Help...best bet for depositing?

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

We have finally closed on our Sheraton Plantation week, and I am not sure where to deposit.

We have a 2brm lockout, deeded week 26. Not fixed, so we just get first grabs. We are able to request week 26, 24 months out, a year before it opens up to other owners. However, if we are not going to use the week, and are planning on depositing the week in II/RCI, Sheraton has the right to deposit any week of their choosing. Even a week outside of the platinum season.

I read somewhere that if I choose an outside company, that I would get to choose the week. Obviously, this would give me better trading power. I do not understand the difference, or how that would work.

Could someone who understands the Sheraton system please explain this to me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.....

[arlene22 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close arlene22]

I read somewhere that if I choose an outside company, that I would get to choose the week. Obviously, this would give me better trading power. I do not understand the difference, or how that would work.

Probably, but in some cases you may getter better trading power from II. (My resort doesn't trade with RCI, so I can only speak to II). If, for instance, you are trying to deposit a 2006 summer week, this is pretty late in the game and you might be concerned that trading power may suffer. However, if you deposit with II, that may not be the case. As you correctly stated, Starwood may assign you a week different from what you own. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I haven't done it myself, but others have reported that you can ask them questions about what week they are assigning you and make sure they give you a good one (most people don't know enough to negotiate that). Make sure you call Starwood to discuss the deposit, rather than just clicking the "deposit" button on the II website (God knows what you'll get then)! Because Starwood bulkbanks, it is likely that Starwood will assign a week to you that has already been deposted some time ago, so you wouldn't have the late deposit issue. Also, if you deposit with II, you can take advantage of the approximately 3 day Starwood preference period and may be able to snag a great Starwood trade.

I think you would also get great trades with SFX, etc. When you use an independent exchange company, you make your reservation and then contact the exchange company to deposit that exact week you have reserved.

I think July 4th week at BP should trade very well! Congratulations on your purchase!

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

Arlene,

Thanks so much for your reply.

I am trying to deposit a 2007 week. As I mentioned, if I were to be using the week for myself, I could make the request up to 24 months out. Therefore, I can possibly make my request for our 2007 week today. If I tell Sheraton that I want to deposit the week, then I need to wait till the 12 month out date of July 4, 2006.

What I can't figure out is can I take my week 26, for 07, and then instead of using it, deposit it in an outside company.

Is this against the rules? I don't want to start off by doing anything in question. What exactly would I tell Sheraton in order to get my week? And, is SFX an outside company to consider

[arlene22 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close arlene22]

I think you need to consider where you want to go on your exchange. SFX is very strong in CA and Hawaii and, I think, Europe. II is strong for the Starwood trading preference. SFX will give you credit for depositing a holiday week which is good. Where do you want to go? I think that will drive which exchange company is best for your deposit. I am assuming that SFX will accept BP July 4th week and give you a bonus week. You may want to scroll through the ASK SFX threads that ask Mark what resorts they accept. It it's not there, ask him. If he has said no to summer BP, I would ask again if he would take July 4th week at BP. Sometimes they take holiday weeks at resorts they otherwise wouldn't accept.

Edited to add: I think that as long as you have a reservation and you have prepaid your MF, you can deposit your 2007 week with an independent exchange co.

[arlene22 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close arlene22]

SFX likes BP!

Check out post 129 of this thread:
http://www.timeshareforums.com/showt...tion#post28105

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

I checked out the thread, and am glad to see that SFX will take the week. Also, I would be entitled to a bonus week as long as I get a summer week from Sheraton......


One last question.....Assuming we decide to go with SFX opposed to 11. When I call Sheraton to obtain the week, should I tell them I am going to deposit it with SFX? Will they still give me a good week, even if not week 26?

Thanks again....

PS

Oops, another question.....Since it is a lockout, should I deposit it as two seperate weeks, or a two bdrm lockout?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

The SFX bonus weeks are MUCH better than II ACs, there are almost no restrictions. As for your lockout question, SFX won't take a studio unless it's in NYC, San Francisco, London.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

One last question.....Assuming we decide to go with SFX opposed to 11. When I call Sheraton to obtain the week, should I tell them I am going to deposit it with SFX? Will they still give me a good week, even if not week 26?

Thanks again....

?

No, don't tell them...tell them you want to reserve the July 4th week for your OWN use...this way you will be assigned the unit and week YOU want...get the reservation number and then deposit it with SFX or any other independent you want.....check out the SFX webiste and see the difference between the 2 memberships....I decided on Platinum because 1) I could deposit a 1BR and get a free upgrade to a 2BR and 2) receive a bonus week that can be used for ANY exchange (except London and Grand Mayans) any time within 1 year period....I am waiting to deposit another week with them until they have their 'offer' in May...last year it was 1 regular bonus week plus a second 'Mexico' bonus week....very cool!

