Category 5-to-6 change, cat 5 booking honored if switching from MRP to hotel certif ?

[winger]

This is an 'in hindsight' question.

If I book a room at a category 5 hotel using MRPs, but the hotel gets bumped to a category 6 before date of travel, if I decide to switch the 'payment' of the reservation to an anniversary cat 1-5 hotel certificate, will Marriot honor the category 5 (at time of booking) and allow the payment switch?

 

[FractionalTraveler]

I have heard others say "Yes" to this but you will have to call marriott and ask. If you are an elite member maybe they will be somewhat flexible.

You can ask this as well on the Marriott.com Insiders board when you login.

Good Luck.....

 

[jdunn1]

When do the catagory changes actually happen? Is it April 1st?

 

[jtp1947]

March 15, 2012.

 

[jdunn1]

Thanks. I'm not so sure all the hotel websites reflect the new reward levels, though. I'll have to check a couple of the resorts I had in mind, like Mountain Side.

-Jim

March 15, 2012.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

I think the websites will be refreshed shortly but that really doesn't matter much.

Its when you try to redeem the certificate that the new points requirement is displayed.

Here is the link to the new requirements. It will save you some time searching.

https://www.rewards-insiders.marrio.../marriott-rewards-2012-hotel-category-changes

Hit the "this pdf" link to download the actual file.

 

[Mr. Vker]

To answer the general question, when reserving a room as an award, you get it at the category at the time of reservation. Even if it will increase before your stay. We have booked the rooms and attached the Chase Marriott Certs later without trouble in these cases.

 

[winger]

To answer the general question, when reserving a room as an award, you get it at the category at the time of reservation. Even if it will increase before your stay. We have booked the rooms and attached the Chase Marriott Certs later without trouble in these cases.

But, my question is IF I first booked with MRP's, than when the category increases from category 5-to-6, I call to use a hotel certificate (category 1-5) to 'pay' for the stay (and get my MRP's refunded to my acct)...

Just a note - I ask because in my case, even though made only a date change to the original reservation, the system charged me the difference in points (5,000 MRPs). The rep says the system is designed to do that. Any changes AFTER the original reservation is made, the new category takes effect.

 

[Mr. Vker]

But, my question is IF I first booked with MRP's, than when the category increases from category 5-to-6, I call to use a hotel certificate (category 1-5) to 'pay' for the stay (and get my MRP's refunded to my acct)...

Just a note - I ask because in my case, even though made only a date change to the original reservation, the system charged me the difference in points (5,000 MRPs). The rep says the system is designed to do that. Any changes AFTER the original reservation is made, the new category takes effect.

People on FT have stated that Marriott Reservations have helped in these circumstances. Attaching the points and maintaining the old category. I do not have personal experience with this. YMMV.

 

[dioxide45]

We tried to change a reservation online from a king room to two doubles and it deducted the extra points from our account for the increase in categories. Perhaps if we called we wouldn't have had an issue, not sure. We ended up canceling anyway and booking a different hotel.

 

[Mr. Vker]

We tried to change a reservation online from a king room to two doubles and it deducted the extra points from our account for the increase in categories. Perhaps if we called we wouldn't have had an issue, not sure. We ended up canceling anyway and booking a different hotel.

I find that when the system tries to do something I don't like, I call. It usually works out.

In this case, the OP will have to call. The change from points to cert could not be done without canceling and rebooking. Thus, taking the new category.

 

[winger]

I find that when the system tries to do something I don't like, I call. It usually works out.

In this case, the OP will have to call. The change from points to cert could not be done without canceling and rebooking. Thus, taking the new category.

I am unsure what the outcome would have been if I asked Marriott to help since I ended up cancelling the reservation after the rep told me they cannot reinstate the category 5 designation and I really want to use my hotel certif for this stay (since I will have have two of them by the end of this year)