Sheraton/Westin Platinum+ vs gold+ vs gold

[WorldT]

Hello SDO and Westin Kierland specialists. I have some questions. I understand the dates for the above. However, I don't understand a couple of things.

1. When making reservations, at home resort, is the open window staggered? Do plat+ go first (I know SDO have a floating gold 1-52)
2. When trading in II, I know SDO uses blended trading power. Would it matter which unit you have?
3. Does Westin do the same as SDO in #2 above?
4. Why would a 1 bdr plat+ WKV be more valuable than a 2 bdr gold+ lockoff if all I am doing is trading through II?

Assume I have no interest in StarOptions. That would be a whole different set of questions.

 

[Mroze]

Vistana allows owners to only book from their season.
At 12-Months WKV PLAT+ owners can only book [exactly what they own] from their season and not from any other season,
E.g. If I own a PLAT+ 2BR-LO at WKV. At 12-Months, I can book 7-Nights [not more not less] either a 1BR-Deluxe [67100-SO], or a 1BR-Premium [81000-SO] or a 2BR-LO [148100-SO].
If at 12-Months out the season I own [e.g. PLAT+] does not match [e.g. GOLD-Season] i will not be allowed to book.

*E.g. If I own a PLAT+ 2BR-NON-LO Resort-View at WNA. At 12-Months, I can book 7-Nights [not more not less] only a 2BR [148100-SO].

*Since WNA sold Points-Packages so they may work slightly differently than Deeded-Weeks like SDO or WKV.

This is so that PLAT+ owners cannot book from a lower-season and the same applies the other way.
Sheraton & Westin have the same policies.

At 8-Months all Home-Options become Star-Options and anyone can book 1-Night to 21-Nights using Star-Options.

The Star-Options exchanges [8-Month or less Window] apply if you own:

• Direct-Purchase: Any Vistana-Resort
• Resale-Purchase: 6 x Vistana Mandatory-Resorts

 

[WorldT]

Thanks @Mroze. Answers #1. Any input on the other questions?

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks @Mroze. Answers #1. Any input on the other questions?

All of the resorts use a blended trading power. The only real exception is true fixed weeks. II and Vistana don't really share the trade power or how it is assigned to units that get deposited.

 

[Ski-Dad]

1. When making reservations, at home resort, is the open window staggered? Do plat+ go first (I know SDO have a floating gold 1-52)

No. If you leave it a bit late to book, a Platinum unit will still book a prime week. A gold 1 to 52 unit may not secure a prime week as the remaining prime inventory must be held back for Platinum owners. The Gold will get a less than prime week. Book early.

2. When trading in II, I know SDO uses blended trading power. Would it matter which unit you have?

SDO: The platinum units seem to have a slightly higher trading power in II. This is based on my personal experience as I own both platinum and gold units at SDO.