How To Get Rid Of Starwood Timeshare 

Like many Starwood Club owners, are you feeling burdened or stuck in a timeshare due to rising fees, lifestyle changes, and pushy sales tactics? If you want a way out in 2025, there are real ways to cancel or get out of your timeshare. You can

• Use your legal rescission window to exit (if it’s still open)
• Work directly with Starwood and ask to take it back  
• Get help from an exit firm to negotiate on your behalf
• Rent it out or sell it on resale platforms
• Give it away or gift it to someone else
• Watch out for scams and fake promises

So, let’s read to learn all your options for getting out and how you can protect yourself from scams along the way.

Know Your Ownership Status Before Cancellation

It’s important to first understand exactly what kind of ownership you have. This will help you figure out which exit option might work and which might not work in your case.

Here’s what to check:

• Are you still in the legal rescission period?
• Is your timeshare still making mortgage payments?
• Is your timeshare fully paid off?
• Are you up-to-date on maintenance fees?
• Do you have a deeded week ownership or a points-based system? 

Various Options to Exit 

Below are the legitimate options to cancel your timeshare contract.

1. Rescind your Contract: 

You can rescind your contract and legally exit if you’re still within the rescission period. If you’ve recently purchased a timeshare, you might be able to exit without penalty and get a full refund. 

This is a legally protected window provided to every timeshare owner on the initial day. This typically ranges between 3 to 15 days, depending on the state where the timeshare is purchased. 

Starwood Cancellation Policy

Starwood Vacation Club has now been acquired by Marriott Vacation Club (MVC) and adheres to Marriott’s state regulations. Marriott Vacations is based in various U.S. states, and the rescission period varies by state.

Below are the days of rescission for each state:

• Florida = 10-day rescission period
• California & Hawaii = 7 days
• South Carolina, Nevada, Colorado, Utah = 5 days
• Virginia, Arizona, New York, & New Jersey = 7 days), 
• Massachusetts = 3 business days, 
• Washington, D.C = 15 calendar days
• Missouri = 5 business days

Therefore, review your contract to confirm your rescission timeframe and eligibility for cancellation.

If you’re still eligible, start your cancellation process by writing a rescission letter. Make sure to state your intention to cancel and notify that you’re exercising your legal rights. It must also include your name, contact number, account ID, purchase date, name of the resort, mailing address, phone number, email, and signature.  

Starwood required you to submit your cancellation letter using certified mail on or before the final day of your rescission period.

Starwood Reservation Cancellation Policy

Starwood has specific policies regarding the cancellation of timeshare reservations. The cancellation terms depend on the timing of your cancellation relative to your scheduled arrival date.

• 61 Days or More Before Arrival: Canceling your reservation at least 61 days before your arrival incurs no cancellation fees, and your StarOptions are returned without restrictions. ​
• 60 to 8 Days Before Arrival: Cancellations within this window are subject to a $50 fee. The returned StarOptions become restricted, meaning they can only be used for reservations with check-in dates 60 days or less in advance. These restricted StarOptions cannot be banked, deposited into Interval International, or converted to Marriott Bonvoy points. ​
• 7 to 2 Days Before Arrival: If you cancel between 7 and 2 days before your arrival, a $75 cancellation fee applies. The returned StarOptions are restricted under the same conditions as above. ​
• Same-Day Reservations or Reservations Made 1 Day Before Arrival: For reservations booked on the same day or one day before arrival, cancellations made before check-in do not incur fees, and StarOptions are returned without restrictions. However, failing to cancel before check-in results in the forfeiture of all StarOptions used for that reservation.

2. Work Directly With Starwood Vacation Club: 

If your legal rescission period has expired, you should consider contacting Starwood directly. Ask your resort for formal exit programs such as deed-back or surrender. While Starwood may have exit programs, they are only valid for those who qualify. Moreover, resorts may offer these programs, but they do not always aim to relieve owners; instead, they may come with hidden strategies. 

You should negotiate directly if

• Your timeshare is fully paid off and in good standing
• You are up-to-date on maintenance fees
• Your property is located at a desirable location

Best Practices to Approach Starwood

To increase your chances of cancellation, follow these best practices:

• Never contact your resort by phone calls.
• Put everything in writing
• Avoid using emotional language and instead offer solutions.
• If your resort agrees to a deed back or cancellation, obtain a written confirmation. 

Warning: Contacting the resort may limit the opportunity to work with exit firms later. So, reach out to us first to confirm your deed-back qualifying status.

3. Work With a Professional Exit Firm

If you don’t qualify for a deed-back, you should hire an exit company to negotiate with Starwood on your behalf. These exit firms have expertise to deal with various resorts. They assess your contract and identify any misrepresentation or fraud that may justify cancellation.

