Playing the Marriott (hotel) game

[thinze3]

Each April my middle DD has her college "family weekend". If you miss the first reservations day by only a few days, there will be no Marriott availability at any of the 4 hotels nearby.

One TownePlace Suites holds its inventory until 90 days out before the big day and then releases it - AT OVER 2 TIMES THE NORMAL RATE. (I actually called Marriott to complain about it last year.)

Anyhow, last year I missed the first reservation date April 2012 by a few days and missed out on any "reasonable" rooms. I made a reservation at La Quinta as a back up.

Two days ago the TP released their "expensive rooms". Here's where it gets funny. They also released their "mandatory" allotment of rewards rooms. I snagged a room for two nights at 10K points per night. The rooms are priced $249 + tax. (= $572 total for 2 nts vs. $273 normally)

With Marriott's MegaBonus promotion that ends this Sunday, I needed one more night at a Marriott hotel to get another free Cat 1-4 certificate. So, today when I went to lunch, I stopped by the CY by my office and told the manager up front that I needed a cheap night on my account in order to get a free night's cert. I also told him that I do not even need a card key to go into the room.

He laughed, and then sold me a $160/nt room for $45. I picked a candy bar and told him to charge it to my room. My folio now says $54 total.

When the new cert shows up in my account, I will call my VOA and have her apply it to one of my nights. The other will remain at a cost of 10K points.

The second cert I have is applied to an upcoming Cat 4 hotel stay.

 

[classiclincoln]

We go through this every October with the Courtyard in New Haven. They're the only hotel in the city, and the rates are like $445/night (includes tax) for parent's weekend. I learned my lesson and booked the room the first day they open reservations and got the weekend for 15,000 points/night. Since I use points from my timeshare, I think that's a real good use of the points!

 

[kmij]

hotel deals

terry,

i always read, with great interest, the way that you work the system. you are brilliant!! i think you should teach classes to the rest of us!!
jean

 

[mightywyrm]

Well played, as is appropriate for any "game".

 

[m61376]

Love it when you can beat them at their own game- isn't the feeling of success sweet?

 

[jdunn1]

What is the megabonus? Do we qualify for this bonus when staying at the Marriott timeshare resorts? I've been adding my reward number to my Marriott weeks for this March, April and July.

As a side note. When I log onto marriot.com, and click on my account and see my reaward balance, should I also see all the Marriott stays I have booked via exchanging. I linked my account number to these trades, but they are not showing up on marriott.com. Maybe I did something wrong and need to call again?

Thanks.

 

[thinze3]

What is the megabonus? Do we qualify for this bonus when staying at the Marriott timeshare resorts? I've been adding my reward number to my Marriott weeks for this March, April and July.

As a side note. When I log onto marriot.com, and click on my account and see my reaward balance, should I also see all the Marriott stays I have booked via exchanging. I linked my account number to these trades, but they are not showing up on marriott.com. Maybe I did something wrong and need to call again?

Thanks.

The link for MegaBonus is in my original post. No you do not typically get credit for a timeshare stay on a MegaBonus promotion, but you never know if you play it properly.

All of my timeshare stays show up in my Rewards account as nights stayed within days after checking out. Marriott does not have to allow this, especially on exchanges.

You need to make sure your rewards number is attached to the reservation at check-in. Many people believe that anytime you charge something to your room it helps 'seal the deal' in getting the stays posted in your account.

 

[jdunn1]

Thanks, Terry. I called and got all my reservations added to my reward account. I thought I had done this by calling the resort directly after getting the exchanges (which were all from trading my own Marriott week) and having my reward number added. All the resorts took my reward number and said they added it to my reservation, but until just now when I called Marriott directly do they show-up.

I signed-up for the mega bonus but the link in your post didn't work for me. I had to google it. Mayeb your link is attached to your account becuse it said I was trying to access another member's account. No worries, I found it and signed-up for the promotion.

Thanks for the tip about charging something to my room. Will definately make sure to do this. Over a one week stay, should be pretty easy to do.

Guess I have nothing to loose by trying for the mega bonus with my marriott exchanges. Thanks, again.

