Need suggestions to use Marriott 5 Night Certificate

[Quimby4]

Hello Tuggers,

I have a Marriott 5 night certificate, Cat 1-5 that I need help using.
I am Marriott/Ritz Gold (i learned on TUG i dont get Club at Marriott Resorts
I have points so can upgrade to Cat 6-9.

Traveling with hubby & 2 teen men
Love beach destinations.
We will not fit in a room with 2 double beds so sadly Marriott Grand Cayman is out.
Prefer within 6 hours of LAX
Have already exhausted Maui, Kauai and K'Olina from timeshare trades

Considering new Waikoloa but would require lots of points to upgrade to 1 or 2 bedroom, plus I have a pending request with II for a trade so fingers crossed for trade.

Any suggestions?

Last question, can I upgrade to a Ritz Carlton property with the certificate?

 

[catharsis]

1. yes you can upgrade to Ritz I'm fairly certain (perhaps not all ritz 'levels' are published options though? - I think the last official documents I saw only went up to Marriott Cat 8 and Ritz level 3 before category inflation really kicked in.

given that there are 4 of you perhaps a nice 'non-full-service' property somewhere ? - like a Fairfield Inn or SHS ?

start at http://www.marriott.com/hotel-search/Category5.hotels/

I'd have suggested trying Asia to use certs, but 'within 6 hours of LAX' basically means within the US or Mexico, so that's not any use as a recommendation to you.

 

[Thunder Up]

Marriott has really devalued their rewards program over the years. After reviewing Marriott's category 1-5 hotels, we could only find one hotel that we would spend 5 nights in, it is their Springhill Suites property in Kalispell, Mt. about 35 miles west of Glacier National Park. Their retail rates are $300 a night. It is only a category 2 hotel so you can stay on points for only 10,000 points a night. We will spend a week there in August.

Good luck.

Thunder Up

 

[hhoope01]

It might be worth looking at the Key West Marriott Beachside hotel. I think it was originally going to be an MVCI property, but due to the "economy" it ended up as a hotel instead. If you have extra points, they regularly have 2 and even 3 bedroom suites available.

 

[Conan]

My plans don't meet your criteria, but FYI I'm adding 90,000 Marriott points (converted from 30,000 Starwood points) to upgrade my 7-night certificate from Cat 5 to Cat 8 to exchange for an April 2018 week at the Berlin (Germany) Marriott.

 

[AlmostRetired]

I am wrestling with how to best use what once was a Cat 5 - 5 night certificate. I upgraded it to stay at Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection which is a Cat 8. The other choice is the same area is Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort also a Cat 8. We are looking for something between Dec 24th and Dec 29th. We already have the flight from Islip to Fort Lauderdale courtesy of the SW companion pass. Playa Largo is 799 per night and the Marriott is 486 and Playa seems to have gotten better reviews from a travel facebook group I belong to. We (my wife) decided there is not enough to do in Key Largo so I upgraded to a Cat 9 to stay at Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel. It is 371 per night. I decided A cat 9 required too many points to I decided to downgraded to a cat 7 to stay at the Courtyard Marathon Florida Keys. I have between now and when we get to Marathon to tell my wife.

There is no doubt that the rewards program has been significantly devalued but the travel packages still offer very good value. I would never trade my week for points (I get 130K) but I can understand why some may given a specific set of circumstances.

 

[BigMac]

You could think about these. But you really need to go in the resorts high season to get the points value

CAT 7

Costa Rica; El Mangrove, JW Guanacoste

Puerto Vallarta: Casa Magna

CAT 8

Costa Rica: Punta Islita, Los Suenos

Cancun: Casa Magna

San Jose Del Cabo: JW Los Cabos beach

Panama: JW Rio Hato Golf & Beach

 

[Quimby4]

You could think about these. But you really need to go in the resorts high season to get the points value

