posted 05-06-2005 11:42               

I need to include information about the Elite program (which I know little about as I am just a one week owner). I would also like to include a chart of StarPoint values by season, size and property.

What else should I include? Should I editorialize about the feasability of exchanging into the "Big 3" at the 8 month mark? Should I share some other "secrets" that have have been posted here over the last few years?

Please email me any ideas or specifics that you think I should include (or not include) or change. Of course, I will give appropriate credit to all submitters in the final version!

posted 05-06-2005 20:47               

I have the m.f. for 2 bedroom units at Mission Hills, Kierland, Vistana Villages, Ka'anapali and Mountain Vista. If any of you know the m.f. for 1 bedrooms or studios or 2 bedrooms at the resorts missing above, please let me know.

posted 05-07-2005 13:03               

Denise - I can't find Elite information on mystarcentral. The site seems to be personalized to what you own, and since I don't have Elite status, maybe they ommitted it.

I will start a new thread asking for StarPoint values from owners so I can compile them

posted 05-07-2005 13:11               

------------------
Denise

posted 05-07-2005 14:47               

Here is the information in case you can't access the link sent by Denise:
3* 4* 5*

Annual SPG points conversion Y Y Y
Avis Preferred Membership Y Y Y
Villa unit upgrade Request Request Automatic
Friendship rewards (std. 20,000 points) 30,000 35,000 40,000
$99 starpoint conversion fee waived N Y Y
Early villa check in (2 pm) N Y Y
SVN waitlist while holding reservations N Y Y
$129 SVN annual membership waived N N Y
Automatic SPG Platinum membership N N Y
Late villa check out (12 noon) N N Y
Platinum concierge N N Y

posted 05-08-2005 10:40               

I don't know if this belongs in a Starwood FAQ, but current information about upcoming resorts might be helpful (if there was any). For example, we get asked about the Maui "sister" resort occasionally, and we do know that they will eventually be building in the Princeville area of Kauai and maybe add-ons to the Sheraton there. Supposedly there is property on the Big Island too. We also get asked about Mexico a lot, and whether Starwood is taking over any resorts or building new ones. I can't recall what happened to the Aladdin deal in Las Vegas, but maybe that's not Starwood anymore?!

I know it may be years for any of these properties to be open, but we might include a section on the "future properties we've heard about," or we could just have a "rumors" section, or then again, nothing at all about things that aren't real.

posted 05-10-2005 10:37               

quote:

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Originally posted by Go2curves:
Here's some interesting info I learned yesterday. Maybe someone else can confirm this. Our sales rep said calling in at the 8th month isn't necessarily the best time to call in for one of the high demand properties. It was explained to us that even though it's the 8th month mark, an owner's unit isn't available until they call to make their reservation at another resort. For instance, a St. John owner's unit is still their unit until they confirm their reservation or make one at another location. If they don't call until the 6 mo. mark, their unit isn't available until that time. That would explain why there might not be any units available 3 min. into call time on the 8th mo. We were told to ask to be waitlisted. Elite owners will get priorty on the waitlist depending on their * status.

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According to the Starwood magazine I got yesterday, if you own a fixed week and don't book your home resort by 8 mos. then your week is automatically converted to StarOptions, so it would be available at 8 mos. to someone else. Of course, that wouldn't apply to floating weeks. I think the Mag. info. is available on www.mystarcentral.com if you didn't get a copy.

posted 05-10-2005 12:13               

quote:

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Originally posted by Go2curves:
...the 8th month isn't necessarily the best time to call in for one of the high demand properties. It was explained to us that even though it's the 8th month mark, an owner's unit isn't available until they call to make their reservation at another resort.

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Thanks for the insight. After thinking about this explanation it makes more sense why there aren't as many units available at "The Big Three" as I would have hoped to see.

Jerry

posted 05-10-2005 12:23               

quote:

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Originally posted by Go2curves:
Pedro, your chart on the Elite levels was great. Just a small correction re: uprade requests:
3* - Can call and request from 30-10 days in advance
4* - Can call and request from 60-10 days in advance
5* - Automatic upgrade at 60 days in advance.

There will only be 2,000 5* Platinum Elite cards issued. When they're gone, they're supposedly gone. If you travel and use the Starwood hotels, the Platinum perks are a nice benefit. Supposedly get upgraded to top floors of the hotels. Late check out, automatic unit upgrades and personal concierge are nice, but like SPG points, have to weigh whether those have personal value or not.
Christy

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Christy,

Thank you for clarifying the information about the upgrade requests.

posted 05-12-2005 15:33               

quote:

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Originally posted by Go2curves:
Pedro, the upgrades really work for Platinum level? If I book a regular room, will I automatically get upgraded to suite or concierge level? I'm glad to hear you've gotten some benefits. I'm always skeptical of these things.
Christy

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Christy,
Yes, the upgrades really work! You automatically get upgraded at check in - always to club level (if there is a concierge/club level in the hotel), and often to suites (unless they are all booked). We've had very (and I mean very) nice upgrades over the last few years, both within the U.S. and internationally. I can't start telling you the upgrades we've got because it would sound like I'm bragging