 

[dmharris]

you have to pay with a Marriott Visa and you get a bonus night for every two paid STAYS, not nights. There is a max of 2 nights you are eligible to win per promotion. A new promotion for spring is coming up; sign up on the Marriott website to be sent via e-mail promotion announcements. Watch your e-mail as it looks like junk mail. Sign up at the Marriott website. They keep track of it. Your bonus nights will appear on the website under "My Account" and then "Rewards Account Activity" and then "View Rewards Activity". It takes LOOKING because some of this is in very fine print.

Here's what mine looks like:

Unused Rewards Certificates
Date Description Points Value Expiration Date
08/21/2011 2011 Choose Your Reward Free Night Certificate, Category 1-4 Hotel — 02/29/2012
01/10/2012 2011 Visa MegaBonus Free Night Certificate, Cat 1-4 hotel — 05/31/2012
12/10/2011 2011 Visa MegaBonus Free Night Certificate, Cat 1-4 hotel — 05/31/2012

 

[Ron98GT]

Thanks, Terry. I called and got all my reservations added to my reward account. I thought I had done this by calling the resort directly after getting the exchanges (which were all from trading my own Marriott week) and having my reward number added. All the resorts took my reward number and said they added it to my reservation, but until just now when I called Marriott directly do they show-up.

I signed-up for the mega bonus but the link in your post didn't work for me. I had to google it. Mayeb your link is attached to your account becuse it said I was trying to access another member's account. No worries, I found it and signed-up for the promotion.

Thanks for the tip about charging something to my room. I'll have to remember this tip, thanks Will definately make sure to do this. Over a one week stay, should be pretty easy to do.

Guess I have nothing to loose by trying for the mega bonus with my marriott exchanges. Thanks, again.

So, how many MR points do you get when using/exchanging your Marriott week? Do you get more points by locking it off, twice the points since twice the stays? Do you get more points for a 2-Bdrm vs the 1-Bdrm or studio (from the lock-off)?

thanks,

 

[jont]

Thanks Diane

I forgot that I had one. Road Trip, Woo Hoo!!!!!

 

[dmharris]

It depends upon your Marriott elite status as to how many points you receive from checking into a Marriott timeshare and maybe the season (this I don't know).

Here's a recent example; I'm platinum elite level:

Marriott's Grande Ocean
Check-in: 10/30/2011 Check-out: 11/06/2011
Save Hotel Re-book Hotel
50% Elite Bonus 344 pts
Base Earnings 688 pts
Platinum Arrival Gift Bonus 500 pts
Total 1,532 pts

 

[jdunn1]

I do not think you get any points unless maybe you buy something and charge it to the room? Am I wrong about that?

I am new to Marriott, do not even have the Marriott credit card. For years, I was loyal to Hyatt, if any hotel brand. Right now I have exactly one (1) night to count toward my elite status

But, I have three MVCI reservartions coming, a two bedroom at SurfWatch this Easter and both a one bedroom and two bedroom at Ocean Pointe for 4th of July week. That should give me twenty one (21) nights toward elite status, if I am understanding the system right. In addition, I made a reservation for a friend for this March at Grande Vista using one of my weeks. I would like to attach my reward number to that reservation, even though that reservation is not in my name. If I can do that, I will get another 7 days toward the next reward level.

All I am going to make this year is silver (big deal) but it's more than I have ever had, before. Maybe, all my 2012 nights will roll over to 203 and if I travel as much next year as this year, I should make gold? Maybe? I do not understand the program at all.

If I can get some reward points for each stay, that would be nice. What would be even better is if these stays could count toward the mega bonus. I just signed up for that and the Spring promotion is not dependent on using a Marriott Visa. If my Marriott Vacation Club stays can count toward the mega bonus, that will be two free nights for me, and I would be so happy to get that. So happy! I'll definately be making small purchases at these resorts and charging those purchases to my room. Hope that works.

So, how many MR points do you get when using/exchanging your Marriott week? Do you get more points by locking it off, twice the points since twice the stays? Do you get more points for a 2-Bdrm vs the 1-Bdrm or studio (from the lock-off)?

thanks,

 

[m61376]

... both a one bedroom and two bedroom at Ocean Pointe for 4th of July week. That should give me twenty one (21) nights toward elite status, if I am understanding the system right.