CAT 7

Costa Rica; El Mangrove, JW Guanacoste

Puerto Vallarta: Casa Magna

CAT 8

Costa Rica: Punta Islita, Los Suenos

Cancun: Casa Magna

San Jose Del Cabo: JW Los Cabos beach

Panama: JW Rio Hato Golf & Beach

JW Guanacoste is high on my list but then I checked and 2 double beds. I dont know how to find a way around this with 4 of us in a room. I wish they were all 2 Queens, that we could do.
Strongly considering Ritz Grand Cayman but I need to price out the points needed to upgrade to Tier 5

Punta Islita is interesting option too, thank you. I will price out a 2 bedroom villa there

 

[rickandcindy23]

We have a category 8 five-night stay coming to us, and my idea was to stay at the Monterey, CA, Marriott to use the certificate. Then I got my dream trade to Hyatt Carmel. We are doing that instead. Now I have a stay I have to use, and I don't know when we would have the time. My family all tells me, "I wish I had your problems." We really do have a lot of timeshare we have to use, and it does seem like a problem at times, but they are right, my problems are small.

Rick told me last night he doesn't want to go to Vino Bello, Napa, in December, and I was shocked, but he doesn't think we would have fun there, and he wants me to cancel that trip. He would rather do something near Disneyland instead. I am thinking of using that five-night certificate for that. Wouldn't that be a waste of a hotel stay?

I need to extend that another year. Maybe Washington DC next year instead.

 

[catharsis]

I realised that my last post may have come across a bit negative but I think it will be hard to combine a 'package' cert with a requirement for 2 rooms, unless you can find a hotel which will agree to upgrade you in advance as an elite MR member (not absolutely out of the question) or you can use points to get the 'upgrade certs' to a larger room for 5k per night, which may be a better value than upgrading by a category in some cases.

Also bear in mind that while the 'Double versus Queen' difference is clearly understood in the US, it is very much a US-Centric concept and a ''double' in other countries could well be smaller or larger than a standard American Queen size. (smaller is more common but is by no means definitive - one could ask the hotel by email?)

 

[catharsis]

My plans don't meet your criteria, but FYI I'm adding 90,000 Marriott points (converted from 30,000 Starwood points) to upgrade my 7-night certificate from Cat 5 to Cat 8 to exchange for an April 2018 week at the Berlin (Germany) Marriott.

That's a great place to visit and a convenient location for Berlin IMO, but we stayed in the adjacent Ritz-Carlton property for 10 nights last summer at an average cost of EUR122.75 per night (admittedly an LNF rate) - LNF source was getaroom.com in case that's useful.

Enjoy the stay in any case.

 

[dioxide45]

We just used ours to book five nights at the Courtyard in Barbados. Which is a category 5. The location isn't the greatest, but we booked it for nights after our planned stay at Ocean 2 Resort, so it should work out pretty well.

 

[Quimby4]

I realised that my last post may have come across a bit negative but I think it will be hard to combine a 'package' cert with a requirement for 2 rooms, unless you can find a hotel which will agree to upgrade you in advance as an elite MR member (not absolutely out of the question) or you can use points to get the 'upgrade certs' to a larger room for 5k per night, which may be a better value than upgrading by a category in some cases.

Also bear in mind that while the 'Double versus Queen' difference is clearly understood in the US, it is very much a US-Centric concept and a ''double' in other countries could well be smaller or larger than a standard American Queen size. (smaller is more common but is by no means definitive - one could ask the hotel by email?)

Oh, so you think i should ask the actual measurements of the "double beds"?
I know Ritz GCayman states 2 queens, marriott GC 2 double, JW Guan 2 double...if they are really queens that is a game changer

 

[Quimby4]

We have a category 8 five-night stay coming to us, and my idea was to stay at the Monterey, CA, Marriott to use the certificate. Then I got my dream trade to Hyatt Carmel. We are doing that instead. Now I have a stay I have to use, and I don't know when we would have the time. My family all tells me, "I wish I had your problems." We really do have a lot of timeshare we have to use, and it does seem like a problem at times, but they are right, my problems are small.

