Paying Marriott MF With MRP Visa Card

Beaglemom3 · Oct 25, 2014

Please, what is the latest on this ?

I have read through this thread, FlyerTalk, Marriott Insider, the Points Man and still remain unclear as to whether or not I would get 5 points per dollar spent on MFs if I used my Marriott Rewards Visa.

Thank you all for your continued guidance and patience. I do read through the threads before posting, but with ongoing changes with the rules, I'd like to ask "those in the know".

Mahalo !

ETA: I just broke down and got a Marriott Rewards Visa with this:

5 POINTS per every $1 spent at over 3,800 Marriott® properties*
2 POINTS per $1 spent on airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, and at car rental agencies & restaurants*
1 POINT per $1 spent on purchases anywhere else the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card is accepted*

†No Foreign Transaction Fees/Annual Fee & Pricing: Please see Pricing and Terms

* OFFER DETAILS

Free Night Stay E-Certificate
Points Required for a Free Night Stay
Anniversary Free Night Stay E-Certificate
50,000 Bonus Points
Earning Rewards
Elite Status/Elite Credits
Elite Credit for Spend

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SueDonJ · Oct 25, 2014

Yes, we've always gotten the bonus MRP's when paying MF's with the Marriott VISA. My resorts haven't billed yet for 2015 but I haven't seen anything that says things could change this year.

Beaglemom3 · Oct 25, 2014

SueDonJ said:
Yes, we've always gotten the bonus MRP's when paying MF's with the Marriott VISA. My resorts haven't billed yet for 2015 but I haven't seen anything that says things could change this year.

YAY ! 15,000 MRPs ! :cheer:

I've read some nebulous posts out there, but have always trusted info from Tuggers.

Thanks.

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dougef · Oct 25, 2014

SueDonJ said:
Yes, we've always gotten the bonus MRP's when paying MF's with the Marriott VISA. My resorts haven't billed yet for 2015 but I haven't seen anything that says things could change this year.

+1. Always get the 5x points on anything charged from Marriott, including MF's.

suenmike32 · Oct 25, 2014

We usually pay our MF’s with the Marriott CC as well. Unfortunately though, although we pick up additional bonus points, it also creates fairly substantial credit card fees, (for the resort), that are passed back to the owners, (in their maintenance fees). There also may be additional operating costs tacked onto the credit card fees as well.
So, in some respects “we’re paying for what we get.”

Beaglemom3 · Oct 25, 2014

suenmike32 said:
We usually pay our MF’s with the Marriott CC as well. Unfortunately though, although we pick up additional bonus points, it also creates fairly substantial credit card fees, (for the resort), that are passed back to the owners, (in their maintenance fees). There also may be additional operating costs tacked onto the credit card fees as well.
So, in some respects “we’re paying for what we get.”

Need to ask and am not challenging your assertion, but aren't these separate entities, separate businesses ?

Teasing out the relationships amongst Visa, MVCI and the hotel business - how is this passed back to the TS owners ?

Thanks.

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dioxide45 · Oct 25, 2014

Beaglemom3 said:
Need to ask and am not challenging your assertion, but aren't these separate entities, separate businesses ?

Teasing out the relationships amongst Visa, MVCI and the hotel business - how is this passed back to the TS owners ?

Thanks.

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Vendors pay a fee to Visa, MC, etc when they run a credit card. That is well known. The association passes those fees on to the TS owners as a line item on the MF budget. If you take a look at the budget for your resort, you will see that line item. It doesn't show up on the bill, only in the itemized budget. For our 2015 Harbour Lake budget, it is about $17. Now the fee associated with us paying our near $1200 bill would be far more than $17, but it seems that the resorts balance this fee out across all owners. So even if you pay by check, you are still paying the credit card fee.

For us, $34 is worth the extra 12,000 MRPs we will get from paying our fees with the MR Chase Credit Card.

GetawaysRus · Oct 25, 2014

It's a bit OT to say this, but your real challenge with the Marriott Rewards credit card will be how to use the Anniversary Free Night Stay E-Certificate. The card has an annual fee, but the annual fee is a no-brainer if you can get sufficient value from the Free Night certificate.

I've been a cardholder for quite a number of years, and receive the category 1-5 certificate each year (good for 6 months from the issue date). I used to be able to use it for some very nice hotel stays. But with category inflation, the number of desirable hotels that remain in category 5 or below has decreased. So getting a redemption that's a real winner using that certificate is getting harder.

Your other challenge will be that 6 month timeframe for the E-certificate. Since I'm assuming you just signed up recently, your 6 months will run from October through March. That's great if you normally plan travel for this time of year, but will make it harder to use if you like to travel in the summer. You should know that there are ways to extend the certificate (so that you could use it for a summertime redemption). You'll find the info on how to do this with some web searching. The answer is going to be on FlyerTalk (in the Marriott Forum) or possibly here on TUG.

GaryDouglas · Oct 25, 2014

And don't forget all things charged to your room during your stay. Depending on the card you have, you get up to 13 times (correct me is that's not exact) on what you charge during your stay. For us at MOC, that would include room taxes, Starbucks, cabana rentals, bar bill, food and anything that can be charged to your room at any of the shops. It adds up...

