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question on using/earning Marriott rewards points?

L

laurac260

We just joined Marriott Rewards about a month ago. We don't get rewards points thru ownership (as we bought resale), but we use the card for all our purchases to earn points that way. We have 34,000 points now. We are planning our trip to Ft Lauderdale in Dec, and are renting a week at BeachPlace towers.

We need a one night stopover on the way down, and again on the way back. I checked into using reward points for our stays and decided it was not worth it to burn 30,000 on two nights (one down and one back), at courtyards, when all we are going to do is sleep, then pack up and leave.

I had already booked overnights about 5 months ago, one for 76$, and one for 80$ at a Sleep Inn, and at a Hyatt Place. I am checking into Marriott properties right now and find them to be 30-40$ higher per night(courtyards). So my question is, is it worth it to pay $30-40 more per night for a stopover, just to earn a few points?

Just FYI, we rarely fly anywhere, DH would rather get a root canal then deal with airports and airlines, he prefers to drive, so at this time in our lives any points we earn would be used for overnights anyway.
 
I would urge you to use Priceline.com

I have heard of people getting nights in a Marriott brand for a fraction of their rack rate via Priceline.com

When you use Priceline you won't be guaranteed of a Marriott, however if they do place you into a Marriott Brand then you will be able to earn points (and you also will know the quality that you can expect).

Try for a 4 star quality to increase your chances.

Let us all know how you make out......
 
I would urge you to use Priceline.com

I have heard of people getting nights in a Marriott brand for a fraction of their rack rate via Priceline.com

When you use Priceline you won't be guaranteed of a Marriott, however if they do place you into a Marriott Brand then you will be able to earn points (and you also will know the quality that you can expect).

Try for a 4 star quality to increase your chances.

Let us all know how you make out......

I didn't think Priceline reservations were eligible to earn points. You can earn points on incidentals but not the price you paid to Priceline.
 
Laura,

If you got your Marriott Visa in the past 6 months, do you still have the sign-up bonus good for one free night in a category 1-4 hotel? This assumes you got the black card. They don't actually send the certificate, but is shows up on-line when you log on to your Marriott Rewards account on marriott.com.
 
I would urge you to use Priceline.com

I have heard of people getting nights in a Marriott brand for a fraction of their rack rate via Priceline.com

When you use Priceline you won't be guaranteed of a Marriott, however if they do place you into a Marriott Brand then you will be able to earn points (and you also will know the quality that you can expect).

Try for a 4 star quality to increase your chances.

Let us all know how you make out......

Is Priceline the website where you bid a price, then get stuck with whatever they stick you with (good or bad)? If so, that would not be for me. The cities we are going to are stop offs on I-75, I doubt we are going to find 4 stars in Smyrna or Valdosta GA anyway.

If anyone has any assistance with my OP question, that would be helpful, however.
 
Laura,

If you got your Marriott Visa in the past 6 months, do you still have the sign-up bonus good for one free night in a category 1-4 hotel? This assumes you got the black card. They don't actually send the certificate, but is shows up on-line when you log on to your Marriott Rewards account on marriott.com.

I have the bluish "silver elite". the "bonus" was that you get 30,000 points if you spend $1000 in the first however many months, which we did already.
 
You mentioned that you were checking Courtyard Hotels. I suggest also checking Fairfield Inn and Springhill Suites which can be less expensive than Courtyard and include light breakfast. Fairfield Inns are not as nice, but are usually clean and ok for a one night stay. If you are traveilling on a weekend, you should also check Marriott and Renaissance hotels, which often have weekend rates lower than the 'cheaper' hotels. We are staying in the KC airport Marriott next Saturday for $63/ night. Keep checking as you get closer to your travel dates, since special rates often become availalble.

The Hyatt Suites are usually nice properties and also include breakfast.
 
You mentioned that you were checking Courtyard Hotels. I suggest also checking Fairfield Inn and Springhill Suites which can be less expensive than Courtyard and include light breakfast. Fairfield Inns are not as nice, but are usually clean and ok for a one night stay. If you are traveilling on a weekend, you should also check Marriott and Renaissance hotels, which often have weekend rates lower than the 'cheaper' hotels. We are staying in the KC airport Marriott next Saturday for $63/ night. Keep checking as you get closer to your travel dates, since special rates often become availalble.

The Hyatt Suites are usually nice properties and also include breakfast.

thanks for the suggestions. However, our stopover on the way down gives us one choice for Marriott and that is a courtyard. We picked the town (valdosta), because it is slightly more than halfway, and is right on I-75. Since all we are going to do is sleep, I don't want to venture off the main route at all.

I'm really just trying to figure out the math on the points system, and whether it is worth it to spend the extra $$ on the courtyard, or stick with our original hotel.
 
