Westin timeshare

[DanCali]

This is what I have re annual 2-bed WKV MF % increases.

2007 11.08%
2008 14.39%
2009 3.78%
2010 7.47%
2011 -0.83%
2012 5.92%
2013 1.41%
2014 3.45%
2015 4.33%
2016 3.29%
2017 2.25%
2018 3.27%
2019 1.31%
2020 5.28%
2021 1.38%
2022 3.04%
2023 12.11%
2024 9.22%

So I didn't own long enough to experience 2007-2008 but 2013-2022 felt very reasonable (using your numbers, 2.89% annualized over 10 years - totally acceptable).

HRA was even better over the same 2013-2022 time period - I don't have the exact numbers, but it was around 2.5%. Then it increased by 28% over the following 2 years... - may or may not be related to MVC getting involved.

If I start WKV in 2007 going to 2022, I get 4.36% annualized over 16 years. Adding the last 2 years (22% increase over 2 years) brings it to 5.04% annualized for 18 years. That's not really sustainable over time because MFs double every ~14 years at that rate. At a 3% increase, which is what we had over the decade prior to 2023, MFs would double every ~24 years.

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

I purchased a WKV 1 bed premium (81,000 StarOptions) on the resale market in June. $8,900 plus closing costs. It had 2023 usage which I didn’t need. I immediately banked the StarOptions and booked 1 week at Westin Lagunamar in Cancun for Feb 2024. So the StarOptions are easily usable within the Vistana network. We own WDW and booked a couple weeks in Kauai in Apr 2024. I like the fexibility of the Vistana network and have not had issues booking at 8 months out.

I am trying to locate the various fees associated StarOptions for a resale WKV purchase - mostly interested to know:

1) booking fees

2) cancelation fees

3) banking StarOptions fees and any limitations

I found this online, but am unsure of whether the amounts are accurate and if it applies to resale owners

https://vistana-email-static.s3.ama...s-VSN-Fees-Comparison-Chart_Updated_FN_HR.pdf

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

I am trying to locate the various fees associated StarOptions for a resale WKV purchase - mostly interested to know:

1) booking fees

2) cancelation fees

3) banking StarOptions fees and any limitations

I found this online, but am unsure of whether the amounts are accurate and if it applies to resale owners

https://vistana-email-static.s3.ama...s-VSN-Fees-Comparison-Chart_Updated_FN_HR.pdf

Those are correct and do apply.

 

[dioxide45]

They are also at the bottom of the VSN Disclosure Guide for Mandatory Owners.

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

They are also at the bottom of the VSN Disclosure Guide for Mandatory Owners.
View attachment 89063

No fees for making a StarOptions reservation, but a $75 fee applies for cancelations. How much notice for a cancelation?

Can someone explain how the StarOptions Banking works for a WKV 148,100 point Platinum Week? I am trying to understand the timeline of how a 2025 usage year could work?

When would the 2025 points be available to make a reservation?

When would I have to make a decision about StarOption banking and what are the limits for banking - when can they be used and when do they expire?

Please and thank you to this great TUGG community!

 

[dioxide45]

No fees for making a StarOptions reservation, but a $75 fee applies for cancelations. How much notice for a cancelation?

It was $50 for cancellations from 60-8 days. Then $75 for less than 7 days. Looking at the 5 footnote, it still looks to be the same.
5 Cancellations made more than 60 days prior to arrival will receive no cancellation fee. Cancellations made between 60 days and 8 days prior to arrival will incur a $50 fee. Cancellations made 7 days or less prior to arrival will incur a $75 fee.

2025 StarOptions could be used to make a reservation 8 months prior to checkin. So by May 2024.

The banking deadline would be June 30th and banked StarOptions would be good for one additional calendar year (except for 2025 StarOptions would be good for two additional calendar years.

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

It was $50 for cancellations from 60-8 days. Then $75 for less than 7 days. Looking at the 5 footnote, it still looks to be the same.
5 Cancellations made more than 60 days prior to arrival will receive no cancellation fee. Cancellations made between 60 days and 8 days prior to arrival will incur a $50 fee. Cancellations made 7 days or less prior to arrival will incur a $75 fee.

2025 StarOptions could be used to make a reservation 8 months prior to checkin. So by May 2024.

The banking deadline would be June 30th and banked StarOptions would be good for one additional calendar year (except for 2025 StarOptions would be good for two additional calendar years.

Are banked StarOptions only available to use during the following year - meaning banking results in forfeiture of current year usage?

Can you bank continue banking the same StarOptions year after year - paying the fee annually?

 

[dioxide45]

Are banked StarOptions only available to use during the following year - meaning banking results in forfeiture of current year usage?

Can you bank continue banking the same StarOptions year after year - paying the fee annually?

Based on what I understand of your first question, the banked StarOptions just move forward. They can be combined with the future use year StarOptions for a reservation or multiple reservations. Banking doesn't result in forfeiting any StarOptions.

StarOptions can only be banked once. You can however use your banked StarOptions for reservations then bank the current use year StarOptions forward.

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

One follow up about the June 30 deadline for banking SO.

Lets say that in May 2024 I pay the banking fee to move my SO to 2025, but later decide I want to make a December 2024 reservation. Are my banked 2024 SO no longer available for use in 2024?

 

[dioxide45]

One follow up about the June 30 deadline for banking SO.

Lets say that in May 2024 I pay the banking fee to move my SO to 2025, but later decide I want to make a December 2024 reservation. Are my banked 2024 SO no longer available for use in 2024?

A banking transaction is non reversible. So you can no longer use them for a 2024 reservation. You can however borrow 2025 StarOptions. However, that would require you to prepay the maintenance fees.

 

[ncaahockeyfan]

If I had banked all 148,100 into 2025, would a subsequent prepaid 2025 MF allow me to borrow 148,100 + 148,100 for a December 2024 reservation?

I like the banking feature, because we would likely try for two units and bring some grandparents with.

 

[Tucsonadventurer]

I love the status of Marriott Bonvoy too. I've been platinum elite for 5 years. But from what I've been reading, Staroptions might be cheaper/ smarter than abound point. I'm in conversation to get a mandatory optionsfrom Sheraton Vistana with 95,000 Staroptions. Do you think I can exchange for Marriott/ westin properties in Hawaii for 2 bedroom for 7 days? Is that enough point?
Westin Kierland looks good too but I doubt I'll ever use it there. I'm a beach girl and themeparks girl for the sake of my kids. So Orlando, Mexico and Hawaii exchange seem like where I'll be using it mostly. Or any of the Caribbean resorts

It's more difficult to get Marriott in II now but doable. It used to be easy but with Marriott having preference first you have to wait to see if any inventory is left for Vistana preference. It's easier to get 1 bedrooms or studios than 2 bedrooms. Westin will be easier to get in interval as you would have Vistana preference if you bought a resale Vistana

 

[sponger76]

If I had banked all 148,100 into 2025, would a subsequent prepaid 2025 MF allow me to borrow 148,100 + 148,100 for a December 2024 reservation?

I like the banking feature, because we would likely try for two units and bring some grandparents with.

No. You would only be able to borrow the unbanked 148,100 points that were originally from 2025 for a 2024 check-in. The banked 148,100 points that were originally from 2024 can no longer be used for a 2024 check-in.

 

[dioxide45]

If I had banked all 148,100 into 2025, would a subsequent prepaid 2025 MF allow me to borrow 148,100 + 148,100 for a December 2024 reservation?

I like the banking feature, because we would likely try for two units and bring some grandparents with.

You can't borrow back what was already banked.