is probably lower due to mid-week return flight.)

But this week on Tuesday, the prices just shot up for the same itinerary by $200! I've been tracking 4 similar itineraries, including a RT SEA-STT, and highest increase has been $250. Have no idea why, they were really steady for 7 days after Thanksgiving. Tons of seats on the flights segments to/from Seattle; much fewer open seats on segment to STT or from SJU.

On another note, I've been reading the book "St John., Feet, Fins & Four-wheel Drive" by Pam Griffin. I think it's been mentioned in the WSJ Part 1 thread. Been a bit of a kick reading...especially about short comments on VI government. I know it's a few years old, but it matches my conceptions of island life, e.g. water conservation, bureaucracy and local practicality.

 

[SMHarman]

This is where I heart the sky scanner app and it's android widget.

Set up your dates and it does the search for you daily and pops it onto a screen on your phone.

 

[SandyPGravel]

I always look the first day I can -- as I book 12 months out for my trip. We have planned 6 trips and if I see what I like for airfare 331 days out I book it.

From Minneapolis if I can get for $650 or less I lock in -- and have been successful. If their first shot is $900 plus I wait it out a bit as that is typically on the high end for January and usually they go down.

My experience is on American as Delta never gets down below $900 from MSP - but American rarely is above $800-900

I don't get greedy at $650 either....can too easily go up many more dollars than down.

Just curious if you have ever checked the cost of taking Amtrak to O'hare instead of flying out of MSP? We live just outside of Madison, WI and we usually fly out of O'hare for the trips we can't use Southwest. For our 2016 trip I got round trip to STT from ORD for $457 with one pit stop each way. Decent times fly out of O'hare at 7:30 arrive at 4:15, leave STT at 2:00 PM arrive around 7 pm. Last year I managed to snag a non-stop from O'hare to STT. I don't remember the exact price, but it was around $500R/T.

I try to book through Orbitz because I have actually gotten a check back when someone else booked the same flight for less. (HRA Bahamas trip in 2009) This time I booked through Capital One travel, prices were better on Capital One than they were direct through the airline.

 

[LisaRex]

IME, the Caribbean is much easier to score an award ticket at the "low" mileage rate than other places. AA and USAir both offer great sign-up bonuses on their affiliate credit cards that can immediately score a RT ticket.

Also, in very sad news, our guests' (we're currently at WKORV) nephew died off St. Thomas on Monday of this week while scuba diving. They theorize he had a heart attack, but the autopsy hasn't been completed yet. It's been a real nightmare to get him home because the accident happened on a dive boat. They need the coroner to make an official ruling on cause of death, to rule out negligence on behalf of the dive boat (e.g. fault regulators), but the coroner is currently on medical leave following a stroke. There is no back-up.

After that, they may hold his body another 3-4 days pending an official death certificate. The widow has said that she'd sign a paper waiving her right to sue the dive boat operator, but they still won't budge. So sadly, his widow is in an awful holding pattern until he's finally brought home.

All the more reason to take time out to enjoy your vacations, folks! You never know when your number will be up. (He was 49.)

 

[suzannesimon]

That is terrible news. I recently read a report that the #1 regret at the end of life was that we didn't travel more - not that we saved more money or worked longer.

I always book to STT asap. My kids wait longer and usually get a better fare. I would like to know if there is any rule-of-thumb for booking holidays since we go to St Thomas for Christmas and Nassau for Thanksguving, I think I'd be a nervous wreck waiting 60-90 days out for those dates.

 

[jillandboy]

Any Cruz Bay promo codes?

We are due to check in Jan 8th. Our first visit (and we're getting sooo excited).

I'm about to book an excursion. I see the space for a promo code but did not find one on line. does anybody know of one?
thanks tuggers

 

[jillandboy]

As to airfare- I don't travel the holidays often but I generally find the best airfare is between 30-60 days out. I once booked a kid who decided to go with us 2 weeks out and got a better deal to Nassau for him than we had gotten; but I couldn't handle waiting until 2 weeks out. I definitely can wait until 30 days, though.

has anyone here posted about skyscanner.com yet? It's an awesome site (As a caution:I'm not sure southwest results appear there)
You can look by specific dates, the month, the year, and you can search from a specific airport or from the whole country. It's TONS of fun.

 

[jillandboy]

Condolences LisaRex

Condolences LisaRex- I just saw that post. How awful. our friend just got certified and is planning to scuba when we get to Westin St. John. Whew, that's scary.

 

[Crasherino]

using FF miles - which we use on AA for SFO-STT - 331 days ahead is when seats open.
(same for SFO-OGG using UA miles). So best seat choices and sometime better rates.
We got return 1st class tickets on AA STT-MIA-CLT-SFO for 30K AA miles each (converted SPs)

David - question on your booking of FF on AA. Do you wait until your whole trip is within the 331 day period or do you book the first segment as soon as it becomes available and then book your return when that segment falls within the 331 days?

I'm getting ready to a) reserve our floating week for winter 2017 and then b) book our AA FF tickets and want to try and get the cheapest mileage ticket possible. I don't think there is any downside to having two separate one-way reservations but perhaps I'm missing something.

TIA

 

[DavidnRobin]

David - question on your booking of FF on AA. Do you wait until your whole trip is within the 331 day period or do you book the first segment as soon as it becomes available and then book your return when that segment falls within the 331 days?

I'm getting ready to a) reserve our floating week for winter 2017 and then b) book our AA FF tickets and want to try and get the cheapest mileage ticket possible. I don't think there is any downside to having two separate one-way reservations but perhaps I'm missing something.

TIA

Correct - I buy 2 one-way tickets each at 331 days out. There was some weirdness at 331 days (where I got the 1st class tix cheaper than economy tix) - that changed at 330 days out. So, track tickets as the 331 day mark arrives. As you can fly direct from JFK to STT - this may be different for these flights.

 

[Crasherino]

Correct - I buy 2 one-way tickets each at 331 days out. There was some weirdness at 331 days (where I got the 1st class tix cheaper than economy tix) - that changed at 330 days out. So, track tickets as the 331 day mark arrives. As you can fly direct from JFK to STT - this may be different for these flights.

Appreciate it - Thanks!