This is mostly true, but not all the time. Not all owners pay to change a name. Don't remember the exact rule now, I believe you only pay if you are changing the name for a non network week. Or is it that you get one name change per year per network you own?
Dear Elite Owner,
Recently you received an email about the application of a third-party guest fee for members of the Vistana Signature Network (VSN). We’d like to provide additional information to help answer any questions you may have.
Most notably, you will not be charged the fee to transfer your reservation to a third-party guest during the Home Resort Reservation Period (12–8 months prior to arrival).
The fee only applies to a third-party guest reservation booked within the VSN Network Float Period or the VSN Network Priority Period starting at eight months prior to arrival. Our intent is to ensure all Owners have a fair opportunity to secure reservations at VSN villa resorts during this period.
Once the fee has been applied to a specific reservation, any further name changes to that reservation will not incur an additional fee. Third-party guests include friends and family members not listed on the ownership deed or contract.
As a valued Four- or Five-Star Elite Member, you receive one complimentary third-party guest reservation transfer per each Elite-qualifying Vacation Ownership Interest annually.
Please contact Elite Special Services at 888-786-3548 should you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Clark
Vice President, Owner Services
Vistana Signature Experiences
What if I own a studio in Hawaii and enough StarOptions at SVV to book a 2BR unit anywhere and use those SVV Options to book a 2BR in Hawaii and rent it. Is that allowed based on the above statement? That is where the ambiguity comes in.
You could only rent the studio portion because that is what you own in Hawaii. The other part of the lock off, 1 bedroom, would be personal use.
Markus said it well. SOs from another resort (SVV in this case) cannot be used to reserve and rent in Hawaii.
The difference is the source of the SOs you are using for the reservation. Vistana can track this easily and you can assign them when you make the reservation. I think the SOs source should be visible at all times but it is not for owners after the reservation is confirmed (you can call and ask). Non Hawaii SOs (this, of course, is resort specific not state specific) cannot be used to reserve and rent in Hawaii.
Looks clear to me...
...That's the potential loop hole. You are Paying MFs to resort Z but you are not renting what you own. I believe this should not be done...
Correct (partially), because there is no seasonality variation in Hawaii (points wise). Having said, how about if you own a 2 BRLO OFD and you have 176,700 SOs to reserve at the resort. You make a studio resie after 8 months (which is non OF) and rent it. You are not only making an SO resie and renting it, but you are also using your points to rent a unit for less than the points your unit generates, you make a buck (profit), and keep some SOs in your pocket...wow...
No but Hawaii now has views so you could take 7 nights of non ocean front and reserve fewer nights of ocean front which might be a stronger rental.
exactly my point...
Reread the proposed question and Markus' reply (I did 3 time to make sure I read him correctly) he actually stated to dioxide45 since he owns a studio in Hawaii and uses SVV SO to reserve a 2 bdr in Hawaii he COULD rent out the studio but not the adjoining 1 bdr since he didn't own that as well. That seems like it shouldn't be allowed since he stated the SO originated from SVV. Not sure if you misread the question, but the answer that he CAN rent a Hawaii studio booked with SVV SO seems incorrect. All Home resort resi can be rented (all agree), resi booked at home resort via SO less than 8 months out (TUG members differ on interpretation), SO used from another resort can't be rented as it's against the rules (seems obvious). Is this the distillation of the thread?