SueDonJ · Oct 25, 2014

Every year the MF's packages include a blurb about how it costs the HOA so much to process credit card payments, but as long as they allow it we'll continue to pay using the Marriott VISA. The Elite Nights and MRP's accrual is valuable enough to make our share of the processing costs well worth it. Without those accruals we wouldn't use the credit card to pay MF's.

About the annual Free Night cert that comes on the anniversary, we also have a difficult time using it because of our usual travel timing and the limited number of hotels in that category that are nearby. We used to treat ourselves to a downtown Boston night after a day of Christmas shopping but the hotels we like have all gone to a Cat 6 or higher. I haven't had any luck when I've asked simply for an extension beyond the six months but quite a few people say that they've done it so I'll keep trying. One suggestion I haven't done yet but will next time, is to ask for the cert to be extended for a specific date/property.

jimf41 · Oct 25, 2014

GaryDouglas said:
And don't forget all things charged to your room during your stay. Depending on the card you have, you get up to 13 times (correct me is that's not exact) on what you charge during your stay. For us at MOC, that would include room taxes, Starbucks, cabana rentals, bar bill, food and anything that can be charged to your room at any of the shops. It adds up...

Actually you can get 27 to 30 times up to $2500 based on your status level by buying gift cards when they have the winter promotion. It usually is done in December. The cards don't expire and you can use them for any Marriott purchase except MFs.

dualrated2 · Oct 25, 2014

Ritz-Carlton Visa for MF?

Along the same line. Has anyone had success using the Ritz-Carlton Visa to pay for MVCI maintenance fees? It has the same 5 points for each $1 spent at Marriott and Ritz-Carlton properties.

GaryDouglas · Oct 25, 2014

jimf41 said:
... when they have the winter promotion. It usually is done in December.

I don't remember seeing this any emails from Marriott. Should I be rummaging through the Marriott Rewards website in December for that?

P.S., just found this http://www.rewards-insiders.marriott.com/thread/14998, apparently they didn't offer it last year. Will look for this year any way...

GreenTea · Oct 25, 2014

jimf41 said:
Actually you can get 27 to 30 times up to $2500 based on your status level by buying gift cards when they have the winter promotion. It usually is done in December. The cards don't expire and you can use them for any Marriott purchase except MFs.

Can you explain this, please? I have the visa and have seen the sales on cards. But I can't figure out the value.

IngridN · Oct 25, 2014

GetawaysRus said:
It's a bit OT to say this, but your real challenge with the Marriott Rewards credit card will be how to use the Anniversary Free Night Stay E-Certificate. The card has an annual fee, but the annual fee is a no-brainer if you can get sufficient value from the Free Night certificate.

I've been a cardholder for quite a number of years, and receive the category 1-5 certificate each year (good for 6 months from the issue date). I used to be able to use it for some very nice hotel stays. But with category inflation, the number of desirable hotels that remain in category 5 or below has decreased. So getting a redemption that's a real winner using that certificate is getting harder.

.....

The free night stay is worthless to us now with the category creep. We used to use it for a fall weekend getaway in SF. Also DH's company has recently decreed that their travelers MUST use the company cc rather than a personal cc, decreasing points accumulation substantially.

We'll be canceling the card come anniversary time next spring. In fact, the card has already been replaced with a no fee cash back/airline points/other rewards type (your choice of reward type) VISA Signature card. It was a great ride.

Ingrid

BocaBoy · Oct 25, 2014

i am surprised to hear people say the Marriott Visa free night is worthless because there are fewer top of the line hotels in Category 5 and below than there used to be. I agree that this makes it a little less valuable, but worthless? I don't think I am so unusual in that occasionally I have a one-night hotel stay somewhere that needs to be paid for, and even a Fairfield Inn stay pays for the annual fee. I personally think the 6-month limitation is a bigger negative.

My opinion is that the free night and the ability to use it to get 5 points per dollar for your maintenance fees (and incidentals at Marriott properties) make it valuable enough to keep, even if you don't use it for anything else.

jimf41 · Oct 25, 2014

GreenTea said:
Can you explain this, please? I have the visa and have seen the sales on cards. But I can't figure out the value.

Every winter Marriott offers a gift card promotion. You get a bonus of 10 points per $ for every $ you spend up to a max of $2500. So if you are Plat and you buy a $100 gift card with your Chase Marriott card her is what you get

1000 bonus points ($100 x 10 point bonus)
500 points for buying the card with your Chase VISA ($100 x 5 point bonus)
1500 points when you pay your bill (Plat Bonus)

If you buy the max at $2500 you'll get 75,000 points.

The promotion usually starts in late November and runs 4-6 weeks.

The Silver bonus is 12 points and Gold is 13. Plat is 15.

dioxide45 · Oct 25, 2014

jimf41 said:
Every winter Marriott offers a gift card promotion. You get a bonus of 10 points per $ for every $ you spend up to a max of $2500. So if you are Plat and you buy a $100 gift card with your Chase Marriott card her is what you get

1000 bonus points ($100 x 10 point bonus)
500 points for buying the card with your Chase VISA ($100 x 5 point bonus)
1500 points when you pay your bill (Plat Bonus)

If you buy the max at $2500 you'll get 75,000 points.

