Suggestions for redeeming MR points?

[jeepie]

Never having redeemed MR points, and knowing they will be devalued May 16th, I'm curious about any ideas to maximize value. I believe the most bang for the buck is 5 day packages with the highest number of miles for one's preferred airline.
What Category hotel makes the most sense if you have no plans yet to travel? Can you buy a lower level Category then pay ($ or points) to upgrade? If you don't use it in the next 50 weeks, will Marriott extend, and under what circumstances? Thanks.

 

[Mr. Vker]

Your situation will not protect you from what's upcoming on May 16th. On that date, a LARGE number of properties are changing category-thus, requiring more points or a higher category travel package. Simply ordering a travel package prior to May 16th won't do anything. You would have to make a solid reservation at a hotel that is moving up in category prior to the 16th to protect your self from the inflation. Its not the points themselves that are changing. Does that make sense?

To answer your other questions, if I don't have a specific use for a travel package when ordering, I get a category 1-5. You can then pay the points difference to upgrade to a higher category if needed later.

You can extend if if not used before expiration. (I always say-this is not a published benefit. Many, including me, have always had success.) Keep in mind the one year extension is from the time of your request. It is not tacked onto the end.

 

[pwrshift]

There are so many changes to the MR program that it's tough to find one where cash to earn points isn't the better deal. The only exception I've found is in the highest category hotels, especially in UK during prime time.

Also, booking 7 night stays is marginally a better deal than the 5 night stays. Always take the 120k miles.

Brian

 

[jeepie]

Thanks Vker and pwrshift!

 

[cbdmvci]

Also, booking 7 night stays is marginally a better deal than the 5 night stays. Always take the 120k miles.

Brian

Since every 5th night is free for MRP reservations, aren't 5 or 10 night stays a better value than 5 night stays?

 

[pwrshift]

Since every 5th night is free for MRP reservations, aren't 5 or 10 night stays a better value than 5 night stays?

Not if you get FF miles.

 

[dioxide45]

Since every 5th night is free for MRP reservations, aren't 5 or 10 night stays a better value than 5 night stays?

Not if you actually analyze the 5 night packages compared to the 7 night packages on a per night point cost.

Here is an example. For the analysis, figure the miles are free since they are the constant:
7 Night Package: Category 7 + 120,000 FF miles = 330,000 points. 47,143 points per night.
5 Night Package: Category 7 + 120,000 FF miles = 270,000 points. 54,000 points per night.

With the travel packages it is said that the miles are on a 1 to 1 ratio with points after the hotel portion certificate.

7 night Category 7 certificate (no FF miles) - 35,000 x 6 nights (fifth is free) = 210,000 points. The package comes with 120,000 miles so it costs 330,000 points (1 to 1 ratio after hotel portion)

5 night Category 7 certificate (no FF miles) - 35,000 x 4 nights (fifth is free) = 140,000 points. The package comes with 120,000 miles so it should cost 260,000 points, but it costs 270,000 points. So there is a 10,000 point premium on the 5 night package.

 

[rpgriego]

Not if you actually analyze the 5 night packages compared to the 7 night packages on a per night point cost.

Here is an example. For the analysis, figure the miles are free since they are the constant:
7 Night Package: Category 7 + 120,000 FF miles = 330,000 points. 47,143 points per night.
5 Night Package: Category 7 + 120,000 FF miles = 270,000 points. 54,000 points per night.

With the travel packages it is said that the miles are on a 1 to 1 ratio with points after the hotel portion certificate.

7 night Category 7 certificate (no FF miles) - 35,000 x 6 nights (fifth is free) = 210,000 points. The package comes with 120,000 miles so it costs 330,000 points (1 to 1 ratio after hotel portion)

5 night Category 7 certificate (no FF miles) - 35,000 x 4 nights (fifth is free) = 140,000 points. The package comes with 120,000 miles so it should cost 260,000 points, but it costs 270,000 points. So there is a 10,000 point premium on the 5 night package.

A W E S O M E breakdown!

Remember, the greatest value comes in a Travel Package for a Category 8 (soon 9) hotel and 120,000 miles as detailed by dioxide45. Then you convert the miles to FC tickets. To maximize value, you fly to Europe, Australia, Asia, etc.

Now remember, book your FC airfare and Category 8/9 hotel one year in advance. And have three destinations ready.

Good Luck!

 

[kjd]

Are you not better off with the 5 day stay without the air miles? Especially, if you are driving to the location. I realize that you can bank the FF miles and in theory, place a monetary value on thiem. But, there are so many restrictions built into the airline FF miles systems that paying cash for airline tickets with no restrictions is far more convenient.

Airline FF miles have degenerated into among other things: two stop scheduling, early morning or late night departure times, crazy routing, and/or black-out days ticketing. There's a good reason for the rise of the bank card points programs. They are better than the airline programs because in many cases you are treated like a cash customer. Even though the MRP's will be devalued again the black card is still better than any airline FF program, IMO. Why spend more MRP points to get airline FF miles when there are better alternatives?

 

[jeepie]

Are you not better off with the 5 day stay without the air miles? Especially, if you are driving to the location. I realize that you can bank the FF miles and in theory, place a monetary value on thiem. But, there are so many restrictions built into the airline FF miles systems that paying cash for airline tickets with no restrictions is far more convenient.

