What is the going rate for turning points into Marriott Checks or dollars or whatever
Jan 22, 2011, 10:28 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
What is the going rate for turning points into Marriott Checks or dollars or whatever
... they call them these days?
I could not seem to find it on the site? One of my coworkers said there was some sort of promotion a while back where he got $1k for a decent bit of points and was able to have a big time at a JW...
I did a search, but I apparently am not looking for the right buzz word...
Thanks for the help....
I could not seem to find it on the site? One of my coworkers said there was some sort of promotion a while back where he got $1k for a decent bit of points and was able to have a big time at a JW...
I did a search, but I apparently am not looking for the right buzz word...
Thanks for the help....
Jan 22, 2011, 10:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Wesseling, NRW, Germany
Programs: UA *S , MR LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,940
If you hold status with Marriott you can exchange 135K points into Gift Cheques with a face-value of $1000 which in turn can be used at any Marriott-branded property just like Cash (except you get no change if you overpay with them). The $1000 comes as 20 cheques with a $50 value each.
Greetings - Dirk
Greetings - Dirk
Jan 23, 2011, 6:55 am
#3
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
If you're so inclined, you can also use Marriott Rewards points to purchase Marriott Gift Cards, which never expire worthless (as the Cheques can) and which do allow you to "pay" exact charges without losing "change" (the Gift Cards are stored-value VISA cards, so you can use them to pay the same way you'd use a VISA card, and use them over and over until the value is all used up).
Prices are a bit steep, though, in my opinion:
$50 card is 20,000 points;
$100 card is 35,000 points;
$200 card is 59,000 points;
$500 card is 100,000 points; and
$1000 card is 190,000 points.
This link may take you there (or it may only work for someone who is signed in).
Prices are a bit steep, though, in my opinion:
$50 card is 20,000 points;
$100 card is 35,000 points;
$200 card is 59,000 points;
$500 card is 100,000 points; and
$1000 card is 190,000 points.
This link may take you there (or it may only work for someone who is signed in).
Jan 23, 2011, 8:53 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SNA
Programs: M/R AMBASSADOR/LT/TIT/UASILVER/AAGOLD
Posts: 469
Also, Gift Cards do not expire whereas Gift Cheques usually have a one year expiration date which can not be renewed.
Jan 23, 2011, 9:58 am
#5
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Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
Thanks... I actually want to spend it all pretty much at once on my NYC trip next fall for my best gal. Figured we could live like rock stars at the Algonquin or Ritz in NYC.
Keeping that in mind, could I hand over $1k worth of them to settle up a some bar and room service tabs?
Also, I note they are 135k points, has anyone seen them cheaper? It seems like he said it was some special deal and they were less than 100k points.
Keeping that in mind, could I hand over $1k worth of them to settle up a some bar and room service tabs?
Also, I note they are 135k points, has anyone seen them cheaper? It seems like he said it was some special deal and they were less than 100k points.
Jan 23, 2011, 10:42 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Avis First
Posts: 226
135K is the best offer i've found. I've used that conversion twice and enjoyed it! some diehards out here on FT have likely done better, but don't feel like you're getting scammed - 135K/$1000 is my best known one.
Jan 23, 2011, 10:56 am
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
Thanks
Jan 27, 2011, 8:03 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta-PM, Marriott-Plat, PC-Gold
Posts: 226
The 135k for the $1000 is a platinum (and gold maybe) thing. Had this confirmed on the phone last week.
And I'm spending mine tomorrow.
And I'm spending mine tomorrow.
Jan 28, 2011, 6:35 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 298
As far as being able to spend them like cash, the T&C's do state this:
Have people had success using the gift cheques for corporate/AAA rates?
Marriott Cheques may be used for all publicly listed and available room rates and packages, but cannot be used for convention, travel industry, tour, advance purchase, catering, or group room rates.
Jan 28, 2011, 8:11 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SNA
Programs: M/R AMBASSADOR/LT/TIT/UASILVER/AAGOLD
Posts: 469
They are accepted for AAA, Senior, and Government rates also. Never had a problem.
Jan 28, 2011, 8:27 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 298
Hmm, I don't have them in front of me, but I feel like on the back of the cheques, the T&Cs are more explicitly restrictive than those on the website (saying something like not valid for any rate requiring ID...). I picked up a few sets to use in March, and can save a chunk of change using AAA rates, but don't want to get there and find that they won't take the cheques.
Jan 28, 2011, 8:45 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR PP, DL PM
Posts: 20
FYI, I would check to see if Ritz accepts these cheques. As of the end of last year they were not. Also, not all Marriott properties accept them so be sure to call the GM of your hotel choice and ask about that specific property. Good luck!
Jan 28, 2011, 3:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maryland
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 514
I don't think you can use them at a Ritz. Damn.
Jan 28, 2011, 4:04 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oklahoma
Programs: MR LT Platinum, HH Diamond, WN A-List,
Posts: 478
Hmm, I don't have them in front of me, but I feel like on the back of the cheques, the T&Cs are more explicitly restrictive than those on the website (saying something like not valid for any rate requiring ID...). I picked up a few sets to use in March, and can save a chunk of change using AAA rates, but don't want to get there and find that they won't take the cheques.
Jan 28, 2011, 7:21 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
If you hold status with Marriott you can exchange 135K points into Gift Cheques with a face-value of $1000 which in turn can be used at any Marriott-branded property just like Cash (except you get no change if you overpay with them). The $1000 comes as 20 cheques with a $50 value each.
Greetings - Dirk
Greetings - Dirk
If you're so inclined, you can also use Marriott Rewards points to purchase Marriott Gift Cards, which never expire worthless (as the Cheques can) and which do allow you to "pay" exact charges without losing "change" (the Gift Cards are stored-value VISA cards, so you can use them to pay the same way you'd use a VISA card, and use them over and over until the value is all used up).
Prices are a bit steep, though, in my opinion:
$50 card is 20,000 points;
$100 card is 35,000 points;
$200 card is 59,000 points;
$500 card is 100,000 points; and
$1000 card is 190,000 points.
This link may take you there (or it may only work for someone who is signed in).
Prices are a bit steep, though, in my opinion:
$50 card is 20,000 points;
$100 card is 35,000 points;
$200 card is 59,000 points;
$500 card is 100,000 points; and
$1000 card is 190,000 points.
This link may take you there (or it may only work for someone who is signed in).