Sunterra Trades Using II

[Minnie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Minnie]

We have been with Sunterra for a number of years now. Currently we own at San Luis Bay Inn (1 holiday week = 13,000 pts.) and a non ST week in Hawaii which we usually deposit into Club Select for 6500 points.

Sunterra pays for the membership in II where we can trade for points. The point values are pretty fair and consistant ie. 6500 for a 2BR pretty much across the board and we have gotten some good trades. However, having said that, I have discovered that I cannot see many of the "high-end" properties that come up in "Sightings" on TUG. I have been told by II that each TS opts to distribute its listings as it chooses. Therefore, it seems few of the "high-end" properties show up for Sunterra trades. The availability of great trades seems to be dwindling.

I am beginning to think it would be worth the II (or other) membership costs and trade as weeks. Your input would be appreciated.

[dwmantz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dwmantz]

Saw this same thread over on TUG. Think it will be better discussed over here.

Am also moderately interested in the answer. Moderately, because I'm not really that concerned about getting into the VERY top resorts. Sunterra's norm is great by me already, and I believe Sunterra's norm would be nearer the high end of moderate. Personally, I feel no need to pay the $$$$ or the points to get the absolute peak.

Here's what I think I've heard from the experts so far (mostly on TUG).

1) Sunterra Club (SC) can not see, and as a result, never get, the absolute top weeks and resorts. I don't know what percent this is - 3% maybe, 1%??

2) If you have to see and trade for these weeks, then buy a Marriott or other top trader and use it to get them. I considered a small collection of points at Worldmark and then dismissed the idea as a waste of money.

Interested in hearing from the experts!!! Thanks!

[winger Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close winger]

minnie. what weeks are you looking for? remember, some higher end resorts (like Marriott and Westin) give their owners a 'priority' period (even in flex time) where non-owners of thoese systems canNOT see. Like, if a Marriott Timberlodge becomes available during flextime, I think it is something like the first 30 (or whatever this # is) days during the 59 days of flex, non-Marriott owners canNOT see it. Sun Club members included.

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

As discussed above, some of the higher end chains do have a priority period. For example, Marriotts have been mentioned as 24days outside of flexchange to as little as 3days during flexchange. This is a period where no other II member can 'see' the deposits except for an owner with a deposited week from that same resort chain. I see all Marriotts that still remain after they clear the priority window and I expect that to be the same for most any other chain that has this system.

That being said, I have never 'seen' a Four Seasons Avaria FSA deposit. I think it's because the Club Sunterra contract with II doesn't allow it. That's not a big chain and the people who 'sight' it aren't using a Four Seasons deposit. Are there others that CS can't see not withstanding an internal priority period? I don't know, maybe the OP can give more specifics keeping in mind resort chains with priority periods.

[Minnie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Minnie]

Spence: Thanks for your input. (I always enjoyed your expertise over on the "Other" forum.)

About two years ago I saw a spacebank by Four Seasons over on TUG. I couldn't "see" it in II. So I called. They were able to see all of them and I had a big selection of weeks. We did stay there and had a wonderful time.
Now, when I try calling when I can't see a week I know is there, I am told they can see only what's allocated to Sunterra. And that's their story !