Marriott Travel Package: Do They Charge Taxes For The Free Week?

[Hoc]

I'm staying on my first "free week" certificate that I got with a Marriott Travel Package. I notice on the TV Bill that they are running up $60 per day in "room taxes" and the like. So, my basic charge for the "free week" will be $420.

I was just wondering, since I never got a physical certificate with the terms, are they supposed to charge taxes when you use it, or is everything supposed to be covered by the certificate.

 

[Dave M]

There is no single answer to your question. Whether tax applies depends on the hotel. Generally, taxes are included in the Reward and you don't have to pay them. However, there are exceptions. To find out, pretend to reserve a 7-night Reward online at your preferred hotel. When you get to the screen that has the "Reserve a Room" button, click on the "Reward Rules" link to see whether all taxes are included or whether some taxes (such as in Paris) are extra.

One other possible situation: Thanks to the poor economy, many states and countries are in the process of instituting/increasing occupancy taxes. So it's possible that what you see online could chance by the time of your stay.

 

[LAX Mom]

$60 per day in room taxes? Wow, where are you staying?

edited to add: In most points reservations I've made, the taxes are included. However, if you are out of the country it could be a different story.

Let us know what you find out. I plan on using lots of my Marriott points (Euro hoppers) in 2009. I've ordered two Euro Hopper certificates (good for 14 nights) and also have a 7 night stay from a travel package to use in 2009.

 

[Latravel]

Wow Lisa, you're going to be taking some great vacations next year! Let us know what you plan so we get some ideas.

I never heard about room taxes and the Vacation Advisor never told me about any when I reserved for Italy. Maybe it's for a select few hotels?

 

[pwrshift]

...When you get to the screen that has the "Reserve a Room" button, click on the "Reward Rules" link to see whether all taxes are included or whether some taxes (such as in Paris) are extra.
.

It used to be that you could reserve a room without them taking the points from your account automatically - you could check that you already had the certificate - but it appears that it's all automatically deducted now. I remember when they made that change but thought they had changed it back to the former system. Now, it appears you can't make points reservations without first having them in the account.

Don't remember if I paid taxes or not on my European hotels ... if I did it must have been an insignificant amount compared to what it would have cost by paying cash. I just booked a new JW Marriott north of Toronto for 2 stays on points and one on cash ... the 'cash' one showed that taxes and resort fee were extra, but the points bookings showed neither of these were payable. Hmmm

Also noted that on each points stay that the TV account shows two names ... both mine: One shows what I have to pay for room service, spa, etc., and the other wouldn't show me anything - the front desk told me once that is 'their' account for what they get paid from Marriott for my stay on MR.

Brian

 

[Dave M]

Now, it appears you can't make points reservations without first having them in the account.

Yes, you still can, but you have to call Marriott to do it. If you don't have enough points for the Reward within about two weeks of your check-in date, the reservation will be canceled.

 

[Latravel]

I reserved all my hotels in Italy without taking the points out of my account automatically but I did it by phone, just as Dave stated. If I did it online, it appears the only option would be to have the points deducted automatically from my account, which I didn't want.

I like having the flexibility to make and change hotel reservations without having to mess with crediting points to my account. When my plans are completely finalized (when the Grand Flora opens up), i'll attach the European hoppers I purchased yesterday to my reservation.

 

[KathyPet]

I have used rewards all over the world and have never been charged tax even in NYC home of every tax known to mankind.

 

[Hoc]

To find out, pretend to reserve a 7-night Reward online at your preferred hotel. When you get to the screen that has the "Reserve a Room" button, click on the "Reward Rules" link to see whether all taxes are included or whether some taxes (such as in Paris) are extra.

I tried it, but the Reward Rules say nothing about taxes one way or the other. It's the Marriott-New Orleans Convention Center.

 

[dmharris]

We had to pay taxes on a free week at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Nigel where we used Marriott points. Substantial amount $400.00 for the week's room taxes. Imagine what the rack rate of the rooom would have been! This was about five years ago.

 

[Hoc]

I checked out yesterday and they did not charge the taxes, so I was happy.

 

[pwrshift]

I tried it, but the Reward Rules say nothing about taxes one way or the other. It's the Marriott-New Orleans Convention Center.

Hoc ... usually when you book online (before confirming) you'll see a breakout of cost, taxes, resort fees, etc. when paying 'cash' ... items that I've never seen when using MR points. I assume that is because the charges don't exist when using points.

Brian