Aug 27, 2018, 11:55 am
Last edit by: beltway
How do I make a booking using a free-night cert?
Follow these steps:
Can I exchange a soon-to-expire free-night cert for points? Extend its expiration? What if the cert has already expired?- Check the "Use points" box when conducting your search for availability. You can also filter search results by category.
- Select a property from the search results and click "Continue" to view available rooms.
- On the property-specific page, you will see several tabs at the top for various rate categories. You should automatically see award rooms; if not, click "Rewards Points" on the tab at top left.
- Select a room.
- On the reservation confirmation page, under "Choose room features," you should see a highlighted box with a note that "You have eligible e-certificates that match your reservation." Underneath that box will be radio buttons allowing you to attach your cert(s) or, in the alternative, to use points.
Marriott Rewards customer service will normally extend an unexpired free-night cert by one year from the date of the request. (Some members have encountered resistance, especially if they have canceled the associated Chase card; if this happens, hang up and call again later.) Each cert may be extended only once.
We have no reports of Marriott allowing certs to be redeemed for points, nor any reports of Marriott allowing expired certs to be revived/extended.
If I cancel my card after the annual free-night cert has posted, will I lose the cert?We have no reports of Marriott allowing certs to be redeemed for points, nor any reports of Marriott allowing expired certs to be revived/extended.
No. Once a cert is in your Marriott account, it will not be clawed back even if you cancel your card to avoid paying the annual fee.
Chase Free Night Certificate - Pre-Aug 2018
May 22, 2017, 8:54 am
#601
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
The few times I traveled and a lesser status friend booked the room, I found just showing my Gold/Plat card during checkin got us the higher on-site bennies but not the extra points. Ask nicely, the worst they can do is say no and you haven't lost any ground.
May 22, 2017, 3:14 pm
#602
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
As long as your with her, show them your Gold card when you check-in. I've used certs from my wife's account while still receiving my Plat benefits a number of times.
May 31, 2017, 11:53 am
#603
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MYR
Programs: spirit elite, MRgold Hilton Gold
Posts: 454
as a data point i was told at check no elite benefits while using the wifes certificate even though i was with her. this was at the Marriott Bradley Airport
May 31, 2017, 4:25 pm
#604
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
This is a property's discretion but a poor decision. You might try posting the issue on Trip Advisor and maybe someone in property management will reconsider the decision. Traveling spouses may not be a huge number, but may influence decisions when solo.
Aug 1, 2017, 10:42 am
#605
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
Can I use Cert to book room for someone else to stay?
Re: Premier Visa Anniversary Free Night
Can I use my own Free Night cert to book a hotel room for someone else to stay?
Thanks
Can I use my own Free Night cert to book a hotel room for someone else to stay?
Thanks
Aug 1, 2017, 10:45 am
#606
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
Technically, per the T&Cs, you need to be staying there to use the cert. But a number of folks here have said that they have been able to add someone else's name to the reservation (keeping your name on it as well) and they had no problems.
The only thing is, a given hotel could actually read the rules and want to enforce them, even though that may not be what normally happens at most hotels.
The only thing is, a given hotel could actually read the rules and want to enforce them, even though that may not be what normally happens at most hotels.
Aug 1, 2017, 11:24 am
#607
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I have posted this before, the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta did not let my sister check into a room paid for with a cert when the cert was in my name. We had two rooms, one on points and one on the cert, and there was no problem with her checking in for the one with the points. She wound up giving them her credit card, and when I got there I checked in and switched the room back to the cert.
Aug 1, 2017, 2:56 pm
#608
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
Technically, per the T&Cs, you need to be staying there to use the cert. But a number of folks here have said that they have been able to add someone else's name to the reservation (keeping your name on it as well) and they had no problems.
The only thing is, a given hotel could actually read the rules and want to enforce them, even though that may not be what normally happens at most hotels.
The only thing is, a given hotel could actually read the rules and want to enforce them, even though that may not be what normally happens at most hotels.
Aug 2, 2017, 10:15 am
#609
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
Technically, per the T&Cs, you need to be staying there to use the cert. But a number of folks here have said that they have been able to add someone else's name to the reservation (keeping your name on it as well) and they had no problems.
The only thing is, a given hotel could actually read the rules and want to enforce them, even though that may not be what normally happens at most hotels.
The only thing is, a given hotel could actually read the rules and want to enforce them, even though that may not be what normally happens at most hotels.
Can I use them to book two rooms at the same hotel for the same night (I'm traveling with a friend)? On the one hand, I'm there and checking in. On the other, I'm clearly not sleeping in both rooms...
Aug 2, 2017, 10:23 am
#610
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
You won't have any issues using them together like that since you will be there to check-in.
Sep 23, 2017, 10:16 am
#611
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: ORY/PCT
Programs: AA 1MM, AF Plat, VS Gold, Hyatt Glob, Sixt Diamond, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 1,150
Hi All - I have the three free night certificates and a bunch of upgrade certificates in my Ritz Rewards account. All of them came from the Ritz credit card. My annual fee is coming up October 1. If I cancel the card will I lose all the certificates? I couldn't find an answer by searching the forums/threads. Thanks!
Sep 23, 2017, 12:57 pm
#612
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Hi All - I have the three free night certificates and a bunch of upgrade certificates in my Ritz Rewards account. All of them came from the Ritz credit card. My annual fee is coming up October 1. If I cancel the card will I lose all the certificates? I couldn't find an answer by searching the forums/threads. Thanks!
Sep 23, 2017, 1:15 pm
#613
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
Hi All - I have the three free night certificates and a bunch of upgrade certificates in my Ritz Rewards account. All of them came from the Ritz credit card. My annual fee is coming up October 1. If I cancel the card will I lose all the certificates? I couldn't find an answer by searching the forums/threads. Thanks!
Sep 23, 2017, 1:33 pm
#614
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,042
I have done this a few times, added the person's name to the reservation online when making it, but just to be sure I always call the front desk before they arrive to set it up. I say "My friend/son/whoever will be using this room (or arriving before me, as the case may be) and I want to make sure there are no problems checking in without me." I honestly don't think the hotel cares whether it is a points redemption or a certificate.
Sep 23, 2017, 5:08 pm
#615
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
I have done this a few times, added the person's name to the reservation online when making it, but just to be sure I always call the front desk before they arrive to set it up. I say "My friend/son/whoever will be using this room (or arriving before me, as the case may be) and I want to make sure there are no problems checking in without me." I honestly don't think the hotel cares whether it is a points redemption or a certificate.