Marriott Exchange - How to upgrade room?

[Snowbird22]

I exchanged into a studio at Marriott Ko Olina for a week arriving August 29th. I would really like to get into 1 bedroom as I hear the kitchens are much better for preparing meals.

I'm looking for advice on the best way to get a room upgrade. Can I use my Marriott Reward points? Can I pay extra and if so is it reasonable? Should I talk to the front desk on check in and tip the front desk person

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[dioxide45]

I exchanged into a studio at Marriott Ko Olina for a week arriving August 29th. I would really like to get into 1 bedroom as I hear the kitchens are much better for preparing meals.

I'm looking for advice on the best way to get a room upgrade. Can I use my Marriott Reward points? Can I pay extra and if so is it reasonable? Should I talk to the front desk on check in and tip the front desk person

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Is this an II or DC exchange? I don't think it really matters in either case since there is no way to upgrade at the resort to a larger unit. You can't pay cash or Marriott Reward points for an upgrade.

I suspect this is an II exchange. So the only option I see is if you can do a last minute retrade if a larger unit pops up online. You will pay an additional exchange fee. You seem to be willing to pay cash for a 1BR, so an additional $124 for a retrade is a pretty good deal. Put a sightings request on the Sightings forum and also be on the lookout yourself. You need to check MANY times during the day. These units will go fast if one becomes available through II.

 

[Snowbird22]

Yes it is an II exchange. I will post something in the sightings and keep checking. Cheers

 

[Snowbird22]

I have an opportunity to exchange for a second studio at MKO. If I had 2 II exchange studios booked for the same week do you think the resort would put me in a 1 or 2 bedroom instead for that week? Has anyone had any success doing this?

 

[Ann in CA]

Although I have never tried it, once you exchange for a studio, or even 2 studios, that unit (or units) will normally not be changed, or upgraded, to another size unit. There may be rare instances where a particular size unit is damaged, and if they do not have another of that size, they could put you into whatever else was available, but in general, you just could not trade your unit, or your two units for a larger one at the resort.

However, the suggestion to use retrade is a good one, and close to check in, often larger units show up. I recently retraded a studio for a 2 bedroom at Ko Olina, and I was surprised that it was several weeks before check in. You just have to check frequently.

Good luck!

 

[Saintsfanfl]

I have an opportunity to exchange for a second studio at MKO. If I had 2 II exchange studios booked for the same week do you think the resort would put me in a 1 or 2 bedroom instead for that week? Has anyone had any success doing this?

As others have stated, there is zero chance of an upgrade at the resort. Not even if they wanted to because the Marriott system does not give the resort the ability to exchange units beyond the normal floating assignments. That larger unit belongs to somebody.

 

[dioxide45]

I have an opportunity to exchange for a second studio at MKO. If I had 2 II exchange studios booked for the same week do you think the resort would put me in a 1 or 2 bedroom instead for that week? Has anyone had any success doing this?

If you need the space, two studios is better than one. But two studios still won't get you one 1BR or one 2BR unit. As Saintsfan indicates, that other 1BR or 2BR belongs to someone and is likely already occupied.