We recently stayed at Westin Resorts & Spa Cancun. The concierge kept sending emails, about excursions, and asked us to come to pick up a gift.

When we arrived, I went to pick up the gift (bag). They sell excursions, but they mainly want to people to attend (with a gift) a 90-min presentation of the Westin Vacation Club. We attended, thinking it's timeshare, but turned out you buy "Staroption" points to redeem for 1 night or many nights at their properties, so it's better than the traditional 1-wk timeshares. No blackout dates, but different points required for low or high season (Hawaii always high season) and whether studio, 1-bdm or 2-bdm units.

I'm trying to find out more about the Westin VC, because the presentation gives very rosy pictures, but will take too much time for details/fineprints. One interesting item was, by buying at a certain points level -- 121,000 Staroptions (the Westin VC point) or up, you get Lifetime Platinum status with Marriott Bonvoy. There's usually two purchasers (a couple), but you can add 2 more, for up to 4 purchasers. Each year, can designate one of those 4 purchasers to get Plat status. So it's not really Lifetime Plat, but the Plat status can continue as long as you remain owner (pay the yearly maintenance fee, after the initial purchase price)

For us in Canada, or others outside of US (no Amex Brilliant card), you usually have to go through the stays, to get Plat status. But this is another way (not cheap though) to get Plat, without the Marriott hotel stays.

Oh, they also wanted to make sure we did not attend any Westin/Sheraton VC presentations within the last year. This means if people didn't buy, then after one year then can attend a presentation again and buy. They offer sign up bonuses, and say it's only available at the presentation, but it won't be surprising if the same bonuses (maybe price increases) will be offered again.

I found marriottvacationclub.com that do list the Marriott/Westin/Sheraton VC properties but not about points required for redemption (low or high season, studio or 2-bdm). If anyone can point me to places to learn more about Marriott VCs, it'd be much appreciated.

I re-qualified for Plat status next year. So supposedly if we're in this VC, for years beyond I can designate myself to get Plat for a few years, till I become Lifetime Plat, then designate one of the other 3 owners, till everyone gets Plat. But then if we sign up for this VC program at the high point level, the stays will be mostly at those VC properties where the Bonvoy Plat doesn't matter.