In today’s article, we answer one of the most frequently asked questions regarding resale resorts in the Vistana Signature Network (VSN). Namely, what is the difference between mandatory and voluntary resorts when purchasing a resale timeshare at a Sheraton or Westin property?
The Vistana Signature Network (VSN) includes a rich and diversified portfolio of high-quality resorts both in the United States and abroad. When purchasing a Vistana timeshare property on the resale market, owners can only exchange their home resort internally for another property within the Vistana vacation network if their home resort property is “mandatory” or “in-network”.
Mandatory Properties
The current list of “mandatory” properties included in the network is listed below:
- Harborside Resort at Atlantis
- Sheraton Vistana Villages – Bella & Key West Phases only
- Westin St. John – Virgin Grand Hillside
- Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas
- Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North
- Westin Kierland Villas
In other words, when you purchase a resale timeshare at any of these resorts you will have the ability to use StarOptions (Vistana’s version of points) to exchange your home resort property for any other Vistana resort in the network based on a points chart. Every home resort week for a mandatory resort is assigned a certain number of StarOptions.
For example, a two-bedroom island view at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North Is assigned a points value of 148,100 star options. The owner could decide to vacation at a different resort and could use the start options to exchange to that resort for stays as short as one night or as long as 21 nights.
To understand how many star options it will take to exchange into other properties, owners can use the StarOptions chart. The latest star options chart, as of today’s date, can be found by clicking to expand the section below:
Cost to Exchange for Mandatory Property Owners
For owners of mandatory properties, the mandatory Vistana Signature Network (VSN) club fee that is charged annually to the account covers the cost of an Interval International membership fees. Therefore an owner does not have to pay any additional Interval International membership fees, once the VSN club fee is paid.
Please note that whereas the cost of the Interval International membership is included in club dues, the actual exchange fee when performing an exchange is still a separate charge that is payable to Interval International. Also, in some cases, owners may have to pay housekeeping fees or other applicable taxes and charges at the resort they exchange into.
Voluntary Properties
When purchasing a timeshare resale at the voluntary property, owners do not have the option to use StarOptions to exchange their home resort property internally for another property within the Vistana Signature Network. Owners still have the option to exchange externally, mostly through Interval International.
The good news is that when doing so, there is a preference given to Vistana owners to exchange into other Vistana properties. When released, exchange inventory will be visible only to Vistana owners before being made available to other timeshare brand owners. This preference period can last a few weeks to a few months.
Below is a list of voluntary properties as of today’s date:
- Westin Princeville Ocean Resort
- Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
- Westin St. John Villas (Bay Vista Villas and the Coral Vista / Sunset Bay Villas)
- Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas & Spa
- Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas and Spa
- Westin Desert Willows Villas
- Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas
- Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas
- Sheraton Mountain Vista
- Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas
- Sheraton Lakeside Terrace
- Sheraton Desert Oasis
- Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort
- Sheraton Vistana Resort
- Sheraton Vistana Villages (Amelia and St. Augustine Phases)
- Sheraton Broadway Resort
Cost to Exchange for Voluntary Property Owners
Owners of voluntary properties will not be required to pay the annual Vistana Signature Network (VSN) Club fee that covers Interval International membership fees. In this case, if you purchase one of the voluntary properties on the resale market, you will need to purchase an Interval international membership to be able to exchange your week.
Becoming an Interval International (II) member will typically amount to around $99 per year. Usually there will be promotions offering savings for multiple years purchased in advance, but under regular circumstances, the membership fee is $99 per year.
Which Property is Right for You?
Both mandatory and voluntary properties can make great choices for your travel needs as resale purchases.
Mandatory properties will carry higher resale values. This is especially true for those resorts and seasons with a lower maintenance fee per point or star option. In this case, owners will pay a higher upfront cost but have a lower ongoing vacationing cost if they plan to exchange their home resort internally through the Vistana network using StarOptions.
Alternately, non-mandatory properties will have a lower upfront resale value, and in fact, they can make great Interval International “traders”. This means they can be a cost-efficient way to exchange for other properties with Interval International. For example, a property like Sheraton Desert Oasis can be cost-efficient to purchase upfront and have good trading power when deposited with Interval International.
Considering purchasing a Sheraton or Westin property and still undecided about which one is best for your needs? Talk with one of our expert licensed agents to help you make an informed choice!
