Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Any reason for Mattress Run?

I need one more stay to get a free room under the Summer Bonus. The free room is a Cat 1-4. So I could do a mattress run for about $90 give or take. But aren't most cat 1-4 hotels about the same price. So my thinking is, "am I spending $90 to get about $90?"

Quite possibly you are correct. Though there are Cat. 1-4 hotels that will be more than $90 at times. So you could still come out with some savings.

The times I have done Mattress Runs, I had a clear use in mind and the cost of what I was receiving was definitely more than what I would spend on the MR. So try to figure out where/when you would use that cert and then decide if the $90 is worth it.

Another thing to think on is that an extra night in a hotel also gets you one night closer to elite qualification or re-qualification. That might be of some benefit. Also, you might check to see if you qualify for more than one promo at a time. Right now, I am in both the Summer Bonus and the FFI Bonus. So a single night in an FFI actually gets me closer to both.

In general, I don't normally do a lot of MRs. This is mainly due to the out of pocket expense and the limited returns. But there have been times when it made sense.

I wouldn't do it for $90 unless I could combine it with something interesting I actually wanted to do.

Pre-kids, wife and I used to drive down to DC all the time on weekends, as you could easily score a FS Marriott at IAD or CY in the area for under $60 all-included.

Summer Mega-Bonus has two months left. Why would you resort to mattress runs now? The idea is to get some frosting for diverting stays you would make anyway to Marriott, or just enough incentive to tip the balance on a 50-50 stay-here-or-drive-home-late decision. (There are some Cat 4's worth way more than $90, but they are only worth it to you if you would like to stay there anyway).

I need one more stay to get a free room under the Summer Bonus. The free room is a Cat 1-4. So I could do a mattress run for about $90 give or take. But aren't most cat 1-4 hotels about the same price. So my thinking is, "am I spending $90 to get about $90?"

Yes and no, and it depends on where you go. We are trying to score 6 certs for a CY in Hong Kong, which it normally costs USD 200+ per night. We also used the certs in Basel, Switzerland where after LNF would cost CHF 110.

Quite possibly you are correct. Though there are Cat. 1-4 hotels that will be more than $90 at times. So you could still come out with some savings.

The times I have done Mattress Runs, I had a clear use in mind and the cost of what I was receiving was definitely more than what I would spend on the MR. So try to figure out where/when you would use that cert and then decide if the $90 is worth it.


I wouldn't do it for $90 unless I could combine it with something interesting I actually wanted to do.

Pre-kids, wife and I used to drive down to DC all the time on weekends, as you could easily score a FS Marriott at IAD or CY in the area for under $60 all-included.

+1 to both. The one and only time I checked into the SHS down the street from my house for $80 was the last day of a MegaBonus promo where I knew I was getting the free night and then I was using it at a CY the next weekend where I knew the room would cost $275+ (due to a special event). Seemed the $80+tax I spend was well worth it...

I did 6 stays at a local CY last month for about $50 to $55 a night (tax included so I am done for these few months. As a Gold member and premier credit card holder, I get 17.5 points/$ spent plus Elite qualifying nights so there are other factors as well.

I have Used them over seas at Renaissance Bangkok where 1 night is $150 to $200. Also stated nights t Marriott Manila $150 a night last fall. Used one earlier this year at Marriott SkyCity Hong Kong where it is $200 a night right now (reclassified as Category 5 now). Also stayed a few nights at China Hotel in Guangzhou where it was $150 during a convention. The upgrades I have gotten at these properties ave been great.

If you are planning to use the certificates overseas, they can be of great value especially elite benefits are honored (lounge access, free breakfast, upgrades, and free Internet) for ver low spend.

I would not do it if the value to you of the free night would truly only amount to $90. However, I think that the free night cert is likely to be much more valuable.

Now, I think there is a flaw in your reasoning inasmuch as the cost to you is a weekend run at a local property that comes to about $90.00.

I would also agree, that to have Peter replace Paul so to speak makes no sense in the time and money spent for the run.

However, if you were to take that same old humdrum property that you ran to on the weekend and compared its rates to those it commands during a weekday, then you might see some utility in the run.

In and around major cities, weekend prices are much lower than weekday prices, but what if you were to stay over on a non-holiday weekday for whatever the reason?

I think that you would then see that the free night would be valued at much more than $90.00. I often see the utility in doing this when staying a weekday either before or after a holiday weekend in Washington DC.

Further, since these certs expire one year and not 6 months from their earn date, if the run truly is at your discretion, I would wait until late August to complete your earning of the final certificate, so as to maximize the shelf life of its use. :)

I wouldn't do it for $90 unless I could combine it with something interesting I actually wanted to do.

Pre-kids, wife and I used to drive down to DC all the time on weekends, as you could easily score a FS Marriott at IAD or CY in the area for under $60 all-included.

... I'd go even further - I'd look for an opportunity to spend a Sat night at the beach or some other mini-vacation that I'd like to take, even if it cost a bit more than $90.

OP, you may want to check out the 'Deals' page on Marriott's website ... it's in the 'Explore and Plan' tab. https://www.marriott.com/specials/hotel-deals.mi

Based on your online name, I assume that you live near EWR. You may want to consider the whale watching offer.