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Something Other Than Marriott Rewards

DCBoy

TUG Member
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Oct 17, 2010
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Location
Metro Boston Area
There must be a lot of people out there, like me, who can't take full advantage of the benefits of the Marriott Rewards Program for any number of reasons (for me, its because all my weeks are resale weeks, I can't convert my weeks to rewards points, and I don't spend enough at Marriott facilities over the course of a year to warrant getting a Marriott Citibank Credit Card). So, I'm curious to find out how people accumulate rewards (e.g., specific airline rewards programs that have good service to your locations, cash back programs, etc.) to best offset their timeshare and travel spending habits outside of the Marriott Rewards Program. Or does the Marriott Rewards Program still make sense for someone like me?

Thanks,
Doug B
 

Mamianka

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2007
Messages
634
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Location
Kingston, NY USA
There must be a lot of people out there, like me, who can't take full advantage of the benefits of the Marriott Rewards Program for any number of reasons (for me, its because all my weeks are resale weeks, I can't convert my weeks to rewards points, and I don't spend enough at Marriott facilities over the course of a year to warrant getting a Marriott Citibank Credit Card). So, I'm curious to find out how people accumulate rewards (e.g., specific airline rewards programs that have good service to your locations, cash back programs, etc.) to best offset their timeshare and travel spending habits outside of the Marriott Rewards Program. Or does the Marriott Rewards Program still make sense for someone like me?

Thanks,
Doug B

We get a free night each year, and put some bills on this card so we accumulate a little bit. Yes, before DVC, we would exchange our MGC for RPs - we even paid and extra 3 grand to have the *privilege* of doing that every year, instead of every-other - and this the DC came out. We have a Delta card that we put miles on - and this August, we are flying to Salt Lake from NYC, first class, for FREE. We also have a couple of cash-back cards. The Delta card allow us to double or triple-dip on benefits, including Open Table stuff - I leave that all up to DH - but I know that he always plans multiple-reward s dining places wherever we go.

In your case, unless you are sticking a lot of other expenditures on that card, especially online shopping with multiple bonuses, or you are charging a LOT of on-site dining, etc, at the resorts and hotels on it - you might find that another card would suit you better. There are all kinds of "best card for you" comparison sites out there - free to look. Finance is competitive - and it PAYS to shop around. We finally can use companion airline tix - both retired now, so schedule is freer - but no 2 people on the planet are the same. Let us know how you make out!

Mamianka
 

suzannesimon

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
1,892
Reaction score
147
Location
Destin, FL & Bethany Beach, DE
Resorts Owned
Marriott Frenchman's Cove, Hyatt Sunset Harbor, Harborside at Atlantis, Marriott Aruba Surf Club, Marriott Grande Ocean, Westin Kierland Villas, Westin Lagunamar
We get a free night each year, and put some bills on this card so we accumulate a little bit. Yes, before DVC, we would exchange our MGC for RPs - we even paid and extra 3 grand to have the *privilege* of doing that every year, instead of every-other - and this the DC came out. We have a Delta card that we put miles on - and this August, we are flying to Salt Lake from NYC, first class, for FREE. We also have a couple of cash-back cards. The Delta card allow us to double or triple-dip on benefits, including Open Table stuff - I leave that all up to DH - but I know that he always plans multiple-reward s dining places wherever we go.

In your case, unless you are sticking a lot of other expenditures on that card, especially online shopping with multiple bonuses, or you are charging a LOT of on-site dining, etc, at the resorts and hotels on it - you might find that another card would suit you better. There are all kinds of "best card for you" comparison sites out there - free to look. Finance is competitive - and it PAYS to shop around. We finally can use companion airline tix - both retired now, so schedule is freer - but no 2 people on the planet are the same. Let us know how you make out!

Mamianka

I used to use the Marriott card all the time, but have switched most of my purchases to the Capital One Venture Card - 2 cents for every $1 spent. I charge every conceivable purchase I can on this card because you can book rewards on any airline anywhere, along with most hotels, cruises, etc. I still use the Marriott card at Marriotts and I use the Delta AE card when booking Delta IF I'm checking bags. The various places I go on a regular basis all have different airlines servicing them so it takes a long time for me to accumulate a lot of miles on any one airline, plus I don't travel for business so I don't have that perk. My kids all travel extensively for work and they never have to pay for tickets for their leisure travel and they usually get first class. I'm green with envy!
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
51,947
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23,411
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
There must be a lot of people out there, like me, who can't take full advantage of the benefits of the Marriott Rewards Program for any number of reasons (for me, its because all my weeks are resale weeks, I can't convert my weeks to rewards points, and I don't spend enough at Marriott facilities over the course of a year to warrant getting a Marriott Citibank Credit Card). So, I'm curious to find out how people accumulate rewards (e.g., specific airline rewards programs that have good service to your locations, cash back programs, etc.) to best offset their timeshare and travel spending habits outside of the Marriott Rewards Program. Or does the Marriott Rewards Program still make sense for someone like me?

Thanks,
Doug B

If you enrolled your resale weeks in DC, you could then trade them for Marriott Reward points as long as the they were originally eligible to trade for Reward points.
 

pwrshift

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,529
Reaction score
29
Location
Toronto
Resorts Owned
Marriott Manor Club - 3 weeks platinum, 2 weeks at Marriott Beachplace Towers, and 1 week at Marriott Canyon Villas
Without being able to convert platinum weeks to MR points it's very difficult to save enough points to do much. In the 'old' days direct buyers could get as many as 500,000 MR points for purchasing a week and another 110,000 EOY for points instead of use. My 6 purchases were clumped within a few years of each other which gave me a 'base' of almost 3 million points. Religiously I traded two weeks a year for another 220,000 MR points to replenish what we used.

In the days of $400 MF it was a great deal for 110,000 points even if you had to give up your week. But, today, with MF in the $1000+ range it's less of a bargain as you can buy up to 100,000 points a year (spouses) for $1250 and still have use of your week. Now, it's borderline and with constantly rising MF the deal will wash out in a year or two. Also, platinum elites earn 1.5 points for stays.

Still, my whole famiily has had trips with business class air+hotel pkgs to Italy 4 times, Paris 4 times, London 3 times and Spain 1 time as well as countless other stays. The trips seemed like they were 'free' but of course they were not. The 'value' of the savings (especially for bus class air) totalled what I paid direct for the TS but that doesn't make me feel any better about owning a TS that I could only sell for a few thousands if I was lucky enough to find some sucker to buy them. :(

Today I still have about 1.5 million MR points...but remember to use them as they die with you. Old Bill Marriott is not compassionate about your MR points in your estate...and is anxious to grab them back.
 
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