Rick told me last night he doesn't want to go to Vino Bello, Napa, in December, and I was shocked, but he doesn't think we would have fun there, and he wants me to cancel that trip. He would rather do something near Disneyland instead. I am thinking of using that five-night certificate for that. Wouldn't that be a waste of a hotel stay?

I need to extend that another year. Maybe Washington DC next year instead.

It is tough cause we are spoiled with large room from timesharing. Why not just keep extending your Cat 8 until you have a great use for? Maybe downgrade to Cat 7 to get 1 year extension, then get the extra points refunded, then upgrade back to Cat 8 to get more time? Im still wondering if the Marriott/'SPG merger will open up more options in late 2018.

Do you mine me asking what resort you used to get Hyatt Carmel? It is on my list too

 

[dioxide45]

An American queen vs double is only 6" in width.

 

[BigMac]

Oh, so you think i should ask the actual measurements of the "double beds"?
I know Ritz GCayman states 2 queens, marriott GC 2 double, JW Guan 2 double...if they are really queens that is a game changer

Take a look at the beds on the Guanacaste Website. The "Double" look bigger than an American "Double". What we did a few years ago when we were not sure about bed size was buy a single airbed which has a battery operated blower. It fits into a normal suitcase and doesn't take up that much room or weight.

 

[Quimby4]

Take a look at the beds on the Guanacaste Website. The "Double" look bigger than an American "Double". What we did a few years ago when we were not sure about bed size was buy a single airbed which has a battery operated blower. It fits into a normal suitcase and doesn't take up that much room or weight.
View attachment 4149
View attachment 4150

Good idea. Our teens could easily sleep on airbeds. I guess since 4 of us we have to reserve a 2 double room. But would prefer a King then more floor space for them to lay on the floor. I am sure they could bring extra sheets, pillows and blankets.

 

[BigMac]

Good idea. Our teens could easily sleep on airbeds. I guess since 4 of us we have to reserve a 2 double room. But would prefer a King then more floor space for them to lay on the floor. I am sure they could bring extra sheets, pillows and blankets.

I don't think you need to bring much as most of these hotels have way too many pillows on the beds anyway, and as they also have duvets you can take the outer cover off and use as a sheet, and then finally we ask housekeeping for an extra set of sheets and they always do it.

 

[catharsis]

Looking again at your situation and given you are a gold, it may be worth inquiring with some of the hotels you have in mind as to whether they can do anything for an elite gold member proposing to visit for a 5 day points stay. I do not recall having ever done that with Marriott, but with IHG where as a Royal Ambassador a room upgrade (used to be) guaranteed, I would fairly often reach out and discuss what room I should book and what room I should expect to be upgraded to.

I would be somewhat surprised if at least one of the hotels you had in mind were not able to commit to offering you a suite or 'family room' - either for points or or some sort of upcharge agreed between yourself and the hotel in advance.

In other words, if you really have hotels you like the look of, ask them what they suggest you should do to make your visit on points as pleasant as possible for your family - let them do the 'solutioning' as they will know more than you about available room options etc.

Put most simply of all, while a suite upgrade is not something one should 'expect' - I think most marriott hotels IME would agree to provide a slightly higher category room to an elite member staying on points despite the fact that 'by the book' this should not be possible.

 

[Big Matt]

Here are some thoughts.

Residence Inns may be a good idea and if you have an air mattress you should be fine with one on that and one on the sleep sofa. There are a lot of good options on the east coast including Amelia Island, Kiawah Island which aren't on the beach. In Florida the best one is in St. Petersburg (Treasure Island). There are others near Daytona, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami. There is a good Marriott Suites in Clearwater, Fl. also.

