Westin St. John platinum plus ownership odd year week 1 float booking question

[ndang3]

Is it worth to try again at 8 months for this week as a float owner?

 

[Eric B]

Looks like it's working now - give it a try.

 

[ndang3]

Also did a search on ChatGPT it says non-enrolled contracts have a better chance of getting what they own in that season.

 

[Eric B]

Is it worth to try again at 8 months for this week as a float owner?

Yes. At 8 months you'll have access to the other phases - while not the one you own, it would be in the same location. It's also worth trying at 60 days because of the possibility of cancellations at the 60-day point.

 

[ndang3]

Are Sunday check ins easier to get for this week?

 

[ndang3]

Also mobile or desktop less likely for tech issues?

 

[Eric B]

Are Sunday check ins easier to get for this week?

Couldn’t tell you for Bay Vista. I understand that Saturday check ins are easier to rent out, which may affect the demand side. I generally search using the check in day flexible anyway and would start searching to catch Fridays, too.

Also mobile or desktop less likely for tech issues?

The errors I saw this time were gateway connection ones, which are based on internet traffic. I don’t think it would make a difference for that type.

 

[ndang3]

Now i'm being told by Vistana that even as a platinumplus float owner event weeks 51 and 52 are not included????

 

[Eric B]

Now i'm being told by Vistana that even as a platinumplus float owner event weeks 51 and 52 are not included????

Oftentimes the folks on the phone are not always the best informed. It would be worth your time to read through the documents that actually govern your usage including the VSN guide. I've attached the latest version of the VSN guide for voluntary resorts that I have a copy of - Section IV, "Reservations," starts on page 17. Weeks 51 and 52 were sold as fixed for at least some proportion of those sold - I couldn't tell you anything at all about what they did in Bay Vista and whether any were left as floating. I kind of doubt it as those are desirable weeks. If they were all sold as fixed, your next opportunity to seek to book as a floating week might be at the 10-month point. IMHO, it's always a good idea to seek out the public offering statement and other documents that govern a TS because knowledge is power - the phone answering customer service representatives during a holiday week are unlikely to have studied all of them for all of the resorts and may not know the answers.

 

[GrayFal]

Also any booking tips or tricks? Is check in limited to Friday Saturday or Sunday?

Bay Vista is Fri, Sat, Sun.

No tricks other than midnight and then continuing to look if a website glitch happens.

 

[GrayFal]

Now i'm being told by Vistana that even as a platinumplus float owner event weeks 51 and 52 are not included????

We know this isn't true "unless" they were old sold as fixed weeks.
And I would say that the answer is no because you saw the unit available last night to reserve.
On the Vistana website there is an owner guide ( can't think of the correct word) that explains your ownership. Look around and find it. It will specify how your ownership can be used.

 

[Hindsite]

Also did a search on ChatGPT it says non-enrolled contracts have a better chance of getting what they own in that season.

I've not seen any real data that demonstrated that weeks ownerships that are enrolled in VSN or Abound have any level of disadvantage when trying to book a week in their season. Remember you are entitled to a week in your season, not guaranteed the specific week you want in your season.
Your challenge is that you are trying to book for a date when too many other people, with the same ownership, are trying to book. As you have seen it is a popular week to own to rent out.

 

[ndang3]

Spoke to a more knowledgeable, resolution services person apparently the check-in date (Fri Sat or sun) as designated in the contract of your float week also matters

 

[GrayFal]

Spoke to a more knowledgeable, resolution services person apparently the check-in date (Fri Sat or sun) as designated in the contract of your float week also matters

????
Ummmm, no. The week/unit number is just for book keeping purposes ( so they don't oversell resort) UNLESS it is a fixed week/fixed unit ownership like your ownership is. In that case if you are using your deeded unit, you can ONLY use unit XYZ on Friday. You can't decide you want to go on Sunday instead.

Here's the issue.
WSJ is a unique resort in the system because it has 4 phases with three very different rules for operation/reserving/float seasons/ check in days, etc.

Coral Vista & Sunset Bay are HomeOptions with the same rules. Can check in any day for 2-14+
Some units were purchased as fixed weeks fixed units but primary just different amounts and seasons of Home Options.

Virgin Grand. All fixed week fixed unit fixed check in day. Can float in season 10 months out, 2 months before opens to SO bookings. But it can be tricky getting a full floating Resie here because of how units were sold.

I have owned on all three phases.

Bay Vista, sold in 7 day/1 week increments of a certain unit Type. Must reserve during home resort priority period for 7 days F/S/S check in. Some people purchased fixed week fix unit fix check in days. Everyone else floats. All owners in a particular season have an equal shot at reserving in their season but remember there can be many fixed owner for a particular week.
Example - there are 10 units
Week 52 - 7 fixed, only 3 available to float
Week 1 - 3 fixed, 7 floats
Week 2 - 0 fixed, 10 floats.

Problem is you have no way of knowing how many units are available to float owners each week. Because a fixed week owner can chose not to use their fixed unit in a particular year - an example is you gave up use of your fixed week one in 2025 so that fixed unit became available to other float owners.

There is just not one easy answer to all your questions.
I wish you luck getting your reservation.

 

[ndang3]

this is helpful, thank you