Depositing Alternative Westin Resort into II

I just deposited my Westin Kaanapali Resort week into II. The process required first cancelling an existing reservation for my week in July with Westin in order for them to deposit a week into Interval. In checking online with Interval later in the day, I come to find that Westin actually deposited into Interval a week from Westin Mission Hills Resort!

I called Westin to fix this error but instead they said there was no mistake. While I own at WKORV, they no longer had any weeks to deposit into Interval and thus had to deposit an alternative Westin resort. They claimed it would make no difference in my ability to trade within Interval as both the resorts are rated equally. My feeling is that one reason I paid more for WKORV over Mission Hills was that it (Maui) had better trading power than Palm Springs. It would seem true in this particular case as Westin has exhausted their WKORV inventory into II, and yet still has units in Mission Hills available to deposit.

Has anyone else heard of an alternative resort being deposited and is it true that these resorts do have exact equal trading power and I shouldn't be concerned about this?

Westin does have the right to do this based on their written agreements. But I would still be concerned if I were you. I own at Mission Hills, and while I've never searched with an actual deposited week (just a generic week) I find the week has awful trade value. You probably would have done better if you had given your week to SFX because you can deposit your actual reserved week. Which weeks at Mission Hills did they deposit? If it's a February, March, or early April week, it might trade well. You can check the sightings board to see if your deposited week pulls what has been sighted.

Good luck with the week.
Edye

Why would they have exhausted their WKOVR inventory? Even if they have some blackout period for deposits, they would still have a week somewhere, since you haven't used or exchanged your week there yet, unless they oversold. Westin Mission Hills has a lot of inventory on line on II, whereas WKORV doesn't. It's hard to believe that they have the same trading power.

But if they have that in the agreement, I don't know what you can do about it. Maybe you can get them to let you cancel the deposit. WKORV owners will have better advice for you.

Wow, you should definitely report this on the hotel board. Actually I'll post a link. I'd definitely be pissed but I have no clue in what you should do. I'm interested in the outcome since I own there too.

Thanks,
Tina

They do have the right to post whatever resort and week with II according to the contracts. Some people have been able to have them change the deposit by being a squeaky wheel. I think that is the luck of the draw. I think this is the reason you don't see a lot of WKORV in II. It seem most people either rent, direct trade or go with an independent so that you get the trade power you purchased.

I deposited a WKORV studio on Dec. 30 - poor planning on my part! I had tried to do a "Request First" or whatever it is called when you first ask for a particular location and only when it becomes available do you deposit your week but couldn't find anything in time so I just deposited the week at the end of the year. In general I've been pretty disappointed with II and the availability of prime properties. Sure you can find a condo in Orlando, but not inside the Disney property. The more desirable properties say inside Disney, Hawaii, Southern California , etc, never seem to be available. I was looking for the Hyatt in Carmel initially, but later expanded to anything in So Cal except Mission Hills that I'd already visited, for any time between February and May!)

This practice seems to be common and not just a Starwood thing. The II agent I talked to said that at the more desirable resorts they usually don't make weeks available to II. The developers usually deposit other locations with similar season and number of rooms. That is what really matters when trading within II. From what I gathered, only when you do a "request first" does the actual property matter.

SVO actually put in an April 7 Sheraton Desert Oasis week. They did tell me on the phone as they were doing it. They claimed they have a pool of weeks to deposit and that was the closest one they had to my category and date since I was depositing so late.

The two years you have to bank the week depend on the week actually deposited. So I really only have 1 year and 4 months to use the week since I deposited an April week in December. I really had no choice and I didn't have an actual week reserved when I deposited my WKOR week. It was a use-it-or-lose-it situation.

I believe if you deposit a week the only thing that matters is the season (red, green, etc.) and the number of rooms. In my case, the SDO unit was a 1 BR so I was actually ahead because my unit was a studio.

It shouldnt really matter in your ability to exchange, the resorts will pull the same options IMO. I am able to pull WKORV and HArborside with my Vistana week I bought resale and never used II for my WMH but I have searched and gotten just about the same availability as my Vistana, so I just use my Staroptions with my WMH.

Starwood never deposits WKORV July/August weeks ever into II. As a Maui owner I find II totally useless for me, and I am forced to pay for the membership whether I want it or not.

July/August weeks rent very well and that's what we did this year.

The weeks you were given will trade OK & you will get access to WKORV weeks in 2007 using Starwood priority when Starwood space-banks them(typically weeks in the fall & late April/May).

Did you make two separate deposits ? Also did you get an Accomodation Certificate (AC) like you were supposed to ?

plead.5th said:

It shouldnt really matter in your ability to exchange, the resorts will pull the same options IMO. I am able to pull WKORV and HArborside with my Vistana week I bought resale and never used II for my WMH but I have searched and gotten just about the same availability as my Vistana, so I just use my Staroptions with my WMH.

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It doesn't seem to matter when looking at trades within the SVN family, but if you tried to exchange to a non-SVN resort, trading power would be MUCH less.

