In this article you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about StarOptions and Starpoints and how they work along with an explanation of how to “retro” your timeshare resale week.
How do I use StarOptions to visit another resort in the Starwood Vacation Network?
StarOptions is a value assigned to each villa based on the resort, the villa type and the season. You have the right to vacation with your StarOptions at any resort in the Starwood vacation network. See the chart below.
How far in advance do I have to call if I want to visit a resort in the Starwood Vacation Network?
You can reserve a week or more beginning on an established check-in day at any Starwood Vacation network resort, including your home resort, in a different villa type and/or season than you own. You may request reservations beginning 8 months prior to your desired arrival date, during the Starwood Vacation Network Float Period. Vacations can be for more than seven days and check in or check out day can be Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Using StarOptions, how far in advance do I have to call to make a reservation for less than seven days?
You may request reservations beginning 90 days prior to your desired arrival date, during the Starwood Vacation Network Options Period. You may reserve less than a week at your home resort or any other Starwood Vacation Network resort in any villa type or season, checking in on any available day.
Banking StarOptions
All Owners with StarOptions benefits may request StarOptions Banking by calling Owner Services no later than July 1. Three and Four-Star Elite Members may request until October 1, and Five-Star Elite by December 31.
Now, answers to frequently asked questions about StarPoints:
When do I have to decide if I want to convert my Starwood Vacation Ownership interest into Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints?
You may notify Owner Services between the dates of October 1 of the Use Year prior to the Use Year being converted and March 31 of the Use Year that is being converted when you decide you want to convert your Starwood Vacation Ownership interest to Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints. It will take approximately 72 hours before you will receive confirmation of the conversion to Starpoints.
How do I make my travel plans using my Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints?
After converting your Starwood Vacation Ownership interest to Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints, you can call to make your hotel reservations or visit the Starwood hotels website to search for Starwood hotels and book online. You may also call to convert your Starpoints into airline tickets.
Following you will find what StarOptions and Starpoints benefits are transferable when purchasing a resale: StarOption benefits are transferable when purchasing a resale in a “Mandatory” resort only.
There are 6 Mandatory Starwood Resorts:
· The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas
· The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North
· The Westin Kierland Villas
· Harborside Resort at Atlantis (Phase 1 and 2)
· The Westin St. John Resort Villas (Hillside and Bay Vista)
· Sheraton Vistana Villages (Bella and Key West phases)
StarOption benefits do not transfer when purchasing a resale in a “Voluntary” resort.
There are 14 Voluntary Starwood Resorts:
· The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
· The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort
· The Westin Desert Willow Villas
· The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas
· The Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas
· Sheraton Mountain Vista
· Lakeside Terrace
· Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas
· Sheraton Desert Oasis
· Villas of Cave Creek
· Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort
· Sheraton Broadway Plantation
· Sheraton Vistana Resort (Falls, Spas, Courts, Palms, Springs, Fountains I, Fountains II, Lakes and Cascades)
· Sheraton Vistana Villages (Amelia and St. Augustine)
*Voluntary Resort Owners: You are entitled to book up to 12 months in advance at the resort. If you wish to make an exchange you would have to enroll in Interval International or another external exchange network.
StarPoint benefits do not transfer on any resale unless your transaction is “Retroed”.
When you purchase a resale week it is possible to have your resale week(s) “retroed” which gives you all the same benefits of StarOptions, StarPoints, Interval International membership benefits and your resale purchase will apply toward Elite Status. This however, requires you to purchase a week directly from a Starwood Resort at the new retail prices!
Following is the procedure to follow in order to have your resale week “retroed”:
After you have made a resale purchase, you must then have it recorded by SVO.
After the resale you purchased has been recorded by SVO, contact a salesperson at the resort where you want to purchase from the developer. Make sure the sales agent confirms when you purchase a week direct from the developer that they will “retro” your specific resale week with all the benefits of StarOptions, StarPoints and applying toward Elite Status. Do not sign the contract without getting this agreement in writing.
*You must purchase a week new from the developer to have your resale week “retroed”.
We hope you will find this article helpful in explaining StarOptions, StarPoints and how to “retro” your timeshare resale week so you receive all the same benefits as purchasing a new timeshare direct from the developer. Starwood vacation ownership offers many options and benefits to make your vacation experience enjoyable year after year!
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Advantage Vacation is a licensed timeshare resale brokerage located at the Lahaina Cannery Mall in Lahaina, Maui. We specialize in Maui timeshare resales and Hawaii timeshare resales of name brand timeshares.
We can assist you in purchasing Hilton timeshare resales on the Big Island or the island of Oahu. We also have Marriott timeshare resale listings on Maui and several of the other Hawaiian Islands. If you are a fan of Westin, we would be happy to assist you with the purchase of a Westin timeshare resale. Advantage Vacation is a member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and offers the best buys on the timeshare resales market today. We never charge an upfront fee for clients who want to sell a timeshare and only receive a commission, paid from escrow, when the transaction is closed.
We are leaders in the timeshare resale secondary market, have been in the timeshare industry for over 30 years and are Accredited Members of the BBB with an A+ Rating. Advantage Vacation is using Twitter and Facebook to help educate people on the changes in the timeshare industry along with current timeshare tips, up to date timeshare news and timeshare FAQ’s.
We hope you will follow us and our blog, Timeshare Blogging by Advantage Vacation for the latest timeshare news and reviews. If our site does not answer your question or questions, please email us your question and we will answer it and add it to our library. Make your voice heard – what questions do you have?
At Advantage Vacation you can be assured you are working with professionals who believe that honesty and integrity are the most important aspects of the business they are in – timeshare resales. Our business has been built on relationships and we pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our clients.
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