Posts: 125
From: Chesapeake, VA, USA Owner at: Sheraton Vistana Villages (Orlando) and Disney's Beach Club Villas
Registered: JUL 2001

posted 07-31-2001 18:42            

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I recently purchased a two bedroom in Sheraton Vistana Villages. One of the biggest reasons was the Starwoods/Star Options point system. I really liked the flexibility -- or what I believed was flexibility -- when I purchased. I was under the impression that I could bank Star Options to accumulate points to for use in future years. As a matter of fact, we bought a two bedroom to get more points in the system. Now I find out the points expire at the end of the calender year. I know I can trade every other year for Starwood Points. But now I'm bummed and I'm wondering if I should have bought with Marriott. What do you all think?

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Rob

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then you you will be a mile away and have their shoes!"

Posts: 45
From: Calif,USA
Registered: DEC 2000

Posts: 572
From: Western Canada, Owner at: Freeport, Bahamas and British Columbia, Canada
Registered: DEC 2000

posted 07-31-2001 21:36            

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Hello:

Actually, I think you were very wise to purchase a 2 bedroom.

Based on our personal experience, I always recommend a 2 bedroom purchase over a 1 bedroom purchase. It trades much better, because there is always more demand for a 2 bedroom.

We purchased our first timeshare (from the developer) many, many years ago -- and only bought a one bedroom. We are kicking ourselves now, because it is too small. At the time, we didn't have kids, but now we have 2. (And they always want to bring a friend)

So, in my opinion, consider yourselves lucky that you bought the 2 bedroom. It will grow with you in time. You can't go wrong

Happy Holidays,
Regards,
Patricia

Posts: 125
From: Chesapeake, VA, USA Owner at: Sheraton Vistana Villages (Orlando) and Disney's Beach Club Villas
Registered: JUL 2001

posted 08-01-2001 08:42            

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Thanks for your input. We are very happy with owning. I just feel we were mislead by the salesman.

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Rob

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then you you will be a mile away and have their shoes!"

Posts: 931
From: Oregon , USA Owner: BeachPlace; Foxrun; Westin Kierland
Registered: JAN 2001

posted 08-01-2001 17:42            

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I think there may be confusion regarding Stawoord points. There are two points systems - One for timeshares (Star Options) and one for the normal frequent hotel guest program (Starwood Preferred Guest, or SPG). Your Starwood timeshare can be converted to Star Options in reserving OTHER Starwood timeshares instead of your using your home season/resort. This way, you get to trade internally for higher/lower seasons, higher/lower bedrooms,etc in any Starwwod timeshare. These options expire at the end of each year, so it is "use or lose". However, you can "borrow" options from the next year to combine with this year's options to get a higher season (or more bedrooms) resort than you could normally exchange into. For example, you can combine your year 2001 and 2002 points for use in 2001. Unfortunately, you can not use this year's points for next year. In my opinion (and I am an owners), Starwood does not have enough resorts currently to make this appealing to me. I feel I'm better off going the II or RCI route for trades.

Starwood timeshares can also be exchanged for SPG points, which is totally different that Options. It is very similar to Marriott's system. These points (once converted) do not expire in your SPG account. They can be used for Starwood (Sheraton, Westin, W, etc.) hotels and be converted into miles. *If* Starwood has an edge over Marriott, it is because Starwood has no blackout restrictions on hotels stays with points, and they will contribute 20% more for you if converting into miles. If you need 25,000 points/miles for a ticket, you only need to convert 20,000 points and Starwood will kick in the other 5,000. One minor item - SPG points are usually 1:1 conversion into miles, which is a bit simpler for idiots like me to keep straight - Marriott has a 3:1 conversion in most cases.

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seenett

Posts: 931
From: Oregon , USA Owner: BeachPlace; Foxrun; Westin Kierland
Registered: JAN 2001

These Star Options restrictions now make us Starwood cynics. We primarily bought into Starwood for the SPG feature - specifically for the no blackout policy and the enhanced miles conversion. Still waiting on the planned development of new resorts. Our home resort, Westin Mission Hills will not be open till April 2002 while the Westin Maui resort is not scheduled till the 3rd quarter of 2002 ! Called to reserve Westin St John but half of the resort is closed for renovations next year ! So, it's wait and see for us! Hopefully, the Phoenician deal comes through !

Posts: 45
From: Calif,USA
Registered: DEC 2000

Posts: 45
From: Calif,USA
Registered: DEC 2000

Do you also own in Mission Hills ? BTW, we live across American River in F.Oaks -- so we're neighbors.