Marriott Travel Package Snafu

[cybernaut]

Following the threads on this forum, I exchanged points for 2 7-day Hotel Category 9 travel packages on August 16th. It was my understanding that I had a year to book the hotel. When I tried to book the hotel (category 7), I was told that I can only book up to a category 6.

The explanation given to me was that to get above a category 6, I would have to book the reservation first before purchasing the travel package and then I could attach the package to the existing reservation. Is that really how it works? If I had known that, I would have done it that way.

Art

 

[Safti]

The 7 night Cat. 9 prior to the merger has now mapped into a Cat. 6 post merger. Likely that your hotel has changed categories post merger. You do have a year for expiry on the TP, however, since the particular hotel you chose is now a cat 7 and your TP has mapped into a cat 6, looks like you won't be able to use it at that hotel.

 

[VacationForever]

I believe you can top up points on your existing current cat 6/former cat 9 hotel certificate to get it up to Cat 7 and then attach to the hotel.

 

[Safti]

I believe you can top up points on your existing current cat 6/former cat 9 hotel certificate to get it up to Cat 7 and then attach to the hotel.

Marriott has indicated that they will downgrade but not upgrade.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Marriott has indicated that they will downgrade but not upgrade.

I must have missed that. Kind of blows up a trip i had planned if its not possible to upgrade any more.

 

[Safti]

I must have missed that. Kind of blows up a trip i had planned if its not possible to upgrade any more.

For me too. I bought a cat 6 which maps to a cat 4.

 

[VacationForever]

Marriott has indicated that they will downgrade but not upgrade.

This is the first that I have heard. I don't remember reading about no upgrade being allowed on old certificates on TUG.

 

[Fasttr]

Marriott has indicated that they will downgrade but not upgrade.

I would call and speak to somebody else. If that fails, ask for a supervisor. They should be happy you want to use more points and get them off their balance sheet.

 

[ljmiii]

I would have to book the reservation first before purchasing the travel package and then I could attach the package to the existing reservation. Is that really how it works? If I had known that, I would have done it that way.

While others have focused on the upgrade/downgrade issue I would caution against reserving than attaching a 5 or 7 night certificate.

In July I booked a reservation using points anticipating that I would swap it out for a 5 night cert that I would upgrade over the phone. The Marriott rep couldn't figure out how to do that so unbeknownst to me she cancelled my reservation and while she fumbled around trying to upgrade my existing cert someone else snagged my room.

 

[VacationForever]

While others have focused on the upgrade/downgrade issue I would caution against reserving than attaching a 5 or 7 night certificate.

In July I booked a reservation using points anticipating that I would swap it out for a 5 night cert that I would upgrade over the phone. The Marriott rep couldn't figure out how to do that so unbeknownst to me she cancelled my reservation and while she fumbled around trying to upgrade my existing cert someone else snagged my room.

The issue here is that you had enough points that when you booked a room with points, it pulled from your account. If you do not have enough points, then there is no risk of it being cancelled due to the shuffle.

 

[ljmiii]

The issue here is that you had enough points that when you booked a room with points, it pulled from your account. If you do not have enough points, then there is no risk of it being cancelled due to the shuffle.

Well, yes. I had enough points to make the reservation sitting in my account. I had assumed (incorrectly) that the Marriott rep could successfully swap in the cert for my points. Though I am a bit confused - can you make a rewards reservation without having the points in your account?

I had read of TUGers making a reservation and then attaching the certificate and this was mentioned by OP. Thus my warning that it doesn't always work - ideally you should call, reserve the room, and buy or upgrade the certificate all at the same time.

 

[VacationForever]

Well, yes. I had enough points to make the reservation sitting in my account. I had assumed (incorrectly) that the Marriott rep could successfully swap in the cert for my points. Though I am a bit confused - can you make a rewards reservation without having the points in your account?

Yes. You have until a couple of days before check-in to have enough points to get a rewards certificate. The main thing is that you must reserve a rewards room first.

As you have learned, a rewards room can be lost due to a shuffle.