If you have 2 units at the same time you will only get credit for night stays at one of them, but points for charges made to either room.

Usually if you attach your number to another stay (even a friend's) you will get the night credit.

 

[jdunn1]

Rats!!! But getting credit for any of these nights is a win for me.

Will my 2012 nights roll over to 2013? So if I have say 28 or 30 nights in 2012 and anoter 25 or so nights in 2013, will I reach gold? Thanks.

If you have 2 units at the same time you will only get credit for night stays at one of them, but points for charges made to either room. QUOTE]

 

[SueDonJ]

If you have 2 units at the same time you will only get credit for night stays at one of them, but points for charges made to either room.

Usually if you attach your number to another stay (even a friend's) you will get the night credit.

Rats!!! But getting credit for any of these nights is a win for me.

Will my 2012 nights roll over to 2013? So if I have say 28 or 30 nights in 2012 and anoter 25 or so nights in 2013, will I reach gold? Thanks.

The rule does say that you don't get double Status Nights for concurrent stays, like m said. But in practice it's hit or miss - some stays we've gotten double credit for double nights, some stays we haven't. It's one of those things that you might get lucky but you can't fight it if you don't.

Recent Marriott mailings say that the Rollover Nights promotion will continue into 2013. Here's a current thread to help you figure out how the promotion works.

 

[jdunn1]

Excellent. I'll be sure to have charges billed to each of the rooms, just to maximize my chances, but no complaints if it doesn't work.

...and I am REALLY looking forward to staying at your resort (SurfWatch) this Easter. Haven't been to Hilton Head for Easter in the past three or four years and I have missed it. Am used to staying at the Disney resort, which is not on the beach, but so nice. I hope SurfWatch is even better.

The rule does say that you don't get double Status Nights for concurrent stays, like m said. But in practice it's hit or miss - some stays we've gotten double credit for double nights, some stays we haven't. It's one of those things that you might get lucky but you can't fight it if you don't.

 

[SueDonJ]

... One TownePlace Suites holds its inventory until 90 days out before the big day and then releases it - AT OVER 2 TIMES THE NORMAL RATE. (I actually called Marriott to complain about it last year.)

Isn't than an amazing racket? We've used free-night certs to stay at the Renaissance at Patriot Place in Foxboro, where the Patriots play. One year we stayed the night before a game and people we talked to had paid some outrageous amount of money for their rooms. I hadn't even thought of game days when I booked it, just used it for a night out and some Christmas shopping at the attached mall. I guess we were just lucky booking when we did with a cert. This year my daughter had tickets to the Countryfest Concert in July and I called about a month before to see if a room was available using either MR points or a cert. No dice, at any Marriott within 15 miles of the stadium. I almost fell off my chair when I asked about cash rates - a $400 room was available for $999! Maybe the concert stars would pay it but I sure didn't!

 

[SueDonJ]

Excellent. I'll be sure to have charges billed to each of the rooms, just to maximize my chances, but no complaints if it doesn't work.

...and I am REALLY looking forward to staying at your resort (SurfWatch) this Easter. Haven't been to Hilton Head for Easter in the past three or four years and I have missed it. Am used to staying at the Disney resort, which is not on the beach, but so nice. I hope SurfWatch is even better.

I love SurfWatch and think everything about it is wonderful, so you won't get an unbiased opinion from me. But here's a couple older threads with a few pics:

Surf watch on Hilton Head ...

SurfWatch Improvements

They're completing an interior refurb now that should be done when you get there. We haven't seen it yet, looking forward to it.

I think DVC sits in a beautiful spot over there at Shelter Cove. One thing we've been trying to do for years is take in the Tuesday night fireworks on Broad Creek in the summer. Haven't managed to get there yet, but whenever we visit Shelter Cove I look over enviously at Disney and think that's the perfect spot for the fireworks.

 

[jdunn1]

Thanks, Sue. I am going to enjoy looking at these threads. I love pictures of the resorts. I was aware of the room updates at SurfWatch but until just now, I had forgotten. I think they are putting in sectional sofas, which I bet will be nice.