 

[Quilter]

When this thread came out I saw the poster was from S. California. It got me to thinking that a trip to Bend, OR would be convenient for a 5 night stay and just as much fun for a family as a beach vacation. Fast forward the thought process through looking up the date for the Sister's Quilt Show http://sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org, asking DH if he would want to go, getting room in a brand new Springhill Suites (Cat. 6) and booking flights to Portland with the Southwest Companion pass I got from a travel package in March. Last year I few into Redmond, OR but the choice of flights to that airport is limited.

We had a delightful time. Our 43rd Anniversary was 7/4. We flew out of DTW on 7/5.

We began in Portland. After landing we went straight to Ft. Vancouver, WA. They have done an excellent job of integrating history and recreation. Going to the Visitor's Center for the orientation movie is very helpful to understand the area. After that we visited one of the open houses on Officer's Row and went to lunch at another historic house, The Grant House. https://eateryatthegranthouse.com. How ironic, my husband has been working diligently for years to save the Grant house we have here in Michigan.

We had a long drive down to Bend so we got on the road. Even though it's a 3+ hr. drive the scenery changes so often that it goes by without being boring. You have to go past Mt. Hood but we had decided to stop there on the return trip.

The SpringHill Suites just opened this Spring. It's located in a trendy shopping, dining, recreation area. I've been to the Sister's Quilt Show 3 times now since 2004. The weather is always different. This year it was 90ish and clear skies. Here's a list of things we were able to do:

Kayak on Elk Lake, Mt. Bachelor
Float down the river in Bend
Drive up to Paulina Peak, visit Paulina Falls
Quilt show in Sisters
Visit Crooked River Bridge
Have lunch at Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood

In case you're thinking the quilt show is just for quilting women, you have to think bigger and consider it an art show with fiber as the medium. It's fun to see the town draped with the artwork. Very festive. The quilt show puts funds back into the community so it's vibrant for a little cowboy town.

Last year my friend and I visited Smith Rock when we were on our return to Portland. We had more time for the drive since we were spending the night at an airport hotel and flying out the next morning. This year we had an afternoon flight so just enough time to stop for a visit at Crooked River Bridge and have lunch on Mt. Hood.

 

[Quilter]

 

[icydog]

It might be worth looking at the Key West Marriott Beachside hotel. I think it was originally going to be an MVCI property, but due to the "economy" it ended up as a hotel instead. If you have extra points, they regularly have 2 and even 3 bedroom suites available.

Wow, that's good to know. Thanks. If you have a certificate how can you upgrade to a bigger room?

 

[icydog]

We have a category 8 five-night stay coming to us, and my idea was to stay at the Monterey, CA, Marriott to use the certificate. Then I got my dream trade to Hyatt Carmel. We are doing that instead. Now I have a stay I have to use, and I don't know when we would have the time. My family all tells me, "I wish I had your problems." We really do have a lot of timeshare we have to use, and it does seem like a problem at times, but they are right, my problems are small.

Rick told me last night he doesn't want to go to Vino Bello, Napa, in December, and I was shocked, but he doesn't think we would have fun there, and he wants me to cancel that trip. He would rather do something near Disneyland instead. I am thinking of using that five-night certificate for that. Wouldn't that be a waste of a hotel stay?

I need to extend that another year. Maybe Washington DC next year instead.

I had the same issue with a cat 8, 7 night certificate. I just couldn't use it. So I called Marriott Rewards and they took it back. The refunded the hotel part and took off for the cost of the United miles. I was so grateful. Just a thought. Otherwise these things hang over your head (if you're worried about getting use out of them) all the time. Good luck Cindy!

 

[dioxide45]

I had the same issue with a cat 8, 7 night certificate. I just couldn't use it. So I called Marriott Rewards and they took it back. The refunded the hotel part and took off for the cost of the United miles. I was so grateful. Just a thought. Otherwise these things hang over your head (if you're worried about getting use out of them) all the time. Good luck Cindy!

The problem is that when you turn the hotel certificate back in, they revlaue the package to be what a straight points to miles conversion would cost. So you don't really end up getting a lot back for the hotel certificate that comes from a travel package.