Vistana, like many properties in the area, float these offers regularly.
A 4-night stay at SVR or SVV is about $500 on the open market, so the big questions is if it is worth $300 for 2 hours of precious vacation time for you and your partner. Note that it is really 3 hours, as they don't include the time for the breakfast, only the time with a salesperson. Effectively you are killing a half-day of an already short vacation. IMO - its not worth it for us. And yes, you must stay the full length of your commitment (but no longer), unless they release you early. Early release is rare, but fun to try. I have done these when the economics make sense, and have been released early when they realize that I know timeshares well, and have bought all my VOIs resale; doesn't take too long for them to realize that the "fresh meat" is actually gristle and bone.
@lizdis1 there are no hidden fees; they are paying you for your attendance and that is the deal. The Vistana properties do not charge any resort fees either, unlike many in the area.
Like most of the top tier companies (DVC, Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham), Sheraton is not a high pressure outfit. But there are always exceptions to any rule, and you might get an overzealous sales rep; most of them aren't that way and they aren't trained to be that way. Generalizing, it is fairly easy to just say no at Sheraton. Just don't attend a presentation by Wastegate (Westgate); they make Mexico timeshare salesmen look like saints I am told.
Sheraton will be pushing their Flex program. Since Sheraton hasn't been actively developing much in recent times, this is their way of repackaging the remaining dog weeks in their inventory into a vacation club that sounds enticing. Don't be fooled or romanced by the rhetoric. It is fairly easy to tell when the salesperson is lying to you; their lips are moving.
My best advice is to bid on a stay on skyauction or book from an owner on tug or redweek. You won't pay too much more and there will be no strings.
TUG is Timeshare User Group. A forum (like this) and informational website for educating owners and the general public on the timeshare industry. www.tug2.net www.tugbbs.comCan someone post a link to the offer? Also, what is is TUG?
In general, no, they cannot force you. BUT if you take advantage of one of these low price offers that includes the requirement for a presentation and you do not attend the presentation they will revert your room charge to full rack rate. And nobody pays THAT much for a room.We did this one for a trip to Arizona - it was a Marriott/Sharaton property. You do not have to attend the presentation - they cannot force you - they offer a visa gift card if you do and if you don't want to they do not hassle you. When someone says no firmly enough, good sales people know it's pointless and to focus on those who might be easily swayed.
In general, no, they cannot force you. BUT if you take advantage of one of these low price offers that includes the requirement for a presentation and you do not attend the presentation they will revert your room charge to full rack rate. And nobody pays THAT much for a room.
We did this one for a trip to Arizona - it was a Marriott/Sharaton property. You do not have to attend the presentation - they cannot force you - they offer a visa gift card if you do and if you don't want to they do not hassle you. When someone says no firmly enough, good sales people know it's pointless and to focus on those who might be easily swayed.
Marriott is going to have some very unhappy owners on their hands.We booked this deal and are at the resort now. The presentation is not required, but if we do it we receive double the SPG points or a Visa gift card. We received the offer because we are Marriott Rewards / SPG members. We were even able to tack on a few days at the end for a great rate through Mousesavers. We are not going to do the presentation; our time is more valuable spent elsewhere.
Marriott is going to have some very unhappy owners on their hands.
I don't mind when they throw rates like this as a sales promotion, but when they start offering the resort villas for 1/2 of what we owners pay in maintenance fees they are in direct competition with their own owners and are diluting the value of what we own.
BTW, you are no longer SPG or Marriott Rewards; you are now Bonvoy! Stupidest name EVER!!!
Can someone post a link to the offer? Also, what is is TUG?