Thanks for all your comments above. You guys know your stuff. Sounds like I have no recourse and just have to hope the WMH deposited week of Dec 15-22 works out in trade value for me. I had originally put in a "request first" with II for Park City and Whistler for either the 2007 Feb winter break week (I know I was dreaming) or the last week of ski season in mid-April (realistic?) I figured my WKOR July reserved week could get me the 2007 mid-April trade. Now I have to use the WMH property as my trade bait.

Bottomline what I learned from you is that the popular properties have the right to withhold depositing into II and substitute others in their place. It doesn't make sense; there can never be "fair" trades if people are relinquishing higher demand weeks and not receiving the same in return. As this is my first trade, I'll see what I end up with. If I don't receive reasonable value in return, I'll probably go the rental route in the future as suggested above.

Incidentally I deposited the full 2 bd-room rather than split it into the 1 bd room and lockoff. This is another concern of mine. My preference is to trade for 2 bd room properties. Westin told me that I can only get a 2 bd room if I deposit a 2 bd room. Also, if I don't have luck in finding a 2 bd-rm property in the next two years, I'm told I don't have the option to ever break it into a 1 bd room and studio. I thought this was rather restrictive.

Final question, I've heard of an Accommodation Certificate, but being a newbie I'm not sure what it is. Can you let me know, and if I should follow-up on requesting it?

Thanks guys.

cbolts said:

I had originally put in a "request first" with II for Park City and Whistler for either the 2007 Feb winter break week (I know I was dreaming) or the last week of ski season in mid-April (realistic?) I figured my WKOR July reserved week could get me the 2007 mid-April trade.

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I think you gave up too early if you were willing to take an April week. For example right now there is an April 13-20th 2 bedroom unit available at Summit Watch in Park City sitting online in II. Not sure if that's the week you wanted, but in any case your April request would likely have been fulfilled. But you should still be able to get that, I would expect.

cbolts said:

Bottomline what I learned from you is that the popular properties have the right to withhold depositing into II and substitute others in their place. It doesn't make sense; there can never be "fair" trades if people are relinquishing higher demand weeks and not receiving the same in return.

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It is very developer specific, not really "popular properties." While I do not recall anyone on TUG actually doing a count, my impression from reading these boards is that resorts/developers who control the weeks that may be deposited into II/RCI are still in the minority. Most allow owners to deposit the week they own/reserve.

An Accommodation Certificate is a bonus week given by II to members as incentive to deposit high demand units. There is a redemption fee of usually between $199 and $299 depending on the size of the unit you take.

It has geograghical and time of year restrictions that are mostly lifted within 60 days of check in.

Please dont take this the wrong way. It is apparent that you dont really understand your contract or the way II works. I think what you really need to do is read your timeshare contract and read II's Terms and Conditions.

If you do this you will better understand the policies of exchange with II and Starwood.

cbolts said:

Incidentally I deposited the full 2 bd-room rather than split it into the 1 bd room and lockoff. This is another concern of mine. My preference is to trade for 2 bd room properties. Westin told me that I can only get a 2 bd room if I deposit a 2 bd room. Also, if I don't have luck in finding a 2 bd-rm property in the next two years, I'm told I don't have the option to ever break it into a 1 bd room and studio. I thought this was rather restrictive.

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That was bad advice given to you by Westin; Starwood almost never spacebanks 2-bed rm WKORV units; the only chance you had of getting into WKORV in a 2-bed unit(or two 1-bed rms) is to make two exchanges(twice the II fees though). Even in their Kierland & WMH spacebanks they were mostly split-up into 1-bed premium & 1-bed-deluxes.

It is possible the 2-bed rm could better on other II properties, but without the Starwood preference I am not sure about the trading power of your deposited week.

Please keep us updated on your future trades.

gmarine said:

An Accommodation Certificate is a bonus week given by II to members as incentive to deposit high demand units. There is a redemption fee of usually between $199 and $299 depending on the size of the unit you take.

It has geograghical and time of year restrictions that are mostly lifted within 60 days of check in.

Please dont take this the wrong way. It is apparent that you dont really understand your contract or the way II works. I think what you really need to do is read your timeshare contract and read II's Terms and Conditions.

If you do this you will better understand the policies of exchange with II and Starwood.

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You are right that I'm not fully clear on how II or Starwood works. I read my contract word for word the day after I bought my unit. Since there were no issues or red flags, I've since filed it away and not reviewed it. However II is a different story. I've read, reviewed, and analyzed all the information available on them before attempting my first trade. Moreover, I consulted with numerous friends who have traded with II and RCI for over 20 years. The stories and results are varied with no consistency to their experiences. Some have had no problems (they claim they have been lucky) and others are completely dissatisfied. This is similar to what I've read from TUG members.

Again my primary complaint is that I should be getting the same value in a trade as what I put into II. Their publications do state that a member will get similar value to what they deposit. But I'm reading above that this might not happen. I will wait and see. And where does it state that I should request an AC for my property? I'll look for that one...

