Who has deposited their Starwood week with Interval?

[seenett]

Believe it or not, I have never actually depsoited my Starwood week with Interval. I was going to deposit my 2007 week today and I know that they can assign me virtually any week they want.

I was suprised that they couldn't even tell me what the week would be, that it would take 48-72 hours to show up in my II account, AND that the deposit could not be reversed if I did not like the week they gave me.

Anyone else have the same experience, and what did you do about it? Is there a "higher authority" I could talk to? It is frustrating that the Starwood vacation counselor has no clue that each week could have a different trade value; they claim that all weeks are equal.

 

[myip]

I just deposit a 2006 week into II. Instead of Mountain Vista, I got Vistana Resort. It is a late deposit. They don't have any week left in Mountain Vista to deposit. All they have is Vistana Resort, Jan and Feb, 2006. At first, I deposit it RCI but I got a blue week and it doesn't trade at all. I asked Starwood to pull the RCI week back and deposit a II week instead.

You probably have a better week for 2007. There is not much you can do as to get a week of your choice.

 

[Fletcher921]

We own a two bedroom at Mission Hills and I have only deposited a week with II once, last December. We had internally traded and booked the Atlantis Harborside and then privately traded it for another property. The person we traded with had to cancel about 10 days before it was used. I then called II and deposited each half separately and recieved two one bedroom flexchange deposits for it. The deposits were good until February 2007. I don't know how to tell what they actually deposited though.

I feel like it has worked out for us pretty well.

 

[MLC]

Believe it or not, I have never actually depsoited my Starwood week with Interval. I was going to deposit my 2007 week today and I know that they can assign me virtually any week they want.

I was suprised that they couldn't even tell me what the week would be, that it would take 48-72 hours to show up in my II account, AND that the deposit could not be reversed if I did not like the week they gave me.

Anyone else have the same experience, and what did you do about it? Is there a "higher authority" I could talk to? It is frustrating that the Starwood vacation counselor has no clue that each week could have a different trade value; they claim that all weeks are equal.

I have done several II deposits and this is the strategy I used. I did a request first deposit and you need to travel before your regular week with starwood is up. Another time I had a Haborside summer week that I could not use, I split it up and starwood would not give the same weeks to II, I complained to a supervisor and starwood gave II the weeks I had. I know that is not what they normally do but they did it. Another time I had a week that I could not use as the last minute(3 weeks from check in date) and Starwood gave me a week that ended up being a regular deposit not a deposit that was in the flex change period. It was at a different location(summer in Orlando) but still better than a flexchange week. I hope that helps you. Thank you for all you have done for tug members. Take care and have a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

 

[gjaques]

We have owned at Sheraton Broadway Plantation from when it started as an Embassy resort.
We have used it more for deposits than we have actually stayed there. It is a beautiful resort, but we also own at Seawatch and usually stay there instead. Our deposits were previously with RCI, but for 2006 and 2007 have deposited with II.
I am always looking to make our reservations and deposits as far in advance as possible (10-12 months out). On one occassion I made an RCI deposit that Sheraton changed to a February week without any notification to me. When I found that this week had little trading power I called and after insisting that I needed trading power equivalent to my purchased time it was changed to week 35 (our deeded week).
Since that incident I have always insisted on obtaining a summer week deposit. On two occassions I have been told to call back in a few weeks when additional deposits would be released and have always obtained a desirable week by doing so.
I should note that SBP is still far from being completely developed and therefore I would expect a greater availability of deposits.
Other posters have reported previously and in past threads that Sheraton may deposit any week at any resort. I have questioned this with two different VCs on two different occassions and been told on both occassions that they could not deposit a resort at which you did not own. I have no knowledge of any official Sheraton policy in this regards, but have been prepared to argue the point with VC and /or their supervisor if I had to. It would anger me to not obtain a deposit equivalent to that which I have paid for particularly since we purchased from the developer before finding TUG.
I hope that I have not jinxed myself and hope this helps any interested tuggers.
Greg

 

[Henry M.]

Last year, at the end of December I found myself having to deposit a studio week at WKORV since I would lose it if I didn't do something. SVO gave me an April week at the Sheraton Desert Oasis. It was a red week there. However, it was for a 1BR unit which is better than my studio. I also lost over half a year of banking time, but that was all they had to give me so late in the year.

My understanding is that a 1BR red week is a 1 BR red week so it doesn't matter if you get KOR or SDO as long as both are premium weeks. Just a couple of weeks ago I traded that 1BR SDO for a 2BR unit in the foothilss of the Bavarian Alps in Germany, where I will be going next spring break. In the end everything turned out OK, but the first few months of this year I was concerned that the nicer properties were just never available. Sure you could find a condo in Orlando, but none inside the Disney resort. I also couldn't find anything in Southern Califronia for extended periods of time.

There are two ways to use II with Starwood. The first and best way is to do a "request first" where you don't actually deposit your week until what you want becomes available. You need time to do this so it is best to start the search process early. II is more motivated to find you something since they don't have your week until they find your request. The second way is an outright deposit, like I had to do (it was December 30 or so). There you deposit your week with them and some time later you can decide what you want to do.

