Would this strategy work on a direct exchange

[gandalf252002]

So here is the situation. An offer was made to exchange my Westgate Palace 2BDRM for a STW 2BDRM on another website from a Starwood Owner and they are looking for a July 1st week 2013. I checked and it is available but there is a small upgrade fee because it is a holiday week. That's fine, I am not worried about that it's just that my 2013 plans or pretty much done and I wouldn't be able to use the week they give in return.

I had mentioned to them that since they are a Starwood Owner they have preference with II and I would prefer a week in Atlantis instead. I already agree, that it makes no sense for her to deposit her week and pay the exchange fee and take my week when they could probably get a better week trading directly through II. So that idea of course was shot down.

They are now offering to do a direct exchange, but suggested that I then deposit the week they give me. They obviously worried that if they deposit their week, and then cannot get the Atlantis week that I want (or any for that matter) that they may get shafted.

My question is would it retain the Starwood preference? Can I deposit somebody elses week like this? Even if it does not have preference, it would still more than likely have greater trading power then my WG week correct? I am guessing that she would book hers, and then I would call to deposit it. If I do that, how long is it good for? I most likely would not be able to utilize this until at least 2014.

Alternatively, if I say get another summer week, I can still rent out the week she gives me correct?

Hopefully this all makes sense.

[GrayFal]

Quick answer. She can do a request first with her 2013 week in II. If u are opent to going to Atlantis August thru Jan/early Feb and take a 1br u should be okay.

[GrayFal]

You can not deposit her week in your II account.

[gandalf252002]

Thanks Pat. So it would probably be better for me to do the direct exchange, and then rent out whatever week she gets for me in return. I'd like to trade July 1 for the same, but it may be too late to get that week at SWT. I am gathering that is why they are looking for something else, instead of just trading in to Sheraton Vistana. Either that, or does not want to pay the exchange fee. In either case I would definitely say this is a trade down for her. I just wish that I could utilize the week in 2013!

Is there a time late in the year, say October where it would still be viable and an enjoyable vacation? I've never been to MB but always wanted to go. Judging by the TDI other than summer, it is very easy to get in at other times of the year. I may not even be able to get the summer week that I would want to rent, and getting something outside that zone would not net me profit. I know that Spring Break can sometimes be desirable but can I look for a week in 2014 with a 2013 week like that?

[GrayFal]

Thanks Pat. So it would probably be better for me to do the direct exchange, and then rent out whatever week she gets for me in return. I'd like to trade July 1 for the same, but it may be too late to get that week at SWT. I am gathering that is why they are looking for something else, instead of just trading in to Sheraton Vistana. Either that, or does not want to pay the exchange fee. In either case I would definitely say this is a trade down for her. I just wish that I could utilize the week in 2013!

Is there a time late in the year, say October where it would still be viable and an enjoyable vacation? I've never been to MB but always wanted to go. Judging by the TDI other than summer, it is very easy to get in at other times of the year. I may not even be able to get the summer week that I would want to rent, and getting something outside that zone would not net me profit. I know that Spring Break can sometimes be desirable but can I look for a week in 2014 with a 2013 week like that?

Sorry, posted on the run!

How I am reading this is....

You will give her a Westgate July 4 week for a Starwood week in return.

You can not use a Starwood week until 2014.

Your option would be to have her make a Starwood internal reservation using StarOptions for 2013 and you either use or rent out the week...
OR
Have her put in for a summer/Fall 2014 exchange for Harborside thru II using her 2013 week.
A 2013 Starwood week is good thru June 30, 2015 in II and is considered a request first...so if the Harborside does not match, it is still 'good'.
You will not (99%) have a problem getting an II Harborside exchange using a Starwood week as long as you are open for the August thru Nov/December time frame. I have been going in the fall for many years and always enjoy my time there, the weather and the water is warm and it is back to school time so not too crowded.

It would also be nice to visit Myrtle Beach in the fall - be aware that the Sheraton Broadway Plantation is not on the ocean/water. JUST re-read your post - the best weeks for rental would be 23-33....outside of that, not so much.

The other option that is a sure bet SVN II exchange is Hawaii - and with the lead time of 2014, should not (99%) be difficult with an ongoing request.

EDIT - remember that you can rent a week your trade partner gets from Starwood using StarOptions but not an exchange made thru II.

[gandalf252002]

I gathered your post was a quick one! I think the issue for the other party is paying the exchange fee. If we go direct, she does not pay one so although it is a down trade she gets the week she wants and pays nothing OOP. Otherwise she could just pay the exchange fee, and trade into the Vistana's and AFAIK get a better property.

My thought process is to pay the exchange fee for them, and then have them put in the request first for November 2014 which will be my birthday leaving the Starwood property in their account. My only alternative is having her reserve a summer week and renting it which will at least cover my MF's of which I am less likely to do trying to rent out my own Orlando Westgate week.

[GrayFal]

Many Starwood owners are not familiar with the II exchange process - SVN doe NOT encourage owners to use this route, looking down on the whole thing.
They have done there best to make the whole experience a bad one by no lomger allowing owners to reserve and deposit a week - it is all 'generic' deposits - I used to be able to deposit July 4 Myrtle Beach for a TDI of 150 - now, it is a 'combo' deposit of weeks 9-43 trade power - you get the drift....

Anyway, if you can pursuade the person to do the II exchange, you can have a nice Atlantis/Hawaii/Westin Lagunamar trip.

[gandalf252002]

I am going to try getting the other person to book the July 1st / 4th week first and then see what other possibilities are available in the summer. Obviously the July 1st / 4th will have the greatest rental potential, despite II giving it the same TDI as everything else. I know the 2013 week will NOT be utilized but if I failed to rent it I could at least get to SC and forgo my trip to NS (although the wife wouldn’t like it).

My concern with going the other route is that we already have a non TS cruise trip tentatively planned for winter 2014, and a trip to Alberta in the summer. We generally go to NS one week a year so trying to fit another trip which includes flights may be over my budget both financially and vacation wise. Postponing as far as 2015 winter would be a risky proposition for Atlantis. It may work for Hawaii or Lagunamar so I would probably go those properties instead.

Perhaps I plan to far ahead?

[GrayFal]

You need to take more vacations

[gandalf252002]

Oh to be a 25 year veteran with 6 weeks of vacation time! Some would say I travel entirely too much already, including myself sometimes.

You need to take more vacations