Thanks again to all for your help and comments.

cbolts said:

You are right that I'm not fully clear on how II or Starwood works. I read my contract word for word the day after I bought my unit. Since there were no issues or red flags, I've since filed it away and not reviewed it. However II is a different story. I've read, reviewed, and analyzed all the information available on them before attempting my first trade. Moreover, I consulted with numerous friends who have traded with II and RCI for over 20 years. The stories and results are varied with no consistency to their experiences. Some have had no problems (they claim they have been lucky) and others are completely dissatisfied. This is similar to what I've read from TUG members.

Again my primary complaint is that I should be getting the same value in a trade as what I put into II. Their publications do state that a member will get similar value to what they deposit. But I'm reading above that this might not happen. I will wait and see. And where does it state that I should request an AC for my property? I'll look for that one...

Thanks again to all for your help and comments.

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You will get the same value in a trade as you put in. But if your contract states that Starwood can deposit a different resort than you own then you may not get an equal trade compared to the resort you own.

This is something in your contract that you apparently are not aware of and has nothing to do with II.

Hi Cbolts - I just wanted to add that most of the Starwood posts and owners are on the TUG Hotel Based TS System Board. Please join us there - it's a wealth of experience and information and we like to talk Starwood!

DeniseM said:

Hi Cbolts - I just wanted to add that most of the Starwood posts and owners are on the TUG Hotel Based TS System Board. Please join us there - it's a wealth of experience and information and we like to talk Starwood!

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Thanks for the tip Denise. Will definitely check in there and look forward to hearing everyone's experiences.

ALOHA!

skim118 said:

Starwood never deposits WKORV July/August weeks ever into II.

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From my II account:

Exchange

<Non-Starwood Florida Beach Resort>
Unit: 609 (1 bedroom)
Week: 52
Sat, December 30, 2006
Sat, January 06, 2007



Confirmed To:
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas • KAA
Unit: 4414 (Efficiency)
Week: 35 Sun, August 27, 2006
Sun, September 03, 2006

I ended up cancelling it, but this late August deposit made it past the Starwood preference period.

tashamen said:

I think you gave up too early if you were willing to take an April week. For example right now there is an April 13-20th 2 bedroom unit available at Summit Watch in Park City sitting online in II. Not sure if that's the week you wanted, but in any case your April request would likely have been fulfilled. But you should still be able to get that, I would expect.

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Just an FYI that that might -- might -- be after the closing dates of the Park City resorts, which -- because they're at a lower elevation -- usually have iffier April snow conditions than the Cottonwood Canyon resorts or most Colorado resorts.

jerseygirl said:

I ended up cancelling it, but this late August deposit made it past the Starwood preference period.

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The last week of August is not as popular since most schools even in CA are open by that time.

Also last year was unusual in that there were a lot more II deposits of WKORV in the fall because the new wing opened up sooner than Starwood anticipated.

jerseygirl said:

From my II account:

Exchange

<Non-Starwood Florida Beach Resort>
Unit: 609 (1 bedroom)
Week: 52
Sat, December 30, 2006
Sat, January 06, 2007



Confirmed To:
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas • KAA
Unit: 4414 (Efficiency)
Week: 35 Sun, August 27, 2006
Sun, September 03, 2006

I ended up cancelling it, but this late August deposit made it past the Starwood preference period.

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I was also able to book an August 27 e week, in a different unit number. Not a Starwood owner.

I had originally put in a "request first" with II for Park City and Whistler for either the 2007 Feb winter break week (I know I was dreaming) or the last week of ski season in mid-April (realistic?)

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Mid-April in Whistler is one of our favorite time to visit Whistler. The upper mountain is always open for skiing till May and there are lots a great spring skiing days in mid-April.

Getting into Whistler during that time is not very hard and you would normally have no problem with a great Westin trader. BUT, westin/starwood trades with II and there are almost no II resorts in Whistler. There are only six II resorts in all of Whistler and four or five of them trade mostly with RCI. That doesn't mean you will not get into Whistler, just that it much more difficult with an II trader.

PS. Both of the resorts we own are dual II -RCI whistler resorts. We almost alway trade with II because since there is so little II activity in Whistler, II loves it when we deposit a Whistler week.

skim118 said:

The last week of August is not as popular since most schools even in CA are open by that time.

Also last year was unusual in that there were a lot more II deposits of WKORV in the fall because the new wing opened up sooner than Starwood anticipated.

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That exchange was 2006. The last two weeks of August are REALLY popular in the NE as our schools don't go back until after Labor Day.

cbolts said:

Westin told me that I can only get a 2 bd room if I deposit a 2 bd room.

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Nonsense.

I reserved a 2-bed Marriott at Tahoe (ski week) for the small 1-bed at WMH (summer). This wasn't the only 2-bed available, either, though there were many more 1-bed's. Details:


Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas • WM1
Unit: 3709 (1 bedroom)
Week: 28
Sat, July 09, 2005
Sat, July 16, 2005

Confirmed To:
Marriott's Timber Lodge • MML
Unit: ZZAA (2 bedrooms)
Week: 49 Sat, December 09, 2006
Sat, December 16, 2006