Using a MR Visa certificate cat 1-5..?
Jul 19, 2009, 2:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Roseville, CA
Programs: Lifetime Plat Marriott
Posts: 1,358
Using a MR Visa certificate cat 1-5..?
We have booked 5 nights at the Brisbane Marriott for the end of Oct, early November. I got a really great rate in that I only had to spend 80,000 points. Excellent!
In September, I'm going to get my annual MR Visa certificate, which I believe, after the initial year, is a category 5 (unlike the 1st year which is a cat 4 maximum).
My question is what are the odds that I will be able to call up in September (as soon as it gets deposited in my MR account) and book a room to add another night to the 5 nights I already booked?
Is it based on availability (plenty of availability now)? Do they carry any weight? I know being Plat does nothing, unlike being a Diamond w/Hilton. I guess worst case scenario, I can book it, pay a couple of hundred dollars for the room if I am unable to use the certificate, but it would be nice to actually use this certificate while on vacation and save a couple hundred.
Some of those certificates are so difficult to use (everything has to line up right, the moon/stars/you name it), and others are pretty much a done deal--if they have a room--then you get to use your certificate!
I want to book a flight to Brisbane from Sydney and return, so it really does matter (although as I stated, we can always pay for a room on that final night).
Thanks....
Dawn
In September, I'm going to get my annual MR Visa certificate, which I believe, after the initial year, is a category 5 (unlike the 1st year which is a cat 4 maximum).
My question is what are the odds that I will be able to call up in September (as soon as it gets deposited in my MR account) and book a room to add another night to the 5 nights I already booked?
Is it based on availability (plenty of availability now)? Do they carry any weight? I know being Plat does nothing, unlike being a Diamond w/Hilton. I guess worst case scenario, I can book it, pay a couple of hundred dollars for the room if I am unable to use the certificate, but it would be nice to actually use this certificate while on vacation and save a couple hundred.
Some of those certificates are so difficult to use (everything has to line up right, the moon/stars/you name it), and others are pretty much a done deal--if they have a room--then you get to use your certificate!
I want to book a flight to Brisbane from Sydney and return, so it really does matter (although as I stated, we can always pay for a room on that final night).
Thanks....
Dawn
Jul 19, 2009, 3:23 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Book it now as a one night award, then when you get the certificate call and have them attach the certificate.
Jul 19, 2009, 3:47 pm
#3
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
Note that if you have the points in your account and make the reservation now, the online system will automatically pull the points and order the award. When the e-cert is deposited, you shouldn't have any trouble calling MR and asking them to change the one-night reservation to the e-cert and redepositing the points.
If you don't want the points pulled from your account, then you will need to call MR and ask them to make the reservation, but not pull the points. Just don't forget to link the e-cert to your reservation once it is deposited. Otherwise, the online system will automatically pull the points and order you the needed award about 7 days before the check-in date.
If you don't want the points pulled from your account, then you will need to call MR and ask them to make the reservation, but not pull the points. Just don't forget to link the e-cert to your reservation once it is deposited. Otherwise, the online system will automatically pull the points and order you the needed award about 7 days before the check-in date.
Jul 19, 2009, 4:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: MAR TE ... UA PS
Posts: 92
If you let Marriott Rewards know what you are doing they should book the room placing it on hold even if you do not have the points.
I have two Cat 8 stays booked for 5 days each, and the 320K MR points were not taken out of my account. The rooms were put on "hold" so that I can later attach them to Air Hotel travel packages.
I have two Cat 8 stays booked for 5 days each, and the 320K MR points were not taken out of my account. The rooms were put on "hold" so that I can later attach them to Air Hotel travel packages.