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

Arlene, Avery, & Pat,.....Thank you guys, so much.

I think I finally understand how this works. You are all so good at this, and have been most helpful to me.

Pat helped me tremendously with the Marriott system, and now the three of you have taught me how to deal with Sheraton. I really appreciate it, God only knows what I would have accomplished on my own.

I will let you know how things turn out...much thanks, again....

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

Pat,

I just thought of something you said:

"I decided on Platinum because 1) I could deposit a 1BR and get a free upgrade to a 2BR and 2) receive a bonus week that can be used for ANY exchange (except London and Grand Mayans) any time within 1 year period"

Should I take the platinum membership, deposit the 1 bdrm section of my timeshare, and keep the studio for either use or rent?

Is that a better deal than depositing the lockout unit?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Pat,

I just thought of something you said:

"I decided on Platinum because 1) I could deposit a 1BR and get a free upgrade to a 2BR and 2) receive a bonus week that can be used for ANY exchange (except London and Grand Mayans) any time within 1 year period"

Should I take the platinum membership, deposit the 1 bdrm section of my timeshare, and keep the studio for either use or rent?

Is that a better deal than depositing the lockout unit?

It could be......check the benefits of both memberships.....I felt for me, the Plat was worth it - I took a 3 year membership to try it out...I deposited my studio with II. But I think renting to cover costs is a good idea....one I will be looking into myself in the future.

I am requesting a week in San Fancisco with my bonus week next April and hope to get London or Ireland with my 'regular week'....if I get those exchanges thru RCI - I will use the Regular week for a Grand Mayan week sometime in 2008.
I am a new SFX member.....so I will wait and see how they work for me. But I like what I am seeing so far.
BTW, my bonus week that I got in Feb 2006 is good thru Dec 31, 2007.

Wait until they offer the '3 weeks for 1' promo.....or email Mark on the SFX board and see what he will do for you.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Platinum membership also gives you access to the 'sell-off' list (short-term availability at good prices). I would ask Mark if there's a difference in trading power b/t the 1 and 2 bedroom before deciding which to deposit. Fwiw, I am planning to upgrade to Platinum when I deposit my 1 bedroom shortly.

[arlene22 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close arlene22]

Both sides of a BP lockoff are 1 bedrooms and should be accepted as such by SFX (one is larger than the other, but they both have separate bedrooms). Both sides of my Harborside lockoff are considered 1 BRs by II, and I'm pretty sure SFX considers them 1 BRs as well. They are in my SFX account, but I have yet to deposit those with them.

You could always deposit one with II and one with SFX. (You would need two different reservations for this). Depends on what sized unit you want from SFX. If you want a 1 BR, deposit a 1 BR. If you want a 2 BR, your choices are: deposit the whole 2 BR (but I wouldn't do that), OR deposit the 1BR and either upgrade to plat to qualify for the free one unit size upgrade, or pay the extra fee to upgrade to larger unit size.

Regarding bonus weeks and promotions with SFX, I thought Mark said that if you deposit early and they later announce a promotion, that you would be eligible for the promotion. Is that not true, Pat? I hear a lot of people here saying they are waiting for the promotion and I'm wondering why.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Regarding bonus weeks and promotions with SFX, I thought Mark said that if you deposit early and they later announce a promotion, that you would be eligible for the promotion. Is that not true, Pat? I hear a lot of people here saying they are waiting for the promotion and I'm wondering why.

Yes, Mark has said that....but I am not sure if that is because he is treating us 'special' or if that is the general policy......
I have spoken to SFX via the 800 number and somethigs are not 'usual' - I think Mark might be extending some 'more then usual' benefits.

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

Arlene,

You are correct, I just checked the Sheraton website, and both units are considered one bdrms. The larger is 845 ft, the smaller is 490 ft. Both have liv rms, din rms, stove, refrig, etc.

Just to review:

1. I call Sheraton and get the best possible week. I tell them it is for my own use.

2. I join platinum membership at SFX.

I deposit both 1 bdrms with SFX, and upgrade for free, or, I deposit one bdrm with SFX, and 1 bdrm with II.(am already a member of II) Or, deposit 1bdrm with SFX or II and rent or use the other 1 bdrm.

Did I mess up, or miss anything?.........


One more thing....If I deposit 1 bdrm with SFX or II, and rent or use the other 1 bdrm, do I still need to get two reservations numbers?