It seems if you own the higher end Westin properties it is difficult to find matching properties through II, not because of what you deposit but because the equivalent Four Seasons, Westin and other high end resorts just don't deposit any similar weeks with II. Their brochure shows some pretty nice places but they are simply not available to trade into. I understand RCI is the same way, but have no experience.

 

[Stefa]

Do you actually have to have a week reserved or can you just tell them you want to deposite instead of making a reservation for the year. The reason I am asking is because we are negotiating for the purchase of a Vistana week with 2007 usage, but I'm not sure if there will be anything available once (if) the sale closes. Thanks

 

[DeniseM]

Do you actually have to have a week reserved or can you just tell them you want to deposite instead of making a reservation for the year. The reason I am asking is because we are negotiating for the purchase of a Vistana week with 2007 usage, but I'm not sure if there will be anything available once (if) the sale closes. Thanks

When you deposit a Starwood week with II, Starwood chooses and deposits the week. There should be no problem finding a Vistana week this early in the year.

 

[seenett]

...My understanding is that a 1BR red week is a 1 BR red week so it doesn't matter if you get KOR or SDO as long as both are premium weeks...

This is the crux of the issue. When trading externally (II or RCI) all red weeks are NOT the same. An August SDO week is red, but so is a February WKORV week. It is a sure bet that the February WKORV week will trade much better than an August SDO week - at least outside of Starwood.

The question is, do Starwood weeks all trade equally (in there color class) for other Starwood resorts in II? Starwood could, in theory, artifically equalize the trading power for all Starwood weeks within II - so any Starwood week could exchange for any other Starwood week. Since they control all II deposits, it could be done. However, I doubt it. Marriott doesn't do it - their 21 day priority window will only allow comperable trades within the Marriott family before non-Marriott owners can trade in.

 

[jerseygirl]

I have 3 Starwood resorts in my II account and they do not trade equally. It seems to me that the normal II trading power criteria applies. My weeks are floating and I see pretty big differences when I vary the deposit dates I search with. If you use the demand index in the II directory, you can tell exactly which weeks have the best trading power.

Because of the bulk banking system, I do think it would be more equitable if Starwood negotiated a blended trading power (within seasons, of course, for those resorts that have multiple seasons). On the other hand, I've always gotten pretty decent weeks deposited by asking fairly early and very nicely, so the blended trading power would probably result in decreased trading power.

None of my weeks were purchased from the developer, and two of my three deeds are under a "pre-Starwood" governing document. I don't believe that Starwood has the right to deposit anything other than what I own -- I think that only applies to deeds drawn up after Starwood took over.

As far as the internal trading preference, I've never not seen any of the sightings posted on the sightings board -- but, I've got a one-BR unit that only sees the good 2-BRs (e.g. Harborside) if they're in the flexchange period (again, consistent with normal II trading power criteria).

 

[Henry M.]

I am new to II trading so please bear with me. How is the value of a particular week within II determined? When I have looked it seemed that once deposited, a red week for a 1BR unit lets you see any weeks for 1BR units available at the time of your search for the time you wish to travel.

There may be more value for say a WKOR week if you do a request first. However, after a week is deposited, how does II determine what to offer as suitable exchanges? Is there some sort of point value assigned to each resort that varies with resort class and location?

The way Starwood presented it, they have set weeks already on deposit. When you call to make a deposit they select one of these weeks to give to you. I did not have a week reserved at WKOR and it was the end of the year so I could no longer reserve anything even if I had wanted to. They said the SDO April week was the highest value week available at the time that they could deposit in my name. In a situation like this, how can you gauge the value of what Starwood is offering? I had no idea about what SDO was and how well the week would trade within II.

 

[djyamyam]

two of my three deeds are under a "pre-Starwood" governing document. I don't believe that Starwood has the right to deposit anything other than what I own -- I think that only applies to deeds drawn up after Starwood took over.

When you bought those two "pre-Starwood" units, did you know that was the case or did you find out by accident afterwards? Are those floating weeks or fixed weeks? If floating how do you bypass the spacebanked week that Starwood normally gives? Do you know if there are other "pre-Starwood" weeks at your resorts? Can you share which resorts you are refering to? You can PM me if you prefer.

 

[jerseygirl]

When you bought those two "pre-Starwood" units, did you know that was the case or did you find out by accident afterwards? .

I never really found out officially -- it's just that I've been depositing them to II for years and Starwood has never once brought up the possiblity of depositing anything other than what I own. I'm 100% sure that I never signed anything that gives them the right to deposit anything other than what I own. Two of my weeks were developed by Embassy (Broadway Plantation) -- so the original governing documents would not give them this right either, at least I don't think so.

I think it's a timing issue more than anything. Without bulk banking, when an owner calls on 12/15 to make a 2006 deposit, the only remaining weeks (51 and 52) may be fully booked. The owner is completely out of luck. But, due to bulk banking, Starwood may have unassigned weeks that can be assigned to the "tardy owner." If there's one at the owner's actual resort, I'm sure the owner would receive it. But, if there's nothing left unassigned at the owner's resort, Starwood will look for unassigned weeks at other resorts in the system. That's a benefit -- getting something vs. nothing at all.

