Extension of Soon Expiring Travel Package Hotel Certificates

[steve1000]

I spoke with a Marriott representative this afternoon regarding two 5 night travel award package certificates that I had attached to reservations this summer for a trip to Europe that I will no longer be taking. I wanted to find out if those soon expiring 5 night hotel certificates could be extended. I was told that Marriott announced a policy today that provided I cancel my hotel stays associated with the certificates by the end of April, 2020 such that the certificates were unattached thereafter that they would automatically be extended until January 31, 2021. So that is what I did.

It appears that the reservations must be both cancelled by the end of April and unattached in order to qualify for the extension. At least that is how it was explained to me.

I was hoping, given the crazy Coronavirus situation, that the certificates would be extended for a full year so that I could re-book my Europe trip for summer 2021. Apparently that will not be permitted but at least I will have some additional time to make new travel plans.

 

[lily28]

I am in same situation with 2 5-day travel package booked for Zurich and Vienna in August that expires in August and September. I wait to cancel as hoping Marriott would allow extension for 1 year so I can use it next summer

 

[Norcal5]

Us too! This doesn’t help much for families with school schedules.

 

[VacationForever]

The email I received implied that all travel certificates will be extended to Jan 31st, 2021.

Here is an excerpt.

For Our Marriott Bonvoy Members

We are focused on how the coronavirus is impacting our Marriott Bonvoy Members and have made some important updates to our loyalty program to provide greater flexibility when planning future travel. Specifically, we have paused points expiration until August 31, 2020 allowing Members ample time to redeem their points. In addition, we have extended the expiration of suite night awards (SNAs) with an expiration date of December 31, 2020 by one year to December 31, 2021. Lastly, Members who currently have an active Free Night Award (FNA) expiring in 2020 as part of their credit card benefit, annual choice benefit, promotions or travel package will be able to use it through January 31, 2021. We understand that earning status for 2021 may also be on your mind. As the current situation is still evolving, it is too early for us to make any changes. We will keep you updated on all loyalty program changes through our Marriott Bonvoy member benefits website. We recognize that these are unsettling times and whether you are traveling now or in the future, we want you to know that your safety and wellbeing are our first priority. Whenever you travel, we are waiting with open doors and open hearts to serve you.

 

[dougef]

I don't know how others feel, but I feel that Marriott is doing as little as they can to take care of their loyal Bonvoy members and MVC timeshare owners. Very disappointed in their reactions.

 

[Bogey1]

My 5 night was extended for one year

 

[csalter2]

I don't know how others feel, but I feel that Marriott is doing as little as they can to take care of their loyal Bonvoy members and MVC timeshare owners. Very disappointed in their reactions.

I disagree based upon how I have been treated when I called about my reservations beginning in June. I had three reservations through June using banked 2019 and 2020 points. They made it so that all of my points could either saved into into 2021 or 2022. They actually changed the status of the banked 2019 points so that they can be used in 2021. Then they made it so I could use some of my 2020 points up into 2022. I haven’t even touched 2021 yet. My point (no pun intended) is that Marriott, in my most humble opInion is doing their best in a difficult situation. We also have to understand there are complexities associated with the new systems being integrated into the Destnations Club as well. I am assuming there will now be delays in their roll out of that integration.

 

[VacationForever]

I disagree based upon how I have been treated when I called about my reservations beginning in June. I had three reservations through June using banked 2019 and 2020 points. They made it so that all of my points could either saved into into 2021 or 2022. They actually changed the status of the banked 2019 points so that they can be used in 2021. Then they made it so I could use some of my 2020 points up into 2022. I haven’t even touched 2021 yet. My point (no pun intended) is that Marriott, in my most humble opInion is doing their best in a difficult situation. We also have to understand there are complexities associated with the new systems being integrated into the Destnations Club as well. I am assuming there will now be delays in their roll out of that integration.

Are you saying that your banked DC points were extended to 2021? What were the banked points original expiration date? I have a bunch expiring mid-2021 but I don't see how I can use them.

 

[Norcal5]

My 5 night was extended for one year

Had your certificate already been extended once? Mine have, so wondering if that fact will disqualify it. Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[icydog]

What happens if I don’t have any reservations attached to my certificates? Will my (2) five night leisure packages be extended? If that’s the case I’ll make reservations with them and cancel the reservation so my packages can be extended for a year.

 

[jeff76543]

Had your certificate already been extended once? Mine have, so wondering if that fact will disqualify it. Thanks in advance for any info!

