FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Marriott Gift Card promos [Merged threads]
Old Nov 17, 2011, 12:17 am
  #16  
Counsellor
 
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
Originally Posted by craz
AFAIK there is no difference between the 2 just what they call them. Ive used them both at all the properties w/o any problems or questions being asked
That may be true at some properties, but not at all. Even when they were redeemed as VISA cards, some properties (e.g., Gateway Marriott at Crystal City) would enforce the T&C of the Travel Card (or Vacation Card) and not take them for certain rates including the Government rate. And I've run into others that will not accept them for certain "special" rates like senior rate. Finally, others have reported on this forum that some hotels are not accepting them for rates such as the AAA rate, see this thread.

And now some of the new Travel Cards state on them that they do not earn Marriott Rewards points when you pay with the card, while the Gift Cards don't say that. If that's the case, a platinum would lose 15% in value (if you figure the points to be worth a penny apiece) over what (s)he'd get if paying with the Gift card, or 20% over what would be earned by charging on the Marriott black VISA card.

That eats up the 10% bonus dollars and then some! Anyone have any experience paying all or part of a bill with a Travel Card or Vacation Card and getting no MR points for that part of the bill?

T&C for the different cards are as follows:

Gift Cards:
Marriott GiftCards may be used at participating JW Marriott®, EDITION℠, Autograph Collection®, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard® by Marriott, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites® by Marriott, SpringHill Suites® by Marriott, Residence Inn® by Marriott, TownePlace Suites® by Marriott and Marriott Vacation ClubSM and participating hotel outlets: retail, spa, golf and food and beverage. Card carries no value until activated. Card is a prepaid card, not a credit card or debit card, and is the property of and issued by MI Fulfillment Services, LLC. There is no expiration date for card. Card is not redeemable for cash, in any amount except when otherwise required by applicable law. Card becomes inactive upon use of all card value. Card may not be used to secure or confirm a reservation. Each transaction will be debited against card balance, if transaction exceeds balance, user must pay the difference. Lost, stolen or damaged cards will be replaced only if previously registered. Value of replaced card will equal balance on card at the time it was reported lost, stolen or damaged. To check card balance, go to gifts.marriott.com or call 800.442.6132. Account balance information outside the U.S. and Canada: Use the AT&T® access number for the country code you are calling in conjunction with 800.442.6132.
Vacation Cards:
Marriott VacationCards may be used at all JW Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Autograph Collection ℠Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott®Hotels & Resorts,Courtyard®, Fairfield Inn®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, SpringHill Suites®, Residence Inn®,TownePlace Suites®, Marriott Vacation Club® International (rentals only) and participating hotel retail, spa, golf or food and beverage outlets. Card is a prepaid card, not a credit card, and is property of and issued by MI Fulfillment Services, LLC. Protect card like cash. Card cannot be applied to group, special corporate/negotiated, catering, associate or other discounted/noncommissionable rates. Card cannot be used when reservation is booked by a travel agent or other third-party. Card cannot be used to secure a reservation. Card is not redeemable for cash and change will not be returned except as required by law. Change is not provided by hotels, see gifts.marriott.com for process. Card is not replaceable if lost, stolen or destroyed. Marriott TravelCard and Marriott GiftCard terms vary. Card becomes inactive at the earlier of (a) the use of all value or (b) posted renewal date. Upon request Marriott will replace card with a new card having an equivalent remaining value anytime after the posted renewal date. Each transaction will be debited against card balance; if transaction exceeds balance, user must pay the difference. To check card balance visit gifts.marriott.com or call 800-442-6132. For balance information outside the US and Canada use the AT&T Direct® access # for the country you are calling from with 800-442-6132. Use of card confirms acceptance of terms above.
Travel Cards:
1. Marriott TravelCards may be used at all JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection SM, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard®, Fairfield Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, Marriott Vacation Club® and participating hotel retail, spa, golf or food and beverage outlets.
2. Card is a prepaid card, not a credit card, and is property of and issued by MI Fulfillment Services, LLC.
3. Protect card like cash. Card cannot be applied to group, special corporate/negotiated, catering, associate or other discounted/non-commissionable rates.
4. Card cannot be used when reservation is booked by a travel agent or other third party
.
5. Card cannot be used to secure a reservation.
6. Card is not redeemable for cash and change will not be returned except as required by law.
7. Change is not provided by hotels, see gifts.marriott.com for process.
8. Marriott Rewards points cannot be earned with the use of this card.
9. Card is not replaceable if lost, stolen or destroyed. Marriott TravelCard and Marriott GiftCard terms vary.
10. Card becomes inactive at the earlier of (a) the use of all value or (b) posted renewal date.
11. Upon request, Marriott will replace card with a new card having an equivalent remaining value anytime after the posted renewal date. Each transaction will be debited against card balance; if transaction exceeds balance, user must pay the difference.
12. To check card balance - visit gifts.marriott.com or call 800-442-6132.
13. For balance information outside the US and Canada, use the AT&T Direct® access # for the country you are calling from with 800-442-6132.

Use of card confirms acceptance of terms above.
(In all above cases, I've added the bolding -- it wasn't bolded in the T&C.)

This issue is discussed regularly in this forum. Do a search for "TravelCard" or "Travel Card" here over the last year and you'll see many threads on the subject.
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