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

[Henry M.]

The only downside to ticketing separate reservations for the outbound and return tickets is if you have to cancel. Unless you are at certain elite levels, there's a charge of about $150 to reinstate the miles if your plans change. If you had a round-trip ticket, there's only one charge. You get to pay the fee twice if you have separate reservations. I don't remember if the fees are per person or per record locator.

I've also noticed that while the reservation window opens 331 days out, they don't always have award seats at that time. The seats are sometimes released later, at times much later.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Correct - lots of caveats here.
IME - I have successfully found award seats on UA and AA at 331-330 days out on the flights at the times (and seats) I wanted for SFO-OGG/LIH, and SFO-MIA-STT. As I target exit rows for economy seats - I am online when window opens as well as before and after to get idea of the changes that occur when seats are released. I have certainly seen seats on other flights that were less than optimal (and non-exit). There is dependency on flexibity and status as well (I can reserved exit rows because of AA status). FF awards and conditions can (and do) change.
YMMV and likely does.

 

[Helios]

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

Look for the AA direct from JFK to STT, not all days/dates are available. They fly a 757 with international configuration.

 

[Helios]

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

Look for the AA direct from JFK to STT, not all days/dates are available. The fly a 757 with international configuration. If you have the miles, try the front of the bus. They offer AVOD.

 

[LisaH]

Just booked our flights on American Airlines using miles for our Aug trip. Questions:
1. For First/Business Class: is the baggage fee waived?
2. Do we have access to the airport lounge at SFO and connection airports as First/Business Class passengers?

When I fly United, we have access to its lounges even though STT is considered domestic and not international. Not sure what the policy is with AA...

 

[DavidnRobin]

StJ is currently looking beautiful - hopefully no drought like 2015 (or stinging plankton or seaweed).
The baggage fee is waived.
Not sure about access - I was denied once to Biz class (UA iirc) because I had a FF mileage tix with a Biz seat upgrade. I think it was a domestic flight.
This info is probably on-line - besides rules can/do change.

I should check this out - because we have a 1st class return flight STT-SFO (2-stops) using FF miles (only 30K pp).

 

[lizap]

You will not have access to the AC as this is not considered INTL F or J. Only F or J passengers traveling to or from Europe, Asia, South America, Central America and Mexico City have lounge access. However, you can purchase a 1 or 30 day pass.

Just booked our flights on American Airlines using miles for our Aug trip. Questions:
1. For First/Business Class: is the baggage fee waived?
2. Do we have access to the airport lounge at SFO and connection airports as First/Business Class passengers?

When I fly United, we have access to its lounges even though STT is considered domestic and not international. Not sure what the policy is with AA...

 

[LisaH]

Thank you both!
Yes United is supposed to have the same policy but we are let in its club every time we fly to STT...

 

[GrayFal]

Just booked our flights on American Airlines using miles for our Aug trip. Questions:
1. For First/Business Class: is the baggage fee waived?
2. Do we have access to the airport lounge at SFO and connection airports as First/Business Class passengers?

When I fly United, we have access to its lounges even though STT is considered domestic and not international. Not sure what the policy is with AA...

If you have business class seats you should have access to the lounge.
The info is definitely on the website but that is my understanding.

 

[Helios]

If you have business class seats you should have access to the lounge.
The info is definitely on the website but that is my understanding.

AA will not let you in. United used to but I believe this has changed. Same for Hawaii.

 

[Helios]

AA will not let you in. United used to but I believe this has changed. Same for Hawaii.

BTW - Delta's policy is the same as AA.

 

[YYJMSP]

Thank you both!
Yes United is supposed to have the same policy but we are let in its club every time we fly to STT...

We flew UA in to San Juan Puerto Rico (and made our way on JetBlue and someone else to/from St Thomas) and UA treated the flight as international. I remember seeing something on their site than Puerto Rico was considered not domestic, so I would think St Thomas would be the same..

