5 Night packages are [NOT!] for everyone now

[GreenTea]

http://thepointsguy.com/2016/02/mar...ail&utm_term=0_2b0b8ee2b7-4c6f9e6437-44218973

 

[SueDonJ]

I'm not surprised to see the 5-Night Packages being talked about but this isn't Marriott or MVW saying that the rules have been changed. The Points Guy is an entity known for finding loopholes and other ways to exploit loyalty systems - what's surprising is that it's taken this long for TPG to learn about and publish 5-Night Packages info.

 

[GreenTea]

Ah, I thought one was only for MVC owners and one was for general MR members. My mistake. I thought it was a change in policy.

But I don't think of TPG as exploiting loopholes. I know he has pointed me to some bonus earning opportunities I would have missed otherwise; including some Marriott ones. I think some other sites promote mistake fares and loopholes, but never much thought TPG fell into that category.

 

[SueDonJ]

Ah, I thought one was only for MVC owners and one was for general MR members. My mistake. I thought it was a change in policy.

But I don't think of TPG as exploiting loopholes. I know he has pointed me to some bonus earning opportunities I would have missed otherwise; including some Marriott ones. I think some other sites promote mistake fares and loopholes, but never much thought TPG fell into that category.

But that's what he's doing here, isn't he? He knows that as published it's supposedly a benefit of being an MVW timeshare owner but he still called around to see if he could find Marriott reps who would book one of these for him. I'd call that a loophole.

It used to be that the only way to book these was through the ownership telephone line but very infrequently you'd hear of a Marriott rep booking one (usually at the urging of a timeshare owner who wasn't aware s/he should have called Owner Services.) During the last 2 years or so you'd hear of it happening much more often. MVW could close this loophole by reminding Marriott to not allow their reps to book them.

 

[hhoope01]

I saw this article as well and got my hopes up (as as a LT Plat member, but not an owner). So I called Marriott to verify and unfortunately, as far as anyone in Guest Services knows 5 night awards are for MVCI owners only and they know of no plans to change that.

 

[SueDonJ]

I sent an email to MVW Exec asking them to look into this and today, got a call back. Nothing in the rules has changed as far as these 5-Night Travel Packages being available to ONLY the timeshare owners. They'll follow up as needed, and I've edited this thread title.

Thanks for the notice, GreenTea and hhoope01!

 

[JudyS]

Does one need to buy from the developer to get the 5-night packages, or are they also available to Marriott owners who bought resale?

 

[Retired2025 aka AlmostRetired]

Does one need to buy from the developer to get the 5-night packages, or are they also available to Marriott owners who bought resale?

It is available to every Marriott timeshare owner no matter how you acquired your week.

 

[bogey21]

I like the idea of 5 night stays. Back in my early retirement years when I was taking a trip every month (traveling single) many times I would only stay 5 nights. My recollection is the main reason was that it enabled me to get the cheapest air fares.

George

 

[Tank]

I like the idea of 5 night stays. Back in my early retirement years when I was taking a trip every month (traveling single) many times I would only stay 5 nights. My recollection is the main reason was that it enabled me to get the cheapest air fares.

George

What 5 nights gave you the best opportunity for best air fare ?

We get the best deal to reserve a stay Sunday thru Thursday 5 nights.

A Friday / Saturday, 2 night stay takes the same points as the other 5 nights.

 

[dioxide45]

Just like any policy, there are reps that either don't know it or don't follow it. Unless there is a system limitation these things can and will likely continue to happen.

I really have no issue if non owners are offered the ability to book five night travel packages. No skin off my back. Having them available to me gives me no real sense of exclusivity.

 

[JudyS]

It is available to every Marriott timeshare owner no matter how you acquired your week.

Thanks!

Is the 5-night package a much better deal than the 7-night package? Also, can the 7-night package be used towards a Southwest Companion Pass?

 

[bogey21]

What 5 nights gave you the best opportunity for best air fare ?

It was a long time ago but my recollection is that it was Sunday-Thursday.

George

 

[hhoope01]

Also, can the 7-night package be used towards a Southwest Companion Pass?

Yes it can.