What to Look for in an Exit Firm

Below are a few key points to look for in an exit firm. 

• Check whether the firm is Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited. 
• Check whether the firm follows an escrow payment model.
• Check the firm’s reviews, rating, and complaints on top review platforms such as BBB and Trustpilot.

Finding the right exit firm isn’t always easy. Contact us for recommendations of exit firms that utilize escrow services.

4. Sell your Starwood Timeshare

You may consider selling to get rid of the timeshare, but it is not a smart way out. Selling might work best if your timeshare is fully paid off. But if your timeshare is still under loan, it is generally not eligible for resale.

Furthermore, if you have a substantial point balance, your timeshare will be more appealing to potential buyers. 

Before you sell your timeshare, it’s important to know that your resort might charge high transfer fees or even use a right-of-first-refusal. 

Where to Sell Timeshare

There are various trusted online platforms that allow you to list your timeshare. Below are the most common sites that you can consider: Sites like eBay, RedWeek, Craigslist, and Timeshare Users Group are most affordable online marketplaces that let you list your timeshare. You may also work with licensed brokers affiliated with organizations like Licensed Timeshare Resale Broker (LTRBA) to help you in marketing and negotiating in exchange for a commission.

Why Selling is Not a Good Path

Here’s why selling is not a good option.

• Timeshare loses value over time. You may get less than what you’ve paid originally
• When you list your timeshare, you may notice that many timeshares are listed for $1 or less due to oversupply and lower demand in the market.
• Many scam companies and brokers are in the resale market. They may make fake promises and charge you high upfront fees. 

Before listing your timeshare, let us check its resale value first. 

5. Rent out Your Starwood Timeshare

You may also try renting it out to earn some profit and pay your timeshare expenses. However, renting is a temporary solution, not a permanent exit, and it involves numerous risks. Such as

• You’ll be held responsible if the renter misuses or damages the property. 
• The renter may violate the resort’s policies and cause disputes.
• There is a low rental demand because people now prefer to book hotels as they think it is cheaper.

6. Give Away or Gift Your  Timeshare

Giving away is another option to transfer ownership and free yourself. You can give your timeshare to your family member, relative, or friend who is willing to take it. If you give it to someone who doesn’t want it and knows its associated cost, it can have serious consequences.

Moreover, like many resorts, Starwood may require you to get approval, restrict the transfer, or charge you high transfer fees.  

In some states, if the transfer isn’t done correctly or the new owner fails to fulfill obligations, the original owner is held responsible for fees or defaults.

More recently, Florida Statute Chapter 721, Section 17, declares that if the new owner goes bankrupt, the original owner is still responsible for the debts or obligations.

Always work with a licensed attorney and use a professional title transfer service to handle the process legally.

Legal Considerations in Timeshare Exit

There is also a legal route that helps you cancel your contract, but it can only be considered under specific circumstances. If you’re being sued for non-payment, your resort refuses your deed-back request, or you feel misled or pressured when you purchased the timeshare, then legal action may be beneficial. 

Timeline and Cost Expectation for Each Option

Here’s a brief overview of each option’s timeline and associated costs.

Avoid Timeshare Scams

The timeshare exit industry is challenging for anyone who decides to cancel their ownership. The industry does not bid farewell to its owners; rather, it indulges them in complex cancellation strategies. And resale scams are one of them. If you suspect fraud, immediately report it to your state’s attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Our detailed guide on how to avoid timeshare exit and company scams will help you save yourself. So, give it a read.

Stopping Maintenance Fees (Risky Route)

Ever wonder why you are advised to stop paying maintenance fees? It can affect your credit score and make your Starwood cancellation a nightmare.

Keep yourself educated on every step of the timeshare cancellation process with Timeshare Cancellation Companies. We can help you with anything that you cannot find an answer to.

Conclusion

Once you decide to lean on your shoulders, cancelling your Starwood timeshare is simple. We help owners connect with legitimate timeshare exit companies that offer Escrow. Our aim is to prevent owners from falling victim to scams, so we require them to learn about the companies listed on our website and connect with them directly.

Timeshare Cancellation Companies are the gateway to a smooth Starwood timeshare exit. So, book your free consultation with us today!

FAQs

Q1: Who owns the Starwood timeshare?

The debate over its ownership remains a mystery. Some say Marriott owns it, while others say Vistana owns it.

Q2: How do I sell my Starwood timeshare?

You can sell your Starwood timeshare by listing it on various online marketplaces such as eBay, RedWeed, Craigslist, and More. But make sure to research the market and set a fair price. 

Q3: Does Starwood buy back timeshares?

Starwood does not offer a guarantee buyback program. However, in rare cases, they may accept a deed-back if your account is fully paid off or in good standing.