mlefferts
TUG Member
Hi all!
I have been bitten by the timeshare bug! I currently have 2, one for trading and one for use, and am looking to pick up my first Starwood. I want to be abled to trade into Atlantis every other year. We have never owned or traveled with Starwood outside of Sheraton or Westin hotels on rare occasions, we usually go Holiday Inn Express when we travel outside timeshare. I am asking a few of things from seasoned owners:
Is it easier to trade in on Staroptions than with a fixed week via II? I'm betting the answer is yes, but I want to make sure. I am looking at a 2BR Gold Plus week at SBP or a Mandatory week at SVV.
From what I gather, II will increase trade cost, but the MF + trade cost + II membership are comparable to the MFs + starwood membership for the Staroptions, so it seems like a wash to me. Are there reservation costs when using Staroptions? I haven't seen anything to indicate that, but I want to make sure.
If you want more than a week, with the new Staroptions system, do the weeks open up daily at midnight 8 months out or does it open the week on the typical checkin days (fri sat sun)? That just seems confusing, so for example if I wanted to book a week wed-wed, does that week open up exactly 8 months out from that wed? Also, what in their calendar constitutes 8 months? 8 calendar months? a certain number of days? I thought I saw this somewhere but I don't remember.
Also, what the heck is this timestamp thing everyone is talking about and what does it have to do with reservations?
Last questions! I know I would want an EOY with SBP. I am considering an EOY Staroptions @ SVV. Are 1/2 the points given each year or are all the points given every other year? I may look into a smaller unit with less *options as an Annual instead of an EOY 81-97.5k just for better flexibility in reserving what I want. Any thoughts? Are MFs lower on less *options in SVV? FYI: it's me, my husband, 7yo boy, and 4yo girl. I don't mind a 1br with a pull-out with them now, but as they get older a 2br would be preferable, and we onlywant can afford to go to Atlantis (harbor side) every other year (it's not the place to stay, it's all the other stuff!).
BTW, Thank you all who have contributed to the board and created the stickies and such! They have helped me understand Starwood in depth with these few exceptions and now I am looking for advice based on your experiences.
I have been bitten by the timeshare bug! I currently have 2, one for trading and one for use, and am looking to pick up my first Starwood. I want to be abled to trade into Atlantis every other year. We have never owned or traveled with Starwood outside of Sheraton or Westin hotels on rare occasions, we usually go Holiday Inn Express when we travel outside timeshare. I am asking a few of things from seasoned owners:
Is it easier to trade in on Staroptions than with a fixed week via II? I'm betting the answer is yes, but I want to make sure. I am looking at a 2BR Gold Plus week at SBP or a Mandatory week at SVV.
From what I gather, II will increase trade cost, but the MF + trade cost + II membership are comparable to the MFs + starwood membership for the Staroptions, so it seems like a wash to me. Are there reservation costs when using Staroptions? I haven't seen anything to indicate that, but I want to make sure.
If you want more than a week, with the new Staroptions system, do the weeks open up daily at midnight 8 months out or does it open the week on the typical checkin days (fri sat sun)? That just seems confusing, so for example if I wanted to book a week wed-wed, does that week open up exactly 8 months out from that wed? Also, what in their calendar constitutes 8 months? 8 calendar months? a certain number of days? I thought I saw this somewhere but I don't remember.
Also, what the heck is this timestamp thing everyone is talking about and what does it have to do with reservations?
Last questions! I know I would want an EOY with SBP. I am considering an EOY Staroptions @ SVV. Are 1/2 the points given each year or are all the points given every other year? I may look into a smaller unit with less *options as an Annual instead of an EOY 81-97.5k just for better flexibility in reserving what I want. Any thoughts? Are MFs lower on less *options in SVV? FYI: it's me, my husband, 7yo boy, and 4yo girl. I don't mind a 1br with a pull-out with them now, but as they get older a 2br would be preferable, and we only
BTW, Thank you all who have contributed to the board and created the stickies and such! They have helped me understand Starwood in depth with these few exceptions and now I am looking for advice based on your experiences.