The promotion usually starts in late November and runs 4-6 weeks.

The Silver bonus is 12 points and Gold is 13. Plat is 15.

In the end, someone is just getting the extra 1000 bonus points for buying the gift card. If a plat just pays at the hotel with their Marriott credit card, they would get 20 points per dollar. Going for the gift cards is still a good deal since they don't expire.

GreenTea · Oct 25, 2014

Thank you!! I see how now. Appreciate it!

Edited to ask one more---the 1500 when you pay your bill?? Is that the 15 points x100 for platinum? I'm gold. I get bonus points for paying my regular bill? The pojnts upon paying are my confusion.

IngridN · Oct 25, 2014

BocaBoy said:
i am surprised to hear people say the Marriott Visa free night is worthless because there are fewer top of the line hotels in Category 5 and below than there used to be. I agree that this makes it a little less valuable, but worthless? I don't think I am so unusual in that occasionally I have a one-night hotel stay somewhere that needs to be paid for, and even a Fairfield Inn stay pays for the annual fee. I personally think the 6-month limitation is a bigger negative.

My opinion is that the free night and the ability to use it to get 5 points per dollar for your maintenance fees (and incidentals at Marriott properties) make it valuable enough to keep, even if you don't use it for anything else.

Based on our travel habits, we have not been able to use the free certificate for 3 years now. Forgot about the points for maint fees and I'll do the math at the end of the year whether it makes sense to keep the card just for that or use another cash back card. We spend almost no $ at the hotels themselves.

Ingrid

dioxide45 · Oct 26, 2014

GreenTea said:
Thank you!! I see how now. Appreciate it!

Edited to ask one more---the 1500 when you pay your bill?? Is that the 15 points x100 for platinum? I'm gold. I get bonus points for paying my regular bill? The pojnts upon paying are my confusion.

Yes, jim pointed out "The Silver bonus is 12 points and Gold is 13. Plat is 15." That means a platinum will receive 15 points per dollar spent a most properties. The amount for gold is actually 12.5 points per dollar. Some properties only offer 5 points per dollar. I believe Residence Inn is one of those.

BocaBoy · Oct 27, 2014

dioxide45 said:
Some properties only offer 5 points per dollar. I believe Residence Inn is one of those.

Yes, and it is 5 points on only the room rate, not incidentals. It is the same at Towne Place Suites. Courtyard and Fairfield Inn are 10 points, but again only on the room rate. I believe Spring Hill Suites is the same. Only the full service hotels and MVCI give credit for incidentals.

mav · Oct 27, 2014

Hello,
How do you find out about the gift card promotion? I only got it about 3 or 4 years ago and haven't seen it since. Is one coming up soon?
Thank you for any info.

jimf41 said:
Every winter Marriott offers a gift card promotion. You get a bonus of 10 points per $ for every $ you spend up to a max of $2500. So if you are Plat and you buy a $100 gift card with your Chase Marriott card her is what you get

1000 bonus points ($100 x 10 point bonus)
500 points for buying the card with your Chase VISA ($100 x 5 point bonus)
1500 points when you pay your bill (Plat Bonus)

If you buy the max at $2500 you'll get 75,000 points.

The promotion usually starts in late November and runs 4-6 weeks.

The Silver bonus is 12 points and Gold is 13. Plat is 15.

jimf41 · Oct 27, 2014

mav said:
Hello,
How do you find out about the gift card promotion? I only got it about 3 or 4 years ago and haven't seen it since. Is one coming up soon?
Thank you for any info.

When you sign on to your Marriott account there is a box labeled "Menu" in the upper left corner of the webpage. Click on it and a drop down menu appears. Select "Shop Marriott" and then "Gift Cards".

They've had this promotion for at least the last 5-6 years but no telling if they do it again this year. It's a little early for it to start right now. Usually it's always announced by someone here on the Marriott Forum and over on FT.

Beaglemom3 · Oct 27, 2014

I just booked my free (the freebie associated with the MR Visa Card) category 4 stay in Coconut Grove-Miami for one night.

This is for the evening we arrive from Boston via Amtrak. We will pick up our rental car (actually, Enterprise will pick us up) and head down to Key West the next morning.

This is worth next year's $89 card fee alone to us.

I should have ditched those airline FF cards a long time ago for this one.

The information shared by Tuggers here has helped me and others so very much.

Thank you.

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Paying Marriott MF With MRP Visa Card

Beaglemom3

SueDonJ

Beaglemom3

dougef

suenmike32

Beaglemom3

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert

GetawaysRus

TUG Review Crew

GaryDouglas

SueDonJ

jimf41

dualrated2

GaryDouglas

GreenTea

IngridN

BocaBoy

jimf41

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert

GreenTea

IngridN

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert

BocaBoy

mav

jimf41

Beaglemom3