On the other hand, if I owned a platinum Harborside, for example, and I requested an II deposit early in the year, I would be very upset if they deposited a summer Sheraton Desert Oasis week. I think it really boils down to, "Are there weeks that can still be booked for usage at my resort?" If yes, then I would book one of these and take it to the top to get it deposited.

Are those floating weeks or fixed weeks? .

Floating

If floating how do you bypass the spacebanked week that Starwood normally gives? .

I can put it any week for searching. Once I actually deposit, I can't bypass the week Starwood deposits -- it is what it is. For that reason, some say the "request first" method works better with a Starwood unit (I don't think I've ever tried it with any of my Starwood weeks).

Do you know if there are other "pre-Starwood" weeks at your resorts? Can you share which resorts you are refering to? You can PM me if you prefer.

Vistana Resort was not originally developed by Starwood -- Vistana was a timeshare developer and Starwood bought them out. Some units were sold "pre-Starwood" and some were sold by Starwood.

Broadway Plantation and Desert Oasis were both originally developed by Embassy -- I believe Starwood bought these two resorts (but not the Hawaii resorts). Same situation -- some units were sold "pre-Starwood" and some were sold by Starwood. There may be others -- I'm not sure.

 

[GrayFal]

I never really found out officially -- it's just that I've been depositing them to II for years and Starwood has never once brought up the possiblity of depositing anything other than what I own. I'm 100% sure that I never signed anything that gives them the right to deposit anything other than what I own. Two of my weeks were developed by Embassy (Broadway Plantation) -- so the original governing documents would not give them this right either, at least I don't think so.

I think it's a timing issue more than anything. Without bulk banking, when an owner calls on 12/15 to make a 2006 deposit, the only remaining weeks (51 and 52) may be fully booked. The owner is completely out of luck. But, due to bulk banking, Starwood may have unassigned weeks that can be assigned to the "tardy owner." If there's one at the owner's actual resort, I'm sure the owner would receive it. But, if there's nothing left unassigned at the owner's resort, Starwood will look for unassigned weeks at other resorts in the system. That's a benefit -- getting something vs. nothing at all.

On the other hand, if I owned a platinum Harborside, for example, and I requested an II deposit early in the year, I would be very upset if they deposited a summer Sheraton Desert Oasis week. I think it really boils down to, "Are there weeks that can still be booked for usage at my resort?" If yes, then I would book one of these and take it to the top to get it deposited.



Floating



I can put it any week for searching. Once I actually deposit, I can't bypass the week Starwood deposits -- it is what it is. For that reason, some say the "request first" method works better with a Starwood unit (I don't think I've ever tried it with any of my Starwood weeks).



Vistana Resort was not originally developed by Starwood -- Vistana was a timeshare developer and Starwood bought them out. Some units were sold "pre-Starwood" and some were sold by Starwood.

Broadway Plantation and Desert Oasis were both originally developed by Embassy -- I believe Starwood bought these two resorts (but not the Hawaii resorts). Same situation -- some units were sold "pre-Starwood" and some were sold by Starwood. There may be others -- I'm not sure.

I am trying to better understand the Starwood system.
I have a friend who purchased a resale at Broadway Plantation and she was told she could reserve her deeded week 27 (which she did) and then was able to deposit THAT WEEK (smaller 1BR) with II. Her larger 1BR she deposited with SFX. Starwood allowed and confirmed both deposits without any questions asked.

I am interested in that property (resale) and/or possibly Desert Oasis...how would I be able to find out if I reserve a 'good' week that I can then deposit it with II or an independent. I guess I am having difficulty understanding how I can make a reservation of my TS FOR my interval/owned week and then the management company can tell me what to do with it - or essentially take my reservation away from me.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[DeniseM]

I am interested in that property (resale) and/or possibly Desert Oasis...how would I be able to find out if I reserve a 'good' week that I can then deposit it with II or an independent. I guess I am having difficulty understanding how I can make a reservation of my TS FOR my interval/owned week and then the management company can tell me what to do with it - or essentially take my reservation away from me.

Any insight is appreciated.

If you deposit with II - Starwood picks the week. They have a contract with II and that's just how it is. Some posters have stated that they were unhappy with the week Starwood deposited and they were able to get another week deposited - YMMV.

If you deposit with an independent, YOU pick the week. I have deposited with SFX and the way it works is that I that I simply reserved the week with Starwood in my name, with no mention of depositing it. I just made a straight-forward owner's Resv. for the week I wanted to deposit. (SFX will only take certain weeks.) Then I filled out the form to deposit it with SFX, and SFX notified Starwood and took care of it from there. I have done it a couple of times with no problem. Note that SFX only accepts high season weeks, so you would want to discuss it with them if you are purchasing with the intent of depositing. I own at SDO and Starwood accepts deposits of weeks from Jan. 15 - Easter (or they did the last time I asked.)