 

[jillandboy]

Got an answer from a local about the "Sea Lice"

Did not have any sea lice problems 8/21-28. We went to Trunk, cinnamon, Leinster, Hurricane Hole, Honeymoon, Lovingo, Ditleff Point and Flanigan Island

We had a local server at dinner last night so I asked her what the sea lice are. She replied that it is actually a rash one can get when the coral blooms. She shook it off like it is no big deal. (She shrugged and said 'it's just a rash'). We then asked when does this usually occur to which she said 'whenever it feels like it.'

So there's apparently no way to tell if and when it will be a problem. I hope this is new information for you all.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Like many - the server is ill-informed. It is neither from coral bloom or a rash. When we inquired with locals - seemed like everyone had a different opinion. They are jelly fish larvae.
They are small clear jelly tubules with black specks (like pepper inside) - I have video of one stuck on my GoPro lense. Until June 2015, we had never encountered them in previous years (since 2006). They were so bad on the north shore last year - people were not in water (at least not for long). Having been thru the Carribean, and encountered many types of jelly fishes - never came across these buggers.

 

[canesfan]

We had a local server at dinner last night so I asked her what the sea lice are. She replied that it is actually a rash one can get when the coral blooms. She shook it off like it is no big deal. (She shrugged and said 'it's just a rash'). We then asked when does this usually occur to which she said 'whenever it feels like it.'



So there's apparently no way to tell if and when it will be a problem. I hope this is new information for you all.

Are you experiencing them now? We are headed there the end of February and hoping to avoid them.

 

[Helios]

Cap Jason Siska

David - Any idea how likely it is to get Jason Siska when booking a tour with his company? Kids are big survivor fans and would like to do a tour with him. They would be disappointed if they get one of the other two captains.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I would contact him and ask. I know he was training Captains because he was too much in demand. Tell him your kids are fans, and when he is planning on going out.

 

[lizap]

WSJ Reservation using SOs

Planning to make a reservation using SOs at WSJ. Is it possible to reserve a 3BR with pool? I see (on the WSJ page) that there are 3 BRs in VG and BV. The reservation page shows VG 3BR accomodates 8 while BV accomodates 10. Since the pools are at VG, I assume if I book the 3 BR that will accomodate 8, I am reserving a VG pool villa? Also, the 2 BRs show that BV and CV acommodate 8 while a VG 2 BR accomodates 6. If I reserve a 2 BR that will accomodate 6, am I reserving a 2BR VG? Thanks.

 

[YYJMSP]

Planning to make a reservation using SOs at WSJ. Is it possible to reserve a 3BR with pool? I see (on the WSJ page) that there are 3 BRs in VG and BV. The reservation page shows VG 3BR accomodates 8 while BV accomodates 10. Since the pools are at VG, I assume if I book the 3 BR that will accomodate 8, I am reserving a VG pool villa? Also, the 2 BRs show that BV and CV acommodate 8 while a VG 2 BR accomodates 6. If I reserve a 2 BR that will accomodate 6, am I reserving a 2BR VG? Thanks.

My understanding of the answer to this question (I asked pretty much the same thing via MSC before we went last summer) is the only thing you can "count on" is that your unit will hold at least the number of people it says on your booking (i.e. you won't end up in a unit that sleeps less than what you booked), and the unit you get will cost at least as many SO's as you redeemed (i.e. you won't end up in a unit that costs less SO's to book than what you booked).

If you book a 3BR sleeps 8 (i.e. VG), you could end up in a 3BR sleeps 10 unit (i.e. BV), as long as the BV unit doesn't cost less SO's than the VG unit.

If you book a 2BR sleeps 6 (i.e. VG), you could end up in a 2BR sleeps 8 (i.e. BV or CV), as long as the BV/CV unit doesn't cost less SO's than the VG unit.

 

[Helios]

I would contact him and ask. I know he was training Captains because he was too much in demand. Tell him your kids are fans, and when he is planning on going out.

I sent him an email last night. Hopefully it works out. He has two captains plus him now.