For a $30-40 difference, I would stay at the Hyatt Place. Breakfast is also included while breakfast is usually about $10 per person at Courtyard and the meal expenses do not earn points. I am not familiar with Sleep Inn and have never stayed in one. Keep checking the Courtyard rates, since they may come down. As you get closer to the date, enter 'MEB' in for the special rate code. This is for special internet offers that may be available.

Although I am primarily loyal to Marriott, I belong to the other key hotel reward programs because point don't expire and I sometimes need to stay in other chains. The Hyatt Place suites are good for family travel, so you may want to join the Hyatt rewards program. Have a great trip.
 
For a $30-40 difference, I would stay at the Hyatt Place. Breakfast is also included while breakfast is usually about $10 per person at Courtyard and the meal expenses do not earn points. I am not familiar with Sleep Inn and have never stayed in one. Keep checking the Courtyard rates, since they may come down. As you get closer to the date, enter 'MEB' in for the special rate code. This is for special internet offers that may be available.

Although I am primarily loyal to Marriott, I belong to the other key hotel reward programs because point don't expire and I sometimes need to stay in other chains. The Hyatt Place suites are good for family travel, so you may want to join the Hyatt rewards program. Have a great trip.

ok, thanks. My husband asked me don't we get an owner's rate now that we are owners? It was my understanding that only applied when you do overnights at timeshares, not at hotels. Is this the case?

...In case you are now confused, we ARE owners ,at Grande Ocean, but are RENTING the week in Ft Lauderdale.
 
I believe the 'MOD' MVC owner rate applies only to other timeshare properties. I have used it in hotel searches and only timeshares have appeared. The 'MEB" rate is available to everyone, but is usually only offered within 1-2 weeks of the travel date.

As I recall, there is a Fairfield Inn in Tifton, GA that I used to stay in for business trips in the area. Tifton is a little (40 miles?) farther south of Valdosta. When I last stayed there, it was a clean and safe property and I think it was right off I-75.
 
I have the bluish "silver elite". the "bonus" was that you get 30,000 points if you spend $1000 in the first however many months, which we did already.

You should have gone for the black "premier" card, however, it does carry a higher annual fee ($65) and you get charged for the first year. But that is more than offset by the free 1 night certificate for category 1-4 hotel. Also with the black card you earn 5 MR points per dollar spent with Marriott vs. 3 with the silver card.

We charge our maintenance fees to our black card. Since we own 3 weeks we get almost 15,000 points just for paying our maintenance fees.
 
You should have gone for the black "premier" card, however, it does carry a higher annual fee ($65) and you get charged for the first year. But that is more than offset by the free 1 night certificate for category 1-4 hotel. Also with the black card you earn 5 MR points per dollar spent with Marriott vs. 3 with the silver card.

We charge our maintenance fees to our black card. Since we own 3 weeks we get almost 15,000 points just for paying our maintenance fees.

I didn't have any idea that there was any other type of card or membership to "go for", I simply went on their website, and signed up for the marriott rewards visa card. So it was the silver elite card and membership that I got.

The annual fee for my card is $65.
 
I didn't have any idea that there was any other type of card or membership to "go for", I simply went on their website, and signed up for the marriott rewards visa card. So it was the silver elite card and membership that I got.

The annual fee for my card is $65.
Laura,
Whenever I consider using MRP vs $$, I compute the cost of the points at .0125 per point. That is the price that Marrriott charges when they sell points. (Each individual can purchase 50,000 points per year for $625.) So if the points needed for these 2 nights will cost you 30,000, or you could stay someplace similar for less than $375 (.0125 per point) for the two nights, I would opt for the cash rate.

You best option with MRP is the travel packages, but if your DH doesn't like to fly then the 5 night deals (stay 4 nights, get one free) are the best. I'm sure there would be many great properties driving distance from your location. I'd save points and go for a 5 night stay somewhere!
 
I didn't have any idea that there was any other type of card or membership to "go for", I simply went on their website, and signed up for the marriott rewards visa card. So it was the silver elite card and membership that I got.

The annual fee for my card is $65.
If you are paying $65 per year for the card and not getting a free night annually at at Marriott property, you need to call Chase and inquire about another card. Or you could get the black premier card for DH and cancel yours (once you've kept it long enough to keep those points you already earned). But there's no reason to pay $65 per year if you're not getting a free Marriott night on your anniversary date. Call Chase, I bet they would be willing to switch your card. It's worth a try!
 
Laura,
Whenever I consider using MRP vs $$, I compute the cost of the points at .0125 per point. That is the price that Marrriott charges when they sell points. (Each individual can purchase 50,000 points per year for $625.) So if the points needed for these 2 nights will cost you 30,000, or you could stay someplace similar for less than $375 (.0125 per point) for the two nights, I would opt for the cash rate.

