Confused Potential Owner- lots of questions

marinerDID · Jun 21, 2016

I'm hoping you guys can answer a few of my questions since I'm looking to purchase a resale (and after my horrible experience with the sales people at the Westin Princeville I wouldn't even entertain the idea of buying new).

1. I see some units for sale have the staroptions listed with them, do you get that amount each year or is that a one time transfer when you purchase?

2. Do you get the perk of having the lifetime Gold status with SPG on resale units?

3. I'm a mariner so I'm always working various schedules, can it be a pain to book a place if you have a floating week?

4. I see there is a difference between Mandatory and Voluntary resorts. If you buy a place under mandatory, are there resorts you don't have access to?

I appreciate the help!

SMHarman · Jun 21, 2016

1 each year. Or each other year if a biannual Ownership
2. No. Developer only.
3. Ideally you book 8-12 months out. Too close and availability is often a problem.
4. See the sticky posts above. Mandatory have Staroptions on resale voluntary don't.

DeniseM · Jun 21, 2016

marinerDID said:
1. I see some units for sale have the staroptions listed with them, do you get that amount each year or is that a one time transfer when you purchase?

Each year you can either use your timeshare week OR use the Staroptions.

2. Do you get the perk of having the lifetime Gold status with SPG on resale units?

This is no big deal because so many people have it - there are many ways so get it. It should not be part of your considerations.

3. I'm a mariner so I'm always working various schedules, can it be a pain to book a place if you have a floating week?

You can book your floating week at 12 mos. before check-in. As long as you book it immediately, it usually isn't a problem. For holiday weeks, if you don't reserve it right at 12 mos., you may not be able to reserve it. If you cannot plan in advance, you will find timesharing to be frustrating.

*Which resort are you looking at?

4. I see there is a difference between Mandatory and Voluntary resorts. If you buy a place under mandatory, are there resorts you don't have access to?

It's the other way around:

Mandatory resorts have Staroptions (when purchased on the resale market) and can be used to reserve any available resort in the VSE system.

Voluntary resorts do not have Staroptions when purchased on the resale market, and cannot be used to exchange within the VSE system.

See the FAQ and other stickies at the top of the page for more info.

marinerDID · Jun 22, 2016

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate all the feedback.

I'm primarily looking in Hawaii to answer your question.

SanFam · Jun 22, 2016

Resale - Mandatory and Voluntary Resorts

We are owners at the Vistana Villages and are considering a second week. We want to get the StarOptions with the purchase. Can you tell me which resorts are Mandatory?
I have looked thru this site and I am a bit confused.
thanks!

DeniseM · Jun 22, 2016

SanFam said:
We are owners at the Vistana Villages and are considering a second week. We want to get the StarOptions with the purchase. Can you tell me which resorts are Mandatory?
I have looked thru this site and I am a bit confused.
thanks!

The mandatory resorts are:

* Harborside at Atlantis
* Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases only)
* Westin St. John (Virgin Grand - Hillside only)
* Westin Ka'anapali & Westin Ka'anapali-North
* Westin Kierland Villas

I also recommend that you review the FAQ: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63224

SanFam · Jun 22, 2016

Thank you!

SanFam · Jun 22, 2016

another question

one final question - if I purchase a mandatory week with StarOptions - is there any reason to "requalify" it with VSE?
The 2 benefits I saw were to qualify for Elite status or to change the StarOptions to StarPoints. Otherwise, this week will be the same as the original week I purchased from VSE.
thank you!

SMHarman · Jun 22, 2016

SanFam said:
one final question - if I purchase a mandatory week with StarOptions - is there any reason to "requalify" it with VSE?
The 2 benefits I saw were to qualify for Elite status or to change the StarOptions to StarPoints. Otherwise, this week will be the same as the original week I purchased from VSE.
thank you!

Yes those are the two benefits.

No, there is no good reason. Well maybe SPG platinum if you were going to qualify for that AND stay in a lot of hotels AND the uncertainty of the SPG / Marriott Rewards did not exist.

So requal will not go away as an option. The uncertainty will reduce but for a owner with only two weeks requal is not a thing to be worrying about.