Marriott Cheques

[kds4]

I just redeemed a $1000 in Marriott Cheques Elite Award, but have a couple of questions. First, while I know these are applicable to resort activities can they be applied to MFs? I also noted in the email confirmation I received that there appears to be a 1 year expiration date. Interestingly, that was never disclosed before I redeemed the award of twenty $50 cheques. If the expiration is proven true, and these are not redeemable toward MFs, I fear I may have to cancel the award to recover the points. Not keen on giving away 135,000 points if I cannot fully benefit. Anyone have past experience with this Marriott Rewards product?

 

[dioxide45]

Traditionally using this type of reward is not the best value use of your points. For 135,000 points you are getting a value of about $0.0074 per point. Usually a reward valued at $0.0125 per point or higher is considered a good value. Since Marriott only charges $0.0125 per point to buy the points from Marriott.

To buy this $1000 reward with a cash for points purchase would actually cost $1687.50 in cash. You can see why this usually isn't a good value.

I can't speak for the expiration dates, though I do know the cheques have an expiration date on them. I know pretty much for a fact you can't use Marriott Cheques to pay maintenance fees. Had you redeemed it for a gift card instead (not sure if a gift card reward even exists), using that to pay MF is a likely possibility.

 

[kds4]

Hmm. Wil factor that into my decision to cancel the award. There is a gift card redemption option, but I believe the $1000 card was 190,000 points resulting in an even worse point conversion value. Thanks.

 

[dioxide45]

Hmm. Wil factor that into my decision to cancel the award. There is a gift card redemption option, but I believe the $1000 card was 190,000 points resulting in an even worse point conversion value. Thanks.

The gift cards never expire. Likely the reason for the higher redemption cost.

 

[kds4]

One possible saving grace is the ability to apply them toward paid nights at Marriott properties, but here is the potential rub. Marriott is currently running a Mega Bonus promotion that is not points based, but free nights based. Every two paid stays gets you a free night, up to a maximum of 2 free nights. Question - Can I apply the cheques toward paying for my upcoming reservations under this promotion and still get credit for them as paid stays, to ensure I get my free nights. Thinking I may need to call MR to find out for sure. If I cannot even use them for that, I see no benefit to the cheques and will cancel the reward. 135k is 135k.

 

[dioxide45]

One possible saving grace is the ability to apply them toward paid nights at Marriott properties, but here is the potential rub. Marriott is currently running a Mega Bonus promotion that is not points based, but free nights based. Every two paid stays gets you a free night, up to a maximum of 2 free nights. Question - Can I apply the cheques toward paying for my upcoming reservations under this promotion and still get credit for them as paid stays, to ensure I get my free nights. Thinking I may need to call MR to find out for sure. If I cannot even use them for that, I see no benefit to the cheques and will cancel the reward. 135k is 135k.

You could ask this over on FlyerTalk. There are probably some experts there that would know.

 

[Michigan Czar]

One possible saving grace is the ability to apply them toward paid nights at Marriott properties, but here is the potential rub. Marriott is currently running a Mega Bonus promotion that is not points based, but free nights based. Every two paid stays gets you a free night, up to a maximum of 2 free nights. Question - Can I apply the cheques toward paying for my upcoming reservations under this promotion and still get credit for them as paid stays, to ensure I get my free nights. Thinking I may need to call MR to find out for sure. If I cannot even use them for that, I see no benefit to the cheques and will cancel the reward. 135k is 135k.

Yes you can, this will still count as a paid stay for the promo. I've used gift cards and the cheques myself before and I have never had a problem. I've also been Marriott platinum for over ten years so I am positive you are all set.

 

[dioxide45]

The only time there may be an issue is if the promo requires one to pay using a Visa card. However, you can always pay most of the charges with the cheques and then a small remaining balance with a Visa. This should be fairly easy to do since you can't receive change back from use of the cheques.

 

[kds4]

Understood. I have a trip to Raleigh, NC next month. Will be using one night at a Residence Inn and one at a Courtyard to earn the first free night. $59 per night at both, and conveniently across a common parking lot from each other. Use a $50 cheque, and pay the difference on my Marriott Visa card. Losing 500 points per night using a $50 cheque toward each but it would be one way to use them, if I don't cancel the award altogether first. Still undecided (which is why my wife refuses to shop with me).

 

[dioxide45]

Understood. I have a trip to Raleigh, NC next month. Will be using one night at a Residence Inn and one at a Courtyard to earn the first free night. $59 per night at both, and conveniently across a common parking lot from each other. Use a $50 cheque, and pay the difference on my Marriott Visa card. Losing 500 points per night using a $50 cheque toward each but it would be one way to use them, if I don't cancel the award altogether first. Still undecided (which is why my wife refuses to shop with me).

You will still lose ~ 750 points doing this.

The $100 you don't put on the Visa (one cheque at each property) = 500 points.
Residence Inn only gives 5 pts per dollar = ~ 250 points.

You still get the full 10 points per dollar for the Courtyard stay regarless of what you use to pay for it.

 

[kds4]

Residence Inn only gives 5 pts per dollar = ~ 250 points.

Ahh, yes. I type corrected. I forgot about that variation in points awarded.