Hotel and Airline Points Reward Packages

[DCBoy]

I will be cashing in points sometime in the future for a 7 day hotel certificate that comes with airline points. If I get a package that comes with a category 8 certificate, can I later pay to upgrade it to a category 9 certificate? If so, how much will it cost to do so? Also, could I use a higher category certificate to book a room at a lower category hotel if that hotel is really where I wanted to stay?

Thanks in advance!
Doug B

 

[Fasttr]

It is my understanding from reading other posts here, that you can increase or decrease the hotel certificate category level...and the cost is the difference in the points needed between the packages, either taken from, or replenished to your MR account.

 

[Colt Seavers]

I was told the same thing by Marriott Rewards, you just use the difference in points to upgrade. I have not yet upgraded mine to confirm that this is true but the certificates are definitely valid for any hotel "up to" the category indicated. Don't forget there is also the 5 night travel package option if that works better for you.

 

[icydog]

As long as you dont want to trade up to Ritz Carlton Hotels you'll be fine.

Trading down is easy. But I doubt they'll give you any points back if you go to a cheaper hotel.

 

[bazzap]

Yes this is certainly correct for increasing the hotel certificate category level, I have done just this for a December 2015 stay as part of a Travel Package.
I can't comment on reducing the category level.

 

[BocaBoy]

Yes this is certainly correct for increasing the hotel certificate category level, I have done just this for a December 2015 stay as part of a Travel Package.
I can't comment on reducing the category level.

Marriott will give you the difference in points back if you first change the certificate to the lower level. I have done it twice. But if you just book it with the higher level certificate you won't get anything back.

 

[bazzap]

Good to know.