My 5-night certificate was also extended for 1 year when I cancelled a 5-night reservation for mid-March. The certificate had already been extended for 1 year and was due to expire a few weeks after the cancelled reservation. The customer service representative said she needed the approval of a supervisor and after a minute she returned and said the extension had been approved. I hope that you have the same result.

 

[csalter2]

Are you saying that your banked DC points were extended to 2021? What were the banked points original expiration date? I have a bunch expiring mid-2021 but I don't see how I can use them.

I was using banked points from 2019 for a June 2020 reservation. The person in owner services put me on hold and did something where those banked points are now elected points that I can use in 2021 and bank into 2022. They literally changed the status of the points. I had over 10,000 points from three different properties that they made it so I have access to all of them for 2021and 2022.

 

[VacationForever]

I was using banked points from 2019 for a June 2020 reservation. The person in owner services put me on hold and did something where those banked points are now elected points that I can use in 2021 and bank into 2022. They literally changed the status of the points. I had over 10,000 points from three different properties that they made it so I have access to all of them for 2021and 2022.

This is huge. I wonder if it was a one off done only for you.

 

[csalter2]

This is huge. I wonder if it was a one off done only for you.

I don’t know. I am not the in the often proclaimed “chairman” level. I didn’t ask them to do that but the representative did. Now the reservation was outside of the 61 day cancel period. That may have had something to do with it. The bottom line was this. I had three separate reservations for June 2020 using banked 2019 and elected 2020 points. When she worked her magic, I had banked points for 2021-2022 and the rest of my points are elected 2020 points that can be saved and banked into 2021 with no restrictions at all. That includes a reservation in late June for Oceanwatch that might need to be cancelled.

 

[icydog]

I don’t know. I am not the in the often proclaimed “chairman” level. I didn’t ask them to do that but the representative did. Now the reservation was outside of the 61 day cancel period. That may have had something to do with it. The bottom line was this. I had three separate reservations for June 2020 using banked 2019 and elected 2020 points. When she worked her magic, I had banked points for 2021-2022 and the rest of my points are elected 2020 points that can be saved and banked into 2021 with no restrictions at all. That includes a reservation in late June for Oceanwatch that might need to be cancelled.

Wow... I wish I had such a good and kind representative. I couldn't believe she was a Chairman's Club Rep either since she had no clue that I could bank points from 2018 to 2020. But she cancelled my reservations and left me holding 6600 points that must be used by Dec 2020.

 

[VacationForever]

Wow... I wish I had such a good and kind representative. I couldn't believe she was a Chairman's Club Rep either since she had no clue that I could bank points from 2018 to 2020. But she cancelled my reservations and left me holding 6600 points that must be used by Dec 2020.

They have revised their policy. Your holding points now can be used for reserving 120 days of stay and the points expire in Dec 2021.

 

[csalter2]

Wow... I wish I had such a good and kind representative. I couldn't believe she was a Chairman's Club Rep either since she had no clue that I could bank points from 2018 to 2020. But she cancelled my reservations and left me holding 6600 points that must be used by Dec 2020.

Yes, she was very, very nice. She took the initiative to do this too. Apparently to change the points it’s a process because she had to out me on hold three different times while whomever made the necessary changes. My challenge was what to do with my 2021 points. I don’t really need to use them next year. Fortunately I’m retiring in June of ‘21 and I’ll be ready to fully take advantage of them.

 

[NJDave]

My 5-night certificate was also extended for 1 year when I cancelled a 5-night reservation for mid-March. The certificate had already been extended for 1 year and was due to expire a few weeks after the cancelled reservation. The customer service representative said she needed the approval of a supervisor and after a minute she returned and said the extension had been approved. I hope that you have the same result.

I had a similar experience. Extended a 5 night certificate for one year from the date I called (which was a week ago). It had already been extended.

 

[Tommyhob]

I had a similar experience. Extended a 5 night certificate for one year from the date I called (which was a week ago). It had already been extended.

Travel Package newbie here....

I had a 5 night travel package cert that I had intended to use at Lakeshore a few weeks ago, obviously canceled. I called last week and booked Grande Vista for July (no available 2BR inventory at LR with Bonvoy), and the marriott customer service rep said my cert had been applied to the new GV stay.

When I looked at my account now, it seems like they just refunded me the Bonvoy points ..... 190k. I still have the GV stay, and it says that I have the points and they just need to be applied to the stay. My account no longer shows any travel package whatsoever.

I'm trying to figure out whether this worked out in my favor, to my disadvantage, or if this is the way it should have happened? I dont want to call and ask just yet.

thanks for any insight.