Originally Posted by
nacho
Anyone knows the difference between Marriott Gift card and Marriott Vacation card? From what I can see from Marriott's page is that you can use the Gift card on any purchase but the vacation card is only valid for room payment. Is that the only difference?
In my experience:
Marriott has a number of different names for stored-value cards, and different terms and conditions (or consequences) depending on which card you're using.
Top of the heap is the Gift Card. They can be used with any room rate and can be combined with Bonus Bucks, Marriott Cheques, etc. Essentially, same as cash.
The rest, called variously Travel Cards, Vacation Cards, and (I'm told) Honeymoon Cards, have more restrictive T&Cs.
According to the T&Cs, they cannot be used with Bonus Bucks, cannot be used when the reservation is booked by a travel agent or other third party, and cannot be used on any group rate, special corporate or negotiated rate, or disounted/non-commissionable rate (such as the government rate).
Now, the reason I've emphasized the "According to the T&Cs" above is that many folks have reported that they were able to use the Travel or Vacation Cards on third-party bookings and discounted rates. This may vary by property, or by desk clerk. (Not sure what the scoop is with the Honeymoon Cards.)
In general, though, if you can use the card to pay the bill, it includes anything charged to the room, not just the room itself.
As to Gift Cards, you're correct that the website says they can be used even if you're not a guest:
What if they are not an overnight guest in the hotel? No problem. GiftCards are valid at most hotel food and beverage outlets; retail shops; spas and golf courses. GiftCards are even good for merchandise purchased on ShopMarriott.com.
I'm not sure about Travel/Vacation Cards. The T&C for them say they can be used at "participating hotel retail, spa, golf, or food and beverage outlets." It doesn't mention "ShopMarriott.com", though.
Addition: I asked of someone who should know, and they say you can't use Travel/Vacation Cards on ShopMarriott.com although you can use GiftCards there.