I've never been to Hilton Head in the summer. We got in the habbit of going for Easter and I never had the extra points for summer. Been to Myrtle Beach in the summer plenty of times, so I never felt like I was missing anything by not going to Hilton Head in the summer. I really enjoy Hilton Head for Easter, so long as it is warm and not cold and wet -- which has been the weather too often. Hopefully not this year, though!

The Disney resort is very nice and there is a lot to do within the resort. Maybe it is even a lot like SurfWatch. The Disney resort is on its own island, basically. The popular views are of the marsh. They give you boots so you can walk out there and explor. The pool is very nice with a waterslide and the resort is expansive, which I really like. Great kid activities, as you might expect and at night it is especially nice because you can walk or bike to many places to eat or shop. There is always a concert going on at Shelter Cove and it is just a fun to be around so much activity. This is why I think the inland Marriott Hilton Head resorts are probably a lot nicer than most Marriott owners could immagine. Beach wins every time in my book, but there is a BIG something to be said for having so much entertainment, just outside your door.

I love SurfWatch and think everything about it is wonderful, so you won't get an unbiased opinion from me. But here's a couple older threads with a few pics:

Surf watch on Hilton Head ...

SurfWatch Improvements

They're completing an interior refurb now that should be done when you get there. We haven't seen it yet, looking forward to it.

I think DVC sits in a beautiful spot over there at Shelter Cove. One thing we've been trying to do for years is take in the Tuesday night fireworks on Broad Creek in the summer. Haven't managed to get there yet, but whenever we visit Shelter Cove I look over enviously at Disney and think that's the perfect spot for the fireworks.

 

[dmharris]

Thanks Diane

I forgot that I had one. Road Trip, Woo Hoo!!!!!

You're welcome John, happy to help.

 

[BocaBoy]

Many people believe that anytime you charge something to your room it helps 'seal the deal' in getting the stays posted in your account.

I keep hearing this on TUG but it is simply not true. I have had many timeshare stays where we have nothing charged to the room and every time we have gotten full credit for seven elite nights. We have had four such stays in the past year. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has not charged anything to the room, has not gotten elite night credit, and has checked and been told that is the reason.

 

[dioxide45]

I keep hearing this on TUG but it is simply not true. I have had many timeshare stays where we have nothing charged to the room and every time we have gotten full credit for seven elite nights. We have had four such stays in the past year. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has not charged anything to the room, has not gotten elite night credit, and has checked and been told that is the reason.

I would agree, we have also had a couple stays where the nights did post and we didn't charge any incidentals. I think the thought was in the past that with incidentals they had to at least report something to Marriott Rewards, so this increased the chances of getting the nights posted. It doesn't really seem to be the case any more.

 

[thinze3]

I don't think it is the case either. It is simply a way to help insure that a transaction takes place and that your rewards are being tallied.

I suppose one could get an II exchange, never call in advance to add a rewards number, forget to give your number at check-in, and then have no balance at check out. In this scenario you may not get nights credit to your rewards account, even after getting home and calling Marriott, because technically they don't have to give you nights credit on an exchange.

Something as simple as handing the person your Marriott Visa at check-in and charging a candy bar to your room could change the outcome.

 

[jont]

I don't think it is the case either. It is simply a way to help insure that a transaction takes place and that your rewards are being tallied.

I suppose one could get an II exchange, never call in advance to add a rewards number, forget to give your number at check-in, and then have no balance at check out. In this scenario you may not get nights credit to your rewards account, even after getting home and calling Marriott, because technically they don't have to give you nights credit on an exchange.

Something as simple as handing the person your Marriott Visa at check-in and charging a candy bar to your room could change the outcome.

Terry

This is not necessilary true. In the summer of 2010 I traded into Newport Coast and at check-in I handed over my Marriott CC. During my stay, I, as I often do, had several drinks at the pool bar charged to the room. I didn't think anything of it until I got home and checked my rewards account. No Credit for my stay?!!! Apparently the associate at check in neglected to add my rewards # and they would not credit me the nights despite my protest.
Tough lesson to learn!
From then on I always call the resort prior to my trip, check my account for upcomming reservations prior to leaving and I ALWAYS , ALWAYS make it a point to see that the associate at check-in has my rewards # on the reservation.