Points Reservation Change

[majb]

We have an upcoming reservation at the MOC in a couple of weeks. We have a 2 bedroom ocean view unit reserved. The couple we are traveling with may not be able to travel due to a sudden medical issue. If we would find an available 1 bedroom at the Ocean Club or a nearby property would the difference in points be placed in a holding account? Also since these are current year points could they be banked if not used this year even if they are in the holding account?

We did buy the Marriott insurance policy and have our names as well as our friends names listed on the reservation. Would there be an option to use this policy?

Thanks for any information.

 

[daviator]

I'm sure you will get a better answer than mine, but my understanding is that if you cancel the reservation inside of 60 days, you'll get the points back in a holding account and they can then only be used on other reservations made within 60 days. They would retain their original use year but I'm pretty sure you can't bank them.

This might be an appropriate event to invoke the travel insurance, especially if you friends' medical issue can be documented (doctor's note or something) for the claim. I haven't made a claim so others would know more, but I think in that case, you're not supposed to cancel the reservation, you just don't use it and file a claim. Your situation where you'd like to downsize the reservation is a little unique and you might want to contact them to ask what your options are.

My understanding is that if they approve the claim, they reimburse you for the maintenance fee value of the lost points.

 

[LeslieDet]

If the medical conditions fall within the definition of a covered claim on the TravelEx policy, you do not cancel the reservation, rather, it goes unused, and then you file a claim to recoup the MFs associated with the points used for the booking. You can reach out to the insurance company to determine what is covered regarding the medical problems/issues, meaning will that medical condition qualify for coverage under the policy. For example, if there is a broken leg and the doctor tells the patient that it is not safe to travel, and the doctor puts that instruction in writing, it should suffice; but if the dr says, get a cast and you are good to go, that may mean there is no coverage under the policy because you are still able to travel, you just might be uncomfortable. That is why I suggest reaching out to TravelEx up front.

If there is coverage, as noted, you do not cancel the reservation because cancelation of the reservation removes the insurance coverage potential because you receive the points back, even though they are holding points.

If you modify the reservation at all, even if there is availability, the original reservation is canceled and the points are placed in holding. There is no banking allowed for holding points. They expire on 12/31/25 if they are 2025 points. They can only be used to book in a 60 day window.