Airline FF miles have degenerated into among other things: two stop scheduling, early morning or late night departure times, crazy routing, and/or black-out days ticketing. There's a good reason for the rise of the bank card points programs. They are better than the airline programs because in many cases you are treated like a cash customer. Even though the MRP's will be devalued again the black card is still better than any airline FF program, IMO. Why spend more MRP points to get airline FF miles when there are better alternatives?

I think some people must put a high value on FF miles...probably over a penny per mile, especially if used for FC international flights. In that case, maximizing the number of FF miles per MR point would be the best approach, wouldn't it? And, what value do any of you put on the hotel package per MR point? More...or less...than a penny a point? And if more, please explain. Cat 8/9? High season? etc. Thanks.

 

[cp73]

I have never used points to purchase a 7 night stay and flight that is offered with points. How do I know what 120,000 airline points can buy? Within the next year or two I would like to take a trip to Europe using this offer, however I really dont know where to begin once I purchase the package. How do you plan and go about using this package. How do I know if thats enough flight miles to go from LAX? Is there somewhere that has a walkthough of the steps of using such a package and the timing with making the reservations? Thanks for the help in advance. Also can I stay longer than 7 days and just pay for my own stays?

 

[pipet]

How do I know what 120,000 airline points can buy? Within the next year or two I would like to take a trip to Europe using this offer, however I really dont know where to begin once I purchase the package. How do you plan and go about using this package. How do I know if thats enough flight miles to go from LAX? Is there somewhere that has a walkthough of the steps of using such a package and the timing with making the reservations? Thanks for the help in advance. Also can I stay longer than 7 days and just pay for my own stays?

First, you don't have to immediately book *anything* when you redeem the travel award, and the hotel stay does NOT have to be used with the air FF miles. You can simply attach a hotel certificate to your account which is good for a year (& most report success with getting it extended) and FF miles into an airline FF account.

Marriott does not book the airline ticket for you. Once you have the FF miles deposited into your account, you can do whatever you wish with them. You can get 2 economy award tix to Europe for 120k miles at some airlines if you can get an "off-peak" seat (those book quickly). However, I personally would try to hold out till I had enough miles to get business class tix. Those have gone up to about 100k now per seat off-peak, but considering how long the travel time is to Europe from LAX & the ~9hr jet lag waiting you upon arrival, it's totally worth it to be comfortable if you can get the miles.

For the FF miles, you will have to do some research about where you are going to see which airlines have the flights you'd want & to scout out best availability for the off-peak award seats. You can go to the airline websites & look at award charts. You can also click book award travel, and even if you don't have the miles currently in your account, you can still shop around to see the availability of seats & the mile cost. I'd also seriously recommend spending a little time over at flyertalk.com to learn from the pros (it's like TUG but for loyalty programs).

You can book award travel 330 days out, and for those lower cost FF seats, I recommend planning to book when they open up. If you do want to use your hotel in conjunction with the FF miles, I'd wait till you have your airline tix sorted out before making any reservations; I worked the dates of my last trip to Europe around when I could get the lower cost FF tix for business class.

Depending on how far in the future you are planning your trip, you can also wait to redeem a travel package for when airline programs offer promos so you get even more miles (unfortunately you missed just missed one: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189918).

 

[JPrisco]

How do I know what 120,000 airline points can buy?

I just used 95,000 Delta point for a First Class ticket in Nov that would have cost $3,200 if I paid for it. Great value for the 120,000 Marriott Rewards points in my book. I also have enough points left for an economy ticket if I book far enough in advance.

I could have gotten a cheaper ticket FC ticket if I knew about the travel package earlier. Still a value. Thanks to TUG for enlightening me.

JP

 

[rpgriego]

I have never used points to purchase a 7 night stay and flight that is offered with points. How do I know what 120,000 airline points can buy? Within the next year or two I would like to take a trip to Europe using this offer, however I really dont know where to begin once I purchase the package. How do you plan and go about using this package. How do I know if thats enough flight miles to go from LAX? Is there somewhere that has a walkthough of the steps of using such a package and the timing with making the reservations? Thanks for the help in advance. Also can I stay longer than 7 days and just pay for my own stays?

My recommendation is based on repeated experience with MR Travel Packages. Here's what I do...

Target a region. For example, we're tossing around New York (five nights - JW Marriott Essex House) and London (seven nights - JW Marriott Grosvenor House) in 2015. As such, the planning has to start now. My miles are with USAirways (due to the 50% promotion), but I don't like their international FC service or seat. So I will pull-up USAirways partner chart and determine the airline and mileage requirement. I will then research that airlines FC service, cabin and seat. I will then contact the airline to determine how I can fly from LAX to NYC to London to LAX (all non-stops). Once I determine the airline partner that can arrange the flights, I would mark my calendar to start calling USAirways daily three days before the outbound flights load. Even if the call is at midnight or 2A OR 3A. And continue calling daily as I still need to secure the other flights.

For my targeted hotels, I would start calling days before my first targeted night loads. Once reserved, I would continue my due diligence by making sure the hotel didn't reduce the nightly rate to the point a cash reservation makes more sense. If I want more nights I would look for the best cash deal.

Now as you can see, the more research the more educated you are. The more educated you are the more you can plan. The more you plan the better position you're in to secure your targets.

REMEMBER... YOU are COMPETING AGAINST THOUSANDS of educated Travel Package users! So be prepared.

That said, Good Luck!