 

[Safti]

I have purchased a 5 night TP which I would like to give to one of my grown kids. Am I able to transfer the package?

 

[rthib]

I have purchased a 5 night TP which I would like to give to one of my grown kids. Am I able to transfer the package?

Transfer, no, but you can book the room in their name.
Just book the room like normal and then call up Marriott and tell them your kids are going to be staying.

I did this for my daughters honeymoon.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks!

Is the 5-night package a much better deal than the 7-night package? Also, can the 7-night package be used towards a Southwest Companion Pass?

Actually, the 5 night package is a worse deal, because you don't really get the 5th night free like you do with the 7 night packages. So the per night cost is a little higher with the 5 night packages when compared to the per nights points cost for 7 nights.

 

[Quilter]

What 5 nights gave you the best opportunity for best air fare ?

We get the best deal to reserve a stay Sunday thru Thursday 5 nights.

A Friday / Saturday, 2 night stay takes the same points as the other 5 nights.

Seems like a bit of confusion going on here.

The 5 nights that are being talked about are through Marriott Rewards. They can be used for any night during the week as long as it is available, regardless the $ amount the hotel is charging.

Your post sounds like you were confusing it with a 5 night reservation using Destination Points.

 

[JudyS]

Actually, the 5 night package is a worse deal, because you don't really get the 5th night free like you do with the 7 night packages. So the per night cost is a little higher with the 5 night packages when compared to the per nights points cost for 7 nights.

Thanks for the info!

I'm not that familiar with Marriott Rewards points. (I have technically been a member for ages, but have never racked up many points.) Anyone know if the 5 (and maybe the 7) night package is the only way to use Marriott Rewards towards a Southwest Companion Pass? Or, can one just transfer Marriott Rewards to Southwest miles (without also getting a hotel stay in the same transaction) and have the miles count towards a Southwest Companion Pass?

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks for the info!

I'm not that familiar with Marriott Rewards points. (I have technically been a member for ages, but have never racked up many points.) Anyone know if the 5 (and maybe the 7) night package is the only way to use Marriott Rewards towards a Southwest Companion Pass? Or, can one just transfer Marriott Rewards to Southwest miles (without also getting a hotel stay in the same transaction) and have the miles count towards a Southwest Companion Pass?

According to post #14, the points transferred to Southwest from the travel packages count toward the Companion Pass. I have seen this mentioned in other threads as well.

 

[VacationForever]

Probably a stupid question, some 20 years ago, I was able to book a 7-night package for only 100K MRP and used 4 nights in Kauai and 3 nights in Maui. Does Marriott still allow a 7-night package to be broken down into 4 and 3 nights sand use at 2 separate locations?

 

[mjm1]

Probably a stupid question, some 20 years ago, I was able to book a 7-night package for only 100K MRP and used 4 nights in Kauai and 3 nights in Maui. Does Marriott still allow a 7-night package to be broken down into 4 and 3 nights sand use at 2 separate locations?

My understanding is that you must use all nights during one stay. I know that is true for the 5 night package as we have used that. No experience with the 7 night package.

Mike

 

[bazzap]

I can't readily find the Ts & Cs to confirm it, but I have always understood that the accommodation with Travel Packages cannot be split into 2 shorter stays.
I have only just ordered my latest 5 night Travel Package, as BA were offering a 35% bonus on Avios so I received 160k rather than the usual 120k.
There was no specific reference to usage of the 5 nights though.

 

[hhoope01]

Does Marriott still allow a 7-night package to be broken down into 4 and 3 nights sand use at 2 separate locations?

The special Hawaii Sampler award you are referring to is no longer offered. There were a couple of those "Sampler" awards around back in the day, but those were stopped around the same time Marriott changed their program to the current 5 night award structure (i.e. 5 award nights for the price of 4.)

This means the hotel cert from a TP award (be it a 5 or 7 night award) must be used at a single hotel for a single stay. Any unused portion will be lost.

 

[bogey21]

Actually, the 5 night package is a worse deal.......the per night cost is a little higher with the 5 night packages when compared to the per nights points cost for 7 nights.

I believed this was more than offset by lower airfares and sometimes lower car rental rates.

George