 

[Helios]

Planning to make a reservation using SOs at WSJ. Is it possible to reserve a 3BR with pool? I see (on the WSJ page) that there are 3 BRs in VG and BV. The reservation page shows VG 3BR accomodates 8 while BV accomodates 10. Since the pools are at VG, I assume if I book the 3 BR that will accomodate 8, I am reserving a VG pool villa? Also, the 2 BRs show that BV and CV acommodate 8 while a VG 2 BR accomodates 6. If I reserve a 2 BR that will accomodate 6, am I reserving a 2BR VG? Thanks.

You should not get a villa that sleeps less or costs less SOs than what you reserved. However, there is the possibility of unforeseen things happening...

Regarding 3 BRs:

- CV has villas rated for 12 people
- BV has villas rated for 10 people
- VG has villas rated for 8 people but it also has villas rated for 10 people. Don't bother calling Starwood to ask about them, they will not be able to help you because their website only shows the 8 people villas. Obviously, their configurations and number of beds are different.
- During some months of the year, you can tell if you are booking a BV or VG 3 BR villa rated for 10 people because the seasons are not aligned.

If you manage to exchange into a 10 people 3 BR villa, most likely it will be a BV.

 

[NNerland]

I sent him an email last night. Hopefully it works out. He has two captains plus him now.

I have a reservation with him next week on the 21st of January. I booked with him after hearing the good reviews. I got this back. We are going on the 33' because we have 8 people so we have Joe. If you have a group that would fit on the 20' powerboat (4-6?) you will get Jason. You can see below he has expanded his fleet - we are doing the Eastern BVI with him. We are using another boat on Monday (SeaMore) to see Jost.

Unfortunately, I won't have the pleasure of driving you guys around that day... I've added a new 20' powerboat to the fleet and am solely operating it.... sort of getting it started from the roots and pushing it as a new affordable options for couples... On the three boats, We're now able to offer trips for two passengers at $395, up to six passengers at $595, and up to eight passengers at $795. Hoping to provide the most versatile range of boats at some of the most affordable pricing.

The 33' World Cat operated by Captain Joe, who has worked in the US and British Virgin islands on various charter boats for the better part of the past decade.

 

[NNerland]

I would contact him and ask. I know he was training Captains because he was too much in demand. Tell him your kids are fans, and when he is planning on going out.

David -- can you tell me if it is normal procedure for them to ask for all of our passport information to save document time at the dock and get on the water faster. We had a few people nervous about that. I am fine with it, as they seem like they really go out of your way to make sure you maximize your day on the water.

 

[SandyPGravel]

WSJ Home Resort Resie

Planning to make a reservation using SOs at WSJ. Is it possible to reserve a 3BR with pool? I see (on the WSJ page) that there are 3 BRs in VG and BV. The reservation page shows VG 3BR accomodates 8 while BV accomodates 10. Since the pools are at VG, I assume if I book the 3 BR that will accomodate 8, I am reserving a VG pool villa? Also, the 2 BRs show that BV and CV acommodate 8 while a VG 2 BR accomodates 6. If I reserve a 2 BR that will accomodate 6, am I reserving a 2BR VG? Thanks.

Ok, I have a question to sort of play off of this question. If I own at WSJ (first year) fixed week/unit, and I look at what's available, everything shows availability at the 8 month mark. Will I only see availability at the 12 month mark if it is the exact type villa I have? Meaning I have a 2BR VGV unit, I see numerous 2BR units available, but none are open to me to reserve now at the 12 month mark. Will the other 2BR units open at the 10 month mark? Next year I have a wedding to attend that is the day after I would return from my fixed week. Do-able, but maybe cutting a little to close for comfort if weather would hamper our return.

 

[LisaH]

David -- can you tell me if it is normal procedure for them to ask for all of our passport information to save document time at the dock and get on the water faster. We had a few people nervous about that. I am fine with it, as they seem like they really go out of your way to make sure you maximize your day on the water.

Yes. That's how Jason handled it last summer. It did save a significant amount of time. We met at the dock and off we went. Then at the BVI custom/Immigration office, he went in and out in less than 5 min.