You best option with MRP is the travel packages, but if your DH doesn't like to fly then the 5 night deals (stay 4 nights, get one free) are the best. I'm sure there would be many great properties driving distance from your location. I'd save points and go for a 5 night stay somewhere!

thanks for the info. I do not need 5 nights, I have a timeshare I am renting that is already paid for in Ft Lauderdale. We just need one night in a hotel on the way down, and one on the way back. Thanks for the info on how to compute. I figured the 2 nights for 30,000 wasn't worth it. I just wasn't sure if it was worth it, either, to spend more for a Marriott for the few points I would earn.
 
I just wasn't sure if it was worth it, either, to spend more for a Marriott for the few points I would earn.

I don't believe that it is. If the prices are comparable, I'd go for the one that is going to earn you points, but often times, you are paying way more for the privilege of earning points. We use Priceline most often for these type of stays and the dollars we save up front are more valuable to us than points we didn't earn by paying Marriott.com rates.
 
ok, so another points question then

I have the Marriott Rewards Visa card, which means I earn points for all my purchases, $1 = 1 point, which I would assume means I would earn 1 point for every $1 even if I stayed at a Hyatt, as long as I used my MR Visa Card.

I also understand that Marriott Rewards members earn 3 pts for every $1 spent at a Marriott (pls clarify for me if I am understanding this incorrectly).

Would that mean then, that if I stayed at a Marriott, AND used my visa card to pay for my stay, that I would in essence get to double dip? Could I earn pts for my stay, AND earn pts for using my card to pay for my charges?
 
If you are paying $65 per year for the card and not getting a free night annually at at Marriott property, you need to call Chase and inquire about another card. Or you could get the black premier card for DH and cancel yours (once you've kept it long enough to keep those points you already earned). But there's no reason to pay $65 per year if you're not getting a free Marriott night on your anniversary date. Call Chase, I bet they would be willing to switch your card. It's worth a try!

My sign up "bonus" was the 30,000 points. I don't know about any anniversary stay. Guest svcs is closed right now. I will call them on Monday.
 
Would that mean then, that if I stayed at a Marriott, AND used my visa card to pay for my stay, that I would in essence get to double dip? Could I earn pts for my stay, AND earn pts for using my card to pay for my charges?

Yes, you would earn your 12 points per dollar for the stay (with the CC you are also silver) and the extra 3 per dollar if you charge it to your Visa. It isn't really a double dip.
 
Yes, you would earn your 12 points per dollar for the stay (with the CC you are also silver) and the extra 3 per dollar if you charge it to your Visa. It isn't really a double dip.

well then, I was originally thinking I would only earn 1 pt per $. If it is 4 pts per $, I may need to relook at this. We can always move down the road a bit if necessary to find the right location.
 
I find with Marriott on the low-end hotels it isn't really worth it to use points at all. You can find better deals out there. However, I have used them when I felt like burning points. We have a lot of points and I've only used them a couple of times in the last 6 years. I use my starwood points more often. Recently, I got a travel package for Europe for a hotel and airline deal. Now, that was definitely worth points. You really have to study the different programs Marriott offers to find the best deals.
 
I agree. Use your points for much better bargains. I personally won't use mine unless I'm getting 1.6 cents of value per point. Take the Hyatt Place. They are all very nice and new.
 
You might work a lower Marriott rate if you check for the AAA rate or the over 60 Senior rate, if you qualify. I do qualify but have never been asked for proof. I'm at an age I like a full service hotel with turn down service and room service after a long day's drive...so rarely would stay in anything below that level.

I did get into the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta last year for about $190, plus parking, plus plus. And check those prices online right up to when you leave for a lower price. Not much choice between Atlanta and Orlando however. When I drive to BeachPlace every year for my 4 week stay (2 lockoff weeks split), I plan my trip to stop in Atlanta and then Orlando (Grand Lakes JW last year) and love the no hassle 4 hour drive to Fort Lauderdale on check in day as before 4 pm they'll let you wait for your room at the pool and wet your whistle.

Hate to discourage you on points, but without TS trade in for points it's very difficult to 'earn' enough points for some super air+hotel packages. I trade 2 of my 6 direct purchased Marriotts every year for points to 'earn' 220,000 MR points to replenish what we've used for air+hotel pkgs. A Category 8 hotel for 5 nights including 120,000 FF miles will set you back 300,000 MR points. That's a lot of hotel bills, but if you spend $25,000 (125 stays at $200) you'll be there (at 12 pts per dollar). That number of points would get you a 5 night stay in a $1000 a night hotel on the Paris Champs Elysees including air for two...or some other world class city.

So, unless you have those kinds of objectives to using points, IMO you should always try to get a high priced hotel where the points stretch so much further than the low level hotels where cash is king.

I'm almost exclusively Marriott now. Starwood often makes their cancel date the day before arrival...and Hilton will cancel your points with inactivity.

Brian
 
So, unless you have those kinds of objectives to using points, IMO you should always try to get a high priced hotel where the points stretch so much further than the low level hotels where cash is king.

Brian

Very good advice!

Cheers!
 
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