Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Marriott Gift Cards and Points

I'm sure this question has been answered on here multiple times, but I am new to the site, and did a decent search, but could not find the answer.

If I book a room and pay with a Marriott Gift Card that I got as a present, will I still accrue points (e.g. same number of points per "dollar" spent)? Considering letting people know that we're interested in Marriot Gift Cards for our wedding, but I want to ensure that we can earn points if we do gift cards. If not, we'll just try to figure out a way to do cash.

I'm sure this question has been answered on here multiple times, but I am new to the site, and did a decent search, but could not find the answer.

If I book a room and pay with a Marriott Gift Card that I got as a present, will I still accrue points (e.g. same number of points per "dollar" spent)? Considering letting people know that we're interested in Marriot Gift Cards for our wedding, but I want to ensure that we can earn points if we do gift cards. If not, we'll just try to figure out a way to do cash.

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong, as I am still relatively new here, but I'm 99% sure that the answer to your question is yes. So long as you aren't using points or an award certificate, you will earn points. Gift Cards and the Marriott Cheques are treated as cash.

are you referring to the room cost (only) or incidentals too as the answer will change.......... for instance, if you're staying at a CY you'll earn points for the cash portion (w/o taxes) but if you buy breakfast (or other) you will not get points for it or any other incidentals paid at the CY, but the answer is different if you're staying at a FS Marriott

............ So long as you aren't using points or an award certificate, you will earn points.

I'm sure this question has been answered on here multiple times, but I am new to the site, and did a decent search, but could not find the answer.

If I book a room and pay with a Marriott Gift Card that I got as a present, will I still accrue points (e.g. same number of points per "dollar" spent)? Considering letting people know that we're interested in Marriot Gift Cards for our wedding, but I want to ensure that we can earn points if we do gift cards. If not, we'll just try to figure out a way to do cash.

The only differences are: 1) It's not a visa card so megabonus promotions that are tied to Visa won't work (unless you use the work-around of charging most of the stay to the gift card and pay a little on the Visa at the end) and 2) You want get any credit card bonus points. Most of my stays generate 20 points per dollar when using my marriott credit card and 15 points per dollar when using a gift card. Like others have said, only Full Service locations generate points for almost anyting charged to the room.

And, depending on where you go, it may take a bit of time for them to process a gift card. I allocate plenty of time, often settling the bill the night before I leave.

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong, as I am still relatively new here, but I'm 99% sure that the answer to your question is yes. So long as you aren't using points or an award certificate, you will earn points. Gift Cards and the Marriott Cheques are treated as cash.

you are correct

which one, or both, are you saying is correct?
1. So long as you aren't using points or an award certificate, you will earn points.
2.Gift Cards and the Marriott Cheques are treated as cash.

If you meant your response to #2, I fully agree, but if #1 & #2, then I take exception as I doubt points are earned on incidentals at CYs, etc.

you are correct

which one, or both, are you saying is correct?
1. So long as you aren't using points or an award certificate, you will earn points.
2.Gift Cards and the Marriott Cheques are treated as cash.

If you meant your response to #2, I fully agree, but if #1 & #2, then I take exception as I doubt points are earned on incidentals at CYs, etc.

so long as the rate you are staying on is eligible you will earn points regardless of payment method in accordance with the brand's and hotel's participation in Marriott Rewards and gift cards and checks are treated as cash

so long as the rate you are staying on is eligible you will earn points regardless of payment method in accordance with the brand's and hotel's participation in Marriott Rewards and gift cards and checks are treated as cash

Thanks Socrates! I saw a Gift Card promo that only gives you 2 points/$ instead of the usual 10. Do you think it's a misprint or MI is going to only award 2 points/$ for that kind of GC holder?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks Socrates! I saw a Gift Card promo that only gives you 2 points/$ instead of the usual 10. Do you think it's a misprint or MI is going to only award 2 points/$ for that kind of GC holder?

Thanks in advance!

with out actually seeing it I can't be certain but my initial thought is this is a promotion for BUYING the card, not redeeming the value of the card (sorta like using the onepass or skymile shopping malls)

with out actually seeing it I can't be certain but my initial thought is this is a promotion for BUYING the card, not redeeming the value of the card (sorta like using the onepass or skymile shopping malls)

Hi Socrates, here's the T&C for the GC promo:

RIDE 10% Bonus

This is an online promotion only and cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer not valid on Marriott GiftCards purchased via Marriott properties, 3rd parties or 1 800 813 GIFT. There is no limit to the number of GiftCards that can be purchased. Valid June 11, 2012 through TBD, 2012. GiftCards purchased between $25 and $1500 are are eligible to receive the 10% bonus. You must enter the promotion code PRIDE to have the 10% bonus added to the value of the GiftCard you purchased. The 10% bonus will be reflected on the card amount once received. This is a limited time, limited inventory offer. Shipping and handling fees apply. $1 shipping option available to U.S. addresses only.

Marriott Rewards members can redeem the Gift Card to earn up to 2 points per US dollar spent (on all qualifying charges) at participating: Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Vacation Club International properties, but not at Ritz-Carlton; and 1 point per US dollar spent (room rate only) at Courtyard, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, and Fairfield Inn® by Marriott properties worldwide. Gift Cards cannot be redeemed towards a vacation ownership purchase at Marriott Vacation Club International. Gift Cards can be redeemed towards rental stays at Marriott Vacation Club International properties.

It doesn't sound like you get the points for buying the card but for redeeming the card.

Hi Socrates, here's the T&C for the GC promo:



It doesn't sound like you get the points for buying the card but for redeeming the card.

that is really interesting and I'm sitting here scratching my head, I'm leaning towards saying it's a typo because the various systems needed to automatically adjust the number of points awarded for a stay based upon a method of payment (and then only a subsection of that specific method of payment) would be pretty intense....not saying it's not in place BUT given the complexity and the ROI on such a system I just dont see MI doing it...if there's a phone number to call associated with the promo I'd recommend seeing what they had to say (I haven't seen anything about this promo)

Here's the phone number:

Contact Us: (801) 468-4167 • Monday - Friday: 9 am - 7 pm EST / Saturday: 10 am – 4:30 pm EST

It's from gifts.marriott.com

The T&C I quoted is from that page too.